If you have had it with the unreliability of low-end radar detectors that don’t work as advertized, it may be time to step up to one of the best detectors on the market, the Uniden R1 Detector. (>>> Find the current price on Amazon)
Uniden R1 Review of Main Specs:
 | |
|---|---|
| Uniden R1 | |
| Range | Extreme Long Range |
| Built-in GPS | Yes |
| Display | Multi-color OLED |
| False Filter | Advanced K Band Filter |
| Red Light & Speed Camera Alerts | Yes |
| Speed-based Auto Mute | Yes |
| Price | Find on Amazon |
Extreme Long Range Is an Understatement
The R1 uses advanced digital signal processing (DSP) to deliver lightning fast alerts (500 milliseconds or less) and has extreme sensitivity to all radar bands; K, KA, Ka Narrow/Wide, and X. It is so sensitive that it can actually detect a police radar gun at a distance 12 times greater than the radar gun can detect your vehicle. Even the police Instant-On radars are no match for the R1. With far more time to react to an alert, you will be able to adjust your speed as necessary and avoid an expensive speeding ticket. With R1’s 360° sensitivity, you will get full coverage from every angle.
Full Color OLED Display
The R1’s display is one of the brightest and easiest to read displays of any radar detector. There are 5 brightness settings: BRIGHT, DIM, DIMMER, DARK, and OFF. The first three settings are pretty self explanatory. In DARK mode, the display stays off, with just a small flashing dot on the lower part of the screen, until the detector senses a radar signal. The display will then light up and provide all of the appropriate information concerning what the detector has detected. DARK mode is great when you are driving at night and want the detector to remain stealthy. In the OFF mode, the screen remains dark and only audio alerts are given when a radar signal detection is identified.
The display screen is large enough that with a quick glance you will be able to take in all of the information concerning an alert. As far as the information that will be displayed, the R1 will show your current speed, your direction of travel, the current sensitivity setting of the detector, the band of radar being detected, the strength of the radar signal, and the time of day.
Pros
- Incredibly accurate – very few false alerts
- High sensitivity
- 360° Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
- Visual and voice alerting
- Mute button and USB port located on the power cord
Cons
- Lower quality mount
- Speaker reliability complaints from purchasers
Sensitivity Settings
The Uniden R1 has three sensitivity settings: HIGHWAY, CITY, and CITY2. The HIGHWAY mode is the most sensitive setting, alerting to all radar bands. In CITY mode, the detector reduces K-band sensitivity to help reduce false alerting on radars like door opening systems on store fronts (you really don’t need to be alerted that there is a drugstore coming up on the left). CITY2 mode reduces K-band sensitivity just like CITY mode but completely shuts off X-band detection. No matter which mode you have selected, it does not affect detections of Ka-band or lasers.
When an alert is sounded you don’t have to reach across to the detector and feel for the mute button. You can mute the detector with a touch of a button on the power cord.
False Alert Filtering
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Collision Avoidance Systems are known weaknesses for many radar detectors, especially older models. This is not true for the R1. Uniden has done a great job of beefing up their filtering of these types of false signals caused by these newer car options.
Conclusion
The Uniden R1 Extreme Range Detector is easy to install and its display information is easy to understand. It is one of the most sensitive radar detectors on the market and is extremely reliable. If it sounds an alert, it won’t be because you are approaching a newer Honda with a BSM system. It will because it detected an actual police radar/laser unit. Although this detector is not exactly cheap, it is well worth the money you will spend to purchase it, and it will do a great job of keeping you out of traffic court. (>>> Check on Amazon)