This week Uniden released firmware updates for both their R1 & R3 radar detectors. Let’s walk through the update process so you can learn how to install the drivers, update the redlight camera database, and update the firmware for the Uniden R1 and Uniden R3 radar detectors.
Here’s a pair of videos, the first for Windows and the second for Mac, showing you how to update your detector, followed the step-by-step tutorial with important links.
What You’ll Need:
- Uniden R1 or R3 radar detector (purchase the R1 or R3)
- A MiniUSB cable (buy one here)
- A Windows computer (a Mac running Windows works too)
- Uniden update software (download here)
How to Check Which Firmware Version You’re Running
If you’d like to check which firmware version is loaded onto your detector at any point, say before or after updating, then while your detector is powered on normally, press the “Menu” button on top and the scroll left a few times with the “Vol -” button and you’ll see the firmware version listed like this.
Download & Install the Software
To download the latest firmware update software from Uniden, visit this website, scroll down, and click on the gray “Firmware” button.
For both the R1 and R3 you’ll find a pair of links. The first one is for the drivers you may need so your computer can talk to the detector and the second one is the firmware update itself. Download the latest firmware file and if it’s the first time you’re doing the update, download the drivers as well just in case.
Anyway, when you download and unzip the file from Uniden’s website, you’ll find a few files including the update software and firmware update file for your detector.
Install the firmware update software.
Plug In Your Radar Detector
You’ll need a MiniUSB cable to plug your detector into your computer. The detectors don’t come with one, but I wish they did. Most people have a spare one laying around the house, but in case you don’t, you can buy one here.
The detector doesn’t need the power cable plugged in too. Just USB to your computer. The detector’s display does not turn on during the update and that is normal.
Note: Some people are reporting that their computer is not able to see their detectors at all. If this is the case, try a different USB cable. Some work better than others. You need one that provides data information, not just power.
Install the Drivers
When you plug your detector into your computer, it may go through an installation process and automatically download the drivers for your detector. If it’s unable to find the drivers, you can manually install the drivers after downloading them from Uniden’s website.
Run the Firmware Update Software
Launch the update software once it’s installed.
Click the “auto connect” button at the top and make sure the program says “Connected!” at the top.
Note: Your radar detector’s display will not turn on when plugged in to your computer to be updated via USB. This is normal.
The program should automatically pull up your radar detector model and firmware version. If it doesn’t, click the “Read Version” button.
The program may automatically load in the firmware update file in the “Download File” section just underneath. If not, click the “Open” button and find the R3_vxxx.xxx.xxx.bin file.
Click “Start Download” to load your new firmware onto your detector. It may take several minutes. The firmware update file includes the latest firmware, voice pack, as well as GPS database if you’re running the R3.
Once it completes and updates successfully, close the update software. It it fails, simply try again.
If you ever run into a situation where the detector gets accidentally unplugged mid-update and won’t power on normally, click the “Recovery Mode” checkbox and have it reload the firmware onto your detector.
Performing a Factory Reset
Uniden recommends that after you update your firmware, you perform a factory reset to ensure that the new firmware is loaded properly. You won’t clear your lockouts or manually marked locations by doing this, but you will need to go back through your settings afterwards and set everything back to where you want it.
To do this, press the “Menu” button, scroll left with the “Vol -” button until you see “Factory Reset?” and then hit the “Menu” button again to reset the detector back to factory default settings.
Then go back through your detector and choose the settings you want to run again.
If you need help programming your detector, see my R1 and R3 setup guide.
That’s it! You’re all set. Enjoy! 🙂
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46 comments
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How long does it usually take for an item like this to drop in price? Or get refers on the market?
How long does it usually take for an item like this to drop in price? Or get refers on the market?… .
I meant refurbs
Author
I don’t know about refurbs. I can tell you that the wait list is out until July to even get one right now. Apparently BRD is having to turn down around 10 people a day who want one. They’re just not available until the next batch of detectors arrives next month.
Do refurbs of other models ever come out?
What does the new firmware do? meaning do i have to download it to my R3, i just received my R3 last week.
Author
This 3 minute video I posted will explain what 1.26 covers: https://youtu.be/-IUpKSGvCGA
Hi, Trying to update my R1 but when I download it I get a bin file that will not open. my download looks different than yours…..yours looks like a little hat and mine is just a white square. Thanks, Steve
Author
The bin file isn’t one you open. It’s one that the update software opens and loads into your detector. The icon looks different just because we have different programs associated with opening a .bin file. If you follow the instructions as I show, does that work?
No…In your video the update automatically loads on the screen and you just hit update. nothing is in the second box for me….make sense?
I have the exact same problem! I’m beyond irritated! What the hell’s the solution, …for me to mail it back to where I bought it every time there’s a firmware update?! Jesus. The least Uniden could do is make the R1/R3 iOS compatible, at least then I’d have a fighting chance.
I loaded bootcamp on my Mac and it works like a charm
I just got mine today. Why does the website only have the 4/5/17 Red Light DB, when mine says 7/3/17 already on it?
Am I reading the dates wrong?
My DB is: 2017/07/03 is that March 2017? or July 2017
Also confusing on Firmware is when I auto detect it says version
126.192.100 but we are loading a version that seems lower onto it? (126.192.100)?
When I did like you said it still detects the same version I started out with
Did you get an answer? I have the same version 1.26 / 1.92 and DB ver 17/07/03. Is this the latrst firmware update?
Author
You have the current public firmware and an RLC database that’s newer than what’s currently available online. Enjoy. 🙂
Can we confirm that the software will not let you downgrade? I mistakenly overwritten the firmware with the older one from online and it didnt change.
Didnt dare try the DB
I did the same thing. I got trigger happy – always looking for the latest greatest. Hit download and I didn’t see the different version until the status bar was over 50%. At least I’m not driving with stock FW. I’ll just have to keep a look out for the latest email update to stay current.
And so that DB is from July?
Can you use a windows laptop running “vista” to do the update?
Author
Yep
Thanks.
I just checked my R3 for versions and I have:
DB Ver 17/07/03
Ver 1.26/1.92
So I’m really all set and don’t need to update anything, correct?
Are my Red Light Cameras updated as well based on the above information?
Author
You’re good with the RLC database, but you’ll want to update to 1.30. Here’s the info about that: https://youtu.be/LBroj6aUTLs
In my 32 years of working with PC computers I have never had as many problems with down loading software. This is the worst experience that I’ve ever had. I am now waiting for a IT specialist to come to my domicile ($25 hour). I have emailed Tom at BRD, asking if I can mail my R3 back to him and pay him to load the software and mail the RD back to me. He hasn’t returned my email request at this time.
Hello,
Could i update the RLC DB by myself? is there any 3p software that i can use for that.
i’m not living in the USA and i have a fully updtated RLC db that i use on other devices, and i just want to add my points to the R3 is it possible?
Is the r3 better then the escort 360?
Hello,
I’m trying to find the latest firmware update 1.31 for uniden R3 and I can only find version 1.30.
Where can we find firmware 1.31?
Thank you very much,
Alain
Author
It’s currently being beta tested and hasn’t been publicly released yet, but it should be soon.
Hi. Can you help with the updates for DFR 7 ?
Just wanted to add this to computer not able to recognize the detector if replacing USB cable does not work. You have to download the USB driver from Uniden.
http://support.uniden.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CP210x_Windows_Drivers.zip
just received my new R3 and trying to update firmware, so i go to the uniden website and download the firmware tool to windows 10. it completes but when I go to update the tool box doesn’t pop up, also when I connect the detector it connects I hear the connection sound but the detector doesn’t light up. I believe the cable is fine as it worked w/my escort.
Couple questions, I just bought an r1 a couple days ago and the display does not show the heartbeat wave while powered on , it just shows the word HIGHWAY, CITY, or ADVANCED depending on what it’s set for. Does this mean it’s an older model? Also when I use the suction cup windshield mount, the detector leans downward a great deal and is not parallel. I have to wedge some paper or something behind the clip mount to keep the detector parallel. Is there a better way to do this?
Let me add to my last messaage, the detector had firmware 1.31 when I received it but I successfully updated 1.37 and it still doesn’t show the heartbeat wave on the display.
Author
Change the display mode to scan. See my R1 & R3 setup guide for more info.
Thank you very much for this video. It was educational and led me through the process easily. I just purchased the Uniden R3 after having my six month old Escort 360C stolen out of my car. We shall see how I like the R3 versus the Escort 360C. Thank you again for the assistance and excellent video. GREAT JOB!!!
I am having a problem loading the software to update my new Uniden R1 , I’ve followed the video step by step , but when I try to open it I get a message saying “Uniden R1 V1 quit Unexpectedly “ I deleted And tried 11 times with same result all with the same results?
I even tried it on my Dell LattitudeD610 running Windows XP the message on it is different, it says “Error (null) is not valid Win32 application? Can you help with either of these , I’m a Apple guy so I prefer my Mac!
Author
Have you tried updating it on your Mac? There’s Mac update software available now too.
I am having the same issue!!!
Hey, I just want to thank you and let you know I appreciate your help with me setting up my r3.
Hey,
Thanks for helping with all my R3 setup and firmware update. Much appreciated!
Also, in the Firmware Update video you program the R3 after doing the update. What adapter/converter cable are you using with R3 DC Power Adapter?
I am using the same cable I used for the last update but it won’t find my R3. It just says Searching – for about 10 minutes. Any ideas?
my update screen was different…. it connected to the R3, but would not provide power to it. And I was able to update the firmware regardless? it did confirm that is was updated.
Author
Right, the R3 connects, but the display isn’t supposed to power on too.
hi!when i try to download the DB_20200106.bin file through the software for mu R1 i receive an error message that the uniden model is wrong. do i necessarily need that file to be downloaded? how to fix the issue?
Author
You don’t need that file. The DB is the GPS database for redlight cameras and speed cameras. The R1 doesn’t have GPS so it doesn’t support the GPS database.
Using a Mac – I installed the driver and the Uniden Tool V1.4 but when I tried to “read version” it wouldn’t read the version, and when I went to “downloads”, it was empty. No downloads were present. Maybe the cable is bad?
So I just commented above, but I also have a PC, and I followed instructions closely (to the best of my ability), and when I click on the Uniden Download Tool shortcut, now it reads the version, but there is no file in the download window to open. I went back over this but cannot figure it out.
Unfortunately, my PC is toast and the only Windows PC I can access is at work, which doesn’t give me admin rights. So I can’t run the MSI file. Wish they had an Android updater or Linux or a standalone app that didn’t have an installer.