V1 vs Uniden 2100W – an unscientific comparison.

[pkquat]

On a return trip from CO to MN I was able to compare the two against an X band speed sign, the K band signal around the Archway in NE, and Ka drones in a construction zone in NE. I would estimate the Uniden was about 75-80% as sensitive as the V1 in range.

Yes both were on at the same time, but I tried to separate them as much as possible, and there was no “apparent” interference. The V1 sensitivity did not appear to be reduced. The V1 was windshield mounted below the RVM and the Uniden was hand held. The only interference I found was holding the Uniden directly behind the V1 rear antenna. The Uniden falsed Ka after a short period of time.

For X and K band the Uniden was compared to the V1 rear antenna. Unfortunately the source direction for those was either from behind or I guess blocked by the Archway. The Uniden was held facing the rearward in both cases out of the direct line of the V1. The comparison was from a full strength signal to when the detector reported no signal. For Ka the signal was from the front and compared to the V1 front antenna. Uniden was held near windshield on the left side of the car facing forward. Comparison was from the first report to full strength.

The V1 has 8 LED’s plus continuous tone (8+). The Uniden has 4 LED’s plus continuous tone (4+).

For X band the Uniden 1 LED was equal to about a 2/2-3 LED’s on the V1. For K band the Uniden 1 LED was equal to about 2-3 LED’s on the V1. For both bands the Uniden 2 LED’s were equal to roughly 4LED’s on the V1, the Uniden 3 LED’s were equal to a solid 6 LED’s on V1, and the ramp up was about the same to a continuous tone. When leaving the signal source the V1 did show 1-2 LED’s for a short while, when the Uniden was silent. I estimated the distance the Uniden was silent while V1 still reported to be about 20-25% of the total distance traveled, which in both cases was around 1 mile. (Though I don’t remember the actual distance, it was late at night, and I didn’t write it down).

The Ka comparison rather sucked. There was some traffic and workers so my eyes were on road and RD’s in the peripheral vision. I didn’t get the distances. I also dealt with the Uniden Ka falsing while approaching the first drone, and wasn’t entirely set with it off to the left when I approached the 2nd drone. But for both the 2nd and 3rd drones the results were similar. The V1 picked up a solid signal much sooner and ramped from 1-8+ just fine. The Uniden was intermittent until about 3 LED’s then it was continuous to 4+. However at 3 LED’s it matched the V1 at around 6 LED’s, and followed the V1’s ramp. Also while the V1 was giving warning at around 2 LED’s to 6 LED’s I got brief intermittent reports at 2 or 3 LED’s from the Uniden. The signal strength was random in each case. The first reports from the Uniden I estimated at roughly at 75-80% of the total time.

The Ka comparison is unreliable. I have passed those same drones with my Uniden before on they had a steady ramp. But I have also had it report intermittently to Ka signals similar to this. I have picked up multiple intermittent 2 or 3 LED’s before finally seeing the LEO and getting an IO hit. I had just attributed it to IO, and good sensitivity to 34.7 Ka. I am not sure now. Usually a good 3 LED’s on the Uniden is a warning sign especially if it ramps up. 3 LED’s has been enough warning time from my experience.

I really want to do a real test on the Uniden.

[radar_hunter123]

omg, let me tell you this test. I ran an old cobra, from 1993. and the cobra was facing away from the road, well here's where the interferrence really played. The cobra out performed the v1 by alerting a second before the v1. Running the two killed the valentine 1's ability.

Nice report though on the uniden vs v1, a lot of people never really do any reports on the cheaper older units which is always fun to mess around with and see their ability.

[Rottman]

Are you guys related to Craig Peterson?

[pkquat]

Are you guys related to Craig Peterson?

lol, I'm not related. I just had an old Uniden, that although it was chatty, I really liked and I feel does have pretty good performance. I honestly do want to test it, or at least get a good comparison without having both of them on at the time. I have yet to find a good place to test them.

PS the Uniden is much more chatty now partly because it was built before there was all this interference, especially on Ka.

[Paperlantern]

I agree, all the unidens Ive owned I thought performed quite well. I jsut bought one to replace the LRD 937 in the wife's car for $21 (it was missing the suction cups and the power cord, but I have both). It was so cheap I thought, hmmm, somehting to play with. Its a LRD 6599SWS, and I cant wait to check it out, Ive not used one of these before, but a friend of mine has one and he likes it, this model was about the same price as my current Bel was today when it was new back in the day (bout $180).

I also have a my eye on a similarly priced Uniden, its a LRD 6299SWS (one I used to use YEARS ago, and loved it), and I have a bid in on a LRD 987, it looks kinda cool, and has a similar readout to my current Bel, so it might be fun to play with that one too if i get it for cheap. I'll post a thread when I get any comparisons up, I wont be able to compare it to anything substatial, mostly my false areas to start with. I have a spot on I-71 where theres a strong X band (4 out of 6 bars on the Bel) and a Ka that comes from one of those over the road information signs that gets up to 5 to 6 bars. And i'll try and keep it in the car at every chance i get so if a opportunity comes along i can run by a source with each and let ya know. Should be intresting.

[NightmarishWar]

i used to own a uniden RD, actually, its in my garage...i think its a 747 or something. there is no way it even comapres to my V1 on any level. running 2 RDs is a no-no. just from my personal experience on K band.......the HP have 2 unmarked impalas that run radar here......both low-powered K band........my old uniden gave me about 200ft of range........the V1 gives me about 4X that ..........no X is used here by LEOs.
and on Ka........the V1 absolutely smokes it. 1 1/2 mi+ compared to less than 2/10ths mi.

[Paperlantern]

The 747 was one of the worst models Uniden came out with, the 6x99 series smokes that detector on range.

[Switchback]

I have an old Uniden that was given to me afer its user gt a ticket with it from I/O, it would take over 2 full seconds to report a radar signal when triggered.

[Paperlantern]

I have an old Uniden that was given to me afer its user gt a ticket with it from I/O, it would take over 2 full seconds to report a radar signal when triggered.

Any idea what model?

[pkquat]

I just saw MEM-TEK's pics of the V1 rear horn. I wonder if the horn is less sensitive in general or only in off axis detection. In playing around more, there is definitely interference between the two if they within a couple of inches of each other. Depending on the locations either one will set the other off. With the V1 mounted below the RVM and the Uniden in the upper LH corner of the WS they were quiet, but that doesn't mean there isn't interference.

I wish there had been exit ramps were near by to compare them individually. I could have easily wasted 40 min each time if I wanted to test in circles. Not a fun thing to do on a road trip.

Just in subjective comparisons with them individually on, I still would say the Uniden is around that 75% range.