kevp913

Thanks Kensteele for the great instructions! I followed your tutorial and got my V1 mounted tonight perfectly. I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow.

INHOCJP

Great job, install looks very clean.

I've been meaning to hardwire my V-1 also, but I've been saying this since I bought the thing in 2002

darrelld

Please post pics of the fuse box area and how you interfaced and mounted the V1 hardwire kit.

Thanks.

kevp913

Here are some pics I just took from my V1 install:

kevp913

Wire mounted behind the pillar.

kevp913

fuse box closed...

kevp913

fuse box open...

flipside909

Very nice write up Ken!

flipside909

You can only buy V1 detectors from V1 directly. V1 is the way to go. I've used Uniden, Bel & Escort in the past...nothing will match the V1's capabilities...regardless of what magazine tested what.

Now for the threadjacking, I think it would be best to ask your non V1 questions or reviews here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lexus-audio-video-security-and-electronics-12/

It's not fair to Kensteele and anyone else interested in this modification. Common courtesy guys.

darrelld

Thanks for the pics, definately my first mod.

RaDaRkInG

The Valentine One is the best radar/laser detector on the market today.

http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/guysofli...artesting.html

http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/guysofli...out05/pop.html

http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/guysofli...5/spectre.html

http://motortrend.com/features/consu...r_buyersguide/

"This year, the measurement of the radar and laser detection abilities of each of the over $200 units gives the Valentine One ($400) a small edge over the competing BEL Vector 995 ($260) and Escort Passport 8500 X50 ($300 with red display or $340 with a blue display) units."

V1 is the best in laser detection:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...213&highlight=

V1 has the best rear radar detection because it is the only detector with 2 antennas to locate radar:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...214&highlight=

V1 is the least detectable detector by RDD's or Radar Detector Detectors in states where radar detectors are illegal. The Spectre III is the most used RDD in the world and it can only pick up the Valentine One if it is 166 feet or closer which is better than the X50 which can be detected 954 feet away.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...383&highlight=

The Valentine One which accounts for only .6% of radar detector sales wins every poll when it comes to being the favorite detector. The X50 doesn't even get an approval rating as high as George Bush's worst rating. :lol:

http://www.radardetector.net/The-Ult.......-5523t.php

Which of the "Big 3" is really the best overall - in your opinion?
V-1
64% [ 45 ]

RX-65
12% [ 9 ]

X50
20% [ 14 ]

Other (state which and why)
2% [ 2 ]

Total Votes : 70

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...ghlight=#42353

Radar Roy from Radarbusters.com said this about the Valentine One, "Just spoke with Carl Fors from SML, his website will be going online tonight with the 2005 results. He has declared the V895, 8500 and the Valentine One as the top performers. Motortrend, who was also at the test, will be declaring the Valentine One as the top detector based upon its detection of laser.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...=4696&start=90

Radar Roy said, "There were results that they (Guys of Lidar) got during the test that I was not exactly pleased with, such as the discovery of the Blinder not having Stealth Mode installed and the Valentine beating out the Escort and Bel in the range tests. Even though I don’t sell the Valentine, it does have slightly better range than both the RX65 and the 8500 and I also show this same fact on my site. Would love it to be the other way around."

Tony1

Most of the tests i've read have the bel and the escort ahead,
if you read the motor trend report link you posted, it shows
that the bel and escort win in every other aspect except laser...

I personally like the fact that the escort has a lot less falsing
than the valentine one...

RaDaRkInG

The Bel and Escort win in every other aspect except laser??? Try and read a little better this time. From the points and their comments, V1 is the winner.

From the Motor Trend report:

Over $200 Radar/Laser Detectors


Valentine One
Total points: 88

With its directional arrows, combined with outstanding sensitivity across all bands, the Valentine One remains the standard by which all other radar/laser detectors are measured against.


BEL Vector 995
Total points: 84

With outstanding performance combined with aggressive pricing at retail, the BEL Vector 995 strikes the perfect balance between performance and value, especially when matched with optional Laser Pro 905 laser blocker.


Escort Passport 8500 X50
Total points: 78

The high-tech, feature-rich Escort 8500 X50 is an impressive detector that provides strong protection. A very fine performer overall, the 8500 X50 would have ranked higher with better laser detection scores. Its primary shortcomings in laser detection are addressed when matched up with the available ZR3 laser shifter.

pumper

Back to the original topic: Did you consider tapping into power the for the overhead light? It's right there and you don't need to run all the way back to the fusebox. That's were my V1 was wired in my last car. I haven't installed it yet in my IS, but I'm going to address this soon.

Thanks.

pumper

tonyxcom

they probably didn't do the overhead becuase that is a constant 12v source.