This week Uniden released firmware updates for both their R1 & R3 radar detectors. Let’s walk through the update process so you can learn how to install the drivers, update the redlight camera database, and update the firmware for the Uniden R1 and Uniden R3 radar detectors.
Here’s a pair of videos, the first for Windows and the second for Mac, showing you how to update your detector, followed the step-by-step tutorial with important links.
What You’ll Need:
- Uniden R1 or R3 radar detector (purchase the R1 or R3)
- A MiniUSB cable (buy one here)
- A Windows computer (a Mac running Windows works too)
- Uniden update software (download here)
How to Check Which Firmware Version You’re Running
If you’d like to check which firmware version is loaded onto your detector at any point, say before or after updating, then while your detector is powered on normally, press the “Menu” button on top and the scroll left a few times with the “Vol -” button and you’ll see the firmware version listed like this.
Download & Install the Software
To download the latest firmware update software from Uniden, visit this website, scroll down, and click on the gray “Firmware” button.
For both the R1 and R3 you’ll find a pair of links. The first one is for the drivers you may need so your computer can talk to the detector and the second one is the firmware update itself. Download the latest firmware file and if it’s the first time you’re doing the update, download the drivers as well just in case.
Anyway, when you download and unzip the file from Uniden’s website, you’ll find a few files including the update software and firmware update file for your detector.
Install the firmware update software.
Plug In Your Radar Detector
You’ll need a MiniUSB cable to plug your detector into your computer. The detectors don’t come with one, but I wish they did. Most people have a spare one laying around the house, but in case you don’t, you can buy one here.
The detector doesn’t need the power cable plugged in too. Just USB to your computer. The detector’s display does not turn on during the update and that is normal.
Note: Some people are reporting that their computer is not able to see their detectors at all. If this is the case, try a different USB cable. Some work better than others. You need one that provides data information, not just power.
Install the Drivers
When you plug your detector into your computer, it may go through an installation process and automatically download the drivers for your detector. If it’s unable to find the drivers, you can manually install the drivers after downloading them from Uniden’s website.
Run the Firmware Update Software
Launch the update software once it’s installed.
Click the “auto connect” button at the top and make sure the program says “Connected!” at the top.
Note: Your radar detector’s display will not turn on when plugged in to your computer to be updated via USB. This is normal.
The program should automatically pull up your radar detector model and firmware version. If it doesn’t, click the “Read Version” button.
The program may automatically load in the firmware update file in the “Download File” section just underneath. If not, click the “Open” button and find the R3_vxxx.xxx.xxx.bin file.
Click “Start Download” to load your new firmware onto your detector. It may take several minutes. The firmware update file includes the latest firmware, voice pack, as well as GPS database if you’re running the R3.
Once it completes and updates successfully, close the update software. It it fails, simply try again.
If you ever run into a situation where the detector gets accidentally unplugged mid-update and won’t power on normally, click the “Recovery Mode” checkbox and have it reload the firmware onto your detector.
Performing a Factory Reset
Uniden recommends that after you update your firmware, you perform a factory reset to ensure that the new firmware is loaded properly. You won’t clear your lockouts or manually marked locations by doing this, but you will need to go back through your settings afterwards and set everything back to where you want it.
To do this, press the “Menu” button, scroll left with the “Vol -” button until you see “Factory Reset?” and then hit the “Menu” button again to reset the detector back to factory default settings.
Then go back through your detector and choose the settings you want to run again.
If you need help programming your detector, see my R1 and R3 setup guide.
That’s it! You’re all set. Enjoy! 🙂
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