Review on Enhanced Garmin Varia RVR315 - Advanced Cycling Rearview Radar with Visual and Audible Alerts for Vehicles Up to 153 Yards Away by Johnny Chambers

First of all, note that there are other versions of Varia radars with built-in lights. I had one and sold it on eBay out of frustration. No bike computer manufacturer EXCEPT Garmin supports ANT+ lights. Second, if you search the web, you will see many people who are frustrated with how Garmin is handling the Lite version of this product. As for me, I've tried all the "tricks" suggested on their forums, but basically I couldn't get the light to work unless I unplug and painstakingly fix it before every bike ride. I have a Varia front light, no problem with it. I didn't write this review about it because it's a different product (RVR515), but if you're considering both, search the internet and weigh other people's experiences and frustrations when making your decision. As an additional data point, I have a Garmin Edge 1030 computer and have gone as far as factory resetting it and also resetting the RVR515 a few times to fix it and ran into an issue with two versions of the Garmin software. , and an RVR515 firmware update. Just not ready for prime time! Now about this radar. If you have the latest Garmin Edge, Hammerhead Karoo, or Wahoo ELEMNT or Roam computer, it's likely compatible. How it APPEARS on the computer depends on the computer manufacturer. On a compatible Garmin Edge with a color screen, you have a choice of whether it beeps when a vehicle is approaching (great, except when driving on a main road where it's constant) and which side of the screen the radar overlay is displayed (right or left). My Edge 1030 shows circles representing cars. And I mean cars and motorcycles. The software does its job perfectly 99% of the time without showing any false alarms. Approaching pedestrians or cyclists are not displayed. It can track multiple vehicles at once and displays their relative distance to you using a single circle's distance from the top of the screen. It also tints the screen in one of the "two and a half colors". Green, when moving away from oncoming vehicles (ie after the last one passes you, just before the overlay turns off), and one of two shades of red when cars are approaching. They're supposed to close fairly quickly, but the colors are pretty muted on my Edge 1030, so good luck spotting the difference. Luckily, the only thing you can see from the circles is how close the car is and how fast the circles are moving when they're driving absurdly fast. I think it can track 10 or 12 cars at a time, not 100% sure. I've certainly seen many, many cars on a busy street at once, and the motion of those little circles is smooth enough that you can tell when one car passes another behind you. everything turns green when the last tracked vehicle passes you, I mean passes you. You will see them pass your bike before disappearing from the screen. If you don't have a computer but still want to use one. First, get a computer, they offer many other benefits. Second, if you already have it but it doesn't work with Varia, you have options: 1) Some Garmin watches will work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars but you can use the radar without a compatible bike computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. when they pass your bike before disappearing from the screen. If you don't have a computer but still want to use one. First, get a computer, they offer many other benefits. Second, if you already have it but it doesn't work with Varia, you have options: 1) Some Garmin watches will work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars but you can use the radar without a compatible bike computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. when they pass your bike before disappearing from the screen. If you don't have a computer but still want to use one. First, get a computer, they offer many other benefits. Second, if you already have it but it doesn't work with Varia, you have options: 1) Some Garmin watches will work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars but you can use the radar without a compatible bike computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. but you still want to use it. First, get a computer, they offer many other benefits. Second, if you already have it but it doesn't work with Varia, you have options: 1) Some Garmin watches will work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars, but you can use the radar without a compatible cycle computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. but you still want to use it. First, get a computer, they offer many other benefits. Second, if you already have it but it doesn't work with Varia, you have options: 1) Some Garmin watches will work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars, but you can use the radar without a compatible cycle computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. 1) Some Garmin watches work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars, but you can use the radar without a compatible cycle computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. 1) Some Garmin watches work with this product. 2) Don't buy this, get "Varia Rear View Radar" instead. It combines Varia radar and a bike-mounted display with a series of lights that illuminate to indicate proximity. Not a full cycle computer, just a series of LED lights that attach to the handlebars but you can use the radar without a compatible bike computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. However, you can use the radar without a compatible cycle computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive. However, you can use the radar without a compatible cycle computer. But seriously, buy a bike computer a little more expensive.