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Garmin’s Varia light and radar
Good morning, is anyone here using the Garmin Varia rear light and radar? What has been your experience? Useful tool? Useless gadget? Do you have the newest version? Thank you. |
Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia
(Post 20755006)
Good morning, is anyone here using the Garmin Varia rear light and radar? What has been your experience? Useful tool? Useless gadget? Do you have the newest version? Thank you. I just wanted to get a bigger cross section of user comments, also more recent experiences. Sorry for the apparent duplication. |
I consider it essential, and more useful than a mirror.
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Originally Posted by wgscott
(Post 20755676)
I consider it essential, and more useful than a mirror.
Right now I am strongly leaning towards getting one to compliment my Cycliq Fly6 rearview camera. |
duplicate threads
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars. Already existing threads: Garmin Varia Radar Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion) Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags Garmin Varia? Useful? Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option? Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones? Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful? Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling) Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display garmin varia help Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling) Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling) |
Originally Posted by angerdan
(Post 20756109)
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars. Already existing threads: Garmin’s Varia light and radar Garmin Varia Radar Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion) Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags Garmin Varia? Useful? Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option? Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones? Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful? Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling) Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display garmin varia help Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling) Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling) |
Alright, based upon everyone’s glowing reviews and a near miss, (or should that be almost-hit) on Highway 192 near Montecito, I decided to order the Varia RTL510. BTW, the guy in the white pick up diesel truck did not have a front license plate so my Cycliq Fly6 was not able to get the necessary details. Apparently the in-bred behind the wheel thinks it is funny to scare cyclists and then cover the cyclist in a cloud of diesel soot. |
Originally Posted by angerdan
(Post 20756109)
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars. Already existing threads: Garmin’s Varia light and radar |
Originally Posted by wgscott
(Post 20757100)
That one is far better than this one.
Thanks for that. -Tim- |
I'll be here all day.
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Any users with the new slimmer/longer one that also has a saddlebag? How's that working out. Don't know if I have enough seat post left for the rear wheel not to interfere.
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Originally Posted by Ald1
(Post 20760381)
Any users with the new slimmer/longer one that also has a saddlebag? How's that working out. Don't know if I have enough seat post left for the rear wheel not to interfere.
https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...addlebags.html |
Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia
(Post 20756136)
Thanks for the links. You did the reseach that pparently I was too lazy to do. :D His reviews are pretty thorough. |
Originally Posted by JonnyHK
(Post 20761239)
i ended up buying the Varia. I received it last night and will try it out this weekend. Reviews coming up. |
Originally Posted by Ald1
(Post 20760381)
Any users with the new slimmer/longer one that also has a saddlebag? How's that working out. Don't know if I have enough seat post left for the rear wheel not to interfere.
SILCA makes a nice bag that can carry all your essentials and can then go in your jersey pockte. This leaves room under the saddle for the Varia RTL510 and the Cycliq Fly6. This solution may not work for you (and it is not what you asked about) but it is worth a shot. I never liked saddle bags. |
You can also get a reflector mount that fits your seat says and integrate that with the K-edge top cap mount without too much trouble.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket. I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas. J. |
Originally Posted by JohnJ80
(Post 20768552)
You can also get a reflector mount that fits your seat says and integrate that with the K-edge top cap mount without too much trouble.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket. I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas. J. This is my set up, which works pretty good (at least for now :thumb:). https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2b58a4a55.jpeg |
That is a nice set up. I was thinking about doing the same thing since I'm going to be taking a more aggressive approach to drivers that harass cyclists. I like the tail light for the Varia - it's is a very visible daytime taillight. How does it compare to the Cycliq 6 CE? Also where did you get that mount for the camera?
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running. J. |
Originally Posted by JohnJ80
(Post 20768670)
That is a nice set up. I was thinking about doing the same thing since I'm going to be taking a more aggressive approach to drivers that harass cyclists. I like the tail light for the Varia - it's is a very visible daytime taillight. How does it compare to the Cycliq 6 CE? Also where did you get that mount for the camera?
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running. J. The mount is the official GoPro saddle rail mount. It is $20.00 at Amazon. I think that both lights are equally strong/visible Depending on your settings, the Fly6 CE battery can last over 6.5 hours with the camera only. I have never used the Fly 6 with the light on. Before getting the Varia I used a Cygolite tail light. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3310481ea.jpeg |
VARIA update
I have been using the Varia radar and light (new version) for several weeks now. Like many of you I didn’t think that I really needed one that is, until I started using mine. Now I cannot imagine riding without one. I have used it on busy roads (PCH in Ventura and L.A. counties) and on empty country roads. The Varia works well to alert me to approaching traffic. I can then do a quick looksie on my eyeglass mirror to make sure that everything is OK. The other day I rode on wet and muddy roads. During a brief stop I checked the Varia and it was coated with mud. Nevertheless, it continued to work well, alerting me to traffic. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants an extra safety edge. Cheers! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8133d761f.jpeg |
My hearing is not the best but I can hear the beep from the 520. I try not to ride without it the down side is poor battery life for the 520 while using it.
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Originally Posted by washed up
(Post 20807378)
My hearing is not the best but I can hear the beep from the 520. I try not to ride without it the down side is poor battery life for the 520 while using it.
I’d like to see computer manufactures just take them out of the bike altogether and support Bluetooth for external audio. There any number of cheap speakers that are small and can be clipped to your jersey or earbuds that can be used. |
I have a Garmin GPS watch, from the Fenix line. It pairs really well with the radar because it can vibrate on your wrists when there's a car behind you. I can't always hear the chirp, especially coming down hill on rough pavement.
Obviously no one should go out and buy an expensive watch over this. Just sharing my observation. |
Originally Posted by JohnJ80
(Post 20807509)
the beepers Garmin uses are something that can charitably described as “trash.” I’d like to see computer manufactures just take them out of the bike altogether and support Bluetooth for external audio. There any number of cheap speakers that are small and can be clipped to your jersey or earbuds that can be used. |
OK, resurrecting an old thread, but use a mirror but you can't look constantly so this seemed like a great add-on. Tried it, paired with my Wahoo Bolt. I like it. :thumb:
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