Radar love
#26
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From what I read, riders behind you in a group could "get in the way" and block the beam from recognizing cars. It won't alert you to other riders behind you in the group since they'll be going at the same speed.
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From watching how my wife's Varia behaves for these last ~2 years, that's nearly impossible; the Varia's radar beam pattern is way too wide to be "blocked" by cyclists in a paceline. I suppose if you're being followed by a Large & Wide Seething Morass Of Riders rather than a single-file paceline it's possible, but empirically that seems really unlikely.
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To summarize whenever his subject comes up it breaks down as follows.
Those who have not used it find it a silly product which if anything makes cycling more dangerous. This pattern of weighting in without any experience with the product is symbolic of this crowd.
Those who have used one feel it is a helpful addition to their cycling experience and worth the expense. With virtually 100% satisfaction which considering the cynical lot we are dealing with means Garmin has hit it out of the park with this product.
There is one long time member who goes against this narrative and after using one feels it is not worth the hassle or expense. But this feedback is a singular outlier.
Those who have not used it find it a silly product which if anything makes cycling more dangerous. This pattern of weighting in without any experience with the product is symbolic of this crowd.
Those who have used one feel it is a helpful addition to their cycling experience and worth the expense. With virtually 100% satisfaction which considering the cynical lot we are dealing with means Garmin has hit it out of the park with this product.
There is one long time member who goes against this narrative and after using one feels it is not worth the hassle or expense. But this feedback is a singular outlier.
Last edited by Atlas Shrugged; 06-13-22 at 05:56 PM.
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#29
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Counterpoint -- I won't ride without a mirror, which I find extremely valuable for checking traffic patterns and watching for things like impending right hooks, and also to help me with politely assertive lateral lane positioning. If I want or need to merge or change lanes, I use the mirror first to identify a gap in traffic, before looking back to verify the gap.
I only mention this because such stuff doesn't get discussed much on BF. However more involved discussion should probably be in it's own thread and probably in another forum.
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I started using a mirror several years ago due to disc problems in my neck, as well as hearing loss. I don't wear my hearing aids when riding because the wind noise drowns everything out. Using a mirror made a world of difference, although occasionally I'd be lost in thought or zoning out on the surroundings and that's when an unexpected car would fly by. I found myself constantly glancing in the mirror, always looking for the next threat. I recently got a Garmin Edge 130 Plus and the Varia RVR315 Rear Radar sensor hoping it would increase my safety and allow me to enjoy the ride more.
I will never ride without this setup again.
I'm sure I'm not the first one here to discover this, but I can't get over what a difference it has made. It picks up cars 500 ft away and dots on the display show them as they approach, as well as how many. Up to 8 cars. There are audible beeps too. Some of the roads I ride are a bit rough and the smoothest parts are out in the lane. Before, I'd always be worrying about a car coming up unexpectedly and would be constantly glancing over. Now I get an 8-10 second audible warning. More often than not, I get an alert before I can see them in the mirror. It also works without a computer by downloading a free Garmin Varia phone app.
The only issue I had at first was not always hearing the tone. I solved that with a single earpiece and ran the app on my phone where I could make the tone louder. You would think there would be a volume control, but I haven't found it. Accidents will happen, but along with the mirror, I think the Varia goes far to mitigate the risk.
I haven't been using this too long. Do any long time users have any useful tips or observations?
Stay safe out there!
I will never ride without this setup again.
I'm sure I'm not the first one here to discover this, but I can't get over what a difference it has made. It picks up cars 500 ft away and dots on the display show them as they approach, as well as how many. Up to 8 cars. There are audible beeps too. Some of the roads I ride are a bit rough and the smoothest parts are out in the lane. Before, I'd always be worrying about a car coming up unexpectedly and would be constantly glancing over. Now I get an 8-10 second audible warning. More often than not, I get an alert before I can see them in the mirror. It also works without a computer by downloading a free Garmin Varia phone app.
The only issue I had at first was not always hearing the tone. I solved that with a single earpiece and ran the app on my phone where I could make the tone louder. You would think there would be a volume control, but I haven't found it. Accidents will happen, but along with the mirror, I think the Varia goes far to mitigate the risk.
I haven't been using this too long. Do any long time users have any useful tips or observations?
Stay safe out there!
Last edited by Litespud; 06-14-22 at 09:20 AM.
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#31
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I ride two bikes.
A older 1986 Schwinn Passage. (GREAT BIKE) !
I have a Mirror on that bike.
BUT
Most of the time I ride a 2015 Trek Verve III.
(GREAT BIKE)
BUT
No mirror on the Trek.
I have to admit, after riding the Schwinn, then riding the Trek, I find myself missing that mirror!
'
'
A older 1986 Schwinn Passage. (GREAT BIKE) !
I have a Mirror on that bike.
BUT
Most of the time I ride a 2015 Trek Verve III.
(GREAT BIKE)
BUT
No mirror on the Trek.
I have to admit, after riding the Schwinn, then riding the Trek, I find myself missing that mirror!
'
'
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I've been using the Garmin Varia RTL510 for 2 years. It's the best piece of electronic equipment I bought. I have never observed a false negative yet.
I don't hear the audible beep, but keep a frequent eye on the approaching traffic so I'm prepared if a obstacle appears ahead.
Also, great help when riding downhill and you can't hear approaching traffic because of air noise in the ears.
I don't use a mirror.
I don't hear the audible beep, but keep a frequent eye on the approaching traffic so I'm prepared if a obstacle appears ahead.
Also, great help when riding downhill and you can't hear approaching traffic because of air noise in the ears.
I don't use a mirror.
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[QUOTE=Bob Ross;22540388]Not so long as they're riding at the same speed you are. If a gap opens up behind you and that next rider decides to put the hammer down to close it, they may register as an oncoming car.
Yes it does.
Yes it does.
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Thanks to the info in this discussion I bought a Garmin Varia for my wife. She was very skeptical. Basically thought I was nuts. After the second ride with it she thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.
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#40
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I've been riding for over forty years without a mirror and never had any issues.
I just don't see where what's behind you is more important than what is in front or to your left or right. If you ride a predictable line, then those behind you will know what to expect and will avoid you.
For those behind you that have mal intent or are oblivious to you I doubt you'll recognize that in your mirror in time to save you.
I do like my varia radar though. I don't like other cyclist with mirrors that behave weirdly and unpredictably when I approach from behind on my bike.
I just don't see where what's behind you is more important than what is in front or to your left or right. If you ride a predictable line, then those behind you will know what to expect and will avoid you.
For those behind you that have mal intent or are oblivious to you I doubt you'll recognize that in your mirror in time to save you.
I do like my varia radar though. I don't like other cyclist with mirrors that behave weirdly and unpredictably when I approach from behind on my bike.
Does the Varia talk to a Wahoo computer?
#42
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Has anyone read any human factors research by Garmin on the design of the warning for cyclist-warning systems? At least in the automotive world such warnings receive a lot of attention for how long it should be, how soon to expect correct response, most audible or recognizable pitch or modulation of pitch, et cetera. The main techniques for conducting the experiments and tests are to arrange sessions with human subjects. One potential failure would be if the cyclist hears the warning and responds by moving away from the road edge area possibly into the path of the approaching vehicle, not to say that's ever happened except with voice warnings ("On your left!") to peds on an MUP or paved rail trail.
#43
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I see the Varia as an electronic mirror, monitoring the rear between mirror glances or distractions; complementary, rather than a mirror substitute. The Varia also detects vehicles as soon as they are *detectable*, which a mirror does also, but only if the visibility is good and the rider is also looking at the mirror *all the time*.
The intelligent light response also strikes me as useful, and appears to take approach angle into account. Another plus is the discrimination of multiple vehicles.
I would like one. Just $.
The intelligent light response also strikes me as useful, and appears to take approach angle into account. Another plus is the discrimination of multiple vehicles.
I would like one. Just $.
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1. It leaves you no room for position adjustments.
2. It encourages drivers to think they can squeeze by you in the same lane.
If there's no shoulder, my preferred position is a couple of feet inside the fog line, about where the vehicles' right wheels track. Especially if the lane is narrow.
Be safe, be predictable.
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#47
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I call this maneuver "cowering on the white line". It's dangerous.
1. It leaves you no room for position adjustments.
2. It encourages drivers to think they can squeeze by you in the same lane.
If there's no shoulder, my preferred position is a couple of feet inside the fog line, about where the vehicles' right wheels track. Especially if the lane is narrow.
Be safe, be predictable.
1. It leaves you no room for position adjustments.
2. It encourages drivers to think they can squeeze by you in the same lane.
If there's no shoulder, my preferred position is a couple of feet inside the fog line, about where the vehicles' right wheels track. Especially if the lane is narrow.
Be safe, be predictable.
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Yes, unequivocally.
Also according to my wife, who owns a Wahoo Elemnt and Garmin Varia and has used them together successfully for a year or two now.
LOL! Not sure if the (non-Bolt) Elemnt is any different, but my wife is always getting alerts that the battery is running low since she started using the combo...admittedly I'm not sure if the Wahoo is specifically telling her "the Varia battery is low" or if it's saying "my battery is low" but it's directly related to using the Wahoo/Varia combination. i.e., when she doesn't use the Varia she gets far less frequent low battery alerts from the Wahoo.
LOL! Not sure if the (non-Bolt) Elemnt is any different, but my wife is always getting alerts that the battery is running low since she started using the combo...admittedly I'm not sure if the Wahoo is specifically telling her "the Varia battery is low" or if it's saying "my battery is low" but it's directly related to using the Wahoo/Varia combination. i.e., when she doesn't use the Varia she gets far less frequent low battery alerts from the Wahoo.
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A 515 was a Xmas present. One of the best given and a year after a Wahoo Roam. Love both.
A riding friend was impressed with the brightness and function of the light. Best he has seen.
I consider it an indicator of what is behind me. I don't use a mirror, but it would be a great combination.
it is charged between rides so don't have any experience with battery life.
A riding friend was impressed with the brightness and function of the light. Best he has seen.
I consider it an indicator of what is behind me. I don't use a mirror, but it would be a great combination.
it is charged between rides so don't have any experience with battery life.
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