A very much needed device.A friend of mine died a few years back being hit from behind by a D.U.I, mother with children on board. The courts were too lenient and she basically got away with murder. R.I.P Pete. In 2009 I was training for a race and was also hit from behind,I survived with multiple injuries and a broken bike. To add insult to injury I was the one ended in court as it it was 2 persons word against mine.The "Justice" system sucks.
Personally I wouldn’t go out now without a rear camera, also just to note cycliq are about to release the new FLY12 sport with up to 7 hrs record time, the record time is variable depending on what options you use 7 hrs just camera which is good for day rides, and evenings like 4 hrs with light on
Something I would like to see on the next revision is a proximity sensor on the side of the camera so instead of questioning whether it was a close pass it can give you a distance the car was away when it past. I'm sure the clever people at garmin could add this technology!
How would the proximity sensor determine the difference between a close pass, filtering, park cars, lamposts.. extremely hard to do with any accuracy in small form factor and it's already getting a little bulkier imho.
@@kidkarbon4775 it already has a sensor on the rear to detect cars coming up from behind so it could use that as a indicator to check to the side for distance when it passes, anything is possible with the right engineer on the job!
@@robertquantrill my point is how would the proximity sensor be able to determine if a car was overtaking you, or going the opposite direction. Or how it would react if you were filtering in slow moving traffic. It's not as simple as using the same technology as the radar which detects a difference in the speed of objects heading in the same direction. Although it's possible to implement such features it would result in a vastly larger unit if done well and it's already a beast
@@kidkarbon4775 I am not here to argue whether its possible in the same form factor I am saying what I would like to see in the next version, there are people much smarter than I am that can make it work, are you an expert in electronics to say its not possible? If not then challenging someone about a simple comment seems a bit silly, and if you are an expect then you should know better that question a simpletons comments on youtube
As a recreational cyclist I welcome a device that would add to my safety on the roads. At the end of the day I just want to ride my bike without the intimidation, the harassment and the bullshit. LET'S SHARE THE ROADS WITH OUR CYCLING COMMUNITY 🚴🏿♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏼♂️🚴🏽♂️🚴🏾♂️🚴🏿♂️🇹🇹
Looking forward to the review. Others from respected internet bike tech people (GP Lama and DC Rainmaker) have both said it’s a nice idea, poorly executed. They are both big fans of the non-camera version of the light/radar combo.
Their reviews are the only reason I won't be purchasing one right away (upgrading from an RTL515). Bother by the battery, bulkyness and all, but the most disapointing is the non-stabilising image.
I’ve had a Garmin Varia 515 for the last 2 years and I never ride without it. It is without doubt the best cycling gadget I ever purchased and can only compare it to having eyes in the back of my head. I’m intrigued by this new model and like the idea of the camera, but I don’t think this feature will make me feel much safer. Before I had the 515 I used a Cycliq Fly6 and had several close-pass incidents, one of which I provided to the police, but never heard back. I’m sure I will be purchasing a combo light/radar/camera at some point, probably when my 515 dies, but won’t be rushing.
Do you know what would actually give you eyes in the back of your head rather than a super expensive tech device? A $15 mirror. Just like the ones you use in your car every day. Does your car have radar? No, it does not. It has mirrors because...and stay with me here...mirrors work.
@@shepshape2585 True, and I’m considering getting a mirror, but the Varia does some things that a mirror doesn’t. For a start it gives an audio warning so I can focus on looking ahead. Plus the Varia is a good bright tail light, which flashes faster as vehicles overtake, serving as a warning to drivers. It also gives an indication of how many vehicles are behind and how fast they are approaching. All in all, I think it’s a great product that is worth every penny.
@@shepshape2585 Get both.A mirror and the varia.You clearly haven't used it and have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to how helpful this device is...
@@kevinmach730 I don’t need to use a device to know it’s a waste of money. The whole issue is that elitist douchebags think mirrors aren’t cool, as if wearing skin tight lycra on a 140 pound body with no muscles is, so they’d rather spend $400 on a device that will never tell them if they’re in real danger or not. Why would I need both? In case my mirror suddenly runs out of batteries? You’re ridiculous and so is your argument.
@@georgedawson235 i would think most gravel riders have routes that have portions on the road as well. i ride with my varia on road and gravel. mine is covered in mud right now, still has no issues detecting vehicles or cyclist approaching behind me. i am lazy so i usually forget to clean it and never have any issues. you would have to really cake it over for it to have any impact in my experience. this only applies for the radar though, obviously the camera would need to be clean to function.
@@adrianc6534 very interesting ! Again still not something I feel like it need but if it makes people more comfortable on the bike ots a win! Hey It might even be the thing that makes people feel safe enough to take up cycling!
@@talonlan People can afford $200 if they put their mind to it. Considering it can save you a trip to the hospital or even death I would say it's a worthwhile investment. Carbon wheels are a luxury item, a radar is not.
Think you should watch the DCR review, I’ve been waiting for this for a few years, now going to wait till they get there app right…. The radar one is absolutely brilliant 🤩
I just bought the Varia light/radar combo but I also wanted to get a cam. I had no clue this was coming out. Luckily, I haven't received it yet so I may return it and upgrade. Seems a lot bulkier but the functionality seems to be a no brainer for every cyclist. Thanks for posting the video!
Think twice and see other reviews, e.g. from DC Rainmaker. In short - not impressive at all! HW itself maybe is decent but the app ruins whole experience.
@@jsasa5668 Yeah... I love all electronic gadgets and if I can combine it with my bike - usually I need it immediately. But with this camera - not even lukewarm. Having said that - I love the original radar I can't imagine riding without. I'm pretty sure you will love it as well 😀 Cheers!
@@Jarek. Yes, for sure. I have been demoing a Cannondale Synapse SmartSense for a review and I can't imagine riding now without it. In fact, today is new bike day for me and inside the bike box there is also the Garmin Varia light-radar to go with it. Truly a great product. Don't want and won't ride without it... unless this camera one improves.
That's some impressive kit. I really like the focus towards safety. It is a huge deterrent to many potential cyclists. Now they need a front one to remind roadies to wave at fellow cyclists 🤣
I quit road cycling for this very reason (family friend was actually paralyzed a few years ago when a car hit them). Maybe I’ll do it again with this, that is if the police in the US actually prosecute those in the recordings…
@@NathanDobbinsthelordscheeps I honest don't believe that devices reduce your risk of being hit unless you're on an open road and you make the decision to pull off the road after the radar detection. The radar would constantly be going off in city traffic. My thoughts are if you road cycle outside of dedicated bike paths you take risks. The only way to avoid vehicles it to ride gravel.
I don't know if it is just me, but this year I have noticed people giving me more time before they overtake. It does seem that more and more drivers are getting the message to be careful. I was thinking about the old one and whether it was any good as I noticed that I hardly look at my headset as I am going along. What I would like would be an audible beep to indicate the presence of a car. Last weekend I put a small mirror on the bike and I was surprised at how often I checked behind compared with looking over my shoulder normally, so any device that helps that has got to be good.
Does this product increase cyclist behaviour or awareness or stop bad drivers? A flashing light and bright clothing can be measured with complex survey data much like hiviz has shown to improve workplace safety. I'm yet to find peer reviewed studies to show how the radar has changed driver behaviour resulting in less injuries or deaths. At this point I think it's purely an anxiety suppressant.
DCRainmaker slagged it down big time. Great idea poorly implemented. Ok So just watched the full unbiased review. No image stabilization and max 1080p means number plates are near on impossible to pick out. This is very far from being perfect for reporting incidents to the police, unless you happen to ride on perfect smooth roads.
GPLama was similarly down on it, although not quite as much perhaps (or maybe just a bit more polite about it). The low light performance looks terrible
In the comparisons the number plates are clearly easier to pick out than on the cycliq, which he even mentions in the review. IMO stabilization not needed, it's a safety camera.
@@GenuinePluko So could I, but check independant reviewers both DC and GP Love varia units ( same as me ) but are highly critical of this unit. Stabilization is needed to get clear images you can be confident of. It may be of benefit but could just as easily leave you with garbage video/photo and for the cost that isn't really acceptable IMO.
Brilliant, Iv'e been looking for what device to use for capturing all those aggressive incidents from motorists. hopefully more of this will reduce the amount of near death attacks from this type of aggression.
I am in the US and not all States require license plates on the front of the car. So you will have a picture of the car but no plate number unless you have a GoPro on the front of the bike to catch the number once the car has passed.
Being on the team that designed and built the original "Backtracker" and later RTL-500, we always joked about adding a camera to it and turning every bike into a mobile speed trap - seems it's not too far from that now
I have submitted rear footage to the Police in the past with drivers receiving points for dangerous / carless driving. However, recently the Police are asking for front footage along with the rear footage due to loosing a case with just rear footage only. So, you will need this camera and a front camera footage for 100% successful prosecutions.
I understand safety and stuff, but the pricing is very steep. I think it should have a sensor on the side and an possibility to connect a front camera.
There's something dodgy with the garmin footage. When those cars/lorries were all overtaking you, the camera was showing the dashed lines on the road as solid lines. Must be some compression bug in the camera.
Been using a Drift Innovations Ghost X and XL camera front and back. Battery life of 5hrs and 8hrs respectively. They have a dash cam mode so never worry about filling the card. I use the cameras to report drivers to police and contact companies of offending vehicles. This past fall I was hit and the video footage made dealing with the driver's insurance a breeze. I also use Garmin Varia RVR315, the no light version. I never ride without the camera or the Varia. Definitely will be looking at the new Varia if my camera dies.
Where I live, cars do not have a license plate on the front. They should find a way to pair a GoPro with the radar so the gopro it's triggered at the same time as the radar light to pick the license plate up when the car passes you.
it looks good, and a best setup guide will be invaluable as I never know if I'm running my cameras optimally all the time and the English weather throws all kinds of lighting challenges at you. But the biggest barrier is still getting some standard for reviewing footage across all police forces, and if they dont prosecute for stuff like that perfect example of the lorry in your video,what's the point in carrying a camera, that's basically a replacement set of wheels for my bike kind of cost.
The worst part is a camera or radar doesn't alert drivers or change driver behaviour, in other words your still probably going to get hit if that's your bad luck. I'm not being cynical I'm applying logic.
Francis, as you review the new Varia and make some videos for it, I have a recommendation. Practically no articles or videos about Varia radars discuss the importance of pairing one with a mirror. In my opinion, there’s little point to being warned about an approaching car without being able to see whether it’s giving you enough room. Without a mirror, it’s just a countdown to a possible collision. I ride with a little bar-end mirror. The Varia tells me when to check it. I’m never surprised by a passing car. I don’t know whether this new Varia is for me yet. I encounter so little traffic, and practically no bad behavior. But for those of you who do, and live in a place where the laws let you do something about it? It could be a game-changer. Thanks for your constant stream of great content. Cheers.
My thoughts exactly. When I rode with just a mirror there were plenty of instances where I was suprised by a fast car or an EV that makes little sound. Sometimes I ride with Aftershokz, and if you're playing tunes you can't really hear cars at all. The Varia tones come through the headphones. I was skeptical at first, but I have since found it to be an excellent investment.
Camera is good idea! To know if a car is behind me I use more sophisticated technology. I use an adjustable, glass covered highly reflective surface mounted on a steering bar. I use the version which you don't have to charge nor connect to your phone - it's very convenient! You have to prepare for around 10/15€ price tho. Some people call it "a mirror".
Thanks for this, love the previous model, this is a game changer. Just ordered one direct from Garmin it’s £349.99 from watching, not cheap but it’s all about safety.
How does a camera help with safety? The light does. The radar can. The camera just records what happens for afterwards surely? How does having a camera that is unknown to the drivers help with safety in any way?
I just don’t get the point of the Radar as I ride mostly in the city. I just always assume there is a car behind me that’s going to pass. How does knowing there are X number of cars approaching me at X speed change my behavior on the bike. What am I supposed to do with that knowledge…”Brace for Impact” perhaps? It seems to me similar information is provided by bar end mirrors at a fraction of the price. The only aspect of this device that is of interest is the camera and what I would need to know is; image quality, performance in rain, low light and mist, it’s durability and battery performance.
I love the radar, my older one doesn’t have the light though, in addition I have a chillitech camera on the front. I actually had a driver stop and apologise the other month, but not sure if he got out to have a go and then changed his mind when he realised I was female.
Love it! I have the previous version and it’s awesome but I’ll think I’ll wait for the price to drop before I get this as currently it’s cheaper to get a rear facing action cam.
Sadly , in the state of Fla, tags/plate are only required at the REAR of vehicle therefore negating the optional purpose of plate number capture once the vehicle leaves the scene. 😢
Great that Garmin are doing it but not the first rear light to feature a camera Cycliq Fly6 is £200 but does not include the radar and only 4-5 hours continuous recording. Saying that If my numbers called and I get rear ended to the pearly gates, I reckon the camera can convict the the perp in my absence.
May 13th this year, I got knocked off my bike by a car from behind and I did not hear a thing as it was an electric SUV. Looking into getting one of these one I get back to full fitness and replace my bike.
I’m very interested in an actual review on this. I’ve been riding with Cycliq front and rear camera/lights since being hit and injured in 2017. The combination of radar and video is 👌.
I do own the Cycliq version it does a good job however, no radar and you have to sift through the footage like go pro. Can save clips in 5, 10, or 15 segments. Wondering if with Garmin you could simplify save that shot right from computer. I would switch then for sure, also battery life heard suspect. Anyway thanks.
i think next they should add infrared light to it so when it's night the camera could still see the license plates and all that. don't even need to keep the infrared on constantly just have to turn it on when the camera is on.
I haven't seen a lanyard for safety. The Fly6 CE Gen3 has a lanyard and it does need it if you're using the velcro strap. But this Garmin camera doesn't have the same video quality as the Fly6 can, so Garmin need to get working on the CMOS sensor to get it up to that level. The Cycliq is rather poor with water ingress, so I'd probably buy this when the Cycliq fails.
I Just ordered one of these for my bike expensive but hopefully worth it for my safety. I have recently started riding my bike into work for more exercise, cheaper than paying current fuel prices for my car and obviously better for the environment. The thing is I'm noticing more car drivers being impatient leading to close passes and it's really not nice having abuse shouted at you out of a car window (or worse but not had this yet). Sometimes it's abuse or some idiot on the horn. As we're living in a time of more anger in general and the media always stirring it up against cyclists the need to record is greater. Such a shame I really like cycling, obey the traffic laws and will be courteous when possible.
@@darrengarvie8832 I trust their very thorough reviewing process a lot more than a youtuber in partnership with Garmin. I love Francis's content but I would never look to him for reviews of products he is partnered with.
@@niceguyeddie it is still their opinions and I don't trust any one opinion especially on YT lol yes they do some testing but are their results really that good? At the end of the day they are influencers the same as film critics and most of them get it wrong. 🤣
Fair Play Francis 👍👍 Love this devise Fantastic 😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍 But the price wow £350 that’s way out of the average cyclists pay packet maybe in a few years it will get cheaper but at the minute that price is just going to go upwards Absolutely Fantastic product though 👍👍👍👍I’d love one 👍
WOW...thanks Francis..of course , I only recently got the older one ! But..this is a huge thing ! Roads around here , and in general can be scary places . I cant wait for the bell end sensor ! Peace
Been running a Cycliq 6 for quite a while. Good product in my opinion. This has some features the Cycliq doesn’t, which look possible useful. However, the Cycliq has been very reliable for me and good value overall.
While this is not a review Francis, take a look at GP Lama's review down in Australia. The number plate clarity here is very poor (not crisp at all) and especially on more open roads and with traffic higher speeds. If the light is not right, its impossible. Hope you get a chance for a longer term review. The other issue seems to be the unit is supplied with a inadequate card that would last about a 1 hour ride so local commutes only. Also the camera cover is not replaceable so if it gets cracked by a piece of gravel... hmmmm.
I’m interested as to when a car is detected what you do? Pull over each time? I don’t get the advantage of having it. Only reason I might see is if you wear headphones (but then you might not hear warning) or with more quieter EVs on the road, that might give you a warning. Never had radar and want to know what I’m missing?
you are not alone for experiencing close calls hear in quebec we not only have close calls ,bad roads , young idiots that shout at you as they go by for sure the new radar with the camera is great , i use the garmin RTL515 with a small mirror on my left , will be planning to buy the next version , the only draw back is the duration time as many of my rides are 5 + hours long ,anyway will cross that bridge when i get there.
I have been on search for a good safety camera. I have been seeing a few of them and still not sure which one would be best. Any Ideas? The Cycliq reviews say that the usual max battery life is around 4 or 5 hours using the rear light (not for me). I need something that has a good quality video for taking license-plates and that records at least 8 hours of video. Is this good enough? What is the average max hour recording time with the light on on the Varia RCT715?
As you and Nick said, in time if it creates awareness to drivers that cyclists are recording then it must improve. Saying that since the new laws have come in place for walkers and cyclists drivers seem worse! Gutted I lost my used 4 times radar the other month, had to find an old one to use now. May opt for this one in time.
I love the varia and use my light/radar religiously. This new release is ugly and far too big. GPLAMA did a good, honest review which was spot on. I’d be surprised if this sells well.
I guess that’s the end for the Fly6 camera. For years it was the only viable option in the market and quite honestly everyone let cycliq run free with it. Not they have competition. 👍
I just wish exposure lights made a cycle camera in their current light designs. A camera shaped like a joystick and able to fit all their mounts would be great and a rear too. Exposure are really missing a trick There needs to be more cycle commuting cameras for everyday cycling rather than the vlog type cameras which are generally not user friendly for everyday 5 days a week cycling Not really interested in the radar part as this feature seems pointless especially around the city. There’s always cars around due to increasing traffic levels.
That is fantastic, and they aren't much more expensive than the radar unit on it's own. I know the longer end of battery life for the previous Varia was 16 hours, this one with the camera is really short up to 6 hours... understandably... hmmm... I found the original one I had (battery life say 5 hours) was too short for the rides I needed it for, the 16 hours works well as I can be charging one while using the other. Not sure that would work quite as well with this set up...
so often we say something is a game changer when it's actually just a minor evolution. This actually will change drivers' behaviour once something like 10% of cyclists have these running.
I assume that less than 0.1% have a "classic" Varia, and that thing is a real game changer. Most cyclist will not buy a $400 device (or even one for $100) because their bike cost less.
This is a great update. I'm curious how this works in larger bunch rides? Friends of mine have issues right now if they're in a big group, or a double paceline, the radar can't really distinguish between the cyclists and the cars. I'm wondering if in that circumstance the camera would always be on and the battery would die quicker.
The radar should only activate if something (a car) or someone (a cyclist) is riding fast enough to overtake you. Riding with a group should (hence should) not alert you to anything about to pass.
Man, after seeing that footage I appreciate the dedicated cycling lanes here in The Netherlands even more!
A very much needed device.A friend of mine died a few years back being hit from behind by a D.U.I, mother with children on board. The courts were too lenient and she basically got away with murder. R.I.P Pete. In 2009 I was training for a race and was also hit from behind,I survived with multiple injuries and a broken bike. To add insult to injury I was the one ended in court as it it was 2 persons word against mine.The "Justice" system sucks.
Personally I wouldn’t go out now without a rear camera, also just to note cycliq are about to release the new FLY12 sport with up to 7 hrs record time, the record time is variable depending on what options you use 7 hrs just camera which is good for day rides, and evenings like 4 hrs with light on
Something I would like to see on the next revision is a proximity sensor on the side of the camera so instead of questioning whether it was a close pass it can give you a distance the car was away when it past. I'm sure the clever people at garmin could add this technology!
How would the proximity sensor determine the difference between a close pass, filtering, park cars, lamposts.. extremely hard to do with any accuracy in small form factor and it's already getting a little bulkier imho.
@@kidkarbon4775 it already has a sensor on the rear to detect cars coming up from behind so it could use that as a indicator to check to the side for distance when it passes, anything is possible with the right engineer on the job!
@@robertquantrill my point is how would the proximity sensor be able to determine if a car was overtaking you, or going the opposite direction.
Or how it would react if you were filtering in slow moving traffic.
It's not as simple as using the same technology as the radar which detects a difference in the speed of objects heading in the same direction.
Although it's possible to implement such features it would result in a vastly larger unit if done well and it's already a beast
@@kidkarbon4775 I am not here to argue whether its possible in the same form factor I am saying what I would like to see in the next version, there are people much smarter than I am that can make it work, are you an expert in electronics to say its not possible? If not then challenging someone about a simple comment seems a bit silly, and if you are an expect then you should know better that question a simpletons comments on youtube
Yes, this would be awesome. But there is a device, that can do this: OpenBikeSensor. Problem is, you have to build it yourself.
As a recreational cyclist I welcome a device that would add to my safety on the roads. At the end of the day I just want to ride my bike without the intimidation, the harassment and the bullshit. LET'S SHARE THE ROADS WITH OUR CYCLING COMMUNITY 🚴🏿♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏼♂️🚴🏽♂️🚴🏾♂️🚴🏿♂️🇹🇹
Looking forward to the review. Others from respected internet bike tech people (GP Lama and DC Rainmaker) have both said it’s a nice idea, poorly executed. They are both big fans of the non-camera version of the light/radar combo.
The rainmaker review as always is pretty through
Their reviews are the only reason I won't be purchasing one right away (upgrading from an RTL515).
Bother by the battery, bulkyness and all, but the most disapointing is the non-stabilising image.
I only just bought the “old” Varia. Had I have known about this, I would have held off. However, it’s the best toy I have bought for my bike.
you didn't miss anything, camera is crap anyway
Don't stress! You got the right one - this new unit is shit......camera & user interface that is
I’ve had a Garmin Varia 515 for the last 2 years and I never ride without it. It is without doubt the best cycling gadget I ever purchased and can only compare it to having eyes in the back of my head. I’m intrigued by this new model and like the idea of the camera, but I don’t think this feature will make me feel much safer. Before I had the 515 I used a Cycliq Fly6 and had several close-pass incidents, one of which I provided to the police, but never heard back. I’m sure I will be purchasing a combo light/radar/camera at some point, probably when my 515 dies, but won’t be rushing.
Do you know what would actually give you eyes in the back of your head rather than a super expensive tech device? A $15 mirror. Just like the ones you use in your car every day. Does your car have radar? No, it does not. It has mirrors because...and stay with me here...mirrors work.
@@shepshape2585 True, and I’m considering getting a mirror, but the Varia does some things that a mirror doesn’t. For a start it gives an audio warning so I can focus on looking ahead. Plus the Varia is a good bright tail light, which flashes faster as vehicles overtake, serving as a warning to drivers. It also gives an indication of how many vehicles are behind and how fast they are approaching. All in all, I think it’s a great product that is worth every penny.
@@shepshape2585 Get both.A mirror and the varia.You clearly haven't used it and have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to how helpful this device is...
@@kevinmach730 I don’t need to use a device to know it’s a waste of money. The whole issue is that elitist douchebags think mirrors aren’t cool, as if wearing skin tight lycra on a 140 pound body with no muscles is, so they’d rather spend $400 on a device that will never tell them if they’re in real danger or not. Why would I need both? In case my mirror suddenly runs out of batteries? You’re ridiculous and so is your argument.
As we say in aviation “Never fly the Mk1 version of anything“. I’ll keep my RTL 510 until the camera and the app are improved.
Except this isn't the version 1 of this product...
This is version 2…
But also you are not “flying” it - you are strapping it to your seat post…
And really hope that don't get in an accident.4k is great for filling up memory and killing batteries.
Guess you'd need mudguards with this one. My tail light usually ends up completely mucked up with road grime after a gravel ride.
I dont think its really aimed at gravel riders I've never felt the need for something like this off road its more for roadies
I have to ride the tarmac to get to my gravel,i do lots of mixed riding. Would be ace for my commuter, maybe not so good for the weekend fun bike.
@@georgedawson235 i would think most gravel riders have routes that have portions on the road as well.
i ride with my varia on road and gravel. mine is covered in mud right now, still has no issues detecting vehicles or cyclist approaching behind me. i am lazy so i usually forget to clean it and never have any issues. you would have to really cake it over for it to have any impact in my experience. this only applies for the radar though, obviously the camera would need to be clean to function.
@@adrianc6534 very interesting ! Again still not something I feel like it need but if it makes people more comfortable on the bike ots a win! Hey It might even be the thing that makes people feel safe enough to take up cycling!
I have had the Varia RTL515 for a few weeks now and I love it, can't believe everyone doesn't have one, it works so well.
I'm not upgrading until mine dies, that will give them time to perfect it.
I have one but not everyone can afford a luxury item like a radar.
@@talonlan People can afford $200 if they put their mind to it. Considering it can save you a trip to the hospital or even death I would say it's a worthwhile investment. Carbon wheels are a luxury item, a radar is not.
Think you should watch the DCR review, I’ve been waiting for this for a few years, now going to wait till they get there app right…. The radar one is absolutely brilliant 🤩
I just bought the Varia light/radar combo but I also wanted to get a cam. I had no clue this was coming out. Luckily, I haven't received it yet so I may return it and upgrade. Seems a lot bulkier but the functionality seems to be a no brainer for every cyclist. Thanks for posting the video!
Think twice and see other reviews, e.g. from DC Rainmaker. In short - not impressive at all! HW itself maybe is decent but the app ruins whole experience.
@@Jarek. I did actually. I think I am going to hold off for the next iteration
@@jsasa5668 Yeah... I love all electronic gadgets and if I can combine it with my bike - usually I need it immediately. But with this camera - not even lukewarm. Having said that - I love the original radar I can't imagine riding without. I'm pretty sure you will love it as well 😀 Cheers!
@@Jarek. Yes, for sure. I have been demoing a Cannondale Synapse SmartSense for a review and I can't imagine riding now without it. In fact, today is new bike day for me and inside the bike box there is also the Garmin Varia light-radar to go with it. Truly a great product. Don't want and won't ride without it... unless this camera one improves.
I need one of these for sure. The video recording aspect is the clincher
That's some impressive kit. I really like the focus towards safety. It is a huge deterrent to many potential cyclists. Now they need a front one to remind roadies to wave at fellow cyclists 🤣
I quit road cycling for this very reason (family friend was actually paralyzed a few years ago when a car hit them). Maybe I’ll do it again with this, that is if the police in the US actually prosecute those in the recordings…
@@NathanDobbinsthelordscheeps I honest don't believe that devices reduce your risk of being hit unless you're on an open road and you make the decision to pull off the road after the radar detection. The radar would constantly be going off in city traffic. My thoughts are if you road cycle outside of dedicated bike paths you take risks. The only way to avoid vehicles it to ride gravel.
I don't know if it is just me, but this year I have noticed people giving me more time before they overtake. It does seem that more and more drivers are getting the message to be careful. I was thinking about the old one and whether it was any good as I noticed that I hardly look at my headset as I am going along. What I would like would be an audible beep to indicate the presence of a car.
Last weekend I put a small mirror on the bike and I was surprised at how often I checked behind compared with looking over my shoulder normally, so any device that helps that has got to be good.
Does this product increase cyclist behaviour or awareness or stop bad drivers? A flashing light and bright clothing can be measured with complex survey data much like hiviz has shown to improve workplace safety. I'm yet to find peer reviewed studies to show how the radar has changed driver behaviour resulting in less injuries or deaths. At this point I think it's purely an anxiety suppressant.
DCRainmaker slagged it down big time. Great idea poorly implemented. Ok So just watched the full unbiased review. No image stabilization and max 1080p means number plates are near on impossible to pick out. This is very far from being perfect for reporting incidents to the police, unless you happen to ride on perfect smooth roads.
GPLama was similarly down on it, although not quite as much perhaps (or maybe just a bit more polite about it). The low light performance looks terrible
In the comparisons the number plates are clearly easier to pick out than on the cycliq, which he even mentions in the review. IMO stabilization not needed, it's a safety camera.
@@Cade_Media i can read the number plates on francis vid no problem!
@@GenuinePluko So could I, but check independant reviewers both DC and GP Love varia units ( same as me ) but are highly critical of this unit. Stabilization is needed to get clear images you can be confident of. It may be of benefit but could just as easily leave you with garbage video/photo and for the cost that isn't really acceptable IMO.
so basically the camera is the same as the bike mate light from Aldi and Amazon then.
Is there a similar light for the front?
*truck passes around 1m away*
"lorry passing too close"
[laughs in Brazilian]
Brilliant, Iv'e been looking for what device to use for capturing all those aggressive incidents from motorists. hopefully more of this will reduce the amount of near death attacks from this type of aggression.
Good for you guys that you have laws that say how close they can pass…not so here in Sweden 😢
I am in the US and not all States require license plates on the front of the car. So you will have a picture of the car but no plate number unless you have a GoPro on the front of the bike to catch the number once the car has passed.
Being on the team that designed and built the original "Backtracker" and later RTL-500, we always joked about adding a camera to it and turning every bike into a mobile speed trap - seems it's not too far from that now
How clear will the footage be in the dark? Please try it out :D
I have submitted rear footage to the Police in the past with drivers receiving points for dangerous / carless driving. However, recently the Police are asking for front footage along with the rear footage due to loosing a case with just rear footage only. So, you will need this camera and a front camera footage for 100% successful prosecutions.
Safety first, fun second. Garmin Varia is costly but in their defence the build quality is high along with their effectiveness.
I understand safety and stuff, but the pricing is very steep. I think it should have a sensor on the side and an possibility to connect a front camera.
They need a headline version as well. There are plenty of things that happen in front of us.
There's something dodgy with the garmin footage. When those cars/lorries were all overtaking you, the camera was showing the dashed lines on the road as solid lines. Must be some compression bug in the camera.
😂
This is very true, good drivers have nothing to worry about.
Been using a Drift Innovations Ghost X and XL camera front and back. Battery life of 5hrs and 8hrs respectively. They have a dash cam mode so never worry about filling the card. I use the cameras to report drivers to police and contact companies of offending vehicles. This past fall I was hit and the video footage made dealing with the driver's insurance a breeze. I also use Garmin Varia RVR315, the no light version. I never ride without the camera or the Varia. Definitely will be looking at the new Varia if my camera dies.
The video component has been done to great affect by Cycliq, maybe they should incorporate radar for any head unit?!
The old version is the best thing I ever bought for my bike after a crash. This takes it to another level.
I curious Simon how it's the best thing though?
@@glennoc8585 I got hit from behind. This device warns you what's coming and how quick it's travelling. This just gives an extra layer of reassurance.
Where I live, cars do not have a license plate on the front. They should find a way to pair a GoPro with the radar so the gopro it's triggered at the same time as the radar light to pick the license plate up when the car passes you.
Love this got something similar and its been very useful to report close passes to operation snap.
it looks good, and a best setup guide will be invaluable as I never know if I'm running my cameras optimally all the time and the English weather throws all kinds of lighting challenges at you. But the biggest barrier is still getting some standard for reviewing footage across all police forces, and if they dont prosecute for stuff like that perfect example of the lorry in your video,what's the point in carrying a camera, that's basically a replacement set of wheels for my bike kind of cost.
The worst part is a camera or radar doesn't alert drivers or change driver behaviour, in other words your still probably going to get hit if that's your bad luck. I'm not being cynical I'm applying logic.
Have you seen the Cycliq cameras. Light, camera combination for front and rear, with gyroscope crash detection, and anti theft alarm, no radar though.
Francis, as you review the new Varia and make some videos for it, I have a recommendation. Practically no articles or videos about Varia radars discuss the importance of pairing one with a mirror. In my opinion, there’s little point to being warned about an approaching car without being able to see whether it’s giving you enough room. Without a mirror, it’s just a countdown to a possible collision.
I ride with a little bar-end mirror. The Varia tells me when to check it. I’m never surprised by a passing car.
I don’t know whether this new Varia is for me yet. I encounter so little traffic, and practically no bad behavior. But for those of you who do, and live in a place where the laws let you do something about it? It could be a game-changer.
Thanks for your constant stream of great content. Cheers.
My thoughts exactly. When I rode with just a mirror there were plenty of instances where I was suprised by a fast car or an EV that makes little sound. Sometimes I ride with Aftershokz, and if you're playing tunes you can't really hear cars at all. The Varia tones come through the headphones. I was skeptical at first, but I have since found it to be an excellent investment.
You are correct, I could not live without my mirror when on the roads. Such a simple and effective safety device that cost little.
Camera is good idea! To know if a car is behind me I use more sophisticated technology. I use an adjustable, glass covered highly reflective surface mounted on a steering bar. I use the version which you don't have to charge nor connect to your phone - it's very convenient! You have to prepare for around 10/15€ price tho. Some people call it "a mirror".
You must be from the future 🧐
Thanks for this, love the previous model, this is a game changer. Just ordered one direct from Garmin it’s £349.99 from watching, not cheap but it’s all about safety.
When is any Garmin equipment cheap lol
@@darrengarvie8832 Unfortunately I think that applies to most things cycling 😇
@@justaspartan8203 I agree 🤣
At least that’s 1p cheaper than my Boardman MX hybrid.
How does a camera help with safety? The light does. The radar can. The camera just records what happens for afterwards surely? How does having a camera that is unknown to the drivers help with safety in any way?
Just been faffing about trying to fit my current one to my tailfin aeropack.
Anyway... Love the current one. Gonna have to buy this one 😫
I was thinking how to get this new Varia on my tailfin too:-)
I just don’t get the point of the Radar as I ride mostly in the city. I just always assume there is a car behind me that’s going to pass. How does knowing there are X number of cars approaching me at X speed change my behavior on the bike. What am I supposed to do with that knowledge…”Brace for Impact” perhaps? It seems to me similar information is provided by bar end mirrors at a fraction of the price. The only aspect of this device that is of interest is the camera and what I would need to know is; image quality, performance in rain, low light and mist, it’s durability and battery performance.
Excellent for when turning right. Don't knock it until you've tried it
@@paulharper4162, you still have to look behind, Shirley?
I love the radar, my older one doesn’t have the light though, in addition I have a chillitech camera on the front. I actually had a driver stop and apologise the other month, but not sure if he got out to have a go and then changed his mind when he realised I was female.
No video stabilization, such a shame
Love it! I have the previous version and it’s awesome but I’ll think I’ll wait for the price to drop before I get this as currently it’s cheaper to get a rear facing action cam.
Example?
Don’t tell me a royale with cheese.
@@pakelly99 fly 6, Duh!
DC rainmaker review is the unbiased product review.
this is not a review.
@@Cade_Media looked like a review and sounded like a review.
Sadly , in the state of Fla, tags/plate are only required at the REAR of vehicle therefore negating the optional purpose of plate number capture once the vehicle leaves the scene. 😢
Great that Garmin are doing it but not the first rear light to feature a camera Cycliq Fly6 is £200 but does not include the radar and only 4-5 hours continuous recording. Saying that If my numbers called and I get rear ended to the pearly gates, I reckon the camera can convict the the perp in my absence.
Now if they could integrate that into a seat post….. nice piece of kit.
Good look at the new product, the picture quality looks good to me 😁
Does it work with the Wahoo computers too, in the same way the 510 & 515 did?
What about a front light that does the same??
May 13th this year, I got knocked off my bike by a car from behind and I did not hear a thing as it was an electric SUV. Looking into getting one of these one I get back to full fitness and replace my bike.
How does it save close by or accident? Hopefully you dont have to scroll through device and save manualy, after you have been hit by a car.
I’m very interested in an actual review on this. I’ve been riding with Cycliq front and rear camera/lights since being hit and injured in 2017. The combination of radar and video is 👌.
I don't review stuff I've been sent from sponsors as I can't be objective, but worth checking out Shane Miller & DC rainmaker's channels
@@Cade_Media 👍
@@Cade_Media Yep... GP Lama has a fantastic review.
I do own the Cycliq version it does a good job however, no radar and you have to sift through the footage like go pro. Can save clips in 5, 10, or 15 segments. Wondering if with Garmin you could simplify save that shot right from computer. I would switch then for sure, also battery life heard suspect. Anyway thanks.
Your welcome Francis
i think next they should add infrared light to it so when it's night the camera could still see the license plates and all that. don't even need to keep the infrared on constantly just have to turn it on when the camera is on.
Awesome video Francis! Thank you. 👍
Would never ride without the old one ..so this is a game changer 👌 HOW MUCH 😁
I haven't seen a lanyard for safety. The Fly6 CE Gen3 has a lanyard and it does need it if you're using the velcro strap. But this Garmin camera doesn't have the same video quality as the Fly6 can, so Garmin need to get working on the CMOS sensor to get it up to that level. The Cycliq is rather poor with water ingress, so I'd probably buy this when the Cycliq fails.
I Just ordered one of these for my bike expensive but hopefully worth it for my safety. I have recently started riding my bike into work for more exercise, cheaper than paying current fuel prices for my car and obviously better for the environment. The thing is I'm noticing more car drivers being impatient leading to close passes and it's really not nice having abuse shouted at you out of a car window (or worse but not had this yet). Sometimes it's abuse or some idiot on the horn. As we're living in a time of more anger in general and the media always stirring it up against cyclists the need to record is greater. Such a shame I really like cycling, obey the traffic laws and will be courteous when possible.
DC rainmaker and GP lama just absolutely roasted this for being not fit for purpose😂
But do you really take them as the be all and end all of tech it is their opinion just as this is Francis opinion 😁
@@darrengarvie8832 but if you've seen there videos and how they do reviews then you would know their opinion can hold some weight.
@@darrengarvie8832 I trust their very thorough reviewing process a lot more than a youtuber in partnership with Garmin. I love Francis's content but I would never look to him for reviews of products he is partnered with.
I will never do product reviews unless I've bought the item myself 👍
@@niceguyeddie it is still their opinions and I don't trust any one opinion especially on YT lol yes they do some testing but are their results really that good? At the end of the day they are influencers the same as film critics and most of them get it wrong. 🤣
What is the head unit ? Is that device the goes on the handlebars ?
Fair Play Francis 👍👍
Love this devise Fantastic 😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍
But the price wow £350 that’s way out of the average cyclists pay packet maybe in a few years it will get cheaper but at the minute that price is just going to go upwards
Absolutely Fantastic product though 👍👍👍👍I’d love one 👍
Thanks for sharing the upgard Franciiii 👍🏼. We miss 🎸 in end of vlog 🌹
Do they do a front camera?
Can it read plates when cars have lights on, such as dawn and dusk?
Mud guards required as previously posted I would think??
WOW...thanks Francis..of course , I only recently got the older one ! But..this is a huge thing ! Roads around here , and in general can be scary places . I cant wait for the bell end sensor ! Peace
Great idea. If combined with GPS you could tell exactly where incedents occur.
Just Saw the review from DC rainmaker👌
Been running a Cycliq 6 for quite a while. Good product in my opinion. This has some features the Cycliq doesn’t, which look possible useful. However, the Cycliq has been very reliable for me and good value overall.
Awesome. Thanks. Buying one!
Battery not good compared to the normal radar and light. No good for endurance days sadly.
Very clear footage, nice bit of kit. What's the light like in the dark?
All cameras with sensors this big are not very good in the dark, so I expect similar, but fingers crossed anyway
@@Cade_Media so worth having additional rear light.
@@kevinlyon9501 sorry, I misread I thought you meant how's the camera in the dark!
The light is extremely bright, you wouldn't need another one.
While this is not a review Francis, take a look at GP Lama's review down in Australia. The number plate clarity here is very poor (not crisp at all) and especially on more open roads and with traffic higher speeds. If the light is not right, its impossible. Hope you get a chance for a longer term review. The other issue seems to be the unit is supplied with a inadequate card that would last about a 1 hour ride so local commutes only. Also the camera cover is not replaceable so if it gets cracked by a piece of gravel... hmmmm.
Can you go over the new Magene L508 unit?
What camera are you using to film this?
I’m interested as to when a car is detected what you do? Pull over each time? I don’t get the advantage of having it. Only reason I might see is if you wear headphones (but then you might not hear warning) or with more quieter EVs on the road, that might give you a warning. Never had radar and want to know what I’m missing?
I wonder this too. Having the information that a car is approaching is great, but I’m not sure what I’d actually do with that information
Does it work well with night riding?
Great video. Keep up the great work
you are not alone for experiencing close calls hear in quebec we not only have close calls ,bad roads , young idiots that shout at you as they go by for sure the new radar with the camera is great , i use the garmin RTL515 with a small mirror on my left , will be planning to buy the next version , the only draw back is the duration time as many of my rides are 5 + hours long ,anyway will cross that bridge when i get there.
I have been on search for a good safety camera. I have been seeing a few of them and still not sure which one would be best. Any Ideas? The Cycliq reviews say that the usual max battery life is around 4 or 5 hours using the rear light (not for me). I need something that has a good quality video for taking license-plates and that records at least 8 hours of video. Is this good enough? What is the average max hour recording time with the light on on the Varia RCT715?
As you and Nick said, in time if it creates awareness to drivers that cyclists are recording then it must improve. Saying that since the new laws have come in place for walkers and cyclists drivers seem worse!
Gutted I lost my used 4 times radar the other month, had to find an old one to use now. May opt for this one in time.
Does it link to a Wahoo head unit?
This product has been panned by both DC Rainmaker and Shane MIller.
I am interested to see what its like at night in low light, with headlights shining.
Looking at the reviews from DC Rainmaker and GP Llama .. not great. You'd struggle to make out a licence plate at night.
@@deanwaller1029 I'll have to check it out, as my commute in winter in London is in pitch black at 5PM. So if so its not ideal.
I love the varia and use my light/radar religiously. This new release is ugly and far too big. GPLAMA did a good, honest review which was spot on. I’d be surprised if this sells well.
Is it compatible with the Elemnt Bolt head unit?
What’s the battery life like?
Was literally about to buy the 1st version
Also just seen the price 😅
I guess that’s the end for the Fly6 camera. For years it was the only viable option in the market and quite honestly everyone let cycliq run free with it. Not they have competition. 👍
I just wish exposure lights made a cycle camera in their current light designs.
A camera shaped like a joystick and able to fit all their mounts would be great and a rear too.
Exposure are really missing a trick
There needs to be more cycle commuting cameras for everyday cycling rather than the vlog type cameras which are generally not user friendly for everyday 5 days a week cycling
Not really interested in the radar part as this feature seems pointless especially around the city. There’s always cars around due to increasing traffic levels.
Hey mate, are you using rode video micro by any chance? I hear a loud buzzing noise from your audio which is very similar to what I face.
I wonder if your opinion would change once you review the app, cause that was what DC Rainmaker major problem with this product
V.Good product again from Garmin 👍thanks for sharing FC.
Buy & be safe out there fellow cyclists 🚴♂️ 👍
That is fantastic, and they aren't much more expensive than the radar unit on it's own. I know the longer end of battery life for the previous Varia was 16 hours, this one with the camera is really short up to 6 hours... understandably... hmmm... I found the original one I had (battery life say 5 hours) was too short for the rides I needed it for, the 16 hours works well as I can be charging one while using the other. Not sure that would work quite as well with this set up...
so often we say something is a game changer when it's actually just a minor evolution. This actually will change drivers' behaviour once something like 10% of cyclists have these running.
I assume that less than 0.1% have a "classic" Varia, and that thing is a real game changer. Most cyclist will not buy a $400 device (or even one for $100) because their bike cost less.
I’m pretty sure they work with the Wahoo bike computer? Would love one.I would ditch the Go Pro.
Yep they do
@@Cade_Media goood I have to get ☝️
Need this! Drivers in Singapore love to get close to us….
This is a great update. I'm curious how this works in larger bunch rides? Friends of mine have issues right now if they're in a big group, or a double paceline, the radar can't really distinguish between the cyclists and the cars. I'm wondering if in that circumstance the camera would always be on and the battery would die quicker.
The radar should only activate if something (a car) or someone (a cyclist) is riding fast enough to overtake you. Riding with a group should (hence should) not alert you to anything about to pass.
Are they doing a front one too?