Rear facing camera or radar
12-30-19, 03:23 PM
#101
Senior Member
It's just an Ant+ transmitter; so figure 100 ft on either side of you max; pretty decent really unless you get strung out. Even if someone drops too far away, they will reconnect when they come back into range. And of course, they only have to pair with it once and they'll reconnect anytime they ride with you.
12-31-19, 10:27 AM
#102
Senior Member
It knows there's a car behind you before you can hear it.
For a brief while my experience was that it's more useful in the city than in rural areas, there's so much ambient noise in town that you can't hear cars until they're pretty close. That was until the first time I had a long decent on chipseal, the buzz is too loud.
I assume the reason you're asking is that your intrigued and considering one. If so, buy it from REI, Backcountry.com, or some other store with a good return policy. Then decide for yourself based on your own riding, with no financial risk.
For a brief while my experience was that it's more useful in the city than in rural areas, there's so much ambient noise in town that you can't hear cars until they're pretty close. That was until the first time I had a long decent on chipseal, the buzz is too loud.
I assume the reason you're asking is that your intrigued and considering one. If so, buy it from REI, Backcountry.com, or some other store with a good return policy. Then decide for yourself based on your own riding, with no financial risk.
And as has been mentioned, it gives a bright rapid flash as a car approaches to hopefully alert the driver to your presence. This sudden and proximate change has to stand out more than just the constant strobe of a regular tail light.
And it is useful to other riders in your group even if they aren't linked - that same bright flash tells them a car is close, too.
No one safety system answers all questions. But this is undeniably a VERY safety useful tool.
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01-01-20, 07:26 AM
#104
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Just as an FYI, ProBikeKit has the Cycliq Fly12 CE (front-facing camera/light) on sale for $205 and there's a promo for an additional 10% off, bringing it down to ~$185 total. That's a tempting price for me and it seems like it would nicely complement the Varia.
01-01-20, 11:32 AM
#105
Senior Member
It knows there's a car behind you before you can hear it.
For a brief while my experience was that it's more useful in the city than in rural areas, there's so much ambient noise in town that you can't hear cars until they're pretty close. That was until the first time I had a long decent on chipseal, the buzz is too loud.
I assume the reason you're asking is that your intrigued and considering one. If so, buy it from REI, Backcountry.com, or some other store with a good return policy. Then decide for yourself based on your own riding, with no financial risk.
For a brief while my experience was that it's more useful in the city than in rural areas, there's so much ambient noise in town that you can't hear cars until they're pretty close. That was until the first time I had a long decent on chipseal, the buzz is too loud.
I assume the reason you're asking is that your intrigued and considering one. If so, buy it from REI, Backcountry.com, or some other store with a good return policy. Then decide for yourself based on your own riding, with no financial risk.
What I’ve found especially useful given the speed of the traffic on these roads (55mph most of them) is that it interrupts my scan such that I can skip the extra second or two in my scan to look at the approaching car right away. At 55mp, that’s important.
Also worth noting is that if you have it in flashing mode, the flashing pattern changes and increases in urgency as the driver approaches. This has to help with visibility.
Both my wife and I have these on our bikes. The RTL510 has a directional optic lens and really makes it visible a long way down the road. It’s a well done product.
Also worthy to note - the Hammerhead Karoo also supports the Varia radar. I’d have to say that it’s probably the best implementation of the three brands that support it. They also have an audio alert that is available through Bluetooth and it much easier to hear. The weak piezoelectric beepers on Garmin and Wahoo units are deficient in this regard and I think the audio alert capability is an important aspect and was one of the reasons I upgraded to the RTL510 (head and taillight package).
01-02-20, 03:17 PM
#106
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What's the best way to use the light on this sucker? Solid (and blinding!) red? Slow strobe? Flashing? What are most of you doing?
My only concern if someone, somewhere mentioned the batter drain on the Garmin 520 (which is my unit). My 520 has pretty good battery life now, so I'll have to see if I notice any changes with the Varia hooked up.
My only concern if someone, somewhere mentioned the batter drain on the Garmin 520 (which is my unit). My 520 has pretty good battery life now, so I'll have to see if I notice any changes with the Varia hooked up.
01-02-20, 05:17 PM
#107
Senior Member
What's the best way to use the light on this sucker? Solid (and blinding!) red? Slow strobe? Flashing? What are most of you doing?
My only concern if someone, somewhere mentioned the batter drain on the Garmin 520 (which is my unit). My 520 has pretty good battery life now, so I'll have to see if I notice any changes with the Varia hooked up.
My only concern if someone, somewhere mentioned the batter drain on the Garmin 520 (which is my unit). My 520 has pretty good battery life now, so I'll have to see if I notice any changes with the Varia hooked up.
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01-06-20, 09:43 AM
#108
Senior Member
Got the Varia Radar 510 as a Christmas present. Have been on three rides so far and can say it detected all cars with a couple of false positives (indicated vehicle when none was there). I have a Wahoo Elmnt Bolt and have not noticed any additional battery drain and it paired easily and works well. I use a helmet mirror and can say that if I look at the right time, I will see cars before the Varia alerts, particularly if there are turns or hills. However, there are always a couple of instances when I ride where I don't glance at the right time and miss a vehicle approaching. The Varia eliminates this issue completely. The other significant positive to the Varia is it detects multiple vehicles. I can't count the number of times I saw a car coming up from behind where a second vehicle was following closely and not readily visible. I will still always use a mirror - the Varia doesn't tell you what kinds of vehicle are approaching and I like the ability to know what is coming up without having to glance backward. But I definitely feel the Varia adds to my awareness and can recommend it without reservation.
Last edited by Steeler_fanatic; 01-06-20 at 10:14 AM.
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01-06-20, 11:27 AM
#109
Senior Member
Got the Varia Radar 510 as a Christmas present. Have been on three rides so far and can say it detected all cars with a couple of false positives (indicated vehicle when none was there). I have a Wahoo Elmnt Bolt and have not noticed any additional battery drain and it paired easily and works well. I use a helmet mirror and can say that if I look at the right time, I will see cars before the Varia alerts, particularly if there are turns or hills. However, there are always a couple of instances when I ride where I don't glance at the right time and miss a vehicle approaching. The Varia eliminates this issue completely. The other significant positive to the Varia is it detects multiple vehicles. I can't count the number of times I saw a car coming up from behind where a second vehicle was following closely and not readily visible. I will still always use a mirror - the Varia doesn't tell you what kinds of vehicle are approaching and I like the ability to know what is coming up without having to glance backward. But I definitely feel the Varia adds to my awareness and can recommend it without reservation.
01-06-20, 04:13 PM
#110
Senior Member
I have the same setup (Wahoo Bolt) and my false positives seem to be in the same places along my commute. It appears that the security light sensors near some buildings trigger these "ghost" cars to appear. Knowing this, I still use my head turn to initiate any lane changes.
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