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Anyone use a Uniden R3 in their Model S (mounting/power options)

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PhilDavid

Active Member
May 22, 2018
2,552
2,355
Philadelphia
#1
I'm thinking about buying a radar detector for use during long trips and I'm leaning towards a Uniden R3.

Does anyone use a Uniden R3 in their Model S? I want to keep the installation super clean so curious to see what you did for mounting and power options. I'm thinking perhaps a rear view camera mount and tapping power from the microphone grill area? Would prefer not to stick anything onto the windshield glass.

Wish the R3 came with an external battery option so I can charge it at home and use it only for long trips.

I guess ideally I should setup an external unit with just the display and button panel inside but those are really expensive, right?
 
#2
Cops now have the Spectre Elite or even newer units, as CDL drivers automatically lose their license if they get caught.

Unfortunately it will detect your RD's oscillator as long as your unit is connected to power, even if you turned it off. Detection starts at about 1000ft, so he will know long before you hurriedly grabbed the RD behind tinted windows. This usually spurs the officer to issue the highest value ticket for the offense, as he gets aggravated by knowledge of your use of an RD, though in RD legal states they will never say it to your face.

I had V1s and Cobras, no more problems since I got rid of them, by being extremely polite and friendly with the officers I managed to get warnings where I deserved tickets.

Another sure way to max your tickets is to tint the driver side window and leave it up when you get pulled, same as with tinted license plate covers.
 
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#3
Kandiru said:
Do not, cops now have the Spectre Elite or even newer units, as CDL drivers automatically lose their license if they get caught.

Unfortunately it will detect your RD's oscillator as long as your unit is connected to power, even if you turned it off. Detection starts at about 1000ft, but if he is behind you he will know for sure that before you hurriedly grabbed the RD behind tinted windows. This usually spurs the officer to issue the highest value ticket for the offense, as he gets aggravated by knowledge of your use of an RD, though in RD legal states they will never say it to your face.

I had V1s and Cobras, no more problems since I got rid of them, by being extremely polite and friendly with the officers I managed to get warnings where I deserved tickets.

Another sure way to max your tickets is to tint the driver side window and leave it up when you get pulled, same as with tinted license plate covers.
Click to expand...

I thought radar detectors are legal everywhere other than DC and VA.

I would prefer to have some advance warning. I've seen Youtube videos where you are notified of the presence of a tax collection zone well in advance.

I'd love to get a totally clean look with the sensors outside the cabin and just the control panel inside but that seems to be crazy expensive. My budget is around $500.
 
#6
kdday said:
I also am about to install my R3 into my model S. I bought this installation kit to use the mirror’s wiring harness power:

UNIDEN - R3 and R1 Radar Detector - Direct Mirror Power Cord (MP-UND) | eBay
Click to expand...

Did you find a mirror mount that works with the Model S rear view mirror. I want something that I can use for long trips and completely remove without leaving any marks when I'm done.

I found this mirror mount and wire kit that I'm planning to connect to the power in the microphone areas. Just about exactly what I want with the very short cable that can go into the microphone area. I can;t stand to see dangling cables anywhere. :D

Is this the mount you plan on using?

https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-...rds=Uniden+Mirror+mount&qid=1599536439&sr=8-4
 
#7
I wired mine into the cigarette lighter. Use a POSI-TAP and it will make your life easier. Remove the bottom side panel of the screen and you can tap into it from there. Then run up the wire from the back and the side of the A pillar. I had an r3 and loved it. Upgraded to the r7 and loved it even more. Really recommend the r7. Range is much better and those arrows alone are worth the upgrade. Much more useful than I initially thought. The arrows are actually very accurate.

I mount mine on the passenger visor using a visor clip that I trimmed down from my old escort radar detector. It keeps the radar out of the sun and hopefully prolong life. This is how I have mounted them for the past 18 years and they have always lasted me quite a while.
 
#8
BigTonyTones said:
I wired mine into the cigarette lighter. Use a POSI-TAP and it will make your life easier. Remove the bottom side panel of the screen and you can tap into it from there. Then run up the wire from the back and the side of the A pillar. I had an r3 and loved it. Upgraded to the r7 and loved it even more. Really recommend the r7. Range is much better and those arrows alone are worth the upgrade. Much more useful than I initially thought. The arrows are actually very accurate.

I mount mine on the passenger visor using a visor clip that I trimmed down from my old escort radar detector. It keeps the radar out of the sun and hopefully prolong life. This is how I have mounted them for the past 18 years and they have always lasted me quite a while.
Click to expand...

Any reason why you did not tap power in the microphone area? Seems the easiest option as it is very close to where the radar detector is positioned...

On eBay you can now buy a wire that plugs in directly to the connector there for a super clean install.
 
#9
PhilDavid said:
Any reason why you did not tap power in the microphone area? Seems the easiest option as it is very close to where the radar detector is positioned...

On eBay you can now buy a wire that plugs in directly to the connector there for a super clean install.
Click to expand...
That wire is always on. Its great for a dashcam but not so much for a radar detector. Sure you can always turn off radar detector by hand. If you ever plan on putting a dash cam, keep that circuit dedicated to the dashcam.
 
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#11
BigTonyTones said:
That wire is always on. Its great for a dashcam but not so much for a radar detector. Sure you can always turn off radar detector by hand. If you ever plan on putting a dash cam, keep that circuit dedicated to the dashcam.
Click to expand...

I eventually want to also have a dash cam but waiting for 4K/60 dash cams to be ironed out before I buy one.

Yeah I've wondered what I'd do the day I have a dash cam and a radar detector for power and mounting options. Probably too much weight to mount both from the mirror. As much as I hate sticking things on the windshield, looks like I'll have to stick the dash cam on the wind shield behind the rear view mirror and use a rear view mirror mount for the radar detector.
 
#14
PhilDavid said:
I eventually want to also have a dash cam but waiting for 4K/60 dash cams to be ironed out before I buy one.

Yeah I've wondered what I'd do the day I have a dash cam and a radar detector for power and mounting options. Probably too much weight to mount both from the mirror. As much as I hate sticking things on the windshield, looks like I'll have to stick the dash cam on the wind shield behind the rear view mirror and use a rear view mirror mount for the radar detector.
Click to expand...
Try my visor clip idea. Its really out of the way and doesn't bother me. I think it would be an eye sore if it was right under the rear view mirror. Plus cops cant see when its under the visor.

dc3d9849643b1eb13b604352498972d9.jpg
 
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#15
BigTonyTones said:
Try my visor clip idea. Its really out of the way and doesn't bother me. I think it would be an eye sore if it was right under the rear view mirror. Plus cops cant see when its under the visor.

dc3d9849643b1eb13b604352498972d9.jpg
Click to expand...

I never thought about the wiser idea but it makes sense. I have a cream interior so I just need to make sure the wiper visor clip doe snot leave a mark or indentation. Where did you find your visor clip? I suppose I can line the visor clip with some felt.

Any reason why the radar detector is mounted on the passenger side?

Wish I had $3-5K to throw at this so I can have all the sensors outside the cabin with just the display and control panel professionally mounted inside the cabin for a clean and stealthy install. Too bad how much it costs to do this right.
 
#16
PhilDavid said:
I never thought about the wiser idea but it makes sense. I have a cream interior so I just need to make sure the wiper visor clip doe snot leave a mark or indentation. Where did you find your visor clip? I suppose I can line the visor clip with some felt.

Any reason why the radar detector is mounted on the passenger side?

Wish I had $3-5K to throw at this so I can have all the sensors outside the cabin with just the display and control panel professionally mounted inside the cabin for a clean and stealthy install. Too bad how much it costs to do this right.
Click to expand...
At the time they didnt make uniden visor clips. Maybe they make them now. I had one from my previous detector
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Be...escort+radar+visor+clip&qid=1599626923&sr=8-1

I used that and trimmed the sides down with metal shears. I like it on the passenger side out of my way. Its not something I really need to play around with. If I wanted to mute it, I can just reach over real quick and push the mute button.

I too wanted one of those exterior units but they are just so expensive. My r3 and r7 grabs signals from miles away. Thats really all I need. Again, cant stress how much I love the r7 arrows.
 
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#17
BigTonyTones said:
At the time they didnt make uniden visor clips. Maybe they make them now. I had one from my previous detector
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Be...escort+radar+visor+clip&qid=1599626923&sr=8-1

I used that and trimmed the sides down with metal shears. I like it on the passenger side out of my way. Its not something I really need to play around with. If I wanted to mute it, I can just reach over real quick and push the mute button.

I too wanted one of those exterior units but they are just so expensive. My r3 and r7 grabs signals from miles away. That's really all I need. Again, cant stress how much I love the r7 arrows.
Click to expand...

For the R3 and R7 they do have this remote mute system. If I can find a place to install the actual radar detector some place out of sight it would almost get me to what I want where nothing is viable.....

Wish the radar detector's antenna and sensor modules can be removed and extended but as soon as you get that capability, it costs 3X as much.

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-RDA-H...PPWBJ1612A6&psc=1&refRID=9RT9YE4BDPPWBJ1612A6
 
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