I have been running the Escort Redline since 2013, on my recent trip to Oregon from California I was tagged by CHP right at the border of Cali and Oregon. I was wondering why my Escort didn't warn me. The officer asked me if my radar detector went off and I said no. I asked if he used Ka and he said that's all they use in Northern Cali. Luckily, the officer was kind enough and let me off with a warning (going 51 mph in a 45 zone). A day later my Redline "Service Required" showed up. I sent in my Redline to Escort and got the 139.99 service but in the mean time I needed a reliable detector so I purchased the R3. I heard good reviews about it and a lot of YouTube videos from Vortex Radar showed me how to set it up properly for my area. I used it going to Vegas from LA a week later for a boys weekend. It saved me twice going up a hill on the 15 Hwy. I was also very impressed with the distance the R3 picked up Ka signals. It warned me 2 miles before I made visual of the CHP officer in Baker.
A week and a half later I received my Redline and decided to test out the performance with the R3. Don't get me wrong, I love my Redline. It has saved my bacon more times than I can remember but while I was driving East on the 60 Hwy near Rowland Heights, the R3 went off and about 3-4 seconds later the newly flashed and serviced Redline (new dual antenna/software) went off indicating Ka band. It did this twice on the way home. I was upset my Redline got out performed but glad the R3 did it's job. I tested it a few more days and similar results. However, the Redline picked up K bands about 1-3 seconds before the R3 but in Cali the Ka band is the one I'm worried about. Now my Redline is on Ebay and getting sold.
I love the setting adjustment of the R3. Q-ride, display adjustments, low battery indicator, auto shut off with low battery, ease of updating software, GPS, auto mute memory, etc. Too much to list. The R3 does get extremely hot after running it but it doesn't seem to affect performance. Though, I dislike the two suction mounting as the smaller one is not very stable and the larger one is too big for my liking but ended up using the smaller mount as it less noticeable behind the rear view mirror. Power cord is nice that it as an extra USB in so you can still charge other devices. I mounted the unit just under the rear view mirror on the windshield and I am able to access the unit without reaching for the power cord to mute the unit. I ended up making an mirror cord using and old RJ11 telephone cord, a couple of spade connectors, heat shrink, and some solder (not paying $19 for the mirror power cord hard wire). If you decide to make one remember the Red wire is power and the Green is ground in the RJ11 connection.
So far excellent performance and the unit has paid for itself. $399.99 is a great price. As of today 8/15/18 I did notice on Uniden's website that they are all sold out but they do have the refurbished units of the R3 and R1 for 329.99 and 239.99 respectively which IMHO is a great price.
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