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Uniden DFR 7 Radar Detectors

nickrides

Member
Member
After doing some research I think I'm going to buy this RD at Amazon for $195.
Does anyone have experience with this unit.
Claim Super Long Range.
Looking for a handle bar mount, it comes with a suction cup windshield mount.
Thoughts?
 
Just some thoughts...
  • The DFR7 is really old.  One review I saw was dated July 2017.  While the radar technology probably hasn't changed much, the technology for detectors does to make them more liveable.  Features like being able to filter out Blind Spot Cameras is helpful, and I think the RD companies keep trying to improve on those filters.  I don't think the DFR7 has this at all.
  • The power cord is not the most robust.  It's a phone cord, and that little tab can break easily. 
  • Are you putting it on your Concours?  Or using it in a car?  If on the bike, how will you get your warnings?

I bought the Uniden DFR9 from Costco last year.  I like it, but there are some caveats to it.

Range.  The DFR9 seems good.  It's hard to find a good comparative review on anything less than the top of the line ($$$$) detectors.  Those reviews for the less expensive detectors are such cursory reviews that you could almost do as well by reading the box.  Reviews on radar detector forums are pretty much like oil threads here.  Everyone has a differing opinion, and they are the "expert".  I'd love to see a review where they set multiple detectors on a vehicle at the same time and measured how they performed.

Some real world observations...
I was out with a group at the Bun Cooler last year and started picking up a Ka band warning.  It was kind of off and on, but frequent enough that I wasn't going to exceed the speed limit by more than 5 mph.  Charlie Gary was picking it up on his Adaptiv also.  We were the only ones at the speed limit when we passed by the Utah State Police car.  Why the others didn't get ticketed, I don't know.  Maybe the LEO was just being nice.  My guess is that I started picking the trooper up at least 3 miles away.

I was over to meet TimR in Twisp last summer.  This time I got a K band signal that didn't go away as I was driving down the road.  It just kept getting louder and louder.  Turns out he local sheriff uses the older technology.  I suspect that it kept me from getting a ticket.  I don't use my radar detector as a license to speed, but there's a decent chance that I would've been looking around as I was passing through town and not watching my speed closely.

As for laser detection...as a friend in the Washington Air National Guard told me (who was a Lieutenant in the WSP), "A laser detector lets you be the second person to know you're getting a ticket."  He had a big grin on his face when he said that.

Power cord.  I broke my first one in no time at all.  The second has lasted far better.  That little plastic catch on them breaks off easily and you're plugging it in a lot.  If you're a bit handy with things, you can use an old phone cord for a replacement.  The power cord just uses two of the four wires in a phone cord.

Waterproof?  None of the car radar detectors are waterproof.  Only the Adaptiv models are.  And I think they only say they are water resistant.


In a car, the radar detector will give you plenty of warning with the alarm.  But on a motorcycle, chances are you'll never hear it and you'll never see the warning display.  I picked up a BT transmitter on Amazon for $30 that plugs into the earphone jack on my DFR9.  It then gives me the warnings in the BT headset.  The DFR9 will tell you which band you're picking up and if it is on Ka band, it'll tell you what frequency...as if I would be able to do anything with that.  :D  It'll warn you of speed and traffic light cameras.  I find that handy. so I don't get in complacent and try to make a traffic light.  It also will block out many of the Blind Spot cameras on cars.  You can use the GPS to mark locations of things like the local grocery store that will set off the detector.  I leave mine alone for this because it is a handy way to make sure the system is functioning.


Whichever radar detector you get, it is only a tool.  I ride with some people who exceed the speed limit occasionally.  Charlie is a case in point.  He is the epitome of being a safe courteous rider when any cars are around.  But when you get on a back road with no one on it, he likes to open it up some.  So I figured, great.  He's got a detector to give him some warning and hopefully prevent getting a ticket.  But I'm in the rear of the group and depending on seeing his brake lights.  How about I get my own radar detector and give myself a bit more warning?  (Besides, I like gadgets and it was a good excuse. :D )

I pretty much stay with the traffic for speed.  There's a road on the way to church that is hard to stay at 35 mph on.  Traffic often is doing 50, just because it is so wide open and on any other road, it would be a higher speed limit.  It'd be just my luck to be singled out as the lone motorcycle rider in a group of 5 or 10 vehicles to get a ticket.  They don't often do a radar trap there...but it happens. 

And besides, I like gadgets.  :)

Chris
 
Nickrides said:
...Claim Super Long Range.
Looking for a handle bar mount, it comes with a suction cup windshield mount.
All radar detectors claim super long range.  If you look closely on the packaging, they might even claim to restore your hair.  Nothing will prevent you from getting a ticket is the officer has instant on radar and you're the only vehicle around for miles.

I mounted mine with a RAM mount.  They make a magnetic mount that works well.  I found though that the metal plate they included was too smooth and the glue from the double-backed tape holding it onto the radar detector came off.  The "fix" was to take some sandpaper to roughen up the surface and get the tape to adhere better.  Luckily, I wasn't comfortable with the holding power of that magnetic plate yet, so I had a couple rubber bands acting as a backup.

Chris
 
I would spend some time here first.  https://www.rdforum.org/index.php  I wet with a Uniden R1. Have picked up Ka at 5 miles away thus far. But range shouldnt be your only concern. It depends alot on where you ride. My R1 would be noisy in urban or busy interstate settings.

Wayne
 
^

Go to https://www.rdforum.org/index.php as Kzz1king suggested. There's a lot of information there. Do your research and then make your decision for what will work best for you.

I'm a member there (same user name as here) and I have a R3 (I use in my older vehicle and plan to use on my bike) & a R7 in my car that I take on trips.
 
I joined on the the RD forum
That is one complicated forum!
Most of the posters seem to have been into it for a long time.
A lot of acronines I don't get.
95% of it is way over my head.
I can spend about 200 bucks,
Ha! what's my best bet?
I'm going to need a big display as I don't think I'm going to BT it to my helmet, will this visual only idea work?
TIA
 
I would go with an R1 or R3 but if you are going on visual only I think you should forget it, sunlight is going to wash it out and your eyes will be where they are not supposed to be to often.. You could just put an earbud in. Do you listen to anything now when you ride?


Nickrides said:
I joined on the the RD forum
That is one complicated forum!
Most of the posters seem to have been into it for a long time.
A lot of acronines I don't get.
95% of it is way over my head.
I can spend about 200 bucks,
Ha! what's my best bet?
I'm going to need a big display as I don't think I'm going to BT it to my helmet, will this visual only idea work?
TIA
 
Nickrides said:
...I can spend about 200 bucks,
Ha! what's my best bet?
I'm going to need a big display as I don't think I'm going to BT it to my helmet, will this visual only idea work?
What's your best bet?  Slow down.  ;)

A big display doesn't exist.  Besides, where do you want to focus your eyes upon?  The road...or a radar detector display? 

You can go to eBay and buy a cheap Chinese BT headset.  They work.  One of the local Meetup Group organizers has one that he uses all the time when leading group rides.  He gives a second one to the rider playing sweep and they talk back and forth.  Cost is about $45.

The only visual alert systems I've seen for radar detectors assume that they can soak you an enormous amount of profit simply because you have a radar detector.

Look into this BT transmitter/receiver from TaoTronics.  https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Simultaneously/dp/B01EHSX28M/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=0-U68riv1qzdiqfE36gBUw&hsa_cr_id=5442709440701&ref_=sb_s_sparkle

It plugs into the earphone plug on the Uniden.  Warnings are transmitted to your el-Cheapo BT headset in your helmet.

As for the rdforum, there is good info there.  But keep in mind though that these are die-hard enthusiasts.  Some of these members will think nothing of dropping $1000 on a radar detector "system".

Chris
 
Gents
Thanks for taking the time to reply
I'm going to go with the R1 and a BT headset.
This system should work good for me and not break the bank.
Yea- SLOW DOWN that's some good advice there and I will try and heed it!
I looked up some reviews on the R1 and it got very high praise from those in the know.
Ride Safe
Nick
 
If you come across a review of the Uniden R1 vs the DFR9, please send me a link.  The R1 is the best from what everyone says, but the DFR9 doesn't seem to be bad at all.  Just curious.

Chris
 
I run my phone (music and maps) and RD through the Sena sm10 . When the detector alerts it turns down the phone. The phone and rd plug into the Sena and the sena signal is to some $30 bluetooth earbuds. I have just put this together this winter so have not tried it on the road but many are using this combo . It works well in the garage!

https://www.bikebandit.com/riding-gear-and-accessories/communication-cameras/communication-bluetooth-systems/sena-sm10-dual-stream-bluetooth-stereo-transmitter/p/41405?b=3143160&CRTP=psc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl4K9zYHL5wIVB77ACh2QUQedEAYYASABEgKkxvD_BwE


Nickrides said:
Gents
Thanks for taking the time to reply
I'm going to go with the R1 and a BT headset.
This system should work good for me and not break the bank.
Yea- SLOW DOWN that's some good advice there and I will try and heed it!
I looked up some reviews on the R1 and it got very high praise from those in the know.
Ride Safe
Nick
 
Not a comparison but it sounds like its a nice unit. This article says it can be had for $129! The 7 has lockouts which do not interest me where I ride. Thats why I chose the R1 over the R3


Daboo said:
If you come across a review of the Uniden R1 vs the DFR9, please send me a link.  The R1 is the best from what everyone says, but the DFR9 doesn't seem to be bad at all.  Just curious.

Chris
 
Kzz1king said:
I run my phone (music and maps) and RD through the Sena sm10 . When the detector alerts it turns down the phone. The phone and rd plug into the Sena and the sena signal is to some $30 bluetooth earbuds. I have just put this together this winter so have not tried it on the road but many are using this combo . It works well in the garage!
The hole I see in the setup is the BT earbuds.  Do they offer any hearing protection?  If so, how much?  If there's not enough or none, you can lose your hearing...all so you can listen to music while listening for alerts.  ;)

I'm using -33db earplugs with mine.  Even a 3db difference is noticeable since noise is measured on a logarithmic scale.

Just some thoughts...

Chris
 
I use the isolation type with the rubber tips . They seal fairly well. I also have one that I molder a plug for. I am deaf in one ear so I have always rode with ear protection. Teach building trades so I am big on ear protection. An important concern for sure.
Wayne
 
On YouTube a guy, who seemed to know his stuff, has a vid comparing the R1 and R3
I think I'm going to go with the R1 and the above BT interface.
I listen to music with noise reduction earbuds and hopefully this will all work at a price that works for me!

What do those RD's say when they get a hit?
I've never had one.
 
I am fairly new to the game but here is what I know so far. When you get an alert it tells you what it is such as Ka, K, or Laser. In my area Ka is a definite threat. Some K alerts are blindspot monitors, electronic doors and such. You can dial the various bands down in sensitivity. I ride pretty rural with little traffic so I get few falses. As you get closer to the threat the tone and sound ramps up. Start out at low volume as it can be pretty loud. I am running mine in the car this winter to get used to it. I think it will be a nice addition to my riding experience.


Nickrides said:
On YouTube a guy, who seemed to know his stuff, has a vid comparing the R1 and R3
I think I'm going to go with the R1 and the above BT interface.
I listen to music with noise reduction earbuds and hopefully this will all work at a price that works for me!

What do those RD's say when they get a hit?
I've never had one.
 
Do you guys find the detectors useful compared to just running Waze on highways/ interstate? I get that they might be superior for urban commuting but i try to just not go full retard in town, anyway. Can you reliably detect CHP in Norcal?
 
HeavyRotation said:
Do you guys find the detectors useful compared to just running Waze on highways/ interstate? I get that they might be superior for urban commuting but i try to just not go full retard in town, anyway. Can you reliably detect CHP in Norcal?
Ask Charlie Gary for how well a radar detector works.  ;)  Hint:  You have to have all the bands activated.  :D

There are some great articles on the subject.  If the LEO has a radar gun on constantly, you'll easily pick it up.  That's rare though.  More often, you'll find "instant on".  If there's other traffic in the area, you have a decent chance of getting a warning as the LEO paints a car ahead of you.  If you're the only vehicle on the road...you're out of luck.  When you get the warning, you'll be the second person to know you're getting a ticket.  Laser is much the same way.  When you get the warning, is when you are targeted. 

And there's no warning for aircraft patrols.

I've been using Waze in my car for the past few months.  It seems to work well.  But like with the "instant on" radar, you're depending on other drivers to have gone ahead of you, having Waze running, and reporting there's a radar trap ahead.

It's all a risk assessment.  If you're going to speed, you stand a chance of getting a ticket.  A radar detector can lessen the chances of that.  But nothing is perfect.

Chris

 
Detectors & WAZE are just tools you can use to assist you in the reduction of tickets. It's up to you to determine which tool or tools to use.

I run a Uniden R7 in one vehicle and a R3 in my older vehicle & on my C14(just starting to use it on the bike, so i'm still learning how it will preform) along with WAZE and JBV1 (another app that will provide Aircrafts). There's a section on the rdforum (near the bottom) for JBV1 (I run it in Offline Mode and in the background).
 
Here's why it doesn't work to count on the visual display to warn you.  The display is lit, but it is so far out of the way of what you're looking at, that you'd be pulled over before you saw the display warning.

2ol8ZNkmCTTJn_4c2fOkosF8MJOtnQlRiKdUpZI8YJO8TcakLDYQTyjEn6g5vmp8LIcum5NRExr9wOd_bzDUnbUikEei5I5_myYJEuZGH9X72UeQf-w_PY9sKsKoTtzXM8-ufLTgmGMOhUDjycdkfSC5oFY43Nd9sbPIIa5ZjdDQ7wHRb5cohske-Ii1a05j_MDU-ZZ37Qh-VvSvyNOHmGuzINH4yWYo1D6uNK100QGM6xc5UTwJVt7iicciH6QB976Xp4D3EJm-wxOGPzmP2E1q5Y3zhGNhY4rZwla1_T-JmRCvqA4uKoHBpnn8skApbqa7ctFS3ae9ZtpGeRBTjfKQ_I91p980gCUcqz1kzOO_4UXKF0Y2dKQr1J_6iMzX21YiXDc4yYwq0XLEEIw_Y653ibbieoCSgeVA5Ie9MShJmA3_Ybq720-vvxNikxcO7AJ7XHTmPzeTvIM7TgiDpPQ9vOTYNi2GpihOEuRSoNBG8ph4rwtP_2rqUoCTPCglD-QWb-V-o3xXh7LVPZMsox8xig6REb3iOnh8DYH3i-Nu0UghcsxA2ZDkyKfnqvoW-rP3atUsCOei9BbXPSO7Lli9T-NTqpiDfT4JLdCN1CiD94u0Pr02vWaNE_JvOw66TsPPpBlSuq0qLoS6sw0ZU8fhX3pXoOqj0sW0jNAH0cqE6xWXJLDyu1fAnRt3_jtbclo97grKLdjiS2x31BXjPGVwy-OIGeC8joki-IdWk7CaVp7WAg=w1318-h1018-no


Here's a picture in the garage of the DFR9 and the BT transmitter for audio warning.  The BT transmitter isn't even the size of a matchbox.

ijJujdGRax9TRSQkCKJnk8Ubmy_kIMenDM61eOp3N4IRKoQFuUC7Hed7CpNYJ9vuHEBOBl71DMqnZOkMvc_7VX8h-j_kOs6wH5sFT9SzaCbsfsfGIe9-tqyXm_7A9Al4r_rbscN50IKryRaOnsKxjiF_MobmSUxUtUzIyEvGSmclbpb_MPWQ7naJaR6y1Z7VwcjQP1nUe_bL9pH1ZSseL6VjCItov_J6BLWcXopU0DVfZ_5uUoPdpS0lwIGaRmwdb8Uzo3JZm5UNS-nbQsNViYTDb9i2n2Xgr7CDxT-IBxAV0XxA7t3up23gEO_lw787uIscW7vKvJjmmx7myIcg2QuPpTgJ7hBWdf-7vBtJlHpIbu_ct75CwphNsdrQvECCuXYQ38YrI-pEIzRKjHVfTzsU7ktMZJwOPFJjMNKCKmUQG7e0zX6ya9zEamh4WToXCpzso5bIOtag9PEvAjZ85iob01HpkpPVxEJGmYTXcUghlJnS-SL-HodpxSjMRygFgJvWrxzZ5RMm5okCOPn-3T-upADfD9vaS46YciSHBJzc1wPEkbSjcK_0gG71t3E8o0xe9B-Rv7pcHMKUIRoGXsBBPqORwclvUp-5p-eAHszCh6mwBaNKrfVuc8B_xfbKQAOI1EHOUysAnPTtDA2aXn2GmywRBRLmo6YZIezU-YgL3DKtn-hMvXKe=w1538-h866-no


Chris
 
I run the Escort 360C, very few false alerts from the cars lane detection sensors on all the cars nowadays. phone app allows custom settings. As for alerts? I have the HARD device that integrates into my helmet. Under 50 mph I can hear the radar unit speaker, over that I use the HARD unit to alert to a radar detection. My last Escort IX constantly falsed on the K-Band due to all the new cars lane detection sensors. The new 360C is super quiet.

I have used radar detectors since the early 70's BTW. I wear ear plugs at all times.

https://legalspeeding.com/HARD-System.htm#.XkySY2hKiUk
 
I thought seriously about the HARD system.  But at cough...cough...$170...I just have a hard time bringing myself to pay that much.  It's like the people at Legal Speeding (that's an oxymoron) know that you'll pay through the nose all because of supply and demand.

I think the HARD system is great...but I'm cheap.  The transmitter I linked to earlier and that is in the photos I posted, costs $30.  It doesn't just light up, but it tells you what the RD is telling you verbally.  If there was a BT receiver on the market with a LED light on the end, you'd have the same system for a fraction of the cost. 

Chris
 
I've been thinking of something that I should mention here.  Maybe it is just a local, regional kind of behaviour.  Maybe not.  And I suppose in sunny places where the weather is always good, there's no change in behaviour.

I've noticed the LEOs are out doing speed traps on sunny days, more so than on rainy windy days.

I left the prison in Monroe on Monday night and it was a nice clear, but cold, evening.  Sure enough, an LEO had someone pulled over.  I haven't seen him out there for a month or more.  What's the difference?  It's been raining a lot.

So I pulled out my DFR9 and till it rains again, I'll have it on.  I probably won't ride any different, but it is fun to play with electronic gadgets.

Oh...and in this area, it seems the budget constraints limit the number of LEOs available for traffic enforcement to Mon-Fri.  On the weekends, I don't see them.


Chris
 
Good info here from Daboo and Pope.  :beerchug:

I currently run an R3 in my car and just started using WAZE (apple carplay).

The combination of those things with 30-odd years of driving (speeding) paranoia and situational awareness, helps me stay away from the LEO's watchful eyes.

That said, I run an older BEL RX65 on the bikes.  Simply because it interfaces (3.5mm aux/audio jack) with the Marc Parnes LED alert device I bought a few years ago.  I LOVE THIS THING (the parnes device).
The RX65....not so much anymore.
It falses contstantly, and I have it only set to to KA now.  Either it's has taken a dump on me again, or it's just getting too much interference from all the signals it's processing from my cell phone/gps/ and other outside influences.

I've read about the cheap B/T interface for said equipped devices, however, I've been reluctant to mount my newer R3 on the bike, because it was Expensive, AND not waterproof.  That - and the interface didn't mate with my Parnes device.

I don't know how ANYONE could possibly utilize WAZE on a motorcycle unless it was integrated into a tablet or GPS.  And even then, it'd be tough to read while operating a motorcycle.

Nevertheless......glad you figured out what you wanted.  SOME protection from the LEO's is better than nothing.

ride safe.

gr
 
My new work truck has a crash avoidance system that includes forward facing radar . Many of the new semis on the road are now using this . I wonder if these would give false alarms on detectors . If so that would be an awful lot of false alarms .
 
I have heard the R1/3 dont work with Parnes. He cac make it work but it voids the warranty on the detector and is an extra $80.

Does Waze have verbal alerts?

Wayne


ghostrider990 said:
Good info here from Daboo and Pope.  :beerchug:

I currently run an R3 in my car and just started using WAZE (apple carplay).

The combination of those things with 30-odd years of driving (speeding) paranoia and situational awareness, helps me stay away from the LEO's watchful eyes.

That said, I run an older BEL RX65 on the bikes.  Simply because it interfaces (3.5mm aux/audio jack) with the Marc Parnes LED alert device I bought a few years ago.  I LOVE THIS THING (the parnes device).
The RX65....not so much anymore.
It falses contstantly, and I have it only set to to KA now.  Either it's has taken a dump on me again, or it's just getting too much interference from all the signals it's processing from my cell phone/gps/ and other outside influences.

I've read about the cheap B/T interface for said equipped devices, however, I've been reluctant to mount my newer R3 on the bike, because it was Expensive, AND not waterproof.  That - and the interface didn't mate with my Parnes device.

I don't know how ANYONE could possibly utilize WAZE on a motorcycle unless it was integrated into a tablet or GPS.  And even then, it'd be tough to read while operating a motorcycle.

Nevertheless......glad you figured out what you wanted.  SOME protection from the LEO's is better than nothing.

ride safe.

gr
 
Yes, Waze gives verbal alerts of traffic and speed traps when run in navigation mode. I believe you can also change the settings to give verbal alerts when not in nav mode, but i haven't done so. My phone is always connected to my Cardo on trips for music and phone calls so the Waze alerts are audible and useful.
 
Kzz1king said:
I have heard the R1/3 dont work with Parnes. He cac make it work but it voids the warranty on the detector and is an extra $80.

Does Waze have verbal alerts?

Wayne


ghostrider990 said:
Good info here from Daboo and Pope.  :beerchug:


I currently run an R3 in my car and just started using WAZE (apple carplay).

The combination of those things with 30-odd years of driving (speeding) paranoia and situational awareness, helps me stay away from the LEO's watchful eyes.

That said, I run an older BEL RX65 on the bikes.  Simply because it interfaces (3.5mm aux/audio jack) with the Marc Parnes LED alert device I bought a few years ago.  I LOVE THIS THING (the parnes device).
The RX65....not so much anymore.
It falses contstantly, and I have it only set to to KA now.  Either it's has taken a dump on me again, or it's just getting too much interference from all the signals it's processing from my cell phone/gps/ and other outside influences.

I've read about the cheap B/T interface for said equipped devices, however, I've been reluctant to mount my newer R3 on the bike, because it was Expensive, AND not waterproof.  That - and the interface didn't mate with my Parnes device.

I don't know how ANYONE could possibly utilize WAZE on a motorcycle unless it was integrated into a tablet or GPS.  And even then, it'd be tough to read while operating a motorcycle.

Nevertheless......glad you figured out what you wanted.  SOME protection from the LEO's is better than nothing.

ride safe.

gr

Correct on both.
Ive been hesitant to void my warranty on the Uniden, as a result -- but I think I'm past that now, so may have Marc modify mine.
That visual alert block is worth the money paid, and is completely visible even in full bright sun.

If I get it done, I'll report back.
 
I just left an email with Marc Parnes regarding ordering a set of his lights for the Uniden DFR9.  He says it is wired directly to the speaker, but I don't know why it would be.  There's a 3.5mm headphone jack on the outside of the unit.  I'll let you know what he says and how much it'll be.

Chris
 
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