Good rear light 2020.
#76
Member
I use it at night all the time. I just put it on as a solid light instead of flashing.
#77
Senior Member
Just wanted to add an opinion. I'm not going to favor one particular rear light over another as there are so many good rear lights nowadays that it just wouldn't make sense. I think if you are using a rear light that is rated to be over 100 lumen ( usually this is in one of the flash modes ) that you have something that works and will definitely get you seen at night and perhaps even in the day. Quality though is important so I would definitely recommend a good brand name light.
Example of a good light: Some weeks ago I was driving my car in long line of slow moving traffic. Line of sight was very limited and most of my attention was aimed at what was directly in front of me. This was during the day but somewhere just before sunset. Suddenly my attention was directed to my right by a very bright light. Indeed, I saw the light first. Cyclist using a very good rear light in a place and time of year I would not expect to see a cyclist ( must of been a fairly warm day ). I was so impressed by this that as I came along side the rider I wound my side window down and told the guy that I really liked his rear light. Not sure what he was using but when I caught up to him again the light appeared to have the configuration of a Cygolite Hypershot ( two LED's, two optics, one of top of the other ). Possibly there are other brands that use the same physical configuration so I don't know really what he had. Doesn't matter. What he had worked and worked well.
Example of a good light: Some weeks ago I was driving my car in long line of slow moving traffic. Line of sight was very limited and most of my attention was aimed at what was directly in front of me. This was during the day but somewhere just before sunset. Suddenly my attention was directed to my right by a very bright light. Indeed, I saw the light first. Cyclist using a very good rear light in a place and time of year I would not expect to see a cyclist ( must of been a fairly warm day ). I was so impressed by this that as I came along side the rider I wound my side window down and told the guy that I really liked his rear light. Not sure what he was using but when I caught up to him again the light appeared to have the configuration of a Cygolite Hypershot ( two LED's, two optics, one of top of the other ). Possibly there are other brands that use the same physical configuration so I don't know really what he had. Doesn't matter. What he had worked and worked well.
#78
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Let me ask the assembled Varia intelligentsia if I understand: I'd need to ask Santa for a Varia RTL515 tail lamp/radar ($200 retail, North Pole price probably less) and an Edge 130 Plus ($200 retail, North Pole price probably less)?
#79
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Yes, if you don't already have a compatible computer or mounted phone.
#80
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Yes. Though, if you’re currently using your phone to record, RTL515 also has Bluetooth capability so you can continue using your phone, given that radar would increase the phone’s battery consumption. If I remember correctly, rwgps app has native radar support, as well as garmin’s own radar app.
#81
Member
Other than the Varia mentioned here, I’m a fan of the Cygolite Hotshot 200 as well. Lots of visual range, settings and lasts long enough for those night rides.
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#82
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#83
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I'm currently using the Knog mid Cobber and it's been really good. It's programmable and has at least 6 different settings you can cycle through, but the biggest advantage over most other rear lights is that it is more visible from the side and angles than most other rear lights because of its shape. That said, I've been thinking about getting Varia radar once my Hammerhead bike computer ships (currently using my iPhone as a computer, and Varia only works with Ant+). The debate will be whether to get the Varia stand-alone radar and keep the Knog, or just switch to the Varia rear light for simplicity sake.
I will add that I recently bought a Knog PWR 1000-lumen front headlight, and it's pretty awesome. I'm totally comfortable biking in the dark now.
I will add that I recently bought a Knog PWR 1000-lumen front headlight, and it's pretty awesome. I'm totally comfortable biking in the dark now.
Hi Matt, did you end up buying the variance radar and keeping the cobber? Im contemplating a similar situation to you. Interested to hear whether you had any regrets not getting the varia light and radar combo?
Cheers
#84
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Hi. Yes, my wife got me the Varia radar light for Christmas. I've only used it on a few rides, but it is excellent. I haven't been using the rear Cobber since I got it, but I'll probably keep it around for long or more dangerous rides. I also finally got my new Hammerhead Karoo2 computer (pre-ordered about 7 months ago), so I need to see how it works with the Varia. I literally just got it and haven't ridden with it yet. I was using my iPhone running Cyclemeter with the Varia, which is not ideal because that app doesn't seem to work with the Varia. So, I was swapping back and forth between Cyclemeter and the Varia app. And, even with that annoying setup, I still liked the Varia.
#85
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I would never ride my bike without my Varia RTL 515 running and communicating with my Garmin Edge. 1000.
#86
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I was using a hotshot Pro 200, because I believe a rear light has to be just as effective as a front light during the day. I recently switched to the Garmin RTL515. Let me tell you this is well worth the price. If you go this route I highly recommend BupLabs mounting solutions to protect that $200 investment. By protect, I mean redundant and secure mounting. Even though the O-ring Mount works, I’m more comfortable with this.
#87
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#88
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#90
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#91
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Today I got a Cygolite Hypershot 350. I already have a Cygolite, so I know that the hardmount bracket is solid...And the light is obviously bright as hell -- too bright, really. I bought it with a plan to use it on steady, with the intensity dimmed a bit in order to prolong battery life for long rides. Even at about half intensity, it's still brighter than my 100 lumen lights. Nice bonus: good side visibility, too.
Haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm pleased so far.
Haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm pleased so far.
#92
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Today I got a Cygolite Hypershot 350. I already have a Cygolite, so I know that the hardmount bracket is solid...And the light is obviously bright as hell -- too bright, really. I bought it with a plan to use it on steady, with the intensity dimmed a bit in order to prolong battery life for long rides. Even at about half intensity, it's still brighter than my 100 lumen lights. Nice bonus: good side visibility, too.
Haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm pleased so far.
Haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm pleased so far.
#93
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Yes, good idea. However, I believe that, on steady beam and highest power, it only runs for a couple hours -- and I would like to ride as long as 5-6 hours without worrying about it. I suppose for such rides, I might better choose a flashing mode, since that gives longer life.
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#94
Junior Member
Oldwinger, do you get all the functionality of the Varia while using it with the Edge 1000? I recall someone saying you get different functionality with different computers. It's amazing how emotional folks get over these things.
I'm also a Dinotte fan. I have an old yellow daytime front light, and an old rear light that they said was only for daytime use. They both had fairly big batteries that you had to also mount to the bike. Bright as hell. I may upgrade my Dinotte lights. Thank you guys for the information.
I'm also a Dinotte fan. I have an old yellow daytime front light, and an old rear light that they said was only for daytime use. They both had fairly big batteries that you had to also mount to the bike. Bright as hell. I may upgrade my Dinotte lights. Thank you guys for the information.
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