Garmin Varia and Edge 130 Plus Review with Jeff from NorCal Cycling
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- Jeff from @NorCal Cycling takes us through the Garmin Varia Radar Taillight and the Garmin Edge 130 Plus head unit.
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I have been using this combo (Garmin Varia 515 and Edge 130 Plus) for two weeks now (4 rides or 200 km) and can highly recommend it. Display on 130 Plus is big enough for all the data I need, it is crisp and highly legible and it shows the radar function perfectly. I was afraid it would be a bit inadequate for displaying Varia radar alerts because it is small and not a color screen, but that`s not the case. You can easily see where the car is behind you (or cars) and how fast it is approaching. Even a glance at the screen tells you all you need to know: is there somebody behind me or not? Alert tone is more than loud enough, I have not missed a single radar alert even in strong wind or loud traffic. I thought I would miss the "all clear" alert which is present on the phone app but not on Edge 130 Plus, but that is not the case. One glance at the screen after the car has passed and I can see if it`s all clear or if there are additional cars approaching, no "all clear" alert needed.
The only small issue I have is with the Varia mount: since the unit is a bit heavier and bulkier than the average rear light it can go slightly askew after hitting a bump and isn`t aligned perfectly any more. That doesn`t affect its radar functioning at all, but the light is probably not that visible to rear traffic. This is maybe more of an issue with my aero seatpost (Trek Madone), but worth noting anyway. Other than that, perfect combo. I dissagree with reviewer on the subject of "When the car is approaching from behind I`m looking at the screen instead at the road ahead", I had no problems with that. Since the radar function is displayed very legibly on the screen you only need a perfunctory glance to see that the alert is meant for the radar and to see where the car is behind you. After that I usually take a small glance to check the position of the car: no need to look at the screen all the time. All in all, I can highly recommend both the Varia 515 and the Edge 130 Plus.
Thank you. I have my RTL515 paired with my phone but would rather have this small Garmin 130 unit attached to my bike at all times and not deal with a phone.
I've been using the varia with my garmin forerunner 645 and am looking to purchase my first head unit. This video was a great help, I think I'll go with the 130 plus instead of the 530.
Did you get it? How long does the battery of 130 Plus last with radar?
Been using the Corky bar end rearview mirror for over a year. I do admit that it took time for me to adjust to it since the view is small. Thru time, it helped me a lot. But after discovering this gizmo, i think I would want one now. Extra safety feature when riding. Although it has a better alert modes on high end garmin computers, I’ll be happy to pair this with my Edge 130 plus.. my problem now it that I ride mostly in busy roads😅
Thanks for the review.
You don’t train with a taillight?
Most if the guys up here in the PNW train with high lumen headlights and taillights. Maybe NorCal drivers are kinder and more attentive.
Be safe, have fun!
I’ve been using a 130+ for over a year now, and my only complaint is the lack of reliability in sending a saved ride to the phone in my jersey pocket, while I’m pedaling home on my cool down stretch. I had decided to get a Varia though, in spite of price. That is what brought me here.
A man after my own heart! Agree totally on touch screen AND the right justified text. Text easily addressed in a firmware update.
Just got one so sick it’s a must have
Lmao I’m late to the scene but that ocd center text gave me good laughs.
I use the smaller size Varia 315 radar (same radar but no tail light) with the 130 Plus. It's a must have. So much safer and more relaxed riding. I have a couple tail lights already so didn't need the 515.
You forget perhaps the most important thing: i have the older Radar RTL and it flashes more when the car approaches so the cars reacts on this. It is more important that THEY react to you then only we reacting to them because we are informed of them. i do not see an issue that you look to the Garmin Edge down, because you choose and control that. More beeping would be annoying. i used it on my dog trailer last year along Leie/Lys over Schelde/Escaut to North Sea and back along Rhein/Rijn to the source of the Danube. And i had small chargers when needed that connected to both Garmin Edge as to radar. When you get tired, the radar does save injuries. i fell with my bicycle once along Rhein some meter down and only myself i had some scratches. Great stuff. +je
i think its important to show that the radar device is active and connected on you headunit at all times in case you loose connection or the radar device stops responding. If there was no indicator you would not know when you are no longer 'protected'.
Wouldn't the bar on the left showing cars disappear if it lost connection to the varia?
@@soloq6690 oh yeah you’re right
Thanks for this review of the 130. Which out front mount do you use with it? Thank you.
One of the best head units on the market. Those this give you left/right power balance display?
No, for that you have to use your Garmin Fenix watch and then mirror your watch to the Garmin Edge, i think, to work around this issue. There is a possibility of course for extra fields with garmin connect and intelligent fields. +je
How do to change car column on 130 plus. I am paired and cant find settings for varia 515 to change it from factory default
I'm not up on terminology, but can you explain "Pushing it to my phone"? Thanks.
when jeff keeps it real. it triggers those trying to justify the high price of a taillight
For the Garmin 130 to work, do you have to have your phone with you whilst riding?
No
Everyone is different I have a mirror so I. Use both and when in doubt slow down or pull over.
Could the Varia assist in races to show racers coming up from the rear....??
Yes
omg I didn't even notice it was right justified until you pointed it out. Now it's driving me nuts. Arrrrr
Does the 130 work with the old square version radar
Yes
You've got 150 yards from the first beep to pick a line...
The 130 Plus should've been a firmware update to the 130.
130 plus has new sensors
Yes sir. You need a tail light whether it's noon or midnight. You do. As a driver, I have NO excuses to say I didn't see you. Unless you ride on a path where there are no cars, you need a tail light and a headlight during the day.
Was nützt ein Radar, der mir anzeigt, dass gleich ein PKW von hinten heranrast und mich abschiesst. Ich brauch alles auf Video. Den PKW höre ich mit blossem Hören.
Doesn't anybody ride with an eyeglass mounted rear view mirror anymore??
Five bucks and done!
I also use the eyeglass mirror but it certainly does NOT take the place of the radar.
@@StormyDog Subsequent to my post of three years ago I bought an Varia radar and I love it. I still use my mirror too. The radar gives me a warning way ahead of anything I can see with my mirror or hear with my ears thus telling me when I need to use my mirror. This gives me extra time to decide what I am going to do, if anything. It greatly reduces stress by providing more time. It also lets you see how quickly the car is approaching which is very difficult to do with a mirror. The audible beep is not the annoyance I thought that it would be.
@@tedolphbundler724 Agree. Radar is the great stress reliever. 🙂
@@StormyDog Clearly, I was wrong in my initial opinion that radar for a cyclist is silly. I am now a believer. Even someone as great as Tedolph can be wrong on occasion!
You'd be completely unaware a car is coming? You can hear the cars coming... Varia costs more than the Garmin 130 plus.