Garmin has launched its new Varia Vue camera headlight system, with the ability to record footage in 4K resolution.
The Varia Vue syncs with Garmin Connect and Garmin Vault (its subscription-based online storage for recorded videos), and the brand’s dedicated Varia app, plus the RCT715 rear-view radar and camera light.
The Varia Vue costs £459.99 / $549.99 / €549.99, plus £9.99 / $9.99 / €11.99 per month for the Vault subscription (or £99.99 / $99.99 / €119.99 per year).
Digital image stabilisation
According to Garmin, the Varia Vue can record footage in 4K resolution and benefits from the brand’s digital image stabilisation technology.
Digital image stabilisation effectively crops raw recorded images – by cutting off the edge of the frames, the camera processes a smoothed-out version of the footage.
As a result, in general use, it’s unlikely the processed footage will be output in true 4K resolution, but it should be more than enough to capture details such as vehicle registration plates and faces. There’s also a microphone, which has been concealed from the wind to aid 'clean' audio capture.
All data is stored in Garmin’s Vault online data bank, which is encrypted. That said, it’s worth noting that some territories don’t allow the use of camera technology in this way.
Garmin says the Varia Vue will automatically detect 'incidents' and save them to Vault via WiFi. It can also sync with the brand’s RCT715 rear-facing camera-light device to create a two-view account of an incident.
The device has a claimed battery life of up to nine hours with the light switched off. With the light switched on in ‘day flash’ mode, Garmin says the battery life dips to around seven hours.
That said, bikepackers and multi-day riders are catered for, given that the device can be charged on the go (via a battery pack or dynamo setup, for example) while the camera function is switched on.
Adaptable lighting with a cropped beam
The light can emit up to 600 lumens – generally considered enough for visibility in a built-up area with ambient street lighting – across five modes, including the day flash setting.
This means the light isn’t StVZO-compliant, but the beam is cut off to reduce glare for oncoming road users.
A dedicated StVZO version is available in Germany and the the Nordic countries, which produces up to 165 lumens and up to four hours' battery life – lower due to the lack of flashing modes, which are less power-hungry.
Similarly, Garmin claims the light is adaptable to riding speed and ambient light, but only when the unit is paired with a Garmin Edge bike computer.
The Varia Vue can also be controlled from a Garmin Edge device, or via the brand’s Varia app.
Garmin Varia Vue prices and availability
The Garmin Varia Vue is available now, priced at £459.99 / $549.99 / €549.99.
The Varia Vue requires a Garmin Vault subscription at £9.99 / $9.99 / €11.99 per month (or £99.99 / $99.99 / €119.99 per year).
The Varia Vue isn’t supplied with a memory card, so you'll need to factor that into the overall cost.
