My main complaints about the Varia are 1) it doesn't remember your preferred light mode (of course I have memorized that it's 3 clicks from "on"), and 2) if you are in "day flash" mode, the difference between turning the unit off and putting it in "standby" is the duration of your press. Both modes look the same, but if you accidentally leave it in standby, it will be dead-dead next time you try to turn it on.
YAAY! Thanks for the great review! I’ve also experienced the false-positives as well - quite a bit, but like you said, no false-negatives! The other weird thing for me, I want to mount this bad boy on my rack [my seat post isn’t tall enough] but the non standard mount makes that annoying too. Anyway, great review, thank you!
The only additional feature I would want is a video camera in the case, god forbid, I was rear ended by a car while cycling. What would be even cooler is that every time the radar senses a car or other fast moving object (like Hanoch zooming past me up a hill) it would activate the camera to start recording and then automatically turn off maybe five seconds after the object has passed.
Let me know what you think of the review. What else do you want me to cover? Make sure to use code "BESTSIDECYCLING15" if you're interested in any of Magicshine Lights.
I have never used a "radar" on my bike or even seen one so I'm not sure how it works in real life or what is its main function. I was intrigued after watching your video to find out more about it, but I am not sure that it's worth it. I have a rear view mirror on my bike that shows me when a car is coming from behind. How is this any better? I enjoy watching all your videos.
@@ElGatoMarcus I'll make a video dedicated to the topic! I really think on certain roads and where I live in the suburbs it's a must have. In urban settings with protected infrastructure it's not nearly as useful
@@ElGatoMarcus the main difference with a mirror is that a radar can detect cars from 200meters away (beyond what you can hear! Especially ev) and without active concentration. On roads with no or minimal shoulder, this gives you a heads up on how to position and prepare to be passed. Quite literally feels like eyes on the back of your head
I agree with Hanoch, I think the big deal is that it works without active concentration. I remember the ride that sold me was when a friend and I were riding the Mountain Loop Highway east from Verlot. He was riding behind me and every time a car would approach I would first find out because of his Garmin head-unit beeping. It always got it before I would hear the car. In an urban environment I don't find any value to it because it's constantly going off, so far me personally the greatest benefit is when you're in the ex-urbs or really out there where maybe cars are less common and you're looking more at the scenery than in a rear-view mirror. Of course, if your rear-view mirror scanning is automatic and frequent for you there would be less benefit. I keep forgetting to install the new mirror I bought, so I guess it's a really good thing I have the Garmin.
If it's anything like their light... no, thank you. They want you to create an account in their cloud and connect your phone. Yes, you can use the most essential light features without the phone control, but it has to be done from the phone to access the more advanced features. The only reason to require your phone to connect to their server to use the light sitting right next to it is to harvest all the data about you that they can and sell it to marketers. Also, keep in mind that if they ever decide to shut down the server or go out of business, you will no longer be able to use the features of the light for which you paid extra money. Please, say no to garbage companies like Magicshine, that pull this crap.
@@lalalupsia3 Perhaps instead of being sarcastic, you should look at the history of companies that have bricked devices because they find supporting them no longer worthwhile. As to the surveillance aspect, unfortunately, we both live in countries where the citizens are actively spied on by our governments and, at least here in the US, by the corporate world as well. I presume that companies in your country also spy on you, or is that reserved strictly for the government. The difference is that we have the Fourth Amendment to our constitution that prohibits the government from spying on us so we can fight back when they do. Europe is doing the right thing by making the unauthorized sharing of data by companies illegal.
![Cycling the Thrilla Gravel Loop for the First Time [Stinky Spoke Route][Full MTB Ride w/ Commentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EYzV1Mz7u_w/mqdefault.jpg)
My main complaints about the Varia are 1) it doesn't remember your preferred light mode (of course I have memorized that it's 3 clicks from "on"), and 2) if you are in "day flash" mode, the difference between turning the unit off and putting it in "standby" is the duration of your press. Both modes look the same, but if you accidentally leave it in standby, it will be dead-dead next time you try to turn it on.
YAAY! Thanks for the great review! I’ve also experienced the false-positives as well - quite a bit, but like you said, no false-negatives! The other weird thing for me, I want to mount this bad boy on my rack [my seat post isn’t tall enough] but the non standard mount makes that annoying too. Anyway, great review, thank you!
The only additional feature I would want is a video camera in the case, god forbid, I was rear ended by a car while cycling. What would be even cooler is that every time the radar senses a car or other fast moving object (like Hanoch zooming past me up a hill) it would activate the camera to start recording and then automatically turn off maybe five seconds after the object has passed.
@@SpeedyBlueBiker1 the Varia RCT715 does a lot of what you're looking for!
Magicshine SEEMEE DV
How about using the radar functionality without a bike computer; with a smartphone instead? How do both compare?
@@readyplayer2 good point. I think this radar is just ant+ capable so probably no true smart phone support like the varia app!
I do keep a USBC to microusb adapter in my backpack at all times. It's quite tiny so it's ok.
Haha this is my last micro usb item xD
@BestSideCycling me too
I almost go the bottom or magene one because of USB C
But the reviews showed it wasn't as solid of a radar
Let me know what you think of the review. What else do you want me to cover? Make sure to use code "BESTSIDECYCLING15" if you're interested in any of Magicshine Lights.
I have never used a "radar" on my bike or even seen one so I'm not sure how it works in real life or what is its main function. I was intrigued after watching your video to find out more about it, but I am not sure that it's worth it. I have a rear view mirror on my bike that shows me when a car is coming from behind. How is this any better? I enjoy watching all your videos.
@@ElGatoMarcus I'll make a video dedicated to the topic! I really think on certain roads and where I live in the suburbs it's a must have. In urban settings with protected infrastructure it's not nearly as useful
@@ElGatoMarcus the main difference with a mirror is that a radar can detect cars from 200meters away (beyond what you can hear! Especially ev) and without active concentration. On roads with no or minimal shoulder, this gives you a heads up on how to position and prepare to be passed. Quite literally feels like eyes on the back of your head
I agree with Hanoch, I think the big deal is that it works without active concentration. I remember the ride that sold me was when a friend and I were riding the Mountain Loop Highway east from Verlot. He was riding behind me and every time a car would approach I would first find out because of his Garmin head-unit beeping. It always got it before I would hear the car. In an urban environment I don't find any value to it because it's constantly going off, so far me personally the greatest benefit is when you're in the ex-urbs or really out there where maybe cars are less common and you're looking more at the scenery than in a rear-view mirror. Of course, if your rear-view mirror scanning is automatic and frequent for you there would be less benefit. I keep forgetting to install the new mirror I bought, so I guess it's a really good thing I have the Garmin.
USB C !!
If it's anything like their light... no, thank you. They want you to create an account in their cloud and connect your phone. Yes, you can use the most essential light features without the phone control, but it has to be done from the phone to access the more advanced features. The only reason to require your phone to connect to their server to use the light sitting right next to it is to harvest all the data about you that they can and sell it to marketers. Also, keep in mind that if they ever decide to shut down the server or go out of business, you will no longer be able to use the features of the light for which you paid extra money. Please, say no to garbage companies like Magicshine, that pull this crap.
о нет, дайте срочно шапочку из фольги!
@@lalalupsia3 Perhaps instead of being sarcastic, you should look at the history of companies that have bricked devices because they find supporting them no longer worthwhile. As to the surveillance aspect, unfortunately, we both live in countries where the citizens are actively spied on by our governments and, at least here in the US, by the corporate world as well. I presume that companies in your country also spy on you, or is that reserved strictly for the government. The difference is that we have the Fourth Amendment to our constitution that prohibits the government from spying on us so we can fight back when they do. Europe is doing the right thing by making the unauthorized sharing of data by companies illegal.