Garmin Varia RTL510 Marketing gimmick or really works?

[kytyree]

I'm a convert myself, wasn't sure at first if it was really a useful item but as others have said, I don't ride without it now.

[ms6073]

I need to check, but on our Edge 1030 computers, in the sensor setup for the Varia, I recall there being a slider that allows the rider to enable/disable the radar's audible tones. As for battery life, we get ~12-13 hours total riding in rural areas with light set to flash mode (2nd press of button) and light traffic - 2-3 cars over 10-minute time span.

[TonyM]

One scenario that i think about and it can be helpfull is winter riding with winter cap under helmet..

Good point!

And also for older people as hearing is less accurate getting older...

[kytyree]

My hearing is above average, and regularly tested, but on windy days the Varia has better range than me.

Add in things like oncoming vehicle traffic that drowns out cars coming from behind and the Varia makes a difference. Additionally it is one thing to hear a car approaching, it is another to pick out that it is actually three cars one car and then further back two more together, which the Varia can do.

[RTW]

Descending too it is good. The phantom car behind you that you think you hear on a descent, and you glance back and there's nothing there. That doesn't happen with the Varia!

[TonyM]

...on windy days the Varia has better range than me.

Good point also!

[gplama]

Best thing I've added to my bike in years. And I've added A LOT of shit to my bike in the last few years.

Anyone in AU - Pushys still have 4 of the RTL500 units at AU$150. PU-512SJUL3 might get that down to $135 with free shipping.

[brianwchan]

There's a long thread over on slowtwitch that I've posted in as well. Long story short, for $200~ it's the best bike-related investment I've ever made and my favorite product Garmin offers... something truly innovative and where no one else comes close. I could easily replace my Fenix or Edge with a competitor but the same can't be said for the Varia.

As compared to a simple mirror, it is 'active' and has way more range. Only downside for me is that in the city it's too active. Best use case is for weekend rides on emptier roads.

[commendatore]

I would buy one if it were brighter. Currently I'm prioritizing being seen by using the bontrager flare R. For the form factor, I don't think you can beat the visibility.

I've ridden in groups where one or two people had the varia 510 active. I've even paired to one and let my garmin pick up the alerts. I thought it was neat, although not quite life changing.

[scapewalker]

I have been using the garmin varia rtl511 and i couldn't imagine myself riding without it anymore.

My question is whether you guys know if garmin is working on an actual rear camera setup for the next generation?

[asiantrick]

I was never happy with the rubber band OEM mount on the varia, so I've been trying out some aftermarket mounts. This one is a winner so far: Corki Varia Mount. It will still fit a small saddle bag also.

[glepore]

I was a skeptic. Love the thing. You can take the lane with confidence and move over for traffic. left turn? No looking back.
Best feature is you know how many vehicles are there and the closing rate-something hearing alone doesn't give you.
Yes, in an urban environment its sort of useless, but in the countryside its almost indispensible.

[RTW]

I was never happy with the rubber band OEM mount on the varia, so I've been trying out some aftermarket mounts. This one is a winner so far: Corki Varia Mount. It will still fit a small saddle bag also.

But it costs LOADS of money. I looked at doing this, but all in it was going to cost about $50 for a mount.

[moyboy]

that is a clean design.

[kevinw]

I was never happy with the rubber band OEM mount on the varia....

The original mount is far better than the new rubber one if you have a round seatpost.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/521461#overview