Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light- Awesome Safety Accessory

Garmin 830 Display with Cars Approaching
Garmin Varia Radar Light
                                                 
Several riders have recommended the radar tail light from Garmin in the past couple years.  I've ridden with several people with (let's call it radar for short) a radar and heard the beeping as a car comes into range.  I always ride with a mirror and the radar would often alert to a car before I heard or noticed it coming.

So, in the interest of improved safety, I watched and finally saw one on sale for $160 at BikeTiresDirect.com. Now there are several different versions- the one I bought has a rear light in addition to the standard connection to my Garmin cyclocomputer.

The cyclocomputer will beep and also displays a dot  on a narrow bar graph on the right side of the computer as the car (or sometimes bicycle) approaches.  If more than one car is approaching - pickup range is about 140 yards- it shows each car as they get closer.  If the car turns off it disappears with a little puff on the screen.  The bar graph showing the vehicles approaching can be green, orange, or red, depending on the perceived hazard level.  I did notice that a truck approaching the other day was red so I guess that means to think about moving over as far as possible.

After a couple of rides I'm a convert to the radar.  It has 100% caught every vehicle coming up behind thus far.  In fact, I was sitting at the rest area next to Szalay's the other day having a Clifbar and it alerted to little kids walking up to the bike.  I still like having a mirror to see what's back there but I feel much more comfortable riding in the lane on lower travelled roads and not worrying about cars approaching. 

Key Points:
-Radar can be paired to a newer Garmin or a cell phone app
-Radar picks up vehicles up to 140 yards away and announces them with a beep
-Screen on the paired device depicts the locations of the vehicle and shows one or more approaching
-Light has several modes including flashing which should be good for 16 hours
-Radar will notify the Cyclocomputer if its battery is running low

Verdict: Great accessory for added safety

For a very detailed look at the radar light, check out dcrainmaker radar light review. 










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