Varia RCT715 Radar/Camera

[warthog1]

I currently have a radar (very happy with it) but am interested in the addition of a camera.
Not interested in running 2 separate units.

https://www.garmin.com/en-AU/p/721258

I believe they run for about 6 hrs per charge (day flash).
Is the radar as effective (very) as the individual goer?
Does the footage allow you identify a registration plate from a passing car day/night?
Is the footage looped, ie it records over the oldest footage and requires no ongoing maintenance?
Interested in those points and a general review, if anyone can write their impressions please?
I've seen the fairly negative DC Rainmaker review.

[jasonc]

The footage has allowed me to detect registration plates, in full darkness IF the flash of the light was timed perfectly. The next way of still to yell out the rego and use the mic
The footage is looped

[jasonc]

[warthog1]

Thanks Jason
That is all I need. I try to avoid the dark tbh though.

0542 in the morning! Middle of the night

[warthog1]

Remembering to yell out the rego would be a good way to stop yelling out angry profanities too.

[jasonc]

Remembering to yell out the rego would be a good way to stop yelling out angry profanities too.

Or at least yell out the rego, then start swearing, so you can cut the video

[warthog1]

Remembering to yell out the rego would be a good way to stop yelling out angry profanities too.

Or at least yell out the rego, then start swearing, so you can cut the video

[MichaelB]

Was starting to get interested till I read this in DC Rainmakers review ;

So then, what about a non-Garmin bike computer? Well, that’s where it gets a bit more mixed. See, the Varia cycling radar units have been supported for a number of years by many companies – Wahoo, Stages, Hammerhead, Bryton, and I’m sure others. Some of them support radar-only, and some of them radar+lights. All of which utilize the standard ANT+ profile to connect on either the radar side, or the lights side (or both). To that end, the RCT715 supports those same radar & lights standards, and thus, the radar and lights portions will work just fine with it.

But beyond that, you won’t get any camera control, nor any information sent from those units to the camera. So no speed, GPS, or incident detection notifications from those bike computers – only from the aforementioned supported units.

As a Wahoo Bolt user, a major issue ….

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/05/gar ... w.html/amp

[warthog1]

As a Wahoo Bolt user, a major issue ….

I have a Garmin edge 1000 but why would you need the head unit control?
I plan to just turn it on (day flash) and ride.
No interest in stuffing around with it whilst I ride.
It's there to show a light (that flashes faster as the vehicle approaches), provide a radar warning/indication of an approaching vehicle and record driver bastardry.
It loops the footage so recording is a given.
No plan to alter anything via a garmin head unit, even if I can.
As per the still Jason posted, the time and date stamp is there. That is all you'd need imo.

[jasonc]

in terms of the garmin, it shows the dots on the side of the screen for where vehicles are behind you

[MichaelB]

....
As per the still Jason posted, the time and date stamp is there. That is all you'd need imo.

Noted, but if I was paying that amount (close to A$600 !!), I'd expect full compatibility and info. I think the GPS data and speed are also important.

[warthog1]

....
As per the still Jason posted, the time and date stamp is there. That is all you'd need imo.

Noted, but if I was paying that amount (close to A$600 !!), I'd expect full compatibility and info. I think the GPS data and speed are also important.

Fair enough, but I don't see the need.
For me it needs to simply show the number plate and the car passing too close.
Time stamp is a bonus.
Showing the rego and passing illegally is what needs to be shown to the police.
That is all the imagery would be for in my use.

[MichaelB]

....
As per the still Jason posted, the time and date stamp is there. That is all you'd need imo.

Noted, but if I was paying that amount (close to A$600 !!), I'd expect full compatibility and info. I think the GPS data and speed are also important.

Fair enough, but I don't see the need.
For me it needs to simply show the number plate and the car passing too close.
Time stamp is a bonus.
Showing the rego and passing illegally is what needs to be shown to the police.
That is all the imagery is for in my use.

Agree.

Then the battle is to get them to do something about it ....

Still thinking about it ..

[warthog1]

Agree.

Then the battle is to get them to do something about it ....

Still thinking about it ..

Yes I have heard the troubles with recalcitrant police.
I will only be bothering with the very dangerous passes.
I will explain my 21 years as a paramedic informs me the results of being hit and insist that some steps are taken.
We had a young bloke hit and killed by a texting driver some years back.
Most know about that horrible result too.

[Mr Purple]

Yeah, that's what holding me back on purchasing one as well.

I get close passed probably once a month on average, and excepting yesterday when it was three times in short succession I can't really see the police taking that seriously at all.

In that respect the camera's not really a life saving tool, though I can see the utility in the radar.

[warthog1]

The radar is now a must have for me.
Will not ride without one.
I ride low traffic density, high speed roads.
Being aware of drivers behind, that there is more than one and how far away they are is very, very helpful in allowing you to plan your lane location and behaviour with repect to movement and turns. It also stops you being unaware and surprised as they pass.
I quite often use it to time my incompetent wobble which I believe gives more passing space a fair degree of the time.
I like the way the rear light flashes faster as the vehicle approaches too.

[jasonc]

most of my ride is along a freeway


even though it's annoying for those 20-odd minutes, it still alerts me to overspeed e-devices approaching. it then comes into it's own on quieter roads

[MichaelB]

most of my ride is along a freeway


even though it's annoying for those 20-odd minutes, it still alerts me to overspeed e-devices approaching. it then comes into it's own on quieter roads

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.

[jasonc]

most of my ride is along a freeway


even though it's annoying for those 20-odd minutes, it still alerts me to overspeed e-devices approaching. it then comes into it's own on quieter roads

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.

I have this field added to my garmin activity
https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/apps/c5d9 ... b871e9e733

[Comedian]

Was starting to get interested till I read this in DC Rainmakers review ;

So then, what about a non-Garmin bike computer? Well, that’s where it gets a bit more mixed. See, the Varia cycling radar units have been supported for a number of years by many companies – Wahoo, Stages, Hammerhead, Bryton, and I’m sure others. Some of them support radar-only, and some of them radar+lights. All of which utilize the standard ANT+ profile to connect on either the radar side, or the lights side (or both). To that end, the RCT715 supports those same radar & lights standards, and thus, the radar and lights portions will work just fine with it.

But beyond that, you won’t get any camera control, nor any information sent from those units to the camera. So no speed, GPS, or incident detection notifications from those bike computers – only from the aforementioned supported units.

As a Wahoo Bolt user, a major issue ….

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/05/gar ... w.html/amp

You can use your phone to configure the camera. Varia app. I've got friends with Wahoo's and they work fine with the varia.

[Comedian]

The radar is now a must have for me.
Will not ride without one.
I ride low traffic density, high speed roads.
Being aware of drivers behind, that there is more than one and how far away they are is very, very helpful in allowing you to plan your lane location and behaviour with repect to movement and turns. It also stops you being unaware and surprised as they pass.
I quite often use it to time my incompetent wobble which I believe gives more passing space a fair degree of the time.
I like the way the rear light flashes faster as the vehicle approaches too.

The GPLAMA tip.. you can pair to multiple devices at the same time. If you ride with headphones running the varia app on your phone will play the radar sounds over your music. Might not be useful for everyone, but some might like that option.

Also I can confirm - the camera is similar quality to the Fly6 units. Not action cam stuff but good enough for plates.

[warthog1]

The GPLAMA tip.. you can pair to multiple devices at the same time. If you ride with headphones running the varia app on your phone will play the radar sounds over your music. Might not be useful for everyone, but some might like that option.

Also I can confirm - the camera is similar quality to the Fly6 units. Not action cam stuff but good enough for plates.

Cheers.
I don't wear headphones when riding on road.
Maybe on the gravel in future though.
I'll keep that in mind.

[warthog1]

Another review;
https://www.velonews.com/gear/tech-wear ... ia-rct715/

Not a whole lot bigger than my 515 radar unit.

[Comedian]

Another review;
https://www.velonews.com/gear/tech-wear ... ia-rct715/

Not a whole lot bigger than my 515 radar unit.

They are a bit chunky.. when you first have them in your hands. But.. I can tell you they are a lot easier to fit to a bike than a varia and a fly6.. which was what I was doing.

I reckon after a little while you won't notice the size. (mind out of the gutter)

So far.. the only real negative I've got is the price.

[warthog1]

Considering what it does with the addition of a camera I am impressed by the moderate size of it.
Sold.
Just got to wait a short while and will get one.