I know that folk on here are pretty positive about Garmin's Varia range of radars and I've often wondered whether I need one.
Well Garmin have just released a new model, the RearVue 820 with, what I assume is, upgraded radar.
It looks very swish and can track lane changes and vehicle size but, as with all things Garmin, it seems pretty pricey (£260).
Anyway, details here if people are interested:-
https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/1689121/
-- Edit--
Hmm, the Edge Explore 2 isn't in the list of units compatible with the Advanced Vehicle Tracking capacity.
Hmm, the Edge Explore 2 isn't in the list of units compatible with the Advanced Vehicle Tracking capacity.
The Explore 2 is apparently in one of those "it might work, it might not" camps. With the release of that RearVue thing, the current Varia can be had quite cheap. I've just ordered one for £130 from Sigma Sports. I was riding with a friend recently, she had one which seemed brilliant, it's the first time I've really seen / heard it in use so my plan is to use the Varia as a permanent fit on my commuter bike.
I've seen various threads about using the Varia with an Explore 2, the general consensus seems to be that it might be more of a faff than the other Edge units but it does work. Certainly mine has the option to connect to a Varia so I'll update on here when it arrives an I (try to!) pair it all up...
There's always the chance that there could be a firmware update for the Explore 2 to enable the advanced vehicle tracking I suppose...
I've said before, but I was in the sceptical camp. I saw a 515 on sale in a (real life) bike shop and figured I could try it, form a judgement, and sell it on for no/little loss if I didn't rate it.
It's excellent.
A quick look at the specs of the new one doesn't highlight anything I'd upgrade for other than, perhaps, improved battery life. However, I've used mine while plugged into an external battery pack and that works fine (unless it's vert wet I guess).
I have been thinking about getting one, with old age decreasing flexibility and my eyes and brain no longer seeming to take in enough information with just a quick glance over my shoulder, I can see the benefit, but have also always wondered how effective they would be in practice.
I have been thinking about getting one, with old age decreasing flexibility and my eyes and brain no longer seeming to take in enough information with just a quick glance over my shoulder, I can see the benefit, but have also always wondered how effective they would be in practice.
Had mine a few years and wouldn't ride without it nowadays especially as someone who mostly rides solo
have also always wondered how effective they would be in practice.
It's going to depend on where you ride and how busy the roads are. Over a certain traffic level (or basically in town) they seem pretty redundant as you just have vehicles almost permanently behind you anyway.
I can see the benefit, but have also always wondered how effective they would be in practice.
As I said upthread, the first time I really saw one in action was a couple of weeks ago riding with a friend, we were in Spain for a week. I was amazed at how good it was, detecting both cyclists and vehicles way before I'd clocked them. It allowed seamless singling out, stopped all of that "car back!" shouting, meant you could concentrate on the road rather than always checking back over your shoulder... It gave an indication of size and speed too - something big approaching fast triggered a more strident warning than a cyclist closing the gap.
You can silence the alerts too so if you're in town you just turn the warning bleep off. I'm looking forward to getting mine - my commute is mostly fairly rural and while it's quiet, it does routinely result in cars approaching at speed or trying to pass in narrow sections so hopefully this will give more warning than me looking over my shoulder as and when I can.
I've seen various threads about using the Varia with an Explore 2, the general consensus seems to be that it might be more of a faff than the other Edge units but it does work
Just FYI...I have had a Magene radar (so not a Varia but uses the same ANT+ protocol) for several years now and it's been connected to an Edge 530, Edge Explore 2 and an Edge 840. There is absolutely no difference in faff level between any of the units, nor in the user experience whilst riding
My radar is regularly swapped between 3 bikes and I wouldn't like to ride on the road without one now. Theyre a really good idea though GPLama has some criticism of the non-standard ANT protocol Garmin until uses in this unit which means only certain newer Garmin models get the full functionality (plus, as is typical with Garmin, there's a huge price increase...)
EDIT: I'm wondering whether people who have had a faff with radar may be causing the problem with less-than-ideal mounting. Certainly you don't want the radar obscured by, for instance, a low hanging saddle bag or similar.
Also, it's fairly easy to have the radar looking out to the side rather than straight back because you swung your leg over the saddle and knocked the unit off-center.
There is absolutely no difference in faff level between any of the units, nor in the user experience whilst riding
Good to know, thanks very much!
Another radar sceptic who absolutely loves mine.
I ride alone on country lanes quite a bit - Peaks and Dales. Getting an early warning of that EV that's about to silently pass you when you are daydreaming is excellent. Knowing when you can take the lane, when to pull out or in safely is great. Knowing the car coming up behind has 3 more behind that.
It doesn't replace the shoulder check for risky moves but does give you another layer of information to base decisions on. Very happy.
So much so when my wife rode coast to coast I got her one too. She hates gadgets, and loves the Varia.
The only thing I'd change is USB-C, and a tether point but the price increase doesn't justify a spare cable and a trimmed loop of roady tube around the body made a lanyard tether. If it was me I'd look for a deal on the old one - £130 is a good price.
The only thing I'd change is USB-C, and a tether point
I have one of these
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1418186258/garmin-varia-cycling-lanyardtether?gpla=1&gao=1&
I bought a Varia a couple of months ago after being very sceptical on their value. I thought it was just a gimmick. I'm pretty deaf on my right side and the radar has been a revelation. It definitely feels safer now though I don't pay it enough attention when group riding as too busy nattering.
I'm not bothered about the Mini USB/C or the extra range but I'd like a bit more battery life. Brighterer would be a plus but I was getting complaints about flashing up people group riding today as it is. I paid £110 for mine and wouldn't sink another £100 for the new one.
Useful review of the new model
Yes, I agree with all of the above- I wasn't sure what the use of it would really be but I would hate to ride without it now (I have the 515). I keep the tones turned off on mine and just keep an eye on the display (which I moved to the right of the Garmin screen as it seems more logical there).
It seems pretty much faultless. Personally I've found it particularly great for:
a) riding two abreast with a mate and not having the low-level anxiety of wondering if you're holding up traffic on the lanes- if needed, you can single out to let a car past *way* ahead of time and I just have to glance at my Garmin periodically to make sure there isn't someone idling behind us that we had not realised we were holding up when we're chatting at easy pace.
b) When descending long fast descents it really helps if you're not willing to risk a look over your shoulder at 40mph or whatever but want to take a better line.
I'd recommend them to anybody as I really think they make you safer on the road- if you're umming and ahhing about one, just buy it.
I'm not sure how much better the new version in the OP is but the 515 I have works faultlessly tbh (unlike most of the rest of my Garmin stuff).
I bought the Lezyne version as refused to buy the old one as was micro USB charging. If the new Varia was same (undiscounted) price as the old one and just USB-C charging without lots of new features it would have been tempting (although not to buy to replace the Lezyne now). I don't want any of the other new features though and I wouldn't pay the £100 premium for them (I do want the mount option though)
Hopefully they'll bring out a cheaper, more basic version in a few months. I've already had one Lezyne Radar Drive fail (and replaced under warranty) so would be tempted if they did (although not sure if I was just unlucky of if the Lezyne's are flaky).
I have the 315 (got an integrated saddle light on my Defy) and as above, a gamechanger. It's lovely on country lanes to be able to merrily take all the best lines around potholes etc. I have had two buttons fall off though, which is a known issue. Have a 3D printed cover on the replacement unit but may still return under warranty at some point.
My discounted Varia arrived today and sure enough, it was the work of a few seconds to pair it all up to my Edge Explore 2. Not ridden with it, will try it tomorrow.
There is absolutely no difference in faff level between any of the units, nor in the user experience whilst riding
That's good to know, however, just to reiterate, the Edge Explore 2 does appear on the list of devices compatible with the Varia 820, the original comment was that it's specifically not listed on the page of Edge units compatible with the new Advanced Vehicle Tracking features of the 820.
I don't know whether the Explore 2 might be updated to work with this, however I gather that, if Garmin's usual product cycles are observed, we might be expecting a new Edge Explore this year and I wonder whether they'll limit compatibility to this unit to 'encourage' people to upgrade.
Finally got around to using it this weekend. Shit weather and a bad cold mean I've not been out on the bike in ages. The radar is really good. The only point I'd make on it is that it can very occasionally give a false positive if the vehicle behind matches your speed, it'll "disappear".
The unit will detect it coming from behind but if it then sits back a bit at the same speed you're doing, after a few seconds the head unit will beep and turn green. So it definitely doesn't replace a glance over your shoulder but it's a huge help when riding. I think the size of the light means a lot of drivers think it's a camera too - seemed to be much more caution and nice wide overtakes throughout my ride compared to normal but maybe that's confirmation bias on my part...?
The wider pass distance might be due to the light flashing as a vehicle approached and that just causing a bit extra thought on the part of the driver.
False Negatives as a result of a vehicle tailing you at the same speed have, apparently, been reduced in the new unit but I think it's just something you learn to be aware of.
For those considering the 820 or mebbies the 515, might be worth having a look at this:
Better features than the 515 (ie addressing its shortcomings) and mucho cheaperer than the 820.
Lots of other options available now at a much cheaper price point than the Garmin, I've had a Bryton gardia for a couple of years and can't really fault it, I might try one of the Trek ones though and pass the Bryton on to my oh
TREK CarBack Radar Rear Bike Light https://share.google/VkRnc7upgMpm1CZee
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That Sigma unit appears to be a Euro zone only product for some reason (per Shane's video)...but his review is very positive.
Aye, saw that. No doubt one of the Continental sheds will still post over here and it's below the import tax threshold so no aggro there.
If i lost mine, I’d buy a other in a heartbeat. If I lost my Fly6, I’d live without it. Tried the radar only unit. Sent it back and upgraded to the rear light. Use it on every ride.
The new one has USB-C charging, but i see no real reason to upgrade. I don't know anyone who’s thought it not to be a significant safety improvement. And that includes a skeptical dcrainmaker.
Garmin liked it so much they bought the company.
Brilliant bit of kit used on my commute and wouldn’t now be without. I leave early before there are many cars on the road so really helpful to know when one is approaching. By the time I reach central London it’s not a lot of use but great on the country roads. There are no features in the new one that would make me want to upgrade.
Hmmmm, £250? I could buy a lot of decent "Dumb" rear lights for that, I'm really not sold.
The brake light function is a good thing, but I'd assume that's just a simple accelerometer switch right(?) no need for anything particularly clever or a connection to your GPS, I know other lights offer that already.
I just still don't understand the Radar thing TBH, I know people evangelise about these things, but what really changes for a rider? Your head unit beeps and flashes to worry you a shade more as a transit trundles up behind you? But what does anyone actually do with these extra notifications?
I can hear vehicles approaching, I can glance back over my shoulder if I actually want to see them. does a rear facing radar (with 2km range !??!?) do anything to save you, or just ensure your last few seconds of life are a bit more stressful?
I know people evangelise about these things, but what really changes for a rider?
Im fairly sure that’s what everyone thinks….until they get one…
Yeah there's no point going over it all here again but a quick 5min Google will tell you how popular they are with almost everyone who buys one including everyone who thought they were pointless before they had one.
For me though, the Varia makes me far less stressed when road riding, definitely doesn't add to it (though I admit I turned the tones off).
I can hear vehicles approaching, I can glance back over my shoulder if I actually want to see them.
Even on a fast descent or in wind or rain? Or if it's an electric vehicle or another cyclist or a motorbike approaching really fast (the sort of speed where you're only aware of it as it screams past at 80+ mph)...?
I'm the same as you, I was sceptical and then rode with someone who had one and saw what it could detect, the warnings it'd give and how much easier it was and I bought one (the old model which is on sale, not the new and expensive one). Only used it a couple of times so far but it's been brilliant, one of those things that you wonder how you ever rode without one.
And I'm not the only one saying that! See if anyone you know has one and try riding with them.
Like everyone else I thought they were pointless until I got one. I love it and don't like riding without it. You can a) know about a car before you can hear it b) know if the driver is driving like a bellend.
Edit: one thing - they're annoying if you're riding across london as there is so much traffic. I don't normally ride in London tho! Rural roads - perfect.
In fact you can connect to their varia if you’re in a group. Or buy the old one or radar unit and see how you get on. I have audio warnings off. But i now just look down at the garmin as i would in a mirror. And it has an easy 100m rear view. You can’t see or hear cars that far back.
and the other active safety? The flash mode changes as the car approaches. So dynamic interaction to catch the driver’s attention. Does your dumb rear light do that? Do other varia owners even know it does that?
I just don´t think I´m that high strung or nervous on the road, I think I´d find the extra beeps and flashes more annoying than the occasional tesla warning TBH, and if you turn off the alerts then what´s the point?
Nah, none of you have really convinced me certainly not to part with £130-250 to just try one...
People are referring to turning off the sound alerts but not the visual alerts. Fair enough if you don't want one though, just don't buy it.
The only point I'd make on it is that it can very occasionally give a false positive if the vehicle behind matches your speed, it'll "disappear".
I scared myself witless the other day when I had a clear radar, looked over my shoulder before pulling out and there was someone else on a bike on my wheel. Otherwise a fan though.