Radar detectors.....for those interested
10-16-2017, 09:40 PM
#41
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Per an online review
"Uniden is unique in offering two different mounts in their respective packages: a single sticky-cup mounting bracket with a ball-type head which allows for a variety of mounting positions and angles as well as a conventional dual suction-cup mounting bracket–my personal preference."
"Uniden is unique in offering two different mounts in their respective packages: a single sticky-cup mounting bracket with a ball-type head which allows for a variety of mounting positions and angles as well as a conventional dual suction-cup mounting bracket–my personal preference."
I believe I'm going to order the R3. I was going to order a few weeks ago and they were on back order. Also, I couldn't find a blendmount for it. Now I know why. Doesn't it come with the cheap suction cup mount? Maybe I'll just use that for now. Is there an ETA on availability?
10-16-2017, 09:47 PM
#42
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I think what it does is wear out the spring action of the lock (because it's not clipped in). Apparently someone ruined the mechanism after going over rough roads (it would no longer clip back into the supplied adapter).
10-16-2017, 09:48 PM
#43
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I believe I'm going to order the R3. I was going to order a few weeks ago and they were on back order. Also, I couldn't find a blendmount for it. Now I know why. Doesn't it come with the cheap suction cup mount? Maybe I'll just use that for now. Is there an ETA on availability?
10-16-2017, 10:50 PM
#44
Burning Brakes
A nice feature on the Unidens is called 'Quite Ride'. You can enter a speed and any detections under that speed are displayed but without audio.
Example:
As long as you are not speeding in town, and have quiet ride speed set to the local speed limit, the detector is stone quiet.
Example:
As long as you are not speeding in town, and have quiet ride speed set to the local speed limit, the detector is stone quiet.
Last edited by Skidplate; 10-16-2017 at 10:51 PM.
10-16-2017, 11:18 PM
#45
Pro
Bought my V1 around 2000. Every few years I send it in to Valentine and pay them a few dollars and they upgrade it to the latest software/tech. Their latest update helped with false alarms. I find the V1 simple and easy to use. Easy to see the arrows, even with the top off. Very easy to hit the mute button too.
I also have a Passport Max, that is about 3 years old. I find the GPS/learning helpful to keep it quite(r) on my daily commute route. But the downside it no factory upgrades. Also, I have it mounted under the rear view mirror and its hard to reach the mute button on the top of the unit.
IMO, lots of good products to chose from, if you want one, but each has some trade-offs.
I also have a Passport Max, that is about 3 years old. I find the GPS/learning helpful to keep it quite(r) on my daily commute route. But the downside it no factory upgrades. Also, I have it mounted under the rear view mirror and its hard to reach the mute button on the top of the unit.
IMO, lots of good products to chose from, if you want one, but each has some trade-offs.
10-17-2017, 11:45 AM
#46
Instructor
I agree with the OP that the Unidens provide a lot of performance for the buck. I used to run an LRD-950 I purchased for $150 back in Jan 16. The LRD line was Uniden's new attempt at the radar detector market after previously selling marginal detectors. The priced it too low as it outperformed many higher priced units from competitors and sold a lot of them. I purchased the LRD950 for $150 in Jan '17. Uniden realized the pricing error (relative to performance) and discontinued the LRD line and replaced them with the higher cost DFR line. Looked very similar and also had very good performance. Similar hardware, upgraded firmware and a new name. Uniden had to replace the LRD line as they couldn't just jack up the price without huge blowback. I purchased a DFR7 in Jan '17 for $260.
The DFR7 lives in the C7 and the LRD950 in a GMC truck.
Now Uniden has the latest R1/R3 line of detectors with better filtering, displays and more refinements. Perhaps I will upgrade to an R3 in the future, but the previous units work fine for me.
Having onboard GPS is a plus with the Uniden units and the Ka range detection here in CA has saved me a number of times.
Here is the DFR7 wired into the socket behind the rear-view mirror in the C7.
]
The DFR7 lives in the C7 and the LRD950 in a GMC truck.
Now Uniden has the latest R1/R3 line of detectors with better filtering, displays and more refinements. Perhaps I will upgrade to an R3 in the future, but the previous units work fine for me.
Having onboard GPS is a plus with the Uniden units and the Ka range detection here in CA has saved me a number of times.
Here is the DFR7 wired into the socket behind the rear-view mirror in the C7.
]
If you don't want to spend a ton on an RD, but want top-notch performance, see if you can find yourself a Uniden LRD950 somewhere in the aftermarket (eBay, etc) and then do a Google search to find out how easy it is to magically transform it into a Uniden DFR7.
Hope this info helps. Good Luck!
10-17-2017, 12:12 PM
#47
X isn't used by any LEO near me.. I'm not gonna worry about it. YMMV..
But I'll reiterate, The V1 has worked for me for 20 or so years. It's simple, easy to use, gives VERY clear info, and it's not stupid expensive like some of the newer ones. You can pick up a used one on ebay for less than $200, not a bad deal.
But I'll reiterate, The V1 has worked for me for 20 or so years. It's simple, easy to use, gives VERY clear info, and it's not stupid expensive like some of the newer ones. You can pick up a used one on ebay for less than $200, not a bad deal.
10-17-2017, 04:54 PM
#48
10-18-2017, 07:59 AM
#49
Melting Slicks
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I was also one of the lucky ones who snagged the outstanding and under-appreciated LRD950 for around $150. My luck continued when I stumbled on a forum post explaining that I could upgrade my LRD950 with the DFR7 firmware. I took a shot, it worked, and I've been extremely happy ever since, as I now basically am running a phenomenal performing DFR7 in my C7, which I (and others out there) believe meets and/or exceeds the performance of many other RD's out there that cost 3-4 times my original investment.
If you don't want to spend a ton on an RD, but want top-notch performance, see if you can find yourself a Uniden LRD950 somewhere in the aftermarket (eBay, etc) and then do a Google search to find out how easy it is to magically transform it into a Uniden DFR7.
Hope this info helps. Good Luck!
If you don't want to spend a ton on an RD, but want top-notch performance, see if you can find yourself a Uniden LRD950 somewhere in the aftermarket (eBay, etc) and then do a Google search to find out how easy it is to magically transform it into a Uniden DFR7.
Hope this info helps. Good Luck!
10-18-2017, 09:59 AM
#50
Instructor
My V1 setup
on Valentines site he explains why gps lockouts might not be the way to go, like others have there are apps you can use to obtain that feature though.
10-18-2017, 12:09 PM
#51
If some of my detectors pick up a signal they announce KA band. My Valentine 1 says "Beep". Some of my detectors say red light camera ahead (using their data bank and GPS). The Valentine 1 says nothing. I think the old Valentine 1 is outdated and its time has come and gone. I would NEVER buy another one.
I did have to turn off the K band on my other detectors as it had gotten to where they were going off constantly, at the grocery story and on the highway where I assume other car's adaptive cruise control was setting it off. In my area of VA it seems like the police only use the KA band. Oh yes, I turned off the X band also but it was because I never seemed to pick up any X band signals.
Unfortunately, living in VA I feel I need to buy a radar detector which is hidden (built-in) and also one which is immune to the Spectre radar detector detector which is what the VA State police use.
As for Laser, I know the Prince William County Police have it and use it. For laser the policeman or policewoman has to be stationary whether on foot or in the car. I had a policewoman show me how she shot down my street for about 5 blocks. The unsuspecting motorist would then drive up, see her and slow but too late. I thought about myself and my detector. I figured if I were 5 blocks away and my detector went off I should turn off the street, if possible, going right or left at the first intersection I came to.
I did have to turn off the K band on my other detectors as it had gotten to where they were going off constantly, at the grocery story and on the highway where I assume other car's adaptive cruise control was setting it off. In my area of VA it seems like the police only use the KA band. Oh yes, I turned off the X band also but it was because I never seemed to pick up any X band signals.
Unfortunately, living in VA I feel I need to buy a radar detector which is hidden (built-in) and also one which is immune to the Spectre radar detector detector which is what the VA State police use.
As for Laser, I know the Prince William County Police have it and use it. For laser the policeman or policewoman has to be stationary whether on foot or in the car. I had a policewoman show me how she shot down my street for about 5 blocks. The unsuspecting motorist would then drive up, see her and slow but too late. I thought about myself and my detector. I figured if I were 5 blocks away and my detector went off I should turn off the street, if possible, going right or left at the first intersection I came to.
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LT1 Z51 (10-18-2017)
10-18-2017, 01:06 PM
#52
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Maybe some laser has to be stationary, but not all from what I've read. Also, per Valentine, all unit can be updated---at a cost, sometimes a bit high cost.
10-18-2017, 01:18 PM
#53
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Originally Posted by AORoads
Maybe some laser has to be stationary, but not all from what I've read. Also, per Valentine, all unit can be updated---at a cost, sometimes a bit high cost.
Per Wikipedia:
“When used within a moving vehicle, the device measures the relative speed of the police and target vehicle. Police are required to follow the offending vehicle for 200 metres and have a certified speedometer, largely negating advantages of the device.”
Due to LIDARs barrow band and the above restriction, it’s practically useless unless stationary.
10-18-2017, 01:35 PM
#54
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St. Jude Donor '13
Wikipedia usually is correct, but not always.
However, I have not yet heard of any "moving laser" units.
And the narrow beam of a laser requires careful aim, which would be difficult while driving a moving vehicle.
However, I have not yet heard of any "moving laser" units.
And the narrow beam of a laser requires careful aim, which would be difficult while driving a moving vehicle.
10-18-2017, 01:37 PM
#55
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St. Jude Donor '13
If some of my detectors pick up a signal they announce KA band. My Valentine 1 says "Beep". Some of my detectors say red light camera ahead (using their data bank and GPS). The Valentine 1 says nothing. I think the old Valentine 1 is outdated and its time has come and gone. I would NEVER buy another one.
I did have to turn off the K band on my other detectors as it had gotten to where they were going off constantly, at the grocery story and on the highway where I assume other car's adaptive cruise control was setting it off. In my area of VA it seems like the police only use the KA band. Oh yes, I turned off the X band also but it was because I never seemed to pick up any X band signals.
Unfortunately, living in VA I feel I need to buy a radar detector which is hidden (built-in) and also one which is immune to the Spectre radar detector detector which is what the VA State police use.
As for Laser, I know the Prince William County Police have it and use it. For laser the policeman or policewoman has to be stationary whether on foot or in the car. I had a policewoman show me how she shot down my street for about 5 blocks. The unsuspecting motorist would then drive up, see her and slow but too late. I thought about myself and my detector. I figured if I were 5 blocks away and my detector went off I should turn off the street, if possible, going right or left at the first intersection I came to.
I did have to turn off the K band on my other detectors as it had gotten to where they were going off constantly, at the grocery story and on the highway where I assume other car's adaptive cruise control was setting it off. In my area of VA it seems like the police only use the KA band. Oh yes, I turned off the X band also but it was because I never seemed to pick up any X band signals.
Unfortunately, living in VA I feel I need to buy a radar detector which is hidden (built-in) and also one which is immune to the Spectre radar detector detector which is what the VA State police use.
As for Laser, I know the Prince William County Police have it and use it. For laser the policeman or policewoman has to be stationary whether on foot or in the car. I had a policewoman show me how she shot down my street for about 5 blocks. The unsuspecting motorist would then drive up, see her and slow but too late. I thought about myself and my detector. I figured if I were 5 blocks away and my detector went off I should turn off the street, if possible, going right or left at the first intersection I came to.
Enquiring Minds Want to Know!
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AORoads (10-18-2017)
10-18-2017, 02:10 PM
#56
Instructor
Upgrade Your Uniden LRD950 To DFR7 (w/Firmware Update)
Here's a video that discusses the process...
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chefcg1 (10-18-2017)
10-18-2017, 02:21 PM
#57
Melting Slicks
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Glad you found the info helpful. Please let me be clear that this is NOT an "official" firmware upgrade path from Uniden, but something that was tested and confirmed by the forum user group. So, please proceed at your own risk... but I confirm that my upgrade process went perfectly and my unit has been working great for several months since.
Here's a video that discusses the process...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLetSS8WyDo
Here's a video that discusses the process...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLetSS8WyDo
I will say if it turns off the annoying announcement it will be worth it alone. I can say my r3 is not nearly as ear splitting as the ldr950.
Last edited by chefcg1; 10-18-2017 at 02:22 PM.
10-18-2017, 02:36 PM
#58
Instructor
