Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:50 am
I'd like a camera at some point. Still get the occasional malicious close pass I would like it for.
Am not going without the radar to do so however. It is far more important for my use.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby grt046 » Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:49 pm
Thanks to all the positive feedback on this site for the Garmin Varia radar I decided to join you and recently purchased a RTL515 (Missed the super discount jasonc mentioned but got one from 99 bikes locally for $299)jasonc wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 2:24 pmI have this field added to my garmin activityMichaelB wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 2:04 pmIs that an output from the Varia/Garmin ?
Interesting.
@warthog1 - for those low density/high approach speed areas, agree 100%.
The other location that I found the radar useful when trailing it, was when climbing on some quiet back roads with low traffic. I often didn't hear some vehicles. Not that they were speeding, quite the opposite sometimes, it's just that I wasn't always aware.
https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/apps/c5d9 ... b871e9e733
Being an old guy, hearing impaired with restricted head movement making head and shoulder turns less than ideal, I have found the benefits of Varia fantastic.
Reading DCRainmaker's review and jasonc's comment I noticed output from MyBikeTraffic.com and am considering adding the data field to my garmin 520plus.
I note installation requires adding Garmin ConnectIQ store app to my phone to get the data file to the 520Plus.
I current have everything set up (Edge 520plus, Vivoactive 3 watch and Varia linking via Garmin Connect) on the phone and all works fine.
Does adding the additional data field via ConnectIQ change anything in that regard? Main concern is having the 520 paired with Connect and ConnectIQ at the same time.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby jasonc » Thu Jan 12, 2023 8:05 pm
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby mikgit » Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:57 pm
ConnectIQ is like garmins version of an app store for phones. SO its not really "connected" to it normally (it runns through the gamin coonect app anywhay), just when you want to add stuff to the device, it will plonk it there and job done.grt046 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:49 pmThanks to all the positive feedback on this site for the Garmin Varia radar I decided to join you and recently purchased a RTL515 (Missed the super discount jasonc mentioned but got one from 99 bikes locally for $299)jasonc wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 2:24 pmI have this field added to my garmin activityMichaelB wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 2:04 pm
Is that an output from the Varia/Garmin ?
Interesting.
@warthog1 - for those low density/high approach speed areas, agree 100%.
The other location that I found the radar useful when trailing it, was when climbing on some quiet back roads with low traffic. I often didn't hear some vehicles. Not that they were speeding, quite the opposite sometimes, it's just that I wasn't always aware.
https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/apps/c5d9 ... b871e9e733
Being an old guy, hearing impaired with restricted head movement making head and shoulder turns less than ideal, I have found the benefits of Varia fantastic.
Reading DCRainmaker's review and jasonc's comment I noticed output from MyBikeTraffic.com and am considering adding the data field to my garmin 520plus.
I note installation requires adding Garmin ConnectIQ store app to my phone to get the data file to the 520Plus.
I current have everything set up (Edge 520plus, Vivoactive 3 watch and Varia linking via Garmin Connect) on the phone and all works fine.
Does adding the additional data field via ConnectIQ change anything in that regard? Main concern is having the 520 paired with Connect and ConnectIQ at the same time.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby grt046 » Fri Jan 13, 2023 10:05 am
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby grt046 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:45 am
First serious ride this morning 58km starting at 05:00. 147 passes with one (Ford Ranger) being recorded at 107kph in a 70k zone. Most slowed significantly before passing.
Very impressed with the Varia.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:32 am
Wow!
Didn't know that could be done.
That is impressive.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby grt046 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 9:01 am
More info at MyBikeTraffic.com including an informative video by Shane Millar (GPLama)
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 11:27 am
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 2:43 pm
One brief ride with it so far.
Had it on a data screen with 4 fields displayed in equal size.
4 data fields displayed from radar using the my bike traffic app in that one 1/4 field on the garmin.
Didn't work too well. Had total vehicles passed, absolute speed, relative approach speed and distance behind, displayed.
The numbers were overlapping, making it hard to read.
I have now changed the data screen display size allocation.
Cadence and speed are smaller segments side by side at the top of the screen.
Then a bigger segment with 3sec power underneath and my bike traffic display in the same larger size at the bottom.
My bike traffic now only has 2 fields displayed in that sector of the screen. Absolute speed of approaching car and distance behind of approaching car.
I could already see from todays brief ride that it will be very handy.
When a car is approaching from behind and another toward me from in front, I do an incompetent weave to discourage a close pass. It generally works well.
Now I can see the car behind me slow in response to the weave. Very handy
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby jasonc » Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:21 pm
You'll have to take a pic with what you have done. I am reluctant to lose any of my fieldswarthog1 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 2:43 pmWell I installed the my bike traffic app on my edge 1030.
One brief ride with it so far.
Had it on a data screen with 4 fields displayed in equal size.
4 data fields displayed from radar using the my bike traffic app in that one 1/4 field on the garmin.
Didn't work too well. Had total vehicles passed, absolute speed, relative approach speed and distance behind, displayed.
The numbers were overlapping, making it hard to read.
I have now changed the data screen display size allocation.
Cadence and speed are smaller segments side by side at the top of the screen.
Then a bigger segment with 3sec power underneath and my bike traffic display in the same larger size at the bottom.
My bike traffic now only has 2 fields displayed in that sector of the screen. Absolute speed of approaching car and distance behind of approaching car.
I could already see from todays brief ride that it will be very handy.
When a car is approaching from behind and another toward me from in front, I do an incompetent weave to discourage a close pass. It generally works well.
Now I can see the car behind me slow in response to the weave. Very handy
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:36 pm
I just added a new screen under my traing profile on the edge 1030.
I have 10 fields on the original screen which is still there.
Just swipe between screens.
I'll get a photo tomoz.
And thanks for alerting us, on the forum, to this feature Jason.
Edit;
Screen 1
Screen 2
Abs is speed of closing vehicle.
Dist is distance behind.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby Comedian » Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:57 pm
I think it's neat but I just can't see how it helps me.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:04 pm
As I mentioned earlier I can see (and hear) the car respond by slowing after my incompetent weave.
I may need to head left if it doesn't.
Yes I have only ridden with it once. Perhaps it will become less useful, I do like seeing data though, so perhaps not.
I don't see my incompetent weave ceasing when a car is coming toward me as well. It usually works.
I got rid of the coloured edges in my settings. Makes it harder to see the dots if there is more than one. Didn't like it intruding into the display either.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:29 pm
You have the camera I believe.Comedian wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:57 pmHonestly.. I like the mybikeradar app. But I've kind of let it drift to my second screen because I'm not really sure of how useful it is to me. If things are coming in fast the line goes red so I know anyway and I'm tracking them with the dot. It's not like I can really do much with the speed.
I think it's neat but I just can't see how it helps me.
Would it help encourage the police to take action on a close pass if you can also indicate it accelerated as it did so?
Rare occasion that should be, though Shane Miller indicated it had happened to him.
As I understand it from reading on here they don't tend to care much. So maybe not.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby Comedian » Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:36 pm
There is no way they would consider the speeds produced by that to be enforceable. That's what I mean.. it's interesting but not hugely useful. That's why I don't have it on my main screen.warthog1 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:29 pmYou have the camera I believe.Comedian wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 6:57 pmHonestly.. I like the mybikeradar app. But I've kind of let it drift to my second screen because I'm not really sure of how useful it is to me. If things are coming in fast the line goes red so I know anyway and I'm tracking them with the dot. It's not like I can really do much with the speed.
I think it's neat but I just can't see how it helps me.
Would it help encourage the police to take action on a close pass if you can also indicate it accelerated as it did so?
Rare occasion that should be, though Shane Miller indicated it had happened to him.
As I understand it from reading on here they don't tend to care much. So maybe not.
I am in awe of the device though. Seriously impressive bit of technology.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:55 pm
Sure, of course not enforceable. Just an indication of behaviour, when combined with the close pass, as pointing toward malice.Comedian wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:36 pm
There is no way they would consider the speeds produced by that to be enforceable. That's what I mean.. it's interesting but not hugely useful. That's why I don't have it on my main screen.
I am in awe of the device though. Seriously impressive bit of technology.
I expect that may encourage more interest from many police.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby Comedian » Tue Jan 17, 2023 10:17 am
Might be contributory. The question is how do you report it? It's like you telling the cops "my radar said the approaching vehicle was doing...".warthog1 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:55 pmSure, of course not enforceable. Just an indication of behaviour, when combined with the close pass, as pointing toward malice.Comedian wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:36 pm
There is no way they would consider the speeds produced by that to be enforceable. That's what I mean.. it's interesting but not hugely useful. That's why I don't have it on my main screen.
I am in awe of the device though. Seriously impressive bit of technology.
I expect that may encourage more interest from many police.
The varia camera records the speed the rider is going on the screen. It's only a software update away from recording the approaching vehicle speed I guess. That would possibly be quite useful!
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:44 am
https://www.mybiketraffic.com/about/Comedian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 10:17 am
Might be contributory. The question is how do you report it? It's like you telling the cops "my radar said the approaching vehicle was doing...".
The varia camera records the speed the rider is going on the screen. It's only a software update away from recording the approaching vehicle speed I guess. That would possibly be quite useful!
You are able to import your ride data to the my bike traffic site as I understand. It will then list the passing speeds of cars on a map.
You can point out where it was and the vehicle speed should be listed.
I haven't done it, however that appears to be a large part of the reason as to why the app was developed.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby Comedian » Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:52 am
I have actually seen that done.. I think I did it once.warthog1 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:44 amhttps://www.mybiketraffic.com/about/Comedian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 10:17 am
Might be contributory. The question is how do you report it? It's like you telling the cops "my radar said the approaching vehicle was doing...".
The varia camera records the speed the rider is going on the screen. It's only a software update away from recording the approaching vehicle speed I guess. That would possibly be quite useful!
You are able to import your ride data to the my bike traffic site as I understand. It will then list the passing speeds of cars on a map.
You can point out where it was and the vehicle speed should be listed.
I haven't done it, however that appears to be a large part of the reason as to why the app was developed.
I've spoken to too many police officers over the years. That would be super easily dismissed. Unless they wanted to.
I had one police lady close two of my reports without even looking at the videos because she didn't think it was enforceable. No there is no escalation.
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby trailgumby » Tue Jan 17, 2023 1:36 pm
That would be a game-changer. It still won't meet the beyond reasonable doubt test without road surface landmark support because it's not a certified device, but it would definitely raise the stakes by providing intelligence about close-passing hotspots and vehicle types (e.g. buses and heavy trucks).
It could then be used to start conversations with enforcement and road safety authorities about "Why on earth aren't you doing something about this? There's clearly a problem, why aren't you getting someone to develop a device?"
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby antigee » Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:26 pm
sort of similar passed by an unrestricted ebike today my guess 60km/hr on a shared path with poor sight lines...rider didn't slow into blind bend...I'd just file it for if I ever find the guy in a mangled mess with some innocent
Edit I quite like the red warning that a vehicle isn't slowing...first time I got it looked in mirror to see that I was about to be close passed by a furniture truck so I braced ready for the wind blast...today turned onto a section of road where regularly get fast and close passes and as approached first "traffic calming" dangerous narrowing could see that 2 vehicles coming up behind hadn't scrubbed any speed at all
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby jasonc » Mon May 22, 2023 7:38 pm
the data overlay now includes vehicle speed
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby warthog1 » Mon May 22, 2023 8:21 pm
Still haven't got one yet, less road and more gravel. I am selective where and when I do ride on the bitumen though. Just the radar still.
That is a great update though!
Knucklehead in the ute was a bit bloody close
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Re: Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera
Postby grt046 » Tue May 23, 2023 10:59 pm
Long Term Review by DC Rainmaker https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/02/can ... 1-rle.html
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