I’ve had my R8 about two months, it’s kind of clunky looking, but this unit has been awesome so far, the arrow indicators have been spot on. Love it. Waiting on Apple compatibility. Nice video thanks.

Your videos are awesome man !! I am sure that I am not the only one that greatly appreciates the in depth reviews and feedback. I just picked up the R4 as I am not so concerned about Bluetooth and some of those other features. It’s on sale currently in Amzon for $349. The comparison video you did between the R3 and R4 is what had me sold on the R4. Again, thanks for the reviews and time that you put in to do the research. It’s greatly appreciated. Safe driving everyone 👍

You do great work, thank you. I have been wanting to update my R4 and R8 for a couple of weeks now. I'm glad to finally watch this and excited to update my Unidens tomorrow.

Wish this was available for the r7 that I bought a few wmonths ago. That would be really nice.

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

If only it was built in or you read technical specs first. Luckily you can resell for near breaking even from my experience of quality detectors. Sold my DS1 once this update dropped for like $50 off retail

You're the man when it comes to radar detectors. I just picked up a new(opened but not used) R4 for $150 off of marketplace. Now comes the work...lol. My first firmware update seems to have completed without any glitches, now to set up the various setting and get it talking to the Highway Radar app.

@VortexRadar

11 ай бұрын

Congrats!

The main reason I got an r4 a couple months a was because it's affordable and the ability to pair it with highway radar, can't wait to finally be able to connect the 2

Thanks Vortex! YT is only letting me send $2. You deserve more brother!

You finally convinced me to pull the trigger and buy the R8. I am a longtime Escort fan even having owned their very first detector. I tried a V1 for a hot minute and ditched that noisy POS the same week. Also tried an Escort 360 Max, couldn't return that leaky thing quick enough. Hands down the one I miss is my old 9700. I am running my Run next to my Escort Max II until I am satisfied the R8 is the one to keep. But still feels like I am cheating on Escort after so many years.. I have met the originator of the Escort and Valentine (I live near Cincinnati).

I am leaning towards buying the Uniden R8 as it seems to be a "sweet spot" among other radar detectors like the Valentine V1 Gen2, Radenso XP and Escort Redline 360c. I've never ever had a radar detector and seeing a 1 hour long video you made on the settings of the R8 seems extremely overwhelming. Pairing the R8 to this app seems to make choosing the settings and enabling extra features easier to understand.

Thanks for the bin file assistance. I’d be loss without this channel.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

👍👍

I ordered the R4 via your link for a killer price of $299. Thanks for the video and instructions on the Highway Radar app. I can't wait to pair it with my future Pixel 8 Pro! I'll keep my Radenso XP in reserve for when I travel to Virginia. 🙂

@zee2721

4 ай бұрын

Be careful going to Virginia radars are illegal down there

Excellent presentation as always man thanks!

I have the R7, and Auto GPS lockouts are definitely broken. I think they need to increase the area, but every time I lockout a signal a few feet later a signal is back. I want to see my gps lockout data on a map to see how messed up it looks. But it seems like every time I lock a signal out it appears just a few yards away. Then I have to drive by it 3x before it locks out. Then I'll get another signal a bit further.

Non of those R8 treicks worked for me. I had to select the old software version prior to update or it would not work, but that solved the issue for me.

Thank you very much! Great information and presentation.

Perfect timing, I bought my R8 just 3 days ago.

I just updated my R8 via the (older 2.08) updater, and it worked automatically. Didn't have to manually download the update or change the file type case. This was about an hour after the video was posted.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it!

@DarthRaven1337

Жыл бұрын

Mine won't work

For those down playing the lack of Ios app to integrate with the rd, hear me out. I too am a native user of ios. But If you have gone so far as to have an r4 or r8 then the lack of ios support is a simple and inexpensive hurdle to jump over. In my case I simply asked friends if they had an old android phone they no longer use. A friend offered me their pixel 3 for free. Problem solved. Pairing it to my iphones wifi was simple. Now you have the best of everything at minimal expense. Open your mind up a bit, its not as major a problem as what you are thinking.

@WookieLove1

5 ай бұрын

Damn fine fix. Thanks for the idea

Another great video. Thank you!

Thanks to you VR I just purchased the R4 today. Thanks for your in-depth testing and actual road testing. I am from the “ back in the day” detectors and started with a Whistler moved on to an Escort ( Cincinnati Microwave detector, Passport and 8550i). Finally caught back up with the times and decided to get in the 21st Century 😆😆😆

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Congrats and welcome to the 21st century, lol

Thank you for the announcement and the help in setting it up, I bought a R8 for Christmas and gave my 3 month old R7 to my son. I had 3 v1 but when they didn't honor the upgrade to the gen2, I went shopping, V1 has lost my business, I love the frequency readout on the detector, can't believe I was thinking of getting the gen2, I am no v1 fanboy anymore, I would rather have an r4 than a gen2.

I just got the V1G2 set up JBV1. I can't imagine the R8 + highway radar will ever compete. It will be interesting to see if Uniden adds fancy accelerometer-based auto controls for the laser jammers like JBV1 has for TMG.

@chris-8597

Жыл бұрын

What does jbv1 do for laser?

Hi, thanks for the video with a detailed explanation as always. Is there a way to connect R4 or R8 to android headunit Bluetooth? It connects fine on smartphones but in Android headunit there in no Bluetooth setting option , it only allows you to connect phone over BT. Thanks.

This is awesome, can’t wait to get my r8

Really hope that the Uniden laser jammers turn out to be as good or better than ALP. Would make the R8 so formidable when paired with the jammer. And if some quality apps come out for iOS, it'll be just a scary good setup.

@ZboeC5

Жыл бұрын

I'd be willing to bet money that Uniden will never match ALP. I could see them getting close for less money and end up being the "value alternative" though.

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

@@ZboeC5 -- I'm interested in why you feel that way

@carreraman8364

7 ай бұрын

Highway radar is now avaliable for IOS beta I think

@hasanagera

6 ай бұрын

Buy a used android phone for these purposes.

@timcole421

16 күн бұрын

@@carreraman8364 but currently only supports valentine

Just awesome 🎉Thank you so much for all time and effort Vortex 👍

I have been waiting for this VID LETSSSSS GOOOO

Can you do a video of your best settings for the R4? I live in northern British Columbia and frequently travel across Alberta and worry about the settings. Any tips?

I don’t know if it was mentioned already but the Bluetooth option isn’t in the updater. I have the latest. Had to turn it on manually

Awesome 👌 👏 tnx

Just in time for motorcycle season, I was hoping for that

Thanks. I was going crazy on my MacBook

Any idea when the laser jammer system will become available to add to the R8?

I bought the unit the R8 when it first came out in 2022, with version 1.24 firmware and it was amazing… Then I mistakenly upgraded to firmware version 1.25 and now 1.26 and the issue is, that the KA band range is no longer that great as it was with 1.24? I asked Uniden and they dodged the question. I’m just curious if anyone including Vortex notice this drop in KA band range with the firmware updates?

Just bought the r8 and could not get the damm thing to update. Thanks now I know the answer!

Does one have to coax it into connecting every time the phone has been away from the car? Does the app work in the background if I'm using the phone for navigation or music or livestreaming?

Can't get my R4 to update. Either Automatically thru v2.08 of the Install tool, or by doing the manual install. Status gets to 'DSP RETRY' and then the Update Fails....EDIT - working on it +/- plug in, recovery mode, etc. method found in the forums. Update supposedly SUCCESSFUL! Thanks for the helpful video and links posted above sir!!!!

Can the radar audio play through the phone as well? Only asking because I ride a motorcycle and would love to be able to Bluetooth it from my phone to my headset or just Bluetooth it to my headset wirelessly

Any new settings recommendations in the R4 with the new firmware? Was the "City Mode sensitivity" issue fixed? Thanks

Yessssss! Listing my DS1 on the marketplace tonight and swing by BestBuy to grab the R8, w00t!!

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

Never going back to not having Highway Radar, shits so nice. Our highway patrol runs helicopters in the metro and planes on the interstate outside of town so that is nice along with having an easily visible multifrequency chart, crowdsourcing linked to the map, and finally the heat map for areas I don't venture to often to know where smokies most often are nabbing people. Best thing to come to our community in my opinion

@PacificOceanQuest

Жыл бұрын

Awesome detector I got mine last year

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

@@PacificOceanQuest -- -- I was using the DS1 for Bluetooth and highway radar but just waiting for their firmware update to enable BT

@Evanturar

Жыл бұрын

Wait until you play around with the R8. It’s huge and feels really cheap. Buttons rattle as well. The DS1 uses the same sensor electronics as the R8 as well. Just my feedback.

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

@@Evanturar -- Appreciate it but I'd rather not support Radenso any longer so no biggy. Should I really care I'll replace with Gen2 V1 but looking forward to R8 and picking up today

Which one you think is better? Uniden R8 or Escort Redline 360c, price wise the Uniden R8 is a better value.

@Vortex Radar, do you know if it can pair to Bluetooth audio? Wanting to use the R4 with a Bluetooth headset on a motorbike if possible.

so if you want to run android auto can you also do blue tooth hway radar?

Hey quick question but on the configuration status page,the SARBE plug-in how do I get the check mark can’t seem to figure the part out on the app ? Is it something extra i gotta download?

Thanks!🍀

@VortexRadar

2 ай бұрын

Wow thank you as well!

Sticking with escort 360 redline. It does all I need

New R4. Update for May 19th ? Please let me know what's this new update for thanks in advance!!

Any update for iOS app regarding highway radar or any other app?

Do I need the app in order to pair the detector with Bluetooth? I’m trying to connect the detector to my iPhone but when I turn on pairing mode, the device doesn’t show up in the Bluetooth section of my settings.

what cord are you using to plug the uniden into the computer with i only have a usb cord

Is there a way that I can get an engineer to fix the GPS detection alerts which false all the time while on the parkways here in NYC and long island?? For example, while on parkways, it will alert that a red light camera or speed camera is ahead. The speed camera alerts are very distracting while driving on a parkway. I tried their support and calling them but no response from anyone. All very simple support offered, nothing serious. Can anyone come in on how to get the ear of the engineers?

Thanks!

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

👍👍

Can someone please tell me which one should I buy R7 or R8 I don’t understand

Excellent. New sub

@VortexRadar

5 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard!

Today 4/1 the unidens update software worked fine installing the latest firmware update on my R8. Just by pressing "start update". No invalid or corrupt files

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear they fixed it!

@aaronhall2895

Жыл бұрын

Any chance of doing an detailed overview and feature explanation of the highway radar app itself? There's alot going on in there!

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

mm I’ve got a ton of other stuff that’s much more urgent, so your best bet for now is to reference the Highway Radar book

I changed it to the lower case bin after downloading and the updater found the file on its own and updated no need to manually input it in my experience.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Oh awesome, maybe Uniden fixed it on their end so now the software finds a lowercase .bin file?

@ChromeDomeTurtle

Жыл бұрын

It did for me hopefully it’s correct completely sometime down the road.

@ChromeDomeTurtle

Жыл бұрын

Any idea if any of the developers have any plan to make a iOS app?

So is this the death rattle of the Valentine 1?

Link to uniden update v2.011? I have an older one and it's failing the update

When is this going to be available for iPhone?

Great review! Nice to know Uniden support bluetooth now. Looking forward to someone developing an App for iPhones.

Still waiting on Uniden to add filtering for 24.160...I think I'll be dead before they do anything about it. Looks like I need to upgrade to an R8 and this app.

Hi @Vortex Does the firmware for the R4 is suitable for users in Israel?

Let’s go!!

Is it possible to pair directly to headphones or headsets? Would be fantastic for motorbikes.

@renton500cc

11 ай бұрын

I'm interested in this too - keen to pair directly to my sena helmet setup

Why do I want to use the Highway Radar app? Does it need to be running while driving? I ask because I use Waze (longer highway trips) or Google Maps (local needs) on my phone for any travel outside my general routes -- For Directions. I need GPS directions. I'm not mounting my phone on the windshield every time for basic around town drives even when using Google Maps. Currently using a V1 gen 1 that isn't updated to use the app, but has the smaller case than when originally bought in 1996. Only 2 tickets in all that time. One was a bogus "visual speed ID" and one was laser.

@blacam0041

Жыл бұрын

Vortex posted a link to the Highway Radar book in the comments which can help understanding the various features you will gain. Yes, it does run while driving else you would just loose the extra features it adds. It doesn't have turn by turn directions but it does have the crowdsourced alerts (like Waze). However, with Highway Radar the reports are faster, give a longer distance warning, and have police aircraft alerts that you don't get with Waze. You can run it split screen with Google maps for directions if you want.

Can someone please tell me how to set up crowd sourced alerts?

Is 3rd party software available like for the R7?

Power question. I have the escort 360c and just purchased the uniden R8. Are the power cords interchangeable?

@VortexRadar

7 ай бұрын

For power yes, not but the remote mute button or alert LEDs

would love to have r4 w a dash cam builtin. Too many cables with separate units.

do you think we will able to install the laser jammer heads ourselves with the Uniden kit ??

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

I’d imagine so

Does highway radar app crowd share users' radar detector alerts? Kind of what US Military ships Agesis Radar system.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately it can’t due to patent restrictions. www.rdforum.org/threads/101547/ Also no need to spam the same question across multiple videos. Thank you.

@junkiemail78

Жыл бұрын

@Vortex Radar Sorry, I wasn't sure if my question would be seen.

I can’t get the file to load on Mac. Says invalid file. 125 loads just fine. Update: I remembered to change the extension to lowercase

I have a question about mounting my radar detector. I cannot stick to my window due to the fact that I have air blue tint on the window so I need a different type of amount or I need a different type of dash mount do you have any suggestions for me how I can mount this and one other question is does it matter how high or how low you mount it, me being a Ham operator I would think the higher you go the better it is but then again I could be wrong

@VortexRadar

3 ай бұрын

Hey fellow Ham. :) So I've got a bunch of videos that cover all this. As far as an alternate mount, I just did a video on the Blendmount which is a good alternative. kzread.info/dash/bejne/dYCptMWLc8LFk6g.html Here's a video going over all sorts of different mounting option accessories: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oZqTuK1tpq6rgJs.html As far as height, higher is better, you're right, but it doesn't make a dramatic difference in practice. Sometimes it can help see over a car in front of you, but don't expect double or triple the range or anything because you raise it up a foot or so. :) Here's a video going over the pros and cons of mounting at different heights: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mYGol66BhMedYpc.html

With the custom rules for K Band filtering, do they reply on the phone always being paired, or can you set them with the phone and use the detector stand-alone afterwards?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

The processing happens on the phone and requires the phone. There's no way to build filtering rules on your phone, transfer them to do the detector, and have it filter without the phone connected.

@bradleyhansen394

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar Thanks, went with the R3 with SE firmware for the extra K filtering.

I'm still having trouble installing a sabre plug in on my phone. Can someone please help me?

Oh hullo 👋 Wondering where you've been.

Ordered a r8 on march 14th and the screen died randomly 3 day later. Returned and gonna be ordering another once my refund comes in…

After getting highway radar installed, setting everything up and connecting to the detector, I decided I really have no use for it. It’s no different than using Waze on Apple play in essence. So I decided to turn off BT but now my R8’s volume is so low that I can barely hear it. The volume is set to 8 and I even turned BT back on and checked in the app to see if there were any settings I could change but alas it’s almost like I unknowingly messed something up. I’m young so it’s not like ignorance and technological user error is at play. I hope I don’t have to factory reset.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Did you head to the forums like I recommended and ask about how HR controls the detector’s volume? There’s a setting for it.

@luigiwastaken

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar sorry I skipped some parts lol

@luigiwastaken

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar So I've signed up for the forum twice now and I've been rejected both times? Why do they require manual approval for new members. That's essentially saying you don't want any new members 🙄

can i do this in my house with my R4 unpowered and just connected via usb to my laptop? the update that is

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Yes

Wow. Uniden made it super easy to update. Lol 😂

How do you connect to pc. I plug usb cable in, but it does not power detector on.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

It's not supposed to power the detector on. I have multiple walkthrough videos showing you how to do it.

Well that counts me out I have a iPhone 14 pro max hopefully uniden will come out with an app for Apple users as well . Please update us if the Apple app comes out thanks #uniden

@j.ballsdeep420

Жыл бұрын

Highway Radar isn't made by Uniden.

@PacificOceanQuest

Жыл бұрын

@@j.ballsdeep420 I understand that but if Uniden adds Bluetooth in the radar detector. They should come out with their own app for both android and Apple users. So we can utilize this feature like with the highway Radar app Uniden should come out with one of their own be silly not too when they added the Bluetooth. Maybe it’s in the works who knows #uniden

@noelsnyder9272

Жыл бұрын

I really don’t think apple products will get to use the Bluetooth feature.

@Drivethisnotthat

Жыл бұрын

Crapple

@entertainment72

Жыл бұрын

Welp, I too have a 14 pro max and in the market for a radar detector and so V1 G2 it is for me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

What is the app name to use with my Samsung Android phone with my new R8? Thanks!

@VortexRadar

7 ай бұрын

Highway Radar 👍

Pretty exciting! 1. Where is one to find this "Open API" at? 2. Did you have a chance to try using your old saved settings BIN with the new firmware to see if it pushed the settings as expected?

@blacam0041

Жыл бұрын

1. No open API. 2. I did and didn't have any issues.

@SuperTurbocoupe

Жыл бұрын

@@blacam0041 I will post video showing concerns with using firmware bins with new firmware. If there’s no open API then why did Vortex say there was?

@blacam0041

Жыл бұрын

@@SuperTurbocoupe I am not sure, he would have to comment on that. It was obviously given to the Highway Radar app developer but I am not sure that it's considered an open API.

@SuperTurbocoupe

Жыл бұрын

@@blacam0041 Well, he has posted more knowledgable information than I have ever seen from you, and in this case he has said it multiple times, I will wait until he comments or corrects himself. There are people out there that are willing and extremely capable of growing app support for their detectors, they (Uniden) just have to simply be willing to assist. I see that you are a frequent Uniden banner holder, do you have any insight into how users can get live support and how developers can get support?

@blacam0041

Жыл бұрын

@@SuperTurbocoupe An open API would indicate that a publicly available repo would be readily available, but it isn't. I do not have a special contact but you would have to contact them and request access. I don't know their requirements, how forthcoming they are, or what the process would be to potentially obtain it.

I guess it’ll give me a reason to pickup my first android phone of some sort. What specs should I get? It just needs to be unlocked?

@blacam0041

Жыл бұрын

Highway Radar uses little resources so the specs aren't a big concern and it is more of a personal preference. Highway Radar doesn't consider whether or not your mobile device is unlocked or not, that would more so depend on your carrier or how you intend to connect to the internet.

@PacificOceanQuest

Жыл бұрын

If you don’t have an android phone, did you ever think about maybe picking up a little tablet and then you can just hotspot it to the android, and use the app. And it could just be a Wi-Fi tablet with Bluetooth and just hotspot it.

Downloaded the Highway Radar app, but do I need the SABRE app?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

You don’t, but it does add some helpful features like reporting alerts to the cloud instead of just receiving from it.

I updated to the latest file and I don't have anything for Bluetooth at all. I even went back and followed your manual update procedure to a T and although I have the exact same version, I don't have anything new at all.

@2Fly17

Жыл бұрын

Did you factory reset after you did the update?

@englewoodranger7264

Жыл бұрын

Did a factory reset multiple times but still didn't get Bluetooth to display in the tools.

@englewoodranger7264

Жыл бұрын

Doh! Just realized that's only available in Tools v2.11.

Still rockin my R3, but considering an upgrade… is a new one (R4/R8) worth it?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

Stay tuned for the next video… ;)

@STARFIGHT88

Жыл бұрын

Just upgraded....I would say if you live in like California...or a place where it's dominant KA band....don't upgrade.....but if you have K band in your area....the bogey tones used in combination with way longer alerts...especially in rural areas is just amazing....I could be sitting at the bottom of a 9 percent grade and catch the Leo about half way up on the other side of the hill...for KA the R3 can do that...for K Band...you need the R4 😉

I read a review saying the R4 with Highway Radar will give you arrows on the HR app. Is that true? Doesn't sound like it would be possible.

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

There’s different types of alerts. It can’t give arrows to radar alerts since the R4 doesn’t know and can’t pass that info on. HR can give arrows for GPS-based cloud alerts since it knows where you are and where that crowd sourced alert is located.

@markt6345

Жыл бұрын

@@VortexRadar Ahh, thanks. THAT makes more sense!

NICE

Do you have a download to 2.11 software? Only see the 2.08

@factoryguy8

Жыл бұрын

He mentioned that it is unreleased (he's testing it) so you are on the latest uniden software.

Should I still get a r7 and do you think there will be Bluetooth support for it in the future?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

The R7 does not have a Bluetooth chip inside

what is the update cord called and where can I get one from,

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

A USB cable?

I don’t have Bluetooth on my R8 in the menu settings?? Could it be I need a firmware update?

@VortexRadar

11 ай бұрын

Yep, could be

How do I turn it on and off

I am surprised they don't come with an app via Bluetooth ready, like seriously this device is quite expensive, Bluetooth capability doesn't cost anything to add as a utility.

When is v2.11 going to be public so we all have the other options?

@VortexRadar

Жыл бұрын

🤷‍♂️

אפשר להיתחבר לקסדת האופנוע?

What happened to the R7 up grades ?

@LITTLEROCK2517

Жыл бұрын

Yo

Do you need some kind of file zip program on the computer after downloading the files?

@VortexRadar

5 ай бұрын

To update? If you download the files from their website, unzip the files, then use Uniden’s update software to load them into your detector.

@TroyRossberg

5 ай бұрын

@@VortexRadar Do I need to have some kinda of program to unzip the files?