Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

cichy — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:17:36 GMT

I have a Varia 820. The radar works over BLE and the lights over ANT+. In smart mode, the lights work, but the screen remains OFF. The backlight doesn't change when various conditions are met.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

2608654 — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 23:36:31 GMT

I unpaired the light from the Garmin and the light did not turn off mid-ride at the location it does when paired with the Garmin. So the problem only occurs when the Magene light is paired to the Garmin. Any suggestions as to why this is happening?

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:45:38 GMT

[quote userid="863140" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018952"]1,1454985846[/quote]

Yes, that is normal. Serial numbers that are larger than 2147483647 are splitted into two number, in your case 1 and 1454985846.

[quote userid="863140" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018952"]If I'd like to run my Flare RT (serial number 1311590289) as a running light (at the moment if an activity starts, it's goes to night flash mode - this is I'd like to keep as is, do I need to add this code or to the data field?[/quote]

If that is the case then you could use this configuration for Flare RT:

1,1!:1H]0###6291461,1409482753:0,1311590289:1:#1,1!:1:63:0:0D=1##7,6:Flare RT:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Day Steady:1!1,Night Steady:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,All-Day Flash:8!1,Night Flash:63#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##1#0#0

When in Smart mode, the light will turn on (Night Flash) when the activity is started and turn off when the activity is completed. You can also use the N (Network) mode instead of S (Smart) mode in order to leave the light control to Garmin native behavior (HiVis, Auto, Trail). If the Garmin native behavior is fine for you, then use this configuration

###6291461,1409482753:0,1311590289:1:###7,6:Flare RT:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Day Steady:1!1,Night Steady:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,All-Day Flash:8!1,Night Flash:63#0::#0:0#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##1#0#0

With this, you need to make sure to use the N (Network) mode, not M (Manual).

[quote userid="863140" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018952"]

1.) Do I understand that I need to add these data field(s) to each profile on Garmin 1040?

[/quote]

You need to add these data field to the profiles where you need to control the lights.

[quote userid="863140" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018952"]I will need to control the lights from the data field(s) right, like shown here and not from Garmin's own built in controller?[/quote]

Yes, if you want to manually change the light mode then you should do this via the data field. By doing this, the control mode will automatically switch to M (Manual). If you then want to resume back to the Garmin native behavior, you will need to manually switch the mode to N (Network).

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:29:32 GMT

[quote userid="2203968" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018917"]I have an issue where my Magene 1600 light turns off at the same section of downhill road soon after starting my ride. It occurs even when on manual mode. Do you know what may be the cause?[/quote]

The configuration you provided does not include any filters that would turn off the light. If the issue also occurs in manual mode, then the light mode is most likely being changed by the light itself.

I’m not sure why this would happen, but I would suggest unpairing or disabling the light from the Garmin Sensors menu and testing whether it still turns off. If it does, you can be confident that the issue is not related to Garmin.

If Garmin is not the cause, I recommend checking the Magene mobile app for any relevant settings. If you don’t find anything, try performing a factory reset. If the issue persists, you should contact Magene support for further assistance.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

6612652 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:29:37 GMT

Hey, thanks for the fast reply, I appreciate it.

Bear with me, I am (obviously) not familiar with or much good at this.

[quote userid="320954" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018871"]1. Use the first data field to configure Varia 515 by turning on the light only when a vehicle is approaching:[/quote]

I'm added my 515's serial number (3602469494) using your calculator, which changed it to (1454985846 for what I understand): ###0,73535488:1,1454985846:1:###6,5:Varia 515:0:16777215 etc.

Is that normal?

[quote userid="320954" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2018871"]2. Use the second data field (Smart Bike Lights #2) to configure Flare RT to turn on the light at sunset:[/quote]

If I'd like to run my Flare RT (serial number 1311590289) as a running light (at the moment if an activity starts, it's goes to night flash mode - this is I'd like to keep as is, do I need to add this code or to the data field?

I also have two other questions:

1.) Do I understand that I need to add these data field(s) to each profile on Garmin 1040?

2.) I will need to control the lights from the data field(s) right, like shown here and not from Garmin's own built in controller? https://github.com/maca88/SmartBikeLights?tab=readme-ov-file#control-modes

Thank you.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

2608654 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:18:03 GMT

Firstly, thanks for maca for your excellent smart light control app. I have an issue where my Magene 1600 light turns off at the same section of downhill road soon after starting my ride. It occurs even when on manual mode. Do you know what may be the cause?

#1074,358879792::1:267911168,0#1,1!:1:52:0:0D=1#0,73535488::1:#1,1!:1:7:0:0D=1#9,8:AT 1600:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Low:51!1,Medium:52!1,High:53!1,Day Flash:54!1,Night Flash:55!1,Breathing:56!1,Custom 1:57#6,5:Varia 515:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Solid:4!1,Peloton:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,Night Flash:6#0::#0:0#23!:23!#0#0#B3843#14#3#0#0

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:59:03 GMT

Yes, you can achieve what you want by using two Smart Bike Lights data fields.

1. Use the first data field to configure Varia 515 by turning on the light only when a vehicle is approaching:

###0,73535488:0,11111:1:#2,2!RADAR:1:7:0:0I]-1]0!:1:0:0:0D=1##6,5:Varia 515:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Solid:4!1,Peloton:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,Night Flash:6#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##3#0#0

You need to edit this configuration by setting the serial number of your Varia 515

2. Use the second data field (Smart Bike Lights #2) to configure Flare RT to turn on the light at sunset:

###6291461,1409482753:0,22222:1:#2,2!NIGHT:1:63:0:0Es0,r0!:1:0:0:0D=1##7,6:Flare RT:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Day Steady:1!1,Night Steady:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,All-Day Flash:8!1,Night Flash:63#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##1#0#0

You need to edit this configuration by setting the serial number of your Flare RT

Bonus: If you want to turn on Flare RT instead of Varia 515 when a vehicle is approaching:

Configuration for the first data field:

###0,73535488:0,11111:1:#1,1!:1:0:0:0D=1##6,5:Varia 515:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Solid:4!1,Peloton:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,Night Flash:6#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##3#0#0

Configuration for the second data field:

###6291461,1409482753:0,22222:1:#3,3!NIGHT:1:63:0:0Es0,r0!RADAR:1:7:0:0I]-1]0!:1:0:0:0D=1##7,6:Flare RT:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Day Steady:1!1,Night Steady:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,All-Day Flash:8!1,Night Flash:63#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##1#0#0

In order to preventing the Varia 515 to turn on when a vehicle is approaching you will need to use the Varia mobile app to disable the "Flash Behavior when Vehicle Approaches":
https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-C41F445D-457F-447D-88C8-FE286BF157E9/EN-US/GUID-4587F7D3-DEE0-422D-9450-D125E15C4EA0.html

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

6612652 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:11:11 GMT

My mate uses a Wahoo head unit with a Varia RTL515. The interesting part that the light was off, only blinked for 5-10 seconds, when a car was detected. As I find RTL515 light way too strong I use it i radar only mode and run a Bontrager Flare RT Rear instead. They are in a light network.
I spent some time researching this but found no solution for this (doing the same with my 1040).

Is there any solution (data field/widget) to force RTL515 to be in radar mode only but blink when something detected and running Bontrager Flare RT Rear in night flash mode, while being in a light network? This would be a great solution for me, thanks in advance.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

hotdogpartysausage — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 21:26:46 GMT

Excellent Cheers maca88 I'll give it a whirl

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

milmat1 — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 21:21:56 GMT

Thanks for the replay, but it doesn't sound Garmin will enable you to add this nice functions. I need to check it again, but I assume that my radar is connected via ANT+. My Edge 840 shows types of vehicles and their position Left/Right. It could be changes by a recent update of RearVue.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:13:30 GMT

[quote userid="363563" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2016876"]if there are a new "Vehicle threat" levels than the current available in the configuration application[/quote]

No, the additional vehicle data is only available via BLE, which is not supported by Smart Bike Lights. The BLE connection for the Varia 820 uses a private protocol that is accessible only for companies that do request access via:
https://developer.garmin.com/radar-data-ble/overview/

There is a dedicated thread related to this:
Garmin Varia Rearvue 820 Radar development

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:02:04 GMT

Hi, sorry for the late reply.

Yes, it is possible to show the current group name. If you have Smart Bike Lights set on a 1 Field Layout, then you can set the following:

If you are using any other layout, you need to put it in a place where there is enough space in order the group to be displayed.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:58:05 GMT

Hi,

sorry for the late reply.

[quote userid="1424082" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2016004"]the screen goes black[/quote]

The whole screen or just the are where the data field is placed?

What happens if you turn on FR300 again, does the screen re-appear?

[quote userid="1424082" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/showcase/248492/smart-bike-lights-data-field-bike-lights-control-widget/2016004"]What could be causing this?[/quote]

I am not sure yet, it could be that Smart Bike Lights crashed, but if that would be the case, you should see an "IQ" icon in the middle of the area where you placed the data field.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

milmat1 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:13:27 GMT

Hi Maca,

I'd like to ask you, if there are a new "Vehicle threat" levels than the current available in the configuration application: None, Medium, High for new radar Garmin RearVue 820. I'm not able to setup do not flash in case you ride bike with a friend who is keeping same distance after me. The Garmin Edge shows it as a green point upper and ikon of bike. The flash is annoying in such case and I would like to have radar light off in such use case. I attached my current setup adopted from 515 to 820:

#4587520,196641:0,943733581:1:#15,8!Tunnel:2:62:1:0G[2H]1!Night1:3:1:1:0B[3C]9.72222Es2700,r-2700!Night2:3:2:60:0B[4C]5.55556Es900,r-900!Night3:2:5:1:0C]1.38889Es0,r0!Night4:1:62:1:0Es0,r0!Day1:2:63:1:0Er0,s0H]2!Day2:1:0:1:0Er0,s0!:1:0:0:0D=1#0,73535488::1:#8,5!Tunnel:2:6:1:0G[2H]1!Night:1:6:1:0Es-900,r0!Day1:3:7:1:0Er0,s0H]1I]-1}1!Day2:1:0:1:0Er0,s0!:1:0:0:0D=1#7,6:Ion Pro RT:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,High:1!1,Medium:2!1,Low:5!1,Day Flash:63!1,Night Flash:62#6,5:RearVue 820:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Solid:4!1,Peloton:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,Night Flash:6#0::#1:1#123!:123!#0#0#B4062#1#24#0#0

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

hotdogpartysausage — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:36:40 GMT

Hi Maca. I'm adding some filters to my configuration and was wondering if there was any way to display the name of the filter group on the data field that's triggering the current light mode as it would be quite handy to check if the filter was working

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

kl.mo — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:08:32 GMT

Hi,

I am using a Garmin Edge 1050 with a Ravemen FR300 (ANT+) and a Garmin Varia RTL 515.

I want a very basic setup, just to control my lights. To do this, I configured an Individual Light Network, as this is the only way to use the FR300.

On my data screen, I can see and control both lights. However, every time I power off the FR300, the screen goes black, and I can no longer control the RTL 515.

What could be causing this?

Thanks in advance!

____
Here is my configuration:

#0,88092688::1:#1,1!:1:0:0:0D=1#0,73535488::1:#1,1!:1:0:0:0D=1##6,5:Varia 515:0:16777215:-1!2,:-1,Off:0!1,Solid:4!1,Peloton:5!1,Day Flash:7!1,Night Flash:6#1:7393!1:722877!0#1:1#13!:13!#16755200#0#B4440#16#3#0#0

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:07:05 GMT

As tjj1664 mentioned above, you need to pair the light by using ANT+ instead of Bluetooth. It seems like that Rearvue 820 is paired with Bluetooth by default, which does enable you to use the new radar features (vehicle size, position). As for now, the only option for Smart Bike Lights to work is to pair the light with ANT+. Until Garmin will do something about it, you will have to choose between using Smart Bike Lights or new radar features.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

maca88 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:02:14 GMT

Make sure that the light is paired, most likely now you have only the radar paired. In order to pair Varia 515, you need to press and hold the power button for around three seconds until pink light starts flashing (pairing mode). Then you need to pair it by selecting Sensors -> "Search all" option in the menu.

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

Privatscheiss — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:26:52 GMT

With the new Varia Rearvue 820, the light no longer turns on when a vehicle approaches. Can anyone tell me what is wrong?Setup:

Garmin Edge 1040 SW 30.18

Garmin Rearvue 820 SW 6.34

Smart Bike Light SW 0.31.1

Config:

###0,73535488::1:#3,3!Nacht:1:4:0:0Es0,r0!KFZ:1:4:0:0I[300]0!:1:0:0:0D=1##3,2:RearView:0:16777215:4!1,:-1!2,Ein:4,Aus:0#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##24#0#0

It works flawlessly with my old Garmin Varia 516.

Config:

###0,4096::1:#3,3!NACHT:1:4:0:0Es0,r0!KFZ:1:4:0:0I[300]0!:1:0:0:0D=1##3,2:Varia 516 DE:0:16777215:4!1,:-1!2,Ein:4,Aus:0#0::#0:1#123!:123!#0#0#B3843##8#0#0

Thanks a lot

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

Badgerman — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:04:43 GMT

I had this all working and nowhave no network on data screen with only Smart Bike Lights on it. I can select the settings. My other version of smart bike lights is working with the congested lights. It’s just smart bike light 2 with the varia light that is showing as no network.

this is with Bontrager ion 200 and RT with Varia 515 on edge 840. Thanks

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

9227468 — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:37:15 GMT

Fixed 👍 Forerunner 955 + Varia RTL515 maca88

Hello, thanks for the support.

I made two mistakes:

1. No network – incorrect pairing of the Varia RTL515. I needed to use Varia a long press to enter pairing mode; after that, I got a connection for both Radar & Lights.

2. No Data Field "IQ Smart Bike Lights" – I expected the new data field to appear by itself, but I had to add it manually as hotdogpartysausage described.

I am very happy and grateful for the perfect work on this "product"!

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

hotdogpartysausage — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:11:12 GMT

Some of the standard data screens on watches limit what you can display & don't allow ciq data fields. You would need to add a custom data screen with a 1 data field layout then add the smart bike lights data field to it

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

9227468 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:40:01 GMT

Hi Maca,

Thank you for your reply.

The issue is that on the Data Screen, there is no option to select a "Connect IQ" data field. The only available options are "Custom Data," "HR Zone Guide," "Stamina," etc.

However, I have the Data Field installed via Garmin Connect IQ, and I have also set up its configuration through the website configurator. I haven't installed any other Data Fields. What should I check next? :-)

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

tjj1664 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:09:04 GMT

The 820 radar light connects to EDGE via both Bluetooth and ANT+. You can try using only ANT+ mode; the video explains how to do so, but some functions may not be available.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2026/02/garmi-varia-rearvue-radar-820-in-depth-review.html

RE: Smart Bike Lights (Data Field) / Bike Lights Control (Widget)

Papsi77 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:54:41 GMT

I have other apps running( HMs DIY;Clean Multifield, Edge Mapfield ), but they haven't interfered with your app so far. Whenever I test my Varia 515 or 715 with my configuration, everything works as expected with your app. Only the new Varia 820 doesn't work.