If your car warns when a hidden vehicle makes a lane change dangerous, it's probably setting off every radar detector in the vicinity. Nearly all Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) systems use radar to monitor adjacent lanes—and they transmit continuously on the same frequency used by police radar.
Drive within a quarter-mile of a Walmart and expect more alerts, this time from radar-controlled automatic door openers. Signs along roads flash your speed and scold when you're over the limit. All of these gadgets use radar and the challenge today is how to filter out the junk without missing genuine radar buried in the noise.
Some newer detectors have software to combat false alarms caused by blind-spot-monitoring radar. A few also have GPS, which enables a user to lock out door-opener radar.
This begs the question: How well can the latest detectors deal with all of these challenges while also fulfilling the primary mission of avoiding a ticket?
To find out, we gathered up nine detectors priced from $229 to $2999 for a test. Seven had GPS; the Uniden DFR6 and Uniden R1 did not. All but the Escort Max Ci were windshield-mounted models. In alphabetical order, here's what we found.
Escort Passport Max Ci
Review Summary
Pro
- Outstanding sensitivity
- Red light camera alerts
- Extensive features
- Laser jammers
- Autolearn
Con
- Overspeed Alert
- Expensive
- Professional installation only
The Escort Passport Max Ci twins, the Ci ($2,995 MSRP) and Ci 360 ($3,495 MSRP) succeed the Passport 9500ci, the remote (built-in) model we considered the best ever.
Otherwise identical, the Max Ci 360 comes with two extra laser jammers, for the rear, and a rear radar antenna. This lets it indicate whether a radar or laser threat is coming from the front or rear, a feature introduced on the Max 360.
The Max Ci's thumb-sized control unit is backlit, making the buttons easy to locate at night. The module can be surface-mounted or concealed, often tucked away in the ash tray or console.
Users who prefer plug-and-play operation may opt for the factory-default Novice mode. This permits a choice of display colors; all other user preferences remain off limits.
Engaging Advanced mode allows access to the user settings. Meter mode offers the same options as the Escort Max 360—Standard, Spec, Expert and Simple. Standard mode displays the radar band (X, K or Ka, or laser) plus a bar graph depicting signal strength.
In Spec mode the Max Ci can be set to numerically display a radar frequency, in gigahertz (the Max Ci 360 will show two, one for each antenna).
Simple Mode replaces the bar graphs and alphanumeric displays, showing only a rudimentary Caution or Slow Down warning instead. For non-nerds Simple mode is probably a wise choice. Strangely, it's accessible only by selecting Advanced mode and navigating through the Preferences menu.
The Escort Max Ci showed substantially better Ka-band range than its 9500ci forebear.
The Escort Max Ci showed substantially better Ka-band range than its 9500ci forebear.
Performance
The Max Ci clearly benefits from its new front radar antenna and revised signal processing. On the all-important Ka band, the Escort Passport Max Ci delivered nearly double the range of the Escort 9500ci, our previous record holder.
On the nearly-extinct X band the Escort Passport Max Ci was within a few feet of the 9500ci and it had 27 percent better K-band range. This makes the Max Ci the best-performing remote radar detector we've seen.
The Verdict
There's hardly any competition for the Max Ci. K40 sells a rebranded Korean model with low performance and ineffective laser jammers, leaving the Radenso RC-M as the only remote model with a similar feature set and comparable performance. Those looking for a high-end remote model with red light camera protection and laser countermeasures will likely find either to be a contender.
Escort Passport Max 360
Review Summary
Pro
- Hot K-band sensitivity
- Red light camera alerts
- Directional arrows
- Superb windshield mount
- Autolearn
Con
- Dim display
- Overspeed Alert
- Pricey
The Max 360 is the first Escort model with a rear radar antenna, the centerpiece of its claimed 360-degree radar coverage. Accordingly, the business end of the housing is shared by the corporate OLED display and on the right, four LED arrows to depict radar location.
The large GPS-style windshield mount attaches to the detector magnetically, an effortless process that does away with a release catch that must be pressed first.
Advanced features targeting enthusiast drivers include Spec mode. The Max 360 numerically displays radar frequencies, in Gigahertz, for both front and rear antennas. With this information a savvy driver can tell at a glance if a Ka-band signal is police radar or bogus.
Like other GPS-enabled Escorts the Max 360 has Auto Learn. This uses GPS to eliminate false alarms. Drive three times past a nuisance signal and it's automatically stored in memory. Next time you drive past, there's no alert.
We found the directional arrows to be generally accurate; passing a radar signal usually resulted in the rear arrow lighting up as the rear antenna spotted it. In comparison to the other detector with a rear antenna, the Valentine One, we found that the Escort is more accurate in its reporting. Particularly in town, a single radar signal is generally reported as one threat. In contrast, the V1 not infrequently shrieks alerts of up to nine simultaneous threats, all generated by the same radar source.
Performance
Tested at our Hill/Curve site, the Escort Max 360 showed outstanding K-band sensitivity. Although it had less range than some against 34.7 Gigahertz Ka-band radar, it was well above average against 35.5 Ghz Ka.
The Verdict
With an extensive list of features, a few of them unique, we found the Max 360 well suited to drivers favoring a detector with set-and-forget operation and requiring minimal interaction.
In that role it provides reliable protection against radar and red light cameras. And some will likely find the directional arrows useful in dodging a speeding ticket.
Escort Passport iX
Review Summary
Pro
- Balanced performance
- Sophisticated
- Great windshield mount
- Autolearn
Con
- Overspeed Alert
- Dim display
- Cramped controls
The Passport iX is the entry-level Escort GPS model. It's one the few detectors with Bluetooth, used here to simplify the task of linking with the Escort Live cellphone app.
The windshield bracket has a big, GPS-style suction cup and attaches to the detector magnetically. Once installed, it grips the detector securely. This is the only mounting option—visor brackets and windshield mounts from earlier Escorts do not fit.
An AutoLearn feature automatically locks out radar-controlled door openers after passing them a few times. Since Escort controls the key GPS radar detector patents, competing models require the user to press a button to lock out signals.
Also, most non-Escorts can store a limited number of locations—200 for Radenso, 100 for Unidens—compared to the Escort's thousands. The modest limit probably won't be noticed by most, but high-mileage drivers could conceivably run out of storage space.
Audible and visual alerts are issued when a red light or speed camera is approached. It counts down the distance in hundred-foot increments and also depicts whether the camera is looking only for red light violations or watches for speeding as well.
Escort Passport iX OLED display
The Escort iX uses the same OLED display as the Max 360 and Redline EX and has the same drawbacks we've noted before. Aside from low contrast, the Escort's display has tiny fonts and too much data crammed into too little space.
The iX is controlled by six top-mounted buttons, so closely spaced that an average-sized finger can easily depress four of the six simultaneously.
Most of the iX feature set is borrowed from the Max 360 and Redline EX. This includes the Overspeed Alert. Factory-set at 70 mph, every trip north of that speed elicits a verbal admonishment—Overspeed!—and the speed display ominously turns red.
An IVT filter uses software to help combat Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) radar. A second fix is Auto LoK which dramatically chops K-band sensitivity. Among the GPS models, only the two Escorts had speed-variable sensitivity, automatically cutting back range at low speeds to limit false alarms. Together, these features make the iX reasonably resistant to K-band false alarms caused by vehicular radar.
Performance
The Passport iX delivered consistent, if not class-leading, performance. Among the GPS-enabled models, on K band and 34.7 GHz it ranked mid-pack or below, perking up on 35.5 GHz Ka band where it finished second.
The Verdict
The Escort iX has a sophisticated red light camera-alert system and effective K-band filtering. It was also better than many at dealing with vehicular BSM radar and like other high-end Escorts, benefits from automatic nuisance-radar lockouts.
Escort Redline EX
Review Summary
Pro
- Good K-band filtering
- Ka-band segmentation
- Great windshield mount
Con
- Low-contrast display
- Overspeed Alert
The Escort Redline EX is the replacement for the Redline, holder of our long-range record. Unlike its predecessor the Redline EX has GPS, allowing it to lock out nuisance signals and warn of red light and speed cameras.
Like its forebear the Redline EX is unique in having two forward-facing radar antennae. (Other dual-antenna models have one facing forward, the other backward.) The second antenna in this application is intended to divide the microprocessor's work load and increase performance.
Housing two cast-metal antennae makes the Redline EX much larger and nearly triple the weight of many of the other models tested.
The Redline EX feature set is shared with the Escort iX and Max 360. Included is an IVT filter intended to identify BSM radar and resist false alarms.
The Redline EX receives the same OLED display and suffers accordingly from its visual data overload and low contrast.
Advanced features for enthusiast drivers include Spec mode. The Redline EX numerically displays radar frequencies, in Gigahertz. With this information a savvy driver can tell at a glance if a Ka-band signal is police radar or bogus.
In Expert Mode it can display up to four simultaneous threats, identifying them by radar band or laser, and displaying the relative signal strength of each. This matters little to the non-techy but in the hands of a knowledgeable driver the information can be useful.
Auto Learn uses GPS to eliminate false alarms. Drive three times past a nuisance signal and it's automatically stored in memory. Next time you drive past, there's no alert.
The Escort Redline EX was is one of the few detectors that's undetectable by police radar detector-detectors, an attribute of interest to drivers in Virginia, the state where detector use is banned.
Performance
On K band the Redline EX trailed most of the GPS-enabled models. But on 34.7 GHz Ka band it led the group, leading the second-place Radenso Pro M by a few feet and the others by a margin of 22 percent or greater. On 35.5 GHz Ka band it ranked third.
The Verdict
The original Redline was rightly considered the enthusiast driver's tool of choice, blessed with the world's best performance and a terrific information-delivery system. But that model was from an era before K-band false alarms became a major issue and in that respect, the Escort Redline EX has a clear advantage over its predecessor. The Redline EX has enough attributes to sway many buyers, although the less expensive Radenso Pro M is a challenger with similar features and performance.
Radenso XP
The Radenso XP is one of the company's second-generation GPS-enabled models. It has an LED display that was judged the best of the bunch, with large fonts and significantly higher contrast than the displays of the Escorts or Unidens.
The display will show a radar signal's numeric frequency, telling knowledgeable drivers whether a Ka-band alert is legit or a false alarm.
The Radenso can lock out 200 nuisance radar signals like automatic door openers, double the number offered by Unidens.
Using GPS the Radenso XP warns of red light and speed cameras. Unlike competing Uniden models, its camera alerts are directional, keeping it quieter. Red light cameras frequently monitor only traffic on a single street and crossing the intersection on a cross street carries no risk. But while the Uniden DFR7 will alert anyway, the Radenso XP knows the camera isn't a threat and stays quiet.
Red lights aren't the only place photo enforcement cameras can be found. This one is concealed in an innocuous portable tower and shuttled among locations.
In another feature absent from the Uniden, during red light camera alerts the Radenso's voice reminds you of the posted limit. If you're over the limit it displays Overspeed.
The Radenso XP can be used in set-and-forget mode but it also caters to power users looking to fine-tune its behavior. For example, a threshold speed for the onset of audible radar alerts can be set anywhere between 5 mph and 55 mph. Red light camera warnings can similarly be adjusted. City-mode radar sensitivity for each band can be adjusted independently, from 0 to 90 percent.
Red lights aren't the only place photo enforcement cameras can be found. This one is concealed in an innocuous portable tower and shuttled among locations.
K bandwidth can also be tailored, set to Wide or Narrow; it can also be turned off. Ka band can be left in the default Wide mode or the user can choose which of 10 segments are to be monitored.
Behavior
In factory-default trim the Radenso XP exhibited good resistance to false alarms. The BSM radar filter enabled it to ignore many of the most common lane-change radar systems and a TSR filter can be switched on to eliminate false alarms from traffic-sensing radar
We also found that by using Auto City mode and tweaking some of the settings, it can be made more tolerant of urban nuisance radar. For example, we set the K-band City Filter to 40 percent sensitivity, Low Speed Mute to 35 mph and City Mode Speed to 50 mph. This shut off audible radar alerts below 35 mph and reduced K-band sensitivity by 40 percent, restoring full sensitivity at speeds over 50 mph.
Performance
The Radenso XP was consistent in radar range, ranking at or near the top on all three radar frequencies.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. Nearly every highway patrol uses this radar frequency.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. Nearly every highway patrol uses this radar frequency.
We also verified Radenso's claim of high resistance to radar detector-detectors: our Spectre Elite couldn't spot it from 20 feet away.
The Verdict
The Radenso's sparkling performance was particularly noteworthy in view of the its $399 price. It outpaced the $599 Escort Redline EX on K band and had longer range on 35.5 GHz Ka band, for instance.
An unusually broad array of features make the Radenso XP a top choice for knowledgeable users looking to tailor a detector to their style of driving. Its high performance and user-friendly operation also make it a top pick for drivers looking for reliable ticket-protection.
The Pro M was by far the smallest unit tested. Compared to the similarly priced Escort Redline EX, for instance, the Radenso is barely half as large, measuring some 1.9 inches shorter and 0.65 inch narrower. And at 4.5 ounces it's scarcely one-third the Escort's weight.
Primary functions are controlled by three top-mounted buttons with a pair of buttons on the right side of the case normally used to adjust audio volume.
The thin primary buttons are identical in size and shape, nearly touching each other and identified solely by location. Each has dual functions; selection depends on how long the button is pressed. They're tough to locate in a hurry and aren't backlit, complicating the task of finding them at night.
Like its sibling, the Radenso Pro M breaks ranks with the other high-end models by using an LED display rather than color OLED. The red alphanumeric characters are large, also very high in contrast against the black background. Speed and vehicle voltage are normally displayed; other options are speed plus time of day, compass or voltage.
Most manufacturers have hopped aboard the OLED bandwagon because it looks sexy in photos and helps to sell product. The fashion statement isn't without drawbacks, however. We've yet to see one that doesn't wash out in sunlight. Also, any attempt to read one while wearing sunglasses is a waste of time. Learn more.
The Radenso Pro M targets the Escort Redline EX in claiming the ability to detect two models of European-made K-band radar. The Gatso RT3 and Multaradar CD/CT are used for photo enforcement (red light and speed cameras) and FCC-approved for use in the States.
When we checked recently there were no Multaradar installations yet in the nation and only a few in Canada. The Gatso RT3 is found in some of the 22 states with photo-enforcement programs.
There are three operating modes, City, Auto City and Highway. City mode allows a basic suite of user settings intended to reduce false alarms. For example, the user can independently adjust the sensitivity level for X, K and Ka band. It's also possible to set a speed threshold before an audible alert will sound, up to 130 mph. K bandwidth can be set to Wide or Narrow or it can be turned off.
Unlike the Escort Redline EX—and for that matter, its Radenso XP sibling—the Pro M does not offer Ka-band segmentation. Instead, Ka band can be left in the default Wide mode or the user can opt Narrow.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. With few exceptions it's the mainstay of state highway patrol departments.
Performance
The Radenso Pro M scored a fourth-place finish on K band, comfortably ahead of the Escort Redline EX though trailing the winning Uniden DFR7 by a similar margin.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. With few exceptions it's the mainstay of state highway patrol departments.
Against 34.7 GHz radar it alerted a scant 100 feet behind the Escort Redline EX. On 35.5 GHz Ka it trailed the Uniden R1 by 311 feet (1817 ft. versus 2128 ft).
Enthusiast drivers might wish for Ka-band segmentation although we didn't notice an abundance of false alarms, slow response or lack of range on Ka.
The Pro M was effective in locking out door-opener radar and, in factory-default trim, proved reasonably resistant to vehicular BSM radar. After some experimentation with the advanced settings in Auto City mode we noticed a worthwhile reduction in K-band false alarms from both types of radar.
The Verdict
We were impressed by the Radenso Pro M's superior LED display and good information-delivery capability. It also proved particularly adept at spotting the 34.7 GHz radar favored by highway patrol troopers.
The Radenso's class-leading performance, effective false-alarm filtering and wide array of features make it a less-expensive alternative to the Redline EX.
Uniden DFR6
Review Summary
Pro
- Low-priced
- Decent set of features
Con
- Ka-band performance
- Miniature user manual
The Uniden DFR6 slots into the Uniden lineup a notch below the GPS-enabled DFR7. It has an OLED display with white fonts on a black background, making it more readable than some. Located below the display on the left is a button for audio muting and display brightness. Opposite it on the right is a button for City/Highway sensitivity modes. Both are backlit.
Four buttons to control on/off, audio volume and user menu are top-mounted and easy to locate.
The user guide is a 12-panel sheet folded into a 2-by-3-inch rectangle and printed in 4-point type. Reading glasses failed to make it legible and we were finally forced to use an 8-power magnifying glass. Most owners likely will opt to use it in factory-default trim as a consequence.
The DFR6 offers a basic set of features including three levels of display brightness and a choice of City or Highway sensitivity. City shuts off X band to reduce false alarms; switching to Highway restores it. Any of the radar bands or laser detection can also be disabled via the user menu.
The menu also offers some options that hint of potential in reducing false alarms. For example, K narrow and Ka narrow, at least according to the manual, reduce the bandwidth scanned.
Performance
In performance the Uniden DFR6 trailed the other non-GPS model, the R1, delivering less radar-detection range.
The Verdict
The Uniden DFR6 has an attractively low price and in fairness, its performance can't be compared to models that cost twice as much. But some high-risk drivers may be tempted to pony up additional bucks for a bit longer range.
Uniden DFR7
Review Summary
Pro
- Red light camera warnings
- Good feature set
- Clear audible alerts
Con
- Ka-band performance
- Vestigial user manual
The Uniden DFR7 is the company's entry-level GPS-enabled model and identical visually with the DFR6. Like its sibling it has a black OLED display with white fonts. Unlike the latter it shows your speed at the left of the display and in the presence of a red light camera, an icon to represent that threat.
In addition to speed and vehicle voltage, it can also display an 8-point compass or, if you really want to know, the altitude.
Like most upscale detectors, the DFR7 will display a radar signal's digital frequency. This won't help on X or K band but the information can be useful on Ka. Police radar occupies only three slivers of this extraordinarily-wide band, enabling very knowledgeable users to identify legitimate threats at a glance.
Approaching a red light camera triggers a voice alert and a camera icon appears in the display. If the camera also looks for speeding, it adds Speed Camera to the display. Distance to the camera counts down as the distance closes and if you're speeding, a double-chime alert warns of the transgression.
Unlike the Radenso XP, the Uniden won't tell you what the posted limit is, only that you're somewhere over it. Also unlike the Radenso, the Uniden's camera alerts aren't directional. Even if you're on the cross street that's not camera-monitored, it goes off anyway.
Like the other Unidens, the DFR7 comes with a miniature user manual. After our experience with the DFR6 manual, we donned reading glasses and grabbed an 8-power magnifying glass before attempting to read it.
Compared to its non-GPS stablemate, the Uniden DFR7 offers some additional tools to help combat false alarms. Quiet Ride shuts off audible radar and laser alerts until a user-selected speed is reached. It's adjustable in 5 mph increments and be set to speeds up to 50 mph.
Two more features, K narrow and Ka narrow, reduce the bandwidth being scanned.
Performance
The Uniden DFR7 led the pack on K band, dropping back in Ka-band performance.
The Verdict
The Uniden DFR7 has some endearing qualities, protection from red light cameras among them. It's also priced competitively and offers a reasonable array of features for the money.
Uniden R1
Review Summary
Pro
- Stellar performance
- Good feature set
- Effective windshield mount
Con
- Low-contrast display
- Miniature user manual
The Uniden R1 is billed as the company's premier high-performance model. The same detector is offered with GPS and dubbed the R3 ($399 MSRP).
Unlike previous Unidens, the R1 has a color OLED display. The default color is blue with other colors available including pink and purple.
Regardless of the color choice, the display is fuzzy and looks out of place on an expensive piece of electronics. Resolution is very low and the pixels are enormous—the effect is like looking at a newspaper being scanned at 600 dots-per-inch resolution.
Much of the R1 is borrowed from the DFR6, which includes switchgear and control layout. Four top-mounted buttons and two in front operate the R1. The latter two are backlit, easing the task of finding them at night.
The default audio tones are a collection of chirps, whistles and tweets although 11 similar alternatives are available. Those unwilling to enter the setup menu and explore other tones will have to rely on the voice alerts for basic information instead.
The volume of auto-muted alerts also can be adjusted, a task we were motivated to perform after finding the default level a bit too high.
Like the other Unidens tested, the R1 arrives with a miniature owner manual. The font so tiny that a line of text can be covered with one stroke of a medium-point Uni-Ball gel pen.
Also like the other Unidens, the R1 offers K narrow and Ka narrow which, the instructions suggest, reduces the bandwidth being scanned and potentially reduces false alarms. We tried it both ways and noticed no difference in behavior.
Aside from the usual City and Highway modes, the R1 offers Advanced mode. This allows the user to adjust the sensitivity of each radar band. From the factory-default 100 percent, sensitivity can be lowered by as much as 70 percent, equal to -10.5 dB, a significant degree.
We experimented by dialing back K band to 60 percent and found that it had little effect. By lowering it to the minimum 30 percent we saw a modest reduction in the number of false alarms from door openers. This strategy also marginally reduced false alarms caused by Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) radar in nearby cars.
K Filter is on by default and Ka filter can be user-activated. Each lowers sensitivity although after experimenting with the settings, any reduction in false alarms was imperceptible to our testers.
Another feature to reduce false alarms is Ka-band segmentation, allowing the user to select from 10 segments for the detector to scan.
Performance
The Uniden R1 displayed good sensitivity on K band, ranking second. It finished fourth on 34.7 GHz Ka band, trailing the Radenso XP by a few feet.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. It's the tool of choice for state troopers.
Ka-band range (blue and red bars) is the most important. It's the tool of choice for state troopers.
On 35.5 GHz Ka band the Uniden R1 led the pack at 2128 feet, slightly nudging out the Escort iX (2003 feet) and Radenso XP (1996 feet).
We also tested the R1 against our Spectre radar detector-detector and confirmed that it can't be detected. Drivers in Virginia, the only state that bans detectors, may find this trait useful.
The Verdict
We found the Uniden R1 to be a good-performing radar detector. It has a comprehensive set of features and enough adjustability to make it attractive to many enthusiasts.
We were disappointed by the low-rent color display that hampers its ability to convey information. And the laughable miniature owner manual seems to suggest that the manufacturer lacks the interest to provide meaningful documentation for this product.
In performance the Uniden R1 fares well at its price point. Still, competing models better able to communicate with the driver might induce some shoppers to consider alternatives.
