GARMIN Varia Radar RTL515 Firmware Update 3.34 // Quick Garmin Tip! 

What is the issue? It is a delay in showing the correct gradient? I have half noticed this but haven’t paid too much attention to it.

What is the issue? It is a delay in showing the correct gradient? I have half noticed this but haven’t paid too much attention to it.

😂

In my area it's the Fex-Ex trucks I need separate notification for :)

😂

Cheers!

Pressing the main button while the RTL is turned on toggles the light between different modes: half lumen, pulsating, blinking - give it a try!

no blinking light on german version

Those 0:9 errors clear with a tap of the screen for me. And I think I installed this update ok yesterday (though it seemed very quick) and still got the error from passing a traffic light radar.

Thanks for the kind words! I've been really impressed with the HoverAir X1 drone for a lot of basic functions/shots I need on the bike.

I have 840 and after updating on first 3 hour ride I had several disconnects. After that I am getting a disconnect most rides. It always reconnects but sometimes there are like 5 disconnects in a row so the radar provides no info for 15+ seconds.

Which model please ?

Same boat.

@@sruo42 So I've just done a chat with Garmin (UK) & essentially they will give you 30% discount to "trade in" your exisiting device & get a newer model. They are £169.99 on their website so would work out at £119 so only very slightly cheaper than Wiggle at the time of writing. I would just replace the battery if it was straightforward but it doesn't look like that's possible.

I put that on there as an example of what I’d like to see.

@@gplama My mistake! I'm with you then 😁

This little device is extremely handy for MicroUSB cables: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PhuroLgFNCc.html

Here’s a lifesaver for that problem: MicroUSB Cable Tester: My New Sanity Saver! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PhuroLgFNCc.html

But if it isn't broken.... supercharge it! 🤣 And USB-C sounds like a perfect 'low hanging fruit' refresh to this device.

Yeah probably but the device is nearly perfect as is apart from usb-c@@gplama

@@gplamaagreed, got one of these from Santa and was surprised it wasn’t USB C.

I suspect it'll still act like a 516 and the release notes are incorrect for that model. Let me know how it turns out either way.

Garmin Express is what you're after. Windows: www.garmin.com/en-AU/software/express/windows/ Mac: www.garmin.com/en-US/software/express/mac/

Can't you just turn it off using the button?

Soon, I hope. Wahoo have some code in their Elemnt firmware to do this. I’m not sure when it’ll reach the public firmware release though.

I only have an older 945. Please let Garmin know you’d like to see that content on this channel.

@@gplama Alas, I don't think that I have as much pull with Garmin as you likely do. But, sure, I'll try to contact them on their forums or something.

@@gplama OK, message posted on Garmin's Varia forum.

@@user-wl5es3gg3f Thanks.

Sometimes the updates on the RTL units take a few minutes. I thought I’d bricked mine with a previous update too. Give it a full charge, turn it on, leave it on the bench for a 10 minutes. Keep me posted. 👌🏼

RTL516 is for the German market where a flashing rear light is illegal.

It’s automatic. Not sure how to force it.

So this update pops up when you connect with the Garmin 1040 via Bluetooth with the Varia?

I suspect that you will find that it is near a traffic light. Mine does this if I cross a road using a pelican crossing, or when I go past 'some' traffic light sensors and road works traffic lights. I reported it to Garmin (and Wahoo) a year or so ago - Garmin gave me a replacement unit to try (which was exactly the same). I'm hoping that the fix Shane has highlighted (Thanks Shane!) will fix it. I guess I will find out tomorrow!

Guess what? No change! Still get the same Radar Error 😞

Hit up Garmin support and let them know.

Which version of the firmware are you using on the 1040?

@@gplama Noticed it just before I updated (3.32) and still doing it on (3.34)

Sounds like an EDGE 1040 issue. There have been a ton of beta firmwares from 19.x to now 20.x in recent weeks. 20.04 beta had "Hid disconnected radar icon when in an indoor activity profile.". I wouldn't recommend switching to the beta firmware stream at this point though.

Sorry thats the radar, the 1040 is 20.09

@@stevesmith9082 Oh.. you're on 20.09, I assume beta? 20.11 was out a few days ago if you haven't tried that.

And here's me talking about it... or at least the idea they're likely working on it.

USB C all the things 🙏

Which head unit are you using?

@@gplama it doesn't matter if I use the varia headset or the edge 1030+, does the same on both?

Hmm. One for Garmin support then.

@@gplama thanks, I've logged it with them and await a response, but it's scary how many people this is happening to. Great contnet btw😁

You can't. The Varia Mobile app looks like it only updates the RCT715/716. You'll need to borrow a Mac/PC and install Garmin Express to get this update if you're not using an EDGE.

@@gplama many thanks for your prompt reply Bob

If they move to 77Ghz from 24 then the array size should allow for a much more compact device.

@@gplama I will be so pissed if all they do is just change the USB and re-use the same shell.

@@JFomo Set your expectations low... Less chance of disappointment. 😅

Time to crank up some banging tunes from 2007 and pull out that USB-A to MicroUSB cable and let Garmin Express sort that out. For reference, Beyoncé has the top Billboard song in 2007.

@@gplama 🤣I just don't understand it, Garmin also manufacture the Edge hardware, so at least release an update that doesn't cause bugs on your own devices, at the very minimum. They're so poor at this stuff

I have found for the Edge to update any sensor it takes three to five tries.

Thankfully they're only temporary traffic lights! :) I wonder if that's getting caught up with any car detection those lights are using. Hopefully we'll see Garmin switch from 24Ghz to 77Ghz like the automotive industry. "20x better performance in range resolution and accuracy" at 77Ghz apparently.

In the UK I get an error every time I pass one of those flashing slow down speed limit signs, the ones that use radar and go off if a driver is speeding.

These are traffic lights for the HS2 railway line construction, so maybe 'semi-permanent' is a better description (those in the UK will know what I'm talking about!). Sounds plausible regarding their car detection. I'd say the overwhelming majority of times I see this error is at these lights. The 77GHz sounds promising 👍

@@TrickyTree84ah that’s what’s doing it

That’s a great question for Garmin.

Surely it was discussed and in the works…yes?

It was discussed with Garmin AU. I asked if I could test ride the Neo M3 they had on display, I offered to do this after hours (the expo was only open for a few hours per day). I’d bring in my own bike with my power meters and Edge units to dual/triple record the data. I offered to review it only for Garmin and not share the data publicly. Maybe this would give them confidence to have one sent to the Lama Lab? Garmin AU had to check with HQ (Garmin global). That next day I received an email indicating I was free to use that bike that was on the Neo M3 already and during expo hours only. So my request was denied. I was allowed the same access as the general public (which they really couldn’t deny). I note that they’re sending the Neo M3 to a lot of their sponsored partners and there’s a lot of promotional content being posted. So they have stock even prior to launch. I’m still none the wiser why I’m being shut out from a previously good relationship with them. For now I’ll continue to make Garmin content. It does well. I use their products daily. Whatever the issue is lies 100% on their side and until we know why, it’s all just a little awkward for them.

Wow, that says A LOT. Appreciate your transparency on this. Sorry this is such a weird thing to have hanging around. Keep up the great content Shane.

@@gplama All very strange if you ask me. I’m guessing you previously had a good relationship with them & nothing had happened that would change that. You probably don’t get it so I’ve no chance. Their loss.

Unfortunately not. I’ll keep using their products and making content on them. Issue is clearly at their end that I’d like them to resolve, or at least explain as a matter of professional courtesy.

Make sure you have a MicroUSB cable that is for data, not just charging. Maybe try another PC/Mac too.

I am updating through my bike computer.. it starts and goes till4 percent and stops @@gplama

wireless

Don’t do it that way. Use Garmin Express and a USB cable.

A good question for Garmin.

Not yet.

If it's out of warranty and you want to flip a coin with your luck, there should be aftermarket replacement batteries that might be worth looking into.

@@gplama I've done a bit of research, looks like a common/known issue with the on/off switch!

With Garmin Express?

There was an update to that a long while ago. Make sure you're on the latest version with Garmin Express. Here's my video on that RTL510 update: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sOunGqFIDoc.html

@@gplama will check. Pretty sure plugged it in a month or so ago and didint see anything. Its a weird disconnect, and reconnect few mim after.

2nd. Photo finish!

Which model? The Fly 12 Sport looked to be a big step up from their previous front unit.

Discussed in the video. No recent updates.

@@gplama many thx!