Festive 500 Day 5 // Garmin Varia RADAR - Five Tips and Tricks!

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Gravel is back on the menu! Day 5 of the #Festive500 and I'm out on the Aspero talking all things Varia Radar. This video covers a number of tips and tricks for you to get the most out of one of the most loved bike tech products on the market.
Links:
Strava Activity of this ride: bit.ly/3pz2sAz
Garmin Varia Radar Light RTL515 (Amazon US): amzn.to/3gj7tXl
Garmin Varia Radar RVR315 (Amazon US): amzn.to/3bsm1jN
Previous Varia Radar Videos:
Garmin Varia Radar Review: RTL515 // RVR315 // Mobile App: • Garmin Varia Radar Rev...
GPLama Varia Radar RTL510 Unboxing/Details/Review: • Garmin Varia RTL510 Cy...
Varia Radar Tips and Tricks:
- Update your firmware! (Edge GPS or via USB with Garmin Express)
- Secure your RADAR with velcro.
- Use Flash or 'Light Off' mode for a LOT more battery life.
- Light Off (but Radar on) mode needs the Varia to be paired as an ANT+ Radar and ANT+ Light.
- The Varia Radar can be used while it charges.
- Mounting the Varia Radar upside down works.
- If you have an Edge unit be sure to install My Bike Radar Traffic ConnectIQ data field!
Video Index:
0:00 Intro
1:07 Varia Radar Firmware Updates
4:46 Velcro Secure Strap
6:21 Light Modes (Battery Save Tips)
9:19 How to Enable Light Off (With Radar On) Mode
12:49 Radar Charge-On-The-Go (External Power)
15:24 Corrugated Road Fun
17:32 Mounting Upside Down (it works)
19:03 False Positives
22:07 Random Banter
23:22 MyBikeRadarTraffic ConnectIQ Data Field
24:02 Wrap Up
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#Cycling #VariaRadar #Festive500

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3 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 269

@jedisdad2265 2 года назад

Shane has become my favorite cycling presenter. No BS, NO Advertising. Just good OBJECTIVE analysis!

@darianbroadhead2863 2 года назад

Varia was an absolute game changing piece of equipment for me. Didn’t realize how good of a tool it was going to be for riding on the roads.

@Trevor.Adams640 2 года назад

2 more Garmin Varia hacks that people may not know about - 1) if you are on a group ride, more than one person can pair to your Varia, so that you all get the warnings. 2) If you have a seat pack on your bike, you can attach the Varia to your seat pack’s light loop using the Garmin quarter turn mount and one of the O rings that are supplied.

@saracen888 2 года назад

Aftershokz and the Varia radar are my go to for solo riding

@wubble666 2 года назад

Having purchased the newer version of the radar (thanks GP and DC) my feelings towards the usefullness of the radar has totally changed. Even in relatively heavy traffic the unit provides some really good information and once you are on the back roads, even those windy ones in Adealaide Hills, it just provides that bit of warning that stops you being surprised by newer cars that are really quiet.

@DavidBigandt Месяц назад

excellent velcro tip

@ChrisGuarraia 2 года назад

That ride looks like a total dream. I would love to ride those roads with that great scenery.

@gregboyd5815 2 года назад

Have to agree Garmin Radar is the "best thing since sliced cheese" My 2cents worth of tips to add to the collection. 1. Assuming you have a round seatpost - invest in a solid bolt on Garmin mount - Garmin sell them 2. Waterproofing of Garmin is not that brilliant - in the wet it gets absolutely pressure hosed by the rear wheel, Garmin replaced under warranty - I seen some people mount the unit onto the saddle bag - more visible and less water hosing - plenty of hacks on RU-vid etc. 3. It works mounted sideways - water doesn't pool into the charge slot or power button. It would be nice if Garmin radar (with the light) had a mode of no light but the light flashes when the Radar is activated - maybe Garmin would listen to GPlama ......

@ChrisP978 2 года назад

2nd the official flash on detect mode. Would be nice to have it handle the occasional really long ride.

@Kiwisail 2 года назад

I found the solid Garmin bracket still chaffed on my bibs due to the bracket design. I fitted the 1/4 turn mount to my saddle bag with the same 2 bolts.

@dancassidy7471 Год назад

Thank you..it answered my no lite question

@SingaporeUntold Год назад

I only ride the road like 10 percent of the time and I still love the rct715. You do feel safer and don’t need to hug the left when all is clear. Even on a road that has half shoulder “cycle lane” full of debris , I can ride the road when all is clear. I’m solo a lot of the time so it’s like having a wingman. 👍🏻

@justinf1343 2 года назад

Bib shorts and short sleeve jersey 😍. How those of us in the UK can dream.

@larrygraham1580 2 года назад

I used the Velcro strap hack as you have shown for about a year. You will notice when the Velcro is pulled tight that it tends to push the radar back off it’s rubber mount a little bit. If you make a fine groove in the rubber cut by slicing carefully with a sharp blade, the strap will not push the radar back off the rubber block. This little mod greatly strengthened the mount and reduced shake. Second point… most riders try to raise the radar as high up the seat post as possible in an effort to extend range. This is not the best place. Other bike riders pacing behind you will constantly tend to trigger the radar. If you lower the unit closer to the bottom of the seat post the radar arc will be lower and reduce the triggering from riders directly behind. The arc will sweep through their bike frames and legs instead of their bodies. Third point…Shane, I still recommend a mirror along with the radar. I only need a quick check in the mirror to confirm the approaching vehicle has moved over. This avoids having to twist and look behind. Many newer riders will bend their bodies and unconsciously pull the handle bars when twisting to look behind. This tends to pull a bike further into the vehicle path so a mirror avoids that twist.

@davidirwin9017 2 года назад

Thank you for not mentioning the cricket - too late! 🙉

@Davidb67 2 года назад

Shane I’m using the Garmin tether which is slightly elasticated, for both my edge 1030 and the 515 varia unit, just as peace of mind that I’m not going to lose either piece of expensive electronics… under the charge port cover on the varia, there’s a small triangular piece of plastic held with a small screw - loosened that slightly and put the end of the tether underneath and then retightened the screw.

@rickbeckner9906 2 года назад

I’m a huge fan of the Varia, although I can’t dispute your criticism of the battery. One important point on safe mode: you may think you have turned the Varia off but you haven’t!

@xXThegabeXx 2 года назад

Thanks Lama, I bought the 530 recently and I got the Varia too, to those who hesitate, just get it, it's worth it!

@HopHeadScott 2 года назад

Why? What do you get from it that you like so much?

@xXThegabeXx 2 года назад

@@HopHeadScott It's like having an extra pair of eyes in the back, its reliable so you can focus on the road ahead and plan accordingly if a car is approaching, and since it can be paired up to more units at a time, the whole group can benefit from it.

@atexnik Год назад

I also bought 530, but returned it, as it is quite outdated for what it costs. Took a discounted Edge 130 Plus instead. Will wait till Garmin comes up with new updated hardware.

@AlexDresko 2 года назад

Another battery tip: make sure you turn the varia off before charging it. Don't assume it's off because you don't see the red light. The computer may have switched the red light off, but the radar might still be on. I always manually turn the light on with the power button so I can confirm that the next button press is turning it off. Hope that makes sense. I always find that the battery lasts longer if it charges when it's off.

@thatsounditmakes9177 2 года назад

Thank you Shane for taking us (who are stuck indoors) along for the ride. Your tips are so good!!!

@UltimateTuner10 Год назад

Even on my old non radar Bontrager Flare, I always used flash anyway as it draws more attention than a solid light

@pauldeutsch Год назад

Yep - Trek did research on that, I think they partnered with someone from Clemson University. Flashing is the way to go.

@xyber81 2 года назад

I’ve had mine for years. Bought purely because it sounded cool but once you’ve ridden with it, it so nice to have. I’ve got a giant now with a d-seatpost. I covered the post in making tape, took the standard mount with the rubber removed, packed it full of sugru and attached it. Then later in the day, used a scalpel to nip off the excess and fine tuned it. Perfectly solid now

@drsus0 2 года назад

Man, the mount hack is worth gold.. I can’t tell you how many times I wonder why my varia is going funny on the Alerts only to look down and see that it decided to point 90° to one side :/ And I don’t mind false positives all that much, I do appreciate that I never get false negatives !! I’ve never had a car zoom by me that the varia didn’t warn me about, that’s all that matters to me . It’s amazing to be able to ride a contry road and be able to relax , even ride right down the middle and chat with your buddy and not have to rubber-neck every 10 seconds

@tekbuf6301 2 года назад

Loved the ride...and the tips! Huge thanks!

@Falkirion 2 года назад

Best way to enjoy my morning coffee is with Lama tapping out the Festive 500. Been enjoying the vlogs Shane, would love to see more of the same through next year. Hope your family is doing well mate

@adammcintosh8556 2 года назад

Thanks Shane awesome vid. My favourite gadget (510 model) useful tips, that lovely gravel crunch soundtrack and scenery and talking to the cows which I always do. 😀

@gerbryf 10 месяцев назад

Really liked this video, nice to see you out and about. The ffwd sections and map thing was pretty clever too. Thank you!

@LarryGottschalk 2 года назад

More goodness, thank you! The tail light field works great with my Edge 830 and the 9.30 system update. w00t! Thank you.

@moserbua 2 года назад

oh man we have around -1 degree celcius here in Austria near Vienna, i love the bike-ride you had and i'm looking forward for similar conditions here in about 4 months ! thx for explaining garmin radar in your video

@richmurphy8337 Год назад

Looked like a stunning evening for a ride on gravel.

@sebastianromanowski3087 2 года назад

Loving the style of video. all the best for the new year from sunny england

@johnwilliamson9453 2 года назад

Impressed how you can ride rough gravel one handed. Pretty amazing in my book!

@gplama 2 года назад

It’s not too hard in a straight line. Cornering and crosswinds = two hands and gritted teeth! 😬😂

@diewaser 2 года назад

The varia works even if you put it in the back of your pocket. I have made a mount from Garmin on my backpack and when I start riding on the gravelbike I click on the lamp there. I have been using it for a year and am very happy with it. Greetings, Diederik.

@SingaporeUntold Год назад

Cool

@guzz95 2 года назад

Absolutely love it on mountain descents!!!

@pauldeutsch Год назад

This is exactly why I bought one. I use a mirror, but on some narrow, winding descents, even glancing in the mirror is a bit risky.

@ron_nor_ 2 года назад

I actually knew about the light off setting with a Garmin head unit. I remember being quite disappointed, that not even the separate Radar head unit, which I bought, when the Wahoo did not have Radar support yet, provided this feature. The mount hack is brilliant, you even could use a zip-tie to prevent someone from easily ripping that thing off your seat post. My personal battery hack is having a second Varia Radar with me on longer rides ;) False positives I encountered came mostly from some flags and similar stuff flapping around in the wind. Also I do have a few points in on different routes, where I always get a false positive at the exact same position. Maybe some EM-inferference.

@AlanCallow 2 года назад

Festive 500 looks nicer where you are than Northern Scotland ! Excellent VLOG that I love to follow . Looking forward to seeing you in 22

@donwillis9694 2 года назад

Used mine for the first time today, total game changer, I live and cycle a lot in an area where ye have a lot of tourist traffic buses camper vans etc , made a cycle more enjoyable and more importantly safer, everyone should have one .

@colinswan786 2 года назад

Thanks so much for the Velcro strap tip. Been struggling with mount on my Propel aero post twisting round. Was looking at 3D printed options but they looked naff. Piece of Velcro tape and it’s sold as a rock! Cheers Shane!

@TheCrossroads09 2 года назад

Great video! Loved the tips and the scenery. I cycle the Amy Gillet Bikeway in the Adelaide hills and always get false positives from the road which is parallel but about 20 metres away in most parts. Best cycling investment ever, just need a custom beep tone.

@billdemarais7254 2 года назад

These festive 500 vlog's are great. Securing the Varia is a great idea. Just did mine this morning. Last summer I found someone's Varia on the trail. A walker was kicking it around trying to figure out what it was. But it was just the light no mount.. Maybe it fell out of someone's pocket.. who knows

@WowRixter 2 года назад

Love the non-light mode. I will have to try for my 520 and 530

@atexnik Год назад

Regarding the 'light off' mode, it is worth mentioning, that this mode is available thru the head unit setting, or via the button on the radar, but only if paired with head unit!!! Otherwise, if not paired, the no light mode will also turn off the radar via the button, effectively putting it into sleep. Later, you can just turn on the head unit to wake the varia from sleep, while still keeping the light off once it is set to via the head unit.

@gplama Год назад

Yep. This is why the Wahoo units can't do the 'Radar light off' mode (They don't have ANT+ Light support)

@atexnik Год назад

@@gplama indeed. Neither do bryton, magene or any other 3rd party brand except for Hammerhead - their support page clearly states the ant+ light control is fully supported on both Karoo 1 and 2 units.

@charlesstorey8425 2 года назад

Great weather and scenery again and useful tips. I've been thinking of buying a varia but ride a 61 cm frame with very little seat post out so don't have room for a seat post mount. Knowing it works upside down I can probably mount one off a bracket behind the brake mount so I think I'll investigate whether I can produce a mount hack that will allow an upside down mount. So useful to get these little tips.

@billeterk 2 года назад

Works fine on the seat stay too

@B.r.o.t.h.e.r.2 2 года назад

Love the shirt and video

@EstefanGerheim 2 года назад

Thx for the Tips & Tricks Shane. I just realized that i never updated my Varia. Looking forward to test it outside with the newest firmware and see if i will notice any changes/improvements. Enjoy your rides and thanks for your videos. Cheers

@HarMegiddo 2 года назад

I love that he is cycling and doing an update. What a beast!

@LIKEABOSS754 2 года назад

Great video and tips for the Varia which i love. Will have to try the light off mode. Can't wait for the in-depth on the my traffic add on, especially if it requires a particular garmin unit to connect with, as I use multisport watches instead of a Edge etc and the garmin connects to my phone.

@PeterSdrolias 2 года назад

I never ride without my Varia RTL! It has been a game changer! As a mounting option, I strongly recommend the LICHIFIT saddle support mount(available on Amazon). This support mount is so good I have one on my gravel and road bike. Unfortunately, this takes the place of the saddle bag. Also, thank you for validating my purchase of a gravel bike! Absolutely love the freedom of deserted country roads! Great video and Happy New Year from 🇨🇦

@nukeelec Год назад

That mount also works great on a rack that has a reflector mount. Just remove the reflector and clamp the mount on. Mounting the radar on the seat post won't work when a a bag is on the rack, so I mount my radar on the rack. It's still high enough to reliably detect all vehicles, including motorcycles.

@Roy-ud1db 2 года назад

Great tips Shane, thanks. Another tip. Connect Varia 510 to CABLE. Now you got ANT+ & BLE. Works great with Xert iOS. No issues.

@CyclingDad 2 года назад

The extra Velcro is a nice idea. I may do something similar on my aero post. I did buy a screw based mount for my other bike as it has a round post. I only ever use the flash mode so haven’t had to worry about an extra charging cable, but that’s a good idea. I used to do similar with my 1000 on longer rides as well, but haven’t had to sweat it since the 1030+. Interesting about the software. Will take a look at it. One other tip I thought would come up is changing it from 3 beep to 1 beep alert.

@stevepowley7929 2 года назад

Great info cheers

@syamsularifinmohamadyunus8144 2 года назад

Great sharing

@darrenhitchcox6345 2 года назад

Another great Video Shane. I have the Varia 510 and if it broke tomorrow, I would immediately buy another. My False Positives come from metal bridges. Cycling on the old railway lines here in the UK that have been swapped to cycle paths, there tends to be a few metal bridges which will give the bleep. Like you, I would much rather have False Positive !!! I do already use light off function, as I use Garmin head unit and massively extends the battery. To mount the Varia, I have a Specialized SWAT saddle and can be mounted direct to the back of the saddle. This give the most clearance to the radar and best view of the light.

@JoalHarding 2 года назад

Great video! Just mounted mine using a zip tie, placed just right to be secure and out of the way. Already rode 30 this a.m., but now I want to go out and ride so I can use my new Varia515! Thanks for the tips! #newb or not!

@jimsigafoos8799 2 года назад

I had a friend who didn’t have a Varia add my unit as a sensor to his head unit during a ride so he could see how well it worked (one unit being used by two riders). It convinced him to buy one for himself.

@LouieMcFly23 2 года назад

How was this possible?

@jimsigafoos8799 2 года назад

@@LouieMcFly23It’s possible to add someone else’s Varia as a sensor on more than one head unit (at least for Garmin Edge units). It works well when riding in a group.

@theboxers5755 2 года назад

@@LouieMcFly23 Ant+ is a one way protocol. Device to Receiver. I've used my Varia to 3 units with my 2 brothers whilst riding together 1 edge 1k, 1 edge 1030 and a Wahoo element. As long as we're within 5m or so they can pickup the varia data.

@markbaker2014 2 года назад

This works well and also lets the owner of the radar know if one of the group gets dropped or stops as you get a notification on the head unit.

@Bearded.Wonder 2 года назад

Kinda diggin' the vlog-style videos.

@davidide1525 2 года назад

Very good information , thanks ! I have found double sided tape works as a safety backup to the rubber bands. I put 3m double sided tape between the mount and tube size adapter and then again between the adapter and seatpost, the replace the rubber band. If the band should break the tape will hold the Garmin Varia in place. I have tugged on it and am confident it would hold until I replace the band. This is the same tape used to hold a cadence sensor on the left crankarm . Thanks again for the tips !

@myminx 2 года назад

Another great ride ! Thanks for keeping the cricket chat down. The less said about Englands performance the better

@syazwanabdull4835 2 года назад

Lovely place man nice to cycling

@diracflux 2 года назад

Day 5, go Shane!

@DEAR7340 2 года назад

Before I purchased a Varia (515), I misunderstood the use case. I assumed that people thought that they would use the alerts to take an evasive action in order to stay safe, and this made me skeptical. In fact, I have used it to just make me adjust my lane position, as needed, when a car is approaching; that's all, and that is enough. That makes it easier to set up a (US) left hand turn, but doesn't eliminate the quick look, for safety. It also calls out the occasional electric vehicle.

@oldsap 2 года назад

Like you said before Shane, the Varia Radar is the best investment for a cyclist. Highly recommended.

@backofthepack4553 2 года назад

Did a 100 mile ride in gloomy November in 🇬🇧, put my block charger in my frame bag and ran the usb cable to the varia. This kept it fully charged for the whole ride with the light on.

@roilev 2 года назад

Great tips, thanks. I always use the radar-only mode when doing epic rides. It is easier to carry extra light(s) that support the ride duration. In no-light mode, the light still flashes when it detects cars passing me. I only charge the radar when taking a break.

@gregmorrison7320 2 года назад

That's a new one to me, my understanding was that with light turned off it didn't flash when cars passed. I've tested mine and can't get it to flash when light is turned off, what settings are you using?

@roilev 2 года назад

@@gregmorrison7320 you can change into that mode only through the Garmin Edge bike computer

@jeskli11 2 года назад

My tip for mounting the Varia Radar: use the longer rubber band you get with your Edge head unit halved instead of the rubber band that comes with the Varia. It's super solid and doesn't even rotate around the seat post unlike with the original rubber band.

@jerryanker2289 2 года назад

Beautiful area

@cliffordchaperon6795 2 года назад

Shane - really enjoyed your summer series. love seeing Ballarat of gravel roads. great to get your thoughts on people coming to see the Ballarat nationals, ie: where to ride, where best to watch the mens road race, things to do in Ballarat if bringing the family for a week etc. Cheers

@gplama 2 года назад

Might be a bit too localised to be of any real interest here (my AU viewers are

@cliffordchaperon6795 2 года назад

@@gplama thanks Shane, if I see you during the week that I am there (with family) I will say hello & buy you a drink /pizza as a way of saying thanks for your vlogs in 2021. Cheers

@jojisai 2 года назад

tip 1 for Rapha 500 live in Aus, enjoy nice weather the end.

@RPidge 2 года назад

Great tip about charging the Varia 'on the go' - though for some reason mine will only connect to my 530 if it is already charging before I turn it on. And I'm just uploading "My Bike Radar Traffic" - looks good! Many thanks!

@MattSwain1 2 года назад

Looks a fab ride that one Shane, just a bit jealous here in the UK winter! I’ve lead some group rides this summer and had my radar on which you’d think might be a terrible experience as there’s effectively always someone behind me but the Varia has done better than expected. It seems to often successfully ignore cyclists, especially single ones and is more likely to detect if there’s a few riding in formation behind me. Obviously they can obscure it’s view of the road behind as well but overall even in those circumstances it offers enough benefit that I continue to use it. As for solo rides, it’s one of those things where once you’ve used one, you’re unlikely to leave the house without it after that.

@cusebike5391 2 года назад

If there is a cyclist or motorist behind doing the same speed, Varia will not detect. It's only when there is a vehicle moving at a greater speed in the same direction that Varia detects. My previous Varia did not detect cyclists at any speed but my current 510 will detect a cyclist coming up from behind.

@Wofinet 2 года назад

Man I wish we had roads like this near Brisbane.

@brucefeinberg2576 2 года назад

Great videos Shane. Appreciate all you do!! I'd like to share another hack for the Garmin Varia with you. While the unit itself is great, not only can the battery be a problem, but so can the seat tube mount. I mean really, a rubber band is all that stands between your Varia staying mounted on the bike, and ending up in the middle of the street, or lost in the bush. I've eliminated the rubber band mount totally by using an under seat mount from a small online company in the US that does 3D printing. I realize not everyone has a seat with mounting holes (like the Specialized Phenom), but if you do, it's extra insurance. I've also gone a step further - for less then a coffee, I ordered a package of leashes intended for camera equipment. The disk has an adhesive backing that can be stuck to the Varia and the leash can be secured to a seat rail. 100% guarantee that regardless of the impact, I'll never lose the Varia. Not sure why Garmin doesn't offer something like this???? One other thing which I learned to hard way - recharging the Varia in the wall, vs. charging through the computer destroys the battery, to the point mine wouldn't hold a charge. Fortunately for me, the guys at Garmin felt sorry for me, and offered a replacement, with advice to only to change via your computer. I don't pretend to understand the technical aspects of all that, but best to be warned. Again, not sure why Garmin doesn't make that clear?

@ed0078 Год назад

I use a zip tie on my mount. The mount is very secure and I never had an issue but but IF it did fall off…OMG! Hence the zip tie

@Kiwisail 2 года назад

Even better for the Varia mount is to unscrew it from the base and then screw it on the rear of saddle bag. I can then also fit decent mudguard below for the winter w/out the light being effected by mud or the mudguard

@ezeekwheel 2 года назад

If I’ve just started moving again after being stationary sometimes it triggers off my back tyre. (Car symbol is right at the top of display) since I have my varia quite low on seat post. You can also run it horizontally. Using a 3rd party seat mount you’ll have a better position to run cable into a saddle bag

@Zyzzyx42 2 года назад

Another way to get false positives is when you mount the radar very low. Either from extra small frame size, or other things in the way (seatbag). At that point it seems that the radar sees the top of the tire and reports it as incoming objects, very close! And it will report at twice your current speed (which makes sense). I have this problem on my small frame CX bike and my recumbent (mounted on the seatstay, almost beside the tire). Although curiously it seems to 'learn' after a minute or so and not report them anymore. But if you stop moving for more than a few minutes, it will start up with another minute of false positives from the rear wheel.

@jimhansen5395 2 года назад

I run mine with the light off with the idea that I can use it as an emergency backup if I lose my Bontrager Flares or they lose their charge.

@scottw4538 2 года назад

Great video Shane. I've had my Varia Radar for a couple of months and find it great for riding the country roads around Bacchus Marsh and Balliang. I've only noticed two issues with it. 1. False negative- This happened when a second car was approaching from behind, but travelling behind a horse float and must have been concealed. The radar didn't pick it up and only showed one vehicle approaching from behind. The first vehicle (the car towing the horse float) passed me and the radar showed all clear behind. Much to my surprise there was a car right behind me, but because the car was travelling at the same speed as me at that time (having decided not to pass me yet) the radar didn't show it. As I understand things, the radar will only show vehicles or objects that are getting closer to you. Users should be very careful about this. 2. Light mode- at the start of every ride I set my light to flash mode using the button on top of the unit. However, when I finish my ride or come to a stopping point that allows me to check it, the light is never on flash. It is always either on solid, or less frequently it is OFF! Further to your commentary, perhaps I didn't pair it as a light, only as a radar, so I will investigate this further to try and fix this annoying problem.

@xyber81 2 года назад

You get the odd comical false alert. I had a big ole boy on a moped get mistaken for a truck once 😭 But if you stack it against false alarms by my VW vans radar crash assist, it’s wayyyy better! We’ve had lads at work have it trigger for a shadow or glint from a greenhouse and ended up in the footwell haha

@eaxford 2 года назад

I have had the same light off when I set it to flashing multiple times. What I think I have figured out is that occasionally I would get a beep on the head unit and a message that said network disconnected. After it reconnected it was at that time I noticed it wasn’t flashing. A work around is to set the light to flash on the Edge unit and that has been 100%

@jishnu13 2 года назад

Already looking forward to your next video, amazing trail ride. No info on the bike set up though...a little bit on your set up would have been nice. I have also dropped a bottle once from my road bike while doing a local loop though some uneven countryside roads here in Gloucestershire and thought I was an idiot for installing super skinny (expensive) carbon cages. Looks like no one escapes that feeling! Anyway, nice one Shane. Thanks for the entertainer.

@gplama 2 года назад

Here's all the parts: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3jGFIusBfck.html Here's the full bike review a few months after that build: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--g8Gyc0D6DM.html

@jishnu13 2 года назад

@@gplama Thanks, will give them a watch now.

@rsrnsrwds 2 года назад

Thanks for the great tips, Shane! Got the Varia RTL 515 a year ago and it is without a doubt the best piece of bike tech ever to this point. Invaluable. Has made my rides so much safer. So, where do we get those Lama jerseys??

@gplama 2 года назад

These were a custom run by Prisim here in AU.

@nickhalluk 2 года назад

Been thinking about buying one of these for a while but unconvinced about the 'safety' it provides. My biggest fear on the road is being hit from behind, not sure how me knowing a vehicle is coming could change whether it hits/sees me or not. I always ride with a rear light to help viability. I will probably buy one if the price is right but not sure of its benefits. Happy for some insights for people who do have one

@jimsigafoos8799 2 года назад

I used a bar end mirror before I got a Varia, and was constantly checking it for traffic.. After the Varia I would only glance at it to check for close passers and before making a turn, which worked well and definitely improved the ride experience. Maybe this would work for you? Of late I just use the radar and feel pretty comfortable with out the mirror.

@velogoo 2 года назад

Great vid this, thanks, although not sure I can do the light off trick with my 520+. Re false positives, I don’t get too many but interestingly near me there is one place that always triggers it, a sweeping bend, I guess a hedge comes into the field of “view” and confuses it.

@jeffeversole291 2 года назад

I’m still waiting for a “radar off-light on” mode for urban riding. Thanks for the tips! Love my Varia! I’ve witnessed false positives from dog fences or even driveway reflectors, or at least that’s what I’ve narrowed it down to.

@bikingdisciple2434 2 года назад

You can just turn sensor off in garmin settings.

@jeffeversole291 2 года назад

@@bikingdisciple2434 @GPLama you should do a short video on how to accomplish this on the Varia.

@mitchrich5015 2 года назад

Surely the mode that’s missing is for the light to be off as standard and then to flash at fast approaching vehicles. Best battery life and a change of mode to alert drivers.

@mitchrich5015 2 года назад

Also did you cut that Velcro to such a thin width yourself or did you buy it somewhere? If the latter I’d be grateful for a link to an example if you can - I’m struggling to find something similar. Many thanks 🙏🏼

@gplama 2 года назад

I cut it myself from a wider strip. Any hardware store will have something similar.

@mitchrich5015 2 года назад

@@gplama fab thanks 🙏

@mitchrich5015 2 года назад

@KCP amazing thanks. Does it work on all head units or is it Garmin only? 🙂👍🏼

@thomasbrooks2549 2 года назад

Garmin varia seat mount is available on Amazon. Seat gopro mount to Garmin gopro mount is great. The varia is high with no obstruction. I have had a varia for 3 years estimated 915 rides with charges. Battery degrades with each charge. Garmin makes units for average riders or 150 charges per year so expect the Battery to decline with higher usage. I use varia app to track car counts then speed to plan ride routes. False positive will improve with a better higher secure mount. Varia is the best cycling safety equipment by far. Wahooer hate to admit that.

@ketle369 2 месяца назад

It works just fine on Wahoo computers.

@kidShibuya 2 года назад

Another tip: It can connect to multiple things at once, so if you like riding and listening to music you can have your headphones in and have the phone app pump warning sounds into your ears as well as appear on the head unit.

@ketle369 2 месяца назад

Magene L508 has a power saver mode. The light is dimmed until it detects a car. The only thing it doesn’t have is a Bluetooth connection.

@markbaker2014 2 года назад

Love my Radar. But it does have false negatives as well. Which is a slight issue. If several cars come up behind you and the first car overtakes. If the second car is going at the same speed as you then it vanishes. Have had a couple of cars surprise me this way over the last year. So don’t rely on it totally. It’s one of the best safety features ever created and I wouldn’t ride without it. But it’s not fail proof.

@incidentshappen 2 года назад

I wish Garmin would make a mash up product of the UT800 headlight and one of their smaller dash cams. I always run with a headlight and it would be great to have a 2 in 1 product from within the garmin ecosystem.

@drbfitk366 2 года назад

Good video Shane, thanks for posting. Some very useful tips. I can't update firmware on my RTL515 using an older Edge 1000, it just says what version it is. Have to use Garmin Express 😕 The mounting brackets for this thing aren't the greatest on some of the newer aero seat-posts.

@Biggsy76 2 года назад

Pro tip: Superglue small pieces of inner tube to the inside edges of your bottle cage, It helps holds your bottles nice and snug.

@xyber81 2 года назад

Lizard Skins leather frame patches 👍🏼

@pauldeutsch Год назад

King Cages - no modifications required!

@gyroeye 2 года назад

I think of the 5 to 6 hour battery life being quite impressive for radar and solid light. Definitely not "shit" if you ask me. I usually use blink mode, and use my Varia on all my road rides.

@nationsnumber1chump 2 года назад

Yes I always charge my 515 after ever ride cause every ride is around 2-4 hours. Dont want to ride without it working

@Vam1500 Год назад

I zip tied a garmin mount to my seat bag. I get the best reception there.

@bryanoliver1900 2 года назад

For audax rides we use 2 and recharge from the dynamo

@jamesmckinney9639 2 года назад

Lama, between the Varia and the little mirrors the road and/or trail is covered without much head turning. In my expreience the Varia does a great job picking up other cyclists from a good ways back. This spring (US East coast) I will try out a camera. Are there any Doves in AU...I seen the Magpies in action & now your almost run-in with other angry birds? Great views & tips as always.

@gplama 2 года назад

There's a ton of different bird types around these parts. Spotted doves are common. Not sure doves are native here though. The magpies are easy to distinguish... especially when they're trying to kill you! 🤣

@marcus_velo_9970 2 года назад

fantastic review, I'm nearrrrrrrrly going to buy one, .... thinking ... , needs camera record feature (even a still), heat detect to distinguish vehicle from cyclist (friend vs foe), battery life (typical garmin I'm still p!ssed at my edge 1000 crap battery life), maybe I'd run a separate light on long rides, eitherway great review and great ride glad you're liking the gravel, just can't beat the zen factor of dirt.

@gplama 2 года назад

I like your thinking. I'd love to see Cycliq get out of the dark ages and do SOMETHING with better like this with their Fly6. Garmin have the resources do to something next-level with the Varia too. Can't wait to see what we'll have in a few years, or sooner.

@brianstent1610 2 года назад

My friend has a Garmin varia rear light , and it dose pare with my wahoo roam , I did a scan and it picked it up, we did a ride he was on the front of the group and I was on the rear, and my element started going off showing a car coming , even though my buddy was up the front .

@kenmeyer100 7 месяцев назад

in general, I like the Garmin radar. However there is one thing I do not like: once a vehicle has the same speed as me, it disappears from the display. That might make for some unwelcome surprise if I don't constantly look at the display. Just recently I turned my head and a huge electro bus was just 3 m behind me. I hadn't heard it approaching. I understand that not filtering traffic is probably a nuisance if you ride in a pack. But I am usually alone. Would be great if one could choose if filtering is useful or switch it it off

@pulser955 2 года назад

I have the radar without the light. I run Bontrager ion day time running lights. But I get allot of false positives with my radar but it never fails to see a car. Also when trucks or large SUVs pass care can hide behind them and it won’t pick up the second car till after the truck or SUV passes

@crankgreenwatts 2 года назад

Nice vlog Shane 👌 My Wife bought me a 515 for Xmas, and I watched your previous video about your new saddle, and was thinking whether that with the little gadget thing could use a Garmin mount to hold the Varia 🤔 I have a new aero road bike for Tri's and was thinking if attached to the seat my rear is already breaking the dynamics so may as-well keep the seat post ones 🤣

@damFr Год назад

How can I change the battery ? A video to help me? Some series did not have a good longevity which after a few years is now very little. Good for the planet!