Toyota Tundra Forum

I installed a valentine1 radar detector awhile back and why i think it saved me a ticket a few times in the past i was un sure since i might have seen / reacted fast enough any ways. Well tonight i almost kissed it, i was so happy with it. I dont want to post how fast i was going since i dont want to get into omg thats reckless, dangerous etc.. but lets just say it paid for its self tonight and there not cheap. I was so happy with it i just had to make this post to "pimp" Valentine1 a little. Im un-sure if its really any better then cheaper ones since this is my first radar detector but it does its job.

Some years back, I struggled with the decision whether to spend the big bucks on the Valentine 1, as it is clearly one of the best radar detectors out there. However, after researching the comparison of the Valentine to the Beltronics 980 a few years ago, I ended up going with the Beltronics (mainly because I couldn't see a $250 difference in the two). That said, I have some buds who have the Valentine (some have had them for years) and speak very, very highly of them.

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2007 Tundra Limited Double Cab 4x4 Super White
Volant CAI
Pioneer AVIC Z-2 (hard drive upgrade to AVIC Z-3)
Key FOB Tailgate Lock (courtesy of Toxarch)
OEM back-up camera w/flip down monitor microswitch mod
Sirius Satellite Radio
WeatherTech Floor Liners
20" OEM alloy wheels
Line-X Bed liner
UWS Black Powdercoat Low Profile Toolbox
DU-HA underseat storage unit
JC Whitney Black Nerf Bars
Lund Interceptor II Bug Shield
Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller

I had the original V1 in the early 90's and have upgraded it over the years and now have version 3.861. The V1 consistently scores at or near the top in every category when tested against other quality units.

Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR

I have also used the Escort Passport 8500 X50 and the Bell STI Driver and they are also great detectors, but most knowledgeable radar geeks agree that nothing can touch the V1.

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The Silver Bullet

2008 D/C 4X4 5.7-ARE Z-Series Cap
Volant CAI-Scangauge-Valentine 1
Low Range Off Road 3/1 Level Kit
TRD Rims with BFG AT 305/65/18
OEM Alarm Turned On-TRD Sway Bar
Westin SS Tube Steps-Tailgate Auto Lock Mod
Piaa Driving Lights in bumper-Rear Seatfold Mod
Direct JG 6000K 55W HID Hi & Low Beams
Corsa Sport Exhaust-Homelink Mirror
OEM Back Up Camera and Monitor
LED Backup Lights and Interior Lights

i know what you mean about radar detectors paying for themselves....mine has. i looked at all the different ones out there and read lots of reviews and ended up getting the Beltronics RX65. I had a Beltronics awhile back and it treated me right...so i figured i would give them another short. you are right though...ive heard nothing but good things about the Valentine if you are willing to spend that kind of money. Glad to hear it paid off for ya

B.A.

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Black 2008 Tundra 5.7L Limited CrewMax 4x4 - came with JBL 6CD, leather (electric/heated seats), dual headrest DVD, homelink mirror, bluetooth, heated/electric mirrors, OEM stepbars, and 18" Inkei wheels
MODs since purchase: 22" XD Monster wheels w/Nitto Terra Grappler LT285/50R22s, Truxxx 3/1 leveling kit, debadged, TRD Swaybar, K&N CAI- Magnaflow Catback Duels, Extang Trifecta Tonneau Cover, EGR window visors & Bug-shield, Sirius Satellite Radio, OEM Back-up Camera, Beltronics RX65 radar detector (hardwired), blackout headlight MOD, limo tint, color match door handles, black mesh billet grille, smoke LED tail lights, Line-X bedliner, and Line-X'd back bumper, color match grille halo & mirrors, all-weather floormats, painted brake calipers (red) and new high performance brakepads,TRD shifter and pedals, and 6" black billet antenna
In the near future: LED 3rd Brakelight
Nate......aka B.A.

I use a Passport 8500 and love it. I've got a friend with the V1 and he loves it.

Did you hard wire yours?

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ya hard wired it, using tox's post for power. i also installed a mute button for it by my gear shifter so i didnt have to reach up and hit the knob on it every time it goes off (when i have volume on).

I've got a Cobra that I have had for at least 9 or 10 years. It was expensive when I bought it, but has worked great ever since. It falls off the windshield during the heat sometimes and has cracked the outside. All I do is glue it back together if needed, change the suction cups and put it back on the glass. It's paid for itself MANY times over.

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2007 SR5 Crewmax 5.7L 4x4
Mods: nerf bars, Truxedo tonneau, radar detector power, 3M clear bra, fog lights, black billet grille, rear differential breather, parking sensors, Line-X, power tailgate lock, hood safety latch mod, one off driving lights behind grille, Pioneer NAV w/ OEM camera, Flowmaster 50 SUV dual/dual, blue LED dash lights, Volant CAI, Llumar tint, CompuStar Pro alarm, ProComp 6066 20" wheels, Cooper Zeon LTZ 275/60/20 tires, OME HD coilover lift, Firestone helper air bags, stereo cable lock, Tekonsha P3 brake controller
All mod descriptions and pictures © 2007-2009 by Toxarch. They may be copied only for personal use and the mods may be done for non-profit only.

That unit is probably as good as you will ever need for X & K band, but is severely lacking in Ka wideband sensitivity, if it has it at all. The reason I upgraded my V1 was because of the advancements made in detecting wideband. You don't have to spend $400 for a V1 to get decent protection. I think you can still get a Passport 8500 X50 for $300, and some of the decent Bells are a few dollars cheaper. Check out the link I posted earlier for The Guys of Lidar. They are an independent group that tests detectors and posts the results on their site.

The Cobra was also sold as a Passport unit so I'm not sure who actually made it. It has X, K, Ka, and Laser. Works awesome and has saved me from a few laser speed traps. Has an LCD display that shows the signal and strength. I'll keep it until it becomes obsolete or quits working.

when i was looking for radar detectors i narrowed it down to the Rx65, the escort 9500i and of course the V1. The first 2 weeks i wished i had bought the 9500i since it has a gps in it and you can mark false alarms on it so it wont sound its alarm ever time you drive by that alarm system or stores that use k band for there doors. This was only a minor set back when driving in city's / buss zones though and since i dont speed in these areas any ways i just mute the alarm in those areas now, or use my mute butten if its a small section. I went with the V1 since it has 2 radars in it 1 forward facing and one rearwards facing (only radar i found that does this).




P.s. on a side note i hate your sig tox, i see those lights behind the grill and i want them so bad ive wanted to do that mod since i first started posting here, and its a slap in the face ever time i see one of your posts now. I tell my self its because i dont want to bother relocating my air horns but i know thats just BS.