UNIDEN R8 REVIEW

Updated: 07-13-2025

Overview

The Uniden R8 is Uniden's dual antenna directional radar detector the provides equal performance to the more expensive Uniden R8w detector which includes the addition of built-in WIFI connectivity.

In our Uniden R8 review, we found the radar detector's performance is slightly improved over the Uniden R7 making the Uniden R8 the most sensitive and longest range detector we've ever tested at its time of introduction.

Having more than 16 times the capture distance of a police radar gun, the Uniden R8 provides performance often exceeding all other manufacturers' top performing radar detectors at considerably less money, making it a very good value.

The Uniden R8 has the largest color display of any radar detector allowing it to display a wealth of information at the same time, including up to five radar encounters simultaneously, time of day, speed of travel, and direction of travel.

Features

• Most sensitive radar detector currently available
• Dual LNAs (low noise amplifiers) add significant sensitivity over the R7
• Dual antenna horns and directional arrows
• The Uniden R8 provides more advanced digital signal processing (DSP) power
• GPS with red light and speed camera alerts
• Free GPS database updates downloadable from Uniden
• BSM filter to filter out falses of K-band CAS systems
• Quiet Ride - User set speed auto mute
• Updatable via USB connection to PC
• Uniden offers a large, bright, and very readable full color OLED display
• Multi-function display includes voltage, compass, altimeter, time of day
• K false filter
• K Narrow/Wide
• KA false filter
• Ka Narrow/Wide
• Detects MultaRadar (MRCD/MRCT) sources well
• One of the best detectors of the lethal RedFlex photo radar
• Cigarette adapter with MUTE KEY and USB JACK
• Carrying pouch
• Carrying case

The Uniden R8 has slightly better sensitivity than its single-antenna version, the Uniden R4.

Included Accessories

Your Uniden R8 comes shipped to your door with everything you need including two windshield mounts--unique to Uniden-- a 12-volt accessory power cable with micro USB data cable (for firmware updates), neoprene pouch, carrying case, and a Uniden R8 instruction manual.

Uniden R8 optional accessories include a hardwire kit for those interested in eliminating the use of the Uniden R8's cigarette power adapter.

Uniden R8 Downloadable Files

• Uniden R8 Product Manual
• Uniden R8 Firmware Updates

Why Purchase Through RadarBusters?

Expertise: RadarBusters is one of the longest operating and most experienced countermeasure-dedicated companies in the industry. We are not a big box electronics store that offers everything under the sun. You will find no other company that offers the same level of pre- and post-sales expertise, than us.

Authorized from Uniden: RadarBusters is an authorized affiliate for the Uniden R8, so you can be assured that your detector is covered under Uniden's full warranty. A Uniden order placed after 2/3/25 will be performed as an affiliate link where RadarBusters receives a small commission for the sale to support our operation, rather than a markup from wholesale as was previously done. We greatly appreciate your support via this revised purchasing method.

Real Reviews: Unlike the other review websites out there, RadarBusters was founded by Radar Roy, a retired cop and certified traffic radar instructor with over 40 years of experience. Luxury Automotive was so impressed with our high standards and qualifications that they dubbed us the “General Schwarzkopf of radar detectors”.

We Have Answers: Have a question or concern? Please call or email us and we will be happy to assist you. If you think you are having an issue with your product in most cases we should be able to help you resolve it over the phone.

Q: What are the different radar detector bands?

A:

• X-Band 10.525 GHz +/- 25 MHz
  • An older band, mostly used by automatic doors in supermarkets and rarely used by law enforcement anymore. You can eliminate this band by turning off X band in the menu.
• K-Band 24.150 GHz +/- 100 MHz
  • A potential radar strike that could also be a non-radar law enforcement. Know the area as many police still utilize this band.
• Ka-Band 34.700 GHz +/- 1300 MHz
  • Alert! It’s the police. One of the most common used bands by law enforcement today.
• Laser 904nm, 33 MHz bandwidth
• Alert! It’s the police. Higher law enforcement such as state troopers often use laser.

Q: Are Uniden R8 radar detectors allowed in my state?

A: Radar detectors are currently banned in some states in the U.S. Enclosed is a list and link to American Auto Association AAA, which keeps an ongoing list of permitted states.

ALABAMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

ALASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

ARIZONA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

ARKANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

CALIFORNIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

COLORADO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

CONNECTICUT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

DELAWARE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Radar detectors are not permitted.

FLORIDA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

GEORGIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

HAWAII — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

IDAHO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

ILLINOIS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

INDIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

IOWA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

KANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

KENTUCKY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

LOUISIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MAINE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MARYLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MASSACHUSETTS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MICHIGAN — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MINNESOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MISSISSIPPI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MISSOURI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

MONTANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEBRASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEVADA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEW HAMPSHIRE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEW JERSEY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEW MEXICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NEW YORK — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NORTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

NORTH DAKOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

OHIO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

OKLAHOMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

OREGON — Radar detectors are permitted but are prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

PENNSYLVANIA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles, but prohibited for commercial vehicles.

RHODE ISLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

SOUTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

SOUTH DAKOTA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

TENNESSEE — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

TEXAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

UTAH — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

VERMONT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

VIRGINIA — Detectors are not permitted.

WASHINGTON — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

WEST VIRGINIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

WISCONSIN — detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

WYOMING — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.

PUERTO RICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.


Q: What is the difference between HIGHWAY and CITY mode?

A: Radar detectors operate with various sensitivity levels. These levels determine the types of signals and signal ranges (bands) detected. Highway mode is the most sensitive level while City mode is the least sensitive. If the X band is left on in City mode, a radar detector can pick up many X band signals (such as garage door openers) that generate false alerts.

Q: My Uniden R8 detector is alerting K band when no law enforcement is around.

A: One thing radar detectors are competing against for newer cars are the safety sensors. Cars that emit collision avoidance, lane monitoring, stop monitoring and similar features can set off the K band on the radar detector. To solve this issue, you can set the K band filter to ON, but this will lessen the capability to notify you to true K band alerts.

Specifications:

Receiver Type		Antenna Type
Radar	Double Conversion Super-Hetrodyne Self Contained Antenna	Radar	Linear Polarized E-vector Vertical
Laser	Pulsed Laser Signal Receiver	Laser Front Back	Convex Condenser Lens Concave Condenser Lens
Radar Detected
X-band	10.525 GHz	Dimensions	110.00 mm (D) x 69.00 mm (W) x 29.50 mm (H)
K-band	24.150 GHz	Weight	4.9 oz (140 g)
Ka	33.400 - 35.700 GHz	Operating Temp.	32° to +158° F (Radar/Laser) -10° to +70° C (Radar/Laser)
MRCT/MRCD	FMCW K-band	Storage Temp.	-22° to +203° F (Radar/Laser) -30° to +95° C (Radar/Laser)
Police Laser	800nm-1,100nm (905nm nominal)