Bicycles

Garmin's Varia Vision brings smarts to regular cycling glasses

Garmin's Varia Vision brings smarts to regular cycling glasses
The Varia Vision is reportedly compatible with most existing cycling glasses
The Varia Vision is reportedly compatible with most existing cycling glasses
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The Varia Vision is reportedly compatible with most existing cycling glasses
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The Varia Vision is reportedly compatible with most existing cycling glasses

Cyclists already have their pick of several brands of Google Glass-like smart glasses, which display data in riders' peripheral vision – this means that they don't have to look down at a cycling computer or smartphone display, taking their eyes off the road in the process. However, what if they already have a pair of "dumb" glasses that they want to keep using? Well, that's where Garmin's Varia Vision add-on comes in.

Announced this week at CES, the Varia Vision is mounted on either arm of existing third-party glasses, its tiny screen appearing in the bottom of the user's vision.

Communicating wirelessly with compatible smartphones or Garmin Edge cycling computers, it displays content such as performance stats and turn-by-turn navigational prompts, plus it vibrates to notify wearers of incoming calls/text messages, navigational cues or other alerts.

Additionally, if paired with the existing bike-mounted Varia Radar device, it will let riders know when vehicles are approaching from behind. Users switch between its different screens by swiping an integrated glove-friendly touch panel.

The Varia Vision is water-resistant, weighs 29.7 grams, has a claimed battery life of eight hours per charge in "always on" mode, and incorporates an ambient light sensor in order to ensure readability in all conditions. It can be purchased for US$400, and should begin shipping in the first quarter of this year.

It can be seen in use, in the video below.

Along with the Vision and the Radar, Garmin's Varia family also includes a headlight that automatically focuses its beam farther ahead, the faster the user is travelling.

Source: Garmin via Bike Radar

Heads Up with Varia Vision

2 comments
2 comments
Bob Flint
I have a vision of a big blind spot where that arm extends into my field of view. Cycling in the real world is far different than the CGI digital cars that are portrayed in the animation. Does it come with a life insurance policy?
unklmurray
I agree with Bob,But since I have no peripheral vision in my right eye anyway this would be hard to focus on......just another toy NOT for me.....this would make riding harder for me so I'll opt out TY......LOL :-)