I'm using an original first generation Varia on my road bike. As you mentioned, one of the nice things about it is being able to relax a little knowing there's nothing coming up from behind.
it's hard to explain how invaluable this becomes. after riding for decades without, I can't imagine ever riding without one again. they're spreading through my Saturday group slowly but surely.
Great review. I’ve had the Varia for 3 months and it’s been highly reliable. In my opinion, it is without a doubt the most important accessory anyone can get for their bike. It’s amazing to to me that I’ve ridden for over 20 years without even a mirror, but now I won’t ride without the Varia. Game changer is almost an understatement....more like life saver. It’s that effective. Thanks also for your thoughts about pairing this with a mirror - makes total sense.
The part about not having to ride the edge of the road so much is the game changer part of the varia for me. Being able to relax and take up more of the road knowing that theres no cars coming has added a whole new level of enjoyment for me. I can free up a whole bunch of brain power usually dedicated to worrying about what might be coming and now i can actually talk to my buddy ridding side by side and relax while at it, not talk and look behind every other word...specially if you both have the varia for double peace fo mind. . i cant ride without the varia now, i travel with it and use it on rental bikes.
As the saying goes - there are two kinds of cyclists - those who own a Varia radar and would not give it back for money, and those who did not try it and tell you why you don't need one, until they tried it themselves.
Once you use one you can't imagine not having one.... the feature you didn't mention is the red screen vs orange for extremely fast approaching vehicles... Thats useful too. Nice video!
@@luxinterna3370 He mentioned this by saying he gets off the road and onto the shoulder or grass. I would add to just slow down while doing this in case there is no shoulder and need to hop onto a sidewalk for some measure of safety.
Clint, I purchased a Varia largely based on your 1st review. As you state, it's a game-changer' and I would not go on a road-bike ride without-it. I live in the heart of Silicon Valley and there is a lot of traffic. I also strongly recommend the Varia be used in-conjunction with a mirror as am insurance policy.
Here in CA, the first thing we do when we buy a bike is remove all those ugly but legally required reflectors. Generally and legally speaking, the blinking rear light shows some due diligence on the rider's part to restore increased visibility to drivers.
Love mine, and totally agree with your comments about the Varia. I do a lot of mountain road riding and found that the safest way is to take the lane. I know this sounds crazy, but what happens is that me being in the middle of the lane notifies the driver that there is someone they need to pay attention to. Then with the Varia, I can move over to the side in plenty of time and allow them to pass. By doing this the car slows down enough so they can pass at a reasonable speed. Without doing this, if they see a cyclist on the white line, they “think” they can maintain their speed, passing at 55-75 mph with oncoming traffic and that is far more dangerous in my mind. Out of hundreds of cars, I’ve only had one that was obviously angry, and shot the bird. It doesn’t eliminate the bubba that wants to run you over, but I haven’t found a safer way to ride pavement. Anyway, FWIW.
That’s always been a problem that road cyclists create for themselves. If you ride a smooth line glued to the white line, you invite the motorists to thread the needle at 50mph. My tactic has been to waggle the bike when you hear them approaching. That sends them a message that you’re unpredictable and they need to pay attention. Of course, you’re NOT unpredictable. You’re just manipulating them.
@@kishascape Personally I don’t want to increase any road rage even if I’m in the right, so I move over. The point is not having people pass a a high rate of speed.
On the other hand, if you encounter a driver who's driving blind, because that facebook message just has to be read immediately, you rather want to ride as little in the lane as possible.
@@kishascape I read too may horror stories where cyclists and pedestrians are getting mowed down by careless drivers. So I am thinking you either live in a biker's Utopia or are very lucky.
Sorry to be so off topic but does someone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost my account password. I appreciate any tips you can give me.
I have come to rely heavily on my Varia which I purchased after watching your first review. As insane as it sounds I prefer to ride the rural roads at 2:00 a.m. here in South Texas because there is no traffic. Even at night I have had the Varia detect a vehicle before I noticed it with my helmet mirror. On two occasions I have had drivers/passengers yell at me from their vehicles as they passed. They turned around and started returning and their lights went off. On these unlit roads it is comforting to know that the Varia will detect a vehicle even if I can't see them if their lights are off. Also I have had one occasion where the Varia detected a very large dog running up from the rear before I knew it was approaching (dogs are difficult to see in the dark). I never knew if the dog was wearing a large collar with metal because after I pepper sprayed it you could hear the dog sliding to a stop on the pavement. Great review.
It drives me nuts when people say to just use your hearing. I’m deaf and wear bilateral cochlear implants. My hearing is much different than a person with normal hearing. I’ve also been told that I have no business riding a bicycle on the road if I’m deaf 🙄. People just live in their little boxes I guess. The Varia helps me as a deaf rider to be more aware of what’s behind me. It’s not just a notification device, it has saved me in more ways than one. Thanks for your video!
Ive had mine for a few months now, Its not just a great accessory to have, it is as you say “a game changer”. One thing I would like to say is that contrary to what is said in many videos about it not being as useful in city streets or heavier traffic, I find it extremely useful and not at all intrusive. One other small detail many have probably already noticed when they stop for a break is that it can detect people walking up behind you.
Thanks for your follow up thoughts. You've elaborated extensively what Varia gave you and how it changed your safety. What I noticed personally is that flashing pattern (closer the car is - more frequent flashes) also influences the drivers - they tend to overtake me with a bigger distance. Another great thing about Varia. This became part of my essential gear kit.
i could see the benefit for rural roads with intermittent traffic, but for most fast moving urban roads, i just assume that there is always traffic and ride defensively.. doing a quick shoulder check also lets drivers know that you are aware of them
One thing that will definitely increase your safety is to ditch the handlebar mirror and, instead, use a mirror mounted either on your helmet or glasses (if if you don't need glasses you can use sunglasses or night wind glasses). The handlebar mirror has too narrow a field and, worse, forces you to take your eyes off the road up front whereas glasses/helmet mounted mirrors don't and have a HUGE field of view.
Wahoo/Varia user here- The varia also pairs well here. I have had a few connection issues (remedied with updates) but never a disconnection after it is communicating with my computer. I do miss out on some features mentioned here like the automatic turn on feature with your head unit, but nothing that takes away from the overall experience. I have the first version (I believe its the 510) and off of the top of my head, the only reason to have v2 is if you wish to pair the radar to your phone via bluetooth so you do not need a computer. My only complaint is that I think they could have made it look better - maybe sleeker/more modern looking. I hate the oval shape but that’s just me. Other than that, its function and safety cannot be denied. I am glad they finally made it compatible with the Wahoo system.
Couldn't agree more. I have had my varia setup for a year now, just under 3K miles and not a car has gone by without me knowing prior. Riding Maryland backroads with this setup is great!
I bought this from my LBS here in Nashua, NH yesterday, and just completed my first ride with it. This thing really is a game changer. It gives you situational awareness and plenty of time to react and manage traffic approaching from your most vulnerable blind spot on the bike. I had a close call last Wednesday descending a big hill from Mont Vernon, NH to Milford. It was raining, 35 degrees and windy. I was about 25 mph. Didn’t hear a car till it was on me and I had to make a fast sketchy decision on a road with almost no shoulder. Shook me a bit. So I thought about getting this thing. Bought it that day. Rode it today. Same route, same descent. No rain :) It gives you maybe 10 seconds notice that a car is coming and the color/lights go bright flashing red if the car is over a certain speed. This gives you time, in a situation like I described above, to react and take action. It even notifies you how many cars are queued up behind you, so you have great awareness. You can keep your eyes focused ahead of you, while knowing what is behind you and when it’s upon you. Then a quick peripheral check to make sure the car is keeping its distance is the only time you have to take your eyes off the front. The thing I really like, come to find out, is that it tells you the coast is clear behind you, so you can ride the lane, not stay in the shoulder, with confidence. I felt way less stressed and way safer with this thing. It is absolutely brilliant. Hooked it up with a Wahoo Element 2. Connected directly with device in seconds. Lastly, bought a couple of hard mounts for the seat post. One on each bike. It’s sturdier than the rubber band mounted thing that comes with it. After market about 10$ US per mount.
I totally agree with you. It is a magnificant peace of safety equipement. The only thing Garmin should change is the switch which is on top of the radar. When dirt enters the switch it might block the movement. You can clean it with warm water from the tap. But after losing one radar because of a faulty switch caused by dirt, I covered the switch of the new one (which was sent to me for free based on warranty) with some electrical tape to avoid dirt from entering the switch. Second thing: your mates can also use your radar when they pair it to their phone through bluetooth.
A majority of people I ride with have these and I love it when I hear the tones, I know what it means. I just finally gave in and bought a computer and I've also started riding solo EARLY on Sunday mornings. I have mirrors and I also try and look back to be as aware as possible. The problem is people come flying up on you so I'm not always hearing or seeing them. I feel this will make me more comfortable and get out on the road more. Thank you for this info.
Using your ears is all well and good when there is zero/very low wind and you’re riding slowly. There’s also the issue of electric cars comes up behind you. Good luck hearing those
Great review and I agree with everything you stated. Sidenote your Garmin had that halo around the edge of your screen. There is a recall from Garmin for that defect. I was able to get a replacement 1030 for that reason. Just send an email in to their support team and they will ask for a picture of the screen and go from there. Keep the content coming.
I just got one. I must admit that I was also in the "in can hear cars coming up just fine" camp. But the Varia is a game changer. I am surprised to see how many cars I missed that I did not hear sneaking up behind me, especially EVs. It also helps me better avoid potholes when there is not enough time to check behind me, and I would have to bunny hop or ride through them.
I bought the original Varia and now cannot ride without it. My rides are busy suburbs and country roads. I like the extra confidence in knowing a car is not behind me (after looking back, you still need to look back even if you use Varia) when crossing multiple lanes to turn. Also, my ears will hear a car and when I look back I do not see and the Varia confirms. It's that extra peace of mind I have gained and is a must-have for me now. BTW I use this with the Wahoo Roam and it displays a car and not a dot :-)
I’ve been using varia lights since they came out, a must have without question! A mirror though I do not have or use; however I’ve been thinking of doing so and soon ordering one up. Great review, well done as always, varia simply essential!
My recommendation would be the look mirror attached to the stem of your glasses. Benefits are wide views and ability to have panoramic views. Cheap too.
Great review. When you say it only comes on automatically when you put your head unit to sleep rather than power off I think you’ll find that it also works if you completely power down the head unit. Mine certainly does. I think you use the button on the top of the Varia to put it in Bluetooth mode. You will see that even when switched off the blue LED on the side of the Varia flashes. It doesn’t even seem to use much battery when left like that for a few days.
A very helpful tech at Garmin showed me that you can also set up the Varia to turn on when you start the Edge's timer on a ride, rather than anytime you turn on the Edge. It's another option in the software. Also, while overall the Varia is quite accurate, there are a few situations that give false positives (no big deal) or false negatives (more worrisome): False Positives: (1) the Varia sometimes triggers when I pass certain locations, for example an unmanned volunteer fire department - possibly related to motion sensitive lights or cameras? - usually get an audible alert and a dot which soon disappears, (2) sometimes get multiple dots which coalesce into one or two as they get closer - perhaps different parts of a single vehicle, like the cab and the box on a 6-wheeler? False Negatives: (1) if a vehicle comes up behind me and then paces with me because there is no opportunity to pass, after a while its dot vanishes - Varia looks only for vehicles approaching me from behind - could cause a problem if I turned left without looking, and (2) on curves or rolling hills, terrain may block the radar beam temporarily, causing a dot to vanish and then reappear. I deal with it this way: if there IS a dot, I assume a vehicle is there. If there is no dot, I assume a vehicle MIGHT be there. If that would be a problem, I do a shoulder check and/or listen carefully. Also, sometimes it gives TWO audible alerts for the same vehicle: one when it first appears at the bottom of the screen and another when it is about halfway up the screen. Not a huge problem, just more alert sounds. I set the Varia audible alert to the triple trill to make it completely distinct from the single and double trills used for the Garmin's navigation functions. The Varia's day flash is not very bright, so I run a Lezyne Strip Pro 300 lumen flashing taillight as well, reasonably priced and light. The disco flashing routine the Varia switches into when a vehicle approaches from the rear is impressive, though!
One thing i've experienced... do not ride beside a moving train. It will pick it up and you will have to rely on mirrors, ears ,or a quick look over your shoulder until the train passes.
Good review. The faster flash when the vehicle gets closer is another great feature and helps you get noticed. Don’t leave home (on a bike) without it !
I went riding with 4 other cyclists. 2 had the Varia and they would shout out “car back” and I also heard their Varia beep. I realized how much added safety the Varia provided. I purchased the Varia 515 the next day and will not ride without it now. I consider it an essential piece of gear. The 2nd best investment, after a helmet, to keep you safe. $150 to add safety is well worth it. Consider the light an added bonus. Ride safe!
Definitely can’t ever see myself riding without the 515. Safety and being aware is always good. I agree, rear taillight at all times is a must. Was using it with my wahoo bolt but when I started using it with my Edge 530. It’s obviously better. I do love the sleep, on, etc when you turn on the computer.
Thought you might have mentioned the colour indication on the screen. Mine flashes red if a vehicle is approaching from behind at a high speed,orange if within acceptable speed limit and then green once all traffic has passed. It's a brilliant piece of kit. That said you still need to use your senses.
I have a 510......it's a game changer for road riding.....especially in the Hudson Valley where there aren't too many cars..... but the few I encounter it works flawlessly
I am just about done building a new bike. One of the last things I need to get is the tail light. The Varia has been on my purchase list for awhile now so, it is good to see a follow-up video about this light. Thanks.
Add me to the list of people who would not ride without one. Mine is a 510 with the separate radar display unit. Love it, love it, love it. Just wished that it would beep a bit louder.
Hey Clint. After your first vid I left a naysayer comment. I then went and bought a Fly6 camera/light which turned out to be junk (bad hardware and software). I’m getting a warranty replacement on that, so while I was waiting I bought an RTL 515. I rode all day with it today and yesterday and I must say I’M CONVERTED. I wholeheartedly agree with every single thing you said in this video. It is most definitely a game changer for me as well. Thank you!
Great review. I have had one for a couple of years now and I did not know that I could just put my 530 to sleep and it will also put the light to sleep and then wake it up too. I love mine and won't ride without one. They are amazing and really helps keep you safe.
I ride a 100+ miles a week on paved roads (road bike). The area I ride has clear marked bike lanes but we all know that won’t stop a car. I have a neck fusion which severely limits my rearward viewing (turning my head). I have tried mirrors and because of the distance I can’t clearly make out what is coming at me from behind. Getting the Varia was such a blessing. I am in my second week of using it and found it so beneficial to my safer riding. If you ride on the street you really should use this. In addition I ride early mornings 4-6am. Very dark. I also just changed to the Garmin head light. It has so many benefits to battery management. Thanks for y to our post.
One of the first things i bought for my bike. I am new to riding but i've ridden motorbikes before so i am aware that 2 wheels are really vulnerable on the road. Amazing yet simple piece of tech, such invaluable safety device.
Thanks for the review. This video came up in my recommendations and brought the Varia into my consciousness, and I ultimately ended up buying one after doing some research. Love it and won't ride without it now.
It really helps being able to ride more left in the US. With that combined with the move right when you get the notification of the car it does a good job of letting the car know you are aware of it. Creating a better experience with the pass. A Car might treat you better when they see you move right for them. If you are currently riding to the right you cant give that subtle signal of acknowledgement by moving right that riding more left allows. Great Video!
I completely agree with your point around minute six. To be able to actually focus on the road ahead of you, as well as enjoy some scenery, is absolutely a benefit to having this device. I'm currently researching the models to see which one to purchase. Thanks so much for your informative video!
I like your point about still needing a mirror. While the Varia can warn you of an approaching vehicle, I can't discern between a motorcycle or fully loaded logging truck. When all you've got is the white line and no shoulder, the distinction can obviously matter
I’m new to cycling and have finally ventured onto the roads (from Zwift) - hands up, I can feel a little nervous especially having now clipped in, but the more I ride the more confident I feel, (which isn’t necessarily a good thing). Over the last few days I have come across many reviews for this device (all good) but now having watched this and read the comments, I’ve ordered one - Thanks … great review 😊
I agree with you 100%. I too use a mirror, but I prefer the mirror that attaches to my sunglasses, it allows me to see more of the road by moving my head. I also found that I don't constantly have to check mirror for cars. I now can now only look when it tells me that a car is there. And as far as hearing a car coming, you can't hear a car 400 ft behind you. But with the varia, you know about it much sooner. Another great thing about it is I know if a car is in my blind spot that I can't see in my mirror. It has happened several times where I need to get over for a left turn and Don't see a car in my mirror but one was right there coming up right next to me. The varia would have shown that car! I just got the RCT715 with the camera. I didn't think I needed the radar either. But now I understand why people love them. Glad I bought it.
Thanks for the long term review Clint. Just bought one around Christmas for next summer, and can't wait to use it. I've been road biking less and less around here because of the increased traffic over the last few years, but since covid the cyclocross/mtb trails have been packed, so I want to get back on the road. I used to be able to hear cars just fine road biking way back when we didn't wear helmets... Fast forward and I forgot my helmet for a ride a couple of years back, and figured out that I can hear cars fine *without* a helmet, but the wind noise from the helmet just covers the noises of cars behind me; another interesting observation is that when I forgot my helmet, the cars would give me *more* room when passing... go figure that one out. So for next summer and going forward: radar on 👍
I find varia a must for me I am blind in one eye. I cannot see back coming traffic without turning my head quite far to look over shoulder with viable eye. This gave me back my cycling life. Takk Garmin.
Great review I use this paired with my 1040 garmin, and speed and cadence sensors. They work flawlessly Handy to have if your road cycling here in the northwest of the UK, as the city roads are a cyclists nightmare during rush hour. I can honestly say, it has alerted me to a few almost nearby collisions that I've avoided, and had seen a road traffic accident which was caught on my 715. Aside from the battery performance, I would highly recommend this product!!
Nice review! I was cycling with a friend yesterday who had one and based on positive reviews, I bought one today. I also believe in a bar end mirror. The peloton mode is interesting because I have ridden with someone who found my rear Cygolite light too bright and annoying. PS If it’s a really big vehicle, perhaps a bigger dot?
I do like the added safety I feel my Varia gives me in situational awareness. The biggest downside for me is the battery drain on my Garmin GPS. My Varia will drain my Garmin 520 Plus battery approximately 2 to 3 times as fast as without it, and I only run the radar portion enabled with 1 beep, not the variable lighting or multiple beeps. A typical 3.5 hour ride will usually drain the battery about 50-60%, where it would normally drain about 20-25% without it. I don't think I could complete a century ride without it completely draining my GPS.
This has got to be the most thorough review I have seen to date. So I also want to add onto the bit about not hearing cars as that would apply to Tesla and other manufacturers that are jumping on board the electric train.
good video, last summer rode with a group where one of the guys had a Varia , i was able to connect with my 520 , really liked the function, as i do alot of road riding and had a mirror on both sides of my bars , this season 2021, have not installed the mirrors although will probably put a small one like you have on your bike that i use for my gravel bike , just purely as a backup, i have ordered the Varia to help with detecting the traffic coming up from behind ,allows you to keep the eyes forward , as you mentioned the speed you are travelling at and the wind conditions causes problems in hearing vechicles the one way that can help is wearing a balacava and touk in cold weather cuts the wind noise somewhat, not perfect but does help , doing the shoulder check does work although if the road is rough and not in good condition not the greatest idea ,potholes uneven pavement cracks all have a way to snake bite you ,either results in flats , damage to rims and not to mention the seat of your bike coming up to meet you a little to hard , it hurts,
Great review as usual. I saw your initial review when it came out. For your type of riding and less trafficked roads it makes sense but in a highly trafficked urban environment it's not very useful. Here in NYC you'd see constant dots on your Garmin. I make sure all my senses are open to the environment and after almost 40 years of road riding I'm still here.🚴🚴🚴
On the Hammerhead Karoo headunit the varia has colour coded cars coming up, yellow for normal and red if they are going especially fast, the virtual road will then go green to indicate a clear road behind you. Is amazing I tend to do most of my riding solo and so an extra pair of eyes behind me is a godsend.
I have a first-generation Varia and I, too, feel naked without it. One thing you should mention is cars will fall off the screen if they start matching your speed. I started using two mirrors because I got into a situation where a car was right off my wheel and matching my speed. I couldn't see him in my mirror and the radar was no longer picking him up. I thought he had turned off until I did my shoulder check and was startled to see him _right there_ . If I had drifted to the left thinking no one what there I would have hit him. Then it would have been my fault and I suspect he was trying to set me up for a collision. I now have a bar-end mirror like yours but also a car convex mirror cobbled together for that blind spot. I also have multiple flashy lights front and rear, and always wear fluorescent colored tops. My gloves are fluorescent yellow as well for signaling. I still get people trying to hit me.
Good point about the car disappearing when matching your speed. I got spooked a couple times when very diligent driver just wait patiently behind me before a light or a turn. I believe when this happens the light doesn't turn green, not sure, will check
My only gripe is the rubber ring attachment to the seat post, which I found could move about especially riding on bumpy roads. I since purchased a saddle rail clamp fitting which works great, very stable.
I'll jump on the Varia bandwagon as well. Was kind of skeptical when I first heard about a bike radar but after hearing from others that it was a "game changer" I bought one and fully agree. I use mine on my tandem and it makes me and my wife feel much safer. Never going back.
Good point about the wind noise. I haven't used Varia yet but I use wind noise attenuation on my helmet straps - furry velcro (Cat Ears) and this simple solution does an amazing job in lowering wind noise. I simply cannot ride without it, because it's too loud.
2 rides on mine now. It’s great. I still peak over my shoulders. I’ll look with the all clear tone to. If anything it makes me a better rider. I hope it last5 years. Then it’s cost is equal to the value I put into it. I like the fact it blinks when the car approaches.
wow thanks for that tip about sleep mode. I got my varia yesterday Ive had an 830 for years now. I wonder. I have a new drop bar bike and Im coming from a different bike that had mirrors I still want a mirror. You like the bar end ones? i still look over shoulder but I would like to use a mirror too. Ive used a mirror that went on my glasses before.
Very good review. I enjoy your knowledge but also your calm and intelligent presentation. Note - there is a IQ data field that shows the exact distance and speed of upcoming vehicles. This device is a must have for safety conscious riders!
I liked your first Varia video and I can't imagine doing without it now. I tend to always completely power down my garmin 1030 and didn't know about sleep and the light network being able to manage turning the unit on and off. Thanks for the follow up video!
Love mine too, just to add a comment, it pairs nicely with my Wahoo Element Roam but if there is a truck passing at the same time as the beep, you may not hear the beep, likewise if the winds in your face are very strong. All in all its still great.
I find the time you stated to make a decision is quite accurate also about going 15-20mph and oncoming traffic will not allow you to hear the traffic coming up behind you. I’m curious what amount of time you are getting off a full charge. I have the rvr315 and on the first ride only got 2.5-3hrs off a full charge. I may possibly have a defective unit.
absolutely love my varia- not a "game changer" perhaps because technology WILL fail, but it is a surprisingly good piece of kit. There are only a few instances where I have been able to hear a car behind before I hear the tone from my varia-- usually with a tailwind on a straight road. normally the varia detects a vehicle LONG before I can hear it. Yes a huge factor is it lets a rider be out further in the lane to take good lines with less worry. I ride in areas with crap roads most of the time, and frequently pavement along the edge is terrible. I've had mine for over a year and don't like to think about riding without it.
I just got mine. I have done two rides, an 18 mile and 70 mile. Both road rides. This video is about 99% of what I have experienced in two days. Like the part where you can ride more in the lane vs in the edge or on a debris filled shoulder or bike lane. Also I was just noticing like you said it will alert cars on a highway adjacent to a bike trail. In my case the adjacent highway was more like 50 yards away. I was surprised. Not useful but at least you know the unit will pick things up. Also I am a huge mirror guy and didn’t think this device would be of any value. I was totally wrong.
I use a first generation Varia and it is, as you say, a game changer. I prefer the short and wide shape of the first gen. because the small gap between the top of my trunk bag and the saddle would probably impede the operation of the newer version. I ride mainly on open UK country lanes and with the wind whistling past my ears, it is almost impossible to hear vehicles approaching from the rear until they are almost on top of you.
Just a heads up if you have difficulty updating your Varia rtl515, plug your Varia rtl515 into your laptop or home computer, run your Garmin Express on your computer and let it find your device. Select the device and let it search for updates. Quickest and fastest way to update if you have issues trying to accomplish this through your Garmin computer. It’s the most reliable method I’ve found to date.
Thanks for the follow up review. I have a first generation Varia light and it is a game changer as far as bike safety. All excellent points about features that you have shared. What is the battery life that you have experienced on a full charge ? My light is about three years old and 3 1/2 hours max on mine.
Finally got into road cycling after years and years of bike commuting on my fixed gear in the cities. Now that I’m riding longer rides on two lane highways I’ve been finding my usual skill of checking my shoulder is extremely difficult because often the cars are going 15-20mph more than I am and the time I have to look is seconds or even less. I’ve got the Garmin Edge 150 and now I’m probably going to pick up the RTL515, especially since I’m already looking to replace my old taillight with something more modern.
Bought my Rtl 515 recently.. I always go out with a rear light..But this one is unavailable..Best money that you can spend for your safety..Thanks for the review mate...
I got one a little while ago and wouldn’t go anywhere without it now. There is a Garmin IQ app you can download so you can turn the light on and off from your head unit (the radar still works). I turn it off if I go off road to save battery. If you’re riding with another it stops you blinding them if you are in front. It’s also got a battery indicator. Cheers for the video Clint 👍
Could not agree more with your riding observations and accident avoidance techniques. I am expecting my Varia today simply because of the reasons you mention.
Thanks for this great review. You're pointing out all the niceties that are not obvious. Like the stanby mode. Love it even though there's always the risk to leave the computer on and drain the varia without knowing. Also, thanks for the tip about multiple pairing, just tried tonight with my wife and it was working great - plus she had to open the road and I was behind with the radar 😎 Note that she has a wahoo element and the display is only the top led bar (no idea of how far and how many vehicles- still of value). On dirt roads like you said, I feel good riding in the middle, with plenty of time to move to the side. Regarding picking up other bikes, mine does rarely do that. Other bikes also don't obstruct cars. I have RLT515 purchased in December. For me, this is better this way. Finally, I've been using a mirror on the drop for years and really miss it on my mtb. But yet, the Varia is a game changer. I like your mirror, what is it ?
Accurate review. I've owned for a year, won't ride without it. It would benefit from a larger battery and brighter lights. Lateral lights would be great. Check out, light and motion lateral lights.
About 'using one's ears', now that we are moving to a time with an increasing proportion of quiet electric vehicles on the road, it's less safe to rely on vehicle noise. (I am considering buying a Varia because I have had permanent, sudden hearing loss in one ear since May 2021. One thing that the many hearing tests told me was that I probably had minor age-related hearing loss in the bad ear for a few years, as my other ear is fine and I had previously found myself struggling to follow conversations. Even in middle age, a lot of us have minor, age-related hearing loss in one or both ears and don't realise it.)
Ii love the vatia but I will say I have noticed a few false negatives and it's typically the second car when it is following' relatively close to the car in front of it. Sometimes there will be a car who will follow behind me on the road a little bit before passing and then the car behind that guy might be impatient and up on his rear. Have to be careful to use your mirror and/or look behind you, especially if you're going to be making a turnaround or a left turn, or even going back into the lane after a car passes.
One more reason why this IMO should be sold with all road bikes is that it will also pick up electric cars which are silent. Here in southern california home of electric cars it is invaluable.
Radar AND Mirror, best combination!
Complement each other.
Use it = love it
I need to get a mirror
I'm using an original first generation Varia on my road bike. As you mentioned, one of the nice things about it is being able to relax a little knowing there's nothing coming up from behind.
it's hard to explain how invaluable this becomes. after riding for decades without, I can't imagine ever riding without one again. they're spreading through my Saturday group slowly but surely.
Nice. I just imagine everyone attacking each other from the rear to make each others radars go off.
Great review. I’ve had the Varia for 3 months and it’s been highly reliable. In my opinion, it is without a doubt the most important accessory anyone can get for their bike. It’s amazing to to me that I’ve ridden for over 20 years without even a mirror, but now I won’t ride without the Varia. Game changer is almost an understatement....more like life saver. It’s that effective. Thanks also for your thoughts about pairing this with a mirror - makes total sense.
The part about not having to ride the edge of the road so much is the game changer part of the varia for me. Being able to relax and take up more of the road knowing that theres no cars coming has added a whole new level of enjoyment for me. I can free up a whole bunch of brain power usually dedicated to worrying about what might be coming and now i can actually talk to my buddy ridding side by side and relax while at it, not talk and look behind every other word...specially if you both have the varia for double peace fo mind. . i cant ride without the varia now, i travel with it and use it on rental bikes.
+1. Chatting with someone without constantly glancing behind.
As the saying goes - there are two kinds of cyclists - those who own a Varia radar and would not give it back for money, and those who did not try it and tell you why you don't need one, until they tried it themselves.
I couldn't agree more. Never leave home with out it.
SO TRUE!
Very true
Welp, I think it would be great, but 200 bucks is a lot for normal people, would rather gather some more and buy a power meter
@@ingmarneple6072 Power meters are expensive for "normal" people. Power meter vs. the Varia? I'll take Varia every time.
Once you use one you can't imagine not having one.... the feature you didn't mention is the red screen vs orange for extremely fast approaching vehicles... Thats useful too. Nice video!
But how Do you react if a fast car drives close next to you? How will the Light Safe you?
@@luxinterna3370 He mentioned this by saying he gets off the road and onto the shoulder or grass. I would add to just slow down while doing this in case there is no shoulder and need to hop onto a sidewalk for some measure of safety.
Clint, I purchased a Varia largely based on your 1st review. As you state, it's a game-changer' and I would not go on a road-bike ride without-it. I live in the heart of Silicon Valley and there is a lot of traffic. I also strongly recommend the Varia be used in-conjunction with a mirror as am insurance policy.
Here in CA, the first thing we do when we buy a bike is remove all those ugly but legally required reflectors. Generally and legally speaking, the blinking rear light shows some due diligence on the rider's part to restore increased visibility to drivers.
Love mine, and totally agree with your comments about the Varia. I do a lot of mountain road riding and found that the safest way is to take the lane. I know this sounds crazy, but what happens is that me being in the middle of the lane notifies the driver that there is someone they need to pay attention to. Then with the Varia, I can move over to the side in plenty of time and allow them to pass. By doing this the car slows down enough so they can pass at a reasonable speed. Without doing this, if they see a cyclist on the white line, they “think” they can maintain their speed, passing at 55-75 mph with oncoming traffic and that is far more dangerous in my mind. Out of hundreds of cars, I’ve only had one that was obviously angry, and shot the bird. It doesn’t eliminate the bubba that wants to run you over, but I haven’t found a safer way to ride pavement. Anyway, FWIW.
That’s always been a problem that road cyclists create for themselves. If you ride a smooth line glued to the white line, you invite the motorists to thread the needle at 50mph.
My tactic has been to waggle the bike when you hear them approaching. That sends them a message that you’re unpredictable and they need to pay attention. Of course, you’re NOT unpredictable. You’re just manipulating them.
No need, just keep the lane. Plenty of opposing lane to pass in when it's clear. I just ride 2 feet from the side.
@@kishascape Personally I don’t want to increase any road rage even if I’m in the right, so I move over. The point is not having people pass a a high rate of speed.
On the other hand, if you encounter a driver who's driving blind, because that facebook message just has to be read immediately, you rather want to ride as little in the lane as possible.
@@kishascape I read too may horror stories where cyclists and pedestrians are getting mowed down by careless drivers. So I am thinking you either live in a biker's Utopia or are very lucky.
The Varia is a game changer! Great review.
Sorry to be so off topic but does someone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account?
I was stupid lost my account password. I appreciate any tips you can give me.
@Louie Graham Instablaster =)
Absolutely, game changer! Must be mandatory for road biking
I have come to rely heavily on my Varia which I purchased after watching your first review. As insane as it sounds I prefer to ride the rural roads at 2:00 a.m. here in South Texas because there is no traffic. Even at night I have had the Varia detect a vehicle before I noticed it with my helmet mirror. On two occasions I have had drivers/passengers yell at me from their vehicles as they passed. They turned around and started returning and their lights went off. On these unlit roads it is comforting to know that the Varia will detect a vehicle even if I can't see them if their lights are off. Also I have had one occasion where the Varia detected a very large dog running up from the rear before I knew it was approaching (dogs are difficult to see in the dark). I never knew if the dog was wearing a large collar with metal because after I pepper sprayed it you could hear the dog sliding to a stop on the pavement. Great review.
2 am in South Texas, you need everything you can get.
Jesus on a Garmin mount as a start.
They didn't invent DWI there, but they perfected it
I love my Varia. Anytime I ride without it, for 1 reason or another, I feel like I am riding naked.
My exact comment. Wouldn't ride without it now.
Please don’t ride naked 😂
It drives me nuts when people say to just use your hearing. I’m deaf and wear bilateral cochlear implants. My hearing is much different than a person with normal hearing. I’ve also been told that I have no business riding a bicycle on the road if I’m deaf 🙄. People just live in their little boxes I guess. The Varia helps me as a deaf rider to be more aware of what’s behind me. It’s not just a notification device, it has saved me in more ways than one. Thanks for your video!
Bro I have no hearing impairment. I 100% agree HEARING isnt enough. Too much noise in the world. I get surprised ALL the time on my bike commutes.
Really love the way you breakdown stuff, great speaking skills. I have the Varia and it is one of the best investments on my bike for sure 👍
Ive had mine for a few months now, Its not just a great accessory to have, it is as you say “a game changer”. One thing I would like to say is that contrary to what is said in many videos about it not being as useful in city streets or heavier traffic, I find it extremely useful and not at all intrusive. One other small detail many have probably already noticed when they stop for a break is that it can detect people walking up behind you.
Thanks for your follow up thoughts. You've elaborated extensively what Varia gave you and how it changed your safety. What I noticed personally is that flashing pattern (closer the car is - more frequent flashes) also influences the drivers - they tend to overtake me with a bigger distance. Another great thing about Varia. This became part of my essential gear kit.
Great video, everything important--no fillers. I'll be watching this again.
i could see the benefit for rural roads with intermittent traffic, but for most fast moving urban roads, i just assume that there is always traffic and ride defensively.. doing a quick shoulder check also lets drivers know that you are aware of them
Right, great for suburban and rural riding. High traffic becomes a noise. Same conclusion reached by DCRainmaker.
If you think a “shoulder check” registers with drivers I wish you good luck. You’re going to need it.
This is absolutely NOT a problem.
Adds flash
in this situation you need everything and more.
One thing that will definitely increase your safety is to ditch the handlebar mirror and, instead, use a mirror mounted either on your helmet or glasses (if if you don't need glasses you can use sunglasses or night wind glasses). The handlebar mirror has too narrow a field and, worse, forces you to take your eyes off the road up front whereas glasses/helmet mounted mirrors don't and have a HUGE field of view.
I've had this for over a year and I did not know the first part... You learn something new every day
Wahoo/Varia user here-
The varia also pairs well here. I have had a few connection issues (remedied with updates) but never a disconnection after it is communicating with my computer. I do miss out on some features mentioned here like the automatic turn on feature with your head unit, but nothing that takes away from the overall experience. I have the first version (I believe its the 510) and off of the top of my head, the only reason to have v2 is if you wish to pair the radar to your phone via bluetooth so you do not need a computer.
My only complaint is that I think they could have made it look better - maybe sleeker/more modern looking. I hate the oval shape but that’s just me. Other than that, its function and safety cannot be denied. I am glad they finally made it compatible with the Wahoo system.
Couldn't agree more. I have had my varia setup for a year now, just under 3K miles and not a car has gone by without me knowing prior. Riding Maryland backroads with this setup is great!
I bought this from my LBS here in Nashua, NH yesterday, and just completed my first ride with it. This thing really is a game changer. It gives you situational awareness and plenty of time to react and manage traffic approaching from your most vulnerable blind spot on the bike.
I had a close call last Wednesday descending a big hill from Mont Vernon, NH to Milford. It was raining, 35 degrees and windy. I was about 25 mph. Didn’t hear a car till it was on me and I had to make a fast sketchy decision on a road with almost no shoulder. Shook me a bit. So I thought about getting this thing. Bought it that day. Rode it today. Same route, same descent. No rain :)
It gives you maybe 10 seconds notice that a car is coming and the color/lights go bright flashing red if the car is over a certain speed. This gives you time, in a situation like I described above, to react and take action. It even notifies you how many cars are queued up behind you, so you have great awareness. You can keep your eyes focused ahead of you, while knowing what is behind you and when it’s upon you. Then a quick peripheral check to make sure the car is keeping its distance is the only time you have to take your eyes off the front.
The thing I really like, come to find out, is that it tells you the coast is clear behind you, so you can ride the lane, not stay in the shoulder, with confidence.
I felt way less stressed and way safer with this thing. It is absolutely brilliant.
Hooked it up with a Wahoo Element 2. Connected directly with device in seconds.
Lastly, bought a couple of hard mounts for the seat post. One on each bike. It’s sturdier than the rubber band mounted thing that comes with it. After market about 10$ US per mount.
Another rider that’s safer…love it. Thanks for sharing.
I totally agree with you. It is a magnificant peace of safety equipement. The only thing Garmin should change is the switch which is on top of the radar. When dirt enters the switch it might block the movement. You can clean it with warm water from the tap. But after losing one radar because of a faulty switch caused by dirt, I covered the switch of the new one (which was sent to me for free based on warranty) with some electrical tape to avoid dirt from entering the switch.
Second thing: your mates can also use your radar when they pair it to their phone through bluetooth.
A majority of people I ride with have these and I love it when I hear the tones, I know what it means. I just finally gave in and bought a computer and I've also started riding solo EARLY on Sunday mornings. I have mirrors and I also try and look back to be as aware as possible. The problem is people come flying up on you so I'm not always hearing or seeing them. I feel this will make me more comfortable and get out on the road more. Thank you for this info.
Using your ears is all well and good when there is zero/very low wind and you’re riding slowly. There’s also the issue of electric cars comes up behind you.
Good luck hearing those
Electric cars....good point!
Disagree about electric cars. It's not the engine that you hear, it's the tires. That said this device is a must have.
Just got my 515, first ride, just love it. Learned two new things from you. Thank you!
I use the Varia radar and it changed my way of cycling. A very good video and well explained. Congratulations. Arthur Dempsey(Ireland)
Great review and I agree with everything you stated. Sidenote your Garmin had that halo around the edge of your screen. There is a recall from Garmin for that defect. I was able to get a replacement 1030 for that reason. Just send an email in to their support team and they will ask for a picture of the screen and go from there. Keep the content coming.
Another agreement, a great piece of kit. I don't go on the road without it.
I just got one. I must admit that I was also in the "in can hear cars coming up just fine" camp. But the Varia is a game changer. I am surprised to see how many cars I missed that I did not hear sneaking up behind me, especially EVs. It also helps me better avoid potholes when there is not enough time to check behind me, and I would have to bunny hop or ride through them.
I bought the original Varia and now cannot ride without it. My rides are busy suburbs and country roads. I like the extra confidence in knowing a car is not behind me (after looking back, you still need to look back even if you use Varia) when crossing multiple lanes to turn. Also, my ears will hear a car and when I look back I do not see and the Varia confirms. It's that extra peace of mind I have gained and is a must-have for me now. BTW I use this with the Wahoo Roam and it displays a car and not a dot :-)
I’ve been using varia lights since they came out, a must have without question! A mirror though I do not have or use; however I’ve been thinking of doing so and soon ordering one up. Great review, well done as always, varia simply essential!
My recommendation would be the look mirror attached to the stem of your glasses. Benefits are wide views and ability to have panoramic views. Cheap too.
Great review. When you say it only comes on automatically when you put your head unit to sleep rather than power off I think you’ll find that it also works if you completely power down the head unit. Mine certainly does. I think you use the button on the top of the Varia to put it in Bluetooth mode. You will see that even when switched off the blue LED on the side of the Varia flashes. It doesn’t even seem to use much battery when left like that for a few days.
A very helpful tech at Garmin showed me that you can also set up the Varia to turn on when you start the Edge's timer on a ride, rather than anytime you turn on the Edge. It's another option in the software.
Also, while overall the Varia is quite accurate, there are a few situations that give false positives (no big deal) or false negatives (more worrisome):
False Positives: (1) the Varia sometimes triggers when I pass certain locations, for example an unmanned volunteer fire department - possibly related to motion sensitive lights or cameras? - usually get an audible alert and a dot which soon disappears, (2) sometimes get multiple dots which coalesce into one or two as they get closer - perhaps different parts of a single vehicle, like the cab and the box on a 6-wheeler?
False Negatives: (1) if a vehicle comes up behind me and then paces with me because there is no opportunity to pass, after a while its dot vanishes - Varia looks only for vehicles approaching me from behind - could cause a problem if I turned left without looking, and (2) on curves or rolling hills, terrain may block the radar beam temporarily, causing a dot to vanish and then reappear.
I deal with it this way: if there IS a dot, I assume a vehicle is there. If there is no dot, I assume a vehicle MIGHT be there. If that would be a problem, I do a shoulder check and/or listen carefully.
Also, sometimes it gives TWO audible alerts for the same vehicle: one when it first appears at the bottom of the screen and another when it is about halfway up the screen. Not a huge problem, just more alert sounds.
I set the Varia audible alert to the triple trill to make it completely distinct from the single and double trills used for the Garmin's navigation functions.
The Varia's day flash is not very bright, so I run a Lezyne Strip Pro 300 lumen flashing taillight as well, reasonably priced and light. The disco flashing routine the Varia switches into when a vehicle approaches from the rear is impressive, though!
I also had false negatives when a car couldnt overtake and was behind me driving with same speed as i did.
One thing i've experienced... do not ride beside a moving train. It will pick it up and you will have to rely on mirrors, ears ,or a quick look over your shoulder until the train passes.
Good review. The faster flash when the vehicle gets closer is another great feature and helps you get noticed. Don’t leave home (on a bike) without it !
I went riding with 4 other cyclists. 2 had the Varia and they would shout out “car back” and I also heard their Varia beep. I realized how much added safety the Varia provided. I purchased the Varia 515 the next day and will not ride without it now. I consider it an essential piece of gear. The 2nd best investment, after a helmet, to keep you safe. $150 to add safety is well worth it. Consider the light an added bonus. Ride safe!
Definitely can’t ever see myself riding without the 515. Safety and being aware is always good. I agree, rear taillight at all times is a must. Was using it with my wahoo bolt but when I started using it with my Edge 530. It’s obviously better. I do love the sleep, on, etc when you turn on the computer.
Thought you might have mentioned the colour indication on the screen. Mine flashes red if a vehicle is approaching from behind at a high speed,orange if within acceptable speed limit and then green once all traffic has passed.
It's a brilliant piece of kit. That said you still need to use your senses.
I have a 510......it's a game changer for road riding.....especially in the Hudson Valley where there aren't too many cars..... but the few I encounter it works flawlessly
I am just about done building a new bike. One of the last things I need to get is the tail light. The Varia has been on my purchase list for awhile now so, it is good to see a follow-up video about this light. Thanks.
Add me to the list of people who would not ride without one.
Mine is a 510 with the separate radar display unit. Love it, love it, love it.
Just wished that it would beep a bit louder.
Hey Clint. After your first vid I left a naysayer comment. I then went and bought a Fly6 camera/light which turned out to be junk (bad hardware and software). I’m getting a warranty replacement on that, so while I was waiting I bought an RTL 515. I rode all day with it today and yesterday and I must say I’M CONVERTED. I wholeheartedly agree with every single thing you said in this video. It is most definitely a game changer for me as well. Thank you!
Very cool! Now I need to have a talk show and have you on it 😉
@@ClintGibbs only if we can do it in the style of Jerry Springer 😂
0:59 That looks like perfect cycling territory. Clear flat road, no potholes and great weather.
Great review. I have had one for a couple of years now and I did not know that I could just put my 530 to sleep and it will also put the light to sleep and then wake it up too. I love mine and won't ride without one. They are amazing and really helps keep you safe.
I ride a 100+ miles a week on paved roads (road bike). The area I ride has clear marked bike lanes but we all know that won’t stop a car. I have a neck fusion which severely limits my rearward viewing (turning my head). I have tried mirrors and because of the distance I can’t clearly make out what is coming at me from behind. Getting the Varia was such a blessing. I am in my second week of using it and found it so beneficial to my safer riding. If you ride on the street you really should use this. In addition I ride early mornings 4-6am. Very dark. I also just changed to the Garmin head light. It has so many benefits to battery management. Thanks for y to our post.
One of the first things i bought for my bike. I am new to riding but i've ridden motorbikes before so i am aware that 2 wheels are really vulnerable on the road. Amazing yet simple piece of tech, such invaluable safety device.
Agree 100%. My ride buddy loves it too because when the flash pattern changes he knows a car is coming too
Thanks for the review. This video came up in my recommendations and brought the Varia into my consciousness, and I ultimately ended up buying one after doing some research. Love it and won't ride without it now.
It really helps being able to ride more left in the US. With that combined with the move right when you get the notification of the car it does a good job of letting the car know you are aware of it. Creating a better experience with the pass. A Car might treat you better when they see you move right for them. If you are currently riding to the right you cant give that subtle signal of acknowledgement by moving right that riding more left allows. Great Video!
Couldn't agree more. Great follow up!
I completely agree with your point around minute six. To be able to actually focus on the road ahead of you, as well as enjoy some scenery, is absolutely a benefit to having this device. I'm currently researching the models to see which one to purchase. Thanks so much for your informative video!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Great review and I love the idea of the radar and mirror duo!
I like your point about still needing a mirror. While the Varia can warn you of an approaching vehicle, I can't discern between a motorcycle or fully loaded logging truck. When all you've got is the white line and no shoulder, the distinction can obviously matter
I love mine. I noticed that the changing of the flash as cars get closer, keeps them further away
true. I've had drivers and motor bikes give me a thumbs up
Surprisingly effective as are DRL.
Here in Texas , they don't use bike lites,
heck, even cars don't turn on lights 10% of the time
I’m new to cycling and have finally ventured onto the roads (from Zwift) - hands up, I can feel a little nervous especially having now clipped in, but the more I ride the more confident I feel, (which isn’t necessarily a good thing). Over the last few days I have come across many reviews for this device (all good) but now having watched this and read the comments, I’ve ordered one - Thanks … great review 😊
I've been using one for years, it is absolutely awesome for situational awareness and safety. As important as a helmet in my mind. You'll love it!
I agree with you 100%. I too use a mirror, but I prefer the mirror that attaches to my sunglasses, it allows me to see more of the road by moving my head. I also found that I don't constantly have to check mirror for cars. I now can now only look when it tells me that a car is there. And as far as hearing a car coming, you can't hear a car 400 ft behind you. But with the varia, you know about it much sooner. Another great thing about it is I know if a car is in my blind spot that I can't see in my mirror. It has happened several times where I need to get over for a left turn and Don't see a car in my mirror but one was right there coming up right next to me. The varia would have shown that car! I just got the RCT715 with the camera. I didn't think I needed the radar either. But now I understand why people love them. Glad I bought it.
Thanks for the long term review Clint. Just bought one around Christmas for next summer, and can't wait to use it.
I've been road biking less and less around here because of the increased traffic over the last few years, but since covid the cyclocross/mtb trails have been packed, so I want to get back on the road.
I used to be able to hear cars just fine road biking way back when we didn't wear helmets...
Fast forward and I forgot my helmet for a ride a couple of years back, and figured out that I can hear cars fine *without* a helmet, but the wind noise from the helmet just covers the noises of cars behind me; another interesting observation is that when I forgot my helmet, the cars would give me *more* room when passing... go figure that one out.
So for next summer and going forward: radar on 👍
I find varia a must for me I am blind in one eye. I cannot see back coming traffic without turning my head quite far to look over shoulder with viable eye. This gave me back my cycling life. Takk Garmin.
Great review
I use this paired with my 1040 garmin, and speed and cadence sensors.
They work flawlessly
Handy to have if your road cycling here in the northwest of the UK, as the city roads are a cyclists nightmare during rush hour.
I can honestly say, it has alerted me to a few almost nearby collisions that I've avoided, and had seen a road traffic accident which was caught on my 715.
Aside from the battery performance, I would highly recommend this product!!
Very helpful review - many thanks. Expecting my Varia this week, this is a great help to get me up the learning curve fast, awesome!
Nice review! I was cycling with a friend yesterday who had one and based on positive reviews, I bought one today. I also believe in a bar end mirror. The peloton mode is interesting because I have ridden with someone who found my rear Cygolite light too bright and annoying. PS If it’s a really big vehicle, perhaps a bigger dot?
Love mine! I can't believe I waited so long to get one.
Thanks for the review! Just got one for me and one for my son.
I do like the added safety I feel my Varia gives me in situational awareness. The biggest downside for me is the battery drain on my Garmin GPS. My Varia will drain my Garmin 520 Plus battery approximately 2 to 3 times as fast as without it, and I only run the radar portion enabled with 1 beep, not the variable lighting or multiple beeps. A typical 3.5 hour ride will usually drain the battery about 50-60%, where it would normally drain about 20-25% without it. I don't think I could complete a century ride without it completely draining my GPS.
This has got to be the most thorough review I have seen to date. So I also want to add onto the bit about not hearing cars as that would apply to Tesla and other manufacturers that are jumping on board the electric train.
good video, last summer rode with a group where one of the guys had a Varia , i was able to connect with my 520 , really liked the function, as i do alot of road riding and had a mirror on both sides of my bars , this season 2021, have not installed the mirrors although will probably put a small one like you have on your bike that i use for my gravel bike , just purely as a backup, i have ordered the Varia to help with detecting the traffic coming up from behind ,allows you to keep the eyes forward , as you mentioned the speed you are travelling at and the wind conditions causes problems in hearing vechicles the one way that can help is wearing a balacava and touk in cold weather cuts the wind noise somewhat, not perfect but does help , doing the shoulder check does work although if the road is rough and not in good condition not the greatest idea ,potholes uneven pavement cracks all have a way to snake bite you ,either results in flats , damage to rims and not to mention the seat of your bike coming up to meet you a little to hard , it hurts,
Great review as usual. I saw your initial review when it came out. For your type of riding and less trafficked roads it makes sense but in a highly trafficked urban environment it's not very useful. Here in NYC you'd see constant dots on your Garmin. I make sure all my senses are open to the environment and after almost 40 years of road riding I'm still here.🚴🚴🚴
On the Hammerhead Karoo headunit the varia has colour coded cars coming up, yellow for normal and red if they are going especially fast, the virtual road will then go green to indicate a clear road behind you. Is amazing I tend to do most of my riding solo and so an extra pair of eyes behind me is a godsend.
I have a first-generation Varia and I, too, feel naked without it. One thing you should mention is cars will fall off the screen if they start matching your speed. I started using two mirrors because I got into a situation where a car was right off my wheel and matching my speed. I couldn't see him in my mirror and the radar was no longer picking him up. I thought he had turned off until I did my shoulder check and was startled to see him _right there_ . If I had drifted to the left thinking no one what there I would have hit him. Then it would have been my fault and I suspect he was trying to set me up for a collision.
I now have a bar-end mirror like yours but also a car convex mirror cobbled together for that blind spot. I also have multiple flashy lights front and rear, and always wear fluorescent colored tops. My gloves are fluorescent yellow as well for signaling. I still get people trying to hit me.
Good point about the car disappearing when matching your speed. I got spooked a couple times when very diligent driver just wait patiently behind me before a light or a turn. I believe when this happens the light doesn't turn green, not sure, will check
My only gripe is the rubber ring attachment to the seat post, which I found could move about especially riding on bumpy roads. I since purchased a saddle rail clamp fitting which works great, very stable.
I'll jump on the Varia bandwagon as well. Was kind of skeptical when I first heard about a bike radar but after hearing from others that it was a "game changer" I bought one and fully agree. I use mine on my tandem and it makes me and my wife feel much safer. Never going back.
Good point about the wind noise. I haven't used Varia yet but I use wind noise attenuation on my helmet straps - furry velcro (Cat Ears) and this simple solution does an amazing job in lowering wind noise. I simply cannot ride without it, because it's too loud.
Work with newer wahoo elements units too. I paired my buddies Varia to my Element Roam when we rode together ... loved it ... now i have my own.
2 rides on mine now. It’s great. I still peak over my shoulders. I’ll look with the all clear tone to. If anything it makes me a better rider.
I hope it last5 years. Then it’s cost is equal to the value I put into it.
I like the fact it blinks when the car approaches.
wow thanks for that tip about sleep mode. I got my varia yesterday Ive had an 830 for years now. I wonder. I have a new drop bar bike and Im coming from a different bike that had mirrors I still want a mirror. You like the bar end ones? i still look over shoulder but I would like to use a mirror too. Ive used a mirror that went on my glasses before.
Very good review. I enjoy your knowledge but also your calm and intelligent presentation.
Note - there is a IQ data field that shows the exact distance and speed of upcoming vehicles.
This device is a must have for safety conscious riders!
Awesome video Clint. I finally decided to buy one, along with a 130 Plus, really looking forward to this.
Thanks for your videos on the Varia. Very helpful and convincing. Finally purchased one last week.
I liked your first Varia video and I can't imagine doing without it now. I tend to always completely power down my garmin 1030 and didn't know about sleep and the light network being able to manage turning the unit on and off. Thanks for the follow up video!
Love mine too, just to add a comment, it pairs nicely with my Wahoo Element Roam but if there is a truck passing at the same time as the beep, you may not hear the beep, likewise if the winds in your face are very strong. All in all its still great.
I find the time you stated to make a decision is quite accurate also about going 15-20mph and oncoming traffic will not allow you to hear the traffic coming up behind you.
I’m curious what amount of time you are getting off a full charge. I have the rvr315 and on the first ride only got 2.5-3hrs off a full charge. I may possibly have a defective unit.
absolutely love my varia- not a "game changer" perhaps because technology WILL fail, but it is a surprisingly good piece of kit. There are only a few instances where I have been able to hear a car behind before I hear the tone from my varia-- usually with a tailwind on a straight road. normally the varia detects a vehicle LONG before I can hear it. Yes a huge factor is it lets a rider be out further in the lane to take good lines with less worry. I ride in areas with crap roads most of the time, and frequently pavement along the edge is terrible. I've had mine for over a year and don't like to think about riding without it.
I just got mine. I have done two rides, an 18 mile and 70 mile. Both road rides. This video is about 99% of what I have experienced in two days. Like the part where you can ride more in the lane vs in the edge or on a debris filled shoulder or bike lane. Also I was just noticing like you said it will alert cars on a highway adjacent to a bike trail. In my case the adjacent highway was more like 50 yards away. I was surprised. Not useful but at least you know the unit will pick things up. Also I am a huge mirror guy and didn’t think this device would be of any value. I was totally wrong.
I use a first generation Varia and it is, as you say, a game changer. I prefer the short and wide shape of the first gen. because the small gap between the top of my trunk bag and the saddle would probably impede the operation of the newer version.
I ride mainly on open UK country lanes and with the wind whistling past my ears, it is almost impossible to hear vehicles approaching from the rear until they are almost on top of you.
Just a heads up if you have difficulty updating your Varia rtl515, plug your Varia rtl515 into your laptop or home computer, run your Garmin Express on your computer and let it find your device. Select the device and let it search for updates. Quickest and fastest way to update if you have issues trying to accomplish this through your Garmin computer. It’s the most reliable method I’ve found to date.
Thanks for the follow up review. I have a first generation Varia light and it is a game changer as far as bike safety. All excellent points about features that you have shared. What is the battery life that you have experienced on a full charge ? My light is about three years old and 3 1/2 hours max on mine.
If you use the daylight flashing mode, it should last much more than that.
Finally got into road cycling after years and years of bike commuting on my fixed gear in the cities.
Now that I’m riding longer rides on two lane highways I’ve been finding my usual skill of checking my shoulder is extremely difficult because often the cars are going 15-20mph more than I am and the time I have to look is seconds or even less.
I’ve got the Garmin Edge 150 and now I’m probably going to pick up the RTL515, especially since I’m already looking to replace my old taillight with something more modern.
Bought my Rtl 515 recently..
I always go out with a rear light..But this one is unavailable..Best money that you can spend for your safety..Thanks for the review mate...
Varia is great. Sensor to pair its only one called radar or two? One radar one light? I just bought it.
I got one a little while ago and wouldn’t go anywhere without it now. There is a Garmin IQ app you can download so you can turn the light on and off from your head unit (the radar still works). I turn it off if I go off road to save battery. If you’re riding with another it stops you blinding them if you are in front. It’s also got a battery indicator. Cheers for the video Clint 👍
Could not agree more with your riding observations and accident avoidance techniques. I am expecting my Varia today simply because of the reasons you mention.
Great content! Picking one up at LBS today after watching your video! Thanks!!!
Thanks for this great review. You're pointing out all the niceties that are not obvious. Like the stanby mode. Love it even though there's always the risk to leave the computer on and drain the varia without knowing.
Also, thanks for the tip about multiple pairing, just tried tonight with my wife and it was working great - plus she had to open the road and I was behind with the radar 😎 Note that she has a wahoo element and the display is only the top led bar (no idea of how far and how many vehicles- still of value).
On dirt roads like you said, I feel good riding in the middle, with plenty of time to move to the side.
Regarding picking up other bikes, mine does rarely do that. Other bikes also don't obstruct cars. I have RLT515 purchased in December.
For me, this is better this way.
Finally, I've been using a mirror on the drop for years and really miss it on my mtb. But yet, the Varia is a game changer. I like your mirror, what is it ?
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Accurate review. I've owned for a year, won't ride without it. It would benefit from a larger battery and brighter lights. Lateral lights would be great. Check out, light and motion lateral lights.
About 'using one's ears', now that we are moving to a time with an increasing proportion of quiet electric vehicles on the road, it's less safe to rely on vehicle noise. (I am considering buying a Varia because I have had permanent, sudden hearing loss in one ear since May 2021. One thing that the many hearing tests told me was that I probably had minor age-related hearing loss in the bad ear for a few years, as my other ear is fine and I had previously found myself struggling to follow conversations. Even in middle age, a lot of us have minor, age-related hearing loss in one or both ears and don't realise it.)
Ii love the vatia but I will say I have noticed a few false negatives and it's typically the second car when it is following' relatively close to the car in front of it. Sometimes there will be a car who will follow behind me on the road a little bit before passing and then the car behind that guy might be impatient and up on his rear. Have to be careful to use your mirror and/or look behind you, especially if you're going to be making a turnaround or a left turn, or even going back into the lane after a car passes.
One more reason why this IMO should be sold with all road bikes is that it will also pick up electric cars which are silent. Here in southern california home of electric cars it is invaluable.