This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Have hearing + sight difficulties - Will Radar - Vision Combo Vibration be any use?

Former Member
Former Member
I have tried a few times to get responses that may help to answer this question.

To better understand you may wish to review:

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?350297-1st-ride-with-Varia-Vision
See Post #17

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?355352-Need-Ability-to-Disable-Vibration
See Post #2

I appreciate that there is no satisfactory replacement for looking over the shoulder, and will always continue to do so, but the Radar is very capable of picking up approaching vehicles and even single bicycles and so brings much to this table.

Alternatively perhaps someone could suggest a good quality rear View Mirror, capable of fitting to Drop Bars, that has a good quality FLAT Mirror?

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions, thank you.
  • What you are asking for is very difficult to answer. The answers are so subjective. It also depends on the glasses you mount them on...i.e., how tight/loose they are on your head. Some people find the vibrations weak and some find them jarring. I find it just right. I also hear & feel the vibrations. The vibrations are transmitted via the arms of my glasses to around and behind my ears.

    You say you have hearing & sight difficulties?. The degree of these impediments only adds to the impossibility of answering your questions.

    The only answer is...you have to try it for yourself.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    Thanks for your input ZuhMan.

    I am hoping that somebody with similar problems will respond with their assessment of vibration effectiveness.
    The general opinions regarding Garmin Devices that emit vibration seem to suggest that they tend toward being feeble.

    The point you make about 'fit' is probably critical in being able to sense vibrations.
    That is why in the first link in my previous Post I included:

    Vibration is probably more noticeable when felt rather than when heard? As the VV is much closer to ear perhaps it's alert function is improved?
    Has anyone gone to the lengths of bending the Temple Arms of Glasses/Google or installing a 'solid pad', with a view to making actual contact with the Temple?


    My experience indicates that 'contact', proven by holding the VivoSmart HR as against wearing it, is paramount to increase the vibration effect. Those who find Vision Vibration jarring could aim to minimise contact or add insulation to reduce it's effect.

    Replacing stolen Garmin Kit is going to be expensive.
    I can just about accept the cost of the Edge 1000 as a stand alone item, although it would be much better if the whole Product Range would work together and be fully functional in the real world.
    The Radar, if it can be made fully functional for me with the addition of the Vision, will also be acceptable.
    Experience with the Radar strongly indicates that I need it's alerts to be heard or felt for it to be truly useful.
    If the Vision cannot reliably inform me about the Vibrations from the Radar then it becomes unacceptable.
    Although the Radar is an excellent product inability of the Vision to perform will make the Radar much less attractive.

    If it were just a case of visiting a Retailer to 'test' the proposed set up I would do just that.
    Asking for input from existing users seems to be a reasonable way to get a better feel for the end result, without purchasing and having to follow a Returns Process if it proves to be Not Fit for Purpose?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    I purchased a Varia Vision and replacement Varia Rear View Radar.
    Mounting the Vision on my Glasses needed an arrangement to slightly lower the assembly so that it does not project above the Temple Arm of my Glasses. This avoids conflict of the Vision with the Helmet at the same time making direct contact with the Temple Area enabling me to test my theory that it would improve the sensing of Vision's Vibrations.
    Thus far there is only a minor improvement, under conditions of very low traffic noise whilst riding on relatively smooth road surfaces I can feel a very short low level Vibration when vehicles are approaching from the rear.
    Given the excellent Battery Charge Life it seems possible for Garmin to provide a longer Vibration that would increase the number of times it could be sensed?

    The game changer for me is down to the performance and convenience of the Vision Display.
    A plus, for me, is that I am not overly affected by the partial blocking of peripheral vision and find it very easy to frequently and very rapidly scan the Vision Display. Of course it remains essential to double check with a rearward glance before making any manoeuvres.
    If Garmin would make changes so that the whole of the Vision Display flashed a bright colour on detecting approaching vehicles it would likely draw User attention to the Display.

    I have decided that my safety is better served with this arrangement than without, and I still have one more improvement to make. The Vision Mount, as supplied, is fitted with two 'gripper' pads that contact the Temple Arm and these also act as insulators. My plan is to remove these pads and fasten the Mount directly, without the Rubber Bands, onto the lowering arrangement and this will provide a solid direct physical contact with my Temple Area.

    The outcome will be reported here.