New Firmware for New Zealand users - Uniden R7 - Beta testing

[winterbrew]

Looks like they re-introduced the sub 24.050 that was taken away in the recent US firmware ;

View attachment 161940

A useful summary courtesy of Vortex;

 

[Mithheru]

@DEMON5 Thanks for the heads up. Seem, to have missed the alert on this thread.

I'm loving the 128 firmware, but I've updated my R7 to 133 with the NZ database and will test that for a few weeks. I'll also look to do some comparative runs against redflex on 133 K extended, versus 128 K segmented.

Whether I update the 128 firmware with features of 133 depends upon how well it works, and also whether it might be better to wait for the next update with auto lock outs, which could be no more than a month away.

I'm also reluctant to release 133 as is with an NZ database, just in case someone is tempted to start selling it. Therefore if people do want to try the 133 firmware, can I suggest you install the Uniden US version, and try it without NZ gps database. You can always revert back to your previous R7 file with the NZ database if you need it for a long trip.

So essentially watch this space...

 

[RGinNZ]

@DEMON5 Thanks for the heads up. Seem, to have missed the alert on this thread.

I'm loving the 128 firmware, but I've updated my R7 to 133 with the NZ database and will test that for a few weeks. I'll also look to do some comparative runs against redflex on 133 K extended, versus 128 K segmented.

Whether I update the 128 firmware with features of 133 depends upon how well it works, and also whether it might be better to wait for the next update with auto lock outs, which could be no more than a month away.

I'm also reluctant to release 133 as is with an NZ database, just in case someone is tempted to start selling it. Therefore if people do want to try the 133 firmware, can I suggest you install the Uniden US version, and try it without NZ gps database. You can always revert back to your previous R7 file with the NZ database if you need it for a long trip.

So essentially watch this space...

Hi @Mithheru
I am currently running NZ firmware 124.124.111 in my R7, new to this forum, and wanting to upgrade. I am very interested in your findings on your latest firmware 128 compared to Uniden's133 (can it work in NZ with local database). What would you recommend?

 

[Mithheru]

Currently R7 128 Int firmware is best all round performance in NZ. US 133 can be provided with NZ gps, but needs a lot of fixes to K band to make it useable at full wide and full sensitivity (both of which we need for NZ mobile redflex). I think I'm going to let Uniden fix this release before adding in my own tweeks and improvements.

 

[RGinNZ]

Currently R7 128 Int firmware is best all round performance in NZ. US 133 can be provided with NZ gps, but needs a lot of fixes to K band to make it useable at full wide and full sensitivity (both of which we need for NZ mobile redflex). I think I'm going to let Uniden fix this release before adding in my own tweeks and improvements.

Thanks.

 

[Mithheru]

@DEMON5 @Zakk I did some comparative testing against mobile redflex van on the 133 R7 vs the 128 R7 using the same R7. I have to say I feel disappointed.

I did two comparative runs on each firmware in both directions (four runs for each direction in total on the R7). I also did a final run on both directions on the DFR9forNZ.

The 133 R7 is massively noisy on K band in general use at full K sensitivity (which is what we need for redflex). I thought this might reflect better sensitivity. However, against redflex, I get no improvement in detection relative to 128 International. So far I've now used more than 150 manual GPS lockouts around Wellington in just a couple of weeks on the 133. On the 128 R7 I need just 2 gps lockouts!.

The range on the R7 (both versions) against redflex is better than the DFR9forNZ in both directions. However, the DFR9forNZ even in this exceptionally difficult redflex location was able to notify an adequate alert in both directions against the redflex emitting at 24.033GHz (below R3 capability).

Therefore, despite all the additional feature of the 133 firmware, it just doesn't make it a better detector under NZ conditions for redflex. The massive number of falses detected on K band is really concerning.

I will try to compile the video footage in the coming days. Because this redflex location is exceptionally tough due to the scenery, I will retest in coming weeks if I find a location to compare range over 300+ metres against redflex.

 

[Mithheru]

Finally, got around to compiling the footage comparing the R7 133 and 128 firmware.

Due to the extreme difficulties of this location, it'd be nice to retest at another location where we get get more significant redflex range.

 

[soampt]

Hello, I see that firmware 1.34 beta is out in the USA. Does anyone in NZ tested this as yet? How do I roll back to the NZ Firmware if I load 1.33 / 1.34 for testing? Also how do I get the latest database?

Thanks

 

[nzFALCONnz]

Hello, I see that firmware 1.34 beta is out in the USA. Does anyone in NZ tested this as yet? How do I roll back to the NZ Firmware if I load 1.33 / 1.34 for testing? Also how do I get the latest database?

Thanks

@Mithheru

 

[soampt]

@Mithheru

Thank you

 

[Mithheru]

Hello, I see that firmware 1.34 beta is out in the USA. Does anyone in NZ tested this as yet? How do I roll back to the NZ Firmware if I load 1.33 / 1.34 for testing? Also how do I get the latest database?

Thanks

I'm perhaps missing something but I cannot see it listed on the Uniden site. The latest release seems to be 1.54 for the R3. 1.33 still seems to be the latest for the R7!??

 

[soampt]

Yes 1.34 is in beta, unsure of the release date as yet.

 

[Vortex]

Yes 1.34 is in beta, unsure of the release date as yet.

1.34 isn’t supposed to be passed around. There were some bugs that were quickly patched for beta 1.35.

 

[soampt]

1.34 isn’t supposed to be passed around. There were some bugs that were quickly patched for beta 1.35.

Thank you for the update, love you channel

 

[Mithheru]

1.34 isn’t supposed to be passed around. There were some bugs that were quickly patched for beta 1.35.

I'm hoping this will fix the gps manual alerts. In my assessment it seems likely 1.33 seems to be splitting the gps mutes for the different modulated frequencies from the same source. Needs so many more manual lockouts than any previous R7 version. Against redflex on 124 firmware, there was no noticeable improvement on the 1.33. Therefore it only seems extra sensitive to falses. That being said I so like a lot of the new features. To me, 124 with the features of 133 would be a step forward.

I think @winterbrew will confirm, we also found laser sensitivity was much better on 124 than on 129 or 133.

 

[winterbrew]

I think @winterbrew will confirm, we also found laser sensitivity was much better on 124 than on 129 or 133.

Indeed !

R7 US 129 and R7 NZ 130 vs TraffiStar S350 lidar (very similar to poliscan);

No laser alert from either firmware

@Mithheru 's R7 NZ firmware ;

Note: there is also an MRCT radar came in the same tower, hence the K or MRDC alert tone. First approach in the first video is to demonstrate the lidar cam is active using the ALP as the benchmark

 

[Mithheru]

I can now reveal that the R7 Israel firmware can be supported on the US version of the R7. This is a really useful development as it provides another Official Uniden firmware source for adding new updates and features. One thing I'm keen to see going forward is to use the IL extra gps alert options. Things like bus lane cameras, mobile van locations etc. should then be able to be added and supported, as well as having menu options to turn those features on or off. In fact we could then probably add all sorts of GPS features if people wanted them, and provided I can code them.

 

[Mithheru]

I can now reveal that the R7 Israel firmware can be supported on the US version of the R7. This is a really useful development as it provides another Official Uniden firmware source for adding new updates and features. One thing I'm keen to see going forward is to use the IL extra gps alert options. Things like bus lane cameras, mobile van locations etc. should then be able to be added and supported, as well as having menu options to turn those features on or off. In fact we could then probably add all sorts of GPS features if people wanted them, and provided I can code them.

Another useful feature we have discovered in testing is 500-600m gps alerts. For rural locations especially I can see this being much better than the 300m alert which is currently the standard on the NZ and US versions.

 

[Mikikeka]

So here is a video of my final testing of the new R7forNZ firmware. I've now sent versions to @DEMON5 @dudeinnz and @KiwiClaire for independent beta testing. Assuming they're happy with it, I'll be releasing it in the near future.

How to update on usa unit i have purchased before was on sale in nz ? K band segmentation

 

[dudeinnz]

How to update on usa unit i have purchased before was on sale in nz ? K band segmentation

Hang in there mate, he will PM you.