Valentine One
| Product Picture: |  Valentine One radar detector in cars front windshield |
| Manufacturer: | Valentine Research, Inc. |
| Type: | Superheterodyne receiver |
| Latest Hardware Revision: | Version 1.85 - ESP with TSR, POP2, and Euro Mode |
| Latest Software Revision: | Version 3.8945 |
The Valentine One Radar Locator is a combined radar detector and lidar detector designed by Michael Valentine, formerly of Cincinnati Microwave, Inc., and manufactured by Valentine Research, Inc. The detector is notable for its patented warning system, which uses two radar antennas to indicate the number of radar and laser sources or 'bogeys' detected and their relative bearing.[1]
The Unit & Display
The outer case of the main unit is composed of magnesium and is designed to prevent electrical interference from other devices.[2] Its metal construction is intended to make the device more durable than a conventional plastic case. On the front of the unit, there is a display which contains a single seven segment readout which shows how many radar sources or 'bogeys' the unit is receiving. There are four vertically aligned LED's that indicate which band of radar the unit is receiving. The detector can receive the following signals and bands:
- Laser (820 - 950 nm)
- Ka band (33.400 - 36.000 GHz)
- K band (23.900 - 24.250 GHz)
- X band (10.500 - 10.550 GHz)
- Ku band (13.400 - 13.500 GHz) (The unit does not have a dedicated LED for Ku-Band but uses the decimal point of the decimal display)
At the bottom of the display are eight horizontally aligned LEDs that indicate the strength of the radar signal the unit is receiving. As the radar signal intensifies (e.g., when closing the distance to the radar source), the LEDs gradually illuminate from left to right until all eight LEDs are lit, thus warning that the radar threat is in close proximity. Located in the center of the display is a red circle behind which is the rear-facing infra-red diode used for laser detection. To the left of the display is a set of knobs. The main, big, knob is used to power on and off the unit and to set the main volume for the unit; the smaller control knob is used to set the auto-muting volume. If set to 100% the auto-muting volume will be the same as the main volume. To the right of the display is where the rear-facing radar horn (antenna) is located.
The main knob also allows users to enter the custom programming menu, not mentioned in the user's manual. Users can disable or enable any radar band of their choice, including laser, set muting options for K-band radar, enable extra sensitivity for Ka-band, enable POP radar detection, activate European radar modes among other options.[3]
Users who wish to keep a low profile, can opt for the concealed display unit sold by Valentine Research directly on their website. Together with hard wiring the device to the vehicle fuse box (which eliminates the traditional power cord throughout the vehicle cabin) a stealth installation is achieved. The main unit still receives and process all signals, but the display is projected in the concealed display mounted discreetly anywhere in the vehicle interior. This helps, especially at night so others can not see the readout other than the driver. Some users even elect to install a kill switch so they can shut off the device without accessing the main unit. There is also a remote audio kit available that allows connection to headphones or speaker and can turn the main unit on or off as well as having a button that functions like the one on the main unit.The newest feature that can be added to the V1 unit is the V1connection which works with all V1's, but its full capability is available only from V1s with ESP. (Check for the ESP logo on the front panel below the Control Knob.) On pre-ESP V1s, or when using a Pre-ESP Concealed Display or Remote Audio Adapter, your handheld will serve as a wireless remote display of all of V1's front-panel warnings, but other functions and screens are unavailable.
The Valentine 1 radar detection capabilities have proven to be very successful. The device demonstrated the ability to detect X band 10.525GHz,K band 24.125Ghz or 24.150Ghz,and the 3 most important new popular Ka band radar guns as far as 1–13.25 miles in open straight terrains, around roadway bends and sometimes over hills.
Patents
Valentine Research, Inc. has patented many of the designs and attributes found on its Valentine One Radar Locator. Listed below are the patent numbers under which the device is manufactured.[4][5]
- 7,061,423
- 6,175,324
- 5,917,441
- 5,900,832
- 5,856,801
- 5,852,417
- 5,300,932
- 5,250,951
- 5,206,651
- 5,164,729
- 5,151,701
- 5,146,226
- 5,125,110
- 5,116,248
- 5,083,129
- 5,068,663
- 5,020,754
- 4,994,775
- 4,973,925
- 4,878,061
- 4,631,542
- D338,841
Software Versions[6]
The following are the software versions in each hardware version, 1.85, 1.8, 1.7 and 1.6 (Starting with the Hardware Version 1.85:
- 3.8945 - Junk K Fighter turned on by default
- 3.894 - ESP with TMF2 / Junk K Fighter
- 3.893 - ESP with checksum
- 3.892 - added ESP protocol for accessories (without checksum)
- 3.891 - added the traffic monitor filter
Hardware Version 1.8:
- 3.873
- 3.872
- 3.871
- 3.868
- 3.864
- 3.863
- 3.861
- 3.858
- 3.857
- 3.851
- 3.826
- 3.825
- 3.824
- 3.821
- 3.819
- 3.818
- 3.817
- 3.816
- 3.813
- 3.812
- 3.802
- 3.789
- 3.739
- 3.619
Hardware Version 1.7:
- 2.909
- 2.879
- 2.869
- 2.849
- 2.695
- 2.693
- 2.691
- 2.690
- 2.680
- 2.391
Hardware Version 1.6:
- 1.36
References
- ↑ "Valentine One radar and laser detectors". valentine1.com. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
- ↑ "Ask Mike - Previously Answered #4". valentine1.com. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ↑ http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp
- ↑ "United States Patent: 7061423". patft.uspto.gov. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ↑ "Trademarks and Patents". valentine1.com. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ↑ "Valentine One -- Versions through the years". Retrieved April 29, 2012.