A useful, concise Varia radar video. No frills; no fluff. Speaker stays on topic with important product related info. He also makes good, continuous eye contact lending a professional quality to this presentation. Well done!
I bought this two weeks ago and most of the people that ride in my riding group have said how do you hear the cars so soon. I told them I have radar. They were sold and purchased one of their own. Thanks for your thorough review.
Couldn't agree more! It's seriously crazy. I really had to 'slow down' my reaction, because I'd get the beep and quickly put myself in the shoulder only to wait another 10-20s. Even when I have radar alerts and am actively waiting for the cars, can't hear them until they're about 70% of the way up the screen. Completely changes how I ride.
I don't see the point. 1 million times the car is gonna pass by and that 1 time it's gonna hit you this thing wont give you any extra information. Also looks pretty useless in the city where there is loads of cars. During the pandemic there has been more people getting hit by cars that's why I'm checking this out. One lady was even punched while riding and she died and the guy that punched her out of the passenger side window fell out of the car and he also died. Instant karma!
How did it save you? I'm very confused by the love for this device. Are people riding onto the shoulder every time cars approach? If you hold your line, how does knowing that a car is coming help? Either they hit you or not, so unless the device can tell you just how close they are going to pass, I just can't see how it helps. I'm not trying to be obtuse, rather, I'm trying to understand.
I don't think you're being obtuse, I've heard other people say that same thing. There's a couple things for me. For one, it just gives me *much* more time to be aware there's a car. I do a lot of riding on curvy, loud two lane roads with poor or no shoulder; getting an alert far before I can hear it gives me time to maybe put my bottle back, ride over as far as possible (likely further than I ride normally; I'm not riding in the gravel on the edge for instance) and gives me a chance to actually look back and see how much space they're going to give me. Basically, I get 5-10s to do something that previously I had 2-3s to do. When I get an alert that someone's coming up super fast, I move over asap. I also have a lot of electric cars around me, and I often outright never hear them until they're passing me. Certainly on a fundamental level I agree with you, it would be even better if it could identify "this person is likely going to hit you from behind," vs "This person is just passing" but fundamentally for me it's just more awareness. Now, riding without feels like I'm missing information that affects my decision making. I've been hit by a car once while running, have lost track of the close calls I've had on bikes, and basically I just value anything that helps. I don't think the Varia is perfect, and if they can make it better, hell yeah. But for me, now, it's absolutely better than riding without it.
I don't think Garmin gets anywhere near as much attention & praise for the innovation they show .. This is a nice add-on to the Garmin Edge ... These toys are expensive , " yes " but it runs along the same lines as a motorcycle helmet ..... " How valuable is your head ?? " Great video . Thx
It's seriously, really good. I've been hard on Garmin in the past, but I'll freely praise them when they do stuff that's amazing. I'm very much not a gear-centric person, but the Varia rocks.
I had the 510 and dropped it on the ceramic tile floor when trying to attach it to my bike and it wouldn't work anymore. I immediately went over to my computer and ordered another radar unit. I got the 515 now. I would never ride without the radar. One of the best bits of tech to come out in my cycling history. You want to know the next great bit of tech I vote to be a revolution in cycling? A company called Classified Cycling has developed a geared hub system that eliminates the need for double chainrings up front and the front derailleur. It still offers the same amount of gearing but without the actual gears. The product is so good they just got a Gold Award at Eurobike. I want one of those hub systems on my bike and can't wait for it to be offered in the States.
This is awesome. It is next on my list. My Dad was almost killed riding his bike when an inattentive driver slammed in behind him while he was riding. I'm always scared of cars and he won't even ride outside anymore. When I showed him this bike radar, I haven't seen him so intrigued in a while. Maybe this is enough to get him back on the bike outside instead of just the trainer. Great video, thank you.
That's awful, sorry to hear that. I'm typing this comment from the trainer; I definitely understand what it's like to shift rides indoors because of the risk. It's unfortunate we have to take it into our own hands to stay safe, but I absolutely consider the Varia a really important piece of my safety.
Nice video! I did my first ride with Garmin Varia and it exceeded all my expectations. I should have bought this much earlier. I muted the sounds in the city but on a country road, that notification and sound was like god send :)
I started riding with Varia RTL 515 two days ago! I can't believe I have been riding without this for so long and not to mention my encounter with a car on Marine Drive in Guam, M.I. back during my triathlon days in 1988-89! Great review and keep going! OORAH
Great review, I just ordered mine. I think Varia has the potential to make for improved cyclist/driver experience. Knowing a car back there and using that info to get over to the shoulder early, drivers should be a little less frustrated when they see you making the effort. Being surprised can lead to you not being over to the side as much as you should be.
$200 WTF in Canada I bought the 510 on SALE at $300 we are always getting ripped off in this country...for everything. Love this unit. I find riding without the unit makes me feel venerable. It's a great addition for safety.
Thanks for a clear and concise review. I see its value on open roads but it's also good in crowded urban areas (such as NYC). It's a huge help in making you aware of delivery guys coming up behind you on e-bikes and crosstown streets (which usually don't have bike lanes) are now so much less stressful. I've only had it two weeks - got it after my mirror broke - and wouldn't ride without it now.
He covered the sound aspect with cars approaching,good. Many say they can hear the traffic coming from behind. Not really, when some opposite flow traffic is near, they block the sound from further behind.
I have been using one for quite a few years now. I have gotten maybe five or six false readings but I like the unit very much it gives me more confidence on the road. I also continue to use my mirror even if the radar says no one is behind me I still physically look at the mirror and I checked behind me. I guess I trust my eyes more than anything else, go buy one
Hi I only found out about radars a few days ago despite many decades of road riding! I am now sold on the idea not cheap but I've had so many close calls over the years looks like a good investment!
A great, straightforward, no nonsense review. Well articulated and I agree with every word, Couldn't have put it better myself so nothing much to add. It's been brilliant for me, especially when riding on our poorer potholed road surfaces in the UK. Highly recommended.
I have just purchased the Varia but without the light and here in the UK it retails at £129. I’m really looking forward to trying it out. Thanks for a great video
2nd gen Varia user. They work. Period. Those that dog the tech are those that haven’t used it and/or a cycling ‘elitist.’ Same twinky who won’t ride with a front daytime light, let alone a rear. Don’t be influenced by these ‘opinions.’ The one issue, which is covered in this excellent review, is that if the car matches your speed for extended period of time, it’ll drop that follower. So be aware it’s most likely still there and close.
Yeah it's crazy how influential the Varia was SO quickly for me. I'm tech... neutral... in that I don't buy tech just for the sake of it, and now I *hate* riding without the radar
Wondering if the light output is bright enough... My thing is that, what's safest on the road, being seen? Or knowing that there are cars behind you? Because how do you prepare yourself from an incoming car behind you if he can't see you in the first place? That's why I think this tool is good but gimmicky. I would stick to a better output of light vs a radar.
I've ridden behind other Varia users, it's very bright. That said, the brightest light I've ever experienced is the Bontrager Flare RT. I crewed a team that had them while riding through Florida. The lights were visible in the high noon an impossibly long way away, even when their (flouro) jerseys weren't yet. Those little lights are absolute magic. You hold them up and they don't seem that bright, but I stake my rep that those things are just unbelievable in the bright sun.
I rode with someone, this week, who had the old model of this radar. I couldn’t understand how she heard traffic so early. I must admit that when I first heard of the Varia I though if was just an expensive gadget. Not anymore since understanding the genuine benefits. I’m now ordering one! Ironically, hours later, on the same 100 mile ride, I was hit by a car in our town. Fortunately low speed so just torn clothes and road rash. The Varia wouldn’t have helped me in this case, but will rebuild my confidence on the open road.
Aww man, happy you're okay! That's scary. Yeah I did a similar thing... I had heard of the Varias but didn't really actively know / understand what they were. When it clicked it's mind blowing. So much better.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon I’ve just uploaded my Varia 515 video, Justin, and added a link your yours as a complete review. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B_FoGHvZpYY.html
Nice review! I mostly ride mountain roads and the Varia has been a real game changer on tight twisty canyon roads with little to no shoulder. Also, excellent when you have lots of wind noise and on gravel when it can be harder to hear cars behind you.
Great video, love your concise and to the point delivery. I love mine, it allows you to be more defensive in your cycling. Is especially useful in these days of electric vehicles which aren't as audible.
Thinking of getting one for my motorcyle, it's the same problem with traffic, vehicles come up on you before you can notice them in a mirror, not jus car's and trucks, other motorcycle's can be worst, I've had other motorcycles pass me on my right in the same lane and I didn't know they were there. Some times I wonder the motorcycle from one side to the other within the lane, but when another bikers tries to be slick and pass when I'm not aware of them coming up fast from behind there could be an accident. I've had bikes pass in the same lane and I always thing to myself wow, good thing I didn't go towards the left just then. It's happened a few times another bike doesn't pull completley around. The Garmin Varia RTL 515 Radar is what I need. I already have a Blueskysea DV988 camera recording system that has front and rear camera's, but this doesn't let me know when someone shows up unexpectingly. That's for your reveiw, it's very good.
That's actually one of the biggest reasons I felt compelled to make the video. I think I've 'known' about them for 2-3 years now, but I hadn't ridden with anyone who had it or really watched any videos on it. I just didn't really have a good sense of what it REALLY was. Once I knew riders who were riding with it and swearing by them, it really made me dive deep and realize how awesome it is. I've given Garmin crap before, but I think we all know how risky cycling can be, and this one's a win in my book.
This must be very helpful on windy days and twisty roads. Especially with 4 bft or above it's not always easy to hear a car approaching from behind. And good to know there's a mount for the Felt IA series. That question came up while watching. And you came up the answer. Thanks, Justin! This has it's place high in my wishlist.
RU-vid just straight up doesn't notify me of all the comments, ha. Yeah it's just so great. Took it out nearer to dusk last night on a road that is basically exactly as you described, and it's just great. I don't know how else to say it, it's just very confidence inspiring and really stops cars from sneaking up on you. I've heard people say things like, "Well you still have to look back to know how much room they're giving you," and I suppose you do, but that's easier when you already have time to move over, get ready, THEN look back at your own pace and see where they are. It's just good. Yeah, mounts on the IA fine! In further testing either the aero mount or the D-shape mount work. With the IA's blunt trailing edge you could use either one. They're both secure.
I was hoping to see your reaction while riding and the Varia detects cars coming behind you. This device looks like it would aid cars to bully a rider out of the way. I would rather 1) have it look like a camera and 2) have a rear facing display telling drivers they are too close.
I've got the old square horizontal one from the very first launch, I never ride without it, although I think the beep on my Edge 1000 is too weak when it windy. I've just ordered the 515 due to a smashed glass on my old one, can't wait. One more important "feature" - when you ride in a peloton, the other riders will also benefit from your varia if they observe the lighting pattern, that's pretty nice.
That's a really good point for sure. Funny, I don't think the tech on the radar itself has really changed much from the rectangular one. If it works, it works!
Old vid I know but I just found it. Very good points and I am looking forward to getting mine..order is in. it's on the way. Now if we can just get some decent weather LoL
For sure. I've definitely kicked the idea around... If I didn't train as much indoors as I do I probably would. I've been hit by a car while running and had countless close calls on the bike like so many others have. Sadly, it almost feels inevitable. :(
good review. your comment about the rate of closure is exactly right. it reads the doppler shift on the return radar reflection. are you in Victoria ? Looks like the ride from Victoria to Sydney.
Thanks for that helpful review including real-life testing. One more question: How well does it recognize motorcycles - on par with the car recognition performance? Thanks!
Sorry for the very slow reply. Definitely catches motorcycles. I've even had it catch skateboarders going past me as I'm stopped. It's very good at picking up anything approaching with a positive speed.
I use mine with the garmin rdu head unit, which is nice and small (matchbox size). But the rdu does not have an audible alert feature so I also run my phone app for that, I stick my phone in my handlebar bag.
Great review! While I ride mostly long bike paths, the proliferation of eBikes, especially those who haven’t been on a bike in years, and all of a sudden are blazing through the paths, has me thinking about the Varia. How well does it detect eBikes and other cyclists?
Ha! I've had a bit of that around here this summer too! So it uses speed differential to determine whether to show an object or not. If an object comes up on you with a good difference in speed (like a motor scooter), then it'll detect it. If another cyclist comes up at just 1-2 mph faster than you, it's much less likely to alert you, but I've had it get a few times. I suspect Garmin would say that's working as intended; moreso alerting you to vehicles than other cyclists. I don't know of an exact number, but if you're about to get buzzed fast by another bike, I lean to saying it would alert you, but it would be situational I think.
Great video! This was just the kind of review I was looking for on this product. Specs are specs. But what about actual use and do you feel more comfortable on the road while using this product? You nailed it. Thanks.
I broadly agree. Country or mid-traffic roads it's most useful on. It only beeps when there's already *not* a car behind you and then one comes into range. If there are cars behind you constantly, it's not constantly beeping. I still use it because you can see how many / where the cars are behind at a glance. You can always mute too, of course. :)
"I would rather not get hit" Every cyclist's worst nightmare I hope Garmin's next release would include "radar activated camera" (improves battery life).
Nice job on this review. The wife has a Edge 1030 plus and wants to add the RTL 515, she is a mirror wearer but wants to add an additional layer of safety .Problem is that with a short seat post and a largish saddle bag there is not enough room to install it without the saddle bag blocking the light. Can it be mounted with the light on the bottom? I try to get her to use a smaller saddle bag but she wants to have enough space to bring the kitchen sink. LOL Thanks for any feedback.
If you connect varia to the app on your smartphone,can you simultanuosly use google navigation and varia? I'm thinking of getting one, but I ride with the navigation on...
Perhaps this has been answered, can the unit connect to a head unit and the phone at the same time? In addition to seeing the alert on the head unit, wondering if I can also feel the vibration on the phone which would be in my jersey? What about the apple watch?
If the people are holding your pace, no, it won't be alerting you to them. It's looking for a change in velocity, and that's when it calls the object out. If you get passed with a high speed differential, or you're stopped and a cyclist approaches you, yes it'll alert. Yes @ motorbikes. Thanks!
@@JustinDoesTriathlon got it clearly. Thanks a lot. That explains also why some vehicles suddenly disappear on screen. The sensor detects only change in velocity, or acceleration.
Justin. Great video. Will it mount to a wide seat post on a TT bike. I have a QR PR 6 (2) and the seat post is wide as heck. Most rear lights won't fit around it.
This should fit extra wide seat posts. It comes with 3 mounts, an aero one, a regular one and a really large one. As long as it has a round shape it should fit.
At about the 4:50 mark, you mention riding with the app running on your phone. I assume that's in addition to having it paired to your Wahoo unit? How's the battery drain on the phone with the Varia app running for let's a say a 2 hr ride or something? Thanks!
It's good! I haven't ridden in a full huge paceline (due to restrictions) but I went on a ride with a few people recently and it did fine. It doesn't get the full range, but still picks up about 2/3 to half of the 'bar' away. Still lots of time to react and much earlier than when you're just listening.
I've used it at dusk (I don't ride in actual night) and it was great, super bright. I haven't extensively tested it in the rain, but I've never heard any wide complaints of the 510 dying. For motorbikes, do you mean does it detect them? It does! I've even had it pick up skateboarders and such when I was stopped. Very sensitive. 👍
great video. Do you happen to have a clip on how the light changes in steady mode, when cars are detected? does it start flashing? can that be turned off?
When you're in steady mode it moves to that fast flash mode. I haven't seen any option to make it always steady and not go to the more attention flashing when there's the radar
There isn't a video showing what is the detection radius of the device? Could you test run this on a road to see if cars appear on the left and right side? Thank you if you can! Also could you strap it on your lower leg near your shoe where your socks are to see if it can detect cars at that level? :)
I have connected the VARIA 515 to an EDGE 830. The audible warning is not working properly. With the WAHOO ELEMNT BIKE GPS COMPUTER that you use in the video, is the alarm well audible? Thank you for your reply
I have a question. If I connect my smartphone and place it on the steering wheel .... is it necessary to have the screen turned on to see the oncoming cars? Or will the screen be turned on whenever a car approaches? Thanks for this great video
Dear friend, I have (almost) the same question: will the app still run in the background with the screen turned off? Was your question answered during the past year?
@@christoskaragiannidis9764 Φίλε μου δεν ανέβηκε απ' ότι βλέπω η απάντηση που σου έστειλα.Καμια απάντηση στο ερώτημα μας.Εχω πάρει ήδη ένα Garmin Edge 530 και μέχρι τέλος του μήνα θα παραγγείλω και το Varia.Εχει πέσει η τιμή του. Κατάγομαι από Δράμα.Καλες γιορτές!
@@user-gq8bi6fj6o καλησπέρα και από μένα! Πριν 2 εβδομάδες αγόρασα ένα Garmin Instinct 2 Solar και το Varia. Η σύζευξη ήταν επιτυχής (παρόλο που η ίδια η Garmin αναφέρει ότι δεν συνδέονται μεταξύ τους) και πλέον τα χρησιμοποιώ στην ποδηλασία! Τολμώ να πω ότι προστέθηκε μια ακόμα δικλείδα ασφαλείας κατά τη διάρκεια της προπόνησης! Θα το δεις κι εσύ! Καλές γιορτές! Με υγεία!
