[erickonphoenix]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

Good to know. I am thinking of getting an update. The K-band fatigue being a big reason.

LOL - thought the term "rabbit" was of my own making. I have often employed the strategy.

What have you heard regarding Uniden R8 vs Max 360 MK II? Those seem to be good bang for buck.

I'm a V1 fan boy, but Uniden has really elevated their product line. The R7 is probably one of the best RDs on the market right now.

I've been really disappointed with Escorts products lately, I mean they work but at that price point they should offer more stand out features besides an integrated dash cam. I've seen some really slick installs of the CI 360 systems that are wicked stealth, but you're talking thousands of dollars and none have performed as well as a simple dash mounted RD with an ALP add on. In fact I'd say simple, well tuned straight forward installs beat stealth installs every time.

I'd recommend looking at Vortex Radar reviews to get a good handle on the RD market. He's kind of the Yoda of Rds at the moment.

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I'm a V1 fan boy, but Uniden has really elevated their product line. The R7 is probably one of the best RDs on the market right now.

I've been really disappointed with Escorts products lately, I mean they work but at that price point they should offer more stand out features besides an integrated dash cam. I've seen some really slick installs of the CI 360 systems that are wicked stealth, but you're talking thousands of dollars and none have performed as well as a simple dash mounted RD with an ALP add on. In fact I'd say simple, well tuned straight forward installs beat stealth installs every time.

I'd recommend looking at Vortex Radar reviews to get a good handle on the RD market. He's kind of the Yoda of Rds at the moment.

How does Uniden's false filtering compare to Escort's? I've been considering upgrading my first gen Max 360 to either a newer gen DSP max or a Uniden R7 or R8. The feature I love most about it today is the GPS tagging of false alarms. In PA, they set up roadside "Your speed is" signs all over the place using the same k band frequency as our cops, and I have all of them tagged on my normal routes. I haven't been able to figure out of the R7/R8 offer the same geo-tagging feature or if that is an Escort only thing.

thanks

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

How does Uniden's false filtering compare to Escort's? I've been considering upgrading my first gen Max 360 to either a newer gen DSP max or a Uniden R7 or R8. The feature I love most about it today is the GPS tagging of false alarms. In PA, they set up roadside "Your speed is" signs all over the place using the same k band frequency as our cops, and I have all of them tagged on my normal routes. I haven't been able to figure out of the R7/R8 offer the same geo-tagging feature or if that is an Escort only thing.

thanks

Like the Escort, my understanding is that you press "mute" twice.

[Mech Spec]

My R7 auto mutes every speed sign I've driven past more than twice, and I didn't have to do anything other than load vortex's settings. We have quite a lot here too... seems the speed sign lobby has been really getting active in the north east.

[erickonphoenix]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

How does Uniden's false filtering compare to Escort's? I've been considering upgrading my first gen Max 360 to either a newer gen DSP max or a Uniden R7 or R8. The feature I love most about it today is the GPS tagging of false alarms. In PA, they set up roadside "Your speed is" signs all over the place using the same k band frequency as our cops, and I have all of them tagged on my normal routes. I haven't been able to figure out of the R7/R8 offer the same geo-tagging feature or if that is an Escort only thing.

thanks

In my experience they're pretty quiet but I did have one of an R4 go to sleep on me. Had to reboot it to get it to detect again.

[Mech Spec]

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

In my experience they're pretty quiet but I did have one of an R4 go to sleep on me. Had to reboot it to get it to detect again.

Dont know about the R4 vs the R7, but the R7 still shows you the X/K band alerts on the display they are just greyed out and silent. So even if you arent being actively alerted, you know the detector is still grabbing it.

I'm not sure about other detector brands, but I dig Uniden's Ka alert chirp. It is the perfect sound for knowing when you need to hit the brake without looking.

[chris_1001]

Escort Redline 360c + Waze

[DrVenture]

It does look like the R7 is best bang for buck. Particularly for mainly local/city driving. I'd assume that the Valentine R8 and maybe Redline are better for HWY/wide open road situations. Where range is paramount.

Overall, it is the diligence that really matters. Paying attention and understanding what the alerts mean, and not speeding where you are very exposed. My last ticket was probably 10 years ago, and only occurred because auto lockout had muted a section of road. And the oncoming police car was running Ka full-on. I should have known better and un-muted that location.

Before that was an unexpected laser speed trap, where they got me from behind sitting up on an expressway on-ramp shooting down on a 7:00 am morning commute. No chance at all. Never were they there before and never again that I ever noticed.

[Mech Spec]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the functionality, so I am happy to be corrected.

The R7 is muting a specific signal (e.g. K band 24.1) at a specific location and would not be vulnerable to a new signal in that location.

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by IanH

Maybe I am misunderstanding the functionality, so I am happy to be corrected.

The R7 is muting a specific signal (e.g. K band 24.1) at a specific location and would not be vulnerable to a new signal in that location.

That's the way the escort 360 works. It will show a count of # of signals at a location and will alert if a muted area shows a 2nd signal. In expert mode display it will show the individual signals, their frequency, strength, etc. Not sure about the R7.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Nayan.P5

I just bought a used m340i, I don't wanna rack up my insurance even more and I'm
Thinking abt purchasing a radar detector. Any reccomendations, cheap or expensive but I'm most likely gonna purchase one for around 300

Have used a V1 G1 for years. Since about 2000. Still have it. Recently bought a new V1 G2. Have not driven very much with it on -- I very seldom use a radar detector in town -- but the times I have used it I like it.

'course, you won't get a new V1 for $300. I paid $599 for the V1 G2. Think I paid $399 for the V1 G1. Don't know if Valentine One sells new V1 G1s still.

Almost all of my V1 usage has been west of the Mississippi. And mostly confined to the freeways.

The times I have been on highways other than freeways I've encountered LEOs using radar.

A time or two I have spotted the dreaded bear in the air but recognized how the aircraft was flying that it was not a general aviation flight but speed enforcement. Plus about the time I spotted the aircraft my V1 chirped from a radar source. This was from the ground support officers' cruisers.

Over the years I have encountered real speed enforcement laser just a few times. I can only recall one time. Way the heck up just outside of Superior WI. East of the Mississippi. Maybe east of the Mississippi laser is more common?

My old V1 has saved my bacon countless times. And I'm not a super speeder. But I drove a lot of miles -- ~1M over the years -- and often in a sports car. When the radar gun alerts on an over speed event and the officer looks up and sees a sports car -- a dark blue one or an Arctic Silver one in my case -- that is the car he'll pursue and pull over. I've heard some LEOs admit when it comes to traffic law enforcement they hold drivers of sports cars to a higher standard.

The V1 gives me an early warning and I can slow down and take note of the situation. 'course, one time in west Texas I got an alert from my V1 -- and from my hand held CB I knew there was a "bear" ahead -- and slowed down to 5mph under the limit. At the same time my car crested a slight rise and just as the V1 was going crazy another car in the fast lane zoomed past my Boxster (blue). Just a ways further I passed the cruiser -- city kitty... -- parked in the middle of the freeway. Long story short he pulled *me* over. I politely protested my innocence and fortunately I was able to raise enough doubt in his mind -- before he cautioned me about my protesting and I shut the heck up -- that he gave me a warning.

Another time on I40 east of Barstow CA late at night I knew from my V1 there was a LEO with radar up ahead. I was in my 996 Turbo (Arctic Silver) going the limit. In the rear view mirror I spot some white Lexus coming up in one big hurry. I moved over and dropped my speed some. Remembering what happened in my Boxster I wanted plenty of separation between my Turbo and the speeding Lexus. As I expected the Lexus blew by the CHP car parked on the shoulder of the freeway. Out there it is dark as the ace of spades and headlight light gets swallowed by the blackness.

Of course the cruiser light bar lit up and it was in no time the Lexus was pulled over.

I really like my V1s.

[DrVenture]

Funny thing, I once had my radar detector go off in the early morning from a LEO coming opposite direction on a divided 4-lane. I downshifted and jabbed the brakes briefly while pulling to the right, setting my cruise just below the speed limit. The LEO hit a turn-around and went right past my GT500 (huge silver stripes) to pull over a Honda minivan.

I can't say for certain, but...

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by IanH

Maybe I am misunderstanding the functionality, so I am happy to be corrected.

The R7 is muting a specific signal (e.g. K band 24.1) at a specific location and would not be vulnerable to a new signal in that location.

I don't know about the Uniden, but my 9500ix, once GPS muted for a false, seems to let nothing through, not even police radar. Another reason I should buy a new unit.

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

I don't know about the Uniden, but my 9500ix, once GPS muted for a false, seems to let nothing through, not even police radar. Another reason I should buy a new unit.

Yeah, something done broke, It should immediately reset after the signal that was muted has passed. Mine has saved me countless times

[414bhp]

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the CHP uses laser and radar on the highways. They are always parked when shooting laser, so Waze and watching other drivers' brake lights help spot that early. My R7 radar detector is useful for warning about CHP on the move.

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by Tejas1836

Yeah, something done broke, It should immediately reset after the signal that was muted has passed. Mine has saved me countless times

I was in the mute zone, where it had picked up a false signal previously, after passing same spot three times, just like it is programmed to do. And I was cruising right along, while the detector was all lit up, but making no noise. It was daytime, driving into the sun, so I didn't see the bars.

Apparently, the shopping center's automatic doors are at the same band as the local LEO. Our police still use K-band when just driving along. Or did at that time. I know it isn't supposed to work that way, but...

Usually, I see it mute there and press to un-mute, for that very reason. Because there are always police on that stretch. Just a series of events that went rather badly that morning. I am hoping the R7 is more selective, as I have one on the way.

[DrVenture]

Found this on rdforum while researching custom firmware for the Uniden R7:

"the International firmware has the "Stay Sharp" feature, which allows the R7 to correctly identify a second K band signal (a LEO) when inside of a GPS lockout zone (for muting something like a door opener). This is a crucial feature if you live in a heavy K band enforcement area, and none of the Uniden factory firmwares can currently spot that second signal inside the lockout zone."

Apparently, this is an actual issue and not addressed by newer detectors, regardless of what their specs suggest.

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

Found this on rdforum while researching custom firmware for the Uniden R7:

"the International firmware has the "Stay Sharp" feature, which allows the R7 to correctly identify a second K band signal (a LEO) when inside of a GPS lockout zone (for muting something like a door opener). This is a crucial feature if you live in a heavy K band enforcement area, and none of the Uniden factory firmwares can currently spot that second signal inside the lockout zone."

Apparently, this is an actual issue and not addressed by newer detectors, regardless of what their specs suggest.

Is there a way to flash the "International Firmware" onto the unit? My buddy just got an R7 (against my max360 recommendation) and that issue would be a problem in our area

[Mautofied17]

Escort Redline 360c

[M4ord]

Been using the R8 and Waze about 3 years in the Maryland area and very happy with its performance. Using the Ka segementation settings from rdforum.org for the state I live in.(https://www.rdforum.org/threads/58040/)

Ka has saved me about half dozen times, usually from moving police cars traveling in the opposite lane towards me. I have never seen a false positive on Ka band.

K band has false positives but I find the R8 minimizes them well.

Only seen laser detection go off once. It was from a Maryland State Trooper and I was not speeding.

To the OP, the R8 has been great piece of mind for me and has paid for itself a few times over now. Everything I read about the R7 is the performance is pretty close.

Waze is great for the stationary speed traps that police like to use to maximize thier chance to catch some by using road contors or hills etc. The R8 (and others) provide the strongest protection against police using thier radar while moving. Depending on the enviorment (weather, roads are flat or hilly) I have gotten more that a mile of advanced notice that Ka band is in use.

Safe Travels!

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

Is there a way to flash the "International Firmware" onto the unit? My buddy just got an R7 (against my max360 recommendation) and that issue would be a problem in our area

Yes, you simply have to use the Uniden app and flash just as you would the Uniden provided firmware. To obtain the firmware just search on rdforums. the international firmware is not free, or from Uniden.

They still seem to use a lot of K band around here too.

[DrVenture]

Originally Posted by M4ord

Been using the R8 and Waze about 3 years in the Maryland area and very happy with its performance. Using the Ka segementation settings from rdforum.org for the state I live in.(https://www.rdforum.org/threads/58040/)

Ka has saved me about half dozen times, usually from moving police cars traveling in the opposite lane towards me. I have never seen a false positive on Ka band.

K band has false positives but I find the R8 minimizes them well.

Only seen laser detection go off once. It was from a Maryland State Trooper and I was not speeding.

To the OP, the R8 has been great piece of mind for me and has paid for itself a few times over now. Everything I read about the R7 is the performance is pretty close.

Waze is great for the stationary speed traps that police like to use to maximize thier chance to catch some by using road contors or hills etc. The R8 (and others) provide the strongest protection against police using thier radar while moving. Depending on the enviorment (weather, roads are flat or hilly) I have gotten more that a mile of advanced notice that Ka band is in use.

Safe Travels!

From the minimal research that I have done, before receiving my R7, it appears that segments are used to exclude portions of the band not applicable to your area, this limiting false alarms. And speeding up the radar scanning process. Is that your understanding?

And it appears it can be done through Uniden R Series Tool in expert mode?

Does it apply to K-band, as well as Ka-band?

My assumption is that the default setting is no segmentation.