Anyone try out the CarBack?
#101
Senior Member
I do love my Garmin Varia eRTL615. I was initially looking at it for just the radar and add another rear light but the light on it is so excellent I don't think I will. I will admit currently for most of my riding in the city the actual radar beeping is a little less useful but the light pattern at the back which changes when a car comes near really is quite nice.
Likes For Koyote:
#102
I totally agree about the 530. Mine is ok now it's set up, but the menu system is a complete mess. It's good to know that the touchscreen units are a big improvement otherwise I would be looking elsewhere in future. But the Varia is a great product and I see them everywhere now.
Likes For Polaris OBark:
#103
Garmin's Varia products range from $99.99 (RVR315) through the same $199.99 (RTL515) price point as the TREK @ $199.99 on up to significantly higher top end RCT715 @ $349.99.
So as this for me is a foray into a newish realm, I'm willing to go with a mid-range competitor, see whether it offers anything worthwhile to my admittedly recreational biking pursuits.
#104
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,576
Liked 1,498 Times
in
1,037 Posts
Garmin's Varia products range from $99.99 (RVR315) through the same $199.99 (RTL515) price point as the TREK @ $199.99 on up to significantly higher top end RCT715 @ $349.99.
So as this for me is a foray into a newish realm, I'm willing to go with a mid-range competitor, see whether it offers anything worthwhile to my admittedly recreational biking pursuits.
So as this for me is a foray into a newish realm, I'm willing to go with a mid-range competitor, see whether it offers anything worthwhile to my admittedly recreational biking pursuits.
The Trek Carback isn't a "midrange" competitor (implying cheaper with less functions, I guess). It's (pretty much) equivalent to the Garmin 515 in price and function. The RVR315 and RCT715 are quite different products (though one could consider the RVR315 as a "lower range" competitor).
In any case, Trek should be an OK thing to try (even with it not having a long history).
#105
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 512
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7, 2022 Kona Dew+
Liked 240 Times
in
147 Posts
Little more than that I've used other Garmin products in the past, to varying degrees of satisfaction. From what I'd read here in earlier posts I expect it to serve my modest needs. Even with hearing aids my hearing's not so good anymore so having something that provides a sense of what's coming up behind me (when I venture out onto the narrow bike lanes aside the two-lane paved highways when necessary) ought to provide a degree of safety I've been missing. I just got back 'into' biking a year ago in an area that's vastly different from what I'd experienced before moving here ten years ago. Topography's different, roads are different, there are more trucks here than cars, and fewer dedicated bike paths close by home.
So I chose Trek's CB device over its competitors.
So I chose Trek's CB device over its competitors.
Last edited by spclark; 05-05-24 at 03:43 PM.
Likes For spclark:
#107
An update on the testing of the Carback versus the Varia ...
https://youtu.be/z481-qOzQn0?si=EBbzTu3rxRqKKdKR
https://youtu.be/z481-qOzQn0?si=EBbzTu3rxRqKKdKR
One thing I like with the Varia is the red alert warning tone when a vehicle approaches at high speed. The CarBack doesn’t appear to have that feature. On my local roads (narrow, fast, no shoulder) it quickly tells me if an approaching vehicle is slowing down, which is a good sign that they have spotted me.
#108
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 512
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7, 2022 Kona Dew+
Liked 240 Times
in
147 Posts
I haven't yet had a chance to ride with the CB I bought but I did do a MacGuyver on the cheap rubber mount. Pulled out the hard plastic bit with its brass threaded insert, cobbled up a Cestbon bayonet-type aluminum+plastic Garmin mount so the 5mm FH machine screw works with the CB attachment clip. Much more solid mounting to my seat Selle Royale seat's rails that hung from a rubber band off the seat post below.
Sunday's supposed to be 78°F here, sunny with some SW wind gusts to 24 mph so I fully expect to be riding once again for this year! Will report on whether the CB adds to the experience.
#109
That's an audio signal or with the red side shading when using a Garmin device as a monitor?
I haven't yet had a chance to ride with the CB I bought but I did do a MacGuyver on the cheap rubber mount. Pulled out the hard plastic bit with its brass threaded insert, cobbled up a Cestbon bayonet-type aluminum+plastic Garmin mount so the 5mm FH machine screw works with the CB attachment clip. Much more solid mounting to my seat Selle Royale seat's rails that hung from a rubber band off the seat post below.
Sunday's supposed to be 78°F here, sunny with some SW wind gusts to 24 mph so I fully expect to be riding once again for this year! Will report on whether the CB adds to the experience.
Red side shading on my Garmin and an audible alarm warning when a vehicle is bearing down fast. Orange shading and a more subtle audio beep for slower vehicles. Maybe Trek will add something similar in future updates. But I expect you will find your CB useful. I would really miss having that rear traffic awareness now. I ride mostly in rural locations where it is invaluable, especially on descents when wind noise is high and I don't want to be looking over my shoulder.
Likes For PeteHski:
#110
Senior Member
So, compared to the Varia, the Trek Carback:
--Lacks adaptive flashing as the vehicle approaches
--Lacks the warning for a fast(er) approaching vehicle
--Has a lousy mount
Given that there is no price advantage for the Carback, it seems like the choice is still easy.
--Lacks adaptive flashing as the vehicle approaches
--Lacks the warning for a fast(er) approaching vehicle
--Has a lousy mount
Given that there is no price advantage for the Carback, it seems like the choice is still easy.
#111
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 512
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7, 2022 Kona Dew+
Liked 240 Times
in
147 Posts
Exactly what I'm looking to gain with this device. A bar-end RVM just doesn't cut it.
Last edited by spclark; 05-10-24 at 02:06 PM. Reason: Added comment.
#112
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,867
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,302 Times
in
2,096 Posts
i wonder who'll embed haptic feedback that not only is at the computer, but sends it to the phone/watch/ring if it's capable?
I'm thinking Garmin would be first as they deal with smart watches...
I'm thinking Garmin would be first as they deal with smart watches...
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#113
Senior Member
I'm not sure how haptic feedback would help (or even work) with a cycle computer.
#114
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,867
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,302 Times
in
2,096 Posts
the feedback would rattle the sloppy BB, causing the rider to look downward & as they go to look down they'll see the alert of traffic.
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#115
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,576
Liked 1,498 Times
in
1,037 Posts
How many Garmin Edge users are riding with smart watches?
The other issue is that each type of smartwatch would require different support.
Supporting their own watches is easier to manage.
It’s possible but might not be worth doing generally (for non-Garmin watches).
#116
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 7,316
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Liked 2,396 Times
in
1,352 Posts
I ride while wearing an Instinct 2 Solar. I use the watch for kayaking and swimming. The watch noticeably vibrates with assorted warnings like texts or emails received on my phone. I wonder if a warning generated on a Varia can be set to vibrate the watch. That would be useful as I am unlikely to hear the audible alarms on my 1040.
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,576
Liked 1,498 Times
in
1,037 Posts
I ride while wearing an Instinct 2 Solar. I use the watch for kayaking and swimming. The watch noticeably vibrates with assorted warnings like texts or emails received on my phone. I wonder if a warning generated on a Varia can be set to vibrate the watch. That would be useful as I am unlikely to hear the audible alarms on my 1040.
But your one example doesn’t do much to show that there are enough people to justify the effort (which is what my question was about).
The Varia sends info to the head unit or an app. And those generate the warning (or display stuff).
Do know about the Varia smartphone app?
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/716691
There are many more people with smartphones than smartwatches. So, the effort for the app might be much more worthwhile than supporting smartwatches.
The Apple Watch is (probably) much more popular than Garmin watches but it would weird to support those over Garmin devices and, again, it’s not clear if there are enough people who would find it useful. Supporting other smartwatches makes even less sense.
Last edited by njkayaker; 05-11-24 at 10:33 AM.
#118
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 7,316
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Liked 2,396 Times
in
1,352 Posts
Note that I didn’t say it wouldn’t be useful.
But your one example doesn’t do much to show that there are enough people to justify the effort (which is what my question was about).
The Varia sends info to the head unit or an app. And those generate the warning (or display stuff).
Do know about the Varia smartphone app?
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/716691
There are many more people with smartphones than smartwatches. So, the effort for the app might be much more worthwhile than supporting smartwatches.
The Apple Watch is (probably) much more popular than Garmin watches but it would weird to support those over Garmin devices and, again, it’s not clear if there are enough people who would find it useful. Supporting other smartwatches makes even less sense.
But your one example doesn’t do much to show that there are enough people to justify the effort (which is what my question was about).
The Varia sends info to the head unit or an app. And those generate the warning (or display stuff).
Do know about the Varia smartphone app?
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/716691
There are many more people with smartphones than smartwatches. So, the effort for the app might be much more worthwhile than supporting smartwatches.
The Apple Watch is (probably) much more popular than Garmin watches but it would weird to support those over Garmin devices and, again, it’s not clear if there are enough people who would find it useful. Supporting other smartwatches makes even less sense.
I might be buying a Varia early next week, when I do I’ll find out how and if it interfaces with a Garmin watch
Last edited by Steve B.; 05-11-24 at 12:33 PM.
Likes For Steve B.:
#119
Senior Member
I don't know if that capability is available with all Garmin watches.