Looking for advice on Garmin Products: Vectors, Varia Rearview & Edge

Ross Randolph

Go with Vector 2 or splurge on the Vector 3's??? (assuming they will ship sometime this decade).

And anyone have the Garmin Varia rearview radar?  Wife and I do a lot of riding on roads and thought this product - though expensive - may be worth some peace of mind.  If you have one, I'd be interested to hear about your experience.

Also looking for anyone with experience with Garmin Edge 1000.  I'm getting grief from my spouse who has a 520 and says that should be good enough.  Is she right!?

Well doesn't matter, because of course I didn't listen to her and bought one anyway.  So if you have an Edge 1000 how do you have it mounted on your bike?  I'm worried that with the larger size it won't fit with either a Torpedo or similar bottle holder.  Wondering if I should get any add-on gear, extensions, etc?

Thanks!

Satish Punna

I have a varia rearview radar paired with a edge 820.  It is awesome and I don't do TT training rides without it.  It tells me when a car is coming from behind so I can sit up out of aero and be more visible.  I also like to think that alerts the driver that I know they are there.  Battery life seems good when paired with the 820- lasts long enough for a couple of 5+ hr rides.  When it was paired with the independent monitor,  battery life wasn't good <5hrs. I'm not sure if the improved battery life is due to firmware updates or the 820. With the 820 and I'm assuming the 1000 (but not sure) you can tweak the mode of the rearview light and also monitor its battery level which is a big plus.  

The edge 820 touchscreen can be a PITA (especially in cold weather wearing gloves) but it otherwise seems to be a good product.  

Mike Westover

I use an Edge 520, Varia radar, and Varia Vision. The radar works very well; I get a loud beep anytime a car comes up, and the 520 and Vision show the progress of the car as it passes (and whether there are any other cars coming behind it). The beep in particular is handy to wake me up when I get in the zone.

On the power meter, I would go with the Vector 3 or else the P1 to avoid issues with earlier versions of the Vectors.

Paul Curtin

Hi Ross - my setup has the Edge 520 with Varia Rearview Radar.  I like the 520's size, and can read it clearly even with 9 screens showing.  Only concerns are with glare in certain daylight conditions, and battery-life decay over time.  It still holds for 5+ hours but with Varia running it starts to die out after 4.5 hours.

The Radar is awesome: it's accurate and even shows how many cars are there.  I can't ride without it.

Ann Sloan

Another HAPPY Varia user - with Edge 1000.  LOVE it.  It does drain battery but life is worth it.  I still use a mirror - on my helmet, but I like the beeps and it has a little dot that tells you the number of cars.  well worth the investment 

scott dinhofer

@Ross Randolph - I would look at DC Rainmaker's review of the Vectors & the Powertap P1. I've never used the vector, but was very interested in them before garmin bought the original company and eventually brought them to the market. 
it is clear from many users here that the choice pedal is the Powertap P1. They are essentially idiot proof. Mount em, pair with computer, calibrate before each ride (though many think that's not all that effective) and go... I understand that the Vectors are quite finicky and require a bit more user knowledge. At least with the Vector 1 & 2, not sure about 3s.  
if you can find a Kona participant to help you out, you can buy the P1s for 40% off... 

on the head unit issue, if you aren't going to go with the Varia, i just got the Elemnt Bolt as a replacement for my Garmin 520 that was crushed by a car after it fell off my bike. The Wahoo is amazing on how it pairs to your phone for setup, mapping, etc.. They can truly eat Garmin's lunch on this one. 

if you want a Garmin 520, I have a "new" refurbished one from Garmin that I just got as a replacement from the one that was crushed. Going to post it on FB, Slowtwitch, etc, unless you have interest. 

John Withrow

@Satish Punna @Mike Westover @Ann Sloan @Paul Curtin

I have a Varia Rearview question...   If I am commuting in the dark and generally can't see my Garmin 520, will it light up when the dots are there?  Or are the dots only visible during normal daylight?   I'm trying to figure out if I also need the Bundle with the Varia head unit...

Satish Punna

@John Withrow  I dunno.  I have an 820 and moreover I don't use it in the dark.  I could test it out for you after I get back from Arizona if that will help.  

Mike Westover

@John Withrow same here; I don't ride much in the dark. My guess is that it won't spontaneously trigger the backlight. You will still get the beeps though. One option may be to just have the backlight stay on all the time.

Scott Alexander

my 510 changes the backlight automatically based on "daylight hours". I don't know where it gets the info from though.