Uniden R1 vs R3
A Long-Range Radar Detector Comparison
Note: depending on your screen size, You may have to turn your phone horizontal to see the side-by-side comparison!
Uniden R1 Radar Detector
Coverage: 360-Degrees
Detects: X, K, Ka, Laser bands
Display: Full Color OLED
Uniden R3 Radar Detector
Coverage: 360-Degrees
Detects: X, K, Ka, Laser bands
Display: Full Color OLED
Top Features
Extremely Long Range
City/Highway Selection
GPS Benefits (see below)
Auto-Dim Display
Price: Current Price
Uniden R1 vs R3: Long Range Radar Detector Review
Let’s start by saying that buying either of these great long range radar detectors would be a good choice. In the world of radar detectors, early warnings are key. How do you get early warnings??? You buy a product that detect radar from a further distance than any other. This is precisely why we’re such big fans of the Uniden R1 and R3 models.
Similarities:
Just by the images above, you can probably guess that there are many similarities in these long range radar detectors. Both detect the same radar/laser bands, use basically the same outer shell, and have the same long range coverage (this is big!). The displays are very similar and both come packaged as a kit with a power cord, two mount, and a portable carrying case.
Differences:
Here’s where the Uniden R1 and R3 are separated. The major difference between these two models is GPS! The Uniden R3 has it, and the R1 does not. If you haven’t looked into radar detectors for awhile, you’re probably wondering what the point of including GPS even is. Believe it or not, it there are many different benefits that come along with that added GPS chip. Here are a few…
GPS Lockout
GPS Lockout is quite handy to have. Most radar detectors give off a fair amount of false alarms, often due to things like automatic doors at convenience marts along the side of the road. For those that you pass on a regular basis, GPS lockout allows you to mark them for future recognition and a reduction in these nuisance alarms. While it is true that this is particularly useful in cities and urban areas, these stores exist almost everywhere and it’s a great feature to have.
Low Speed Muting
Low Speed Muting is a feature that again reduces nuisances from your life. When you’re driving in stop and go traffic, and not at all concerned with if cops are around taking radar, you can mute the alerts. In most cases, you set detector to mute anytime you’re driving below a certain speed since it won’t matter anyway. This again, like GPS Lockout, stops unnecessary beeping when you don’t need the alerts.
Added Display Features
Since the GPS knows where you are and what time it is, you can display more than just the voltage of the car (voltage is displayed on the R1). On the R3, you can select between the clock, your speed, a compass, and the altitude. It can also turn the detector off if you’ve been parked for awhile.
Auto-Dimming Feature
Wow, this GPS chip really is nice, isn’t it? Another added benefit of the GPS is an auto-dimming feature. Since it knows what time it is and where you’re at, it will automatically dim the R3’s display as needed in the evening.
Speed Camera and Red Light Camera Alerts
The last big benefit to having GPS in the Uniden R3 is its ability to alert you of known red light cams and speed cameras as you approach them. This is another invaluable tool that can aide you in being prepared ahead of time to make safe decisions when driving and avoid tickets, citations, and other fines.
Minor Button Change
The city/highway selection button moving from the front to the top when going from the R1 to the R3. This is to make room for the “Mark” button on the front of the R3 where you can identify and mark points of interest with the GPS.
Price Difference
The price difference between the R1 and R3 radar detectors is roughly $100. While that might sound like a lot at first, think of all the added features that the GPS chip brings into the Uniden R3.
Conclusion:
As mentioned at the outset of this comparison between the R3 and R1 long range radar detectors from Uniden, both are great choices and provide awesome 360-degree protection. The early warnings that are a byproduct of their longer range will likely be the difference of a speeding ticket sometime in the future. They are very similar, but the GPS added to the R3 makes such a big difference. Even though they look alike, they really are two very different models once you look at the benefits the GPS provides. If you can afford it, our recommendation is to spring for the GPS and buy the Uniden R3. In our opinion, it is the best long range radar detector available today.
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