On this page, I explain how I perform bicycle radar tests so you get a better idea of the details. Each category’s results contribute to my overall verdict on the bicycle radar’s quality, which looks as follows:
Reliability 3/5 | Multi-object Detection 5/5 | Battery Life 3/5 | Mount 3/5 | Brightness 4/5 | Side Visibility 2/5 | App 3/5 | Price 2/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.7/5
Scores 1โ2.5 are RED, 2.6โ3.9 are ORANGE, and 4โ5 are GREEN.
I score the following criteria on a scale mainly based on my experience with bicycle radars. The scores are weighted1, meaning each feature has different importance. For example, the reliability has a higher weight than the app’s capabilities.
Scoring Criteria for Bicycle Radar Features
Below is the list of the features of bicycle radars with an explanation of the scoring.
Reliability
The reliability of a radar means, first and foremost, whether it gives false negatives or not. A false negative means that the radar fails in its basic function of detecting an object, which can have fatal consequences. Therefore, I give such a radar a single point in reliability, and the conclusion of the review is that I do not recommend it for purchase.
The scale from 2-5 is then characterized by varying degrees of false positives (the radar warns of a non-existent object). While testing different radars, I have noticed that different brands give different results. Especially in the early stages after launch, when the manufacturer does not have too much data and customer feedback, the radar can give a lot of false positives, which are annoying but not a dealbreaker.
However, this can be improved by the firmware updates, which many manufacturers release to improve their radar performance. For now, the best-tuned radars are the Varia radars from Garmin.
The reliability scoring is as follows:
- 1 – The radar gives one or multiple false negatives during testing.
- 2 – The radar gives many false positives (e.g., more than 5 per hour of riding).
- 3 – The radar gives multiple false positives (e.g., 3 per hour of riding).
- 4 – The radar gives a few false positives (e.g., 1 per hour of riding).
- 5 – The radar gives almost no false positives (1-3 per 5-hour ride).
Multi-object Detection
Multi-object detection is the radar’s ability to accurately detect and track multiple objects at once. This is a feature useful in heavy traffic, for example. Most radars today claim to be able to detect 5 or more vehicles, but practice is often different.
I’ve noticed that radars differ in how many objects they can detect at once and how accurately they display them on the bike computer (or phone). Again, the Varia radars are among the most accurate.
- 1 – The radar can only detect one object.
- 2 – The radar can detect and track up to 3 objects but is inconsistent.
- 3 – The radar can detect and track up to 3 objects and is relatively consistent.
- 4 – The radar can detect and track more than 3 objects and is relatively consistent.
- 5 – The radar can accurately detect and track 5 or more objects.
Battery Life
Battery life is relatively easy to assess due to its measurability. My test includes setting the radar into its fast flash mode and riding multiple rides until the battery dies.
Battery life may be affected by the outside temperature. So, if I test the radar at lower temperatures or if other features, like the camera recording, are turned on, it is mentioned in the review.
The scoring is as follows. It’s based on the real battery life, not the claimed one.
- 1 – Below 5 hours.
- 2 – [5-10) hours.
- 3 – [10-15) hours.
- 4 – [15-20) hours.
- 5 – Above 20 hours.
Mount
Mount scoring includes the ability of the mount to hold the radar firmly in its place and its overall design. This means its compatibility with multiple seatposts shapes and ease of installation.
My experience with many cycling radars is that their mounts tend to slide on certain types of seatposts and require adjusting during the ride.
Mounts attached with rubber bands are easy to install but not too firm. On the other hand, the Tutuloo radar mount is firmer but bulky and impractical. Another example is the mount of the Varia RCT715 radar, which is firm and secure but bulky. The best mount is currently the one of Bryton Gardia R300L.
- 1 – E.g., a loose mount compatible with only one seatpost type or an impractical mount.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 – E.g., a firm and practical mount compatible with multiple seatpost types.
Brightness
The luminosity of the radar improves the visibility of the cyclist and, therefore, their safety on the roads. The luminosity often varies according to the different modes. For example, a solid mode is not as bright as a quick flash. This would have a negative effect on battery life.
Some radars, such as the Magene L508, offer the possibility of increasing the brightness at the expense of the battery. However, I count on the default brightness to preserve objectivity because the claimed battery life is given for default, not maximum brightness.
Since I don’t have a lux meter yet, I rely on the manufacturers’ specifications. The scale is as follows:
- 1 – Below 5 lumens in solid mode.
- 2 – [5-10) lumens in solid mode.
- 3 – [10-15) lumens in solid mode.
- 4 – [15-20) lumens in solid mode.
- 5 – Above 20 lumens in solid mode.
Side Visibility
At first, I didn’t pay too much attention to this feature. But the more radars I tested, the more I started noticing the nuances. The side visibility differs among cycling radars because some have side LEDs, and some don’t.
The side visibility further improves your safety, especially in low-light scenarios. Therefore, I also include it in the evaluation.
- 1 – E.g., the radar doesn’t improve side visibility.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 – E.g., the radar significantly improves side visibility.
App
The application includes the evaluation of several things. The most important one is its ability to replace the bike computer. That is, can the radar be used with a phone only? Then, I also look at the possibility of customizing light modes and firmware updates, its design and user-friendliness, and connection reliability.
Here, the overall rating varies a bit. I add a point for each condition that is fulfilled (the maximum number of points is 5).
- The app can replace the bike computer – 1 point.
- The app allows additional radar settings – 1 point.
- The application allows firmware updates – 1 point.
- The application is intuitive and has a modern design – 1 point.
- The app is reliable and connects seamlessly to the radar – 1 point.
This results in the following score:
- 1 2 3 4 5
Price
I also included the recommended retail price (RRP) in the evaluation, although its perception is highly subjective.
But the truth is that the price of radars varies greatly, and some can be several times more expensive than others. The evaluation is as follows:
- 1 – Above $250.
- 2 – Between $249.99 and $200.
- 3 – Between $199.99 and $150.
- 4 – Between $149.99 and $100.
- 5 – Below $100.
Camera
There is currently only one bicycle radar with a camera, the Garmin Varia RCT715. I currently don’t include the camera functionality in the scoring. However, if there will be more radars with cameras, I will consider adding the camera feature as a separate category.
Maximum Detection Speed
Radars also differ in the maximum relative speed they can detect (e.g., up to 160 km/h [99.4mph]. I haven’t included this feature directly in the evaluation yet, but I do take it into account for reliability. I also comment on it in the reviews.
Conclusion
I hope you now have a better idea of how I review bicycle radars. I aim to communicate my experience to potential buyers and help you make educated buying decisions.
Please remember that I am still tweaking and improving this process to provide you with the most valuable information possible.
I am open to suggestions on how to improve. Feel free to contact me. Here is the list of all the bicycle radars I reviewed:
Recent Updates
- Dec 13, 2023: V1.0 testing procedure introduced.
- I surveyed cyclists to find out what features they look for in bike radars and how they rate their importance. โฉ๏ธ