Garmin Varia 510

[2old4this]

I really do like the Varia 500; alerting the group there is a car comming in the back. It is especially useful when one of those electric cars approaching.

I have two complaints about it though. The battery life is 4-5 hours, and the blinking lights are barely visible.

Just saw the announcement for 510, adressing these issues

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/art ... ces-52092/

[JKolmo]

Same here, appreciate the 500. Will be upgrading to the 510.

[spdntrxi]

humm... because I dont have a ton of seatpost showing and use a fly6 already... I'm not fond of the verticle-ness of the varia 500. I dont have room to 2 verticle mounted devices.

[TobinHatesYou]

Keep using the Fly6... neither will actually prevent motorists from hitting you, but the Fly6 will at least provide visual evidence.

[2old4this]

I hear you. It is just that I would like to know if there is something in the back. Around California BayArea where I live, we just have way too many electric cars. They are as quiet as they get

[spdntrxi]

Keep using the Fly6... neither will actually prevent motorists from hitting you, but the Fly6 will at least provide visual evidence.

.I love the radar actually... and since it lays down horizontally I have room for both. This new one might not work.. I've been thinking about getting the fly6 CE as well.

[buhx2]

humm... because I dont have a ton of seatpost showing and use a fly6 already... I'm not fond of the verticle-ness of the varia 500. I dont have room to 2 verticle mounted devices.

I'm sure this works for the new Varia, but not sure if this covers the fly6

[Prawn]

buhx2, What type of mount is that? Exactly what I've been looking for!

[buhx2]

Found it here https://www.shapeways.com/product/7BCQA ... arketplace

They have different mounting options for different saddles, but sounds like it's created from a 3d printer

[jfranci3]

Anyone have a EU RTL511 unit? I have the 510, which someone in their infinite wisdom decided would be better if it started blinking when cars got close. Seems like a good way to get hit to me.

If you've got an RTL511, can you send me the file (Or the contents of it via PM)? I'm trying to get the 511 firmware on it. You should be able to plug in your unit to a PC or Mac, go to the /Garmin directory, and there should be an XML text file in there.

[RTW]

Just ordered one of these (the old one) for stupid cheap money to try out. If I like it, I will get the new one (and probably sell the old one for more than I paid for it)!

[pdlpsher1]

Anyone have a EU RTL511 unit? I have the 510, which someone in their infinite wisdom decided would be better if it started blinking when cars got close. Seems like a good way to get hit to me.

If you've got an RTL511, can you send me the file (Or the contents of it via PM)? I'm trying to get the 511 firmware on it. You should be able to plug in your unit to a PC or Mac, go to the /Garmin directory, and there should be an XML text file in there.

I have the 510 U.S. version. I'm not a programmer however I would love to have a 4th mode that turns off the light when there are no cars but blinks when a car approaches. This would save battery life significantly. I think Garmin wanted a constant blink even without cars for liability reasons. But to me it doesn't make a lot of sense. Are you saying your unit doesn't flash until a car comes? Mine is flashing constantly but the flash pattern changes when a car approaches. I always use the 'night' mode to save battery. So I'm not interested in the 'day' or 'constant on' modes.

[jfranci3]

I want constant on constantly. If you set it to steady, it will revert to flash when the car is about 100m from you. This is the perfect time to startle the driver and have them hit you. In the AM in the spring, there can be fog, which makes that blink really dramatic. Blinking lights outside of a city environment are stupid anyway, drivers are going to look at the blinking light rather than the road. You naturally steer where you are looking.

Anyway, if anyone has a 511, I'd love that XML file, which should let me edit it to get the 511 firmware.

[jfranci3]

Scratch that. Looks like Garmin has a hardware level control.

[TobinHatesYou]

The recommendation is 520. First of all, the life span of 510 is reasonable. If you use a smartphone, you know, if you use it for two to three years, the battery will discharge significantly more than the first time. It's the same as the family. It's less than seven hours from 10 hours. And the smartphone and Bluetooth connected 520 are faster and better caught. There are more functions. If you don't want to see the speed, I recommend 520. I use 810 and 520 and Brighton 530 three.

This thread is for the Varia RTL510/511 radar/light.

Anyone wanting a Garmin Edge recommendation should just get the Edge 530.