There’s one gadget I won’t ride my bike without, and it’s not a fitness tracker: radar tail lights are second only to a helmet for keeping you safe on the road, giving advance warning of any vehicles approaching from behind. Garmin popularised the tech with its Varia lights, and now gotten with the times to compete with fresher-faced rivals.
The Varia RearVue 820 finally adds USB-C connectivity, meaning cyclists can at last cut down the number of charging cables stashed in their saddle bag. Up to now, you had to step up to the camera-equipped RTL715 for that luxury, otherwise you were stuck in the past with micro-USB.
Garmin has done a lot more than just change the power connector, of course. The RearVue 820 has the firm’s most advanced vehicle tracking yet, recognising side-to-side movement and categorising threat levels as vehicles approach. It’ll also detect their size, while a wider field of view can pick up vehicles from several lanes away, at a distance of up to 175m. Same speed tracking then tells you if someone behind is waiting to pass.
Alerts are shown on compatible Garmin bike computers (the Edge 540, 840 or 1040 and newer) or on the Varia companion app if you prefer to ride with your phone in an out-front mount. Visual and audible alerts can be sent to a Garmin smartwatch too.
The light portion of the Varia RearVue 820 shines brighter than the rival Wahoo Trackr Radar, with Garmin saying you can be spotted over 2km away. It’s got multiple flash modes, a peloton setting for group rides, and acts as a brake light when it detects you slowing down or stopping.
Lasting up to 24 hours of riding in day flash mode, or up to 30 hours in radar-only mode, it also has the Wahoo licked for battery life. The included seat post mount should then sit securely on pretty much any road or gravel bike.
The Varia RearVue 820 is on sale now, directly from Garmin, for $300/£240/€280.
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