Cycling Is Safer Now, Garmin Launches Varia RCT715 To Improve Cycling Safety

Cycling with Garmin can record important events. (photo: twitter @garmin)

JAKARTA - For the first time since the Varia device was launched seven years ago, Garmin has added a built-in camera to its much-loved range of rearview radars. The Varia RCT715 not only makes cyclists more visible and warns them of approaching vehicles, but automatically records any incident that may occur.

That means safe-minded cyclists now only have to worry about plugging in and charging one device instead of two.

It looks back. While you ride ahead. The new #VariaRCT715 is the first and only radar that alerts you to cars, records your ride and has a tail light: https://t.co/9AfTKhD4cg pic.twitter.com/ys0W7sRl28

— Garmin (@Garmin) May 18, 2022

Varia RCT715 (RCT stands for Radar, Camera, Taillight) features a 1080p/30fps camera with a 140-degree field of view. The built-in accelerometer triggers automatic incident detection to record video footage before, during, and after an incident.

Video can also be set to continuous recording, giving you about four hours of battery life with the radar activated and the red taillight on set at a solid height.

According to Garmin, as reported by The Verge, these taillights are visible from up to a mile away in daylight. The rearview radar will warn drivers of approaching vehicles from up to 153 yards (140 meters) away when paired with a compatible Garmin cycling computer, Garmin watch, or Varia app.

Such warnings can save lives when driving a mountain switchback or isolated stretch of road, especially when exhausted or distracted.

Garmin is selling the Varia RCT715 today for $399.99. But first you might want to take a look at some of the early reviews from the likes of DC Rainmaker and DesFit complaining of false positives on incident detection and out-of-the-gate buggy software.