Garmin Varia reviews

meanredspider

My Garmin Varia Radar light turned up on Monday from Evans (I had a voucher) and my Varia front light is due tonight (slightly bizarre as the rear was out of stock when I ordered and the front in stock).

The light fits with a typical Garmin 1/4 turn clamp mount onto the seat post. Two things here: what size Allen screw do Garmin use? None of my standard keys fit (I probably have something on my extended set) so it's either a non-std size or imperial. But it's a PITA. secondly, the clamp is quite wide so I can actually touch it with the back of my thigh on pedal strokes. With a set-back seat post, this would be worse.

The light itself paired with my 1000 pretty easily and its warning system seems to work well. It's obviously not a substitute for looking over your shoulder but on quiet narrow roads you feel you need to do this less often. It helped me plan riding to let cars past too and, given it can detect up to 8 cars at a time, gives you a clue how many cars will be coming by.

It wouldn't be a Garmin if the software didn't screw up and, sure enough, 10 minutes into my ride I got a "Varia error 2.1" message. I have no idea what this means and it didn't seem to affect anything. I haven't found any details on line.

Apparently it will switch itself off once the 1000 is off (the front light apparently remains on standby and will also turn itself on) but I've not trusted it today. It's expensive but Evans carries very little of what I'd normally buy and I like new tech so the goodwill voucher went on these.

I'll post some more as I find it - especially on the front light which apparently adjusts its settings according to speed and darkness

meanredspider

Had no repeat of the error 2.1 heading home but, on looking to move the light further up my seat post, the clamp screw pulled all the way through without me being brutal with it.

Fortunately there's a second, rubber band style, mount included for aero posts which I can use.

Talking of mounts, the front light turned up. Now, I have perfectly standard aluminium bars on my bike and, with the thin rubber insert, it was too loose and flopped about. With the thicker rubber insert, it was impossible to screw it together. I ended up resorting to cutting the thicker one in two. But, come on Garmin, this is a perfectly standard set of bars!

Honestly, I really think Garmin get close to great products but screw it up in the last knockings.

roger_merriman

I had looked at the non radar rear light, since it sort of acts like a brake light, but it has a quite a short run time, and times it might be useful are fairly rare, interesting tech though.

it is always the software that Garmin seem to fluff up.

andy9964

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19773768#p19773768]meanredspider[/url] wrote:

Two things here: what size Allen screw do Garmin use? None of my standard keys fit (I probably have something on my extended set) so it's either a non-std size or imperial

Is it a small Torx bolt, sometimes it's hard to tell, I had a similar issue on some mudguards I had

meanredspider

If it's Torx that's even more bizarre as they don't provide a key and, whilst they're more common, Torx is nowhere near usual enough for people to have these tools. The front mount came with what looks like a regular Allen key (but I'll double check it).

Used the front light today. Inevitably the front mount slipped over bumps. It's not more than an out front mount but now it has 270g of light plus a Garmin 1000 hanging off an arm long enough for the 1000. The manual says that the thinner of the two rubber strips should work but it absolutely doesn't.

BTW - the torque spec for the screws is 0.8Nm - not sure who has a torque wrench that they are confident would apply 0.8Nm.

Given early warning this morning of a car approaching from the rear, I thoughtfully pulled over to let him past. He drowned me with a big puddle as he blasted past cheerfully tooting on his horn. :twisted:

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774547#p19774547]roger merriman[/url] wrote:

I had looked at the non radar rear light, since it sort of acts like a brake light, but it has a quite a short run time, and times it might be useful are fairly rare, interesting tech though.

it is always the software that Garmin seem to fluff up.

Have a look at the See Sense and now the See Sense iKon.

I can't back it up with any science but my perception is that I feel safer using them.

meanredspider

Another MASTERSTROKE from Garmin

As I was riding home today I thought "What's happened to the alert tones I was getting yesterday for the rear "radar"?"

Then I realised I couldn't hear any of the tones very well. So I've brought the unit in off the bike and the tones are clear.

Now I've realised that the speaker for the tones is in the middle of the quarter turn mount. And the new mount, which has the 1000 above the light, completely muffles these tones!! Quite BRILLIANT from Garmin.

And, that, my friends, sums Garmin up for me. Some great concepts really poorly executed.

itboffin

Also why do you need a device to tell you there's a car behind? Surely you can hear it and in the dark see the lights coming.

After I'm passed I always look behind and see how many more might be following

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774874#p19774874]itboffin[/url] wrote:

Also why do you need a device to tell you there's a car behind? Surely you can hear it and in the dark see the lights coming.

After I'm passed I always look behind and see how many more might be following

I do find it quite useful on singletrack roads - you can't hear very well especially when it's windy or wet (or usually both) and, when I'm pulling into to a muddy, pot-hole strewn, waterlogged passing spot, it's nice to have an idea how many cars are queued up even before you get there so you can time your slowing down/pulling over. I do find it useful. The front light is of less use, I think - I'm really in two minds whether to keep it - especially given how crappy the mount is. Having the Garmin tell you state of charge and manage brightness etc is nice but the poor execution of the mount makes those little feature pale into insignificance

daniel_b

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774640#p19774640]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774547#p19774547]roger merriman[/url] wrote:

I had looked at the non radar rear light, since it sort of acts like a brake light, but it has a quite a short run time, and times it might be useful are fairly rare, interesting tech though.

it is always the software that Garmin seem to fluff up.

Have a look at the See Sense and now the See Sense iKon.

I can't back it up with any science but my perception is that I feel safer using them.

That's good to hear, waiting for my iKon's to arrive any day now, or by the end of the month at least.

meanredspider

Well I dug out my old Garmin mount that came with the 1000 and the rubber insert is a much better fit and clearly much better quality than the one that came with the light. Tomorrow will tell when I ride.

As an aside, the Allen screw is 2.5mm and Garmin do provide an Allen key with the headlight (not the tail light)

edrobbin

Like the man said, there's no substitute for eyes and ears. Tech is great but I'd hate to rely on it

wolfsbane2k

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19775215#p19775215]edrobbin[/url] wrote:

Like the man said, there's no substitute for eyes and ears. Tech is great but I'd hate to rely on it

I was wondering if the varia would pick up bikes in your blind spot - I can imagine that some people might rely on the tech and think no car behind you, then not check and take out a cyclist.
It's like that in the aircraft world - "This equipment that tells you everything around you, is for information only - don't ever trust it", but many people become tech blind and rely on it - leading to close calls/accidents etc, because they've forgotten to look out the window!

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774946#p19774946]Daniel B[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774640#p19774640]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774547#p19774547]roger merriman[/url] wrote:

I had looked at the non radar rear light, since it sort of acts like a brake light, but it has a quite a short run time, and times it might be useful are fairly rare, interesting tech though.

it is always the software that Garmin seem to fluff up.

Have a look at the See Sense and now the See Sense iKon.

I can't back it up with any science but my perception is that I feel safer using them.

That's good to hear, waiting for my iKon's to arrive any day now, or by the end of the month at least.

They're trickling through. I'm waiting for a review sample of the iKon so as to update my existing see sense review.

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19775263#p19775263]Wolfsbane2k[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19775215#p19775215]edrobbin[/url] wrote:

Like the man said, there's no substitute for eyes and ears. Tech is great but I'd hate to rely on it

I was wondering if the varia would pick up bikes in your blind spot - I can imagine that some people might rely on the tech and think no car behind you, then not check and take out a cyclist.
It's like that in the aircraft world - "This equipment that tells you everything around you, is for information only - don't ever trust it", but many people become tech blind and rely on it - leading to close calls/accidents etc, because they've forgotten to look out the window!

It's certainly not fool-proof. In fact there's enough scenarios where it doesn't work that you will never be lulled into relying on it. For instance, if a car matches your speed, it drops off the radar. In that respect, it's a bit like your door mirror on a car - you should always shoulder check before manoeuvring. But I do like that fact that it will pick up cars a long way back. It will also warn you if they are approaching very fast. And, not to lose track of this - the light also adapts - getting brighter and flashing as the car approaches.
Additionally it will warn you of the state of charge of your lights and turn them off for you.
This stuff is all convenience only

daniel_b

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774953#p19774953]meanredspider[/url] wrote:

As an aside, the Allen screw is 2.5mm and Garmin do provide an Allen key with the headlight (not the tail light)

Bonus, so now you have an extra allen key for your toolkit that I presume you did not have previously.

IIRC the Vector 2 pedal units secure using a 2.5mm bolt as well (Supplied with them as well), so it must be a standard size they have decided to adopt.

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19775793#p19775793]Daniel B[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19774953#p19774953]meanredspider[/url] wrote:

As an aside, the Allen screw is 2.5mm and Garmin do provide an Allen key with the headlight (not the tail light)

Bonus, so now you have an extra allen key for your toolkit that I presume you did not have previously.

IIRC the Vector 2 pedal units secure using a 2.5mm bolt as well (Supplied with them as well), so it must be a standard size they have decided to adopt.

I found I had it on my Park Y-shaped keys - but not on my Halfords tool set nor on my Lezyne bike tool. I'm guessing it's not a preferred metric size - maybe it is somehow an imperial size too.

It's funny being in a rented place whilst I'm working away from home as I have a far more limited set of tools than I have there. It throws up these sorts of things.

Grahamsjz

Must admit I like having Radar tell me when things are catching up from behind, I think it works really well.

Like you I had a fault come up, mine was on the first ride with it and the fault has never come back.

What I like is the early warning and knowing how many cars are behind so if I move over to let someone past I have an inkling if a second car (or third - usually a white van) is going to try to unexpectedly squeeze through when the road is no longer wide enough.

It is a supplement not a replacement for ears (and eyes)

Paired with a 1000 it becomes a very natural and non intrusive aid, at least for me cycling around the Surrey Hills. I imagine it could be a pain in commuter land when the beeping would become a pita.

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19776119#p19776119]Grahamsjz[/url] wrote:

. I imagine it could be a pain in commuter land when the beeping would become a pita.

That's easily solved by using the Varia headlight mount - then you simply can't hear the beeps - maybe that's what Garmin intended to do? :roll: :roll:

meanredspider

You gotta love Garmin.

I wrote to them about the rear mount failing on my light. Their response? Tough - you'll just have to buy another one! (We know this isn't the response you were hoping for).

I've written back. OK - I'll just return the whole light for a replacement. Cost to Garmin? 20-30x the cost of replacing the mount.

How bloody ridiculous!

meanredspider

The saga continues

Another response from Garmin saying: If the product's not fit for purpose then that's a Sale of Goods Act issue so deal with the shop!

This is bizarre. MOST manufacturers MUCH prefer you to deal directly with them than the retailer. They'll get the entire product back from the retailer and is a real waste of money.

Anyhow, I called them and got a different person who said it made far more sense for them to replace the mount which is what they're going to do.

On the front mount issue, they'd lost my contact (somehow - because he found it again) and need a photo of the mount because apparently there's a number of different mounts out there. Done that - let's see what happens.

I work in consumer electronics quality and I find it hard to imagine how Garmin do things - I just can't quite picture it in my mind. They could be awesome but something goes wrong...

DrLex

I sometimes think of buying a Garmin, and then threads like this remind me why it remains only a thought.
Really needs a company to come in and provide a better alternative, like Apple did for smartphones.

meanredspider

Yeah - I love great ideas and great technology. Garmin have the great ideas but just really struggle to make them work. I'm kicking myself for being sucked in to these lights. I'm going to persevere a little longer else they're going back. If they're not working properly by the time it gets light enough not to need them, they're gone. I can try again next year.

Grahamsjz

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19782056#p19782056]DrLex[/url] wrote:

I sometimes think of buying a Garmin, and then threads like this remind me why it remains only a thought.
Really needs a company to come in and provide a better alternative, like Apple did for smartphones.

I must admit I like my Garmin kit. I appear to be one of the lucky ones who's kit just keeps working. Was not sure of the benefits of the radar but having ridden with it since it was launched I really do like it.

Ps. Typing this has reminded me the 1000 would not pair to phone today. Need to have a play with that tonight.

meanredspider

They do eventually get things to work but a year or two after they launch it - and then you can never really be sure that they won't fork it up again.

mamil314

Garmin are big. It would be wasteful for them not to make use of their corporate/bureaucratic firewall. At least until negative feedback on a product reaches their defined critical mass.

meanredspider

Well the latest on this saga:

1. As promised, they sent me a replacement rear mount - except it was the wrong one.

2. They asked me to send them pictures of the front mount so as to determine which one it was for the muffled sound issue. This I did. The response I got was "Glad the issue is fixed" WTF?

How do these companies get it so wrong?

meanredspider

This may be my last post on this topic.

I finally lost patience with Garmin and phoned them today.

1. They're going to send me the correct rear mount

2. There's nothing that they can do about the front mount sound issue they say. I'm tempted just to send the front light back (at least) as it doesn't do much and it's expensive for a modern 600lm light.

Garmin = useless.

bendertherobot

Get a refund and a pair of See Sense Ikons *you'll still need a "to see" front light mind

meanredspider

bendertherobot wrote:

Get a refund and a pair of See Sense Ikons *you'll still need a "to see" front light mind

Took a look at their website - but it really irritated me - really poor: slow loading, broken links, lack of info - really put me off.

Grahamsjz

I have an exposure strada 6. Bright, controllable from a button on the back (not 100% easy to hit) or a separate button that you wore into the back ( v easy to use). Huge battery life.