Anyone know what happened to the Garmin Varia Vision product (HUD) that is now discontinued?
Here is my thinking:
my bike power meter already connects to my Fenix 6
my hr strap already connects to my Fenix 6
Ergo, I can get most of the functionality that I need from the watch
However … it’s pretty distracting to look at my watch while riding.
I know I could simply remove my watch and strap it to the handlebar or something, but then I’m looking down and the display isn’t very big.
I’ve considered buying a cycle computer simply for the display.
Then, I stumbled across the Garmin Varia Vision … the reviews from 2016 seem pretty good. I’ve seen a few posts talking about it positively, particularly when integrated with the Varia lights/radar.
Then, nothing … it’s just “unavailable” and “discontinued”.
Any insights into my train of thoughts, the Garmin Varia Vision, or Ant+ display HUD alternatives?
I still have and use the Vision. I like it a lot. Gives me the basic info I need while keeping me from having to get yet another device. I’ve had the 520 and 820 but prefer to just have one device that collects all my information such as the Fenix which never leaves my wrist. Wish they would consider bringing it back but with an improved way to attach it to glasses and balance the weight. It gets a little awkwardly heavy on one side over a longer ride.
I am a huge fan of the Varia Vision. So much so that when I found out it was being discontinued I bought a second one as a backup. From what I gather, it just didn’t sell well. The price point was a bit high for most to be willing to spend to try out a new gadget. When doing intervals in the early morning in the dark, I nearly crashed into a tire that was in the shoulder while looking down to see where I was power wise in my interval. I decided right then I’d spend the money, and have never regretted it. Integrates with the Varia radar in a useful fashion as well. Having that extra data available and easily visible is helpful to me during training, and when I race. I don’t have a a good innate governor to keep me from pushing too hard when going strictly off feel like many do, so I find having the data reassuring and helpful. Garmin may still have some back supply for sale if you call support directly. It may only come with the main display, so you’d have to hunt for a mount kit and charging cable (I have seen both on Amazon recently). Else you can always search on Ebay for a unit. I don’t see any boxed Varia Visions listed on Amazon, where I got my last one from a reseller. I have not done any research to see if anyone has an alterative via Ant+ display that was similar. I’ve only seen a watch used as a primary with a newer Edge unit as the secondary with Ant+ display. Could be useful. Good luck in finding a Vision if you end up desiring to get one.
Someone was selling one in the classifieds not too long ago. I got mine on ebay last year, so that’s also worth a look. There’s been a few attempts at these over the years and I’ve bought (and then sold) most of them. The ones I can remember tried to be full-function bike computer + camera, some plus music, etc. - the UI on most of them resembled the UI I’ve encountered on Google Glass, with some additions and adaptations for cycling. I’ve thought most were bigger and bulkier and more attention-demanding than I would like (and I’ve worked in R&D relating to head mounted displays since 1990, so I’m willing to put up with a lot), particularly where there are real penalties for loss of situational awareness of the world around you because you’re trying to figure out how to fiddle with the system to take a picture, or trying to swipe repeatedly to switch screens. The SW developer / gadget freak part of me understands the appeal of trying to cram just 1 more (or 10 more) features in, but after a while I just stop trying to use all of the features most have offered; I’m too busy with other things while riding.
I’ve come around to the opinion that the more feature-minimal approach of the varia vision better suits me - show me a few key data fields and that’s it. I’ve even worked on a custom app that runs on it that simplifies the data still more, further reducing (I think) the cognitive overhead of figuring out how I’m doing on an interval.
Whilst most may be aware, there are some that aren’t, but with garmin head units you can set them to be a remote screen from your fenix. So if you can’t find the varia vision, then consider a garmin 130 (or 530) and use that as the display when on the bike. Or do what I do, and that’s record on both, just look at the 530 when riding, but upload only from the fenix 6 and just discard the ride saved on the 530. I think once I’ve found that it was handy as something went screwy with the wrist mounted device.
You’re not losing anything as HR strap and powermeters on ANT+ will broadcast to many devices. It’s only if you’re using BT only devices it’s an issue, and that’s where the screen mirror comes in.
Whilst most may be aware, there are some that aren’t, but with garmin head units you can set them to be a remote screen from your fenix. So if you can’t find the varia vision, then consider a garmin 130 (or 530) and use that as the display when on the bike. Or do what I do, and that’s record on both, just look at the 530 when riding, but upload only from the fenix 6 and just discard the ride saved on the 530. I think once I’ve found that it was handy as something went screwy with the wrist mounted device.
You’re not losing anything as HR strap and powermeters on ANT+ will broadcast to many devices. It’s only if you’re using BT only devices it’s an issue, and that’s where the screen mirror comes in.
It’s officially known as Extended Display, if you are poking around in your watch or head unit settings trying to find it.
Useful in a tri, where you may want to see total statistics, not just for the bike leg.
Also used it on a 300 km ride, when it became clear the battery on my Edge wasn’t going to make it recording GPS, but mirroring my watch consumed far less power.
These all necessitate either wearing their eyewear OR adding some stuff to your eyewear. This thing you have to strap on their little mount. The Raptor you have to wear the whole thing.
For road and TT I use helmets that have visors. No matter how much I would ever like this or have nonexistent money for it, I can’t use it.
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I am also using Vision a lot, almost every outdoor ride the last 5 years. The integration with Varia Radar and ability to see radar status plus a couple of power numbers without looking down is very helpful.
The biggest issue I have is with charging; the unit seems to have more difficulty seeing the charger over time. Has anyone else seen this? I’ve tried a different charging cable with no success. After four years I was not able to charge the Vision at all, and Garmin replaced it (at reduced cost). I am already seeing similar issues with the new one, where it sometimes needs to be plugged in a few times to start charging.
Try using electronic contact cleaner on the Vision’s contacts. That worked for me. My only issue is that after 5 years of use on nearly every one of my outdoor rides the plastic on the quarter turn mechanism has cracked. Since I use this only for training and not racing, I’m going to use some nice electrical tape to keep it in place.
