Uniden will soon be releasing a brand new radar detector that is potentially slated to instantly become the best radar detector on the market. It’s the answer to the question that thousands of you guys have been asking:
“When will Uniden make an R3 with arrows?”
They finally did it. Meet the Uniden R7.
Uniden R7 Arrows
The Uniden R7 is a brand new radar detector, built upon the same platform as the R3, but it now adds a second rear-facing antenna to give it arrows.
The arrows point front, side, and rear to indicate the location of the threat. The arrows show up on the new larger OLED display that sits next to the rear antenna.
The detector is able to show up to 4 signals simultaneously and can also show the direction, band, and signal strength for the additional signals too.
The arrows change color according to the signal strength. Weak signals are green, medium signals are yellow, and strong signals are red.
![Uniden R7 arrow colors](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/R7-arrow-colors-animated.gif)
Uniden R7’s color coded arrows
As a bonus, in the first firmware update that will be released after the detector is released, we’ll also have the option to have the arrow colors vary by band.
The signal strength right now is shown with 8 bars across the bottom of the display (up from 5 bars with the R3) like you can see above. The next firmware update will also include an additional display style with rounded strength bars that look like this:
So there’s a lot going into the new arrows and display of the R7. 🙂
Uniden R7 Performance and Features
Because the R7 is built on the same platform as the R3, it shares the same level of performance and features.
Uniden R7 Performance
The R7 should have the same long range performance as the R3.
Uniden has redesigned and improved the plastic condenser lens in front of the primary horn which should give the R7 an extra 1 dB of sensitivity over the R3 so the R7 should offer slightly better sensitivity and thus range. It’s still early in the process and the detector is still in development so none of the beta testers have had a chance to test it yet. (This unit is a prototype and is the only R7 currently around.)
![Uniden R7 condenser lens](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Uniden-R7-condenser-lens.jpg)
Uniden R7’s redesigned condenser lens
Uniden R7 Features
The BSM filtering, MRCD detection, and GPS features all carry over from the R3.
The R7 should also be RDD immune as well like the R3. I’ll test this out to verify, but assuming it’s true, it means the R7 will be the only stealth windshield mount detector with arrows.
There is no Bluetooth built in to the R7 like the Escort detectors.
The R7 will also add an ambient light sensor, like the DFR8 and DFR9, so its autodimming display will work based on the actual light levels around you and we won’t have to rely on GPS the way we do with the R3.
Another change is that the R7 is now able to sweep on K band down to 23.950, so for those of you who need lower end K band or MRCD detection, the R7 will be able to sweep a wider range of K band frequencies than the R1 and R3 which could go down as far as 24.050.
Uniden R7 Autolockouts
Another big new change is that the GPS lockouts will now also feature autolearn meaning that automatic GPS lockouts will be available on the R7! It will be similar to the Escort Max360 and Max360c in this regard. The R7 will ship with manual lockouts like the R3 at launch, and autolockouts will be added in the first firmware update.
Note: Unfortunately the R3 will not be getting autolockouts as well. It doesn’t have enough memory to support this feature so it won’t be able to get them just with a simple firmware update.
Autolearn will be an R7-exclusive feature. Once the feature is added, we’ll have the ability to turn autolearn on and off which is helpful for those who’d prefer to stick to manual lockouts only.
(The R7 will support a total of 2,000 lockouts and manually marked locations in total. You’ll be able to store a max of 1,750 of either lockouts or manual marks, giving you 250 of the other.)
Uniden R7 Design and Buttons
Taking a closer look at the R7’s design, a number of things have changed with the new detector.
For example, like the V1 and Max360-series detectors, the rear antenna is on the right side of the display. The display itself is tilted towards the driver just like the V1. I like that design choice as it really focuses on the driver.
![Uniden R3 and Uniden R7](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Uniden-R3-and-Uniden-R7-top.jpg)
Uniden R3 and Uniden R7
Note: The R7 shown here is a prototype. This is the design of the production version though so it’s pretty representative of what our final R7’s will look like. The only difference is that the plastic on the front is a little more translucent here. The final version will have darker plastic up front.
Now compared to the R3, the button placement has been modified as well.
The menu, volume, and power buttons all remain on top of the detector. The mark and mute buttons have been moved though. Instead of being on the face of the detector, they’ve been moved over to the left side of the unit, in front of the headphone jack. I don’t think I’ve seen a detector with buttons on the side like this, so we’ll have to see how well that works in practice.
![Uniden R7 side buttons](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Uniden-R7-side-buttons.jpg)
Uniden R7 Mark and Mute buttons
The RJ11 power cable port has been moved over to the right side of the detector which I’m very glad to see. That’s the standard side used for radar detectors and so now it matches most other detectors on the market.
The USB port has been changed from MiniUSB to the more common MicroUSB port. Plus, Uniden is now including a USB cable in the packaging so now you’ll have one for updating the detector if you don’t have an extra cable laying around already.
![Uniden R7 power and USB port](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Uniden-R7-power-and-USB-port.jpg)
Uniden R7 Power and USB port
Uniden R7 Accessories
There are a few changes to the accessories that ship with the R7.
Because the mount for the detector is a little farther away from the windshield, the mount itself will be a little longer than the R3’s to ensure the detector doesn’t hit the windshield. The mount is the same one used with the DFR7. When I get an R7 in, I’ll also check Blendmount compatibility with both the DFR7 and R3 clips.
The single suction cup is being redesigned as well. With the R1/R3’s version, its adjustability was limited so you couldn’t mount the detector straight and level if you have a very steeply raked windshield. The R7’s new mount will allow you to do this.
The R7 will also include a neoprene sleeve.
Finally, the cig. lighter smart power cord is being slightly updated too. It will have improved build quality, plus the face of the power cord (where you’ll find the alert LED, remote mute button, and USB port) will be slightly angled towards the driver.
Non-GPS version of the Uniden R7
I asked Uniden if they plan on releasing a non-GPS version of the R7, similar to how we have the R1 and R3. They said that they don’t have any plans to release a non-GPS model. So for those of you who want Uniden’s new radar detector with arrows, the fully loaded version is going to be the way to go.
Uniden R7 Price and Release Date
The R7 is expected to ship between April 5 – 15th and will retail for $599.
You can now pre-order the R7 here.
Given that this is quite likely to instantly be considered the very best windshield mount radar detector on the market, I’m sure Uniden will sell TONS of them.
This is gonna be a good one…
This website contains affiliate links and I sometimes make commissions on purchases. All opinions are my own. I don’t do paid or sponsored reviews.
Click here to read my affiliate disclosure. |
![Uniden R7: An R3 with Arrows!](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Uniden-R7-alerting-to-front-K-band-signal-with-second-side-bogey.jpg)
![Vortex Radar](https://www.vortexradar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Vortex-face.jpg)
60 comments
Skip to comment form
Hi. Do you know if these will become available in New Zealand? For our left hand drive cars? Cheers.
Author
That’s a good question. I’m not sure if they will be, and you’re right that it will be less appealing than the R3 NZ because of the angled display.
I can only assume that the team at Uniden are incredibly ignorant of the outside world. There are 75 countries who drive on the left hand side including UK, Japan, India, Australia, South Africa to name a few.
Author
Uniden generally sells their RD’s just to North America. There is a NZ version of some of their other detectors, but they have made it very clear that their detectors are not designed to be used internationally, no matter the shape of the detector. At the same time, there’s people all around the world who use a V1 which shares the same angled display. So I understand that you feel like they’re not listening to you which may seem especially strange considering Uniden is ultimately based in Japan which is LHD, but hey, if it doesn’t work for you, you can get a different detector.
So if I have a current R3 with Blendmount connected direct to my fuse box will I have to do a complete rewire because the connector port is different ?
Author
No.
So the detector connector is the same type of port as the R3. Looked different in the pics.
Author
Yes
Attachment to BlendMount the same as the R3?
Thank you in advance.
Author
I cover expected BlendMount compatibility towards the bottom.
I want to make sure I asked the question properly. The attachment to Blendmount does look the same but my question is about the power port on the R7. It looks like it has a different power connector than the R3. Só if I am wired for the R3 and it’s current connector will it be compatible with the R7 port?
Sorry for the long winded question.
Author
The power connector is compatible with the R3’s. It’s just moved over to the other side.
Great, thank you.
Why is it so hard for the radar detector manufacturers to make the Sensitivity aspect of the detectors the same, i.e, the Escort Redline vs Escort Redline EX? The original Redline blows away the newer Redline, whay is that, and why would the Uniden product be any different? I have bought and tested a lot of dectors, and I’m baffled that the sensitivity aspect cannot be duplicated, or in any way consistent. The manufactures say, our detector is the most sensitive, and most always it is not. My reccomendation for them is to put your money where you mouth is, because I would pay money for a detector that does what a manufacturer says it will do.
Can i pre order the uniden r7 ? If so can u provide web site please and thank you.
Author
Not yet. I’ll let you know when you can.
When can we buy this model? do you have a date?
Author
It’s not available yet. I’m not sure when it’ll be available for pre-order, but I’ll definitely let you know when it is.
please add me to your email list for future posts and news on the Uniden R7
Keep up the great work !!!
Any idea of a ship date for the R7
Author
Latest update is looking between April 5th and April 15th.
will the R7 be able filter out honda and acura BSM et al without alarming every time you encounter one?
Author
I don’t think so. The R7’s BSM filter should be the same as the R3’s. If you want arrows and a better BSM filter, check out the Max360 or Max360c.
Max360c is so bad in every test I’ve seen though.. Always comes out as the worst detection range.
https://www.rdforum.org/index.php?threads/72242/
Author
It sometimes does, yeah, especially depending on the radar frequency used. In that test it didn’t fare well, but remember that’s also not a realworld test, as is stressed in the post itself. It does better in realworld situations, though of course not as long as the R3. https://www.vortexradar.com/2017/08/radar-detector-testing-uniden-r3-1-30-redline-ex-radenso-rc-stinger-vip-max360-and-more/
Add me to the pre-order list. I will upgrade to the R7 as soon as it becomes available.
any beta units being tested ??
Author
Not yet
Are they going to do pre orders
Author
I believe so, but they’re not available yet.
Hi I have 2 valentine 1 radar detectors one I have Bluetooth you can use your iPhone. They charge to much to update them I wish I could afford to buy a new R7 but $600.00 a little steep for me I am disabled I hate to say it. Love to test it out put it out on Facebook and other websites. If not I guess I will have to save up for one May take me 2 years. Lol…
Any chance the R3 mount will work with the R7? Using 3m stick on mount now.
Author
Check out the Accessories section of this post. I talk about mount compatibility a bit. We’ll find out more once detectors start showing up.
Hi seen the new R7 Uniden love the looks. Looks almost like the V1 I have 2 of them. One thing with V1 is the updates are way to high priced. It goes off all the time like to try the R7 but come on $600.00 maybe $500.00 out of my range. Anyway really the looks of the R7 good work.
Will the rear antenna be stronger than the R3 or the v1 ?
Author
From what I heard, it should still be very sensitive, but slightly less sensitive than the primary front facing antenna since the rear one will be smaller.
I’m pleased to see that Uniden is coming out with a R7 that has arrows. I would like to see the volume able to adjust infinitely. I find that the button to increase and decrease the vol does not put the sound where I like it. It’s either to loud or not loud enough. When is that going to be corrected?
I see you have a high opinion if this thing. $600.00 is a bit steep
Maybe I missed it but are the aural alerts by voice so you hear “Ka Band” as a spoken word in addition to seeing it displayed on the screen? Is the same true for “Speed Camera” and “Stop light camera”. I.e., are they heard as spoken words? Will we have to pay for updates for where the speed & stoplight cameras are? If so, how much? Are the updates automatic or do we have to hook the detector up to the internet?
Author
Yes you can turn voice alerts on or off. Updates are free for life and you plug your detector into your computer to update.
The only thing holding me back is the incremental volume control instead of an infinity type control. I tried the R3 that a friend of mine has and I can’t get the vol. where I like it. It’s either to loud or not loud enough. BUMMER!
Do we have better idea of when these will be shipping to the consumer ?
Author
Yep. I updated the bottom of the article with that info.
I’m replacing my V1 with the R7. My V1 currently has a similar power plug as the R7. Will I be able to use my V1 power cord for the R7? V1 has the power plug on the passenger side as does the new R7. I was hoping I could just plug in the V1 cord and not have to rerun the wire for the R7.
Author
Yep, it works fine. I run my R7 on a V1 cable. 😉
Most excellent answer! All I need do is figure how I’ll mount the R7 and I should be good to go. Got to see what I get before I start my old-man engineering to get it to hang under the mirror!
Thanks!
Curious to know if Uniden updates consumers existing radar detectors to update the units like V1 does? For a guy that likes the most up to date unit, it gets to be a pain to buy the newest one and sell my old one. V1 is lagging in KA performance for sure. Tested both on the road from MN to Vegas to Grassvalley, CA. The R3 blew the V1 away from direct (on axis) to indirect (off axis) radar encounters. 1 – 10 second advanced warning with the R3. Most adv warning on 5 – 10 mile road stretches out west.
Steve here I have 2 V1. I really like the new R3 looks like the V1. But only thing $600.00
About $100.00 over priced for me. Either they come down or I will not buy one. Shame really like to have one. But I am disabled it’s hard to afford a $600.00 radar.
Well, if you update both of your V1s, you’ll spend $656.98. I believe my V1 is due for an update and it says $328.49 to update my V1 (tax & shipping included). The R3 still looks like an R3, the R7 is the one that looks like the V1. I’ve updated my V1 to keep it current. I’ve paid more than $1,000 for my V1 and the updates, and probably a lot more. My V1 will be sold as soon as the R7 shows up at my door. IMO, Valentine hasn’t kept up with the market.
Steve here yes the updates on the V1 is BS never thought about that. I going to get the new R7 somehow. That’s bringing that to my attention. I’ll put the V1 in my other car put the R7 in my daily car my hummer.
why wasn’t it UNDETECTABLE, whuch would have been very nice.
Got my unit today and I’m having a loose fitting at the mounting bracket. It is allowing the RD to shake up and down. I am using the same mount I used for my V1 and the V1 was rock solid steady and had no vibration. The tongue that slides into the RD is loose and allows the unit to vibrate. I’ve inserted a brace to t4ry and stop the vibration and need to do a test drive to see if the brqce stopped the shaking.
OK, the brace I made to insert in the bend of the brracket took care of the shaking and vibration. Bottom line? I should not have had to engineer a fix to a loose bracket connection into the R7.
Vortex tried to make an ID on my PRIVATE Corvette Club site. I do NOT APPRECIATE that effort.
Author
Sorry? I’m not following.
Hello,
Does the R7 have more rear range than the R3? Is there an additional antenna specifically for the rear or is it the same hardware for detection and now we just know the direction….?
Author
Yes way better rear range. It adds a second rear antenna so that it can determine direction and give you arrows.
The R7 has a separate horn for the rear. I have had mine almost 2 weeks and the rear detection is awesome. I have a 360c and it is definitely more sensitive. To add, I have a Redline that is actually close in detection time and range, but the R7 does win most of the time.
Do I need to set it so the word “Advanced” is displayed to have all of the settings I made to properly function?
Author
Nope. Please see my R7 setup guide here for more info: https://www.vortexradar.com/2019/04/how-to-set-up-configure-uniden-r7-radar-detector/
If I update to the latest firmware, do I have to perform each update in between if my radar does not have the latest before the .124