Goodbye Escort, Hello Uniden
 

by J. Dan Daniell


For the past eight years I have been driving with the Escort 9500iX radar detector ($499.95). The 9500iX is still available new from many vendors in the $300.00 range for the red LED display and a bit higher for the blue LED display. It has proven itself to be reliable and a solid performer, paying for itself many times over by saving me from unwanted blue light specials. I particularly like the GPS functionality that allows the detector to lockout nuisance false alerts from things such as storefront door openers and speed monitor signs. I also like the red light camera and speed camera data base built into the 9500iX that provides voice alerts to these local government revenue generating devices. All in all the Escort 9500iX has been, and still is a good radar detector.


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Advances in radar technology have developed considerable improvements in long range detection of radar signals, advanced digital signal processing for filtering false alarms from new automobile collision avoidance, lane monitoring, and stop monitoring K Band emitting sensors without decreasing long range radar detection sensitivity. The new OLED displays offer clear and colorful graphics that provide information via the GPS chip that displays speed, elevation, compass direction, all band monitoring, and graphic signal strength of received signals, including band frequencies and mulitiple signals. The GPS function allows nuisance alarms to be automatically muted, plus the ability to manually mark locations you wish to be alerted to in advance. The very best radar detectors also feature complete invisibility to detection by law enforcement radar detector detectors (RDD) like older VG-2 and the newer Spectre Elite.

For the past two months I have researched a number of the newest radar detectors on the market, Escort MAX360 and MAX360C, Escort Redline EX, Escort iX, Radenso XP, Uniden R1, Uniden R3, and Valentine One. These radar detectors have been extensively tested by a group of serious guys using real world testing of all these models. The results are quite revealing, particularly with respect to range of K and Ka band radar. Features not withstanding, the consistent leader by a wide margin over all other competitors is the Uniden R1 and R3, typically twice the range of these other detectors. It became obvious to me which radar detector would replace my trusty Escort 9500iX. I wanted Escort to come out on top because I had such good service from the 9500iX, but their top models just could not stand up to the performance of the two Uniden models, not to mention the Escort MAX360 detector is huge, nearly 40% larger then my 9500iX. The Uniden R1 and R3 are quite compact, and since I mount it in the upper left hand corner of my windshield, smaller is always better.

This photo is the Uniden R3 next to the Escort MAX360.


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The only difference between the Uniden R1 and R3 is the GPS chip in the R3 that allows it to lockout specific locations, mark and mute specific locations, display actual speed, compass heading, and altitude, as well as use its internal database to locate and alert to red light and speed camera locations. As far as full range detection and all other features the Uniden R1 ($299.00) is equal and costs $100 less than the R3 ($399.00).

My new Uniden R3 radar detector arrived today from Best Radar Detectors. I ordered it Monday. Priority mail got it from New Jersey to Florida in three days. I am already completely familiar with how to set up the R3, so I had it mounted in the Tahoe a few minutes after unboxing it. I really like the OLED display and the six color choices. The GPS locks to the satellites considerably faster than the Escort 9500iX, almost immediately after coming on. The Uniden R3 uses the same RJ11 connector for power as the Escort so I did not have to rewire the hard wire installation already in place. It is also convenient that the power connection port on the R3 is on the left side, same as the Escort it replaced.


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So there it is, out with the Escort 9500iX and in with the Uniden R3. Firmware and speed/red light camera databases can be updated online with a USB connection to any Windows computer. My R3 is using the latest firmware and most recent camera database so I did not need to perform a firmware update. Here's hoping this new Uniden R3 radar detector provides the same trouble free service and long term reliability as the Escort did. Although I rarely speed anymore since retiring and no longer in a hurry to get anywhere, I still like to be aware of law enforcement speed detection. The advanced notice affords me the opportunity to double check my speed and make necessary adjustments if needed. I certainly don't want any more expensive high performance awards.

Wonderful write up Dan.

Hi Jdandy, how is this detector for blocking out the collision avoidance and lane monitoring ?
Thanks, Lonnie

Lonnie.......It is very good. I features both K band filtering and Ka band filtering, both switchable. The testing I am aware of puts the R1 and R3 at the top for rejecting false alarms from collision avoidance radar systems on newer vehicles. I'll have more personal experiences to report on once I have some drive time with my new Uniden R3. I am confident its performance will be very good.

Thanks for the update!

Craig.......I appreciate the kind words. Do you use a radar detector in your vehicle? I am curious who uses radar detection, what models, and what the experiences have been.

Before retiring I always used company vehicles and put 60,000+ miles on them each year running between the home office in Florida and various projects in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Texas. It took me a lot of windshield time to coordinate people and projects that required my presence, often for extended periods. When driving that many miles per year, a lot of it on Interstates highways and state roads, I did not waste much time getting from project to project or back to the home office, or back home. By not wasting time I mean I usually drove over the posted speed limit by 15 to 20 mph nearly every place I drove. A radar detector was a survival tool. There were a few times in all those years where I got caught on radar with instant-on and the Highway Patrol or State Troopers were well hidden. I paid some big tickets and once got up to 9 points on my license in a 12 month period. 12 points in a year is when Florida takes your license for a substantial time period. But for the times I got caught and ticketed there were hundreds of times my radar detector alerted me with enough time to reduce my speed to the speed limit before I was actually in the zone where my speed could be clocked with radar. Like I said, a radar detector was a necessary survival tool and using one saved me thousands of dollars in fines and my driver's license. Now a radar detector is just a signalling device I feel comfortable driving with to capture my attention and help me remain safe. The high speed days are behind me.

jdandy,
Very interesting write up. I still have a V1 unit hanging around but don't use it much anymore. The Valentine was tops at one time, but it sounds like it has been left behind.
I have been using Waze on highly traveled roads (like the Interstate). But a radar detector is still desirable for driving on secondary or country roads.
Thanks for the heads up on the Uniden! I would be interested on a link to the site that reviewed all the units.

Hi Dan,

I too have been using the Escort 9500ix. Love it.

But based on your excellent review, I’ll be trying out the Uniden R3.

Thanks for your excellent review!

nicoff.......The Valentine One is a popular radar detector. Having the arrows that displayed the direction of the radar threat made it unique for many but it is no match for the Uniden R3. Here is a good place to begin reading about radar detector testing against the R3.

https://www.vortexradar.com/2017/08/...x360-and-more/

Here is the Uniden R3 mounted on the top left side of my windshield. Nice clean install with no wire visible. I prefer this location versus the middle of the windshield. It is easy to see, and convenient to reach the Mute, Lockout, and Mark buttons. I like the OLED display over the blue LED's on the Escort 9500iX.


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