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Varia V3.40 The radar detection distance becomes shorter and dull

Today ride at times to confirm some issues.

1. The radar detection distance becomes shorter and dull.

2. The only detect about 40m motor/80m car/100m bus.
  • In my mind the stale data I provided means NOTHING


    I don't think you really mean your above quote-means NOTHING. I suggest you go back and carefully read some of your earlier posts regarding your test results which says differently-like substantiates your real world observations. There are even more instances. I found it important info along with your real world observations even though I could not duplicate your results either way.
  • I don't think you really mean your above quote-means NOTHING. I suggest you go back and carefully read some of your earlier posts regarding your test results which says differently-like substantiates your real world observations.


    Hows this? The data test I did, in and of itself is worthless and means nothing.. Better?
  • I did my own independent measurements of vehicle detection distances using firmware ver 3.40 . I used this version only and did not test ver 3.00, or any other version.

    I found the detection distance using ver 3.40 to be consistently 500 feet or greater, and as much as 550 feet. This was the case whether the vehicles detected were a single vehicle or multiple vehicles in a group.

    My results do not quite replicate the results from raqball!, particularly insofar as multiple vehicle detection. My results are more consistent with what bikejack has reported here.

    I did my tests in two separate locations, both on straight roads. The distances were measured from observed points using both Google Maps and Apple Maps. The Varia radar unit had firmware ver 3.40, and the head unit was a Garmin Edge 520 with firmware ver 3.10 . At both locations, I counted at least 20 vehicles.

    At each of the locations, the passing vehicles all triggered detection at about the same point, or at least within a very small observed range. The vehicles consistently triggered detection at this distance, regardless of whether the vehicles were single or multiple.

    Results:

    First Location:
    - number of vehicles - 20
    detection distance, as measured by:
    - Google Maps - 525 feet
    - Apple Maps - 500 feet

    Second Location:
    - number of vehicles - 25
    detection distance, as measured by:
    - Google Maps - 550 feet
    - Apple Maps - 525 feet

    So now there are various different results posted here by different observers about the detection distance of firmware ver 3.40, and everyone is of course free to interpret these results in his own way.
  • Using Google maps and Apple maps to measure distance is about as unreliable as you can get. I'd say your testing would be considered 'ballpark range' or maybe, sort of, kind of, but thanks for the post...

    Interesting how most in the thread (I count 4 unhappy users to 2 happy users) have low detection issues on 3.4 I wonder why as we are all using the same RTL..

    You and I both have the same radar and we are both using an Edge 520. Interesting to say the least..

    At this point I am more interested in real world usage feedback from users who have a lot of on the road time with both versions.. I only did 3 rides (105'ish miles) with 3.4 before I scrapped it and went back to 3.0.
  • point :

    GARMIN RD Why not explain?????????
  • I doubt Garmin will explain.. I emailed them and got a response that my RTL might be defective.. LOL

    I asked how can it only be defective on 3.4 and not defective on 3.0 and I have not received a response yet..

    Meh, I'm happy on 3.0 so I guess I'll just wait it out until the next update and see what happens with it. Hopefully Garmin will resolve the issue as I'd hate to be on 3.0 forever..
  • I did my own independent measurements of vehicle detection distances using firmware ver 3.40 . I used this version only and did not test ver 3.00, or any other version.

    I found the detection distance using ver 3.40 to be consistently 500 feet or greater, and as much as 550 feet. This was the case whether the vehicles detected were a single vehicle or multiple vehicles in a group.

    My results do not quite replicate the results from raqball!, particularly insofar as multiple vehicle detection. My results are more consistent with what bikejack has reported here.

    I did my tests in two separate locations, both on straight roads. The distances were measured from observed points using both Google Maps and Apple Maps. The Varia radar unit had firmware ver 3.40, and the head unit was a Garmin Edge 520 with firmware ver 3.10 . At both locations, I counted at least 20 vehicles.

    At each of the locations, the passing vehicles all triggered detection at about the same point, or at least within a very small observed range. The vehicles consistently triggered detection at this distance, regardless of whether the vehicles were single or multiple.

    Results:

    First Location:
    - number of vehicles - 20
    detection distance, as measured by:
    - Google Maps - 525 feet
    - Apple Maps - 500 feet

    Second Location:
    - number of vehicles - 25
    detection distance, as measured by:
    - Google Maps - 550 feet
    - Apple Maps - 525 feet

    So now there are various different results posted here by different observers about the detection distance of firmware ver 3.40, and everyone is of course free to interpret these results in his own way.


    Thanks so much for posting your results. They are very consistent with my testing of V3.4 integrated with Edge 520. By the way my Varia serial number is 480025306.
  • I put 3.4 back on my unit for this mornings ride.. 38 miles of pure GARBAGE!

    I was passed by probably 1500 cars during my ride and as soon as I walked in the door I reverted back again to 3.0..

    A few things I noticed on today's ride:

    1. Vehicle pops up on Edge 520 screen so I look back. 3 cars that I can see in the group. The initial car was registered at an estimated 450 feet. The 2nd car never registered at all and the 3rd car registered at about 200 feet (3/4 of the way up the Edge screen) This = Garbage detection in my book!

    2. Vehicle pops up on Edge screen. A look back indicated numerous vehicles coming. The initial vehicle was registered at about 450 feet. A few came in at about 400 feet and a few came in at 250 feet or less. All in all I counted 8 total cars in the pack that passed but only 6 were registered (6 dots on Edge counted 8 cars that passed). This = Garbage detection in my book.

    3. Vehicle pops up on radar so I look back. Zoom! Passed by a car that never even registered! The car that did register came in at about 500 feet. As that car got to the half way mark on my Edge screen, another car registered. A look back showed another car was right behind it so that means this 3rd car was registered at less than 250 feet. This = Garbage detection in my book.

    I have several more instance I can describe but why bother? The update for most (save 2 posters in this thread) is proven garbage.. I won't waste my time or my safety on 3.4 again...

    My advise to anyone reading this thread is DO NOT update and if you do, make sure you have 3.0 saved and ready to reinstall... Also, if you do decide to try 3.4 for yourself PLEASE use some caution on it. It's inaccurate and in my opinion is a serious downgrade from 3.0.. At this point, I consider 3.4 to be a safety hazard..
  • I've only done about 100 miles this week with my new Varia and my experience is probably different because most of my riding has been on narrow twisty country lanes where 500' rearward visability isn't even possible and there's not a great deal of traffic anyway.
    I'm still happy with the way the Varia responds under the conditions I ride in and I can't say I've noticed the problems you're experiencing, but that may well be down to the lack of traffic.
  • I'm still happy with the way the Varia responds under the conditions I ride in and I can't say I've noticed the problems you're experiencing, but that may well be down to the lack of traffic.

    I've been more than happy with my radar since I got it.. I absolutely love this thing and won't ever ride without it again. Heck, I had a ride where I forgot to charge the battery and it died mid ride. I felt naked the rest of the way home without it. LOL

    My biggest problem with 3.4 is multiple vehicle detection. This is a #1 top priority for me as all of my daily my rides are in medium to heavy city traffic..

    My setup with the Radar and a Virb....