It’s no scorching take to say cyclists are weak street customers. It’s totally doubtless that almost all of individuals studying this have been shut handed by a motorized vehicle or worse whereas out on a experience. The brand new Garmin Varia RCT715 builds on the earlier RTL515 with the addition of a repeatedly recording HD digital camera. Whereas this gained’t essentially enhance security over the earlier iteration, it’s going to give cyclists the potential for redress following any unsavoury incidents whereas out on the street.
What’s new?
The Garmin Varia system is a rear-facing radar that, whereas paired with a suitable biking laptop, smartwatch or a smartphone with the Varia app put in, serves to warn you of approaching automobiles from behind – not simply their presence, however their method velocity too – with seen and auditory notifications. The unique Varia RTL515 gained the Greatest Lights class in our 2021 Gear of the 12 months rundown, and the newest model shares nearly all of its specs with the non-camera mannequin.
Each characteristic the identical radar system that has a variety of 140m, together with the rear mild that may be seen from a mile away. The sunshine, on detecting the presence of a automobile, will flash routinely if set to strong mode, or flash extra rapidly whether it is already flashing.
The place the brand new Varia RCT715 differs from its predecessor is with the addition of a 1080p, 30fps built-in video digital camera that repeatedly data throughout your experience. The system additionally, presumably by using accelerometers, routinely saves the recorded footage from earlier than, throughout, and after any incidents.
The disadvantage to including a digital camera is a lower in battery life. Whereas the earlier Varia may function on day flash mode for 16 hours, the continual nature of the recording of the RCT715 reduces the battery life to only six hours on day flash mode, or 4 hours on strong mode, maybe making it a extra appropriate selection for the commuter than the leisure rider.
Pricing and availability
The brand new Garmin Varia RCT715 will set you again £349.99 / $399.99 and is out there now.
