Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
When you read these forums, I seem to be the only person that finds the radar useful in an urban setting. It doesn't just yell "car!" it tells you how many and how they're spaced. So if you need to merge or turn left, you have a pretty good idea when to move, and you don't need to take your eyes off the road ahead (because a kid can pop out of nowhere).
I don't have a head unit and don't plan to change that. Don't want to spend the $$$ and bikes look better without them. I have a Garmin watch that can vibrate noticably when the Varia detects a car, and it can act as a display too, but obviously that's not optimal.
Any thoughts?
I could use a brighter tail light anyway. Does the v2 flash at approaching cars like the v1?
I see you point about urban riding. I live in the sticks so “urban” for me also means “small town.” It’s useful there but I refer to it less.
The v2 taillight behaves the same as the v1 in terms of flashing but it is far far brighter and more visible. I’d say it’s a bit brIghter than the top end Bontraeger Flare taillights in visibility but operates the same as the v1 with respect to increased flash rate when a car approaches. It’s also a better form factor being vertically oriented.
I have v1 too and the upgrade to v2 was worth it.
J.