Sports tech company Garmin is adding a much-needed camera to its Varia line of bike radars and taillights.
It’s called the Various RCT715 and houses a 1080p camera that records at 30 fps. The device features automatic event capture that ensures it keeps recording “before, during and after” an accident. As you can imagine, the RCT715 is a fairly robust device.
It has a Rating of water resistance of IPX7, which means that it can be submerged in up to one meter of water for a maximum time of 30 minutes. However, the Varia RCT715 offers no protection against dust or sand.
When turned on, the Varia camera records continuously and stores the footage in the Varia app. You can then transfer this footage to your computer or smartphone at home. The app will even warn you if the rear camera detects a car approaching too close (assuming you have your phone clamped to your bike and visible while driving). The RCT715 is also compatible with Garmin’s smartwatches and cycling computers that you can use to track your workouts or send notifications.
safety first
While the focus is on the new camera, the other features of the Varia RCT715 are just as important. Proper functioning of the camera depends on the verification radar doing its job.
The Varia’s radar has a viewing angle of 220 degrees and can detect vehicles up to 150 meters away. It’s paired with an incredibly bright light that can be seen up to a mile away and has a variety of lighting modes. There’s Solid mode for a continuous light, Peloton mode (part of the system’s automatic group ride feature) for a dimmer light that’s easy on the eyes of those behind you, Night Flash for flashing during night-time rides, and Day Flash for mid-day trips. The Varia reaches 65 at its brightest lumens.
Short battery
With a device with so many features, you can expect the battery to drain quickly.
The Varia’s battery life depends on what light modes you’re using and whether the camera is recording at 1080p. The shortest lifetime is four hours with the continuous light or night flash mode switched on. The longest lifespan is six hours with the daytime flash on. We asked Garmin if it was possible to further extend battery life by turning off camera recording or radar, but they didn’t respond.
The Varia RCT715 isn’t cheap either. You can Buy one now for $399.99 or buy a remote camera model for $199.99. If you’re interested in pairing the Varia to a Garmin watch, TechRadar has a guide to help you.
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