Update 3.36 reduce radar sensitivity very dangerous

4892873
1 month ago

After the last update to version 3.36, it often happens that the last vehicle in the column is not recognized. This is very dangerous because when you think that all the vehicles have already passed, there is still one that the varia does not see. This happens about 2-3 times per training. Previously, on the older software, there were no such situations.

  • 0 7 days ago

    Update. I’ve now had 3.36 on my varia now for a couple of weeks and done a few longer 70+ mile rides and I’ve had false negatives a couple of times on each of those rides .. together with a dozen or so “radar error” and similar quantity of radar disconnected. The false negatives are a problem though … got spooked by an electric vehicle approaching from behind just before I turned right to take a junction … always shoulder check especially now as I no longer trust the Varia to have my back. 

    im using a wahoo ELEMNT bolt with latest version as the head unit and it and the varia were faultless until I put 3.34 update on to it. Is there any way to roll back the firmware so that I can put 3.33 back on to try and confirm if the device is starting to go faulty or rather that its buggy firmware. 

    I work in IT & Tech support and been a programmer for 25 years so happy to take a technical solution for rolling and try any troubleshooting here if it would help get to the bottom of it. 

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to CSYVE

    Update. I’ve now had 3.36 on my varia now for a couple of weeks and done a few longer 70+ mile rides and I’ve had false negatives a couple of times on each of those rides .. together with a dozen or so “radar error” and similar quantity of radar disconnected. The false negatives are a problem though … got spooked by an electric vehicle approaching from behind just before I turned right to take a junction … always shoulder check especially now as I no longer trust the Varia to have my back. 

    im using a wahoo ELEMNT bolt with latest version as the head unit and it and the varia were faultless until I put 3.34 update on to it. Is there any way to roll back the firmware so that I can put 3.33 back on to try and confirm if the device is starting to go faulty or rather that its buggy firmware. 

    I work in IT & Tech support and been a programmer for 25 years so happy to take a technical solution for rolling and try any troubleshooting here if it would help get to the bottom of it. 

  • 0 6 days ago

    Garmin claims that they have not made any changes to the software regarding radar sensitivity. If this is true, there can only be one explanation. Radar sensitivity simply drops over time in some way. It is certainly not dependent on the condition of the battery because mine holds up like new. It has never been dropped, etc.

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to 4892873

    There could be many explanations for different radar error messages and for radar detection range - we do not have a clear example or pattern here of when and where riders are encountering errors, nor what error #s (if any) are being presented.

    Radar mounting position and the riding environment will have the greatest impact on radar detection.

    Varia devices should be mounted high on the seat post without any obstructions, and as vertical as possible, this improves radar detection and light visibility: Varia RTL515 Installation

    Please reach out to the Garmin support team for your region to go over device performance and service options: https://support.garmin.com/

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to Garmin-Clayton

    "There could be many explanations for different radar error messages and for radar detection range - we do not have a clear example or pattern here of when and where riders are encountering errors, nor what error #s (if any) are being presented."

    Same radar device mounted in the same optimal position on my bike for YEARS. Only change? Newer firmware. Now we have issues. I'm not sure if the device logs anything to the FIT file, but I'd be happy to submit my files if it will help. I understand that if the radar didn't 'see' anything, nothing may be recorded in the file, so it's understandable that this might be hard to diagnose.

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to Garmin-Clayton

    I contacted Garmin support. I think the only way to eliminte  a fault with the radar itself is to provide us  the previous software with a way to upload it.

  • 0 5 days ago in reply to 4892873

    I sent you another email requesting some more specific data that will help us investigate.

    Keeping your software up to date will ensure that you get the best performance and latest features, we do not support outdated software versions.

  • +1 3 days ago

    Hello all, and thanks for your participation in the Garmin Forums.


    We are investigating these reports of reduced sensitivity and/or missed vehicle detection since updating, and will update with more information when available.