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The Varia 510 needs a new mode
Former Member
For my use, the Varia 510 needs a new mode : no-light with no car detected by the radar, and flashing light when a car is detected, in order to get the attention of car driver during day light
I'll have to test if when the light is turned off through the computer, the radar still flashes when a car approaches. The radar works fine with the light off but I have never thought to see if it flashes. I'll test it tomorrow.
I'm not sure I see the merit in this. The radar range is about 150 meters, but the light is visible from a lot further away than that. I would prefer drivers see me from a long way away, rather than a sudden and unanticipated light. YMMV.
I haven't seen it myself, but am assured by my riding buddies that from its regular flashing pattern that the light "goes crazy" when a car approaches.
With day flash, the battery life is 15 hours, so it's not as though you are saving a whole lot of battery life through having the light off.
Think of it as a group ride mode, and then it might make sense. Some people become irate when you use lights in a daylight group ride. Yeah I don't get it either, but I think it would be nice to have it as an option. Perhaps the Varia radar itself has the resolution to detect the following conditions:
1) Car behind - flash on
2) No car behind, no cyclist behind - flash on
3) No car behind, cyclist behind - flash off or low intensity
Good idea. Also add an always solid mode (even with car behind). Some groups don't like any flashing of rear lights, especially on night rides. Very distracting.
