Bontrager Ion 200 RT/Flare RT lights set Bluetooth pairing issues. Garmin 1040

Can’t help specifically, but only comment I had problems with the same lights and the 1040 / 530 / 1030 - had things paired up to everything and fully working at one point, but then lots of inconsistencies between what would/wouldn’t continue to work. At one stage even had two 1040’s side by side (warranty replacement for unrelated physical issues), same firmware, yet the behaviour was different.

Ended up unpairing as I found they caused intermittent problems with my Varia radar (otherwise problem free), was intending to revisit at a later firmware date with the hope things might have improved.

Hi. It’s an overall problem with Garmin. When I bought 1040 and the same light set all it was ok until one of the latest FW (~17.25). So the only solution is wait fixing from Garmin…

I just purchased the Ion 200 RT and Flare RT yesterday and played with it on the couch for a few hours. It paired fine the first try, but it kept loosing the connection.  I received a Varia error a few times. I found the best way to reset is to factory reset the lights (hold button for 15 seconds when the light is already on).  After the factory reset of each light, I turn on each light and they reconnect. I don’t have to re-pair the lights.

I’m using my watch which is a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro.  I had installed some widgets, and I thought they may be interfering and uninstalled them. The same behavior continued.  I reinstalled the widget for “Bike Lights Remote” which seems to work as long as everything is connected.  I did have to restart the watch also if I received the Varia error.  Note that I do not have a Varia…just the error message said Varia error.

I was certainly trying to test the stability of the light network, and it is not 100% solid and does seem to break. Knowing the reset procedure helps in case I need to do that.  Unfortunately, I may end up not connecting the lights to my Garmin watch, but that is okay as I generally stay with one mode for the lights anyway (group ride = solid lights on low no flashing     solo ride = flashing front and back).  It would be nice to be able to change the rear light with the watch, but it’s not a deal breaker if I have to press the button on the light.

Fenix and Edge have different hardware and firmware so it’s totally incorrect to compare they.

Really?  Is it totally incorrect?

I think there are some key bits of information here that could help the OP.  That includes the reset procedure for re-pairing the light as the question posted.  And, overall it could potentially be a very similar experience as issues like this are seen reported for years now.

Yes, I think so. People’s with edge from 830 to 1040 faced with problem. But may I’m wrong. Tomorrow I’ll try on my Marq(hardware similar to your Fenix) and this light set. I would happy if you will be right)

It seems to be the same kind of issues consistently.  I’m going to try turning each light on and then off right before my ride to see if that “wakes up” each light and possibly assist with more consistent connections.

I think your test is a good test with the Marq so others that may have that watch can find this post. I would bet it’s a very similar experience…works more than half the time but certainly nowhere near 100% of the time.

Hi) I made test and for me the results aren't very good. Tested equipment: Garmin Edge 1040 and Garmin Marq (watch), light set Bontrager Ion Pro/Flare RT. On Edge lights disconnected randomly after start ride (light error, searching for device etc). On Marq it seems that working without issues while riding but if I want to view settings of Data field (Smart Bike Lights, I use it instead original Bontrager filed) lights begin to disconnect and almost immediately to connect so for some time IQ filed show me "Network error". Then I exit from field settings and lights found and they continue to work with sometimes issues disconnect/connect. On Edge, how I already said, after disconnect lights are no longer found and only reset lights and new connection helped. As a result: on Edge I can't use lights - always errors. On watch technically I can but it's very inconvenient  without touchscreen, with absence of ability to quick change light mode (on Edge I have IQ widget and Data fileld and changing mode front/rear took about 5 seconds) and big advantage of Edge is light sensor so in tunnels even during the day front light automatically switches on full mode and day flash after tunnel, for ex.