List of radar detectors that work off USB power?

[VailDan]

Hey Guys,

I have been using radar detectors all of my life and they have saved me so many times it is ridiculous. I am leaning towards keeping it above the dash instead of up near the rearview mirror cluster. If I do that, I want one that plugs into the dash usb for power and understand some Uniden/Valentine/Escort can do that, and others have issues. Just thinking it might be easier to connect/disconnect/lock in console when needed and not block as much view as I am tall.

I am leaning toward buying this - https://www.stickerfab.com/en-jp/co...ne-uniden-radar-detector-power-cord-universal

It sounds like this works with some, but not all Uniden/Valentine/Escorts. I want to go through each of those radar detectors and figure out which one is best and can also do a great job filtering out false positives.

Thanks,

Dan

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[MJJ]

Hey Guys,

I have been using radar detectors all of my life and they have saved me so many times it is ridiculous. I am leaning towards keeping it above the dash instead of up near the rearview mirror cluster. If I do that, I want one that plugs into the dash usb for power and understand some Uniden/Valentine/Escort can do that, and others have issues. Just thinking it might be easier to connect/disconnect/lock in console when needed and not block as much view as I am tall.

I am leaning toward buying this - https://www.stickerfab.com/en-jp/co...ne-uniden-radar-detector-power-cord-universal

It sounds like this works with some, but not all Uniden/Valentine/Escorts. I want to go through each of those radar detectors and figure out which one is best and can also do a great job filtering out false positives.

Thanks,

Dan

Uniden r3 on city mode is fantastic in my experience. Usually gives 2 mile+ advance notice on the highway if they are running KA band.

 

[VailDan]

Uniden r3 on city mode is fantastic in my experience. Usually gives 2 mile+ advance notice on the highway if they are running KA band.

Just read the reviews on the R3 and it sounds perfect. Are you powering your R3 from USB using that cable? Also, Can you quickly pull the R3 off the mount and store it in the locked console when doors/top are off, without having to remove the mount? If you know the answer on either of those, I would really appreciate it

Not sure why this guy mentions issues mountain to windshield because of pitch, but I would rather mount to windshield if possble. Let me know if you have any issues with the R3.

https://thebronconation.com/accessories-n.136/radar-detector-solution-t.16095/


Thanks,

Dan

 

[BroncoAZ]

I have three Radenso DS1‘s in our vehicles. They are very similar in build to a Uniden R4, which I have not run personally. The DS1 is powered by USB-C. I wouldn’t worry about trying to use the stock USB plug. I added a USB-C hardwire kit for both the radar detector and dashcam direct to the fuse box, easy with fuse taps. I used the Dongar mirror plug USB adapter on my Lightning and our Tacoma that works fine but adds bulk behind the mirror.

 

[MJJ]

Just read the reviews on the R3 and it sounds perfect. Are you powering your R3 from USB using that cable? Also, Can you quickly pull the R3 off the mount and store it in the locked console when doors/top are off, without having to remove the mount? If you know the answer on either of those, I would really appreciate it

Not sure why this guy mentions issues mountain to windshield because of pitch, but I would rather mount to windshield if possble. Let me know if you have any issues with the R3.

https://thebronconation.com/accessories-n.136/radar-detector-solution-t.16095/


Thanks,

Dan

Dan

I purchased the USB cord to work with the R3 from stickerfab. Had it for a couple of weeks and it works great.

Yes, there is a quick release button that can be pushed to remove the unit but keep the mount stuck to the windshield. You would have to also disconnect the usb cord as well. 5 seconds max.

The pitch of the windshield is not a problem. You can adjust the mount to keep it level on any windshield.. I have ran the same radar detector in my 1)challenger 2) GTR 3) Rubicon, 4) Wagoneer and of course Bronco. It worked fine n every vehicle.

I will take a picture of the set up in the bronco and add it back to this thread…if I remember.

Sean

 

[AK SNO RIDER]

I'd recommend spending the little extra for the newer R4 over the R3. I have the R4 in my Shelby and the R3 in my Bronco. In my experience the R4 picks up threats from a greater distance and with fewer false alerts.

Both are great units though and have saved me countless times.

 

[VailDan]

Dan

I purchased the USB cord to work with the R3 from stickerfab. Had it for a couple of weeks and it works great.

Yes, there is a quick release button that can be pushed to remove the unit but keep the mount stuck to the windshield. You would have to also disconnect the usb cord as well. 5 seconds max.

The pitch of the windshield is not a problem. You can adjust the mount to keep it level on any windshield.. I have ran the same radar detector in my 1)challenger 2) GTR 3) Rubicon, 4) Wagoneer and of course Bronco. It worked fine n every vehicle.

I will take a picture of the set up in the bronco and add it back to this thread…if I remember.

Sean

Do you have issues where the unit always stays on after you power off the Bronco? I am reading that on another thread.

 

[VailDan]

I'd recommend spending the little extra for the newer R4 over the R3. I have the R4 in my Shelby and the R3 in my Bronco. In my experience the R4 picks up threats from a greater distance and with fewer false alerts.

Both are great units though and have saved me countless times.

Reading some issues about the R4 possible having issues running off the USB power, but it sounded like it came with a RJ11-USB type cable that might not be as good as this one.

https://www.stickerfab.com/en-jp/co...ne-uniden-radar-detector-power-cord-universal

It also sounds like the Bronco USB might keep the power running to battery even when the Bronco is off.. I just do not want to forget to turn off the radar detector and come out to Bronco after a few days and find battery dead, etc.

 

[George Ellis]

You did not mention it, so I will bring it up ICYMI. Add Waze to your arsenal. The detector will save your butt on the road less travelled. Waze will get you prepared for it where there is traffic. Yes, there are false positives (more like the cop moved on, but be alert), but not enough to bother you. And when a Police has multiple reports, expect them to be there.

Waze is reports from Waze users. The selection is Other Side, Hidden, and Visible (your side of traffic). This is from my phone, but you get selections for reporting. Things like potholes, road kill, Standstill traffic, etc.

Waze works great through Android Auto and the nav is almost real time. It is free too (they accept advertising and post those in the map). In the suburbs, there are enough Waze users that it really helps with traffic and routing on the fly.

 

[BroncoAZ]

You did not mention it, so I will bring it up ICYMI. Add Waze to your arsenal. The detector will save your butt on the road less travelled. Waze will get you prepared for it where there is traffic. Yes, there are false positives (more like the cop moved on, but be alert), but not enough to bother you. And when a Police has multiple reports, expect them to be there.

Waze is reports from Waze users. The selection is Other Side, Hidden, and Visible (your side of traffic). This is from my phone, but you get selections for reporting. Things like potholes, road kill, Standstill traffic, etc.

Waze works great through Android Auto and the nav is almost real time. It is free too (they accept advertising and post those in the map). In the suburbs, there are enough Waze users that it really helps with traffic and routing on the fly.

Waze works great on the east coast with high population density, when I was in AZ until late 2020 it didn’t work that well. Between poor cell coverage in rural areas and not that many Waze users on the interstates I was traveling it was less than 50/50 most of the time.

 

[VailDan]

I have used Waze before and it is good, but always hate it telling me about every stopped car on the side of the road, etc. I might go with it over a radar detector if the USB ports on the Bronco are always hot and leave the Radar detector powered, even after Bronco is powered off. The key is remembering to turning on Waze each time you get in the car.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I have used Waze before and it is good, but always hate it telling me about every stopped car on the side of the road, etc. I might go with it over a radar detector if the USB ports on the Bronco are always hot and leave the Radar detector powered, even after Bronco is powered off.

What’s wrong with hard wiring the detector with fuse taps? It will take 30 minutes or less and cost ~$25.

 

[VailDan]

What’s wrong with hard wiring the detector with fuse taps? It will take 30 minutes or less and cost ~$25.

Not familiar with that, but searching for it now. Not sure if I want to start drilling through my dash for something this simple, but thanks for the suggestion as I will look into it and see if it works

 

[BroncoAZ]

Not familiar with that, but searching for it now. Not sure if I want to start drilling through my dash for something this simple, but thanks for the suggestion as I will look into it and see if it works

I used Radenso’s hardwire kit and a fuse tap. I put the detector up above the mirror and didn’t drill any holes anywhere. I secured the mute button to the steering column for easy access.

 

[George Ellis]

The key is remembering to turning on Waze each time you get in the car.

Hmm. I have AA set to auto-start. So Waze comes up when I start the car. It remembers last known state.
And there is a weather radar app that works well too, Weather&Radar. It is on my AA menu and I can display it in the Bronco.

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