Uniden R1 & Uniden R3 Updated to Firmware 1.53

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  • March 19, 2020

  • March 19, 2020

  • 4 mins to read

Uniden just released firmware 1.53 for the Uniden R1 and Uniden R3.  This is a small update that improves MRCD detection, changes how speed camera overspeed alert show up, and improves the responsiveness of the detector’s interface. This update adds some changes first brought over to the Uniden R7 with fw 1.29.

Uniden R3 firmware 1.53

Uniden R3 running firmware 1.53

Let’s cover all the new changes and then go over how to update.

MRCD Improvements

There are several nice improvements to MRCD detection and alerts with 1.53.

  • MRCD detection range and false alert filtering have been improved
  • MRCD alerts always have priority over other radar alerts (X, K, Ka), even when Ka Priority is on
  • MRCD alerts are no longer muted by Quiet Ride (since MRCD is often used on city streets)

Update: According to initial tests, it looks like MRCD detection is now considerably worse with 1.53.

Speed Camera Overspeed Alert Improvements (R3 only)

  • Alternates Overspeed alert (POI limit speed alarm) and Radar alert when Overspeed alert and radar alert are detected at the same time
  • Overspeed alert now only lasts for 1.5 seconds before it repeats

Button Presses are Now More Responsive

  • Press “Mute/Dim” button for 0.5 seconds during standby mode to enter dim mode (previously was 1.0 sec)
  • Shorten display change time from 3 sec to 2 sec when changing display brightness and detection modes

How to Update your R1 or R3 to 1.53

Uniden R3 updating from 1.50 to 1.53

You can download firmware 1.53 directly from Uniden’s website.

Here’s direct links to save you some time:

These downloads come with Windows (not Mac) update software.

If it’s your first time updating on Windows, be sure to first download and install the Windows drivers.

If you’re a Mac user, Uniden doesn’t have 1.53 packaged with the Mac update software. I’m not sure why because you can download firmware 1.48 that comes packaged with the Mac update software and use that to install 1.53 linked above.

If you need help installing these updates, this tutorial will walk you through how to update.

Finally, if you need to purchase either detector, you can purchase the Uniden R1 here and purchase the Uniden R3 here.

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.

Vortex

Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2020/03/uniden-r1-r3-update-firmware-153/

23 comments

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  1. Awesome!! ????

  2. So Are we able to update on a Mac?

    1. Please see the bottom of the article.

  3. Vortex is speed camera alert every 1.5 seconds or it alerts for 1.5 secs and shuts up?
    Thank you in advance.

  4. Greetings. Love your site; great job. Would it provide any benefit to run my R7 and Bel 965 in the same vehicle simultaneously?

    1. Not really. The Bel doesn’t add anything to the R7 which already does everything better. In fact, adding a second detector is only going to be detrimental. See this video for more info: https://youtu.be/nxtBGUhwpBE I wouldn’t recommend it.

    • JB on March 24, 2020 at 4:16 am
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    I haven’t been able to update my R3 in almost two years. Am I missing important updates before I download version 1.53? If so, how do I get those

  6. I am new to the radar detector scene. I have been watching videos trying to figure out the best radar detector for me under $400 I narrowed it down to the uniden R3 or the Redenso xp Which would you recommend to a person new to radar detectors ?

  7. Thanks so much for your tutorial on updating an R3 with a Mac. It was extremely helpful for me to see each step as you showed it.

  8. I may move to Virginia in a Month, I have Uniden R3, not sure if I can use it or not ?

  9. I still can’t update my Uniden R3 on my iMac. The Firmware Tool locates 1.53 update, but my iMac does not recognize my Uniden R3. I tried 3 different usb cables. Personally, I think the recent iMac update to version 10.15.4 killed the Drivers that recognize my RD. So it seems the Drivers only need to be updated by Uniden.

    When I call Uniden support all they say is they are working On a update tool for Mac’s.

    1. I just checked my R3 plugged into my Mac running 10.15.4 and it sees the detector just fine. I’m not sure why you’re having issues. Please head over to the Uniden section of RDF for tech support. https://www.rdforum.org/forums/169/

  10. Vortex, thanks for your reply. After searching the web I found when installing the drivers, at least on my Mac and probably others, you don’t get the usual warning to allow installation in system preferences, but completes installation anyway. So you assume the drivers installed properly
    It seems you need to go to System Preferences-Security&Privacy- General and click allowing the drivers to install as the installation window for the drivers is open and installing to have consent for the drivers to work properly. It takes a few seconds at the bottom of the General Tab asking you to allow installation and you need to unlock to click OK.
    Hope this is helpful to others

  11. FYI.. they did something with the update file on their website. I bought an R1 and the DB.bin file doesnt match the file they give in their instructions and now tells you that the file given is wrong when you try to update. Uniden was zero help.

  12. n55david, I saw that the db.bin file was extracted part of the R1 file. (two .bin files are extracted from the file you download) only the R1_v153.214.000.bin is pertinent to the R1 because this model doesn’t have the redlight database.

  13. Question on the updates of the R1 / R3. Is it really necessary to reset the device to factory default after new firmware has been installed? This will require new resets of the options….(I have 4 units) Thx

  14. Is it just me, but since I updated to firmware 1.53 for my R3 I’ve been overwhelmed with laser false alarms?

  15. Uniden r3 will not detect DPS not even a beep.is there a firmware update..?

    1. It will detect them if they’re actively running radar. Remember it’s a radar detector, not a police car detector.

  16. My Uniden R3 firmware version is 1.53, the latest as of today. Based on the R3 owner’s manual, page 6, pressing and holding (long press) the MENU button automatically alternates mode between highway, city, and advanced. On mine, I have to press the MENU button each time to switch to another mode. The “holding” is not working at all.

    I have a Uniden DFR9 where that feature works properly without any issue.

    Is my R3 defective?

    • Eli on November 25, 2020 at 6:17 am
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    Thank you! How do we know when a new firmware update to the R1 & R3 become available?
    Wasn’t able to find a subscription like service on the Uniden site that automatically email these updates. ..

  18. Hey Ariel, thanks for all the research you do! I have a question that maybe you have found a solution for. Before the R3 I had the old school Escort Redline with the smart wire for Bluetooth on my phone to run the Escort Live app that would announce threats over the car speakers.
    Now, my question is how can I hear my R3 somewhat like that? I drive a coupe with a sun roof and love the windows down and music up and sometimes miss the radar detector going off.
    Any thoughts?

    1. There isn’t a native option for that with the R3. There is a headphone jack though so you could wire in an external speaker or a Bluetooth transmitter to send the audio to your car stereo.

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