Originally Posted by
WhyFi
I think it's just proximity, no? I thought that it changed pattern when they got within X distance, regardless of speed of overtake. Anyway, I would think that there's some benefit, and no harm, at the very least.
Originally Posted by
August West
From what I've been able to tell the Varia changes flash mode whenever it detects an approaching object. I wasn't aware it had anything to do with the speed of the oncoming vehicle. When I test it in the garage I can trigger it by just walking up from behind the bike. It goes into what I call hyper-flash mode with increased frequency and increased brightness even though I'm only approaching at 3 mph.
And I don't know how much it helps but it can't hurt in being noticed. Of course if the driver isn't looking at the road nothing will help.
I've never ridden with anybody else who had one, and I've never got off and watched mine. But I read that it blinks faster when the car is moving faster, and slows down as the car slows. I always assumed that was the case, maybe I need to lean it on a sidewalk and find out.
In any case it flashes at drivers even in steady on mode and I've always thought that was a big part of the appeal. Changing in response to driver behavior seems like it has to be more attention grabbing.
I wonder how many of the lightless ones they'll sell, and if you'll ever be able to pair them with other lights to get the same functionality.