I've been using my r3 for probably 3 years or so. Its saved me hundreds of dollars in tickets. But I think I'm actually going to go ahead and pull the trigger and upgrade to the r4. I can't imagine it being better than the r3. because the r3 is absolutely outstanding! But I'm ready to see. Vortex radar does amazing videos. thank you for all your efforts that go into these. 👍👍
Decided to upgrade from my longtime R3 to the R4 for my new Audi S4. Debated the R8 but for the price just to get arrows, decided this was the better buy. Thanks Vortex!
I'm still happy with my R1. As I drive mainly on rural areas and the police over here run Ka 34.7 exclusively (or laser on _very_ rare occasions) it works fine for me. No false alerts from BSM's etc. since K band is not needed at all. The only thing I'd like to improve would be speed camera detection, but there's always GPS apps for that.
As always, nice review. Going to be keeping an eye on more tests with 35.5, as the local sheriffs department exclusively runs 35.5. For me, that could be a difference maker.
Your sherrifs participate in speed enforcement?? That's local PD's job, sherrifs exclusively serve warrants and respond to calls outside of local pd service hours. It's really odd of them to have radars and shit for speed enforcement. Priorities fucked up lmao
@@selmankocak2094 It’s common practice around these parts. Local PD generally has jurisdiction over City boundaries and the County Sheriffs patrol and have jurisdiction in the non incorporated areas of the counties.
In Australia, we NEED the the Gatso, low K band detection - they are EVERYWHERE here. This was the biggest problem with the R3 for us. I am really looking forward to finding out exactly how low in K it can go, and how good it really is against those pesky, money grabbing Gatso's!
Very interested in this but in all honesty I would really like to see a downsized R7 with buttons on the front of the display. I think that would be the sweet spot for me. I have 2 R3's right now though one has stopped working but I can tell you they have treated us right on all trips around the USA, that detector always flies with me:)
Thanks for the video. I'll personally be holding off until Uniden gets the BSM under better control. My R3 goes off too frequently, and I don't want that to get worse. One unrelated thing I will mention is that I had run multiple Escort models (8500, 9500, etc.) and found them to eventually just quit at random to where they had to be sent in for repair. Pretty much every Escort I've had needed repaired at least once, so I view them as an unreliable expense and won't buy any more. I've had the R3 for a few years now and it has never had any kind of maintenance issue. That's the main thing (other than price) that won me over to Uniden, even though Escort is designed in my home state of Ohio.
Last RD was an Escort 8500 x50, time to upgrade and served me well. Looks like Escort has been passed up or equaled to with more competitively priced manufacturers.
TY Vortex Radar ! That Uniden owners manual does not describe the software updates for sheet ! Have the R4 & it took 2 downloads of this tool before the R Series V 2.18 tool would recognize my R4 to work properly. The 2nd time Windows 10 asked me if I wanted drivers loaded ? That is the key. Bought this a long time ago but just getting around to get it installed now.
The R3 was already good enough. AMAZING actually. Literally, I have a company truck now with a new job since my MVR came back clean due to me still speeding for the past 2 years but being saved by the R3. To think that it only gets better from here..... I'm certainly going to invest in that R4 or R8.
How far ahead is enough...The video's from vortex are showing the r4 going off so far in advance that one would begin to wonder if this is useful or more of excessive notice, and may cause one to fall into a false sense of ka radar protection.
I have R3 and don't need any extra range, it's plenty! They should concentrate on BSM instead of range... There is a point after witch range is useless and I think that's already reached long time ago from all major brands (Uniden, Radenso, Escort, Valentine). Not upgrading so far... Auto lockouts it's nice though!
@Tom Manson I have the R3 as well and I agree with you the range is sufficient enough if the radar gun is pointed directly at you. However, where I live in the Mid-Atlantic one of the recent tactics that the police are using is the 90° axis and that's where the R4 really comes in handy. As you can see in the side by side comparison in this video the R4 picked up the 90° axis radar much much earlier than the R3 that can be the difference between getting a ticket and not getting one. I just received my R4 a couple days ago and I'm looking forward to testing it out.
After watching a few of your videos, I believe this R4 is the one for me. Seems to be the best bang for the buck IMO. The AUTO Lockouts and BSM Blocks are the icing on the Cake. I always use Waze, so while arrows would be nice, I don't consider them a must have. I'd love to have the MaxCam. But I personally just can't justify the price.
@@VortexRadar Just picked it up from Best Buy for 379. The renewed on Amazon for 329 was tempting. But I have the BB CC lol, and had a few rewards that made it about the same price, and it's new :) Had a Uniden with Oled in 2009 or so, upgraded to an 8500ix, and now this. First "smart" one I've ever had. Looking forward to it with a new Camaro SS lol. Thanks for the great info sir!
Long time Escort 9500 and IX user here. After seeing vidoes with side by side detection range of Uniden vs Escort, I decided to get a Uniden for their superior detection range instead of getting a new Escort 360. Then after watching your video of R4 vs R8, I decided to get an R4. In April 2024, I picked an R4 up at Sam's Club for $289. That is a value proposition!
The R4 Is awesome. Its saved me hundreds of times. I mostly drive on wide open interstates and highways and it sees 100% of the road pirates long before they see me. I won't drive without it. I have on for all 4 of my cars and one for my motorcycle.
That's the feeling I am getting as well. If all the features work well in the R4, then R7 could be getting a successor that adds the additional bells and whistles of R4 to R7.
I have my new R4 and let me tell ya my r3 r7 and redline have all been retired to the shelf I just ordered another R4 for the wife's SUV I'm so use to not having arrows drawback on arrows is it's nice to have but I find myself looking for the source without arrows I hear the ka I just let off the gas to speed limit otherwise great video now go change them diapers lol
Auto lockouts, Bluetooth and morning warning time not a difference? It sure is. What I don't like the buttons on top off the unit in the front are flush and not raised like the R3. There's still improvements Uniden can make with their filtering on the R4 but may require more than Firmware upgrade to accomplish this.
@TSM pointless to buy a uniden for auto lockouts. I waited for that feature to come out before buying an r7 and now I don't even use lockouts because they're useless. Also, r4 dropped almost a year ago and where's the Bluetooth functionality? Still not out. Even then the Bluetooth isn't much of a feature if they don't make it open api, which if they do it'll be great detector that rivals the r7.
@@NLARA01 Works great. Nice upgrade from the R3. Really like that it will auto memory mute once it learns a regular location. The R3 had good range and this one is even better!
@@kafisher44 I have the R3, looking to upgrade to the 4 or 7. Debating if arrows or more range, I do love the range lot of KA here in Iowa, nothing else normally.
@@NLARA01 The arrows are very useful, but the R4 will have more range. The R7 is bigger, if that's a concern. Mute/Mark buttons on the side of R7 are a little awkward.
The control pad is great for people like me who are only 5' tall and most things are built for 6' tall men. I can't reach a lot of things most men can and so some of us benefit greatly from being able to mute and do other things from much closer to us. I currently use a button at the cig lighter to mute my detector. We have the R4s beinh delivered tomorrow because our current detectors are starting to have issues after many years of use
I wonder if they will change the display so it doesn’t get screen burn in like my r3 it’s gotten bad. If they used escorts more basic pixel display you avoid all burn in.
Thanks for the promo code, I just bought the blendmount wiring adapter. I'm going to pick up the mount next week. Also, I came to this radar back in July 2022 due to this video and the channel as a whole. Great stuff. My only complaint is that I dont encounter a lot of radar in my travels but I'm also not on the road as often as most but either way still happy with the purchase and looking forward to the new features to come.
I love that wired remote control pad for stealth purposes! Oh how I miss living in a legal state… (living in Canada now) I only wish it was 100% stealth, for obvious sad reasons above
@@abraxas511 that's right, i meant to ask is it a big problem if you have a stealth detector? If you mount it discreetly behind tint for example it won't be very visible.
@@abraxas511 here in Virginia it's less than $100 total WITH court fees and ZERO points. Meanwhile a reckless driving ticket(20 over the speed limit or 80 mph regardless of the limit) carries several points, legal fees range from $700 to $2,500 AND up to a year in jail. I'm not even counting the court fee or ticket cost. Radar detector is the smart choice!😂
So I just recently got my R4 and I’ve done a couple of test and there is this cop that sits up on a hill on the side of the highway and it has a couple of curves approx 1.4 miles between the cop and when the R4 went off so far it’s doing pretty good I will make a vid next time cause he is always sitting there. I thought it was 1.3 miles until I went back today and did a distance check and it was actually 1.4 miles!
I hope they are hard at work on the R7 replacement now. For the love of god though I need something done about 24.160. At least a weak filter. I know I don't want to notch it out completely but so far I have yet to see a single legitimate 24.160 source. Also Lincoln apparently has a BSM that does a bang up job replicating I/O K band now. Seriously full alert one second, gone the next and and on and on about every 15 seconds. So far only encountered it once but it was super annoying.
Been thinking about that remote wired keyboard. First, it’s silly they put a port on the left side for laser. Your going to have wires sticking out both sides of the detector. Second - It’s got B.T. Let JB connect to it and he’ll blow away anything Uniden can release. Don’t think they will be selling many of those keyboards.
Great Video. I can’t wait to nerd out on your Radenso Theia review, the most expensive window mounted radar detector in the history of radar detectors! Around $1,500 probably! I’ve recently moved to Arizona I’m worried the sun in the summer time will melt the radar detector! 🏜 🥵
I may be missing something, but R7s can be had for less money. $439 on Amazon currently. Wouldn’t an R7 be overall better than an R4? Similar features but with arrows.
@@Nick-uz6cu I think so. I use it on my bike and it’s able to spot police radar from pretty far away and it has Bluetooth so I think it’s great and well worth the money. Don’t need anymore tickets
I have a R7, but the wired controller would be nice for my truck because I can't reach my detector very good, but hopefully the wire would be long enough to hide it? Thanks for updates.🏁🏁🏁🏁 But only the R4 will have this option.
So far I'm not seeing much of a difference from my R1. I know it's not recommended to use both units at the same time but I wanted to see how it compares. After running it on a recent 1,200 mile trip, I found that at tops, it gives me about 100 ft more of a warning and not the distance I was hoping for. In one case, the trooper was in the median facing us with not much of an obstruction and I got about a half mile alert. Now I'll only be running the R4 in my car, the R1 goes in the wife's car though I guess we should switch because she is the one who actually has a lead foot which is why she drives the 4 cylinder Equinox and I drive the Charger.
Most detectors range I normally get in my area is half to three quarter miles are the norm, there are times were the R4 was significantly better than the R3, but usually on straightaways.
@@leoguy1609 - That's about what I'm seeing too. I did find one time where my R1, which is supposed to be equal in range to the R3, alerted before the R4. In the other alerts, they were both about the same or around 100 feet better with the R4. Still both are very good detectors.
Had the R3 since July 2017 when I purchased my (speedy) motorcycle. It has been on the motorcycle exposed to weather, bugs, pebbles over 33,000 miles and still operates like new. Impressive. It was stolen during October and I replaced R3 with R4. The recessed buttons are inferior to R3 as you also noted. Seems to me the R3 would turn off with a short press of the power button. R4 is press and wait to turn off. Would have purchased the R1 but could not find one for sale. Here in Northern Utah I have no need for GPS with its assorted features. To me, the ports moved to the outside. R3 inside ports are superior. Ride on.
I was really excited about the DS1 after your video. For a mid range priced detector, which would you recommend the DS1 or this R4 based on what you know now? Thanks for all the videos and congrats on the soon to be new baby!
That is REALLY impressive. I love my R7 and don't have it for that long so buying an R4 is not in the cards, also I do love the arrows, the R8 is going to be a beast!
I wish they would do a new firmware update to the R7 so that you can mute it while its talking just like the R4. Also you are right, the radar gun detection is really cool, also wonder if it could be implemented in the R7 with a simple fw update.
The R4 is the best bang for your buck in Radar Detectors. With the new 2024 firmware update, Bluetooth connectivity and R4 app on Apple, it’s now better than ever.
🤯. Yes it certainly does increase Ka band but that's never been an issue with the R3 as its capabilities are nothing short of stellar... I want K band sensitivity. The RCMP are using something I suspect is low powered k band???? Because k band warnings around here are pretty damn too up close and personal for my liking...
I wish I could replace the sound effect the radar makes with “boss music” so that way it’s more pleasant on my ears and my passengers can say “why do I hear boss music?”
It's been about 10 years since I received a speeding ticket. Took DD class. Days ago, I purchased two of these bad boys from sams Club. 1 for each vehicle. 20 years from now, I will still not have any more speeding tickets, lol
Just updated Highway Radar. I got a bit excited when I saw that one of the changes was support for R4 and R8s😀. Unfortunately, Bluetooth is STILL not enabled, 🙃but perhaps the peeps @ HR know something the general public doesn't ?!?!?!
@5:41 Thats something Escort had back in 2009. The faster you drove, the more sensitive the detector was. So, as much as it's nice, Uniden reminds me of Volkswagen. They play catchup with features, and people think it's innovative. Not pulling punches here, I ran Escorts (9500ix) for 10 years, now I have the R3 and R7. Just pointing it out, this is something that SHOULD have been a standard feature on detectors before now.
@@ncyankeealva Nope. Not sure I'm gonna get to it before my son is born, but it's definitely on the short list, particularly the written guide for my website since that's way quicker than a video.
I don't get tired of watching your videos, thanks for that. Could you please do a: Uniden R4 Vs Whistler Titan video please. Now, I noticed the R7 is almost around the same price than R4, is worth it to go with R7 than the R4?
I wish there was someone out there that could test RD's against the RedFlex! The biggest pain in Calgary! Also, any idea if Uniden's Laser Jammers will work for the R7?
@@brentster17 It's a very low frequency k band that they use for photo radar. The R7 will pick it up sometimes, but you don't have much time to get slowed down. It's strange because the technology is old, but it's still one of the hardest things for almost all RD companies to defeat.
When you were comparing the distance between the R3 and R4 I had to keep checking that it wasn't my R3 going off. I also wish the R4 had arrows like the R7.
I feel like these detectors don't need an increase in range anymore. The R1/R3 set that standard and it's almost overkill (the R3 in your video detects the signal way before the kill zone)-- which is great don't get me wrong. My gripe with Uniden, currently, is the radar filtering, especially K band, makes the detector unusable in this band (living in New Jersey). I did take a trip out to Pennsylvania a few years back and all the state troopers were using K band which worked excellently but when you're in traffic, it's way too buzzy. Ka band is fine but it still falses to some vehicles.
I agree. I have an R1 and I already get enough non actionable alerts (long range falses and cops on unconnected streets) I don't want even longer range until I know it's not a false alert
I dont understand how these companies come out with upgrades and new products but we hear nothing about Theia. Makes me wonder if they are are having serious design/build issues aside from supply chain issues???
I feel like they have very specific parts they want to use and absolutely do not want to differentiate from those. Even if they can get another available brand, it's not what they've been testing.
Great review, thank you. Enhancement of range is key. My R3 is great but R4 clearly is better. For California drivers with K turned off, not sure the upgrade is worth it. R4 looks like it's a step forward but those of us looking for a leap forward would you suggest Redline 360C?
Welp, being a forum member I had said it, and it's true. I bought an R4, now, what to do with the R3, which was an upgrade from a DFR7.... keep as a backup, or give someone a break on a badass (in it's own right) detector?
Great info source, I purchased my R4 based on your reviews, my questions are bogey tones in K and KA, aren't they one in the same since you already set the tone for K and KA? I'm confused about that, also I use advanced to change settings, is that also used for driving too and if so what advantage would that be? Thanks sooo much, I love my R4!
Congrats! If you haven’t already checked it out, here’s my R4 setup guide that explains all the different menu options: www.vortexradar.com/2021/11/how-to-setup-configure-uniden-r4/
I've checked out all your videos, what I need to know is when I go in to advanced mode and make changes i.e. reduce K band sens, here goes, do I have to run in advanced mode for those changes to be active and recognized? In other words if I switch over to say city or highway will those changes I enacted still be working? I'm ready to return this thing if it doesn't quiet down, I'm already running K band at 30% and it won't shut up. Thanks
Came back to the video again. If an R3 owner wants to move to Escort Redline 360C (top of the line, latest, greatest detector) and can't buy one due to inventory what would be the next best thing? Arrows, long range, filter, wifi updates etc..... all important. Basically a buy it, set it up and let it work best of the best, no interfaces or external software. Thank you in advance.
Unfortunately there isn’t anything else. The Max360c is similar, but doesn’t have the same range. geni.us/Max360c There’s the R7, but no WiFi and requires software for updates. geni.us/UnidenR7
How is your expirienced since it has passed a year drom the upload? Do you believe that R4 is still better than R3? Does it detect the same? Im planning to get one but I dont know which of these 2
True, but given how wildly difficult and nearly pointless rear laser detection is, it's not gonna matter in practice. If laser protection is important, laser jammers are the way to go, both front and rear.
I am looking to buy the R4 as now it is around the $350 area and I do not need some of the higher end bells and whistles. I wanted to know if the R4 offers 360 degree protection as that is something important to me. Great video and very helpful with the comparisons between the R4 and R3. Thanks again.
@@VortexRadar thanks for link. I just watched the video and have a better understanding. I am guessing that the R4 only has the one directional antenna? From your experience, how does it handle rear detection? Here in NJ, the troopers like to cruise and sneak up on you from behind more so than hide out on the shoulder. I recently bought a new C8 so I am trying to be ready for the Spring so I can finally get out and drive it lol. Thanks
I’ve been holding out for the theia especially because I’m not driving much working from home. This is now in my second place if I need a detector. I wonder if we will get a r8 with this new tech and arrows
For what it’s worth, I recently sold my R7 to swap to a V1G2 and have zero regrets. I’m also wanting Theia, but I don’t think we’ll see it for at least a year.
Ive had my R3 from when you launched it on your site and noticing that the Brightness is getting a lot dimmer and as you said before it is burning into the screen I forgot what you called that but wanting to know if all Unidens will do this or just the R3
I own a Uniden R4 I've noticed from time to time the speed will just go blank while going down the interstate not sure if Uniden is aware of this bug or not. Or it could just be mine !!
Na, Cobra did it first. I remember when I was in high school buying junk Cobra detectors back in the day (which was 20 years ago) . They would identity the gun manufacturer by pulse, also alert you for oncoming emergency vehicles via the fire trucks MIRT unit.
I bought the R4 it is crap. My friend has the R3 and while driving in tandem fist him in front than me. Every time his went off mine did not react. So after a weeks of unreliability I returned it, very disappointing.
Sorry to hear that. Did you try posting on the forums to troubleshoot and double check your settings? It’s possible you had a defective unit and another one would perform better too.
@@VortexRadar so I returned the R4 and bought R7 cause I like the idea of the arrows. It’s only been in use 3 days and has gone of on 2 occasions, the first being obvious the second time first the forward arrow followed by the side and than the rear as I passed through an intersection but I could not spot the officer. Before replying to you I watched your video on the V1 and I wonder have you done a comparison V1 vs R7? Also in the V1 and the R7 the side arrows doesn’t distinguish which side of the road the radar is coming from, is the ability of the tech to distinguish left and right to much to fit inside the confines of the unit making it to bulky or just doesn’t seem pertinent?
I have a R3 I live in San Diego Ca I turned off the K band because the police radars never seem to be K band KA and seems to be the prominent radar band
Hi! I posted on another of your videos about how much they are and if it was worth it. Anyway, I decided to buy the R4 through your links and it is on sale. One concern was that I would have to relocate my dash cam and get a dual cigarette lighter for the cam. To make the story short, my wife came looking for me cause I was taking too long and sat for a second and I told her my concerns. Well, she pointed out that the power cord on the dash cam could be connected to the power cord form the R4. I was mind-blown and wished that she could have come way sooner and save me time. I do have a question, is it best to set the R4 on auto and instead changing it to city or highway when needed? And if I keep it in auto, should the speed be better lower or higher for best results on the sensitivity frequency?
I wonder if the light sensitive display applies to alerts in dark mode? I prefer no display unless there is an alert, and on my R3, I have to manually adjust the brightness of the alert itself because the auto adjust based on time doesn’t impact dark mode alerts.
What is the best detector for Stealth. Living in Ontario this is important to me I drive a Corvette C8 convertible. Would you recommend a specific radar. Preference would be a installing it in behind grill and be notified inside the car. Thanks
Only had my R4 for 2 days today I got in the car to go for a drive . the GPS gave me an error it said GPS error wouldn't lock on anything. After I stop the car for about 20 seconds it finally did but it was still saying I was doing 2 miles an hour when I wasn't. Then when I started driving down the road it went off again a second time. is this a known issue? Have they come out with a new firmware update yet for the r4? Tried to update it through my laptop and it doesn't seem there's an update yet for anything on the r4?
We've got a lot of traffic lights with lazer traffic detectors. Will this auto lock out these false alerts ( filling memory) our officers do use laser guns here.
I've had my R3 for so long when I heard the alert go off I went for the non existent brake pedal at my computer.
lmao
😂😂😂
🤣
I've been using my r3 for probably 3 years or so. Its saved me hundreds of dollars in tickets. But I think I'm actually going to go ahead and pull the trigger and upgrade to the r4. I can't imagine it being better than the r3. because the r3 is absolutely outstanding! But I'm ready to see. Vortex radar does amazing videos. thank you for all your efforts that go into these. 👍👍
If you look at my previous comment regarding the r 4 it is shit
Hey, if you ended up buying the r4. What’re your thoughts on it in comparison to the r3?
Got my R4 from Sam’s Club. $289!
How are you liking it so far?
How u like ?
@@showtime1901 did u bought one ?
Got mine for 199$ from a Sam’s club it’s a great upgrade from my old R3.
Decided to upgrade from my longtime R3 to the R4 for my new Audi S4. Debated the R8 but for the price just to get arrows, decided this was the better buy. Thanks Vortex!
Likewise
I'm still happy with my R1. As I drive mainly on rural areas and the police over here run Ka 34.7 exclusively (or laser on _very_ rare occasions) it works fine for me. No false alerts from BSM's etc. since K band is not needed at all. The only thing I'd like to improve would be speed camera detection, but there's always GPS apps for that.
I’ve noticed in my small town in tx they use both KA and K bands
@@michaelramirez2382 May very well be but I'm not in US, I'm in Northern Europe. Police over here only use Ka.
@@michaelramirez2382 , facts, and I hate that they do that 😅💀
As always, nice review. Going to be keeping an eye on more tests with 35.5, as the local sheriffs department exclusively runs 35.5. For me, that could be a difference maker.
Your sherrifs participate in speed enforcement?? That's local PD's job, sherrifs exclusively serve warrants and respond to calls outside of local pd service hours. It's really odd of them to have radars and shit for speed enforcement. Priorities fucked up lmao
@@selmankocak2094 It’s common practice around these parts. Local PD generally has jurisdiction over City boundaries and the County Sheriffs patrol and have jurisdiction in the non incorporated areas of the counties.
I'm glad it does bend to the left like the R7/V1 design.
In Australia, we NEED the the Gatso, low K band detection - they are EVERYWHERE here. This was the biggest problem with the R3 for us. I am really looking forward to finding out exactly how low in K it can go, and how good it really is against those pesky, money grabbing Gatso's!
Did you ever get the r4? I’m thinking of picking one up as protection against the Gatos RT4’s
@@Noony79 nope, I switched to using Waze, as I know all the locations on my daily trip now.
Very interested in this but in all honesty I would really like to see a downsized R7 with buttons on the front of the display. I think that would be the sweet spot for me. I have 2 R3's right now though one has stopped working but I can tell you they have treated us right on all trips around the USA, that detector always flies with me:)
Thanks for the video. I'll personally be holding off until Uniden gets the BSM under better control. My R3 goes off too frequently, and I don't want that to get worse. One unrelated thing I will mention is that I had run multiple Escort models (8500, 9500, etc.) and found them to eventually just quit at random to where they had to be sent in for repair. Pretty much every Escort I've had needed repaired at least once, so I view them as an unreliable expense and won't buy any more. I've had the R3 for a few years now and it has never had any kind of maintenance issue. That's the main thing (other than price) that won me over to Uniden, even though Escort is designed in my home state of Ohio.
Thanks for the feedback. I've eliminated escort from the list. I've read they don't like heat and don't last, more than once.
Last RD was an Escort 8500 x50, time to upgrade and served me well. Looks like Escort has been passed up or equaled to with more competitively priced manufacturers.
TY Vortex Radar ! That Uniden owners manual does not describe the software updates for sheet ! Have the R4 & it took 2 downloads of this tool before the R Series V 2.18 tool would recognize my R4 to work properly. The 2nd time Windows 10 asked me if I wanted drivers loaded ? That is the key. Bought this a long time ago but just getting around to get it installed now.
The R3 was already good enough. AMAZING actually. Literally, I have a company truck now with a new job since my MVR came back clean due to me still speeding for the past 2 years but being saved by the R3. To think that it only gets better from here..... I'm certainly going to invest in that R4 or R8.
How far ahead is enough...The video's from vortex are showing the r4 going off so far in advance that one would begin to wonder if this is useful or more of excessive notice, and may cause one to fall into a false sense of ka radar protection.
I have R3 and don't need any extra range, it's plenty! They should concentrate on BSM instead of range... There is a point after witch range is useless and I think that's already reached long time ago from all major brands (Uniden, Radenso, Escort, Valentine). Not upgrading so far... Auto lockouts it's nice though!
Fuck that. You can NEVER have enough range!
@Tom Manson I have the R3 as well and I agree with you the range is sufficient enough if the radar gun is pointed directly at you. However, where I live in the Mid-Atlantic one of the recent tactics that the police are using is the 90° axis and that's where the R4 really comes in handy. As you can see in the side by side comparison in this video the R4 picked up the 90° axis radar much much earlier than the R3 that can be the difference between getting a ticket and not getting one. I just received my R4 a couple days ago and I'm looking forward to testing it out.
@@wesd2845 how's that testing going? How's the Kband range?
After watching a few of your videos, I believe this R4 is the one for me. Seems to be the best bang for the buck IMO. The AUTO Lockouts and BSM Blocks are the icing on the Cake. I always use Waze, so while arrows would be nice, I don't consider them a must have. I'd love to have the MaxCam. But I personally just can't justify the price.
Yeah it’s a great detector. It’s also on sale at the moment, brand new on Uniden’s site. geni.us/UnidenR4
@@VortexRadar Just picked it up from Best Buy for 379. The renewed on Amazon for 329 was tempting. But I have the BB CC lol, and had a few rewards that made it about the same price, and it's new :) Had a Uniden with Oled in 2009 or so, upgraded to an 8500ix, and now this. First "smart" one I've ever had. Looking forward to it with a new Camaro SS lol. Thanks for the great info sir!
@@VortexRadar Also, living in East Tennessee, I need all the range I can get. Tons of hills, turns, and trees :)
Long time Escort 9500 and IX user here. After seeing vidoes with side by side detection range of Uniden vs Escort, I decided to get a Uniden for their superior detection range instead of getting a new Escort 360. Then after watching your video of R4 vs R8, I decided to get an R4. In April 2024, I picked an R4 up at Sam's Club for $289. That is a value proposition!
Such a killer deal!
The R4 Is awesome. Its saved me hundreds of times. I mostly drive on wide open interstates and highways and it sees 100% of the road pirates long before they see me. I won't drive without it. I have on for all 4 of my cars and one for my motorcycle.
Possibility of a R7 mk2 coming soon🤔 always enjoy your videos vortex hope baby and wife are keeping well
That's the feeling I am getting as well. If all the features work well in the R4, then R7 could be getting a successor that adds the additional bells and whistles of R4 to R7.
I have my new R4 and let me tell ya my r3 r7 and redline have all been retired to the shelf I just ordered another R4 for the wife's SUV I'm so use to not having arrows drawback on arrows is it's nice to have but I find myself looking for the source without arrows I hear the ka I just let off the gas to speed limit otherwise great video now go change them diapers lol
I will stick with my R3.. seems to me there hasn't been enough improvements to justify purchasing a new radar detector.
@TSM I want mine to STFU like a little. Didn’t need a Honda/GMC detector… 🤷🏻♂️
@TSM not much in the horoscopes but the winning lottery numbers would be really nice.
me too.
Auto lockouts, Bluetooth and morning warning time not a difference? It sure is. What I don't like the buttons on top off the unit in the front are flush and not raised like the R3. There's still improvements Uniden can make with their filtering on the R4 but may require more than Firmware upgrade to accomplish this.
@TSM pointless to buy a uniden for auto lockouts. I waited for that feature to come out before buying an r7 and now I don't even use lockouts because they're useless. Also, r4 dropped almost a year ago and where's the Bluetooth functionality? Still not out. Even then the Bluetooth isn't much of a feature if they don't make it open api, which if they do it'll be great detector that rivals the r7.
Great review as always. Got my R4 ordered to replace my R3. Looking forward to see what Uniden comes up with for the R7 in my other car.
How's it working for you
@@NLARA01 Works great. Nice upgrade from the R3. Really like that it will auto memory mute once it learns a regular location. The R3 had good range and this one is even better!
@@kafisher44 I have the R3, looking to upgrade to the 4 or 7. Debating if arrows or more range, I do love the range lot of KA here in Iowa, nothing else normally.
@@NLARA01 The arrows are very useful, but the R4 will have more range. The R7 is bigger, if that's a concern. Mute/Mark buttons on the side of R7 are a little awkward.
After 2 years later which ones better.. r3, r4 or r7
Really nice upgrade on the range but still a no go for me with the still sub par BSM and hack K notch filtering. Love to see the comparison vs DS1
Thanks. I been watching your videos and this time it caught my about R4 and pre-ordered through your link.
Just canceled my DS1 preorder and ordered a R4. I'm already using a cheaper DFR7 and have been looking to upgrade for some time now.
The control pad is great for people like me who are only 5' tall and most things are built for 6' tall men. I can't reach a lot of things most men can and so some of us benefit greatly from being able to mute and do other things from much closer to us. I currently use a button at the cig lighter to mute my detector. We have the R4s beinh delivered tomorrow because our current detectors are starting to have issues after many years of use
If anyone is wanting to get an R4, Sams Club currently has it for $299. Purchased today 7/21/2023.
Been running my r4 2 years now in my semi truck, screens still good and everything works good
I was thinking of using one in my semi truck as well. I heard that it’s illegal in commercial vehicles though which does bother me abit.
I use the R3, honestly I don't know what more I need except some filtering of bsm, and arrows
RDD Imunity really held me back from this one unfortunetly. Thanks for the review!
I wonder if they will change the display so it doesn’t get screen burn in like my r3 it’s gotten bad. If they used escorts more basic pixel display you avoid all burn in.
I'd still run dark mode
Don't keep it on it's brightest setting all the time.
Thanks for the promo code, I just bought the blendmount wiring adapter. I'm going to pick up the mount next week. Also, I came to this radar back in July 2022 due to this video and the channel as a whole. Great stuff. My only complaint is that I dont encounter a lot of radar in my travels but I'm also not on the road as often as most but either way still happy with the purchase and looking forward to the new features to come.
I love that wired remote control pad for stealth purposes! Oh how I miss living in a legal state… (living in Canada now)
I only wish it was 100% stealth, for obvious sad reasons above
Any idea what spectre they use in ontario? thanks
Lol fam the top guns in the market rn are V1 Gen 2, redline 360c, R7. All of them except the R7 are stealth. It's not a huge problem that way, is it?
@@selmankocak2094 It is a huge problem in canada. You lose the unit, you get the ticket, you get demerit points, you have no defense to it.
@@abraxas511 that's right, i meant to ask is it a big problem if you have a stealth detector? If you mount it discreetly behind tint for example it won't be very visible.
@@abraxas511 here in Virginia it's less than $100 total WITH court fees and ZERO points. Meanwhile a reckless driving ticket(20 over the speed limit or 80 mph regardless of the limit) carries several points, legal fees range from $700 to $2,500 AND up to a year in jail. I'm not even counting the court fee or ticket cost. Radar detector is the smart choice!😂
So I just recently got my R4 and I’ve done a couple of test and there is this cop that sits up on a hill on the side of the highway and it has a couple of curves approx 1.4 miles between the cop and when the R4 went off so far it’s doing pretty good I will make a vid next time cause he is always sitting there. I thought it was 1.3 miles until I went back today and did a distance check and it was actually 1.4 miles!
Nice!
I hope they are hard at work on the R7 replacement now. For the love of god though I need something done about 24.160. At least a weak filter. I know I don't want to notch it out completely but so far I have yet to see a single legitimate 24.160 source. Also Lincoln apparently has a BSM that does a bang up job replicating I/O K band now. Seriously full alert one second, gone the next and and on and on about every 15 seconds. So far only encountered it once but it was super annoying.
24.160 is so bad in shopping centers and it randomly pops up all over the USA
I get a large amount of 24.160 falses on my R4 also. they need a block for it.
Been thinking about that remote wired keyboard. First, it’s silly they put a port on the left side for laser. Your going to have wires sticking out both sides of the detector. Second - It’s got B.T.
Let JB connect to it and he’ll blow away anything Uniden can release. Don’t think they will be selling many of those keyboards.
Im intrigued as to whether some of the R4 features will make it to the R7, or whether there’s an R8 on the horizon….
Smelling the latter rather than former but who knows
Y’all were right, R8’s available for pre-order
Vortex galore...another insanely good review. Thanks. I wonder if an R2 will be coming.
R4 capabilities are looking good, thank you!
Great Video. I can’t wait to nerd out on your Radenso Theia review, the most expensive window mounted radar detector in the history of radar detectors! Around $1,500 probably! I’ve recently moved to Arizona I’m worried the sun in the summer time will melt the radar detector! 🏜 🥵
@@djdomi6583 For 1500 I would get the Redline for half.
I may be missing something, but R7s can be had for less money. $439 on Amazon currently. Wouldn’t an R7 be overall better than an R4? Similar features but with arrows.
I think so. It deserves its own video IMHO, but yeah it’s hard to skip the arrows…
@@VortexRadar Please do this... thanks for the content.
@@VortexRadar please do an update R7 settings video being there's been many firmware revisions since
@@rickc303 i need updated R7 settings as well.
just picked this one up for $299 on amazon today! thanks for the video super helpful!
Is it good?
@@Nick-uz6cu I think so. I use it on my bike and it’s able to spot police radar from pretty far away and it has Bluetooth so I think it’s great and well worth the money. Don’t need anymore tickets
I have a R7, but the wired controller would be nice for my truck because I can't reach my detector very good, but hopefully the wire would be long enough to hide it? Thanks for updates.🏁🏁🏁🏁 But only the R4 will have this option.
thanks for all of what you do and have done, extremely helpful
So far I'm not seeing much of a difference from my R1. I know it's not recommended to use both units at the same time but I wanted to see how it compares. After running it on a recent 1,200 mile trip, I found that at tops, it gives me about 100 ft more of a warning and not the distance I was hoping for. In one case, the trooper was in the median facing us with not much of an obstruction and I got about a half mile alert. Now I'll only be running the R4 in my car, the R1 goes in the wife's car though I guess we should switch because she is the one who actually has a lead foot which is why she drives the 4 cylinder Equinox and I drive the Charger.
Most detectors range I normally get in my area is half to three quarter miles are the norm, there are times were the R4 was significantly better than the R3, but usually on straightaways.
@@leoguy1609 - That's about what I'm seeing too. I did find one time where my R1, which is supposed to be equal in range to the R3, alerted before the R4. In the other alerts, they were both about the same or around 100 feet better with the R4. Still both are very good detectors.
Yeah I got the r4 and was not at all impressed by the range, I do not consider it an upgrade over the r3 I currently have and I regret buying it
Had the R3 since July 2017 when I purchased my (speedy) motorcycle. It has been on the motorcycle exposed to weather, bugs, pebbles over 33,000 miles and still operates like new. Impressive. It was stolen during October and I replaced R3 with R4. The recessed buttons are inferior to R3 as you also noted. Seems to me the R3 would turn off with a short press of the power button. R4 is press and wait to turn off. Would have purchased the R1 but could not find one for sale. Here in Northern Utah I have no need for GPS with its assorted features. To me, the ports moved to the outside. R3 inside ports are superior. Ride on.
I was really excited about the DS1 after your video. For a mid range priced detector, which would you recommend the DS1 or this R4 based on what you know now? Thanks for all the videos and congrats on the soon to be new baby!
I’m still putting together my thoughts on that topic and would like to cover that in a dedicated comparison too. :)
@Vortex Radar that would be a great comparison video. 👍 Definitely a question many potential DS1 or R4 buyers have. Huge topic.
That is REALLY impressive. I love my R7 and don't have it for that long so buying an R4 is not in the cards, also I do love the arrows, the R8 is going to be a beast!
I wish they would do a new firmware update to the R7 so that you can mute it while its talking just like the R4. Also you are right, the radar gun detection is really cool, also wonder if it could be implemented in the R7 with a simple fw update.
The R4 is the best bang for your buck in Radar Detectors. With the new 2024 firmware update, Bluetooth connectivity and R4 app on Apple, it’s now better than ever.
Whoa, didn't know until this video that R3 and R4 are not fully stealth...but I've been running them here in Canada for 3 years without any issues
🤯. Yes it certainly does increase Ka band but that's never been an issue with the R3 as its capabilities are nothing short of stellar... I want K band sensitivity. The RCMP are using something I suspect is low powered k band???? Because k band warnings around here are pretty damn too up close and personal for my liking...
I wish I could replace the sound effect the radar makes with “boss music” so that way it’s more pleasant on my ears and my passengers can say “why do I hear boss music?”
Love both my R3 and R4 !!
It's been about 10 years since I received a speeding ticket. Took DD class.
Days ago, I purchased two of these bad boys from sams Club. 1 for each vehicle.
20 years from now, I will still not have any more speeding tickets, lol
Did u bought the unide r4 10 years ago ? Still good ? Any issue ?
WoW
Thanks, now I wonder if the software to identify Laser and band segmentation will be available for the R7.
Just updated Highway Radar. I got a bit excited when I saw that one of the changes was support for R4 and R8s😀. Unfortunately, Bluetooth is STILL not enabled, 🙃but perhaps the peeps @ HR know something the general public doesn't ?!?!?!
Be good to see how it stacks up against the DS-1 as they are both upgraded R3s.
Looked to me those test results showed the DS1 equaled the R4
8:42 That's quite a surprise and a disappointment. I was looking forward to a stealth R8 (R7 successor).
@5:41 Thats something Escort had back in 2009. The faster you drove, the more sensitive the detector was. So, as much as it's nice, Uniden reminds me of Volkswagen. They play catchup with features, and people think it's innovative. Not pulling punches here, I ran Escorts (9500ix) for 10 years, now I have the R3 and R7. Just pointing it out, this is something that SHOULD have been a standard feature on detectors before now.
Sure, but Escort had a patent on speed-based sensitivity adjustments. It expired back in 2020. patents.google.com/patent/US6670905B1/en
took the plunge using your referral link! thanks for the great reviews, advice, and content :)
👍👍
@@VortexRadar are there setup instructions offered on your site yet?
@@ncyankeealva Nope. Not sure I'm gonna get to it before my son is born, but it's definitely on the short list, particularly the written guide for my website since that's way quicker than a video.
This is literally the only R4 review on RUclips
I don't get tired of watching your videos, thanks for that.
Could you please do a:
Uniden R4 Vs Whistler Titan video please.
Now, I noticed the R7 is almost around the same price than R4, is worth it to go with R7 than the R4?
Wow that range is impressive. It even has the r7 beat based on those graphs. Do you think it would be a good upgrade to go from the r7 to the r4?
I personally prefer having arrows
NO!
I wish there was someone out there that could test RD's against the RedFlex! The biggest pain in Calgary! Also, any idea if Uniden's Laser Jammers will work for the R7?
What is redflex ?
@@brentster17 It's a very low frequency k band that they use for photo radar. The R7 will pick it up sometimes, but you don't have much time to get slowed down. It's strange because the technology is old, but it's still one of the hardest things for almost all RD companies to defeat.
The new R7 has different parts inside from the original something to think about!!
When you were comparing the distance between the R3 and R4 I had to keep checking that it wasn't my R3 going off. I also wish the R4 had arrows like the R7.
The R4 isn't an R7 replacement so of course it won't have arrows.
@@ZboeC5 I know I just wish it did. It's uniden only gonna have 1 detector with arrows? It seems like at this price point it should.
I feel like these detectors don't need an increase in range anymore. The R1/R3 set that standard and it's almost overkill (the R3 in your video detects the signal way before the kill zone)-- which is great don't get me wrong. My gripe with Uniden, currently, is the radar filtering, especially K band, makes the detector unusable in this band (living in New Jersey). I did take a trip out to Pennsylvania a few years back and all the state troopers were using K band which worked excellently but when you're in traffic, it's way too buzzy. Ka band is fine but it still falses to some vehicles.
I agree. I have an R1 and I already get enough non actionable alerts (long range falses and cops on unconnected streets) I don't want even longer range until I know it's not a false alert
They need to have band specific auto mute. I want my ka band close to full volume and k band close to 1.
I dont understand how these companies come out with upgrades and new products but we hear nothing about Theia. Makes me wonder if they are are having serious design/build issues aside from supply chain issues???
LOL my exact thoughts.
I feel like they have very specific parts they want to use and absolutely do not want to differentiate from those. Even if they can get another available brand, it's not what they've been testing.
@@playerroku4412 Let's hope. Seems a lot of hype and nothing to back it up. Wait wait wait is the motto.
Great review, thank you. Enhancement of range is key. My R3 is great but R4 clearly is better. For California drivers with K turned off, not sure the upgrade is worth it. R4 looks like it's a step forward but those of us looking for a leap forward would you suggest Redline 360C?
If you’re gonna run with K off, maybe the R7 or V1 Gen2 instead and save some $$?
Great question I was wondering the same.
Is the K Band range alot better compared to the R3?
@@STARFIGHT88 I run with k off.
Dang, I just brought the R3. Maybe I'll just keep it and wait a year.
Welp, being a forum member I had said it, and it's true. I bought an R4, now, what to do with the R3, which was an upgrade from a DFR7.... keep as a backup, or give someone a break on a badass (in it's own right) detector?
Great info source, I purchased my R4 based on your reviews, my questions are bogey tones in K and KA, aren't they one in the same since you already set the tone for K and KA? I'm confused about that, also I use advanced to change settings, is that also used for driving too and if so what advantage would that be? Thanks sooo much, I love my R4!
Congrats! If you haven’t already checked it out, here’s my R4 setup guide that explains all the different menu options: www.vortexradar.com/2021/11/how-to-setup-configure-uniden-r4/
I've checked out all your videos, what I need to know is when I go in to advanced mode and make changes i.e. reduce K band sens, here goes, do I have to run in advanced mode for those changes to be active and recognized? In other words if I switch over to say city or highway will those changes I enacted still be working? I'm ready to return this thing if it doesn't quiet down, I'm already running K band at 30% and it won't shut up. Thanks
So you're asking if the changes that Advanced mode makes apply if you disable Advanced mode?
Came back to the video again. If an R3 owner wants to move to Escort Redline 360C (top of the line, latest, greatest detector) and can't buy one due to inventory what would be the next best thing? Arrows, long range, filter, wifi updates etc..... all important. Basically a buy it, set it up and let it work best of the best, no interfaces or external software. Thank you in advance.
Unfortunately there isn’t anything else. The Max360c is similar, but doesn’t have the same range. geni.us/Max360c
There’s the R7, but no WiFi and requires software for updates. geni.us/UnidenR7
@@VortexRadar On the notification list. You're pretty connect, any idea of production?
How is your expirienced since it has passed a year drom the upload? Do you believe that R4 is still better than R3? Does it detect the same? Im planning to get one but I dont know which of these 2
Oh the R4 is definitely the better detector. I’d pick it over the R3.
@@VortexRadar Thank you very much for the reply! I appreciate it
Looks like the rear laser light pipe is also now on the right side, which could get blocked by your rear view mirrow.
True, but given how wildly difficult and nearly pointless rear laser detection is, it's not gonna matter in practice. If laser protection is important, laser jammers are the way to go, both front and rear.
Again, good information, thank you sir.
I am looking to buy the R4 as now it is around the $350 area and I do not need some of the higher end bells and whistles. I wanted to know if the R4 offers 360 degree protection as that is something important to me. Great video and very helpful with the comparisons between the R4 and R3. Thanks again.
Yes and no lol. See here:
ruclips.net/video/YEidtT3w7fQ/видео.html
@@VortexRadar thanks for link. I just watched the video and have a better understanding. I am guessing that the R4 only has the one directional antenna? From your experience, how does it handle rear detection? Here in NJ, the troopers like to cruise and sneak up on you from behind more so than hide out on the shoulder. I recently bought a new C8 so I am trying to be ready for the Spring so I can finally get out and drive it lol. Thanks
I’ve been holding out for the theia especially because I’m not driving much working from home. This is now in my second place if I need a detector. I wonder if we will get a r8 with this new tech and arrows
For what it’s worth, I recently sold my R7 to swap to a V1G2 and have zero regrets. I’m also wanting Theia, but I don’t think we’ll see it for at least a year.
Forget about Theia, I think they have issues with detector it self and nothing to do with official version: chip shortages. Total BS...
Ive had my R3 from when you launched it on your site and noticing that the Brightness is getting a lot dimmer and as you said before it is burning into the screen I forgot what you called that but wanting to know if all Unidens will do this or just the R3
I hope so of these features will carry over to the R7.
Does the r4 have the invisiblity like the r3 to the vg2 radar detector
Good question
I own a Uniden R4 I've noticed from time to time the speed will just go blank while going down the interstate not sure if Uniden is aware of this bug or not. Or it could just be mine !!
R4 is perfect if your on a quick motorcycle, I do get a few false laser alerts, as did the R3
Na, Cobra did it first. I remember when I was in high school buying junk Cobra detectors back in the day (which was 20 years ago) . They would identity the gun manufacturer by pulse, also alert you for oncoming emergency vehicles via the fire trucks MIRT unit.
Ah very cool
I bought the R4 it is crap. My friend has the R3 and while driving in tandem fist him in front than me. Every time his went off mine did not react. So after a weeks of unreliability I returned it, very disappointing.
Sorry to hear that. Did you try posting on the forums to troubleshoot and double check your settings? It’s possible you had a defective unit and another one would perform better too.
@@VortexRadar so I returned the R4 and bought R7 cause I like the idea of the arrows. It’s only been in use 3 days and has gone of on 2 occasions, the first being obvious the second time first the forward arrow followed by the side and than the rear as I passed through an intersection but I could not spot the officer. Before replying to you I watched your video on the V1 and I wonder have you done a comparison V1 vs R7? Also in the V1 and the R7 the side arrows doesn’t distinguish which side of the road the radar is coming from, is the ability of the tech to distinguish left and right to much to fit inside the confines of the unit making it to bulky or just doesn’t seem pertinent?
@@jeffn8368 yo
Wow.. finally GATSO RT3/4 support. You should have started video with that.
Thank you so much I just need to purchase a data cord now
I have a R3 I live in San Diego Ca I turned off the K band because the police radars never seem to be K band KA and seems to be the prominent radar band
What are some of the most stealth detectors against the Spector three or elite?
Hi! I posted on another of your videos about how much they are and if it was worth it. Anyway, I decided to buy the R4 through your links and it is on sale. One concern was that I would have to relocate my dash cam and get a dual cigarette lighter for the cam. To make the story short, my wife came looking for me cause I was taking too long and sat for a second and I told her my concerns. Well, she pointed out that the power cord on the dash cam could be connected to the power cord form the R4. I was mind-blown and wished that she could have come way sooner and save me time. I do have a question, is it best to set the R4 on auto and instead changing it to city or highway when needed? And if I keep it in auto, should the speed be better lower or higher for best results on the sensitivity frequency?
Would love to see the new K block for 24.168 make its way down to the R3/R1. I'd say that's where 90% of my falses happen.
Agreed, it’d be an easy software update
I wonder if the light sensitive display applies to alerts in dark mode? I prefer no display unless there is an alert, and on my R3, I have to manually adjust the brightness of the alert itself because the auto adjust based on time doesn’t impact dark mode alerts.
Those suction cups look way better than the R3 ones that I have!!!!
3:05 sounded like a bunch of birds lol
What is the best detector for Stealth. Living in Ontario this is important to me I drive a Corvette C8 convertible. Would you recommend a specific radar. Preference would be a installing it in behind grill and be notified inside the car. Thanks
I like my R7 and the price of the R4 is close to what I paid for my R7. The R7 seems better.
The more I think about it Theia will be crazy with no false alerts. I'll wait
Let that dream go. Uniden all the way
The ability to mute right away is something I hope they bring to the R7 super annoying to have to wait for it finish talking to mute.
Only had my R4 for 2 days today I got in the car to go for a drive . the GPS gave me an error it said GPS error wouldn't lock on anything. After I stop the car for about 20 seconds it finally did but it was still saying I was doing 2 miles an hour when I wasn't. Then when I started driving down the road it went off again a second time. is this a known issue? Have they come out with a new firmware update yet for the r4? Tried to update it through my laptop and it doesn't seem there's an update yet for anything on the r4?
R8 with arrows....when r they going to release it🙄
We've got a lot of traffic lights with lazer traffic detectors. Will this auto lock out these false alerts ( filling memory) our officers do use laser guns here.
Nice but I'm keeping my R3 and still waiting for the THEIA!
😢
I have seen reviews that the speakers go out on the r3. I like the r3 but that concerns me. Do u think it’s worth the risk?