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If anyone was thinking about buying a Garmin Varia (its the rear light and radar) the RTL515 is £30 off at Argos and going for £130 instead of £170 elsewhere.
I was curious and tried it today on my road bike and it seems to work very well at detecting and warning of traffic coming from behind though the Garmin rubber band mount/adapter for aero seatposts seems sub-par to me (though tbf it survived 50miles in the peaks this morning). Meaning, I've forked out for a third party mount to fit a Giant seatpost and somewhat negated the discount.
I'm not sure how its really supposed to help with close passes as it tells you how far traffic is behind, not if they're going to recklessly give you 4 inches laterally when they pass.
But I find that my hearing sometimes isn't great and if I'm riding two-up with a mate in winding lanes its reassuring to know if someone is sat stuck behind us or not without constantly checking over my shoulder. Similarly, when descending at speed and the winds rushing in my ears its not always easy or prudent to check over your shoulder at 40mph and I find it helps to know if traffic might be behind me or not in those situations.
Anyway, if anyone was on the fence or considering it, its a bit cheaper in Argos.
Darn. I just bought one from Wiggle.
After a couple of rides I have to say I’m a believer. Usually I hear cars behind me, but not always, and sometimes I can’t tell if the car is behind or in front. So far I haven’t encountered any false positives or false negatives. It hasn’t saved my life but I like feeling that I know what’s going on around me.
Another disbeliever here.
I managed to snag one for £115 and thought I'd give it a go. Now I'm a complete convert.
Yep super useful. Works well turning right off a main road to a minor when you really want eyes ahead at all times yet need to know what you have behind. Also picks up those pesky cars that are just behind the one you heard on single lane roads where you have pulled right in to let them by.
Also useful for cyclists, especially derestricted ebikes, coming silently up behind you.
But just for generally knowing what's going on around you.
There are now some cheap(er) imitations available.
I've seen a review of the Bryton which was rather scathing. Too many false negatives.
I’ve seen a review of the Bryton which was rather scathing. Too many false negatives.
yes I think there was a review on DCRainmaker’s YouTube channel where he was pretty critical (I have to watch with the sound down and subtitles on - something about that guy’s voice!!)
If you're an STW member and you get the discounts.... they're £104 direct from Garmin!
something about that guy’s voice!!
Harsh I think he's just got recessive Muppet genes, hence the kermit-esq voice.
They're £136 with STW member discount so cheaper at Wiggle currently...
Another convert here bought for rural Aus gravel...default speed limit 100kmhr and wouldn't leave home to go to shops without
Op I think
I’m not sure how its really supposed to help with close passes as it tells you how far traffic is behind, not if they’re going to recklessly give you 4 inches laterally when they pass.
If vehicle approaching fails to slow at all then it appears as red ( at least does on Garmin head unit) this is a very useful heads up for potentialincoming s..th..d ...I still run a mirror the Garmin just gives me a warning to check what's coming and how far back it is or at junctions / roundabouts how close behind
I've got one. Was very skeptical but it's great. Much longer range than my hearing.
Given the standard of cycling I regularly see the things should be mandatory.