The Garmin Varia RearVue 820 is a premium cycling gadget that adds real peace of mind on busy roads, combining radar tracking with smart lighting and alerts. If you have ever gone out for a bike ride on UK roads, you have doubtless found yourself being startled by vehicles driving up from behind. Cyclists do not have eyes in the backs of their heads, and rear-view cameras are not a practical prospect. However, the next-best thing does exist, and it is a fine example of technology providing an affordable answer to a dangerous problem. The Garmin Varia RearVue 820 is one of a handful of bike radars on the market. After living with one and testing several alternatives, it is by far the best option available.
How the Garmin Varia RearVue 820 Works
Garmin has been offering these neat little devices for quite a while. They work by sensing approaching vehicles using a radar and then beaming a graphic to your smartphone or a compatible bike computer. In their most basic form, these devices can give you an audible warning, but most modern versions provide a clear diagram of what is coming, how fast it is moving, and how close it is to you. The RearVue 820, the new halo product in Garmin's Varia range, takes things a stage further. It adds another dimension to detection with a wider field of view and the ability to spot a vehicle up to 175 metres away. On top of this data, it can also feed back an idea of the vehicle's size, its threat level, and even let you know if the vehicle changes lanes. It works really well with a smartphone, so you do not need a Garmin computer to use it effectively.
Testing the RearVue 820 with Garmin Edge 850
I tested the RearVue 820 with Garmin's Edge 850 computer for several weeks on varied rides, and it is a very impressive kit. I have used earlier versions and tested cheaper alternatives, but the RearVue 820 is much cleverer. The first thing that strikes you is the improved display. The difference is more profound on a cycle computer, but it is still impressive on a smartphone. Because of that extra dimension of detection, the graphic is wider, giving you a more authentic view of the road as you cycle along. Garmin's previous radars were very good at not giving false alerts, but the latest version is pretty much flawless. It still occasionally got confused by my wife cycling behind me, but not as much as earlier models. It is also easy to undersell just how handy the extra tracking information is. Knowing where a vehicle is in the road, rather than just how close it is to you and how fast it is approaching, is very reassuring. Having an idea of its size helps you differentiate between whether you should be riding close to the bank or whether there is plenty of space in the road you are riding on.
Built-in Light and Brake Light Feature
Another key attribute of the RearVue 820 is its built-in light. While earlier radars have offered this, it is now brighter, said to be visible up to 2km away. There is even a brake light that detects when you are slowing down swiftly. You can alter its light patterns and brightness through Garmin's app, and the rechargeable battery is good enough for long rides or going several days between charges. The price is £259.99, which is a fair chunk of money, but this is a piece of kit that provides safety and reassurance. If you are serious about road riding, that is probably less than you will spend on a pair of tyres anyway. Compatible computers are also pretty pricey, but they work with older models, so you might be able to pick one up second-hand. The Edge 850 I was testing was a dream to use, and Garmin has come a long way in computer tech in a short space of time.
Compatibility with Smartwatches and Smartphones
The RearVue 820 is also compatible with a range of Garmin smartwatches, which give you a buzz or a beep to alert you. However, the displayed graphics only work with certain watches, so check first. Access to the Garmin app is free, and the detection system works brilliantly through a smartphone, so you do not need to buy a second device to use it effectively. I think of it as a multi-purpose tool. The configurable light is worth a bit in itself, especially with that brake light addition. The radar is so incredibly useful out on the road that you will wonder what you did without it. I cannot give it any more praise than that. Even the earlier versions of Garmin's radar range are worth having, but the extra features of the RearVue 820 and its smarter detection make it well worth the money. A huge thumbs-up from me.
