Beep/Alarm Volume

I returned 530 and got a Wahoo Elemnt Roam. I would describe the volume as just about perfect, maybe a little soft. It'd sure be nice if some of these devices allowed you to adjust volume and the actual noises that play when a vehicle is detected. I guess that's asking a lot of Wahoo but you'd think that Garmin would really do better. This simple-to-fix problem with the volume made me spend my $370 with Wahoo instead of $300 or $400 with Garmin.

Another thing I like about the Wahoo are the LEDs that light up on the head unit; it's just another way to get my attention and monitor whether the vehicle is still there. Those LEDs are a bit more noticeable than the animation on the screen.

Overall, I think the best configuration is to pair the Varia with your phone (I'm on Pixel) and use the RideWithGPS app. You'll have control over the volume of the sounds and you get the animation of vehicles on either the right or left side of the screen, as well as the map and metrics the app shows. I'm not sure if the flashing of the taillight changes as the vehicle approaches.

I tried the Varia app on my phone but I really don't like the sounds and you can't see any navigation or other metrics while that app is open like you can with RWGPS. The Wahoo phone app also integrates well with the Varia but I had other issues with that app. 

I think the issue might be of pitch if you are of a certain age.  My wife says it's very loud when to me it's pretty quiet. My hearing is generally fine but suspect not at the specific frequency it uses.   It's such a shame it can't be relayed to the Connect app like navigation instructions can.  Having the phone vibrate in my back pocket would be the most preferable solution.

Yes true.  Frequency is not for older.

Glad I am not the only one who has this complaint. We older folks definitely have a problem with the super high frequency of the 530 alerts

A solution that worked for me for Varia Radar beeps.  I run the iPhone app and keep volume all the way up. Screen is locked and phone is in my jersey pocket.  I can hear this much better than the edge beep.   Also the app has an “all clear” tone for when car passes or turns off behind you.  

Yes . my solution is to use Ride with GPS app and I have Quadl LOck on my handlebar with my Mobile phone. 

This problem has existed as long ago as the Edge 305 and the 800. I am sure that I raised the issue then how inaudible the device was but it appears over all these years, nothing has happened. I vowed never to buy another Garmin Edge all those years ago due to lack of support and the 800 being abandoned after about 4 patches which resolved nothing hardly. You were just left with a bugged device and out of pocket.

I relented after all these years and bought a 530 thinking, surely Garmin must have improved, I found nothing has changed and their devices are still just as flawed. I myself can only barely hear the 530 when conditions are good, usually whilst stood still in a quiet room and it was the first thing I noticed how quiet it is. My hearing was damaged in the Army firing weapons, and high pitched tones, I can only hear with hearing aids which I cannot wear whilst riding as my helmet straps pull them out of my ear.

The ironic bit I find is that I think it was on the diagnostics on the 305 and/or maybe the 800, you could play a full range of "notes" so they existed on the device, but no way to select a different tone or increase the volume, perhaps the 530 is the same.

This is only an option with the newer radar, I’m not sure this is a viable solution if I have to buy a new one in order for it to be accessible 

For those with the earlier (non-bluetooth) version I am adding this alternative solution from another contributor for anyone who missed this thread ->  https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-530/267966/audio-volume-workaround-for-edge-5xx-8xx   I can confirm that whilst not a perfect solution, the volume of the alerts is definitely increased with one of these installed.