Garmin Varia Purpose

[tuxbailey]

I use mine (510) in conjunction with my Fly6 CE. I use the light from the Varia instead of Fly6.

With it if I see that a vehicle is approaching at a very fast rate (green->yellow -> red in a short burst) I am mentally ready to bail and start to look for exit point.

The display is really intuitive and I get all my information with a quick glance.

[lookout2015]

One other plus I didn’t see mentioned scanning the thread: the Varia detects electric cars, which I sometimes don’t hear until they’re close enough to startle me

[triplecrank]

I use both a Varia and a mirror. (Given my age, I'm past being image conscious). However, once having gotten use to them, I'll turn around and ride home to get either if I have forgotten one of them. I feel completely "nekid" and vulnerable without them.

I do ride mostly on quiet, country roads and the Varia will give me a good 5 seconds warning of an approaching car. Like others, the Varia will pick up on an approaching vehicle before I hear it. A quick glance in the mirror will tell me if Fred or Karen are going to swing wide or if there is a line of cars or semis that I need to pull over for. (I've always been more concerned about the 4th or 5th drive not seeing me due to cars 1 thorugh 3 blocking their view of me). I too have lost a biking acquaintance to a car accident. I felt that the cost of the Garmin/Varia combo was a heck of a lot cheaper than an ER visit, rehabilitation expense or a funeral.

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by lookout2015

One other plus I didn’t see mentioned scanning the thread: the Varia detects electric cars, which I sometimes don’t hear until they’re close enough to startle me

This is a good point. never considered that.

[fourflys]

All great stuff! Guess I'll have to investigate this...

[titans]

Anyone use one for early morning or late rides when it’s dark?

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by titans

Anyone use one for early morning or late rides when it’s dark?

Plenty bright. I drive up mountain roads early in the morning and guys riding with varia’s are plenty bright. The change in blink pattern when you approach really alerts the driver especially in the dark.

[ripvanrando]

Someone mentioned not wearing a helmet mirror due to vibrations.

The only one I found that did not vibrate and which has superb optical quality glass is the EVT Safety mirror. It allows me to easily see if a car has moved over to give me space. If not, I react accordingly. I have the EVT on my more training and goofing JRA helmet

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Upcountry

By far the major flaw is the battery life. Its not uncommon to only get 6 hours out of mine.

"Only" 6 hours? I wish! My wife has been using a Varia for a couple years now and her only complaint is battery life...but she's lucky if she can get 3 hours out of a charge.

I'm guessing battery life correlates to the number of cars it detects; i.e., more detections requires more energy? Might have to check out that "My Bike Radar Traffic" app that scoobydrew mentioned, see if it's the more heavily-traffic'd rides that are wearing down her battery quicker.


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btw, for the folks asking whether the Varia tailight is bright enough...I first learned about the Varia because I started seeing other cyclists riding with a unique and very attention-getting tailight. It was conspicuously more noticeable (to me) than the typical roadie tailight, and they were clearly all using the same newfangled gizmo with its very distinctive blink pattern. I finally asked one such cyclist what it was when he spontaneously joined our paceline. Yeah, they are noticeable tailights.

[buddybikes]

I did turn down the alert sound level on my Garmin, was bit annoying now just chirp

[alfordjo]

No battery life issues for me. My Varia is about 3 years old and I get a minimum of 7 hours before having to recharge. Hooked to my 530, the head unit tells me when the Varia battery is getting low. I have received the notification and continued on for another couple of hours.

Jonathan

[ripvanrando]

I never got more than 4 hours even brand new and I ride very low traffic roads.

[rain dogs]

I've always wondered about the Varia. I thought at least maybe I'd buy one for my wife.

- the syncing to many computers works with other brands of computer?
- do people find it confusing with other cyclists vs cars? I heard it doesn't distinguish???

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by rain dogs

I've always wondered about the Varia. I thought at least maybe I'd buy one for my wife.

- the syncing to many computers works with other brands of computer?
- do people find it confusing with other cyclists vs cars? I heard it doesn't distinguish???

I have never had mine go off with another cyclist. ???

[madsciencenow]

Originally Posted by ripvanrando

I never got more than 4 hours even brand new and I ride very low traffic roads.

Which version do you have. Gen 1 was this way but the newer brighter ones haven’t had this issue with. I run mine in the blink mode and not solid on.


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