Feature Request: Radar (Varia) Auto mode (lights on only when a car is approaching)
I’d like to buy a Karoo, but as far as I understand, there’s currently no automatic mode for radar-controlled lighting.
By that I mean: the light should turn on only when a car is approaching, and then turn off again a few seconds after it has passed.
Garmin has offered this for years via a ConnectIQ app, and Wahoo has it built in since the Roam V2.
It also seems that no third-party extension can provide this, due to API limitations.
Please consider adding this feature. Without it, using a radar light on longer rides becomes difficult because of battery constraints.
Radar lights have become quite popular, and I’m sure every radar user would appreciate this feature— even if they don’t realize it yet. 😊
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If you watch GPLamas Videos, I'd rather buy a second Varia to double the battery life instead of these unreliable ones (I don't know if Bryton was one of them, there are a lot radars now).
@Gregory: Does the Bryton really have an Auto mode on the Karoo? So it only turns on when a car is approaching? Or do you mean the Auto mode, that the light turns on when you start a ride and turns off when it finished?
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@Marco, I use Bryton Gardia R300L ~1 year and I can confirm it has car detection with light on/off when the light is off, auto light start/stop, brake detection, USB-C and good battery. https://global.brytonsport.com/products/gardia-r300l
So, if you have Varia, I understand you want to have this function in Karoo. But if you don't have a radar yet, Gardia is a good alternative for Varia because it has this function now. In my opinion the Gardia's case and mounting accessories are very good quality, maybe better than Varia. Gardia can works with aplication only on a smartphone or standalone (but it has no built-in buzzer). Maybe I'll make a video to show it, but I think it's available online.
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Who says sells Varia?
My today video. Gardia light is in OFF mode. It turns on automatically when car approaches. Mode control is native in Karoo without any additional extensions.
https://1drv.ms/v/c/659b11a95c3b3790/IQBLx_NNdDCAQIGkY6XwB55sAYDs_YIIlxRBvIWG4b_qb7g?e=guRfSb
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I can confirm that the Bryton Gardia has this feature.
Even gplama confirmed that purchasing the Gardia was worthwhile after the initial software updates.
I use it from time to time (especially on my way to work) and don't see much difference from the Varia 515. However, the Gardia loses the Ant+ connection more easily, but this is a common problem with radar devices.
Wahoo has implemented this feature, and it has mostly worked for me, but to be honest, I don't see much point in it for me. That's why I prefer the Karoo, where I can easily turn the backlight on and off, which is more complicated with the Elements (Series 2) or the Gamins (even with a touchscreen).
On the road, I prefer to turn the lights on for safety reasons, but I can turn them off on long cycle paths or gravel roads without traffic. The lights are visible much further than the radar's detection range. For safety reasons, I would always recommend keeping the lights on permanently when there might traffic behind you. That should be more important than battery life.
I believe one of the newer recommended radar devices (Wahoo or Lezyne) also has the desired feature.
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@Thomas you are right, having the light on all the time is safer than only when the radar detects something. The problem is, if you have it on all the time, you'll have no light at all sooner or later. Which could be a major problem. Either on a long ride or if you forget to charge the device after every ride. I often had this problem with my Varia back in the days, but since the Roam V2 introduced this feature, it barely happened.
Anyway, it's good to know that some manufacturers implement the auto feature on the device itself, but it would still be nice to manage it on the Karoo as long as most devices out there don't have it.
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Regarding the auto feature on the device, that's nice, but I would prefer to have it on the computer, because I can easier control the feature: i.e., enable auto-on/off during day time, disable during night time or when it's dark due to overcast or so (-> light always on). I agree that it is safer to have the light on when it is darkish, but the light won't help too much on sunny days. When it is light, I would prefer to have the light off (save battery) but have it on when a car approaches.
My use case is, in addition, somewhat different, because I am located in Germany, where we have very strict bike light regulations. And that's not only for using them but for their features. For example, you cannot buy the Wahoo radar legally in Germany, and the new Sigma Reco has a German-market-specific version (no flashing lights, no auto-on/off!). Thus, it would be great, if the bike computer could assistant here. :-)
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