Uniden R7 vs Valentine One Gen 2

If you are in the market for a radar detector, or an upgrade from the one you already own, the Uniden R7 or the Valentine One V1 Gen 2 are two that you should consider. Both of these detectors do an excellent job of keeping you protected from speeding tickets, alerting you in enough time to adjust your speed when a police radar gun is operating in the area. You can’t go wrong with either detector, we just feel that the R7 provides better value (>>> Find on Uniden.com).

Uniden R7 vs Valentine One Gen 2 side by side:

Uniden R7Valentine One V1 Gen 2
RangeInsane Long RangeLong Range, 360° Protection
Built-in GPSNoNo
DisplayMulti-color OLEDMulti-color OLED
False FilterAdvanced K /KA Band FilterK-Verifier technology
Red Light & Speed Camera AlertsNoYes
Speed-based Auto MuteYesYes
Bluetooth connectivityNoYes
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Find on Amazon

Uniden R7 Extreme Long Range Laser/Radar Detector

Uniden R7

One of the best windshield mounted radar detectors for range of detection is the Uniden R7. Whether you are cruising down the wide-open highway or traveling up and down hills and around twisting curves, the R7 has the sensitivity to detect and warn you of an operating radar gun in time for you to take action. And that can mean the difference between receiving a speeding ticket or not. The R7 has dual antennas, front and rear, and directional arrows on the display that show you what direction the radar threat is originating from.

And let’s face it, long-range detection is the primary reason to own a radar detector. But there are other features that are important in your choice of a radar detector.

Pros

  • Extreme long-range detection
  • Front and rear antennas
  • GPS with over 1,500 storable lockouts
  • Ease of programming individual band sensitivities

Cons

  • Not completely undetectable to RDD
  • Display subject to washout in bright sunlight

Additional R7 Features

False Alert Filtering: One of the biggest complaints from owners of radar detectors is false alerts. Whether these alerts are due to automatic door opening systems on the local grocery store or from that Honda’s BSM system that is a few car lengths ahead of you, you need the ability to filter these false alerts out so that your detector doesn’t drive you crazy. With the Uniden R7, you are able to adjust the detector’s sensitivity to help cut down on these types of false alerts.

Modes of Operation: There are three sensitivity settings: Highway, City, and Advanced. In Highway mode, the detector is set to its maximum sensitivity. In the City mode, K and X-band sensitivity is reduced to limit alerting, especially to K-band door opening systems. Advanced mode allows you to manually adjust individual bands from 30% to 100% sensitivities. Reducing K-band to around 60% will help eliminate alerting to newer vehicles’ collision avoidance systems.

There is also a feature for low speed muting that Uniden calls “Quiet Ride”. This setting keeps the detector quiet while driving around town at slower speeds and then “wake up” as your vehicle’s speed increases. If a radar is encountered in this mode, a green text message is flashed on the display screen saying “Q-Ride”.

GPS Technology: GPS allows the R7 to “learn” locations of stationary radars (like door openers and speed signs) along the roads you normally travel. Once learned, these locations will no longer cause the detector to false alert for that radar. As an added consideration, although the R7 will not audibly sound off, it will gray out the display and will provide a visual alert by displaying “Mute Mem”. The unit is capable of storing more than 1,500 remembered lockout locations.

Radar Detector Detector (RDD) Invisibility: Some police agencies have begun using radar detector detectors, especially in areas where using a radar detector is illegal. The R7 has built-in stealth technology to avoid detection from these RDD units. It is not perfect, and can sometimes be detected, but it does a better job than most other radar windshield mounted detectors. Read our full review of: UNIDEN R7


Valentine One V1 Gen 2 Radar Detector

Valentine One V1 Gen 2

Few radar detectors have better range of detection than the Valentine One Gen 2. Weighing in at a slightly heavier 1.12 pounds, the Gen 2 does everything that the older Gen 1 does, only faster and better. It has two radar antennas, one forward facing and one rear facing. Its display has directional arrows to identify signal direction and it will also detect laser. It has extremely quick scan times across all radar bands and  can identify instant-on radar guns in record time.

Pros

  • Extreme long-range detection
  • Dual antennas
  • Built-in Bluetooth connectivity
  • RDD immunity
  • Improved BSM filtering

Cons

  • Lack of GPS capability

Additional Valentine Gen 2 Features

False Alert Filtering: High sensitivity comes with a disadvantage, false alerting. The V1 Gen 2 has improved false alert filtering, especially for Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM). When the unit detects one of these signals, the alert it provides will be at a volume that corresponds to the radar signal’s strength, a weaker signal means a softer alert.

Modes of Operation: The Gen 2 offers two modes of operation: Logic Mode and Advanced Logic Mode. Logic mode will alert to K-band radar signals but mute out the weaker ones that are generated by door opening systems and other low frequency radars. Advanced Logic Mode is best used in around town driving. When the Gen 2 detects a weak signal it will alert you and gradually increase the alert volume as you get closer to the radar source.

Bluetooth Capability: The V1 Gen 2 has integrated Bluetooth technology. That means it supports third-party apps running from your Smartphone, like the V1connection app. Running an app like this will allow you to more easily see the threat picture, direction of the threat, and the radar’s signal strength. Running a third-party app also makes the Gen 2 easier to setup and fine tune.

Radar Detector Detector (RDD) Immunity: In areas where radar detectors are illegal, police are beginning to employ radar detector detectors. The V1 Gen 2 does a great job of remaining invisible to theses detector detectors, especially Spectre RDDs. Read our full review of Valentine One V1 Gen 2


Our Choice

In our opinion, the Uniden R7 is the better choice for radar detectors in this price range. It has a slightly better range of detection than the Valentine V1 Gen 2, although along with the increased sensitivity, the R7 is a little more “chatty”. And although we like the Gen 2’s Bluetooth capability, the R7’s GPS function is a more important feature to have. You can’t go wrong with either detector, we just feel that the R7 provides better value (>>> Check current price on Amazon).

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