If you have a few speeding tickets under your belt, it’s time to look for a solution. Speed cameras are easier to spot, and you quickly learn your lesson, but then it’s the police radar guns that catch us unaware. Police can be sat out of our view and before we even know it, another speeding ticket is in our mailbox.
Radar detectors are small units that sit on our dashboards or windscreens and alert you when there is a risk of a radar. Uniden has radar detectors to suit various needs. Today, we are going to take a closer look at the Uniden DFR9 vs R3.
Both are top-quality radar detectors. While they look similar and they do have things in common, they have a few differences that will make your buying decision easier. We will look at their functions, features, and value for money. We will put all of the information in a side by side chart and highlight some additional pros and cons for both the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9.
Let’s start with the similarities between the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9.
Uniden R3 vs DFR9 – SImilarities
Quick Glance
What can they detect?
The Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 have three principal settings, City, Highway, and Advanced. With these settings, you can select exactly the type of detection you want. This includes K Band, Ka-Band, X Band, Laser, KPOP, MRCD, and K Narrow/wide. They both have additional K filter, Ka filter, and Traffic Sensor Filter.
GPS Technology
With GPS installed in the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9, they are both far more efficient at reducing the number of false alerts. They have the ability to remember false alerts so that you can mute them in the future.
Speed Camera and Red Lights
Thanks to the GPS Technology, the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 can detect and alert you when there are red lights and speed cameras. They both come with a free database and free firmware so that the units can be updated.
User Mark Ahead
As you commute daily, you will often find areas that have more red lights or that there are zones favored by the police for using radar guns. ‘User Mark Ahead’ lets you add these zones.
OLED Display
The Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 have large easy to read OLED displays. On these multi-colored displays, you can see the GHz for the detection you are looking for, the time, the altitude, and the speed. You can set speed alarms that will also help you with your speeding!
Voice Alerts
Both the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 have built-in voice alerts so you never have to take your eyes off the road. It will tell you the type of alert and you have the option to mute the alerts or control the volume.
360º Protection
You can’t afford to only have protection for the road ahead. The Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 have 360º protection so that you are covered from any direction.
There are quite a number of similarities but there are still a couple of differences to look at.
Differences Between Uniden R3 and Uniden DFR9
Appearance
Actually, they look exactly the same. The OLED display is on the front with 2 control buttons below and a further 4 buttons on the top.
Uniden R3
It is just a little larger, but you probably wouldn’t notice. It measures 8.3 x 7.6 x 3.2 inches and it weighs 1.4 pounds.
Uniden DFR9
It is 7.4 x 4.6 x 2.4 inches and weighs quite a bit less at 0.8 pounds.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Advanced Filtering and Range
Both have advanced K and Ka filtering which reduces the number of false alerts you would pick up from other cars (collision avoidance systems, lane departure systems, etc.).
Uniden R3
This has one of the best ranges on the market. It is advertised as Extreme Long Range and will detect radars at 12 times the range of a police radar gun.
Uniden DFR9
This is advertised as Super Long Range, still an incredibly good range but not quite as far as the Uniden R3.
The Winner Is- The Uniden R3
Spectre Elite Undetectable
Not all states will permit the use of radar detectors and in some countries, they may even be confiscated. Some radar detectors have built-in systems that make them undetectable.
Uniden R3
With the Spectre Elite Undetectable, the R3 is invisible to VG2, Spectre I, IV, and IV+. It is also Spectre I and IV undetectable.
Uniden DFR9
This radar detector doesn’t come with Spectre Elite Undetectable.
The Winner Is- The Uniden R3
Read next: Uniden R1 vs R3: Which Radar Detector is Better?
Value for Money
Overall, the Uniden radar detectors are of good value considering prices can reach over $600.
Uniden R3
We felt that this was a very well-priced radar detector considering it has one of the best detection ranges on the market. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Uniden DFR9
It is cheaper than the Uniden R3, at you might be able to save yourself around $50. It also comes with a limited 1-year warranty.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next: Uniden R3 vs Escort Max 360: Which Radar Detector is Better?
Pros and Cons
Last but not least, we will include some pros and cons for the Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9.
Uniden R3
Pros:
- The range is amazing, even when you are in hilly areas
- There is an LED light that flashes faster the closer you are to a radar
- It is easy to set up
Cons:
- If you don’t use the settings correctly you will get a lot of false alerts
Uniden DFR9
Pros:
- Still has an excellent range on it
- Reliable and early detection
- The GPS is highly accurate
Cons:
- It doesn’t always remember the false alert you program in
The Final Verdict
The Uniden R3 and the Uniden DFR9 are very similar and either one you choose; you will save a fortune on speeding tickets. The GPS technology is very accurate on both and the detection works very well. The design and setting up/use of the radar detectors are also identical with the exception that the Uniden DFR9 is slightly smaller.
The OLED screens are also the same, the Uniden DFR9 has a tiny advantage that it has auto dim so it will adjust itself to the light. But that being said, you can manually adjust the screen on the Uniden R3.
With all that in mind, we decided that the Uniden R3 outdid the Uniden DFR9 in just two areas. The range of detection with the Uniden R3 was much better and we motived that you had so much more time to reduce your speed. We also felt that the Spectre Elite Undetectable was a feature that was well worth having. Although the Uniden R3 is more expensive, these two features made it worth the extra money.
Last update on 2023-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API