Garmin’s Varia light and radar
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Garmin’s Varia light and radar
Good morning, is anyone here using the Garmin Varia rear light and radar?
What has been your experience? Useful tool? Useless gadget?
Do you have the newest version?
Thank you.
What has been your experience? Useful tool? Useless gadget?
Do you have the newest version?
Thank you.
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just wanted to get a bigger cross section of user comments, also more recent experiences.
Sorry for the apparent duplication.
#3
Occam's Rotor
I consider it essential, and more useful than a mirror.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#5
duplicate threads
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion)
Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags
Garmin Varia? Useful?
Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option?
Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones?
Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful?
Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display
garmin varia help
Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling)
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion)
Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags
Garmin Varia? Useful?
Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option?
Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones?
Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful?
Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display
garmin varia help
Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling)
Last edited by angerdan; 01-23-19 at 11:48 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin’s Varia light and radar
Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion)
Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags
Garmin Varia? Useful?
Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option?
Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones?
Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful?
Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display
garmin varia help
Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling)
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin’s Varia light and radar
Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review (general-cycling-discussion)
Garmin Varia RTL510 and saddlebags
Garmin Varia? Useful?
Garmin Varia Radar light - radar-only option?
Will there ever be a Varia Radar app for smart phones?
Garmin Varia Radar, anyone find the RDU head unit useful?
Anybody using the Garmin Varia radar? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display
garmin varia help
Garmin Varia Radar! Eny usefull? (road-cycling)
Garmin Varia Radar and headlight (road-cycling)
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#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Alright, based upon everyone’s glowing reviews and a near miss, (or should that be almost-hit) on Highway 192 near Montecito, I decided to order the Varia RTL510.
BTW, the guy in the white pick up diesel truck did not have a front license plate so my Cycliq Fly6 was not able to get the necessary details.
Apparently the in-bred behind the wheel thinks it is funny to scare cyclists and then cover the cyclist in a cloud of diesel soot.
BTW, the guy in the white pick up diesel truck did not have a front license plate so my Cycliq Fly6 was not able to get the necessary details.
Apparently the in-bred behind the wheel thinks it is funny to scare cyclists and then cover the cyclist in a cloud of diesel soot.
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 01-21-19 at 01:37 AM.
#8
Occam's Rotor
One disadvantage is, that objects (cars) with the same speed as you arent detected.
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin’s Varia light and radar
Only slower and faster cars.
Already existing threads:
Garmin’s Varia light and radar
#10
Occam's Rotor
I'll be here all day.
#11
Full Member
Any users with the new slimmer/longer one that also has a saddlebag? How's that working out. Don't know if I have enough seat post left for the rear wheel not to interfere.
#12
https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...addlebags.html
#13
Senior Member
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#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
i ended up buying the Varia. I received it last night and will try it out this weekend.
Reviews coming up.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
SILCA makes a nice bag that can carry all your essentials and can then go in your jersey pockte.
This leaves room under the saddle for the Varia RTL510 and the Cycliq Fly6.
This solution may not work for you (and it is not what you asked about) but it is worth a shot. I never liked saddle bags.
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 01-28-19 at 04:59 PM.
#16
Senior Member
You can also get a reflector mount that fits your seat says and integrate that with the K-edge top cap mount without too much trouble.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket.
I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas.
J.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket.
I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas.
J.
Last edited by JohnJ80; 01-28-19 at 04:04 PM.
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You can also get a reflector mount that fits your seat says and integrate that with the K-edge top cap mount without too much trouble.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket.
I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas.
J.
If you don't care about the light, the radar works fine in a jersey pocket.
I've had all the versions of the varia radars. As long as you understand that it shows differences in speed and you always look before you cross the lane, it's a great tool. It's most useful in open country or rural riding. In the city or urban/high traffic areas it's not too useful - just too much information. Overall, we really like ours so that I got one for my wife for Christmas.
J.
This is my set up, which works pretty good (at least for now ).
#18
Senior Member
That is a nice set up. I was thinking about doing the same thing since I'm going to be taking a more aggressive approach to drivers that harass cyclists. I like the tail light for the Varia - it's is a very visible daytime taillight. How does it compare to the Cycliq 6 CE? Also where did you get that mount for the camera?
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running.
J.
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running.
J.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
That is a nice set up. I was thinking about doing the same thing since I'm going to be taking a more aggressive approach to drivers that harass cyclists. I like the tail light for the Varia - it's is a very visible daytime taillight. How does it compare to the Cycliq 6 CE? Also where did you get that mount for the camera?
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running.
J.
Looks like the Cycliq 6ce's battery drops pretty fast with the light running and not so much with just the camera running.
J.
The mount is the official GoPro saddle rail mount. It is $20.00 at Amazon.
I think that both lights are equally strong/visible
Depending on your settings, the Fly6 CE battery can last over 6.5 hours with the camera only. I have never used the Fly 6 with the light on. Before getting the Varia I used a Cygolite tail light.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
VARIA update
I have been using the Varia radar and light (new version) for several weeks now.
Like many of you I didn’t think that I really needed one that is, until I started using mine. Now I cannot imagine riding without one.
I have used it on busy roads (PCH in Ventura and L.A. counties) and on empty country roads. The Varia works well to alert me to approaching traffic. I can then do a quick looksie on my eyeglass mirror to make sure that everything is OK.
The other day I rode on wet and muddy roads. During a brief stop I checked the Varia and it was coated with mud. Nevertheless, it continued to work well, alerting me to traffic.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants an extra safety edge.
Cheers!
Like many of you I didn’t think that I really needed one that is, until I started using mine. Now I cannot imagine riding without one.
I have used it on busy roads (PCH in Ventura and L.A. counties) and on empty country roads. The Varia works well to alert me to approaching traffic. I can then do a quick looksie on my eyeglass mirror to make sure that everything is OK.
The other day I rode on wet and muddy roads. During a brief stop I checked the Varia and it was coated with mud. Nevertheless, it continued to work well, alerting me to traffic.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants an extra safety edge.
Cheers!
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#22
Senior Member
I’d like to see computer manufactures just take them out of the bike altogether and support Bluetooth for external audio. There any number of cheap speakers that are small and can be clipped to your jersey or earbuds that can be used.
#23
Senior Member
I have a Garmin GPS watch, from the Fenix line. It pairs really well with the radar because it can vibrate on your wrists when there's a car behind you. I can't always hear the chirp, especially coming down hill on rough pavement.
Obviously no one should go out and buy an expensive watch over this. Just sharing my observation.
Obviously no one should go out and buy an expensive watch over this. Just sharing my observation.
#24
Senior Member
the beepers Garmin uses are something that can charitably described as “trash.”
I’d like to see computer manufactures just take them out of the bike altogether and support Bluetooth for external audio. There any number of cheap speakers that are small and can be clipped to your jersey or earbuds that can be used.
#25
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Join Date: Jan 2016
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OK, resurrecting an old thread, but use a mirror but you can't look constantly so this seemed like a great add-on. Tried it, paired with my Wahoo Bolt. I like it.