Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

AUbicycles wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:35 pm

Whats the runtime on the varia?


On the settings of the cycliq fly caneras, yes stabilisation off, HDR can be on.

For numberplates, it is unusual that they got worse... guessing that a hardware change could impact that as they would not otherwise want to degrade it.

But with cycliq footage, you may still have to resort to scrubbing or other video adjustment settings.

The most recent one has a stated life of 16 hours in day flash mode. Actual life will depend on conditions as it has an auto setting to adjust the light as required. I took it on my 24hr TTT over the weekend and got the low battery warning after 10 hours. I ended up plugging in an external battery pack from my saddle bag and charged it on the go as it was 5pm.
I also ran it during the Peaks Challenge and had it on all day. I finished just under 11 hours and had not received the low battery warning.

Just curious to understand (i don't have Varia) - guy who are running Varia, do you think your riding style has changed? what's the biggest impact to you?
- more aware of traffic before you even sense/see them consequently more relaxed rather than keep turning your head around?
- no longer need a mirror?
- start preparing to move aside before traffic approaches from the rear?

I've been running a Fly6 for the past 5 years. To me, they are 2 very different products fulfilling very different requirements.

caneye wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 31, 2021 2:20 pm

Just curious to understand (i don't have Varia) - guy who are running Varia, do you think your riding style has changed? what's the biggest impact to you?
- more aware of traffic before you even sense/see them consequently more relaxed rather than keep turning your head around?
- no longer need a mirror?
- start preparing to move aside before traffic approaches from the rear?

I've been running a Fly6 for the past 5 years. To me, they are 2 very different products fulfilling very different requirements.

Awareness of what is coming up from behind and how fast they are going. Stops cars from sneaking up on you too, and it clearly shows how many vehicles there are and what their spacing is. I am surprised at how good it is, and I get a nice colour coded alert overlaid on my garmin head unit. I turned off the audio alerts because it was annoying as anything in traffic with the constant beeping.

I have never used a mirror before, so it certainly hasn't replaced that, but now when I see the alerts I can do a head check to confirm and/or make a dash for the road shoulder. It buys you valuable seconds that ma well prevent a collision in the first place, rather than having a camera that does nothing for prevention and with police not giving a toss, has limited use for getting anything done about close passes. Oh yeah - and the radar works all day. Can't say the same for the camera.

I feel that the Garmin varia radar is useful for riding when traffic can be more sporadic... so the warning is useful. In the city and busy areas where cars are constant, it is still a nice secondary device though different riders may feel there is more or less benefit.

Pity that the police are so innactive with enforcing safe passing laws. In the UK, one police district setup a portal for bike riders to submit video footage to make it easier to take action.

I put in formal media requests to the NSW police enquiring about the laws and enforcement and they dudn’t wan’t to make any comment except “ask the government”. I asked did the same for the NSW Government “ask the police”. So if you can’t ask the Government who established the laws or the police who enforce the laws.... who do you ask? This helps to explain why advocacy organisations have such a tough job making any progress for cycling safety.

Comedian wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:29 pm

So I've finally got my new fly12CE. But the thing is - I think the picture is actually worse than my generation one. To the point where it's hard to read number plates unless they are right in front. I've turned off eis and running 30 FPS /1080. Do I need to go up to 60? Might try that tomorrow.

How did you go?

I'm expecting mine soon (purchased it I think when they had the black friday sale last year). I only ordered this one as a bus ran over my v2 one (1st one the original failed after a year and been running this for many years with no problem since). Disappointed to see battery life is way shorter so hopefully video wise 60 fps will be better plus the quality on recent models. I was running 720p. The upside of the small size I'm hoping is to run both this and varia 315 at the rear - will be challenging as I have a 48cm bike.

ray wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:59 pm

Comedian wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:29 pm

So I've finally got my new fly12CE. But the thing is - I think the picture is actually worse than my generation one. To the point where it's hard to read number plates unless they are right in front. I've turned off eis and running 30 FPS /1080. Do I need to go up to 60? Might try that tomorrow.

How did you go?

I'm expecting mine soon (purchased it I think when they had the black friday sale last year). I only ordered this one as a bus ran over my v2 one (1st one the original failed after a year and been running this for many years with no problem since). Disappointed to see battery life is way shorter so hopefully video wise 60 fps will be better plus the quality on recent models. I was running 720p. The upside of the small size I'm hoping is to run both this and varia 315 at the rear - will be challenging as I have a 48cm bike.

When I turned off image stabilisation the image quality was fine, fortunately. At least at 60fps. I've turned it down to 30 but haven't looked as yet.

So I've received my new Gen3 fly 6.

I haven't been out on a ride yet - but I have tested the brightness of the light. Don't believe the specs. The thing is a serious safety upgrade over the old one. The "organic" mode which is mixed solid and flashing is really, really bright. I suspect it will be too bright for group rides. I think low flash or solid will be ok.

Just to be clear.

TOP light is a previous Fly6 on flash.

BOTTOM light is the new Gen3 on "Organic flash" mode which is "Designed to hold the attention of other road users while minimising battery usage"

Brightness is a thing... on group rides I have any blinking lights off (except for the rotating LEDs that can’t be turned off).

Some people may not believe it, but a rear light can be too bright... if it blinds bike riders and motorists behind.

This would struggle with approval in Germany for example... but most lights struggle because for some reason on CRAP lights are allowed... even if the BMW and mercedes drivers are allowed to dazzle everyone else with super bright head and tail lights... yay cars!

AUbicycles wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:27 pm

Brightness is a thing... on group rides I have any blinking lights off (except for the rotating LEDs that can’t be turned off).

Some people may not believe it, but a rear light can be too bright... if it blinds bike riders and motorists behind.

I did a group ride a few years back. The guy in front had his rear light facing up, and had it on super dooper bright flash mode. And try and I might I couldn't successfully not get it in my field of vision. It was making me unwell. I mentioned it to him as we were side by side and he got really upset like "Do you want me to get run over". And I'm like no.. but how about you point your light so it isn't aimed at low flying aircraft and it will work a whole heap more effectively.

Comedian wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 4:10 pm

I did a group ride a few years back. The guy in front had his rear light facing up, and had it on super dooper bright flash mode.

Isn't is well established etiquette not to have a flashing rear light in a bunch ride?

I would say yes, it may not be obvious... so can be a bit of an arh ha moment, but within a bunch the dynamic changes in a few ways and with rear red lights you can generally afford to run steady, and not too bright because there is better safety in masses.

For a rider in question where it doesn’t click, the suggestion needs to be ‘then you should be riding at the back.... of course.’

Thread dredge.

So I drowned my fly7 Gen3 the other day. There was visible water in the LED. It has miraculously come back to life since however.

I consciously closed the flap of the unit carefully before the ride as I knew it was going to be wet. I don't believe the water got in there. Could it have come in the speaker? Is there anything I can do to cover the holes? Anyone had any luck with this?

Fly7… something new, but I think it is the 7 key is next to the 6. Now I am confused with the numbers as the current Fly6 is actually the 4th generation …. ?

I think the covers for the charging can be less reliable in circumstances such as with fine dust (less grip), aging rubber hardening silicon and less grip but also road vibration where it works itself loose. I had this on a batch which was then internally but not publically noted as having known problems with this so I would report it.

To save this, you may have luck and I would try to allow any trapped moisture escape, light heating and flap open and even placing silicon gel packs on top to try and get it absorbing. Just some ideas off the top of my head so get some other advice.

AUbicycles wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:53 am

Fly7… something new, but I think it is the 7 key is next to the 6. Now I am confused with the numbers as the current Fly6 is actually the 4th generation …. ?

I think the covers for the charging can be less reliable in circumstances such as with fine dust (less grip), aging rubber hardening silicon and less grip but also road vibration where it works itself loose. I had this on a batch which was then internally but not publically noted as having known problems with this so I would report it.

To save this, you may have luck and I would try to allow any trapped moisture escape, light heating and flap open and even placing silicon gel packs on top to try and get it absorbing. Just some ideas off the top of my head so get some other advice.

I warmed it (on top of the coffee machine) and it has come back to life 100%. But now I know I've got an issue. I've taped over the speaker or mic on the top which is the only obvious hole on the unit.

I don't think it will be too long until it's tested with the weather at the moment.

Would be nice if someone came to market with a decent quality competing product. We might be waiting a while, though. Where else in the world has such dreadful attitudes to bike riders?

On the upside, new laws for technology devices to allow third party or user repair might help Cycliq lift their game. My last few Fly 6's have all been very good, except for short service life from the battery.

trailgumby wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:23 pm

Would be nice if someone came to market with a decent quality competing product. We might be waiting a while, though. Where else in the world has such dreadful attitudes to bike riders?

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

jasonc wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:19 pm

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

Agreed

jasonc wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:19 pm

trailgumby wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:23 pm

Would be nice if someone came to market with a decent quality competing product. We might be waiting a while, though. Where else in the world has such dreadful attitudes to bike riders?

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

Yes PLEASE!

jasonc wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:19 pm

trailgumby wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:23 pm

Would be nice if someone came to market with a decent quality competing product. We might be waiting a while, though. Where else in the world has such dreadful attitudes to bike riders?

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

if they can get a high quality camera in there and maintain battery life, i’ll be buying one! right now i choose the varia over the Fly6 because the fly is so unreliable (been through 3 of them!). my fly12ce also died (won’t turn on) and is out of warranty, and i am not spending anymore money on them.

queequeg wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 28, 2021 1:47 am

jasonc wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:19 pm

trailgumby wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:23 pm

Would be nice if someone came to market with a decent quality competing product. We might be waiting a while, though. Where else in the world has such dreadful attitudes to bike riders?

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

if they can get a high quality camera in there and maintain battery life, i’ll be buying one! right now i choose the varia over the Fly6 because the fly is so unreliable (been through 3 of them!). my fly12ce also died (won’t turn on) and is out of warranty, and i am not spending anymore money on them.

So it won't even turn on when charging neither?

Foo

Try to use different USB cable as sometimes the cable played up from too many uses of charging.

Or do the hard reset thru the pinhole and restart it to see if it works or not....

If stuffed, then replace the battery if brave enough to dismantle it then fix and document it.

foo on patrol wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:02 am

queequeg wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 28, 2021 1:47 am

jasonc wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:19 pm

Garmin have a patent for a varia radar with camera. Bring it!

if they can get a high quality camera in there and maintain battery life, i’ll be buying one! right now i choose the varia over the Fly6 because the fly is so unreliable (been through 3 of them!). my fly12ce also died (won’t turn on) and is out of warranty, and i am not spending anymore money on them.

So it won't even turn on when charging neither?

Foo

Nope, it was on the charger showing a green light. Took it off the charger, and won't turn on. Reset doesn't work, plugging it back in shows no light. Totally bricked piece of junk

Bunged Knee wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:49 am

Try to use different USB cable as sometimes the cable played up from too many uses of charging.

Or do the hard reset thru the pinhole and restart it to see if it works or not....

If stuffed, then replace the battery if brave enough to dismantle it then fix and document it.

It's totally dead. I wasted money on batteries for my Fly6CE trying to resurrect that, only to discover what a poor quality build the internals of the cameras actually are. Even worse, the battery connector they have used is wired the opposite way to a standard battery. I have no idea why they did this, unless it's just to be difficult. The actual battery itself is a bog standard 18650. I think the Fly12CE uses two of them wired together.

In any case, I just went and grabbed it and plugged it in, and I got a charging light. Now it miraculously turns on again. Standard gremlins for a Fly12CE. Will let it charge up and see if it still works.

Foo