Rear facing camera or radar
#76
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I guess an acceptable compromise is solid light on, radar on. It's the blinking that blinds people, more than the light itself.
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The “solid” on option did not seem that annoying to me but it starts to flash when a detected car gets closer, so depends on how many cars a group ride encounters I guess.
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This is a good topic as I am considering the Varia as an added safety feature. I would forgo the Cyclic and instead get a helmet mirror with the Vario. The mirror IMO is an essential safety feature you can add for less than $15. I won't ride without one (and have an extra in my saddle bag) as it gives a great view of what's happening behind. In my experience, turning your head to glance behind has a tendency to pull you further into the lane of travel.
I use the Varia and the Cycliq.
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That's interesting. I've used mine in groups many times, and I've ridden in groups where 3 or 4 riders had them, and I've never heard anyone complain about them. They aren't very bright lights.
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Keep in mind there's two generations. The first generation Varia is not even a light, it's just a bar of LEDs that flash when it detects something. The current generation also includes a super bright light -- comparable to my Bontrager Flare, although I haven't actually compared lumens. But it's really, really bright.
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Continuous flash, in a group ride though; “fugged****udit”
Last edited by kissTheApex; 09-11-19 at 02:21 PM. Reason: WTF! “a.b.o.” getting censored :o
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Keep in mind there's two generations. The first generation Varia is not even a light, it's just a bar of LEDs that flash when it detects something. The current generation also includes a super bright light -- comparable to my Bontrager Flare, although I haven't actually compared lumens. But it's really, really bright.
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Thought I'd update the thread to say that Mrs. NoWhammies gave me the Varia RTL510 for Christmas. I haven't taken the radar unit out for a spin yes, but based on what I've read here and other place online, I am looking forward to my first ride.
This^^ This is the exact same thing that happened to me when I turned it after charging the sucker. I was seeing red for a while afterwards. Needless to say, I won't make that mistake again.
This^^ This is the exact same thing that happened to me when I turned it after charging the sucker. I was seeing red for a while afterwards. Needless to say, I won't make that mistake again.
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I don't own a Varia, but quite a few of my friends do. They also swear by it. I'm the only one who runs cameras on rides, both front and rear. I think if I cared about looking like a dork I'd ditch my helmet mirror and get a radar. I'm okay with looking dorky so I'll stick with my mirror.
I've sat behind their wheels with it flashing. I don't find it all that bright, or maybe I'm just used to it.
The cameras, while they won't prevent any collisions, do give me some peace of mind, especially when riding solo or on my commutes, in case there is an incident. I don't usually turn them on when riding with a group. And if I do, it's sporadic.
I view the Varia the same way I view my cameras--that if it gives you some sense of security, then why not, even if it is a false one.☺️
I've sat behind their wheels with it flashing. I don't find it all that bright, or maybe I'm just used to it.
The cameras, while they won't prevent any collisions, do give me some peace of mind, especially when riding solo or on my commutes, in case there is an incident. I don't usually turn them on when riding with a group. And if I do, it's sporadic.
I view the Varia the same way I view my cameras--that if it gives you some sense of security, then why not, even if it is a false one.☺️
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I find myself riding further in to the street, which is helpful in a few ways. First, it's smoother and there's usually less debris. Beyond that, visibility to motorists approaching from behind is better. Third, I really do think that seeing me move over upon their approach elicits a different response from drivers - they're aware that I'm aware of them and that I'm making an effort at accommodation. Then there's the changing flash pattern as they approach - again, it's something that indicates a dynamic situation.
I don't know how much to attribute to any one factor, but the end result is that I see much more generous passes and buzzings have been reduced dramatically.
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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.
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Having logged some more time with the Varia, I'd disagree. A camera is great after the fact, but a Varia is proactive.
I find myself riding further in to the street, which is helpful in a few ways. First, it's smoother and there's usually less debris. Beyond that, visibility to motorists approaching from behind is better. Third, I really do think that seeing me move over upon their approach elicits a different response from drivers - they're aware that I'm aware of them and that I'm making an effort at accommodation. Then there's the changing flash pattern as they approach - again, it's something that indicates a dynamic situation.
I don't know how much to attribute to any one factor, but the end result is that I see much more generous passes and buzzings have been reduced dramatically.
I find myself riding further in to the street, which is helpful in a few ways. First, it's smoother and there's usually less debris. Beyond that, visibility to motorists approaching from behind is better. Third, I really do think that seeing me move over upon their approach elicits a different response from drivers - they're aware that I'm aware of them and that I'm making an effort at accommodation. Then there's the changing flash pattern as they approach - again, it's something that indicates a dynamic situation.
I don't know how much to attribute to any one factor, but the end result is that I see much more generous passes and buzzings have been reduced dramatically.
That said, I find a mirror helps in other ways, like with left turns, singling up when there's a car back, watching for cars with right turn signals to avoid right hooks, etc. But this thread is about radar and camera, so I won't dwell on it.
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The friends with whom I ride who have the Varia don't do much with the data, or at least I don't see them react to it. I am quite comfortable riding further out from the shoulder/curb when I am pulling, even taking the whole lane, especially now because of salt, debris, and possible ice patches from refrozen melting snow on the bank. Them, not so much, and most will stay at or inside the fog line. I also consider the direction of the side winds when pulling. E.g., wind from left, I ride further out giving riders behind me a better angle, and vice versa. A few of them have even said they don't feel comfortable riding further out from the shoulder. I don't notice them deviating from their path when there is an approaching vehicle. But none of them have logged as much mileage as I have on the road, and have had to deal with as much traffic as I have.
If you actually use the information the radar gives you to ride proactively and adjust to the changing conditions, then it's a good safety device.
If you actually use the information the radar gives you to ride proactively and adjust to the changing conditions, then it's a good safety device.
#97
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I wanted to play with some new bike technology, decided on the Varia radar taillight vs. video. I have friend who bikes a lot and is a big fan of the Cycliq video unit but ends up using it pretty much only in case he wants to give the police a photo of the license plate of the car that hit him! And that hasn't been very useful in Florida, where there aren't any front license plates...
Two rides with the Varia 510 unit, very impressed. Two negatives: (1) I use a saddle bag on a relatively low seat and have no seat post room to mount the unit, had to do a bit of improvising; and (2) I knew it would alert a lot in urban areas but another scenario: riding on a trail or service road next to a busy highway. The 40 degree angle and the 500 feet or so rear detection distance means it will see the right lane of the highway unless there is some tall barrier.
The only other downside: yet another thing to do periodic software updates on! Feels kinda silly updating a taillight, soon my bar tape will come with a USB interface.
I'm using my Wahoo Elemnt as the head unit, works great.
Two rides with the Varia 510 unit, very impressed. Two negatives: (1) I use a saddle bag on a relatively low seat and have no seat post room to mount the unit, had to do a bit of improvising; and (2) I knew it would alert a lot in urban areas but another scenario: riding on a trail or service road next to a busy highway. The 40 degree angle and the 500 feet or so rear detection distance means it will see the right lane of the highway unless there is some tall barrier.
The only other downside: yet another thing to do periodic software updates on! Feels kinda silly updating a taillight, soon my bar tape will come with a USB interface.
I'm using my Wahoo Elemnt as the head unit, works great.
#98
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Helpful hint for those with Varia radars.... if you ride in groups or ride with some people regularly, you can have others connect to your unit as well and then everyone knows when cars are coming up from behind. Very helpful as long as everyone is aware that the car position shown on their head units is relative to the Varia and not themselves.
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Helpful hint for those with Varia radars.... if you ride in groups or ride with some people regularly, you can have others connect to your unit as well and then everyone knows when cars are coming up from behind. Very helpful as long as everyone is aware that the car position shown on their head units is relative to the Varia and not themselves.
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I've ridden with groups of 10-12 people, a few of them latched on to my Varia; as long as the group isn't too strung out, the range was more than enough for everyone, probably 100 feet or more.