[Aalfred]

So Im thinking of going with a radar detector and wanted some piece of mind. Read a lot of reviews and forum threads and was set on going with a Uniden R8 (as I wanted top of the line stuff with all the bells and whistles) but started looking at R7 more seriously and seems like it checks of everything I would need with their autolock firmware upgrade. I drive in Milwaukee and nothing hilly here. The terrain is fairly flat. I am familiar with the speed traps in the city. I plan on going cross country to do the tail of the dragon and wanted a radar detector to cover my rear incase I get too excited about the car and wanna push it when there isnt anyone around. Can anyone who made the switch from R7 to R8 or who have either one of them comment on the merits of it. Is it worth the $250 upgrade. I dont drive cross country much and most of my driving will be within city limits and highways. I dont care about the BT option and phone apps etc. Wondering if there is a huge upgrade in radar detection with the R8 vs R7 (and most reviews and forum threads point to it not being that much). Thanks

[mcsquared]

Lots of people are happy with both, or the V1g2.

Lots of info. here - https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ighlight=Radar

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Lots of people are happy with both, or the V1g2.

Lots of info. here - https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ighlight=Radar

Thanks. Ive read that thread and it mostly talks about what unit they have and what mount they used or how they used it. Wanting something more specific with the R7 to R8 transition and if thats worth it.

[mcsquared]

Gotcha. I always check up with this guy, on youtube, when in the market for a new one. And now that the R9 is out, I think the R7 will date itself, quickly, unless they continue to support it down the road.

https://youtube.com/@VortexRadar

[christianb5s4]

The performance of the R7 was already so good that in 99% of any state or driving circumstance, I'd imagine you'd be hard pressed to see a substantial benefit going with the R8. I have an R7 personally and considered the upgrade.

Directional arrows is the real game changer.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Gotcha. I always check up with this guy, on youtube, when in the market for a new one. And now that the R9 is out, I think the R7 will date itself, quickly, unless they continue to support it down the road.

https://youtube.com/@VortexRadar

R9 is a custom install unit. The R8 is still the flagship windshield mount detector.

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

R9 is a custom install unit. The R8 is still the flagship windshield mount detector.

Right on. Is it much better than the R7? That I don’t know except what I’ve seen on videos that I’ve watched, and the R8 seems to be the best rendition. Is it worth more that much more than the R7? Not sure, especially given the OP’s requirements.

[Misterleeman]

I believe the "big" feature is Bluetooth support on the R8.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Right on. Is it much better than the R7? That I don’t know except what I’ve seen on videos that I’ve watched, and the R8 seems to be the best rendition. Is it worth more that much more than the R7? Not sure, especially given the OP’s requirements.

The Radar Detector Forum guys (interesting bunch!) advised me that for my area (Houston) an R7 was better because of this 3rd party firmware I could run on it that really would quiet things down.

I do NOT want to run a standalone app while using the device which a lot of people seem to geek out on but no thanks for me. Given that, I was told the R8 was not worth the money and to avoid the V1G2.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

The performance of the R7 was already so good that in 99% of any state or driving circumstance, I'd imagine you'd be hard pressed to see a substantial benefit going with the R8. I have an R7 personally and considered the upgrade.

Directional arrows is the real game changer.

Thanks

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

The Radar Detector Forum guys (interesting bunch!) advised me that for my area (Houston) an R7 was better because of this 3rd party firmware I could run on it that really would quiet things down.

I do NOT want to run a standalone app while using the device which a lot of people seem to geek out on but no thanks for me. Given that, I was told the R8 was not worth the money and to avoid the V1G2.

Thats what I was thinking too. For the amount of driving I do in those "tricky zones", I wonder if its just too much gadget for what my needs r

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

The Radar Detector Forum guys (interesting bunch!) advised me that for my area (Houston) an R7 was better because of this 3rd party firmware I could run on it that really would quiet things down.

I do NOT want to run a standalone app while using the device which a lot of people seem to geek out on but no thanks for me. Given that, I was told the R8 was not worth the money and to avoid the V1G2.

Quiet it down? Mine never goes off. It only goes off if a cop is using his radar.

Ive also got 2 miles range from mine going down a loan highway to Lake Havasu from Socal.

No app. No constant noise. Heck, I even have the LCD screen on it, turned off. I love my uniden. I will never own another brand.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

Quiet it down? Mine never goes off. It only goes off if a cop is using his radar.

Ive also got 2 miles range from mine going down a loan highway to Lake Havasu from Socal.

No app. No constant noise. Heck, I even have the LCD screen on it, turned off. I love my uniden. I will never own another brand.

You must not have much around you. My R8 is quite active around me with a lot of K band from things like speed sensors, even things like door and entry sensors too close to the edge of the road. I've tuned/turned off a lot of stuff recommended for my area and it'll still peep occasionally at some stuff.

[Mautofied17]

Personally, it all comes down to what you prefer. You can't go wrong with an R7/R8, V1G2, or a Redline 360c.

I went Escort because it's plug and play and doesn't require being linked to your phone.

[Aalfred]

Thanks guys. I was all set for the R7 but it looks like there is a R8 companion app that was just released for the R8 and it could tilt the balance to the R8. I know its more than what I need, but I like the mute button in the front and the fact that it has BT that I can use the R8 companion app (even though I didnt think I needed it) as a big plus. Now debating if I should wait for black friday or go ahead and buy it now. I do have a long drive coming up and it might be foolish trying to wait for a "deal" on BF and end up getting a ticket...lol

[mcsquared]

BF is 3 months away. If the trip falls in that time, then, just don’t speed, or, purchase the detector beforehand. For the 50-75 bucks saved, on a deal, I’d just get it now.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

BF is 3 months away. If the trip falls in that time, then, just don’t speed, or, purchase the detector beforehand. For the 50-75 bucks saved, on a deal, I’d just get it now.

I know right. The trip in on Oct 12-15th. Driving down to TN to do the Tail of the dragon. Usually the freeway is pretty crowded and packed with semis so the "speeding" options arnt that that much but I worry about small town cops pulling you for like 3-5 miles over speed limit. They see a fancy car that has speed written on it and its a cop magnet. I may just get it for peace of mind. $50-100 might not worth the $300-400 ticket !!!..lol

[mcsquared]

Funny, I’ll be driving through the TOTD this weekend, as I’m picking up my car in Chattanooga. Staying in Athens for a night, and driving home to FL early Saturday morning. All I’m worried about is a naked bumper…so may do painters tape since I couldn’t get track wrap in time.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Funny, I’ll be driving through the TOTD this weekend, as I’m picking up my car in Chattanooga. Staying in Athens for a night, and driving home to FL early Saturday morning. All I’m worried about is a naked bumper…so may do painters tape since I couldn’t get track wrap in time.

I would totally do the painters tape. Sometime autozone or orileys might have something similar to track armor. I picked up mine at PCD in Dec and wanted to do the tail but it rained for 3 days and almost the whole drive back that I gave up on it. Funny I stopped at knoxville for dinner and even thought it might clear up the next day but no luck. Good luck with the TOTD drive. Its a weird feeling trying to keep the RPM under 5K as you are still in the break in period but I dont think you can do much speed given the sharp turns..lol

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

I would totally do the painters tape. Sometime autozone or orileys might have something similar to track armor. I picked up mine at PCD in Dec and wanted to do the tail but it rained for 3 days and almost the whole drive back that I gave up on it. Funny I stopped at knoxville for dinner and even thought it might clear up the next day but no luck. Good luck with the TOTD drive. Its a weird feeling trying to keep the RPM under 5K as you are still in the break in period but I dont think you can do much speed given the sharp turns..lol

I’ll see if my local auto-zone/o’reilley’s, etc. has any. Thanks for the tip. Otherwise, scotch makes a tape for sensitive areas that I think’ll work, too.

Beyond that, yeah, I plan on taking it easy during break-in, and will return to the mountains after break-in. I’ll have my v1g1 with me, just in case.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

I’ll see if my local auto-zone/o’reilley’s, etc. has any. Thanks for the tip. Otherwise, scotch makes a tape for sensitive areas that I think’ll work, too.

Beyond that, yeah, I plan on taking it easy during break-in, and will return to the mountains after break-in. I’ll have my v1g1 with me, just in case.

Just curious. Did you look at Amazon. If you have prime, you could get it by tomorrow

https://www.amazon.com/XPEL-TW6T40-T...91&sr=8-1&th=1

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Just curious. Did you look at Amazon. If you have prime, you could get it by tomorrow

https://www.amazon.com/XPEL-TW6T40-T...91&sr=8-1&th=1

I do, but, I’ll be leaving home around 12pm EST to get to the AP. Not sure if it’ll make it by then.

The reason I don’t have the track wrap is because my brother has some, but, since he’s been moving all sorts of stuff around, it’s MIA! Hence the reasoning for me not to order it, alas, I should have known better.

I’ll look for some while in TN, otherwise, painters’ tape will do just fine. Other forum members have done it, so, I should be good. And yeah, it’ll look silly, but, I don’t really care what others will think!