1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Part I: Open box reviews of JDM Valenti full LED tail lamps from TWP

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by 32kcolors, Jun 26, 2011.

  1. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    This thread comprises the first reviews of the JDM Valenti Japan full LED tail lamps offered through TWP as part of the Gauging Interest campaign.

    I am reviewing model HC (Red Len/Regular Chrome). These lamps are full LED (including reverse lights and turn signals), consisting of 78 LEDs and 8 LED bars. The package arrived in just 2 days from TWP’s Asia distribution center. Super quick shipping!

    [​IMG]


    Opening the box

    [​IMG]


    Each light houses 4 LED bars (vs. 3 bars found on Crystal Eye and K2 Tuning models)

    [​IMG]


    Back side with direct plug and play. They lack the bottom clips that slip lock into the rear bumper cover as well as black plastic brackets that go to the inside of the hatch. However, I do see screw holes/clip attacher on the back side, suggesting that the brackets/clips can be transferred from the OEM lights. They also do not have an external turn signal LED canceller box (which controls the blink rate) found with the Crystal Eye, indicating the LED relay flasher is already built in the lights.

    [​IMG]


    Full LED for the reverse and turn signal, featuring a unique jewel-like design. 10 in reverse light, 14 in turn signal, and 15 in brake light, for a total of 39 LEDs in each light.

    [​IMG]


    “Valenti” at the bottom of lights

    [​IMG]


    With flash on
    [​IMG]

    With flash off (color not really accurate)
    [​IMG]


    Out of the box the Valenti lights look great. Although I have yet to handle the OEM lights to determine how they compare in construction, they appear very well made and I am impressed with the fit and finish. I really like the increased red coverage that this model has compared to other manufacturers’ red models. It’s edge-to-edge red, with no black border/housing that goes around the taillight, and the rear reflector blends right in.

    Stay tuned for Calvin’s review of the SB (Smoked Len/Black Chrome) model and the installation.
     
    2 people like this.
  2. robby3

    robby3 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    181
    24
    0
    Location:
    Switzerland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I see no pics at all :(
     
  3. justintiime

    justintiime Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2011
    64
    10
    0
    Location:
    Moneta, VA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    wheres the pics?!
     
  4. wrexed03

    wrexed03 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2010
    42
    1
    0
    Location:
    Melbourne Australia
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Its a teaser post lol.
     
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Sorry, I think I fixed it now. Do you see the pics?
     
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Pics are now visible. Get them installed and light em up! :)
     
  7. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2011
    2,171
    659
    23
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Cool.

    I am of the opinion that lights which are going to light up red, to indicate something important (like say braking), should be red when not lit up, to ensure that observers know where to look.
     
  8. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    32K - great write up. You've covered most of the details, so I'll provide the pictures of the SB and my additional comments on lamps later on tonight.

    A crazy busy weekend and some ultra sensitive fingers later, the lights are installed. Will provide full write up tonight.
     
  9. TWP

    TWP Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2011
    30
    5
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Tks 32kcolors,

    Pls provide more pictures for on car demo ~~

    Sincerely,
    TWP
     
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    If the Prius came stock with red lights, I guarantee you I'd be sporting the Valenti clear tails. The grass is greener on the other side :D

    Working on it :)
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2010
    199
    38
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Looks good! I'd like to see how the red color looks in person, whether they're a bright & brilliant red like on most aftermarket tail lights, or a more cherry looking red like most factory tail lights out there. Maybe I'm just being picky.

    I'm also curious to know whether or not for sure the blinkers will be fast or normal without switching out the relay (which I actually found to be pretty easy to do.... but then I have long arms that can reach way up into the dash :p)
     
  12. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Since you asked and I have them installed (write up tonight), I'll provide a quick preview. My right turn signal blinks fast but only if I use that turn signal exclusively. If I turn on the hazards, both sides blink normally. If I use the left signal, it blinks normally as well. Not sure why it's just the right and only when using the right. I'll try to capture on video and post.
     
  13. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I currently have just my left (driver's side) unit installed and will do a installation write-up tonight as well. I want to take more side-by-side photos/videos of both Valenti and OEM lights before I do the other side (let me know of any special requests you'd like). So far, my driver's side turn signal is in sync with the rest of the turn signals, including the turn signal mirror. I won't know about the passenger's side until I install it. Cool that you have long arms, maybe Calvin and I can recruit you if it's a problem across the board ;)

    Will post more photos of the new light on the car tonight and you should be able to tell whether the red color is to your liking.
     
  14. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2010
    199
    38
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    That's weird that only 1 side blinks fast. When I modified my turn signals with just the 194 halogen bulbs (now with LEDs), both sides would blink fast when I used the turn signal lever. When I put my hazards on, they flashed normally as well. I've seen this with others who have also changed out their turn signal bulbs for LED's, before installing the slow-flashing relay.



    Another thing I'm curious to know is how do your turn signals flash now when you lock and unlock the car with the remote? With my turn signals bulbs changed out to LED's, I've noticed that my turn signals will flicker instead of flash when I lock & unlock (which I figured would happen with the LED's drawing a smaller amount of current). I've also seen the same thing on a couple of other cars that have also changed their turn signal bulbs to LED's, and are also using the slow-flashing relay. But if you're still using the halogen 7440 bulbs in the front bumper, then I think those should draw enough current to make the lights flash normally when you lock & unlock the car.

    Do the front bumper and tail light turn signals flicker or flash when you lock & unlock the car? I'm wondering if a slow-flashing relay would make a difference, causing lights to flicker instead of flash due to it's design. Just throwing out ideas, as I've recently noticed & played around with similar things on my car.
     
  15. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    ^ I tested this morning and all the turn signals flash in unison.
     
  16. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    The new taillight turn signal flashes normally, no flickering at all, including when locking/unlocking via the remote. I can take a video of this for you.
     
  17. TWP

    TWP Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2011
    30
    5
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Bump ~~

    Need more pictures and video if possible.

    Sincerely,
    TWP
     
  18. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    After a long delay on my part, here is my open review of the Valenti JDM full LED taillamp from TWP. Mine is the SB version with the smoked tint.

    Package came in one day after 32K was delivered his - guess it helps that he lives closer to LAX. (Where was that again 32K? Torrance? ;))

    It only took 3 days from initial shipping to receiving at front door - super quick! Since 32K covered most of the details of the lamps, I'll just provide my additional comments, observations, and note any differences between the two sets that I could see from the pictures.

    Packaging was very efficient, almost Apple-esque, with little waste of space. Package was secure and held together well. My 14 month-old son decided he wanted to use the box as his speaking/jumping platform, and the box held up perfectly. Tail lamps were bubble wrapped with additional foam covering to protect corners.
    [​IMG]
    How box came.

    [​IMG]
    Initial opening of box.

    The smoke tint is very prevalent. Valenti definitely didn't hold back on smoking it out. It might be too dark for some, but it definitely is not too dark that you can't see the details. The red reflector and details of the LEDs are still visible is normal light.
    [​IMG]
    Picture of driver (left) side lamp. Notice the red reflector and LED details.

    [​IMG]
    SB units in outside light.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Valenti name along bottom of lamp.

    Once difference I can spot between this and 32K's HC version is that the SB version's housing looks to be "black chrome" whereas the HC is the standard "chrome." The SB's turn signals are in the "black chrome" as well compared to the standard jewel-design of the HC.
    [​IMG]
    Details of reverse and turn signal LED. Notice the color difference between the two jewel-like reflectors.

    What I also noticed is that the tinted cover seems to be separted from the back black housing along the back edge (would be the leading edge when mounted on the car). Initially, I had concerns that water would make its way in and fog up the lights. However, I noticed that the OEM tail lamps have a similar "gap" between the clear cover and the back housing. The back black housing of the Valenti unit doesn't seem as substantial as the OEM unit. This is possibly a result of cost cutting/savings (just my thoughts - not confirmed with Valenti or TWP).

    [​IMG]
    Detail of rear of Valenti SB unit.

    [​IMG]
    Direct plug and play harness.

    [​IMG]
    OEM vs. Valenti JDM full LED SB taillamp.

    All in all, I am quite pleased with the Valenti SB full LED tail lamps. The lamps are very attractive, and the quality of construction is top notch. The darkness of the tint is spot on in my opinion, not too dark. Definitely different from the OEM full chrome taillamps (which are a bit too loud in my opinion).
     
  19. silica

    silica Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    44
    4
    3
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Are these going to be for sale in the Prius Chat store after the testing period?
     
  20. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    That's the idea, based on the outcomes of our reviews and market interest.