Sports tech company Garmin is adding a much-needed camera to its Varia line of bicycle radar and taillights.
It’s called the Miscellaneous RCT715 and houses a 1080p camera that shoots at 30 fps. The device features Automatic Incident Capture which ensures that it continues to record “before, during and after” an accident. So as you can imagine, the RCT715 is a pretty solid piece of equipment.
It has a water resistance rating: rated at IPX7, which means it can be submerged up to one meter under water for up to 30 minutes. However, the Varia RCT715 offers no protection against dust or sand.
When the Varia camera is turned on, it records continuously and saves the images in the Varia app† You can then transfer those images to your home computer or smartphone. The app even warns you if the rear camera detects a car getting too close behind you (assuming your phone is clipped to your bike and visible as you ride). The RCT715 is also compatible with: Garmin’s smartwatches and cycling computers to help you track your workouts or send notifications.
Safety first
While the new camera is the main focus, the Varia RCT715’s other features are just as important. Whether the camera works properly depends on the review radar that does its job.
The Varia’s radar has a viewing angle of 220 degrees and can detect vehicles up to 120 meters away. It is accompanied by an incredibly bright light that can be seen up to a mile away and has several lighting modes. There’s Solid mode for continuous light, Peloton mode (part of the system’s automated group driving function) for a low beam that’s easier on the eyes of those behind you, Night Flash for flashing during nighttime rides and Day Flash for mid-night driving. day trips. At its brightest, the Varia reaches a maximum of 65 lumens.
short battery
With a device with so many features, you can expect that the battery will drain quickly.
The battery life of the Varia depends on the light modes you use and whether the camera records at 1080p. The shortest life is four hours when Solid or Night Flash mode is enabled. The longest life is six hours with day flash on. We asked Garmin if it was possible to further extend battery life by disabling camera recording or radar, but it was unresponsive.
The Varia RCT715 isn’t cheap either. You can buy one now for $399.99 or buy a model with the camera removed for $199.99. If you’re interested in pairing the Varia with a Garmin watch, Ditching has a guide to help.
#Garmins #Rear #View #Camera #Watches #Ride
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