Firmware Versions

I've done a couple rides with the v2.00 firmware and was jumping on to check if there were updates to fix what I was noticing. And from what I can tell... What I'm experiencing everyone is saying is the problem with v2.20.

I'm using a bundled version (luckily, since I was planning on using my 520 long term). With the v2.00 firmware, I've been riding residential neighborhoods, so I can ride near or at the speed limit most of the time. The area is VERY common for un-enforced speeding. What I noticed is when someone paces me... The Varia completely ignores them and says they are gone. I'm riding in very early hours (long before sunrise) so I can still see their very close headlights. I also noticed that when they are only overtaking me by a small difference... It would not alert me until I could actually see them to my side overtaking. When a car would turn in behind me, if they did not accelerate to greater speeds than my own, it would also not show them until they were directly beside me. Same goes for me sprinting away or taking off from a stop sign. If they did not go faster than me, they weren't there.

Another issue I'm having... Garmin Express says my product ID isn't valid. So I have manually just added the v2.20 firmware and I'll take it out in the morning. Can it really get worse?

Now... When it does detect a car... Most of the drivers that I swear are aiming for cyclists are actually giving me a much wider gap when overtaking (3ft law here that has never been enforced, even when a driver is at fault for an acident). Now if only it would help that they still want to right turn or stop as soon as they pass me.

-MadManX99

Any feedback as to the difference? My take is that the Varia is not to be used as a rear view mirror to know everything that is behind you but more to know if there is a vehicle approaching quickly from a distance so you can then be more vigilant as to what is behind you. I believe the unit does that well even with 2.20.

On the v2.20 firmware in a residential neighborhood... It's pretty much worthless. Most cars I'm noticing beside me before anything on the display.

I also noticed out on the highway, bigger trucks... The ones you need to brace for... Only would blink yellow just before they blow by and they are doing 75mph+ (seriously, that's the normal speed near me on open highways).

I think everyone is misunderstanding that this taillight isn't just to notify us riders, but also to notify the drivers. The light pattern changes when approaching... But if the light isn't responding and we don't know it's there... It's a $30 taillight for $199 (not including the head unit).

So far I've noticed it to be very effective to get drivers to give me my 3ft during night hours when it actively detects them and changes patters. Otherwise it's no better then my old much brighter $30 taillight.

Overall I'm very disappointed for the price point that in congestion and residential areas it's not as good as most cheap lights.

I've also noticed that even when being passed by drivers doing 4 times my speed or more I get only a couple seconds of notice and it only flashes red on a fluke (multiple cars back to back).

In have almost 150mi ridden with mine, and about 100mi of it is before or at sunrise.

I think with some tweaks it could be very useful and effective... But having a car pace you and never know it's there until you go looking... I should know it's safe to sit up on the hoods and turn my torso around enough to check behind me to turn or more into traffic... A mirror is still more effective.

-MadManX99

On the v2.20 firmware in a residential neighborhood... It's pretty much worthless. Most cars I'm noticing beside me before anything on the display.

I also noticed out on the highway, bigger trucks... The ones you need to brace for... Only would blink yellow just before they blow by and they are doing 75mph+ (seriously, that's the normal speed near me on open highways).

I think everyone is misunderstanding that this taillight isn't just to notify us riders, but also to notify the drivers. The light pattern changes when approaching... But if the light isn't responding and we don't know it's there... It's a $30 taillight for $199 (not including the head unit).

So far I've noticed it to be very effective to get drivers to give me my 3ft during night hours when it actively detects them and changes patters. Otherwise it's no better then my old much brighter $30 taillight.

Overall I'm very disappointed for the price point that in congestion and residential areas it's not as good as most cheap lights.

I've also noticed that even when being passed by drivers doing 4 times my speed or more I get only a couple seconds of notice and it only flashes red on a fluke (multiple cars back to back).

In have almost 150mi ridden with mine, and about 100mi of it is before or at sunrise.

I think with some tweaks it could be very useful and effective... But having a car pace you and never know it's there until you go looking... I should know it's safe to sit up on the hoods and turn my torso around enough to check behind me to turn or more into traffic... A mirror is still more effective.

-MadManX99

is v2.00 any better?

I haven't gone back to v2.00 yet. Mine originally came with it and I had ridden about 30mi on that firmware in the same early am/pre sunrise hours though.

If I had to pick a "better" firmware... I'm probably going to put the v2.00 back on mine over the weekend. I didn't notice as many cars creeping up beside me undetected in residential areas. But I had not taken it out during the day or on a highway yet. On the highway, personally I'm not as concerned until I have to turn off of it (all options are left turns). So "knowing" that its safe to look over my shoulder when its all green I really like. I'm not wanting to rely on the radar, just be made more aware of my surroundings in case I need to react to something.

Simple point... I ride a large loop around a couple residential areas during morning commute hours from a suburb. Everyone is late, in a hurry, not patient, and not paying attention (everyone being sarcastic, but many). My expectations from the radar is to keep me aware of whats behind me when i don't need to be looking but need to know its there. This allows me to ride further from the curb more into the middle of "my side" of the lane. Why do I do this?... Because many people right turn in front of me from side roads giving me little time to react. Even with a very bright (NiteRider 650) headlamp. Being more in the lane makes me look more like a car... I'm traveling just under the posted speed limit that no one is doing. When the Varia starts to blink someone is behind me... I move to the shoulder. Cars deter other cars from cutting them off way more than my bike light does... Now when I need to make a left turn... Again... Knowing I can either slow down or stop for someone to pass to safely look back over my shoulder is my preference... I ride aero or dropped most of the time, so looking back even on a good day I still lean in a bit into the lane. The other issue... Having to just react... Do you swerve without looking, or try to stop without going over the bars?... That blinking light can help make the decision if you know a car is on your tail. That split second you have to decide your options, if I had just glanced and knew someone might be there... The brakes, shoulder, curb... might be the safest option for me (or hit it and hope for the best)... Same case and it was green... Use that wide open lane to dodge and weave.

I feel with only firmware tweaks... This could easily complement both a rider and the driver... Notifying us both and keeping us aware of each other. I'm not bashing it... I plan on keeping mine... But I'm being hopeful it will be better than just my normal $30 taillight.

Sorry for the book answer... But seems like a few of the responses on here are ignoring that this is a $200 light to compete with a $30 you probably already have. And it's meant to keep you AND the other drivers aware. Does it replace what we should already be doing... Nope... But it should complement it. And that light looks a lot better on my bike then a mirror on the bike or my helmet... And that's only $15 extra on that $30 light compared to the $200 light that should be doing at least that much and more (it definitely has the capability to).

-MadManX99