Varia radar camera RCT715 leaked
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,373
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4384 Post(s)
Liked 4,824 Times
in
2,981 Posts
I already have a Varia radar tail light. I love the added situational awareness, I like that it leaves solid mode and blinks at drivers according to their speed to make them aware of me. I even find it useful to see the gaps in traffic behind me sometimes.
Let's both hope I never get hit and regret not upgrading to the camera model.
Let's both hope I never get hit and regret not upgrading to the camera model.
I guess I'll have to read DCR's review.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,509
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20801 Post(s)
Liked 9,448 Times
in
4,666 Posts
Likes For WhyFi:
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,373
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4384 Post(s)
Liked 4,824 Times
in
2,981 Posts
Likes For tempocyclist:
#31
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,790
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9648 Post(s)
Liked 6,363 Times
in
3,503 Posts
#32
Port
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 6,640
Bikes: 2022 Soma Fog Cutter, 2021 Calfee Draqonfly 44, 1984 Peter Mooney, 2017 Soma Stanyan, 1990 Fuji Ace, 1990 Bridgestone RB-1, 1995 Independent Fabrications Track, 2003 Calfee Dragonfly Pro
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 978 Post(s)
Liked 1,840 Times
in
1,052 Posts
How does this compare to a Cycliq Fly 6? Is radar worth $170?
__________________
https://rowdml.tripod.com/panmass
https://rowdml.tripod.com/panmass
#33
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,790
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9648 Post(s)
Liked 6,363 Times
in
3,503 Posts
Radar is worth more than a camera. Radar helps you avoid trouble. Camera only documents the problem when it hits you.
Likes For Mojo31:
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Not surprisingly, it's larger than the no camera version.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 821
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 679 Times
in
327 Posts
I had a Fly6 and the video quality (while still 1080p) is arguably better, possibly due to the image stabilisation option. I've always been able to make out number plates.
It died recently from water ingress through the charging port (rubber cap may have come loose). I'll likely replace it with this new VARIA combo.
Whether the radar is worth it is personal. Recently I went on a ride with a mate who has a VARIA and his Garmin would "beep" the car warning well before I could hear anything behind.
It died recently from water ingress through the charging port (rubber cap may have come loose). I'll likely replace it with this new VARIA combo.
Whether the radar is worth it is personal. Recently I went on a ride with a mate who has a VARIA and his Garmin would "beep" the car warning well before I could hear anything behind.
Likes For tempocyclist:
#36
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,996
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2222 Post(s)
Liked 3,407 Times
in
1,779 Posts
On my steel bike that has a carbon seatpost that tends to creep downward, it solved that problem without (useless) carbon-paste, over-torquing the bolt or putting sand in the grease.
Win/win.
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
https://bikerumor.com/first-impressi...r-with-camera/
Previous, no camera version next to new update.
Previous, no camera version next to new update.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,864
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 760 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Shane Miller basically say great idea, but not ready for prime time, really hammers them for only putting in a 16gb memory card
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,692
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 815 Post(s)
Liked 1,646 Times
in
776 Posts
I just ordered one. Should be here on 5/20, if you want to wait for an "unprofessional" review.
After I was struck from behind by a car, I got a 515 and really liked it. But, after several years of use, the battery would no longer hold a charge for more than 45 minutes or so. I contacted Garmin about getting the battery replaced, but all they could offer was a reconditioned unit at almost the same cost of a new one. At about the same time, my Rylo 360 degree cam, which I had mounted on the left end of the handlebars so it could record forward, rearward, and to the side, decided to die, and Rylo had stopped making them.
I opted for a GoPro (2, actually) and bought a new Varia 315 to go along with a Bontrager Flare tail light. With the three of those stuffed onto the seatpost, it was cluttered and looked terrible, although it worked well. The new unit will clean things up, battery life should be better than the GoPro, and I have 128GB memory cards laying around. (That is a non-issue with me. Most cameras you buy come with a minimum storage card. My DSLR came with one big enough to store about 10 photos - it was the first "upgrade" I made to that.)
I also think the lever type lock mount will become the new standard for future Garmin unit mounts. I have an out front mount for my 1030+ with the Garmin auxiliary power pack. You take out the 1/4 turn twist base and install lever locks for both units. I feel they are much more secure. I think Garmin will eventually come out with a software upgrade to add image stabilization. I only intend to use it when radar is activated. I'm not really interested in uploading high quality movies of my back tire to YouTube.
After I was struck from behind by a car, I got a 515 and really liked it. But, after several years of use, the battery would no longer hold a charge for more than 45 minutes or so. I contacted Garmin about getting the battery replaced, but all they could offer was a reconditioned unit at almost the same cost of a new one. At about the same time, my Rylo 360 degree cam, which I had mounted on the left end of the handlebars so it could record forward, rearward, and to the side, decided to die, and Rylo had stopped making them.
I opted for a GoPro (2, actually) and bought a new Varia 315 to go along with a Bontrager Flare tail light. With the three of those stuffed onto the seatpost, it was cluttered and looked terrible, although it worked well. The new unit will clean things up, battery life should be better than the GoPro, and I have 128GB memory cards laying around. (That is a non-issue with me. Most cameras you buy come with a minimum storage card. My DSLR came with one big enough to store about 10 photos - it was the first "upgrade" I made to that.)
I also think the lever type lock mount will become the new standard for future Garmin unit mounts. I have an out front mount for my 1030+ with the Garmin auxiliary power pack. You take out the 1/4 turn twist base and install lever locks for both units. I feel they are much more secure. I think Garmin will eventually come out with a software upgrade to add image stabilization. I only intend to use it when radar is activated. I'm not really interested in uploading high quality movies of my back tire to YouTube.
#40
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,790
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9648 Post(s)
Liked 6,363 Times
in
3,503 Posts
Likes For Mojo31:
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Not really. A 64mb is around $10 and a 128mb is around $15. At the volume Garmin is buying them, they can put a biigger one in there for $400 so the buyer won't have to upgrade straight out of the box.
Likes For seypat:
#42
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,790
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9648 Post(s)
Liked 6,363 Times
in
3,503 Posts
When you gripe about stuff like that, one is just looking for a reason to gripe.
Likes For Mojo31:
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,864
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 760 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,003 Posts
That is what he was complaining about. He said that the 16gb, wont hold a 2 hr ride if I recall... so I can see that point. He wasnt saying not to buy it due to that, but he was just harping on Garmin that with the cost of this thing, for them to cheap out on the memory stick, seems odd. He had more complaints about bigger issues, that is just one he mentioned.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Think about all of those purchases you make that you like to share with other areas of the forums. You like a lot of sizzle with your steak and will wheel and deal until you get it.
Last edited by seypat; 05-19-22 at 07:52 AM.
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 797 Times
in
446 Posts
it’s a fair criticism if the thing isn’t fit for service (ie incapable of recording a 2-hour ride) out of the box. It’d be no different than if you found that the rubber bands had to be purchased separately. It’s not the cost, it’s the functionality.
#46
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,790
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9648 Post(s)
Liked 6,363 Times
in
3,503 Posts
That is what he was complaining about. He said that the 16gb, wont hold a 2 hr ride if I recall... so I can see that point. He wasnt saying not to buy it due to that, but he was just harping on Garmin that with the cost of this thing, for them to cheap out on the memory stick, seems odd. He had more complaints about bigger issues, that is just one he mentioned.
Back in my sports photography days, I bought several $5k-6k camera bodies. If there was a card in the box, it was only a very small capacity card that might hold 100 images. Not good when shooting a football game and shooting a minimum of 800-1,000 shots per game, and burning to dual cards in case of a corruption in one. First thing you did was buy bigger cards. I never heard a single gripe about Canon or Nikon only including the most entry level memory cards. Essentially, the cameras were sold as professional sports cameras, but they were unable to record a game out of the box.
In my mind the function issues are legit critiques. The size of the memory card is not.
Likes For Mojo31:
#47
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Not true. You must not work in retail. I know what you do, and it's not sales.(It's not selling a product, anyway) I sell items all day long from $5 to in the $1000s. Buyers will b1tch and moan like they're having a heart attack if they have to purchase a $1-3$ item to make that purchase operational. You're better off marking up the price and throwing the accessory item in for "free."
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: 757
Posts: 11,245
Bikes: Madone, Emonda, 5500, Ritchey Breakaway
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10234 Post(s)
Liked 5,177 Times
in
2,222 Posts
#49
Fat n slow
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Saratoga, NY
Posts: 4,296
Bikes: Cervelo R3, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3251 Post(s)
Liked 2,075 Times
in
975 Posts
I've been looking into a rear view camera, and was excited to see this one come out. My purpose would be solely incident recording, and I really don't have any interest in recording an entire 2, 3 or 4 hour ride. But, if I did, I could certainly spring for a bigger card, and that wouldn't stop me from buying the unit. Other performance issues will cause me to wait for a while to see if functionality improves.
Back in my sports photography days, I bought several $5k-6k camera bodies. If there was a card in the box, it was only a very small capacity card that might hold 100 images. Not good when shooting a football game and shooting a minimum of 800-1,000 shots per game, and burning to dual cards in case of a corruption in one. First thing you did was buy bigger cards. I never heard a single gripe about Canon or Nikon only including the most entry level memory cards. Essentially, the cameras were sold as professional sports cameras, but they were unable to record a game out of the box.
In my mind the function issues are legit critiques. The size of the memory card is not.
Back in my sports photography days, I bought several $5k-6k camera bodies. If there was a card in the box, it was only a very small capacity card that might hold 100 images. Not good when shooting a football game and shooting a minimum of 800-1,000 shots per game, and burning to dual cards in case of a corruption in one. First thing you did was buy bigger cards. I never heard a single gripe about Canon or Nikon only including the most entry level memory cards. Essentially, the cameras were sold as professional sports cameras, but they were unable to record a game out of the box.
In my mind the function issues are legit critiques. The size of the memory card is not.
#50
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts