Uniden has just announced three new Wi-Fi capable detectors, the R4w, R8w, and R9w.
They’re effectively the same as the original R4, R8, and R9, with the exception that they now have 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi built-in, letting you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot and update your detector over the air.
To set this up, you’ll use Uniden’s new R/TACH app to connect your detector to your vehicle or home Wi-Fi and then you’ll be able to update both the detector’s firmware and GPS database of speed cameras and red light cameras over the air.
This feature is similarly available in Escort’s line of connected detectors and it’s definitely a nice convenience to have the detector notify you when updates are available and then take care of the update for you while you’re in the car.
Here’s a look at the WiFi settings and pairing process:
Once some updates are available, we’ll take a look at the full update experience.
Otherwise the features, design, case, and display are all the same as before. Wi-Fi is the key improvement with the ‘w’ models. The new R4w and R8w retail for $50 more than the original R4 and R8 and are available now on Uniden’s website.
The R9w, which will be available through local distributors and installers, will also be available a la carte. So if you want a radar only option or a front only radar/laser package, you’ll have the option to do that.
Additionally you’ll also (finally!) be able to buy the laser jammers separately to run them with compatible windshield mount detectors. Pricing for their add-on laser jammers will be released in January.
Update, Nov 14: Uniden has now decided that the original R4 and R8 will also support the add-on laser jammers as originally intended and they’re no longer going to force us to have to run the R4w and R8w in order to utilize their upcoming jammers.
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Uniden R9
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2.4G.. So that leaves room for another variant soon at 5G as 2.4 is on the way out
Author
Yep. I wish they would have opted for 5 GHz out of the gate, especially given that some cars only offer 5 GHz in-car WiFi. They told me it was a limitation of the chip selection. It was straightforward to add a chip that supported 2.4, but supporting 5 would require further redesign of the internals. I’m definitely curious to see how this decision is gonna play out.
I just purchased a new R8 five weeks ago, I am hoping Uniden provides a way that we can send them in to upgrade them, even if they do charge, I don’t care, I would just like to have one with WiFi, upgrading firmware on a Mac is a horrible experience.
Thanks, and enjoy the week there. Appreciate all you do.
I think anyone who has purchased a R8 recently and registered it like I have should be able to get our unit upgraded at a substantial lower cost upgrade or send in our R8 and get a R8w with an added cost at a discount..
Hey Vortex the way I read it on Uniden’s website is the R8w has dual Blackfin DSP for 50% faster processing. Does the R8 even have a Single Blackfin DSP or 2? Because the original R8 I own doesn’t mention Blackfin anywhere.
Author
It’s identical on both detectors. The only hardware difference is the added WiFi chip.
Is there a technical reason that the laser jammers are offered separately only for the wifi enabled detectors? For example, do the jammers require wifi for communication?
Author
Nope. I’ve already used the jammers with the R4 and R8 previously.
So is the r7 being phased out since there is no update? Worried if I buy an r7 the detector will not get future firmware updates and the platform will be abandoned? Any thoughts? Thanks Beet
Author
lol, I literally brought this up when I talked about the latest firmware update for the R4, R8, and R9 that was just released. The R7 is the detector that was detector that’s been receiving the most amount of updates lately, and in fact Uniden just released firmware 1.52 for the R7 to add in many of the same features.
As for some of the other features, the R7 does not have Bluetooth so it can’t support an app. It also physically lacks the extra plug on the side of the detector so it can’t accept add-on jammers. This is a hardware limitation.