jdandy
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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.
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.
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 installed. It is also convenient that the power connection port on the R3 is on the left side, same as the Escort it replaced.
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.
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.
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 installed. It is also convenient that the power connection port on the R3 is on the left side, same as the Escort it replaced.
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.
