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Garmin launch new Varia radar system + remote controlled lighting

Rear-facing radar will warn you of approaching cars, and warn cars by changing the light intensity

Garmin launches are like buses, et cetera and so on. Hot on the heels of the Edge 520 is the news that they will now offering a light system that incorporates a rear-facing radar. A radar! We know!

"Helping create a safer cycling environment, Varia rearview bike radar warns cyclists of vehicles approaching from behind up to 140 meters (150 yards) and also warns approaching vehicles of a cyclist ahead, and Varia smart bike lights automatically adjust to changing conditions as well as the speed of the cyclist. Both the radar and lights work independently, or seamlessly integrate with each other and with compatible Edge® cycling computers, allowing cyclists to customize to their needs", says the press release. in short, this is either a standalone radar system with its own head unit, or you can integrate it with your Garmin Edge which will work as your head unit and give you some extra features.

Garmin have produced this slightly scaremongery video to give you a quick oversight of the system:

So the rectangular rear unit houses a rear-facing radar sensor and also an array of lights. Garmin claim it'll detect up to eight individual vehicles, up to 140m away. At 60mph, and assuming you're doing 15-20mph, that's something like seven seconds away, which could be useful window: it's before you're likely to hear a car for a start, if you hear them at all.

The rear sensor uses the information it's receiving to alter the intensity of the rear light. So if someone's approaching fast it'll flash more brightly, and more quickly. It also functions as a sort of brake light, increasing in intensity when you slow down.

Up front, the dedicated display shows you a basic map of the road behind, and if it deems a particular vehicle a risk it'll change its colour on the screen. Edge users will get the choice of a dedicated display or an overlay on a data screen to let them know what's going on behind.

There's also a new front light putting out 100 lux at 10m. It has a high beam cut off to avoid blinding other road users, and it's controllable from your Edge computer or from a mount that incorporates a remote control. That control can also be used to send indicator signals to the rear lights; you'll need two of them though. You can indicate from your Edge, too.

The Varia radar tail light will retail for £159.99, or £239.99 bundled with the radar display unit. The Varia smart bike lights are available as a bundle including the Varia remote for £239.99, or separately for £159.99 (headlight) and £59.99 (tail light). Expect to see them on the shelves by the time you're thinking about buying lights again.

“As leaders in creating innovative cycling technology, we’re excited to introduce our line of cycling awareness products and take the next step in providing a complete experience for riders,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Varia rearview bike radar and smart bike lights not only alert cyclists of vehicles, but also alert the vehicles of the cyclist. With Garmin cycling products you can now track all your essential stats with peace of mind on the roads.” So there you have it.

Obviously the first question asked in the office was: Can you use it to tell if you've dropped your mates, or that person you passed on your commute, without looking over your shoulder? We don't know the answer to that yet. We'll keep you posted.

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19 comments

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Dante256 | 8 years ago
1 like

Best product I've looked at this year. 

It might not be that great in the cities where there are lots of cars, and always something behind you, but on fast main roads, with big gaps between traffic its superb. 

Plus if you've any issues with hearing it will change your world on the bike.

My full review is on TitaniumGeek

http://www.titaniumgeek.com/gear-reviews/garmin-varia-radar-review/

http://www.titaniumgeek.com/gear-reviews/garmin-varia-radar-review/

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SoBinary | 8 years ago
0 likes

Would a mirror not accomplish most of this?

edit: OK so I didn't read the rest of the comments before posting - sorry.

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KirinChris | 8 years ago
0 likes

What action is the rider is supposed to take? At some point does it have a 'Collision Imminent - Jump The Fuck Off" signal?

Cycling mostly out in Dubai I ride on the side of roads with very fast moving traffic but I often wear earphones.

My biggest risk is someone driving at 100km/h down the hard shoulder and knowing they're coming isn't going to make much difference.

The indicator idea is good though, for city riding. Maybe needs to be improved but the concept is right - it gives motorists a cue that they are tuned into. I hate turning right with no filter lane in London - always worried someone just isn't going to see that I'm stopped and waiting to turn.

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Sanderstorm | 8 years ago
0 likes

I had a EV behind me the other day. I didn't hear it coming, so these may become more relevant over time.

Still not going to buy one. I imagine it would be more useful in America where there are long straight roads out of town where drivers often don't pay attention.

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spen | 8 years ago
0 likes

Or you could pay about £10 for a mirror to fit on your bars. Simples.

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PhillBrown replied to spen | 8 years ago
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spen wrote:

Or you could pay about £10 for a mirror to fit on your bars. Simples.

Rule #66 // No mirrors.
Mirrors are allowed on your (aptly named) Surly Big Dummy or your Surly Long Haul Trucker. Not on your road steed. Not on your Mountain bike. Not on your helmet. If someone familiar with The Rules has sold you such an abomination, return the mirror and demand a refund, plus interest and damages.

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

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dodgy replied to PhillBrown | 8 years ago
0 likes
PhillBrown wrote:
spen wrote:

Or you could pay about £10 for a mirror to fit on your bars. Simples.

Rule #66 // No mirrors.
Mirrors are allowed on your (aptly named) Surly Big Dummy or your Surly Long Haul Trucker. Not on your road steed. Not on your Mountain bike. Not on your helmet. If someone familiar with The Rules has sold you such an abomination, return the mirror and demand a refund, plus interest and damages.

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

I have mirrors on my bikes and I couldn't care less what the 'keepers of the cog' say about it. If you lead your life by following a set of rules dreamed up for comedy value, that's pretty sad.

Group of lads I often ride with were taking the piss out of mirrors a while back, I point out I have a mirror on my bike (also pointing out it's why I'm always the person to tell the group we've lost someone or there's an approaching car). The penny dropped. But I still had to show them where the mirror was.

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vonhelmet replied to dodgy | 8 years ago
0 likes
dodgy wrote:

But I still had to show them where the mirror was.

Bar plug?

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2_Wheeled_Wolf | 8 years ago
1 like

Wouldn't it be just nice if we could cycle around safe & sound without the need of safety gimmicks, you know just like they do in the Netherlands...

If only more effort was put into decent infrastructure than what's put into these safety gimmicks to victim blame the cyclist later!!

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thegibdog | 8 years ago
0 likes

So when it tells me that there is a truck behind me am I supposed to dive into the hedge or something?

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dodgy | 8 years ago
0 likes

These units will be on Amazon in the sales for <£100 by Christmas.
And they still won't be worth buying.

Junk.

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bendertherobot | 8 years ago
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Also, assuming that there's always something there trying to kill you.

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Brooess | 8 years ago
0 likes

Using your ears and looking over your right shoulder on a frequent basis will do the job quite nicely IMO...

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bendertherobot | 8 years ago
0 likes

See Sense light already does the automatic changing of flashing according to vehicle presence (and more).

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harr1y | 8 years ago
0 likes

Another useless gimmick ..in a town or city it would always be flashing ..just buy a really good rear light and use your ears ..focus forward and on and on whats in front of you instead of investing in this and being distracted by whats behind you

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honesty | 8 years ago
0 likes

Buy our tech, or die. And it'll be your fault! 40% of you die by being hit from behind. Have our radar or it's your fault. etc. Nice video...

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pmr | 8 years ago
0 likes

Nice tech, most interesting for me is perhaps a joint light/garmin mount though!

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LarryDavidJr | 8 years ago
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Indicators? Errr ... no. No car driver is going to see that flashing on one side and think 'oh that's an indicator on a bicycle'. You're still going to have to use your arm anyway, something which is still way bigger (and thus more obvious) and more indicative of your intentions. The gloves with the flashing lights were a better idea in this direction.

The radar stuff? Pretty neat tech, but not sure I'd pay for it. The 'faster flashing for fast approaching vehicles' could potentially be a life saver though.

EDIT: The light looks pretty weedy in daylight, maybe a night-time video would have been a better idea Garmin!

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bornslippy | 8 years ago
0 likes

Were Garmin three months late in announcing this?

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