Radar Detector Testing: Uniden R3 1.30, Redline EX, Radenso RC, Stinger VIP, Max360, and more…

This weekend I met up with @meismyname to test out some of the newest RD’s and firmware updates, specifically including the Uniden R3 fw 1.30, Redline EX, and Radenso RC. I ran them against most all of the other top contenders as well, both windshield mounts and remotes. Let’s see how they did.

Here’s the radar detectors tested:

Windshield mounts:

Remote mounts:

Every detector was set up for maximum performance with comparable settings including X band off, K/Ka band on, Ka filters like RDR off, and segged 2/5/8. The only exceptions were the Radenso RC and Stinger VIP. The Radenso RC was running Ka Wide instead of Ka Narrow since Euro firmware doesn’t sweep 33.8 with Ka Narrow. The Stinger I varied the settings including Regular -2 (how I run mine in practice to quiet down the BSM’s) or Regular/QT +2 (which is unusable due to +2 but that is the maximum sensitivity option. I’m not sure if -2/+2 affects Ka band, but I tested that anyways.)

Radar guns:

  • 33.8: MPH Bee III
  • 34.7: Stalker II

Test course:

My red barn test course was about half a mile long with some curves, trees, and slight hills. The curves definitely led to distinct detection zones which separated the detectors. Sometimes a detector was able to consistently alert super far away (>2000 feet), lose the signal, and reacquire around the second detection zone (1200-1500 feet). Some detectors would only be able to alert in that second detection zone. Other detectors would sometimes be able to alert in the first, but other times only in the second. Finally, some detectors were only able to alert closer still (800-1000 feet) in what looks to be a third detection zone.

Here’s a look at the course. You can see the curves which kind of segment the course.

Here’s a video so you can see it for yourself. It’s a trial run with three different top tier stealth detectors before we start running every detector individually. I’ve got the R3 (high by RVM), Redline EX (low on WS), and Stinger VIP (out on my grill) against 33.8. The R3 gets a long range detection, the Redline a standard midrange detection, and the Stinger was (surprisingly) below average.

Conveniently, the results running the detectors at the same time are comparable to what I saw running them individually. Let’s look at the results.

Test Results, 33.8:

Here’s what we saw on 33.8 with every detector run 3 times, sorted by average detection range.

Here’s all the test runs in visual form:

and here’s the average of every detector’s runs:

The R3, Radenso RC, STi-R O, and Max360 all managed long range detections on all 3 runs.

The Net Radar, V1, and Redline EX only managed to do that once or twice. I was very surprised by the Redline EX only being able to do that once while the Max360 did it 3 times in a row. What’s up with that? I’m expecting more from a Redline. I can see it losing to the R3, but it shouldn’t be getting beat by a Max.

The Stinger VIP, DFR7, and Radenso XP didn’t manage a long range detection a single time. I can understand the DFR7 being weaker on 33.8 and the XP is a fine detector, but not a long range beast.

The Stinger really surprised me. 3 runs with my normal settings (Regular -2) and not a single long distance alert. Other detectors mounted down low on my grill right next to the Stinger achieved it, but it couldn’t. I tried two runs at Regular +2 for maximum sensitivity and still couldn’t get it to alert. @meismyname suggested that Stinger was having trouble picking up brief alerts at a distance in Regular Mode so we switched it to Quick Trigger mode and tried again. Again we got a shorter range alert. That was 6 tests passes without a long range alert. I was really surprised by this. It’s performed well before in my previous testing, but not this weekend on 33.8.

Test Results, 34.7:

We swapped out the Bee III for a Stalker II in the radar car for 34.7 testing.

Here’s a quick test run with the R3 and Redline EX being run simultaneously to see what the course looks like. Again, luckily running two detectors simultaneously yielded comparable results to running them solo so it wound up being a good illustration of the differences in detectors. One detector maxed out the course, the other not so much.

 

To save time we ran just 2 passes per detector instead of 3. Here’s what we saw, sorted by average detection range.

Here’s a chart of all the runs:

and here’s each detector with all runs averaged together:

Only two detectors managed long range detections both times: The Uniden R3 and the Radenso RC. Outstanding job by both!

Some detectors managed to do it once including the Stinger VIP and the O. (Good job Stinger! I was getting worried about you…)

The DFR7 didn’t manage to do a long range detection, but it definitely showed its strengths on 34.7.

The Redline EX didn’t manage any long range detections either, but it managed to outperform the Net Radar, V1, Max360, and Radenso XP.

The Radenso XP performed surprisingly poorly. Its first run, it didn’t alert until I got into the kill zone, literally providing zero advanced warning. We were both very surprised by this. We ran it a few more times and it managed better runs, but still turned in below average results. This was my pilot production unit, not my retail unit which my girlfriend is running. This XP has performed well before. I’m not sure why it struggled this weekend.

Thoughts on the New Detectors:

Uniden R3 1.30: With the soon to be released new firmware, the R3 is still able to top every other windshield mount I tested, including the new Redline EX. When I need long range performance, the Uniden is it. Purchase an R3 here.

Redline EX: I was pretty disappointed by the Redline EX. Sure it didn’t manage to beat the R3 which I was expecting, but it should NOT get beat by a Max360. The Redline managed to do better on 34.7, but still nothing extraordinary. It got outclassed by a DFR7 which costs half the price. The Redline has some issues currently with Ka falsing from the magnetic mount and Replace FR errors. Escort has stated that we can send our detectors in to fix these issues if we’re seeing them. I contacted Escort this morning to see about exchanging my detector altogether. I’m hoping the replacement detector not only fixes those bugs but also gives me better performance, something more in line of what I’d expect from a Redline. Purchase the Redline EX if you’re in the USA and use the coupon “escort30” to save $30. Purchase the Redline EX if you’re in Canada and use the coupon “VortexRadar” to save $25.

Radenso RC: This is a serious contender to look out for. The HD+ has performed very well in testing before and the RC continues this trend, being the best performing remote mount detector I tested. (I wish I had a Max Ci to test too.) It’s running Euro firmware so it was set to Ka Wide so I can sweep for 33.8. When we get American firmware and can run Ka Narrow, it should offer better performance still. Seriously impressive results in terms of range from the new Radenso. (Radenso RC not yet available.)

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.vortexradar.com/2017/08/radar-detector-testing-uniden-r3-1-30-redline-ex-radenso-rc-stinger-vip-max360-and-more/

36 comments

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    • Wesley on August 7, 2017 at 9:09 pm
    • Reply

    I posted this in another spot, but I feel it necessary to put it here. Has there been any testing of ranges while any of the leading detectors are blocking false alerts at the same time? I think it is crucial to knowing whether these new detectors are blocking false alerts while going down the road and still being fairly responsive to non-false alerts. This is especially crucial to know as we continue to find more false alerts to block from cars that have all these new technologies that are bond to set off the detector while driving down the road and then you come around a corner to find a police shooting radar. Long ranges are great to know but is the detector able to pick up long ranges while blocking false positives as you drive and what are those ranges? That is the key to the future success of a radar detector today.

    1. Asking once is enough. This isn’t an issue for radar detectors generally. They do well detecting multiple signals and are designed for it.. I even had a test run this weekend, for example, where an Acura drove by, the Max360 went off and showed rear arrow, then it beeped for a second signal and showed another arrow pointing forward as I was heading into the radar source.

        • Wesley on August 8, 2017 at 5:30 am
        • Reply

        Thanks Vortex. It’s a privilege to get an answer from you. Since I am kind of in the market for an R3 I was concerned about it’s filtering taking priority over long range detection or at least effecting it’s long range detection performance. Have you experienced any of that with the R3 or even Redline EX yet?

    • gra on August 8, 2017 at 9:33 am
    • Reply

    I am waiting for a K band comparison 🙂

      • Nick on August 8, 2017 at 7:58 pm
      • Reply

      Curios to see that as well. Redline ex tsr on vs k band i/o especially.

    • Mike on August 9, 2017 at 3:25 pm
    • Reply

    Great reviews like always!. Does this mean the Redline doesn’t seem to interfere much with the R3 and vice versa? I would like to try running both for a while.

    1. Unfortunately not. Reduced range is only one issue that sometimes crops up. You’ve also got missed alerts and increased false alerts. The weird thing is that they happen sometimes but not always and unfortunately people have reported issues running an R3 and a Redline simultaneously.

        • Mike on August 9, 2017 at 5:33 pm
        • Reply

        Thanks for the info. Strange that it’s not consistent. Interesting that you had comparable results running them separately and together.

    • Dash on August 11, 2017 at 5:27 am
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    When should we expect the 1.30 for R3?

    The Uniden site for firmware seems below par, its not even up to date to what my current R3 has out of factory (they still have last update for 6/13) and when I registered on their site with my SN is that enough to get an email when the new one comes out?

    1. The firmware update is scheduled to be officially released today. However, we released it yesterday to forum members. https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=65589

    • Dash on August 11, 2017 at 5:30 am
    • Reply

    The download area doesnt even have a link to the R3

      • aj on August 13, 2017 at 3:27 am
      • Reply

      http://support.uniden.com/radar-detectors/

    1. Make sure you scroll down and click on the gray firmware button. Don’t use the search feature on Uniden’s website. http://support.uniden.com/radar-detectors/

    • Dash on August 13, 2017 at 6:23 am
    • Reply

    I am confused by the Auto Mute feature…mine doesnt seem to lower the volume on alerts at all…I have the Auto Mute set to on, what is happening? What is supposed to happen?

    1. Please verify not only that you have automute enabled, but that the new automute volume level is set to a level less than your normal volume.

        • Dash on August 13, 2017 at 7:22 am
        • Reply

        I think my autoMute Volume is at 2, normal volume is at 4 I think?

        1. You can also try doing a factory reset (Uniden usually recommends it after a fw update). If that doesn’t help, check here: https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=65666

    • charlie on August 13, 2017 at 7:42 pm
    • Reply

    Hey Vortex,
    thanks for doing all the leg work and testing and reporting back to the manufactures of the bugs with the different radar detectors you test. It helps all of us out that have these radar detectors that you test and we greatly appreciate all your efforts.
    My question to you is that i am sure that the next radar detector that uniden makes will probably have the dual radar antennas, one for the front and the other for the back (to keep up with the competition of the max 360).
    is it worth waiting for uniden to make this dual antenna for front and rear detection like the max 360 already has or does it really not make that much of a difference with detection from the rear versus what the front can pickup from behind with the radar reflection, if it was coming from behind you.. Is it worth spending the extra money for the rear radar detection or will just the front radar detection be sufficient enough to pickup rear radar with just one radar antenna?

    1. There’s no plans for any sort of dual antenna Uniden this year from what I understand. It wouldn’t surprise me to see that come out eventually, but it’s not gonna be in the near future. As for a rear antenna, that’s primarily to give you arrows, not to give you rear detection. Every radar detector can pick up signals from behind. A rear antenna gives you longer range, sure, but even front antenna detectors can do it too. Here’s a video I did fairly recently on the subject: https://youtu.be/YEidtT3w7fQ

    • Manuel Garcia on September 4, 2017 at 7:20 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you for the review, very intuitive. Coming from an old V1 and a 9500 ci that I left on my previous car… looking for the best windshield mount protection with arrows, would you say the Max 360 is my best option?

    Thanks,

    Manuel

    • Curious George on September 11, 2017 at 10:16 am
    • Reply

    Great review of the test results. I have a budget of $300 and would mostly use the detector for longer trips….the I-5 and I-405 corridors in Washington,
    I-84 in Oregon and Utah, and I-15 in Utah and Nevada.

    Although those road trips are maybe 2x a month, mostly Washington and Oregon, I am looking to permanently mount the radar detector.

    So my quandary is do I go with the Uniden DFR7 or the Uniden R1?

    What would you recommend?

    Thanks for the help.

    George

    1. If you’re going to be using it mostly on the highway, the R1 with its longer range, especially against 33.8 which is the main frequency the WSP uses, will make a big difference. You’ll also see a variety of frequencies in the other areas as well so the improved performance will be very helpful, moreso than the GPS features. You can get the R1 here: https://geni.us/UnidenR1-VR

        • Curious George on September 14, 2017 at 10:18 am
        • Reply

        Thank you for your quick response. That clarification was where I was leaning. I just needed confirmation. R1 it is!

        Thanks!

    • Alex on September 27, 2017 at 4:30 am
    • Reply

    Could you do a review of the Genevo? Maybe on an European vacation, or with different firmware?

    1. Sorry, I don’t test and review European detectors. You’re better off asking people who regularly drive in Europe.

    • Jason on October 1, 2017 at 4:49 pm
    • Reply

    Hello, i’m in the Baltimore-Washington area and I drive from northern Maryland down in to DC. I live out in a rural area of MD but I drive in the city and rural areas about the same, I know radar detectors are banned in va and dc so I’m looking for one that’s not detectable and but I also want the freatures of gps, rdr, bsm, programmable features, lock out etc. Also I like the app features for cell phones, I’m one to mess with and play with settings, but not a deal breaker like the escort app and valentine live app from what I have researched but I don’t not see an app for Uniden? So with that said do you recommend one over the other for where I live and what I’m looking for? Any guidance willl be appreciated!!!
    Thanks

    1. If it was up to me, I’d go with the Uniden R3 for radar https://geni.us/UnidenR3-VR and the AntiLaser Priority for laser https://bit.ly/1QbEP58. If you don’t want to run laser jammers and/or you really want an app (the Uniden is easy to program on its own and you can run Waze to get the realtime alert notifications through the app), you can take a look at the Redline EX. https://geni.us/RedlineEX-VR It’s also RDD immune, it has Bluetooth, plus its laser sensitivity is better so if you’re not running jammers, it will be helpful for the automated laser-based speed enforcement used in MD specifically.

        • Jason on October 2, 2017 at 8:33 am
        • Reply

        Hey thanks for the fast response I would love to get a LJ but at the current time I don’t have the money for a RD and LJ at the same time unfortunately, but I will to pay for the RD now and then the LJ later(not anytime soon tho). So since I’m not able le to get the LJ should I still go with the R3 and use waze or look into the EX? My only concern on the redline is all the feedback and results I have seen are not what everyone thought it was, not sure if there’s been a firmware update to fix the bugs yet. The app is not a deal breaker, just like that idea. So with that said would the R3 still be the bettered one to go with or EX since not getting a LJ anytime soon?
        Thanks

    • Brad S. on October 16, 2017 at 7:28 am
    • Reply

    Good morning. I’m thinking of giving wife the escort max 360 and going with the uniden R3.does the R3 have same distance as R1 just adds gps.and does the R3 filter out false alerts after I drive by dame spot a few times or do I have to manually mark every spot in the city myself.Thanks for you help,consideration and especially your time.I know you recieve alot of questions.I drive in city every morning taking all 3 kids to 3 seperate schools.so from 7 am to 8 am I’m around alot of police because as you know they are out in force.and they hide very well.we live in Aiken s.c. so it’s a small city but still Ltd of trees and areas to hide.and they must have a unreal budget for police because based on population there are ALOT of city,county,state troopers,and this year 15 new undercover cars that are very undercover.some type of Chevys with tinted windows no permanent license plates.you can’t tell their police unless your 10 feet behind them then you can barely see red blue lights in upper rear corners of rear windows.and I’m sure they have the best radar guns money can buy.Aiken is the richest county in S.C. based on population big time retirement area and racing horse breeders,racers.anyway thanks again for answering R1 vs R3 in distance and about R3 ability to block false alerts by itself.on side note about 4 times a week I travel on Freeway and those long winding hilly hwy we have in our area.I’m on disability due to a spinal injury that occured while I was a marine technician.so always feel going with the best actually Daves you money because you won’t be disappointed and want to get a better one.then you sell old one (and loose money) Then have to go buy a better one.

    • stefan on September 7, 2018 at 1:45 pm
    • Reply

    Hi!Vortex but what about K band detection on low frequency like:24.050 – 24.250 GHz (24.150 GHz center) on all radar detectors?Most important Uniden R3/R1.I think things will change in that situation. On K Band -24.050-24.250, the detection of top radar detectors will not be that great.Can you make some tests please?With BEE III?
    Using instant on,constant on,POP Mode.

    • gra1 on September 7, 2018 at 8:59 pm
    • Reply

    Hi Stefan!
    I think you ask that from Romania?
    24,050 to 250 is just “normal” k band, so no problem in detection here… Vortex know from me about k band beeiii used here. We have 24,100 and 24,125 beeiii, because TSS cannot find over 400 same type antenna’s…They use here only IO and CO, no pop…You will see beeiii on 24,070-24,135 ghz.(lot of thermal drift on those “made in china”planar antenna)

    • gra1 on September 7, 2018 at 9:00 pm
    • Reply

    Hi Stefan!
    I think you ask that from Romania?
    24,050 to 250 is just “normal” k band, so no problem in detection here… Vortex know from me about k band beeiii used here. We have 24,100 and 24,125 beeiii, because TSS cannot find over 400 same type antenna’s…They use here only IO and CO, no pop…You will see beeiii on 24,070-24,135 ghz.(lot of thermal drift on those “made in china”planar antenna)

    • Stefan on September 8, 2018 at 1:09 am
    • Reply

    Hi gra1!
    Yes I asked that, for those damn radars Autovision BEE III used by the Romanian Police.Here that K Band on 24.050-24.250 is for a few detectors from USA, hard to detect in a long range.Here is the real test for the top radar detectors,because of that bad boy BEE III on low K Band,and the scarry Instant On.Even the top international radar detectors( for Europe) can’t detect it,from those 2,3,4 miles away like in USA

    • gra1 on September 8, 2018 at 1:14 am
    • Reply

    Hi Stefan!
    There are other problems regarding poor detection…come on softpedia site, there is a topic “despre detectoare radar” where you will find everything about beeiii and the new Trucam….

    • Stefan on September 8, 2018 at 1:24 am
    • Reply

    Thank you Gra1,i will register to sofetpedia soon.

    • Brad on September 14, 2018 at 10:13 am
    • Reply

    Just got an email about the newest whistler detector.just wondering your opinion on the specs and overview.

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