I now have the brightest taillight in our riding group, though I'd like to set it lower and then brighten or flash when the radar is triggered (and maybe I haven't found that setting). The radar function works really well and integrates with my Garmin 1040 perfectly. You get an audible notification from the Garmin then a dot (or dots for multiple cars) that rises up the side of the display signifying as the car approaches. When paired, the taillight powers on and off automatically with the Garmin. There are frequent "false positives", but they are easily discernable as the cars don't advance. And I am OK with that and don't callout to the group until the car advances halfway up the screen (30-50 yards) when its more actionable and I pretty certain that its not a false positive. Of course, sometimes a car pulls off once it's been detected. Battery life is good, seemingly lasting 15+ hours on my setting. I'm in a habit, however, to charge when I charge my Garmin. A little bulkier than the Garmin Vario but much, much brighter and much cheaper.
I've always used a small bag under my seat, with a light below that, but I was worried the bag and/or rear tire would get in the way of the Varia I got recently.
With this kit, I'm able to keep my bag, and the radar/light gets mounted at the back of my set, behind my bag. I've had no issues with visibility or not picking up traffic behind me because it puts the radar at a good height without anything to get in the way. And, I get to keep using my bag.
If you have a bag that goes to about the rear of your seat, you're probably good to go with this kit. If you have something that extends to the rear a bit more, I'm thinking of bike packing bags or something like that, then you're probably going to need to figure something else out.
I thought after pressing the buy button that this was one of those silly clever, but useless tech purchases that would end up in my dustbin of gadgets. However, In conjunction with my ELEMNT Roam 3, it provides me with a measure of safety I just didn't expect. The TRACKR not only alerts you of oncoming vehicles, it tells you how many, how close, and when the coast is clear. I wasn't sure how the brake light aspect worked until I was behind another TRACKR user and darned if that didn't work too! Safety is priceless, but at $249 the TRACKR is a bargain.
A lot of my friends have the original and 300 Raveman, but I just didn't think they were bright enough for daylight riding. The 500 is the answer!!! Super bright with 2 large LED's with side exposure. I'm sure it would be fine for night riding, as well. The Garmin mount works perfect, both to the stem mount and for the Garmin on top. It's super light (a fraction of my old Bontrager light) and is easy to charge. I can get 2 - 3 long rides in without charging (probably plenty of charge left). This is a winner!!
