This is a rear radar for riding a bike with an included light. There's a new version with an included camera but by all reports it's not as good. This seems to have overwhelmingly positive reviews though it seems to be much better if you've got a Garmin bike computer, though it does also pair with a smartphone app.
CamelCamelCamel.
This is a radar, lets you know when a car is approaching. It isn't a camera!!!
The idea is it lets you know if a car is behind so you can pay attention. The light changes its flashing rhythm as the car gets closer to get their attention.
prob not so great for city where it'll be constantly active but is amazing in quieter areas
How does it let you know if a car is behind you?
Does it beeps? Or do you need to connect it to your phone?
you need to pair it with a Garmin GPS device such as a bike computer or a watch. It beeps and you get a basic indicator of how far back the vehicle is and how many. For example, you may have 3 cars coming up behind you will get 3 dots
Good article and video by Shane Miller (GP Lama) on this model.
https://gplama.com/2020/05/13/new-garmin-varia-radar-release…
That image makes it look like it will refuse to help you if your name happens to be Dave
Should be fine as long as your bike has no pod bay doors…
I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
Every car in Sydney needs this since not many drivers bother checking blind spots when they change lanes and safe zones (space) between cars are pretty much non existent
Why don't you try it first to see how long you can tolerate its constant beeping in congested Sydney traffic, then let us know.
I once left it on (not on purpose) when I put my bike in the boot of my x trail. I couldn't see the garmin screen of course but it was indeed beeping whenever another car came up behind me.
Magene L508 Radar Tail Light is way cheaper ($142 now at 99 bikes) and just as good if not better.
Apparently, the Magene works with Wahoo computers. My guess is that the Garmin doesn't.
The Varia Radar does work with Wahoo Elemnt/Bolt/Roam computers ( https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008745… ). The only point of compatibility difference is that Garmin computers allow you to control the light profiles from the head unit, rather than just setting them using the physical buttons on the device.
Oh, OK. Cool. Thanks.
Works perfectly fine with both my Bolt 1 and Bolt 2
One feature the varia has that the magene doesn't (unless they've added it with a firmware update) is the varia gives you a different warning if the car is approaching at high speed.
This works fine with wahoo cycling computers also, the only functionality you lose is the ability to control the light from the wahoo. You just have to turn it on manually instead.
Works really well and keeps you much more aware of vehicles approaching from behind.
had mine for 18 months (use it with a Wahoo unit) and wouldn't ride without it now. Great device
Mirrors work well too, don't need to charge or anything. 😜
E.g. https://www.amazon.com.au/CatEye-BM-45-Barend-Mirror-Black/d…
Yep, I got a pair of handlebar mirrors on my e-bike, similar to these:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Handlebar-Rearview-Rotating-Adjust…
they look good, thanks
Pen and paper works well too, don't need to charge anything. But yet you have a phone or PC.
I'm not about to stick these on my road bike though!
Haha yeah they're not for everyone, definitely function > form for this one. Damn useful though (think about how often you use your car mirrors).
Thank you OP! Have been waiting one of these
Does this light also indicate if your braking/slowing down?
Sale price has now expired.
Sale price is back, although with limited stock. Currently has a "17% claimed" message though, so given it came back into stock I wonder whether it will continue to be refilled until it's 100% claimed?
DamonH on 20/11/2023 - 07:27 Comment score below threshold.