Garmin Varia Radar
08-30-18, 03:11 PM
#1
Garmin Varia Radar
I looking at getting Garmin rear radar to link to my 520 plus on my country bike rides . There are 2 on the market
One for 129.00 at Clever Training
Garmin Varia 129.00
the other
Garmin Varia RTL510
Im not sure if any differnce in the 2 units expect looks and size ,
Should I get the cheaper unit ?
Thanks
Rick
Rick
One for 129.00 at Clever Training
Garmin Varia 129.00
the other
Garmin Varia RTL510
Im not sure if any differnce in the 2 units expect looks and size ,
Should I get the cheaper unit ?
Thanks
Rick
Rick
09-02-18, 08:39 AM
#2
Senior Member
I have had the 1st model for a couple seasons; it just gives another level of awareness to traffic coming up from behind. The main thing I see that the RTL510 has is the 3 colors. If it were me, I would go for the RTL. You cannot have too many warnings of upcoming traffic. They are not really an "up in your face" warnings, but I say every little bit helps the drivers notice you. Living in an area where people are not very cyclist aware, a very good investment in my future.
09-03-18, 05:01 PM
#3
I have had the 1st model for a couple seasons; it just gives another level of awareness to traffic coming up from behind. The main thing I see that the RTL510 has is the 3 colors. If it were me, I would go for the RTL. You cannot have too many warnings of upcoming traffic. They are not really an "up in your face" warnings, but I say every little bit helps the drivers notice you. Living in an area where people are not very cyclist aware, a very good investment in my future.
Rick
09-04-18, 11:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
I had the original one. It works very well. New one looks like an improvement in form factor.
09-05-18, 10:25 AM
#5
Senior Member
I have both the old and the new.
The old one works well for radar but as a tail light, I feel it is next to useless. This is a big deal to me because I find that riding with a bright taillight all the time changes the way car drivers approach me. The horizontal form factor was also an issue with me. If I did not have it positioned perfectly, I’d get interference with my thighs on occasion. The last issue with the first version is that the head unit does not have a beeper which renders it just about useless.
The new one fixes all of that. The taillight is super bright, it’s a vertical form factor and the head unit has a beeper which you can turn on or off.
So I’m a fan. All of these radars are useless in an urban setting where there are too many “targets.” Riding in a rural setting, they are wonderful.
J.
The old one works well for radar but as a tail light, I feel it is next to useless. This is a big deal to me because I find that riding with a bright taillight all the time changes the way car drivers approach me. The horizontal form factor was also an issue with me. If I did not have it positioned perfectly, I’d get interference with my thighs on occasion. The last issue with the first version is that the head unit does not have a beeper which renders it just about useless.
The new one fixes all of that. The taillight is super bright, it’s a vertical form factor and the head unit has a beeper which you can turn on or off.
So I’m a fan. All of these radars are useless in an urban setting where there are too many “targets.” Riding in a rural setting, they are wonderful.
J.
09-05-18, 12:19 PM
#6
09-06-18, 09:34 AM
#7
Senior Member
I actually find it useful in the city (Seattle). I had to turn the beep off because, as you say, it's almost constant. But I could see where there's a gap in traffic without looking behind me. So I'd be able to merge without looking backward as often and keep my eyes ahead. I found that valuable.
09-06-18, 09:40 AM
#8
Occam's Rotor
If you have a separate tail light you are happy with, the old one has the same radar functionality that the new one has, and at that discount, is worth it.
If you need the brighter tail light and/or vertical form factor, get the new one.
Either way, it is well worth getting it, if you have a compatible Garmin head unit.
If you need the brighter tail light and/or vertical form factor, get the new one.
Either way, it is well worth getting it, if you have a compatible Garmin head unit.
09-06-18, 02:03 PM
#9
I have both the old and the new.
The old one works well for radar but as a tail light, I feel it is next to useless. This is a big deal to me because I find that riding with a bright taillight all the time changes the way car drivers approach me. The horizontal form factor was also an issue with me. If I did not have it positioned perfectly, I’d get interference with my thighs on occasion. The last issue with the first version is that the head unit does not have a beeper which renders it just about useless.
The new one fixes all of that. The taillight is super bright, it’s a vertical form factor and the head unit has a beeper which you can turn on or off.
So I’m a fan. All of these radars are useless in an urban setting where there are too many “targets.” Riding in a rural setting, they are wonderful.
J.
The old one works well for radar but as a tail light, I feel it is next to useless. This is a big deal to me because I find that riding with a bright taillight all the time changes the way car drivers approach me. The horizontal form factor was also an issue with me. If I did not have it positioned perfectly, I’d get interference with my thighs on occasion. The last issue with the first version is that the head unit does not have a beeper which renders it just about useless.
The new one fixes all of that. The taillight is super bright, it’s a vertical form factor and the head unit has a beeper which you can turn on or off.
So I’m a fan. All of these radars are useless in an urban setting where there are too many “targets.” Riding in a rural setting, they are wonderful.
J.
Rick
09-06-18, 08:29 PM
#10
Senior Member
I actually find it useful in the city (Seattle). I had to turn the beep off because, as you say, it's almost constant. But I could see where there's a gap in traffic without looking behind me. So I'd be able to merge without looking backward as often and keep my eyes ahead. I found that valuable.
Riding in the city you have to be mindful that the Varia Radar only shows vehicles behind you that are going FASTER than you are. So if you have a car that is pacing you (or slowing down), they fall off the display. That can obviously lead to a problem if you were to not look behind you before you made some sort of maneuver that would bring you across their path. You're a lot more likely to have cars going your speed in the city than you would on a road in a more rural setting with higher speed limits.
J.
09-06-18, 11:42 PM
#11
Riding in the city you have to be mindful that the Varia Radar only shows vehicles behind you that are going FASTER than you are. So if you have a car that is pacing you (or slowing down), they fall off the display.
That can obviously lead to a problem if you were to not look behind you before you made some sort of maneuver that would bring you across their path.
That can obviously lead to a problem if you were to not look behind you before you made some sort of maneuver that would bring you across their path.
09-07-18, 04:39 PM
#12
Senior Member
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