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Garmin Varia radar
Last Post 06/11/2020 06:25 PM by Evan Solida. 4 Replies.
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Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/10/2020 11:39 AM
Holy crap.....how did I not get this thing earlier?!?!? Total game changer.

Never felt like I needed it around here because on most of the roads I ride, there seems to ALWAYS be a car behind me, and I just ride as such. Also subscribed to the theory that "well, what am I gonna do about it anyway?"

On Monday, I almost got creamed form behing=d while commuting into work. 98% of the ride is on a bike trail, but when I get close to the office, I turn right off the trail onto a street and then take an almost immediate left. I cehcked behind me and there were no cars behind me after I made the right turn, so I moved to left side of the road, upagainst the double yellow so i could make the turn.

Signalled for the turn and was about to execute it...and a car comes past me on the left!! IOW, he was in the oncoming traffic lane and passing me....never knew he was there...and it certainly did not occur to me to check for an idito amking a completely illegal manuever (especially when he coudl have easily passed me on the right....plenty of room).

Immediately ordered the Varia and rode it this AM for the first time. Complete game changer....you know a car is behind so much earlier than you would on your own. I think the range is ~140 yds. It also let's you know if there are mutliple cars, etc. And if they are coming up on you very fast, it gives you a different warning alerting to the increased danger.

Not often I recommend everyone get a piece of cycling equipment, but this is one of them. Get one....please. it will make you safer on the roads.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/10/2020 12:02 PM
Interesting, I didn't even know this technology existed. It sounds useful and possibly an improvement over using a helmet or handlebar mounted mirror. Questions though:

1. How do you think it would have changed the situation you were in? Clearly it would have alerted you to the oncoming car but you were already stopped at centre lane (unclipped) so I gather any evasive action would have been challenging.

2. I could see this turning some people into nervous wrecks as I gather it will beep each time there is a car behind? Where I commute in city this would turn into a constant string of beeps. Conversely a 140yard warning is great advance knowledge so I could see this being very useful on rural roads and intermittent traffic.

Glad you escaped harm. Be safe out there. A left turn at reasonably busy intersection and finding myself stopped at centre lane is almost very first part of my commute. The fact that intersection is reasonably busy mitigates against foolish actions like you encountered though.
6ix

Posts:485

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06/10/2020 12:15 PM
Definitely have me considering one. They work with the Wahoo ELEMNT now, right?

I remember way back in 2011-2013 using my Cerevellum Hindsight. It's a real shame that all went to h*ll in a handbasket but I could ride for hours without ever having to turn around and look for cars. Was so easy to just glance down at my cyclometer to see what was approaching. Real shame. There is quite a story behind all of it. Should have written a book when it was still fresh in my mind but no so many details are lost.

Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/10/2020 01:37 PM
1. How do you think it would have changed the situation you were in? Clearly it would have alerted you to the oncoming car but you were already stopped at centre lane (unclipped) so I gather any evasive action would have been challenging.


No, I was moving and preparing to turn left. It is not a busy intersection where I make the left...bascially a turn into an office park. So I would have known the guy was behind me and coming up so at least I would have been alerted to his presence. Hoever, to you point, would I have bothered to look into the WRONG lane for him? Dunno....

I could see this turning some people into nervous wrecks as I gather it will beep each time there is a car behind? Where I commute in city this would turn into a constant string of beeps


So based on my lunch ride just now (and I am still learning the nuances), once it beeps at you that there is a car coming, if another car gets within range before the first car passes you, it does not beep for each car, the alert just stays there and you can see how many cars are behind. Only after the system clears all cars and another one gets in range will it beep again.

They work with the Wahoo ELEMNT now, right?


When did you get an ELEMNT? yes, it works with Wahoo products now. In fact, I think the on screen display is better with Wahoo than garmin. Garmin just shows you dots while the Wahoo display has little car icons.

The Hindsight was a great product...was truly innovative. May prove to be one of those that was ahead of its time...as well as another cautionary tale of VC's.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
6ix

Posts:485

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06/11/2020 06:25 PM
Next time I see this unit on sale, I'm pulling the trigger. Wish it had 30-second video recording like the Fly 6 (or Hindsight 35!!!)

Thanks for the kind comments, CK. I really should write up a review of all that transpired with that venture. There was an article recently in CyclingWeekly.uk about some new "Hindsight" sunglasses that I really wish I could have added some insight on. Can't believe they even ripped off the name! All in all, doesn't matter. I'm left bitter and disgruntled against the world of VC's, and although my name is on the patent, I don't own it any longer. Sad.
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