The new Varia RearVue 820 from Garmin is its most innovative radar tail light for cyclists, helping them be more aware and visible while riding on the road.
New advanced vehicle tracking detects a vehicle’s size, side-to-side movement and categorizes threat levels as the vehicle approaches from behind. Alerts are displayed on compatible Garmin cycling computers or the Varia smartphone app, thanks to more powerful and precise radar technology. RearVue 820 is Garmin’s brightest yet and serves as a brake light when slowing or stopping. Riders can feel confident about their visibility to motorists and other cyclists.
“We’re excited to expand our trusted cycling radar technology with Varia RearVue 820,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing. “This radar can help cyclists stay more conscious of nearby traffic with new, innovative advanced vehicle tracking alerts.”
Featuring a sleek, modern look, Varia RearVue 820 also includes a USB-C port for convenient charging. It has battery life of up to 24 hours in day flash mode and up to 30 hours in radar only mode. A new seat post mount securely and cleanly fits onto almost any road or gravel bike.
Advanced Vehicle Tracking
When riding with a compatible Edge cycling computer or paired to the Varia smartphone app, cyclists will get visual and audible alerts as vehicles are approaching or changing lanes behind them.
Along with the alerts comes a threat level. This indicates if the approaching vehicle is a higher threat based on its speed or path of travel. With new vehicle size detection, riders can get visual alerts about the size of approaching vehicles. The alerts — small, medium and large – appear in their Edge computer or Varia app.
- Boasting a wider field of view, the radar can detect vehicle movement several lanes away and alert riders on their compatible Garmin smartwatch, Edge cycling computer or the Varia app.
- Powerful radar technology allows the device to detect vehicles more than 190 yards away.
- With same speed tracking1, riders are notified about vehicles that are following behind them at the same speed or waiting to pass.
- In addition to vibrating alerts on the wrist, select Garmin smartwatches can also give voice alerts for approaching vehicles. This feature is currently available in the Garmin Public Beta program for select smartwatches2.
Greater Visibility
Riders can enjoy greater confidence day and night with Varia RearVue 820’s bright tail light that can be seen over 1.2 miles away.
The light offers multiple light mode options, including day flash, night flash, solid mode and peloton mode. Cyclists can also create custom light patterns in the Varia app, including brightness level and duration of flash.
Adding to that superior visibility, the device detects when the rider is slowing down or stopping. It then alerts others on the road with a unique, flashing brake light pattern.
Varia RearVue 820 has a suggested retail price of $299.99.
1 Same-speed tracking is limited or unavailable at slower speeds or when radar cannot detect the road (e.g., due to snow, ice, heavy rain, or other obstructions or incorrect device mounting)
2 This feature is currently in public beta testing and subject to future enhancements
