NEW Bike Radar Tech at Eurobike 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2024
- Until around a year ago, there were limited options available for bike rear radar devices. The Garmin Varia range stood as the sole choice. However, in recent months, both Magene and Bryton have joined the bike radar market, and now, at Eurobike 2023, we witness the arrival of even more participants in this field.
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Video Index:
0:00 Intro
1:03 Bryton
2:19 Magene
3:03 Garmin
3:46 iGPSport
4:27 Cycplus
5:06 Llama
5:38 AplsAlpine
7:46 TriVision
8:30 Wrap Up
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#Cycling #Eurobike #Radar - กีฬา
I use the Tri eye glasses with my Garmin Varia. I ignore the mirror until I hear the beep and then do a quick check to confirm the car is moving over. Works very well.
Love all these new radar devices! Competition is always good and sometimes Garmin needs a kick in the pants to keep innovating!
Would have loved to see Garmin updating their units by adding USB-C ports. If I'm not mistaken, they'll have to do it by end of next year latest due to an EU law that will come into effect by then...
My varia 715 and Edge 1040 are usb-c
@@BananaChipzzz But not the one without built in camera.
What’s the EU law?
@@thedownunderverse To reduce waste (cabels, chargers) all chargable tech products have to use USB C as charging port from 2025 (?) on. Also applies to all 🍏 products 🤭
@@rainbowlable amazing! EU is so far ahead of Australia on many things, my g/f and I are planning to move there in the next few years and the more I learn the better it gets! 🤟🏻👊🏻
Thanks for this. I've seen a few videos this evening about the various Varia options and heard about Magene. Interesting to hear that there are now many options. Age 68 with 5 decades of cycling in London and other parts of UK, often very fast. Haven't bought new bike gear for years. I need new lights. Just two mornings ago, walking on pavement up dark, narrow steep hill, a bike went past with a very good steady bright rear light - it started flashing when a van approached from behind. I knew immediately that I need one of those things. Started googling yesterday. Seemed like the only one was Garmin Varia. Price means it will take a couple of months of savings from my pension and I want to attach to loop on a Topeak under saddle bag of race bike plus at back of Topeak rack bag on the urban upright bike. USB C charging would be a bonus but most of my chargeable lights use old micro-USB
Appreciate your safety oriented vids.
I've had the Trieye glasses for 3 years now and I feel unsafe when I rdie without them.
When I first got them I was told that because of the small size mirror they where useless, but I can't ride without them now. They are very much like your car rear view mirror where you move your head to get the view that you want. Once the mirror is set in the right position it only takes a flick to the right in australia to check your rear. The mirror is big enough to give enough detail of whtat is coming up behind you.
I've had exactly the same experience. I would not want to ride without them.
I've been using Trieye glasses for a few years. Life changing but it takes two or three rides to get used to them. I also have a Garmin Varia radar and the combination with the glasses is incredibly reassuring. But if I had to pick just one, based on a LOT of experience, I think I would pick the Trieye glasses, especially in the city. I simply won't get on my bike without them.
I've got a Varia and a flashing Reelight on my bike. Have not been stopped yet by the police in Germany, so will keep using the Reelight until then.
It is not only in Germany that flashing lights on a bike are not allowed. It is illegal in the Netherlands too. I do see people using them, but the Dutch legislator is pretty clear about this: "You can get a fine if the light has another color (than red), flashes or is mounted in the wrong place.".
But why can I as a Germany buy my flashing lights in Dutch online shops then? That's weird.
Is it like in Germany that roadies usually just ignore the law and opt for safety instead?
Europe really has the stupidest laws. No flashing allowed, but you’re free to not use a helmet.
Thank goodness I live in a country where they mandate to use if a light and helmet (white/red for front and rear), but leave it to you to have it as bright or flash as much as you want.
And the rule that flashing lights are meant for specific scenarios and convey circumstances is baloney. It’s a light to get your attention, not to pass a love message, plain and simple
Srsly, I dont care. The difference between those lights is that if you use a none flashing one cars are passing by at full speed, paying not attention. If a flashing one is installed they don't drive like fool.
The German law doesn't differentiate between a car and a bicycle. Flashing lights are prohibited on cars, which makes sense, but bikes automatically fall in the same category.
Luckily, cops are mostly aware of how silly this is and won't give you trouble. Even if they do, it's only a 20€ fine and my safety is more important than that.
There's also a simple workaround that further proves how stupid this is - if you mount the radar on your rear pack, backpack, helmet etc. it's suddenly legal because it's not attached to the bike and therefore the car law doesn't apply.
Peak German degeneracy.
Sad but true. As a foreigner who moved in Germany I wonder whether this is somehow related to the strong lobbying influence of the car industry or is simply a lack of mental flexibility on the policymakers' part.
When I heard that in the video I couldn't believe it and I am a german but I live in Australia. On the other hand it is legal to not wear a helmet in germany as if your head magically become more resitant to injury when you are riding a bicycle instead of riding a motorbike. I call that magical thinking.
Hopefully we will be able to get some better mounts for these radar units in Aussie soon.
With all the cords I didn’t through away plus Garmin does come with a charge cord it’s simple and easy. I’m happy to see more options as this is a life saver. I seem like the eyes in the back of my head are super I hear a beep I look over the shoulder. Simple great. Sure micro c port is a no brainer Garmin will do it . Especially since the competition is here.
I have been using a Varia for a few years, mostly on city streets. I find it invaluable for detecting EV's approaching me from behind, they are quiet cars and easily lost in the background noise of a city.
Good point about EVs. I find on really busy streets the beeping becomes too much.
I also use mine in the city. The visual has been super useful and also for low light commuting found fine.
Beeps haven’t annoyed me that much (mainly use the visual) as normally there is traffic noise as well
how does it work when you ride in a group? Does it still detect cars coming from behind? I am considering buying it
@@zambokid89 so I don’t know about these products but with my varia the answer is yes.
The only caveat is you may get false positives from riders in your group if they gap but will show cars 100m back.
This is from smaller group rides (around 10-16 folks)
All I can say is the varia is the best money I have ever spent on bike tech
@@zambokid89the device works by measuring relative speed. So, it essentially doesn't detect objects traveling at exactly the same speed as you, say in a peloton group. Provided the cars are traveling faster than you, it is flawless at detecting.
0:46 I'm pretty sure it was you that got me to buy a radar, a non-garmin brand as it was a lot cheaper and I still use it today.
The garmin ertl615 is shipped with rail mount, but also the option to mount directly to the rear rack.. I adjusted the rail mount a little bit so I could mount the radar in between the original rear light (with brake light) and reflector on my Tern GSD. Sadly I still need a power cable, which should be at the dealer very soon, before I can really test the setup.
Varia was game changer for me. Won't go o. The road without it. City riding or group rides require some settings changes.
Have the trieye. On my video, the problem is the narrow field of view. I use it as backup for the rear view camera.
Great content. Loving the grouped summaries
Now that there are so many radars on the market. Can you add to your review or tests what one has the best light? Like test what one is the most visible to a driver. I almost never see any comments on how visible a rear light is to a driver in any reviews.
Bryton said in their eurobike pamphlet last year a 40hr battery life (with light off) so I will wait for testing before trusting cycplus.
My Magene L508 worked literally perfectly until firmware update 0.112. After that update, the radar is just slightly above useless. I now get tons of false negatives (unit alarms when there is nothing behind me)...and I mean tons. Hopefully, a new firmware is coming because warranty support has been non-existent in my experience. Wish I had gone with another brand.
I bought the Magene a few months ago to replace a Varia I had gifted to someone, just out of curiosity. It works fine but I regret it not having the feature the Varia had where it could be "off" while still listening for ANT+ connections. That allowed it to just turn on when the ride started on my Garmin Edge or Hammerhead Karoo head-unit. I have sent messages to Magene but doesn't look like they have any plans to support anything like that. Bummer. Maybe it would help if influential reviewers like you highlighted it to them? Seems like something they could do with a firmware update. They do have a feature where the like goes dormant after 5 minutes of inactivity while technically being "on". But this doesn't help as you drive to a ride start as the bumps keep the light active and draining battery. I know, first world problems 🙂
I’ve got the Magene too and always just keep it in the car with me before I get to the start of the ride - would that fix ur issue?
@@chrisgitter3265 yeah, sort of, but it is still a hassle, then have to remember to take it and put it on the bike before start. plus even off the bike and in the car, wouldn't the vibrations from normal driving turn it on? just a much smoother operation with the older Garmin, attach to the bike, start the ride and everything just works
My only complaint with all of these lights is the narrow direction of the light. Would love to see the light project wider to the rear like knog provide
Willkommen in Frankfurt 🇩🇪
I deleted my comment, thanks for your reply. I think I now understand the advantage of using a radar. Nevertheless if I look at my unwanted encounters with vehicles in the past, all of them were incoming - all of them were about what is happening in front you. No radar can prevent that.
Hate the fact that Garmin supplies the German non-flashing models to some other countries as well where they are not legally required. For example in Finland, flashing lights *are not* illegal, but for some reason only 516/716 models available through retailers and Garmin directly. And finding 515/715 models online is kind of hard, because many of the biggest EU wide online retailers are either German based or from some other countries where flashing lights are illegal.
Finnish laws only prohibit the use of front facing red lights (including flashing), because those are reserved for police, border guard and customs. Rear facing lights are not limited by law.
Germans buy the International version in Dutch, Italian or Spanish online shops. There are a few big ones 🤫
Not sure on the TriEye mirror glasses for cycling, but wearing by pedestrians / walkers they are a great idea - especially on shared walking / cycle paths, would allow greater knowledge and warning of what is approaching from behind. I do think they take far too much attention off the road if used for cycling though.
So, helmets are not compulsory but lights are not meant to flash in Germany because they are distracting. I though the whole point in them flashing is so that they get the attention of road users. Strange set of laws - keen to understand why they are setup this way.
Yes,the law is indeed strange. Especially when you notice that flashing lights on the rider's body are allowed just not on the bike🤦♀️
Allegedly the reason is that a flashing light makes estimating the distance between your car and the cyclist difficult.
Anyhow, most roadies ignore the law and buy the International light versions online. 😉 Never heard of someone being fined the 20 bucks for a flashing bike light. Police is usually happy when a roadie uses lights at all 😂
I live in the Czech Republic near German (and Polish) border and I ride there quite often. What I have to do now when riding with Varia radar and crossing the border is to switch light mode on my Edge head unit from automatic to custom and in that I have it set to off. It would be very cool if Garmin would transmit also location data to the Varia from Edge and adujst the light mode accordingly when set to auto, so it would effectively turn a RTL510 into RTL511 if I cross the line to Germany and then back into RTL510 if I cross back.
Every roadie in Germany who appreciates life uses flashing lights on the bike regardless of the law. Police usually doesn't really care about it. They are happy about every cyclist who makes an effort to stay safe. Worst that could happen is that you are fined 20 Euros by a moody police officer. It's also allowed to have flashing lights on your body just not on the bike. Totally insane. I've never met someone who was fined, so just relax 😉
Please Garmin don't enforce gelocation mode switches because we in Germany care more about our life than about laws. Thanks to the internet we can buy our flashing lights in other EU countries 😁
@@rainbowlable In the US, it seems that you cannot turn on your flashing light, without someone raising the topic of triggering seizures. If this is the reason for the policy in Germany, I wonder why they would not also figure something out about all of the flashing lights on motor vehicles and traffic signals(?). There must be other reasons(?).
@@DEAR7340 No, in Germany it's not about seizures (but it's a somehow valid point I never thought about). Allegedly in the dark it's harder to estimate the correct distance between yourself and a moving obstacle when the rear light is flashing. So it's not about triggering seizures or distraction but about estimating how hard you have to step on the breaks or when you have to veer to avoid a collision with the cyclist ahead. But you are allowed to put flashing lights on your helmet or jersey - just not on the bike.
These traffic laws are literally ancient. Up to 2013 battery lights were not recognised as acceptable compulsory light because the law stated a bike light has to have a dynamo for power supply. 🙈 The good thing about it: Police usually knows how silly this is and doesn't enforce it as long as you have proper lights on your bike.
Hi!
I can't find in Internet the Llama Guard cameras... Is imposible. Do you know the name or url of its web?
Many thanks,
David
I really like my RTL515. I'll wish someone could come up with something less bulky, but I guess we're a couple of years away for that
@gplama Are you testing the Cycplus L7 already. I am really happy with it (been through almost every radar model out there^^). The igpsort Radar simply wasn't working with the Karoo 2 strangely enough...
I don’t have one to test.
Llama guard? Really? Time to call the IP lawyers.
Hi Shane, Great presentation of this tech, I too am an avid fan! Just wondering if you have seen any SMART helmets at Eurobike???
There were a LOT of helmets here, so I'm sure there was. None with ANT+ Radar tech that I'm aware of.
@gplama Thanks Shane...
I wouldn't outsource SMART to the helmet.🙂
For the sake of 20-30 euro I would go Garmin all the way
I've been road cycling for 20 years. The best accessory I ever bought was a mirror, I wouldn't be without one now. I've since also put a mirror on my xc and hack bikes. I'll not be putting one on my MTB, but I miss it when I'm cycling to the trails.
whats the square light to the left of the magene radars
What run through my head in reguards to bike radar...
Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of signals. Enemy fighters coming your way.
Luke: My scope's negative. I don't see anything.
Red leader: Keep up your visual scanning.
Always enjoy your content. Do you know if there is an adapter that will allow the Bryton Radar to work on a Garmin mount?
The Bryton radar will fit any Garmin mount that can be turned 90°. The KOM Cycling radar mount is something I use for the purpose.
Thanks
Varia radar light is easily on my top 5 list of bike gear.
What is the advantage of these units over a little mirror?
Audio alerts.
Cyclist needs radars with cameras because drivers are not as attentive because most are texting 💬
Non-Flashing rule is the same for The Netherlands. Let me explain: flashing lights are meant for different situations think off pushing you braking pedal in the car or a police/road worker. By not allowing flashing lights on bicycles it is easier to distinguish the situation and vehicle ahead and it's less distracting. We and the germans are non the less world leader in safety rules xd
The German explanation is that as a driver you can estimate the distance between your car and the cyclist much better when the light is in solid mode. Somehow the flashing seems to make that tricky. So during the day I use flash modes and when it gets dark I switch to solid (+ a small flash light on the back of my jersey) or a slow moving pattern.
@@rainbowlable I would be interested as to what the definition of "flashing". Is it strictly a on/off pattern? What if the light has a sweeping left right animation without completely turning off between sweep. Or a starburst animation. Knog lights come with a variety of different pattern.
A flashing light is MEANT to distract and catch your attention.
If I’m on the road, I want your attention regardless if you want to give it or not. What’s the point of a light if you’re gonna just blend into the scenery? It’s why when I ride I literally have the varia and bontrager ion on full flash behind me; two of probably the most blinding lights that you can find i todays market. You will see me regardless if you want to or not.
But then again, coming from a European country I’m not surprised, lofty ideals over reality.
@@slowcyclist4324 Ah, yeah all these terrible woke liberals in europe
@@slowcyclist4324 a flashing light means there is something up ahead that is probably standing still. Turn signal or brake light equals slowing down, road working emergency service flashing lights equals slow or not moving traffic / dangerous situation up a head. It it quite effective i guess due to the fact most of our brain is bussy interpreting visual signs
Whats with Germany banning Flashing lights? it's well known that a random flashing light is more noticeable than constant on or steady flashing. what te hells that all about?
Allegedly it's harder to estimate the distance between your car and the cyclist when the light is flashing. 🤷♀️
And law prohibits flashing lights for all road user apart fromemergency vehicles. But most German roadies ignore the law and buy lights abroad.
Really wish Garmin's Ebike version didn't cost $300.
It was a really quiet launch that one. I wasn't aware of it. DCR said the same, and he has a few bikes they'd go on. 🤷🏻♂️
Did you say you need a Bryton radar to review? Let me know. 📫
I have three of them! 🤣 I just need more time to keep testing their updates.
@@gplama - Extra time. Oh yes. I’ve heard of that mythical creature in ancient folklore. Perhaps one day I’ll come face to face with the beast. ⏳
I just don't understand how Garmin hasn't come out with their basic radar+taillight (the non-camera version) with USB-C yet. Their inability to put out that product has driven me to their competition (using a Magene, which is good enough compared to the Varia that I don't feel like I'm missing anything).
Bought the Magene recently and it's been ok-ish so far. Detection has been maybe 85-90% hit rate. I'll check for a firmware upgrade.
I saw in another youtube video that Magene are bringing out a HRM that is able to vibrate whenever the radar detects a vehicle.
Interesting! I'll look into the HRM wiggle feature.
That would be really interesting! I use both their radar light and HRM currently (with a Wahoo Bolt)
@@gplama it was Petr @cyclistshub who mentioned Magene and the vibrating HRM arm strap. Which was why I was here hoping to find out more.
The HRM thing sounds promising. The beeping is way too much, espeically when my Karoo does no let me adjust the volume. I sounded like an arcade machine riding around town before I disabled the sounds entirely.
@@klaxxon__ I have the opposite problem, maybe due to some high frequency hearing loss or something, but the beeps have never been audible to me unless I hold the head units close to my ear. Same for both Karoo and Edge units.
Mirrors can be a problem for those with presbyopia
difficulty focusing to closeby objects? you don't focus on the mirror, your point of focus is the entire length of the distance to the mirror (millimeters) *plus* the distance to the object (10-20 metres). you shouldn't need to refocus at all to see things behind you
Screw that, needs a 360 camera...
Yes flashing lights are forbidden here in Germany, the rules says flshing light should be obligated to Police and Rescue not to the public
Typical German degeneracy.
But feel free to ignore it and save your life 😁
Not impressed. Still only buying Varia without the camera.
I think the game changer with radars and dashcams will be when they automatically submit reports to police along with the data captured. If offenders get an automatic fine, a portion of that should go to the submitter. The police/government can do what they want with the remaining balance. It's a win-win for everyone!
Submitter getting pain creates all the wrong incentives for trying to goad people into breaking the rules (much like it happens when you give a portion of the fines to the police).
I have provided video of punish-passing and road rage to local law enforcement, but I have yet to see them take any action; it's been a waste of time. I believe this is because the county sherrif (in the US) is an elected position. The sherrif would lose more political support by enforcing this, than she/he would gain by promoting safety.
Hmm . i wonder if there are any potential health issues with these systems . Not sure i would want my balls that close to a radar unit .
Just get the rear view mirrors...way much cheaper
You know, they make very inexpensive bike mirrors for this very purpose. I won't ride without mine.
I use a Varia and mirror.
The safety data each provide is different but complimentary.
Use both systems like me,their safety data compliments each other.
radar bike with usb A cable in 2023 ...
I assume it was just the generic plug for the show.
I am from Germany and I still can't believe what stupid rules we have. Can only recommend to buy things like this from abroad.
This is a nice place.... except your Internet speeds. 🥲
Huh .i live in the rural Black forest in a tiny village and our internet speeds are lightening fast .
Are you now working for Bike Radar?
No. These are bike radars.
😂
Again, I just don't get these radar devices. Yes, they alert you to a car approaching from behind you. Yes, if you buy the models with a camera they will record cars approaching from behind you. But what they don't do, and what is actually most important, is tell you whether or not the car approaching from behind you is going to hit you or not. Also, for all the states that don't have license plates on the front of the cars, it doesn't do much good to record a car's front end. It may help identify the car that hit you, but probably not. And that's if the device survives the impact and first responders are able to find it. You know what does tell you if the car approaching behind you is going to hit you or not, has incredible range and the batteries never wear out? A $15 mirror. Look, the bike industry is full of stuff geared toward rich people who ride bikes, most of which we don't need. Safety is important, we all agree with that, but you don't see roadies using mirrors. Why? The cool factor. You're worried about what your friends will say. If that's you, carry on and spend $400 on a radar. If you're mature and don't care, spend $15 and buy a mirror, put it on your glasses, and stay safe.
I've got you covered at the end! Mirror glasses.
Who says you can't have both? I have the Garmin radar and a mirror. Before the radar, I had to constantly keep an eye on it to see if any cars were approaching. Now, I can relax, enjoy the ride and only start looking once the radar starts beeping. I can see if the car is moving away enough or if I have to watch out. Plus the light starts flashing rapidly when it detects something and cars are overtaking me with much more clearance than before I had a radar.
So it's definitely worth it and makes for a much more relaxed and safer ride. It doesn't matter in the city, but I refuse to ride without it when in the countryside.
I thought for sec that the radar was tuned to pick up e-bikes :-)
And I’m sure a mirror is going to beep and tell you that a car is coming
@@HobbyHoarderI have a mirror and radar and it's a good combination. I've bailed off the road a couple of times when things looked scary