Best Radar Detectors: Reviews, Tests, & Guides

Welcome to Vortex Radar, where you’ll learn all about the best radar detectors, laser jammers, and dashcams to keep you protected.

Choose the Best Police Radar Detector: Do you want the best radar detector? Check out my complete guide to The Best Radar Detectors.

Program Your Radar Detector: Once you’ve purchased a radar detector and you’re ready to configure it for optimal performance, set it up using my Radar Detector Tutorials.

Choose the Best Laser Jammer: Police regularly use laser as well and so you will need a good laser jammer to complement your radar detector. Read my comparison review of The Best Laser Jammers.

My Personal Countermeasure Setup: Here’s what equipment I depend on to keep me protected:

Windshield mount radar detector: Uniden R3
Upgraded radar detector mount: Blendmount
Custom installed radar detector: Radenso RC M
Laser Jammer: AntiLaser Priority
Dashcam: Blackvue DR900S-2CH
Phone App: Waze

Best Radar Detectors of 2018

#1: Uniden R3: Best Performing Radar Detector ($399)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

#2: Escort Max360: Plug-and-Play, Lots of Bells & Whistles ($499)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

#3 Radenso Pro M: Best False Alert Filtering & MRCD Detection ($449)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase (USA), Purchase (USA, direct), Purchase (Canada)

#4 Uniden DFR7: Best Bang for the Buck ($199)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

#5 Valentine One: For Tech Savvy Tinkerers ($449)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

#6 Uniden R1: Best Highway/Rural Detector ($299)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

Best Radar Detectors: Custom Installed Remotes

Feature-packed and Refined Remote Radar Detector: Escort Max Ci 360 ($2,399)

Review, Purchase

Best Quiet & Future-Proof Radar Detector: Radenso RC M ($1,849)

Review, Purchase

Affordable Remote Radar Detector: Net Radar DSP for the ALP ($649)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

Best Laser Jammers of 2018

Best Laser Jammer Available: AntiLaser Priority (Starting at $749 Dual, $1,249 Quad)

Review, How to Configure, Purchase

Easiest to Install: Escort ZW5 ($849 Dual)

Review, Purchase

Recommended Apps:

Real-time police spotted alerts: Waze (Free)

Recommended Radar Detector Accessories:

Rear View Mirror Mount: BlendMount ($99 before discounts)

Review, Purchase

Hardwire Cable ($10-30)

How to Install, Purchase

Best Dashcams:

Best Basic Budget Dashcam: Viofo A119 Pro ($89)

Best Basic Two Channel (Front & Rear) Dashcam: Viofo A129 Duo ($169)

Front & Rear Dashcams for both Driving & Parking: Blackvue DR750S-2CH ($379)

Review, Purchase

Best High End Dashcam for Driving and Parking: Blackvue DR900S-2CH ($479)

Review, Purchase

Escort Max360c firmware 1.8

Escort Updates the Max360 and Max360c to Help Address Lockups

Escort just released new firmware for both the Max360 and Max360c that is specifically designed to help fix the dreaded lockup bug. To update your detector, download Escort Detector Tools Pro.

Uniden R3 firmware 1.48

Uniden R1 & R3 Firmware 1.48 Released

Uniden just released firmware 1.48 for the Uniden R1 and the Uniden R3. Download firmware 1.48 here. 1.48 brings several changes to help with K band reactivity, laser falses, and detecting multiple signals.

Uniden R7 showing a strong K band signal ahead and a second strong signal to the side

Uniden R7 Announced: An R3 With Arrows!

Uniden will soon be releasing a brand new radar detector that is slated to instantly become the best radar detector on the market. It’s the answer to the question that thousands of you guys have been asking: “When will Uniden make an R3 with arrows?” Meet the Uniden R7. Uniden R7 Arrows The Uniden R7 …

Uniden DFR8

How to Set Up and Program Your Uniden DFR8

The Uniden DFR8 is a solid basic radar detector with good performance, false alert filtering, and features. If you’re just getting started with the DFR8, here’s what all the buttons do and how to program your detector. Purchase the Uniden DFR8 here. Note: You can download the Uniden DFR8 owner’s manual. This guide will provide additional …

Uniden DFR9 buttons

How to Set Up and Program Your Uniden DFR9

The Uniden DFR9 is a solid mid-tier radar detector with good performance, false alert filtering, and features. If you’re just getting started with the DFR9, here’s what all the buttons do and how to program your detector. Purchase the Uniden DFR9 here. Note: You can download the Uniden DFR9 owner’s manual. This tutorial will provide …

Uniden R1 BBY with accessories

Uniden R1 BBY vs. Uniden R1 DSP

Best Buy sells two different versions of the Uniden R1 radar detector. You’ve got the normal Uniden R1 (which they call the R1 DSP) that you can buy anywhere, as well as the much less expensive Uniden R1 BBY. The regular R1 is $299 and the R1 BBY is only $179. At $179, the Uniden …

Radenso Pro M

How to Set Up & Configure your Radenso Pro M

Let’s take a look at all the buttons and menu options of the Radenso Pro M. Radenso did a great job of setting up the detector to be quiet out of the box with settings that are optimal for most drivers around North America. However, you may want to change things depending on where you …

Vortex Radar's 2018 Holiday Giveaway

Vortex Radar’s 2018 Holiday Giveaway

Update: The winners have all been selected and emailed on Jan 1st. Take a look through the list of winners and if you see your name, be sure to check your email inbox. Thank you to everyone who participated, congratulations to all the winners, and welcome everyone to 2019! Uniden R3’s: Rocky S., Brandon J., Jeremy …

Best Radar Detectors

#1: Uniden R3 ($399)
Best performing radar detector, great false alert filtering, very popular

#2: Escort Max360 ($499)
Lots of bells and whistles, arrows, plug-and-play, easiest to use

#3: Radenso Pro M ($449)
Long range, quietest radar detector, MRCD/CT detection capabilities

#4: Uniden DFR7 ($199)
Best bang for the buck for city and highway driving

#5: V1 w/ YaV1, JBV1, or V1Driver ($449)
Arrows, innovative third party apps, needs phone for best experience

Best Remote Radar Detectors

Escort Max Ci ($1999, $2399 w/ arrows)
Integrated, automated, and refined radar detector

Radenso RC M ($1599, $1849 w/ arrows)
Best futureproof remote RD, can integrate with ALP, best BSM filtering, MRCD support

Net Radar DSP ($649, $1149 w/ arrows)
Best bang for the buck remote radar detector, integrates with AntiLaser Priority

Best Laser Jammers

AntiLaser Priority ($749+)
The most popular and best performing jammer on the market

Escort ZW5 ($849)
Wireless laser jammers that integrate with windshield mount Escort radar detectors

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