Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar?
07-21-16, 05:22 PM
#26
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It sounds pretty interesting. Most of my rides are either with low traffic on in the canyons where I can clearly hear cars quite a distance behind me. This could help on certain sections of the descent though. I must look into it.
07-21-16, 10:06 PM
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The Varia is well worth it if you ride low traffic roads in conditions you can't hear cars approaching. Its a extremely helpful point of reference.
07-24-16, 10:08 AM
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Like above, its good for low traffic/rural roads. I am partial deaf in 1 ear and ride against wind most of the time and cannot hear traffic until it is very close. The light is not bright during the daytime and would probably been better off not having a light. The functionality of the radar and integration with the edge is superb. The round mounting clip is extremely secure but ugly as hell. Someone does make a 3d printed garmin mount for a Fizik ICS saddle though.
Size:
Size:
08-14-16, 08:48 AM
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I now won't ride with cars without the Varia Radar. It's another information source in addition to hearing the car approaching and seeing it in the mirror. Once I had 7 "dots" on my Edge 1000, sure enough 7 cars went by. It turns green when the coast is clear.
The only downside in my case is that radar completely takes over real estate behind my bike - can't coexist with a saddle bag, no room for anything else on the seat post. Looking into getting a seat rail mount option.
The only downside in my case is that radar completely takes over real estate behind my bike - can't coexist with a saddle bag, no room for anything else on the seat post. Looking into getting a seat rail mount option.
08-14-16, 08:54 AM
#30
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I have one. I ride mostly rural roads with low traffic density. I have it paired with a Garmin 25 (Minimalism); the audible signal I find is the most important feature. When I am going downhill at a reasonable speed, it is quite useful, and gives me a heads up before I hear a car. When I am climbing, I usually hear a car before the radar activates and beeps. On windy roads, it is of fairly limited utility, as it has to have a direct line-of-sight to detect a car. I find it more useful than a helmet mirror.
I have it mounted on a rear rack. Not enough room for it and a small saddle bag on my seatpost, unfortunately, so if I take the rack off, I have very few options.
I have it mounted on a rear rack. Not enough room for it and a small saddle bag on my seatpost, unfortunately, so if I take the rack off, I have very few options.
08-14-16, 09:15 AM
#31
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I agree 100% with Jarrett.
While I hate how poor Garmin software is, and the fact they they seem to do little testing of their head units before releasing them, the Varia light works well, consistently.
I am aware of cars behind me much sooner than if I didn't have the Varia. This is a great help to me. Here in New Mexico we have a huge number of stickers that collect in the bike lines. Many of us ride in the road when cars aren't around, or at least hug the left side of the bike lane. Yes, the stickers are that bad in some parts of the year. So having more warning when a car comes up from behind is a huge plus. The Varia gives me plenty of time to move back into the sticker infested bike lane.
We also have some long steep descents here. You can't hear cars coming up behind you when you are going 40-50mph. Again, the Varia is a huge help.
While I hate how poor Garmin software is, and the fact they they seem to do little testing of their head units before releasing them, the Varia light works well, consistently.
I am aware of cars behind me much sooner than if I didn't have the Varia. This is a great help to me. Here in New Mexico we have a huge number of stickers that collect in the bike lines. Many of us ride in the road when cars aren't around, or at least hug the left side of the bike lane. Yes, the stickers are that bad in some parts of the year. So having more warning when a car comes up from behind is a huge plus. The Varia gives me plenty of time to move back into the sticker infested bike lane.
We also have some long steep descents here. You can't hear cars coming up behind you when you are going 40-50mph. Again, the Varia is a huge help.
I've been using one on virtually every ride since Christmas. I don't like to ride without it anymore.
I use it with my Edge 1000 and it works.
Yes, in a tail wind you can hear cars coming up behind you. If you are moving fast or in a head wind, this thing is invaluable. Its especially useful when you are pushing hard and lose focus on safety for a minute. It snaps you back into reality.
Yes, it tells you when multiple cars are approaching.
Yes, it will tell you if a cyclist is coming up behind, only if they are coming up fast.
It will also tell you if a car is waiting to pass. And how roughly how fast a car is approaching.
It won't tell you if that car is on a collision course or not, you have to look back to determine that.
The Varia regularly tells me about cars approaching from behind before people with mirrors on their helmet see them. Sometimes when I'm leading a group ride, I will yell car back before the people behind me.
Any other questions?
I use it with my Edge 1000 and it works.
Yes, in a tail wind you can hear cars coming up behind you. If you are moving fast or in a head wind, this thing is invaluable. Its especially useful when you are pushing hard and lose focus on safety for a minute. It snaps you back into reality.
Yes, it tells you when multiple cars are approaching.
Yes, it will tell you if a cyclist is coming up behind, only if they are coming up fast.
It will also tell you if a car is waiting to pass. And how roughly how fast a car is approaching.
It won't tell you if that car is on a collision course or not, you have to look back to determine that.
The Varia regularly tells me about cars approaching from behind before people with mirrors on their helmet see them. Sometimes when I'm leading a group ride, I will yell car back before the people behind me.
Any other questions?
08-14-16, 12:50 PM
#32
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Will be nice if they build a more compact unit. I can't give up my saddle bag.
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08-14-16, 08:09 PM
#33
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I now won't ride with cars without the Varia Radar. It's another information source in addition to hearing the car approaching and seeing it in the mirror. Once I had 7 "dots" on my Edge 1000, sure enough 7 cars went by. It turns green when the coast is clear.
The only downside in my case is that radar completely takes over real estate behind my bike - can't coexist with a saddle bag, no room for anything else on the seat post. Looking into getting a seat rail mount option.
The only downside in my case is that radar completely takes over real estate behind my bike - can't coexist with a saddle bag, no room for anything else on the seat post. Looking into getting a seat rail mount option.
J.
08-23-16, 02:32 AM
#34
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Have the radar, best thing ever! Feel naked without it.
After a while you get a feeling for the blips and false positives and as stated above its a nice additional source of information!
Only downside is the battery drain! Depending on the ride duration you can practically recharge every 3 hours of usage.
After a while you get a feeling for the blips and false positives and as stated above its a nice additional source of information!
Only downside is the battery drain! Depending on the ride duration you can practically recharge every 3 hours of usage.
09-28-16, 10:54 AM
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I would be interested in getting the Varia as I am hard of hearing. I only hear cars when there passing. How long does the battery last? Is it rechargeable? I am getting a new Edge 1000 and would like to add the varia.
09-28-16, 12:03 PM
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The battery in the radar itself, or in the head unit? Does it charge with standard USB? Can you charge it while using it? I could leave a battery pack in my saddle bag.
09-28-16, 02:04 PM
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It is micro-usb and according to some comments on dcrainmaker's site you can use it while charging. Everywhere I read they always recommend a garmin supported computer. The remote display kit does not provide the audio beep which distracts you by staring/glancing at the screen. I use the computer/light combo purely for the beep to make me look back. Before using it I was skeptical but now after a few months and riding once without it I try not to forget it.
Garmin Varia Bike Radar System In-Depth Review | DC Rainmaker
Garmin Varia Bike Radar System In-Depth Review | DC Rainmaker
09-29-16, 05:16 AM
#38
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I have a question as I am new to the Varia, I am purchasing a Garmin edge 1000 in a few days,I would also like to get the Varia.
Can I just buy the taillight ($200) instead of getting the bundle head unit with it for ($300)
Will just the taillight radar for $200 work with my edge 1000? Thank you.
Can I just buy the taillight ($200) instead of getting the bundle head unit with it for ($300)
Will just the taillight radar for $200 work with my edge 1000? Thank you.
09-29-16, 07:34 AM
#39
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I have a question as I am new to the Varia, I am purchasing a Garmin edge 1000 in a few days,I would also like to get the Varia.
Can I just buy the taillight ($200) instead of getting the bundle head unit with it for ($300)
Will just the taillight radar for $200 work with my edge 1000? Thank you.
Can I just buy the taillight ($200) instead of getting the bundle head unit with it for ($300)
Will just the taillight radar for $200 work with my edge 1000? Thank you.
Make sure when you perform updates of the 1000 that you update the Varia as well. I had some issues early on with the two units not playing nicely together if the updates were out of sync. Overall very happy with it, just wish the "beep" was louder.
- handz98
09-29-16, 08:30 AM
#40
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I have it and I love it. Very handy for low traffic roads. I could see where it might not work as well in high traffic areas.. But you always know how many cars you have behind you. I like that for when I have to go left (I still look after the last car passes, but it is nice to know what is behind me without looking back)
09-30-16, 05:04 AM
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I charge it at the moment via USB on my PC and it don't run during charinging. Even when connect in on mode it will turn off during charging. Maybe its different with a powerbank. I can test it later at home when connect it to the mains.
09-30-16, 05:06 AM
#42
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I have it and I love it. Very handy for low traffic roads. I could see where it might not work as well in high traffic areas.. But you always know how many cars you have behind you. I like that for when I have to go left (I still look after the last car passes, but it is nice to know what is behind me without looking back)
09-30-16, 01:30 PM
#43
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Other complaints after a few thousand miles.
Head unit doesn't provide an audio notification option, so you have to mount it in a conspicuous location or use a compatible Garmin GPS unit. I use a K-edge out in front XL to get it in sight off my bars.
Turning the head unit on/off should communicate with the rear light to do so likewise.
False positives happen but a false negative hasn't yet. This is good.
After the software update, the head unit loses connectivity with the light occasionally. Typically 5-7 seconds to restore. Does not require user intervention to restore the connection.
While not perfect, I consider it a valuable tool to aid in my awareness of my surroundings.
09-30-16, 03:02 PM
#44
Senior Member
I've been using one on virtually every ride since Christmas. I don't like to ride without it anymore.
I use it with my Edge 1000 and it works.
Yes, in a tail wind you can hear cars coming up behind you. If you are moving fast or in a head wind, this thing is invaluable. Its especially useful when you are pushing hard and lose focus on safety for a minute. It snaps you back into reality.
Yes, it tells you when multiple cars are approaching.
Yes, it will tell you if a cyclist is coming up behind, only if they are coming up fast.
It will also tell you if a car is waiting to pass. And how roughly how fast a car is approaching.
It won't tell you if that car is on a collision course or not, you have to look back to determine that.
The Varia regularly tells me about cars approaching from behind before people with mirrors on their helmet see them. Sometimes when I'm leading a group ride, I will yell car back before the people behind me.
Any other questions?
I use it with my Edge 1000 and it works.
Yes, in a tail wind you can hear cars coming up behind you. If you are moving fast or in a head wind, this thing is invaluable. Its especially useful when you are pushing hard and lose focus on safety for a minute. It snaps you back into reality.
Yes, it tells you when multiple cars are approaching.
Yes, it will tell you if a cyclist is coming up behind, only if they are coming up fast.
It will also tell you if a car is waiting to pass. And how roughly how fast a car is approaching.
It won't tell you if that car is on a collision course or not, you have to look back to determine that.
The Varia regularly tells me about cars approaching from behind before people with mirrors on their helmet see them. Sometimes when I'm leading a group ride, I will yell car back before the people behind me.
Any other questions?
I'm hearing impaired and I won't be able to hear anything surround me or from Garmin devices. Will it flash light on the display or is it just light up (non-flashing) yellow or green?
I mostly ride on off street bike trails where most cyclists ride on. I don't look back often, only do that when I'm about to pass jogger/walker or slow cyclist. Since you said it will tell us if cyclist is approaching me fast that got me interested buying Varia radar.
10-01-16, 06:57 PM
#46
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My thought is that this device will do nothing but help to let your guard down, and put you at greater risk.
YMMV
10-03-16, 01:59 PM
#47
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Got a question....
I'm hearing impaired and I won't be able to hear anything surround me or from Garmin devices. Will it flash light on the display or is it just light up (non-flashing) yellow or green?
I mostly ride on off street bike trails where most cyclists ride on. I don't look back often, only do that when I'm about to pass jogger/walker or slow cyclist. Since you said it will tell us if cyclist is approaching me fast that got me interested buying Varia radar.
I'm hearing impaired and I won't be able to hear anything surround me or from Garmin devices. Will it flash light on the display or is it just light up (non-flashing) yellow or green?
I mostly ride on off street bike trails where most cyclists ride on. I don't look back often, only do that when I'm about to pass jogger/walker or slow cyclist. Since you said it will tell us if cyclist is approaching me fast that got me interested buying Varia radar.
10-03-16, 06:04 PM
#48
Senior Member
Um, probably not worth to get it. If I'm about to pass someone on the trail, I could look at the screen to see if there's anything behind me and then turn head to double check. Turning head probably the best way to do it without shell out $200 for a radar.
10-03-16, 06:23 PM
#49
Senior Member
^love the thing.. super useful when you just can't really turn your head. Like on dodgy roads, large paceline...or TTbike training in the aero position (most useful) you don't know what your missing till you try.
10-04-16, 08:45 AM
#50
Senior Member
Yep, totally agree. I feel the same way and it gives me an opportunity make sure I am over as far as I can be. Just handy and I feel safer.