njkayaker

So, the Varia was originally created by a company Garmin ended-up buying.

That company also created the display unit because, of course, they didn’t have head units of their own (their device needed the display unit).

When Garmin bought the company, they quickly released the device as it was originally designed.

It’s fairly likely that if Garmin created it, it would not have also created a display unit for it.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/10/....html#comments

chaadster

This link might be better for those wanting to understand the iKubu backstory to Varia:

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/01/...r-company.html

Polaris OBark

I didn't realize it was past-tense until I tried to find one a few weeks ago. The $100 price tag seems steep, but I wound up getting an 840 for the kid for whom I had purchased the radar (on sale at REI for $150). C'est la bike.

Polaris OBark

The USB-C cable is a real game-changer:


(From Trek's website. You just can't make this stuff up.)

Koyote

These sorts of laudatory remarks about USB-C pop up now and then, and I'm wondering why USB-C is deemed so superior to -- what? is it USB-B? I don't really pay attention to such things. I guess USB-C might charge devices faster, but is there some other advantage? I mean, I've got devices with a few different types of charging ports, so I just have one or two of each on my workbench near the outlet where I charge those devices.

PeteHski

The best I can come up with is that USB-C is perhaps a slightly less fragile connector than the older micro USB and can be plugged in either way around. Not exactly a game-changer though.

Koyote

Well, I've occasionally had to squint at the micro USB in order to get it inserted properly (since I'm not always wearing my reading glasses), but I've never broken one even when trying to ram it in the wrong way. And if charging speed differs, well, that might be an advantage for some people, but not for me. If the light (or computer, or whatever) is on the low side of a full charge, I just plug it in and then unplug it the next day.

I'm still wondering if there is something else that I'm missing.

Chuck M 

I like USB C for the simplicity of being able to plug in either way like Apples Lightning ports were. But I agree that it isn't particularly a game changer and I probably wouldn't make my decision on the USB plug alone. But I do hope that USB C is going to be a format that will be around a while to eliminate all the cords and connectors we have currently.

I am wanting to get a rear radar light combo though. I think in this case I would probably lean toward the Garmin because I have had issues with my Bontrager lights working as expected with my Garmin Edge. I don't know if that is Bontrager's fault or Garmin's because I also don't get a reliable connection between my Forerunner and my Edge when I broadcast my HR from the Forerunner.

Polaris OBark

Mine was sarcastic. Did you look at their advertising photo? It goes from computer USB-C to an Apple adaptor with USB-A so that the Trek supplied USB-A-to-USB-C cable can plug into the USB-C port on the radar.

(Trek should at least also supply a USB-C to USB-C cable, so you could simply plug one cable in between the radar and the laptop or USB-C power supply.)

USB-C does, however, have one huge advantage: The port is not directional. You don't have to try 3 times to get it right (yeah, I know you should only have to try twice, but reality bytes.)

Koyote

Yeah, I knew that was /s -- but figured you might know anyway.

Yeah, the symmetric plug/port should save each of us about two minutes over our lifetimes...'Course, I feel like I have already lost more than that just sorting out different cables.

PeteHski

I don’t think it would even charge faster anyway. I know that USB-C has a higher power rating, but most of my chargers are USB-A anyway.

Polaris OBark

Just to make absolutely sure, Trek supples it with a USB C to A cable.

Polaris OBark

It is in incremental improvement. In addition to being isotropic, the female USB-C is more physically robust. Each time you miss the correct orientation with the micro (or worse, mini) cable, it stresses and potentially loosens the port, leading to eventual prolapse.

chaadster

I prefer USB-C merely because most of my other devices are USB-C, and needing only one cable is an economy and risk-reducer. It's a pretty simple notion, needing fewer cables and/or a simplified wall block.

Koyote

Yeah, I figured that was an advantage for some. I'm still using plenty of older lights (and other devices) with other ports, since they still work fine.

njkayaker

No reason to throw them out (no one is suggesting that you do that).

USB-C is the current standard. That's enough to have new devices use it.

It doesn't matter too much that you aren't going to get much benefit from the change.

I suspect more people would prefer USB-C. The people who don't are going to have to deal with the change anyway (if they buy any new device). Manufacturers aren't going to make two devices (with different connectors).

Troul 

commonality with other devices, as well as the ease of plugging it in.

PeteHski

You are doing well there. I have many devices with the various sizes of USB-A and a growing number with USB-C. It would be nice to have all devices with a single connector and USB-C is a better connector. But it wouldn’t influence my buying decision either way on this product. At least my Garmin Edge 530, Varia and SRAM battery charger all use the same cable, even if it is outdated and uni-directional.

What I find funny is that most devices I buy with USB-C are supplied with a USB-A to C cable and this appears to be the case here. It’s like they know that most people are still using USB-A chargers.

Post #54 says it all 😂

Troul 

With time comes standardized changes; manual transmissions were once standard in America, not the case now.

PeteHski

Connector standards occasionally benefit from change. Otherwise we would all be stuck using RS232 serial connectors. The original FireWire connector also looks ridiculous today, but was considered compact on release. I’m sure USB-C will look stupid in 20 years too.

Polaris OBark

My wife just went to England with a few electronics. Her iPhone uses a USB-A to (proprietary) lightning cable, as does her iPad. But her laptop uses a USB-C to proprietary magnetic-safe connection, and can also accept USB-C directly. Her Garmin Watch uses USB-A to proprietary connector. She took my headphones, and I forgot they need to charge via a USB-mini cable, so neglected to send it. (She just hates this stuff and is under a lot of stress because she is attending her brother who lives alone and had multiple strokes, and the last thing she wants to worry about is a huge tangle of assorted cables and a pile of chargers, along with some UK/US plug adaptors.) The chances of her losing half this stuff are significant, and it winds up being a real PITA. Ideally she should only need a USB-C/USB-C cable and a power supply/adapter. One cable standard to rule them all.

I have a box in the garage that has a huge collection of cables and obsolete apple adapters, including Firewire 800 and 400, and and the version 1 iPod (4G, Firewire, mechanical dial). This is just a huge amount of waste. (Time waste, E-waste, space-waste, resources waste ...).

PeteHski

While I totally agree it is a complete mess, at what point do you decide that a single connector is good enough for every application, forever? USB-C is a vast improvement over anything that was available 20 years ago, but will it still cut it in another 20 years? History suggests probably not.

It would have been great if USB-C had been invented in 1960 and adopted as a universal fixed standard moving forward. Then your wife wouldn’t now be faced with these multiple legacy connector issues. But of course the technology didn’t exist in 1960 and I doubt she would be happy if all her current devices used an RS232 connector. Although she would only need one cable.

Edit: I happen to have one of those original iPods with the mechanical scroll wheel and FireWire connector. I dug it out and the first thing that struck me was how big that connector now looks today. There is no way that would work on a modern phone or even a slim laptop!

Polaris OBark

Wireless charging is the future.

PeteHski

It works very well for some applications, but not all. I do find wireless phone chargers convenient in the car.

Troul 

that is the tech advancement I'm looking forward to seeing come sooner than later.
that should drive better protection against wet & dust intrusion.