Uniden R3 VS Escort IX
Uniden. Escort. Two big names in the radar detector market.
Both brands have been able to corner a piece of the market with their own share of loyalists. However, there are drivers that owe no allegiance and just want the best.
How do you compare Uniden’s flagship against Escort’s to figure out the best? You have a Uniden R3 vs Escort IX battle to see which radar detector comes out on top.
Let’s start with their advantages.
- Comes with an easily discernible mute button on the front
- Buttons feel better
- You get a numerous colour OLED display rather than just red
- Shows pertinent information on display enabling you to see numerous threats
- Comes with a precise frequency display
- Attention-grabbing Alert tones
- Automatic GPS lockout
- Bluetooth capability
- Escort Live
- Automatic sensitivity adjustments
- Multicolor OLED Display
- Ka band segmentation
- Low-speed muting filter
Features of Both Radar Detectors
Here are some features of the Uniden R3 and Escort IX radar detectors and how they compare.
Range and Sensitivity
When it comes to the radar detectors that offer the very best long-range performance, the Uniden R3 is always in the conversation and it is capable of taking other radar detectors in higher price ranges.
The Escort IX is unable to keep up and that should not be an indictment on how bad it is, it should be one on how good the R3’s range is.
Where most radar detectors have great range but terrible sensitivity, the R3 is able to balance out its long-range performance with impressive sensitivity. It does not matter where in the vehicle it is mounted, it just is not able to miss signals regardless of if they are instant ones.
The Uniden R3 is also consistently detecting signals ensuring that the driver will be alerted regardless of the band.
The Escort IX offers decent sensitivity as well as being capable of detecting signals from a distance.
False Alert Filtering
To help with its false alert filtering, the Escort IX has a host of several tools. One of them is the automatic GPS lockout mode.
It can be argued that this is the IX’s best feature and it is a unique feature not found on non-Escort radar detectors. Driving with the device means it is able to automatically and quickly learn where the stationary false positives are.
The IX is able to store a signal that it has registered numerous times, ensuring that it is filtered out the next time you pass by it. This does not mean it does not search for signals in that location, as it would notify you when there is an unrecognized signal from that location.
The Uniden R3 comes with built-in GPS and it uses that to filter out false alerts. However, it would be up to the driver to teach the device what exactly a false alert is.
All Escort radar detectors are able to learn and filter out automatically with no input from you, and the IX greatly benefits from this.
Given that nearly every radar detector has some sort of BSM filtering in today’s world, it is no surprise that both devices have that. Nevertheless, there is no radar detector that is fully able to filter BSMs and CAS [1].
That being said, the Uniden R3 is capable of filtering numerous false alerts regardless of its sensitivity mode.
Design
The Uniden is easily recognizable as a professional radar detector. It makes use of a sleek casing, all black without the need for frills.
However, don’t think this simple look takes away from its design. What you get with the Uniden R3 is a simple radar detector that is compact enough without sacrificing the need for a sufficiently large but comfortable display.
It is not too heavy unlike other radar detectors, but it also does not feel as flimsy like a toy would. This ensures that it can be mounted quite easily.
When it comes to looks, the Escort IX is a tad bit bulkier and heavier. It does appear cumbersome due to its straight lines and edges.
The case is made from plastic and might appear tacky to some, but that should not detract from the features it has, with its Bluetooth capability enabling it to be connected to Escort Live.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Escort IX can be termed as a decent mid-range radar detector. It does fall short in the long range category as the Uniden R3 is one of the reigning detectors.
That being said, it is unfair to categorize it as a terrible performer, as there are other devices that fall short of its performance. It is able to offer great performance, particularly when the driver leverages a few of its more advanced features.
A bit of its great performance is whittled down once too many filters are turned on. The Escort IX enables the user to turn on Ka band segmentation to improve reactivity, range and performance.
When it comes to performance, the Uniden R3 obliterates not just the Escort IX, but its competition as it is able to offer outstanding long range performance. It is also able to couple this with a false filtering system that is able to eradicate the majority of false positives while ensuring the radar detector remains sensitive to any new threats.
Conclusion: Uniden R3 or Escort IX
While they are both great radar detectors in their own right, when pitted against each other, the Uniden R3 is the clear winner.
If you are the sort of driver that is interested in nothing but the very best radar detector then look no further than the Uniden R3. Its long range performance beats most devices, meaning that you are able to detect a threat and safely make adjustments in time.
If you are the type of drive that prefers to setup the radar detector and have very minimal interaction with it over the course of a drive, then look no further than the Escort Ix. However, you have to understand that you are not getting the very best in performance when it comes to its class.
Read some more comparisons of these products:
Uniden R3 Against Radenso Pro M
Uniden R3 Against Valentine One
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.
