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Idea for Garmin: DriverAlert mode for the varia radar tail light?

punkgeek
over 7 years ago
I've ordered the RTL510 (though I haven't received it yet). So I'd like to contribute this feature request:

It would be awesome to have a mode that leaves the tail light blinking and slightly dim until it detects an approaching vehicle, then it goes brighter and blinks more rapidly. Possibly some sort of pseudo-random blinking when the car gets even closer.

Why this might be useful:
* Saves power when no cars are present
* Snaps drivers out of 'spacing out' as they drive, the changing behavior of the tail light reacting to their approach might make them more mindful of the cyclist.

Thoughts?

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  • 0 over 7 years ago
    It already has a similar feature
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    I've ordered the RTL510 (though I haven't received it yet). So I'd like to contribute this feature request:

    It would be awesome to have a mode that leaves the tail light blinking and slightly dim until it detects an approaching vehicle, then it goes brighter and blinks more rapidly. Possibly some sort of pseudo-random blinking when the car gets even closer.


    Your will be happy to learn that the light already does exactly that, changing the blinking pattern when a vehicle is approaching. This works in all three light modes. Unfortunately it is not possible to set this pattern when the light is off, i.e., the light would only blink when vehicles approach and afterwards go back to off. Such a mode should extend battery life to the maximum and really would make sense (you really don't need a light in day mode when no vehicles are approaching anyway) and it must be easy to implement it through firmware, because the radar already can work with the light off, it just does not blink. So that is my version of your idea for garmin
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    https://www8.garmin.com/contactUs/ideas/

    I just submitted it ... you should too.


    I did Indeed!

    Also to allow setting a higher volumen in the alerts in edge devices, or to allow channelling them to the mobile through GC like can be done with navigation alerts. Lack of sound or insufficiently audible alerts is the number one suck factor with the radar system.
  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Late to the Varia here but totally agree with this idea and wonder whether it actually works now? I ask because today I approached a bike with a Varia while driving today and thought I noticed this behavior - light off and then started flashing as I approached. Is there a setting to enable this?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to acousticbiker

    just turn flash off in widget or manually by pressing Varia button. In no flash mode, the radar still works and flashes when a car approaches.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to cheracogoff

    Hmm, according to the manual, ‘the device does not detect vehicles in standby mode’ (when the light is off):

    https://static.garmin.com/pumac/Varia_Radar_51X_OM_EN.pdf (see bottom left of page 4 under ‘Taillight Modes and Intensity’)

    Do you have the RTL510 or 515? And do you get oncoming vehicle alerts while your Varia is in standby mode?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to acousticbiker

    I'll have to check it again if using the button deactivates the radar. I do know for sure that If I use the widget on the 1030 to cancel flash, the radar still works. Varia is 510 model.

    I checked the DCrainmaker review of the 510 and this is what he wrote:

    Can you change from blinking to steady-on mode?

    Yes, you can change to and from either mode by using the button on the Varia radar.  If in the default mode of solid-on/red, then pressing it once will go to a very slow/faint pulsing.  Pressing it again will go to a double-blink of sorts. Pressing it one more time will power off the light, but leave on the radar.  And pressing it one last time will bring it back to solid red.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to cheracogoff

    I've never found a setting where I get radar alerts & the light is off, only flashing when a car is detected

    When I turn the light off from the edge widget. I get radar alerts but the light doesn't flash when a car is detected. It stays off

    Could you share your setup, which allows the radar/light to work in that way please?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to hotdogpartysausage

    This week I sent my 1030 back to Garmin for the screen halo issue so I can't check it right now. When I get the replacement I'll check it then and respond.