News + Trends
The new front light with dashcam Varia Vue from Garmin
by Patrick Bardelli
What’s the deal with all these bike gadgets?
15.5.2025
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
Bike computers, front lights with dashcams, tail lights with radars and cadence sensors. And let’s not forget heart rate belts and batteries for electronic shifting units. Is this gadget madness for gravel and/or mountain bikes really necessary?
«The bike weighs just 18.9 kilos», «How many Newton metres does the new Shimano EP801 motor actually deliver?», «Have you adjusted the support in the app to your needs?» Recently, we were taking a break on the bike trail. We were inspecting the new e-mountain bike Sign E-13 from Bixs and nerding out for a while. By «we», I mean a small group of hobby e-bikers.
The chat made us realise just how much time and energy we were spending on technical issues, apps and the like instead of actually getting on our bikes.
Software update available
A few days later, my family of gadgets welcomes a new member for a while. Garmin provided me with the Varia Vue, its latest front light with a dashcam, for a brief test period. I’d reported on it at market launch.
After I’d put the device into operation, installed the latest software and paired it with my bike computer, I set off on my first ride. Back at home, I fully charged the Varia Vue and took a look at the first videos from the dashcam. So far, so good.
Three days later, I wanted to repeat the whole thing. At noon, I was ready to head out. So I switched on all the devices – and that’s when the trouble started. First, I had to update the Edge 1040 Solar bike computer to the latest software.
Then I needed to do the same for Garmin’s rear light with a radar. Then the Varia app informed me that the micro memory card needed to be reformatted. Which, after several unsuccessful attempts, worked in the end. As did the updates.
Unlike other providers, the software updates don’t always seem to work as smoothly with Garmin and often require several attempts. As was the case here.
There would’ve been a software update available
At some point the devices were all up to date. Well, almost. Which brings us to Varia Vue. Turns out, there was already a new version of the software available. There was just one small problem. The lamp was dead. All attempts to switch it on failed. Nought to do.
Fast forward three days. As I’m writing this article, Garmin Support contacts me by e-mail with the following response:
To switch on the device, please connect it to the power supply using the original cable and press and hold both buttons on the device for half a minute. If this does not help, please use the following link to send us a video documenting the error so that we can check the next steps for you.Indeed, the problem was the original cable. After using it, I was able to switch on the device and successfully install the update. Hallelujah! What’s weird is that any kind of USB-C cable worked to charge the Varia Vue after using it for the first time. But this time round, I could only get it going again with the included Garmin cable. Oh well, at least it’s working now.
I want to ride my bicycle
So, last Saturday I was sitting at my computer for two hours in full gravel bike gear, trying, more or less successfully, to update some of these gadgets. It got me asking myself: «What on earth are you doing? All you want is to ride your bike, not wait for software updates or for a battery to charge.»
Bike computers and the like certainly have their advantages: the data they provide you with, for example. The documented data is turned into a training diary including kilometres in the saddle, altitude covered, heart rate and many other interesting figures. I enjoy getting this information and try to draw conclusions from it for my future rides. However, I’m starting to get the feeling that technology is getting a little out of hand.
But first, I’m going to test the Varia Vue from Garmin and give it a second chance. That’s only fair, I feel. But then, it might be time for a little bike tech detox. Well, maybe not as radical as in this German skit from 2010:
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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