Uniden R8 User manual

LONG RANGE Radar/Laser Detector
User’s Manual
R8
© 2022 Uniden America Corporation
Irving, Texas
Issue 1, February 2022
Printed in Korea

CUSTOMER CARE
At Uniden®, we care about you!
If you need assistance, please do NOT return this product to your place of purchase
Save your receipt/proof of purchase for warranty.
Quickly find answers to your questions by:
• Reading this User’s Manual.
• Visiting our customer support website at www.uniden.com.
Images in this manual may differ slightly from your actual product.
DISCLAIMER: Radar detectors are illegal in some states. Some states prohibit
mounting any object on your windshield. Check applicable law in your state and
any state in which you use the product to verify that using and mounting a radar
detector is legal. Uniden radar detectors are not manufactured and/or sold with the
intent to be used for illegal purposes. Drive safely and exercise caution while using
this product. Do not change settings of the product while driving. Uniden expects
consumer’s use of these products to be in compliance with all local, state, and
federal law. Uniden expressly disclaims any liability arising out of or related to your
use of this product.

CONTENTS
R8 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................5
FEATURES ........................................................................................................................ 5
WHAT’S IN THE BOX ...................................................................................6
PARTS OF THE R8........................................................................................7
NON-KEY ELEMENTS .................................................................................................. 9
POWER CORD................................................................................................................. 9
OLED DISPLAY .............................................................................................................11
INSTALL AND TURN ON R8..................................................................... 12
INSTALL/POWER ON..................................................................................................13
Windshield ............................................................................................................13
Dashboard.............................................................................................................13
GPS CONNECT .............................................................................................................13
MENU SYSTEM......................................................................................... 14
BASIC OPERATIONS ................................................................................ 26
FEATURE DETAILS ................................................................................... 28
ALARM PRIORITIES.....................................................................................................28
ALERT DISPLAY OPTIONS........................................................................................28
ALLOCATING MEMORY ............................................................................................29
ALL THREAT DISPLAY ................................................................................................30
AUTO DIM......................................................................................................................31
Set DIM to Auto from the R8/Power Cord..................................................31
Congure Auto from MENU............................................................................31
AUTO MUTE/AUTO MUTE VOLUME.....................................................................32
LOW BATTERY ..............................................................................................................32
MODES (HIGHWAY, CITY, AUTO, AND ADVANCED).......................................33
MUTE MEMORY...........................................................................................................34
OLED DISPLAY OPTIONS .........................................................................................34
MODE DISPLAY ....................................................................................................34
SCAN DISPLAY......................................................................................................34
TIME DISPLAY .......................................................................................................35
POP MODE ....................................................................................................................35
QUIET RIDE....................................................................................................................35
REAR BALANCE............................................................................................................35

RED LIGHT CAMERA QUIET RIDE .........................................................................35
RED LIGHT CAMERA POINT DELETE ...................................................................36
THREATS.........................................................................................................................36
USER MARKS (LASER AND RADAR SITES).........................................................37
USER SPEED LIMIT......................................................................................................37
MAINTENANCE........................................................................................ 37
MAINTAINING THE EQUIPMENT ...........................................................................37
UPDATING THE FIRMWARE/DATABASE .............................................................38
TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................... 38
SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................... 38
FCC/IC COMPLIANCE .............................................................................. 39
FCC COMPLIANCE ......................................................................................................39
FCC INTERFERENCE STATEMENT..........................................................................40
FCC CAUTION...............................................................................................................40
FCC RADIATION EXPOSURE STATEMENT..........................................................40
IC COMPLIANCE..........................................................................................................40
ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ........................................................... 41

- 5 -
UNIDEN
LONG RANGE RADAR/LASER DETECTOR
USER’S MANUAL
R8
R8 OVERVIEW
Uniden’s R8 is a top of the line Radar Detector with a built-in GPS feature. With
the R8, you can mark geographical points where you commonly encounter radar
transmissions. These can be school zones, red-light cameras, and places where police
frequently monitor traffic. You can mark these points so the detector will announce
“User mark ahead” when you approach them. Among other announcements, the
Voice Notification feature lets you know when you are approaching a radar and what
type of radar it is (red light, speed, etc).
FEATURES
• Super Long Range Laser Radar Detection
• MRCD/MRCT [Alert priority: GPS alarms, Laser, MRCD, Gatso, Radar (Ka, K, X) with
customizable tones]
• Dual Antennas display Laser direction
• Voice Notifications
• Radar band frequency displays
• GPS for Red Light and Speed camera locations
• Up to 1,750 GPS lockouts
• Easy to read OLED display
• User Mark set and alarm with voice notification (up to 1,750 User Mark points)
• Advanced K and Ka band filters
• Spectre I and IV undetectable
• Displays Signal Strength and Vehicle Battery Voltage
• Max. Speed Warning System
• Red light camera point delete
• 12 X, K, MRCD, Gatso, Ka, and Laser band selectable alert tones
• Bogey tone (Alert tones 1 - 5)
• X, K, and Ka band user-defined sensitivity levels
• Auto mute volume levels (Off, On: 0 - 7)
• Ka Frequency Voice Alert
• Auto Dim
• Overspeed Alert Mute

- 6 -
• POI database save and update (Max. 20,000 points)
• POI alarms (Speed and Red-light cameras, and User Marks)
• 2 POI types: Speed Camera and Red-Light camera
• POI alarm on/off
• Laser gun ID
• Vehicle battery saver and Low Battery warning
• Red-light camera quiet ride
• Speed unit display (mph and km/h)
• Compass display (8 directions)
• GMT setting (–12 ~ +12 hr)
• Dylight Saving Time setting (On, Off)
• Memory Quota
• K Block Filter to block K band monitor systems
• Auto Mute Memory
• 2 Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA)
• Gatso RT3/RT4 detection
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
R8 Radar
Detector
12V DC Power
Cord with RJ11
Connector
Windshield
Mounting Bracket
(1 Suction Cup)
Windshield
Mounting
Bracket
(2 Suction Cups)
Neoprene
Sleeve
Carrying Case

- 7 -
Not Shown:
USB Cable
Hook and Loop Tape
Owner’s Manuals (English, French, and Spanish)
PARTS OF THE R8
Audio
Jack
Eagle Eye
MENU
Latch
Release
MUTE/DIM
VOL +
VOL –
Micro
USB
POWER
MARK
Accessory
Jack
Power
Connection
KEY PRESS TO... PRESS AND HOLD TO ...
POWER Turn R8 on and off. NA
+ Turn volume up (9 levels: 0 - 8; Default = 4).
In Menus, go to next item.
Quickly turn volume up or
down.
– Turn volume down (9 levels: 8 - 0; Default
= 4).
In Menus, go to previous item.
MENU Access the Menu system.
In Menus, press to cycle through options
for the current menu item.
When in Menu mode, exit
the Menu system.
When NOT in Menu mode,
changes modes between
Highway, City, Auto, and
Advanced.

- 8 -
KEY PRESS TO... PRESS AND HOLD TO ...
MUTE/
DIM
MUTE
MUTE on - Press MUTE/DIM to mute
an alarm. Returns to normal operation
10 seconds after the alert ends or if a
different band is detected during Mute
mode. Mute On displays for a few
seconds.
MUTE off - Press MUTE/DIM to restore
audible alarms before the 10 second
automatic mute time-out. Mute also turns
off when MENU is slected.
MUTE MEMORY
Save a Mute Location (Mute Memory) -
press MUTE/DIM again while Mute On
displays to save that GPS location and
frequency to memory. Mute Memory
displays on the screen.
R8 stores 2000 points divided between
Mute Memory and User Mark
locations.
DIM - Changes the
display and key backlight
brightness:
Auto (Default). Set
brightness levels for the
OLED display (see page
24).
Bright
Dim
Dimmer
Dark (Dark is off unless
there is alert.)
Off (Off regardless of
whether or not there is
an alert.)
Delete Mute Memory - Press MUTE/
DIM while Mute Memory displays; the R8
displays a delete confirmation message.
Press MUTE/DIM again to confirm.
MUTE RED LIGHT CAMERA VOICE ALERT
Mute the voice alert for a red light camera
alarm. Press MUTE/DIM while the voice
alarm for a red light camera sounds. The
voice alarm mutes.
MUTE ALERTS FOR POI OVERSPEED ALERT
AND USER LIMIT SPEED
When R8 alerts you to an overspeed or
speed limit situation (an alarm sounds and
the alert displays), you can press MUTE/
DIM to silence that alarm.
If Overspeed Alert and Radar Alert
alarms are detected at the same
time, R8 alternates between these
two alarms.
DURING RED LIGHT
CAMERA ALERT
Press and hold MUTE/
DIM to delete the red light
camera point.
RED LIGHT CAMERA POINT
DELETE
When R8 alerts you to a
red light camera (the alert
displays), you can press
and hold MUTE/DIM to
delete that camera point.
After confirming this
deletion, R8 will not give
an alert for that camera.

- 9 -
KEY PRESS TO... PRESS AND HOLD TO ...
MARK User Mark. A User Mark is a manually
tagged geographic location where an
alarm is usually found. The R8 alerts when
close to these User Marks.
Add - Press MARK when you are at the
alarm location.
Delete - Press MARK when you are at an
alarm location that has been marked.
An error message displays/sounds if
memory is full or there is a GPS error.
Delete all User Marks.
NON-KEY ELEMENTS
ELEMENT WHAT IS DOES
Eagle Eye Provides a 360° monitoring radius.
Latch Slot Insert the bracket latch into this slot.
Micro USB Provides PC connection for data updates.
Audio Jack Plug in headset.
Eject Press to release the bracket latch.
Power Jack Plug the 12V Power Cord here.
Signal Strength Displays received signal strength (8 levels).
POWER CORD
USB port
MUTE
button
LED
RJ11 port

- 10 -
ELEMENT WHAT IT DOES...
MUTE
button
(Although
not labeled,
press
and hold
MUTE to
access DIM
functions)
• Press the MUTE button to mute an alarm. Returns to normal
operation 10 seconds after the alert ends or if a different band
is detected during Mute mode. Mute On displays on the R8 for a
few seconds.
• Save a Mute location (Mute Memory) - press the MUTE button
again while Mute On displays on the R8 to save that GPS location
and frequency to memory. Mute Memory displays on the screen.
R8 stores 2000 points divided between Mute Memory and User
Mark locations.
• Delete Mute Memory - Press the MUTE button while Mute
Memory displays on the R8; the R8 displays a delete confirmation
message. Press the MUTE button again to confirm.
• Red Light Camera Point Alert Mute/Delete - When R8 alerts you
to a red light camera (the alert displays), you can press MUTE
to mute or delete (press and hold) that camera point. After
confirming this deletion, R8 will not give an alert for that camera.
• Mute Overspeed Alarms - When R8 alerts you to an overspeed or
speed limit situation (an alarm sounds and the alert displays), you can
press MUTE to silence that alarm
• Press and hold the MUTE button to change the OLED display
brightness.
DIM function. Press and hold for DIM options to display on the
OLED. Press the button again to scroll through and select one of the
following options:
• Auto (Default; see page 24 to set OLED brightness levels.)
• Bright
• Dim
• Dimmer
• Dark (Dark is off unless there is alert.)
• Off (Off regardless of whether or not there is an alert.)
Dim level cannot be changed during a Red Light Camera alert.
LED (Red) • Off: Power is off.
• Steady on: Power is on.
• Flashing: Receiving an alert. The faster it flashes, the stronger the
signal.
USB Port Use this USB port to charge mobile devices.

- 11 -
OLED DISPLAY
The OLED display on the front of the unit changes depending on what events are
happening.
If GPS = ON, the OLED’s left display area shows the display selected in the Left
Menu Display option (see page 22).
If GPS = Off, the OLED’s left display area shows Volt regardless of user settings.
The following table provides examples of the most common displays.
OLED EXAMPLES MEANING
Scanning for Frequencies
Advanced
38
mph
Information displayed:
• Current Speed (in mph or km/h)
• System mode (Advanced)
• Scanning blocks
Frequency Found
K
24.158GHz
11.9
v
Information displayed:
• Band type Type (X, K, KA)
• Frequency number
• Band direction
• Voltage
• Signal strength indicator bars
Speed Camera Alert
650 ft
55
mph
S p e e d
Information displayed:
• Current speed (in mph or km/h)
• Distance to speed camera
• Speed camera icon
Red Light Camera Alert
730 ft
37
mph
Information displayed:
• Current speed (in mph or km/h)
• Distance to red light camera
• Red light camera icon
User Mark Detected
730 ft
25
mph
Information displayed:
• Current speed (in mph or km/h)
• Distance to user mark
• User mark icon

- 12 -
OLED EXAMPLES MEANING
Time Display
Highway
14.0
v
AM 12 : 55

Information displayed:
• Voltage
• Time and AM/PM
• Highway/City/Auto/Advanced
• Heart to indicate end of scanning
Quiet Ride
Display Style #1
K
24.158GHz
Q-Ride
4
mph
Display Style #2
24.158GHz
Q-Ride
K
4
mph
Display Style #3
K24.158
GHz
11.9
v
Q-Ride
Information displayed:
• Current speed (in mph or km/h)
• Signal strength indicators
• Signal direction arrows
• Status Area (Q-Ride displays)
• Band
Dark Mode Set mode to Dark if the unit’s OLED is not
expected to change a lot to prevent image burn-
in (Auto Dim setting).
In Dark mode, the OLED is dark with a small dot
in the lower corner that moves from bottom left
to center to bottom right. The movement of the
dot confirms that the unit is still powered up.
INSTALL AND TURN ON R8
You can mount the R8 on the windshield (1- and 2-cup suction brackets included) or
on the dashboard (hook and loop tape included).

- 13 -
INSTALL/POWER ON
Windshield
When you mount the R8 on the windshield, mount it in the middle of the windshield
between the driver and passenger. Be sure there are no obstructions and that there
is a clear view through the windshield.
1. Attach the rubber suction cups to the bracket and push the cups firmly onto the
windshield.
2. Slide the unit onto the bracket until it clicks into place.
3. Plug the power cord RJ11 connector into the R8 and plug the cigarette lighter
adapter into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.
4. When the vehicle turns on, the R8 automatically turns on and runs through a
self test cycle.
Release the R8 from the bracket by pressing the Eject key on top of the detector.
Dashboard
The same types of mounting requirements for the windshield apply for mounting the
unit on the dashboard.
1. Attach the unit to the dashboard using the hook and loop fastener tape.
Be careful not to cover any air vent holes with the hook and fastener tape.
2. Plug the power cord RJ11 connector into the R8 and plug the cigarette lighter
adapter into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.
3. When the vehicle turns on, the R8 automatically turns on and runs through a
self test cycle.
Pull the unit from the dashboard, separating the hook and loop tape.
GPS CONNECT
When the R8 powers on, it starts receiving GPS data. When it receives GPS data, it
announces “GPS Connected” and displays the following:
GPS Connected
i

- 14 -
MENU SYSTEM
Menus let you set up the system to your own requirements. You can turn different
bands on and off and set specific items such as speed or auto mute.
Press MENU to access the Menu system. The screen displays the selection’s current
status. For example, if you press MENU and the screen displays Voice: ON, you have
the option of turning Voice to OFF.
Use the following keys to navigate the menus:
• MENU : Change a menu item setting (press and hold to exit the Menu system).
• + : Go to the next Menu item.
• – : Go to the previous Menu item.
Several menu items only display if GPS is set to ON. These entries are noted in the
following table.
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
Mode display Shows selected mode. Basic
Expert
Band Sensitivity
Selection
Changes band sensitivity as
follows:
Highway - Full Sensitivity
City - X and K sensitivity reduced.
Ka band sensitivity same as
Highway.
Auto - the R8 will automatically
switch between Highway and City
depending on the speed limits set
in the Auto City Speed menu. See
Auto City Speed below and on
page 33.
Advanced - User adjusts X, K, and
Ka band in decreasing sensitivity
from 100% - 30% in 10% intervals.
Advanced - Select Attenuation
levels for the X, K, and Ka bands.
See page 15 for details.
Highway (Default)
City
Auto
Advanced
Auto City Speed
(If Band
Sensitivity set
to Auto)
Set the speed limit at which the
R8 will switch from City mode to
Highway mode and back.
10 ~ 60 mph in 5 mph
increments (Default: 40
mph)
10 ~ 100 km/h (in 10km/h
increments)

- 15 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
X Band
Attenuation
(Basic and
Expert levels,
Advanced
modes only)
The higher the attenuation (100%)
the more signals, including weaker
signals, are received. Reduce
attenuation and the weaker
signals drop out, leaving only the
stronger signals.
100% (Default) ~ 30%
(In decreasing 10%
increments)
K Band
Attenuation
(Basic and
Expert levels,
Advanced
modes only)
The higher the attenuation (100%)
the more signals, including weaker
signals, are received. Reduce
attenuation and the weaker
signals drop out, leaving only the
stronger signals.
100% (Default) ~ 30%
(In decreasing 10%
increments)
Ka Band
Attenuation
(Basic and
Expert levels,
Advanced
modes only)
The higher the attenuation (100%)
the more signals, including weaker
signals, are received. Reduce
attenuation and the weaker
signals drop out, leaving only the
stronger signals.
100% (Default) ~ 30%
(In decreasing 10%
increments)
Rear Balance
(Expert level
only)
Adjust sensitivity between front
and rear antennas.
100% (Default) ~ 30%
(In decreasing 10%
increments)
GPS
(Turn GPS
on and off in
Expert level
only)
Display current GPS status in Basic
level.
Turn GPS on or off in Expert level
only.
GPS determines your geographic
location and locates set frequency
locations in your area from a
database.
If GPS is turned on, other GPS-
related menu items display.
On (Default)
Off
Speed Camera
Alarm
(If GPS on)
Notifies you if any speed cameras
are nearby.
On (Default)
Off

- 16 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
Speed Camera
Alert Range
(If Speed
Camera Alert
on)
Sets range for speed camera
detection when Speed Camera
Alarm is On.
Auto
1000 ft (300 m) (Default)
2,000 ft (600 m)
2,500 ft (760 m)
3,000 ft (900 m)
Redlight
Camera Alarm
(If GPS on)
Notifies you if any red light
cameras are nearby. The red light
camera alerts when the vehicle
is about 984 ft (300m) from the
red light camera and goes off
when the vehicle is about 1,148 ft
(350m) away from it.
On (Default)
Off
RLC Q-Ride
(If GPS on)
Red Light Camera Quiet Ride -
Mutes red light camera alarms if
you are driving below the speed
set here.
50 ~ 85 MPH (80 ~140
km/h)
Off (Default)
POI Passchime
(If GPS on)
Turns the alert chime off and on. On
Off (Default)
Voice Turns voice alert on or off under
the following conditions:
Type of radar/laser
Band alarms
On (Default)
Off
Ka Frequency
Voice
Announces the detected Ka band
frequency.
On
Off (Default)
X Band Turn off to have the detector
ignore X band frequencies.
Turn on for X band sensitivity as
follows:
Highway: Full sensitivity
City: X and K bands sensitivity
reduced
On
Off (Default)
K Band Turn off to have the detector
ignore K band frequencies.
On (Default)
Off
Ka Band Turn off to have the detector
ignore Ka band frequencies.
On (Default)
Off

- 17 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
Laser Turn off to have the detector
ignore lasers.
On (Default)
Off
Laser Gun ID
(Laser set to on
in Expert level
only)
Turn on to display laser gun
identifier.
On
Off (Default)
K POP
(Expert level
only)
Detects K POP transmissions (very
brief transmissions, too fast for
some detectors to hear).
On
Off (Default)
MRCD/T Activates MultaRadar CD/CT low-
powered radar gun detection.
On
Off (Default)
Gatso RT3/4 Activates detection for Gatso
radar guns.
Gatso RT3/4 On
Gatso RT3/4 Off (Default)
Ka POP
(Expert level
only)
Detects Ka POP transmissions
(very brief transmissions, too fast
for some detectors to hear).
On
Off (Default)
K Filter
(Expert level
only)
Filters noise from the K band to
prevent false detections.
On (Default)
Off
Ka Filter
(Expert level
only)
Filters noise from the Ka band to
prevent false detections.
On
Off (Default)
TSF
(Expert level
only)
Traffic Sensor Filter. Prevents
false alarms caused by traffic
monitoring radar systems.
On
Off (Default)
K Block1 Filter
(Expert level
only)
Keep K Block1 Filter ON to block
K band monitor systems in the
24.199 (± 0.005) range.
On
Weak (Default)
Mute
Off
K Block2 Filter
(Expert level
only)
Keep K Block2 Filter ON to block
K band monitor systems in the
24.168 (± 0.002) range.
On
Weak (Default)
Mute
Off

- 18 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
K Wide/
Narrow/
Extended
(Expert level
only)
K Wide and K Narrow scan for K
band radar guns used in the US
only. K Narrow scans a narrower
frequency range than K Wide.
K Extended increases the
frequency scanning range for K
band radar guns.
K Wide (Default)
K Narrow
K Extended
Ka Narrow/
Wide/
Segmentation
(Expert level
only)
Ka Narrow scans for Ka radar guns
used in the US only and reduces
false alarms. Ka Narrow also
provides a fast response to Ka POP
radar guns.
Ka Wide scans Super Wide Ka
band.
Ka Segmentation allows the user
to customize a Ka band sweep
from 9 filtered settings.
Ka Narrow (Default)
Ka Wide
Segmentation (Default
= On)
Ka 1 : 33.399 – 33.705
On/Off
Ka 2 : 33.705 – 33.903
On/Off
Ka 3 : 33.903 – 34.191
On/Off
Ka 4 : 34.191 – 34.587
On/Off
Ka 5 : 34.587 – 34.803
On/Off
Ka 6 : 34.803 – 35.163
On/Off
Ka 7 : 35.163 – 35.379
On/Off
Ka 8 : 35.379 – 35.613
On/Off
Ka 9 : 35.613 – 35.701
On/Off
Priority
(Expert level
only)
Sets whether Ka band signals have
priority over the strongest radar
signals for X, K, or Ka band, or
MRCD.
Laser alerts have priority over
radar alerts.
If MRCD on:
MRCD/Ka Priority
(Default)
Signal
Ka/MRCD
If MRCD off:
Signal
Ka (Default)

- 19 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
Mute Memory
Band
(If GPS on,
Expert level
only)
Select bands to be muted. X & K (Default)
X, K, Ka
Auto Mute
Memory
(If GPS on,
Expert level
only)
This menu turns the ability to
save mute requests for specific
locations/frequency bands on
and off.
On (Default)
Off
Auto Mute
Memory Band
Option Set
(If GPS on,
Expert level
only)
Auto Mute Memory Band Option
Set specifies which bands will be
muted.
X & K (Default)
X, K, and Ka
Threat Display
(Expert level
only)
Displays if more than one radar
signals are detected at the same
time. The signal with the strongest
radar signal is considered the
main signal; the other signals are
displayed on the left side (see
page 36).
All Threat On
All Threat Off (Default)
Color
(Expert level
only)
Select the color for the fixed
display elements on the OLED.
Blue
Amber
Green
Pink
Gray
Red (Default)
White
Violet

- 20 -
MENU ITEM FUNCTION SETTINGS
Arrow Color
(Expert level
only)
X Band
Signal setting matches signal
strength level color.
Red (Default)
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White
Violet
K Band
Signal setting matches signal
strength level color.
Red (Default)
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White
Violet
MRCD/T Band
Signal setting matches signal
strength level color.
When MRCD/T is on:
Red (Default)
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White
Violet
Gatso RT3/4 Band:
Signal setting matches signal
strength level color.
When Gatso RT3/4 is on:
Red (Default)
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White
Violet
Ka Band
Signal setting matches signal
strength level color.
Red (Default)
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White
Violet