Garmin has a long history of supplying GPS and traffic tech, but the Varia is something very unique, even for this company: A radar sensor that specializes in detecting vehicles that are approaching from behind.
The Varia Rearview Radar is a cycling radar, which means that it’s designed for your bike. Attach the sensor to the back of your bike and the display module to the front of your bike, and it will use a simple system of moving lights to indicate any vehicles in behind you (as well as providing an extra light to warn oncoming vehicles that yes, someone is indeed cycling here).
This unit can detect vehicles from as far away as 153 yards and can show multiple vehicles at the same time, as well as where they are, their relative speed of approach, and how dangerous each vehicle seems to be. The unit can work on its own, or it can sync with Edge cycling computers for a different display option.
As Garmin points out, cyclists have a tough time in the United States, where cycling fatalities are most frequently caused by getting hit from behind. There are a couple reasons for this – first, many cities and towns in the United States were not designed for cyclists, which means squeezing into tight spots when going around corners and increasing the danger of getting rammed. Second, bike culture and bike varies tremendously from state to state, and many assumptions are made about who has what rights on the road: Accidents are a common result.
If there are a lot of vehicles around (like in an Urban environment) the Varia may have limited use, but can still warn you if a grill is getting way too close for comfort. In more open roads for longer distance cyclists, this radar could be a great companion when you are training or exploring the country.
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