Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera

[Retrobyte]

The stupid thing is you can't even lock the footage from the app so it doesn't get rewritten later which you would have thought was the most important feature the app could actually have.

There must be some way to do it - on the Cycliq cameras if you want to lock footage you press a button after the incident and it locks the current and previous video segment (which on the Cycliq are either 5 minutes or 10 minutes each segment, depending on your settings). The Cycliq also locks footage if the camera tilts more than a certain number of degrees, on the assumption that you've fallen or hit something.

[Mr Purple]

There must be some way to do it - on the Cycliq cameras if you want to lock footage you press a button after the incident and it locks the current and previous video segment (which on the Cycliq are either 5 minutes or 10 minutes each segment, depending on your settings). The Cycliq also locks footage if the camera tilts more than a certain number of degrees, on the assumption that you've fallen or hit something.

I believe you can do it from a compatible Garmin head unit, or by pressing a button on the device at the time. However I'm running a Wahoo head unit and I'm not leaning backwards to fiddle for a button on the device if I'm in a situation that just needed recording.

I'm pretty sure the app is deliberately bad to encourage you to buy a Garmin head unit. I would have thought the ability to 'lock' a section of footage would have been the primary purpose of having the app in the first place. I've only managed to successfully download one clip using the app so far and it took about five minutes. Usually the wifi you use to download the footage times out before you manage to actually download anything. It's that bad.

[Mr Purple]

Made it home no dramas, and the download process is so much easier with the USB cord and the home computer.

Enjoying it so far, though don't know how much footage I'll be saving. The radar feature is excellent, I have no idea how it tracks so many cars at once.

Couple of highlights today - this was probably the worst.

https://youtu.be/JhH54e42NGE

Now I just have to determine what the threshold for actually reporting it is. That's clearly well within 1m, but will the police see it that way?

[jasonc]

That a 60 or 70 zone?
Looks borderline 1m
You can always report it. At least then there's an incident number related to the driver
Warthog buy a microSD card reader or plug it into your computer using a usb-c cable
I don't see what the difficulty is. The app is crap. Use it to configure the radar. Then ignore it. To download video use a computer

[foo on patrol]

If you have a decent size SD card you shouldn't run out of room on a ride.

Foo

[warthog1]

That a 60 or 70 zone?
Looks borderline 1m
You can always report it. At least then there's an incident number related to the driver
Warthog buy a microSD card reader or plug it into your computer using a usb-c cable
I don't see what the difficulty is. The app is crap. Use it to configure the radar. Then ignore it. To download video use a computer

Cheers.I don't have one yet and rarely use the computer. Glad to hear the cable-computer option works

[Mr Purple]

That a 60 or 70 zone?
Looks borderline 1m
You can always report it. At least then there's an incident number related to the driver
Warthog buy a microSD card reader or plug it into your computer using a usb-c cable
I don't see what the difficulty is. The app is crap. Use it to configure the radar. Then ignore it. To download video use a computer

Once you realise the app is crap, there's no difficulty. I just don't know how they made it so bad, and have been unable to fix it.

Having the camera actually seems to make you calmer on the road. I think because you know you've got some recourse if someone does something dangerous to you, you don't feel you have to educate them there on the spot. A visit from the police later will do it.

[Retrobyte]

Now I just have to determine what the threshold for actually reporting it is. That's clearly well within 1m, but will the police see it that way?

You could use the Cycliq software on your computer to edit the video - it works with video from any camera. There is the option to add overlay lines to show 1m ... it asks for the height of the camera and the width of your handelbars, then adds the lines.

I like that the Varia video shows the speed of the vehicles, that could be very useful if there's a close pass or other incident

[ningnangnong]

Decided to pull the trigger on one of these. Hopefully here early next week.

Also ordered some lens protectors from Aliexpress as advised by jasonc.

Interested to see the radar in action, though not sure how effective it'll be on busier roads.

[jasonc]

Interested to see the radar in action, though not sure how effective it'll be on busier roads.

It's excellent. Am sure you have watched gplama's video. It gives you a dot on the screen for each vehicle that is going faster than you.
My Bike Radar Traffic
https://apps.garmin.com/apps/c5d949c3-9 ... b871e9e733

And there's another app/widget/field that will pop up and give you the approach speed and distance of the vehicle coming.
I can find it if you can't (edit: it may even be the same app)

[Mr Purple]

I agree the radar is excellent, once you understand its limitations.

The only issue I found is more in the drivers - in that the radar can only detect traffic moving towards you. With the pathetic standard of driving these days they're so terrible at modulating their speed that sometimes they completely disappear off your radar a few hundred metres back because they're not concentrating and suddenly and randomly start driving slower than you're riding.

Not that it's a real issue anyway because anyone driving slower than you obviously isn't going to hit you from behind. Just gets a bit confusing until you remember how radar works.

[ningnangnong]

Thanks for the replies fellas, definitely looks quite useful - that app/widget sounds very handy too, jasonc.

Of course, perfect timing - I dropped my Edge 530 as I was walking out the door this morning and now the screen won't turn on at all. Still connects via BT and makes sounds when you press the buttons, just a black screen.

My research leads me to believe the connector may have come loose... of course, I rushed into a DIY and tried to pry the screen away to re-seat the connector, and I've put a line across the screen from the pressure. Serves me right.

I've ordered a replacement screen and I'm going to see if one of those mobile phone repair shops you see in shopping centres will do the repair. Though, I'll also contact Garmin and see if they'll offer a discount for a new product if I send back the old one - has anyone done this before?

[jasonc]

I'll also contact Garmin and see if they'll offer a discount for a new product if I send back the old one - has anyone done this before?

yes. currently waiting for my backup watch to be replaced. was ~$175 from memory

[grt046]

I'll also contact Garmin and see if they'll offer a discount for a new product if I send back the old one - has anyone done this before?

yes. currently waiting for my backup watch to be replaced. was ~$175 from memory

The battery on my 520 Plus was stuffed and I had the head unit replaced with a recertified one for $224.50 plus postage cost to return the old one. Service was pretty slick with delivery in about a week.

[ningnangnong]

yes. currently waiting for my backup watch to be replaced. was ~$175 from memory

The battery on my 520 Plus was stuffed and I had the head unit replaced with a recertified one for $224.50 plus postage cost to return the old one. Service was pretty slick with delivery in about a week.

Thanks guys! Sounds positive.

You don't happen to have an email for Garmin Support do you? Their website only seems to have a phone number listed which will be difficult for me to contact during their opening hours, unfortunately.

[jasonc]

yes. currently waiting for my backup watch to be replaced. was ~$175 from memory

The battery on my 520 Plus was stuffed and I had the head unit replaced with a recertified one for $224.50 plus postage cost to return the old one. Service was pretty slick with delivery in about a week.

Thanks guys! Sounds positive.

You don't happen to have an email for Garmin Support do you? Their website only seems to have a phone number listed which will be difficult for me to contact during their opening hours, unfortunately.

recommend starting with a phone call, sorry
Product.Support@garmin.com is the email address I have

[ningnangnong]

recommend starting with a phone call, sorry
Product.Support@garmin.com is the email address I have

Legend, thanks mate!

Will see if I can find some time to call up.

[ningnangnong]

recommend starting with a phone call, sorry

Good call - that was a lot less painful than I was expecting!

Offered me a refurbished Edge 530 for $183.

[ningnangnong]

Have been using the Varia RCT715 for a few months now.

Absolutely sold on it - don't think I could ride without the radar now! It's incredibly useful.

The camera quality isn't fantastic, but it's passable, and a lot easier than mounting a GoPro or something else under your seat/on the seatpost. Would be perfect if they could implement some image stabilisation.

[jasonc]

Have been using the Varia RCT715 for a few months now.

Absolutely sold on it - don't think I could ride without the radar now! It's incredibly useful.

I was telling you guys from day 1. I was lucky enough to get an evaluation unit. I was buying one after the first ride

[warthog1]

Have been using the Varia RCT715 for a few months now.

Absolutely sold on it - don't think I could ride without the radar now! It's incredibly useful.

Yep, radar is more important than the camera imo, so still just using radar, but I'd like one. How long does the battery go on a charge?

[ningnangnong]

Yep, radar is more important than the camera imo, so still just using radar, but I'd like one. How long does the battery go on a charge?

I always recharge after a ride, so I'm not sure how long I can truly make it last, but I can guarantee it for 3.5 to 4 hours with the radar on and the light on day flash.

[CmdrBiggles]

After a long delay getting home from the coast and needing a tea and lunch, I have a word of warning.
I would strongly advise keeping a close-by eye on these pricey trinkets.

Sadly this morning in Torquay, a Garmin 1040 and Varia tail light were stolen from a group rider's Cervélo parked with 6 other bikes leaning one-to-one outside the café. The owner of the bike is very, very, very miffed; there are CCTV cameras on three sides of the café which he is hoping might show something (he insisted on staying to make enquiries while we rode home). Otherwise, a very jarring, angering end to the first ride any of us have done this week due to inclement weather and the biting cold. I have made the decision to remove my computer (iGS800) from the bike, leaving just the tool canister containing a cache of Ferrero Rocher chockies.
Heaven holy forbid any cheeky bugger who makes off with my cache of treats!!

Both Gino's Garmin (solar) and Varia are recent models, not cheap to replace! Bike is insured (all of our bikes are!), but he is not sure if fittings are. On the quiet ride back, we wondered if the Garmin can be traced by GPS??

[warthog1]

I always recharge after a ride, so I'm not sure how long I can truly make it last, but I can guarantee it for 3.5 to 4 hours with the radar on and the light on day flash.

4-4.5 will do me for most rides, thanks

[warthog1]

I remove my 1030+ at the coffee shop too, if my bike will be away from view.