Supercharge road rides with a HUD
Cyclists have never had it so good, now that Garmin has unleashed its latest gadget: a heads-up display designed to make your rides faster, safer and more connected
The future of pedalling tech is here, people! The Garmin Varia Vision is a new heads-up display (HUD) that attaches to your existing cycling glasses to beam relevant data directly into your line of sight as you ride.
This instant stats gratification is great from a safety standpoint, but it also works well from a performance one. Without the constant up/down head movement you get when your cycling computer is mounted on your handlebars, the Varia Vision should, in theory, make you a faster rider, as that up/down movement is one less thing sucking at your energy reserves.
Compatible with Garmin’s range of cycling computers and devices, plus your own smartphone, the Varia Vision neatly attaches to your existing cycling glasses so that you won’t have to part company with your favourite rims. It can also be mounted on the left or right side of your glasses frame, so you can carry on using your preferred shoulder safety-checking side without the unit obstructing your view.
The Varia Vision is easy to use, with a touch display enabling you to flick quickly through menu settings. The touch display works with gloves, too – perfect for any hardcore winter riders – and the IPX7 rating means the Varia Vision can brave all weather conditions. Eight hours of battery life gets you a full day of riding to boot.
When it comes to data, you can access information such as speed and distance, with four data streams on screen at once for maximum stat absorption. As the Varia Vision uses the power of your handlebarmounted Garmin computer, you can also check out what your Bluetooth or ANT+ connected devices, such as power meters and heart-rate sensors, are doing. With your smartphone hooked up to the Varia Vision, you can access route directions as you ride, take calls or read text messages.
The Varia Vision can also be paired with the Varia Rearview Bike Radar system, giving you a clear on-screen visual of any cars approaching from behind, enabling you to monitor the traffic situation.
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The Varia Vision (£319.99, buy.garmin.com) goes on sale this month. Don’t forget, you’ll also need a compatible Garmin Edge computer – choose from the 1000, the Explore 1000 or the 520.
Once you have the Varia Vision and a Garmin computer, you’ll need to pair them. To do so, turn on both devices, go to the sensor menu on the computer, select Remote Display and add the glasses once they’re recognised.
To get the most from the Varia Vision, adjust the position of the display relative to your eye. Each fit will be different, so take a few minutes to find the sweet spot for you.
“The Garmin Varia Vision, with its touch display, can brave all weather conditions for year-round riding”