Uniden R4 Review: An R3 on Steroids

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  • November 3, 2021

  • November 3, 2021

  • 15 mins to read

The brand new Uniden R4 ($449) is now available for pre-order. It builds upon the R4 offering even longer range, improved false alert filtering, a refreshed design, and a bunch of useful new features. You can think of it as an R3 on steroids.

Uniden R4

I’m a fan of this new R4. Let’s take a look at its improvements over the R3.

Note: Due to supply chain issues, there will be a very limited number of R4’s available initially and I expect them to sell out quickly at launch, just like the R3 and DS1 did. Pre-order the Uniden R4 here.

Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored review. Uniden sent me an R4 earlier for test and review. It’s a pilot production sample (same hardware as retail copies) and I’ve tested with both beta and public firmware. I make a percentage when you purchase using the affiliate links in this article. It supports me and allows me to continue doing tests and reviews like this for you.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/11/uniden-r4-review/

V1 Gen2 Firmware 4.1027: Increased Ka Range

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  • October 28, 2021

  • October 28, 2021

  • 3 mins to read

Valentine One Gen2Valentine has released a Mid-October 2021 update for the Valentine 1 Gen2 (purchase the V1 Gen2 here) that updates the detector to firmware 4.1027.

This update brings a number of nice improvements to the V1, but it also introduced an annoying issue too. Here’s what you need to know about this latest update.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/10/v1-gen2-firmware-4-1027-increased-ka-range/

Escort MaxCam 360c Long Range Testing

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  • September 30, 2021

  • September 30, 2021

  • 8 mins to read

Yesterday I went out to do some testing with the new MaxCam 360c. Escort says it performs better than the Max 360c, but not quite as good as the Redline 360c, so I was curious to test and verify. Additionally I was curious if we finally have a radar detector / dashcam combo unit that, for the first time, uses a good radar detector.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/09/escort-maxcam-360c-long-range-testing/

Radenso DS1 Testing vs. 33.8, 34.7, & 35.5

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  • August 27, 2021

  • August 27, 2021

  • 6 mins to read

So after posting my initial test results with the Radenso DS1 where it did great, people had a bunch of questions and I did too. Was its performance a fluke? Does it perform well on all bands? What if it only did well on that last course? Did traffic give the DS1 an unfair win? Are the results repeatable?

Either way, I really wanted to get some more test results in, especially before launch so that we can all have a better understanding of how it performs. For that reason I headed back to the red barn course and spent the day running the DS1 against some of the competition, a reduced number of detectors this time so I could 33.8, 34.7, & 35.5. Traffic was light, weather was sunny, and temps were 69-75F throughout the day.

Radenso DS1 on the red barn course 35.5

The full discussion is available here on RDF.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/radenso-ds1-testing-vs-33-8-34-7-35-5/

Radenso DS1 vs. Uniden R7

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  • August 20, 2021

  • August 20, 2021

  • 4 mins to read

I recently posted a comparison of the Radenso DS1 and Uniden R3. A lot of people have been asking how the Radenso DS1 compares to the Uniden R7. However, I personally consider the non-arrow DS1 in a different class than arrow detectors like the R7. Arrows are a very useful feature and many people wouldn’t even consider a detector without them.

However, given that the DS1 and R7 are both long range detectors that improve upon the R3’s platform and share similar features like autolockouts and a large display, let’s run through how they compare in case you’re curious too.

Radenso DS1 and Uniden R7

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/radenso-ds1-vs-uniden-r7/

Radenso DS1 vs. Uniden R3

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  • August 19, 2021

  • August 19, 2021

  • 3 mins to read

The new Radenso DS1 builds upon the same platform as the popular Uniden R3. The DS1 features some improved hardware and new features missing from the R3.

Radenso DS1 and Uniden R3 on the windshield alerting to Ka

While I’m playing with the DS1 (will be available starting Sept 1st), I’ve been mentally comparing it head-to-head with the R3 and taking note of the main differences. Here’s the main advantages I’ve found with each detector so far:

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/radenso-ds1-vs-uniden-r3/

How to Set Up & Configure Your Radenso DS1

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  • August 18, 2021

  • August 18, 2021

  • 25 mins to read

Radenso DS1 angleThe Radenso DS1 (purchase here) comes with a bunch of settings and options to let you customize the detector.

Let’s go over how to use the detector including what the buttons on the detector do and how to tweak your settings to optimize its performance and false alert filtering.

You can update the settings directly in the detector, or via the new Radenso Nexus Android app. (Radenso’s iOS app is still in development.)

When driving, you can pair several different apps with the detector including Radenso Nexus or Highway Radar for Android, or V1Driver or DS1 Companion on iOS.

Note 1: This guide is current as of firmware 1.16 and will be regularly updated as new updates are released. (This guide last updated December 2023.)

Note 2: You can also reference the DS1 manual which is an excellent resource and has a bunch of great info too.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/how-to-set-up-configure-your-radenso-ds1/

Radenso DS1: Initial Test Results

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  • August 8, 2021

  • August 8, 2021

  • 2 mins to read

So you know that big 34.7 shootout I posted recently? Well the real reason for that test was to do a little beta testing. 😉 I also brought along an unreleased Radenso DS1 and it turns out it’s looking like a beast.

The Radenso DS1 is a single antenna detector (so no arrows) and it features a very impressive level of sensitivity.

Here’s how it compares to the competition: Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/radenso-ds1-initial-test-results/

Radar Detection Testing Around a Bend

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  • August 3, 2021

  • August 3, 2021

  • 11 mins to read

This weekend I set out to test a bunch of radar detectors in a very difficult situation we encounter up here in Washington: officers hiding behind a bend shoot radar with trees blocking long range detection. The test course we set up was very challenging and helped separate higher end detectors from the weaker detectors.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/08/radar-detection-testing-around-a-bend/

Cobra SC 200D Dashcam Review

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  • June 18, 2021

  • June 18, 2021

  • 17 mins to read

Cobra and Escort radar detectors have the ability to share police spotted alerts with one another in realtime. Cobra now offers a lineup of cloud-based dashcams like the Cobra SC 200D ($199) that can also tap into that network, providing realtime police spotted alerts and help drivers stay protected.

Cobra SC 200D iRadar alert

Cobra SC 200D alerting to police radar spotted ahead via iRadar

I’ve spent the past few weeks testing the Cobra SC 200D. In some ways it’s a surprisingly good dashcam, despite it being a Cobra. In other ways though, there’s some pretty unfortunate limitations.

The two main questions I have that I want to focus on in this review are:

  1. How effective is the SC 200D as a countermeasure?
  2. How good is the dashcam itself overall?

Full Disclosure: I’m testing a dashcam that Cobra provided me for free for review purposes. I’m not being paid for this review and am free to share my exact thoughts, good and bad, without Cobra having any control on what I say. If you purchase one using the affiliate links in this review, I earn a percentage. This is a pretty in-depth review, as usual, and you’re reading my thoughts at the same time as Cobra.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2021/06/cobra-sc-200d-dashcam-review/

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