Your V2 (the integrated light and radar with the single circular light at the top) should go asleep when you power off a connected headunit. The small blue indicator light one of of the sides will flash every now and then to let you know it’s ready to go.
Also as far as I remember V2 does have the option of turning off the radar but tbh I barely glanced at the manual and just leave it in automatic all the time.
Good to know. Thanks for that info! I wonder if it makes a difference if you have it paired as a radar or light, because mine doesn’t do that. I have paired as radar.
Good question. I can’t check right now but ild bet when it was paired I just powered it on and hit search all…letting Garmin take care of everything.
Edit: it’s plausible that it’s paired as both!
I love mine and won’t leave home without it. Ive had a couple friends killed in the past couple years by drivers who prioritized their phones. Consequently, I rarely ride on the road anymore. When I do its only in a large group and I have lights front and rear. I use the Bontrager lights front and rear, as well as the Varia in the rear. I don’t trust my life with it, but its a great tool. When I see a car is coming up quick behind me (via the Varia), I definitely glance over my shoulder to make sure Ive got room.
Anyone using the Varia on gravel rides?
Had a close call a couple weeks ago (driver around 3-5ft away and I would estimate at 55MPH+). I never heard him coming (no headphones) and it scared the hell out of me. First time in 6 years of riding gravel that I’ve had something like that happen and its the exact reason why I avoid pavement like the plague.
Edit: I was running a red blnky (Blackburn LED, don’t remember the lumen).
This is the perfect scenario for where a varia will help the most.
It certainly cant hurt can it? Well, other than the wallet.
I know the Varia will never save my life, but I wont deny for one minute that it doesnt make me a bit less worried on every ride. We have a local cycling path that runs a good 10 yards off to the side of the main road with most of it having trees separating us, and I still run it(and it still picks up cars too!). I just dont see a reason not to.
I picked mine up last week after Wahoo announced. I have 3 rides in with it. All gravel and road combo rides. I’m a believer. Great piece of tech. Just wish it was a little brighter though.
I’ve got the v1 and it’s dim, so I run it (lights off) with a Bontrager Flare RT. Lights off increases battery runtime of Varia.
Yes, I use it on gravel rides so I do not get surprised.
I feel naked when I don’t use my Garmin Varia, it lets me know when autos are approaching so I can move further over on the shoulder and I can even glance back to see if they have given me more room. It is nice not to get surprised by a fast moving auto.
Good to know. May have been a dumb concern but I wasn’t sure if the dust and crud that gets kicked up from gravel would degrade the effectiveness. Thanks.
I’m glad to hear you were not seriously hurt. I have ask: did the driver get a ticket or any punishment for reckless driving and causing harm?
I heard wahoo now supports the Varia. Anybody on here tried it out yet?
Several of us in the main thread.
The light gets a bit dusty but I clean after my ride.
I have a Varia V1, and also used to run a second light because the Varia is not very bright. I recently bought a version 2 for that reason, and also because the battery life is a bit better.
So I now have a spare one of the first version… If anyone in the UK wants one or wants to try one out then let me know!
I know this is an old thread, but it was the best bit of tech kit I have bought. I feel safer with it. The best part is it shows the number of cars coming. I was out with my cousin the other night. He had never heard of the radar. I would shout to him 2, 3 cars coming. He was amazed by it. Mine is still the v1. Works fine. Haven’t found the need to update as of yet.
Best thing I have bought for my bike by far besides TR of course. Varia combined with the Garmin 530 and TR outdoor workouts has been a game changer.
I had a bontrager 1030 and the varia was miserable with it and kept disconnecting. Same with the 1030 they replaced it with. With a few updates it is completely solid. I wont do road rides without it. It’s awesome.
