Uniden had released firmware 1.37 for the Uniden R7. (Purchase your R7 here.)
This update includes improvements to the autolockouts, arrows, and MRCD detection, plus it adds some new features and menu options.
Autolockout Improvements
Autolockouts were added in the last firmware (1.35) and they’ve been improved with this update.
Here are the specific changes according to the changelog:
Auto Mute Memory is improved to cover the entire length of road where a signal is detected
This should better help each lockout more completely mute locked out false alerts. In beta testing though, several of us (myself included) are reporting that some locked out signals may still alert at some point while driving past the signal, but this does improve the GPS lockouts and keep them muted.
The auto muted radar frequency is displayed with the “Auto Mute Memory” message when an Auto Mute Memory is saved
Now when a false alert is being locked out, you’ll still be able to see the signal frequency at the same time.
The Auto/Manual Mute Memory Band option (X&K or X,K,Ka) has been split into two options: Auto mute memory band (X&K or X,K,Ka) and Manual mute memory band (X&K or X,K,Ka)
If you’d like to optionally lock out Ka band (and MRCD), we now have independent controls for both Manual and Autolockouts instead of one option for both Auto and Manual lockouts. This way you could choose to be able to manually lock out Ka alerts, for example, in case you’re completely sure the Ka alert is a false, but never ever automatically lock out Ka alerts.
Arrows
Next up, arrow improvements.
Arrow direction accuracy for radar alerts is improved
The arrows now are much better with 1.37!
I’ve had several encounters passing officers running radar and the arrow transitions while I passed were spot on.
Here’s another example passing a pair of speed signs, first one on the right and then a second on the left. The arrows weren’t completely perfect, but they did a great job of transitioning as I passed each sign.
I’m also seeing better accuracy with the initial alerts where the arrows for rear alerts actually point backwards, for example.
Against strong front facing signals, the arrows may still point sideways early in my testing, but overall this is a nice improvement with arrow accuracy.
MRCD Improvements
MRCD detection is improved
While I don’t know the specifics of what’s changed, in testing against MRCD with 1.37, the R7 is looking strong. It’s providing more than enough range in Edmonton and those results have been consistent.
Bogey Tones
We now have new options for K Band bogey tones (not just Ka Band).
K Bogey Tone is added
K and Ka Bogey Tone on/off options are added
Like with Ka, we now have the option to give you a unique “new bogey tone” in case the R7 is alerting to one K band signal (say a speed sign that you’ve locked out) and then your R7 picks up a second new K band signal (say a police officer shooting K band near the speed sign). This way you have a better understanding that there’s additional signals now present.
Note: The new K Bogey alert tone doesn’t obey low speed muting so if you’re in a shopping center parking lot and relying on low speed muting, quiet ride will mute the door openers, but you will sometimes still get the new bogey alert tone going off. For this reason, I won’t be using this feature for now, but it can be helpful if you otherwise see a lot of legit K band. Uniden says they plan on tweaking this in a future update.
Additionally, you also now have independent controls in the menu for the new bogey alert tone for both K and Ka.
There’s 5 different “new bogey alert tone” options to choose from, plus the ability to turn it off of course.
Signal Presentation for Old Signals
Finally we’ve got some improvements to how alerts disappear once different signals are gone.
Radar ramp-down alert is faster
Once a radar signal is no longer present, the R7 will now ramp down more quickly. In essence, the latch is now shorter.
Latch time, fw 1.35: 7 sec (K) & 10 sec (Ka)
Latch time, fw 1.37: 6 sec (K) & 7.5 sec (Ka)
Shorter laser latch
When the R7 stops detecting laser, instead of continuing to alert for 12 sec, it now alerts for only 6 seconds. The latch time is now much shorter and more accurate which is great.
POI Pass Chime on/off
Finally, you now have the option to turn on or off the chime alert that lets you know when you pass a speed camera. Not everyone wanted the heads up so now you can disable the alert if you like.
Download Firmware 1.37
As always, you can download the latest firmware from Uniden’s website here or here (click the gray “Firmware” button).
Direct download link to fw 1.37.
Important note:Â As mentioned in the instructions, be sure to check the “Recovery Mode” box at the bottom of the update software. It seems to help avoid some issues when updating. Then do a factory reset after updating. (Factory resets change your settings back to defaults and then you’ll need to reconfigure your detector. They don’t clear your lockouts.)
Download the Windows update software.
Download the Mac update software.
If you need any help upgrading your detector, you can ask for tech support on the forums here.
Finally if you need an R7, they’re sometimes tough to find right now due to the semiconductor shortage, but you can try a few places to order an R7 here.
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29 comments
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Thanks Vortex! Question, I read lots of hearsay that you need to do a factory reset every upgrade. even though Uniden doesn’t recommend it. What’s your recommendation?
Author
Uniden is the one who originally made that recommendation in the first place.
1.37 isn’t showing up for me on the link ?
R7-1.37 is not posted for download as stated .where can we get it ?
+1. If 1.37 was previously available, it’s been (temporarily?) taken down.
Author
Link updated to make it easier to find. You can head to Uniden’s download page and click on “Firmware” to see the R7 updates (it’s not on the dedicated R7 page right now), or you can use the direct download links to jump straight to it. Sorry for the confusion.
this is the link on their website.
https://support.uniden.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/R7_v137.144.116_db210406.zip
…and here is their page to see directions and/or download the firmware and database updates.
While updating firmware, don’t forget to update your database if you haven’t. The latest release was April 6th.
https://support.uniden.com/radar-detectors/
For those like myself who could get confused by their directions, I wrote myself a tutorial.
It might be helpful to some who are not used to their method. Couldn’t hurt to share.
Updating Uniden radar detectors Guide
Open the Uniden R series SW Download Tool Program you should already have installed.
Connect Detector with a cord that does Data and Charging.
Read Version to compare and make sure updating is needed.
Download update if needed. Extract the zipped file. To folder of same name.
Click on Open to find the file.
Click on Start Download in the tools program.
Confirm update successful. Version changes to same as file was for.
Check version to make sure update was successful.
Repeat for the database if needed.
After reinstalling the detector, perform factory reset. No need to delete user settings or mutes when resetting.
Go through menu to apply desired changes.
I downloaded and installed 1.37 sourced from your direct link. Now I am getting GPS Error messages and no functions that depend on GPS work.
Author
Very strange. I haven’t seen that. Head to the forums to share any issues you’re seeing please. I’ve linked to it at the bottom of the article.
You did the reset afterward, right? No need to delete user marks or lockouts, but they state to perform a factory reset after firmware updates. I updated mine today and had no issues. There are a bunch of new menu items to select settings for.
@vortex can you share an updated list of settings you recommend under this firmware version?
Author
All done! Check out the guide here. 🙂
After I updated to the newest firmware 1.37 it will beep loud when alert hits but then starts beeping quite?
Author
Have you adjusted the Auto Mute options?
If you don’t want it to go as quiet, you need to increase the volume setting in the menu setting for “Auto-mute”.
That is a setting that can quiet it down after longer than a couple of seconds of signal alerting.
Do you recommend paying for the extended warranty from either Best Buy or Amazon? Do many of the users report significant faults or problems?
Did anyone have issues with power cord after latest update? Updated brand new R7 and it no longer powers up with original cord. Tried my old escort power cord and it worked with no issues. @vortex any idea what could be wrong? Thanks!
I updated two units to 1.37 and both of them now give me “GPS Error”, which I am told is a power or power cord issue.
Hello, so I haven’t ever posted (and maybe this isn’t the right spot?) But all these updates seem to slow reaction and ultimate distance of the detector as filtering improves. I am looking for the best reaction and distance firmware update to essentially have my R7 as an interstate extreme device as to give me the furthest and fastest possible response to ka. I am running 133 now and it seems a little slower and weaker than the previous version, and this update (135, 137) seems to continue that trend? Also update with least “sleep” issues as well.
Where can I get the needed “Uniden R series SW Download Tool Program” used to install V.137? This will be my first firmware update on the R7 I bought 6 months ago so I don’t already have this program from previous updates nor do I see where to get it from. Thanks
Author
It’s right on Uniden’s website. (Click the gray “Firmware” button.)
You can also check out the R7 downloads section directly.
The Uniden R7 firmware update for Mac is unavailable on their website. I emailed them and within 24 hrs. received the following response:
“Unfortunately we are waiting on Apple to approve the updates and create a link for us to be able to give to customers. We do not have a time frame on that right now unfortunately. We always have the option to send in the unit and have the techs update the firmware for you so you don’t have to wait. I have attached information in case you decide to do that.”
Cost to have them update the firmware is $39.95 not including your cost to ship it to them.
Turn around time for repairs is 14-20 Business days.
Author
So strange that they’re telling people that. I’ve been able to update on Mac with no issue. It required a new driver update which I mentioned here. Then the Mac update software itself can be download from the R7 software download page.
After some head scratching I was finally able to get the firmware update installed on my mac running Mojave. 1st time updating a Uniden radar device’s firmware so there was the learning curve to factor into the equation….Much thanks to Vortex for the links and video explaining the process. Couldn’t have done it without you.
I was installing the 1.37 update and mistakenly entered the wrong bin file. Now the installer won’t let me change the file in the window. Any ideas what to do about that? Thanks.
Addendum: This was done using Windows 10.
Does anyone know if there is any data/information output on either the USB or RJ11 connectors?
Hi, just bought the R7 and cannot find firmware or software update for Mac on their website, have looked at multiple pages, need link. Thanks much.