Garmin snaps up Backtracker bicycle radar system

I try to be open minded to this sort of stuff but I don't quite get it either.

Alerting a rider that a vehicle is approaching from behind seems pointless. As already pointed out, what can we do with this information? Using it to contol lights during daytime hours makes some sense but it seems like a highly complex solution to a simple problem when you could simply have lights on full-time when riding in the daytime.

I can see usefullness in the technology, but it's the approaching driver that needs to be alerted to the presence of the cyclist rather than the other way round.

I'm in the don't get it camp. What you don't need to know is that there are cars approaching from behind. You can hear them by tyre noise if not engine noise. And if you do know, what do you then do? Look round? Ride off the road? Stop? Carry on as before?

What you need to know is whether the car is on a collision course with you so you can take evasive action. But I don't think this does that. It just tells you there is a car approaching from behind and you don't want to be taking evasive action for every car coming past.

To those who ask "and then what?" once it's detected an upcoming vehicle, the answer may be in the article:

Quote:

simultaneously lighting up to alert the vehicle to your presence

Presumably a change in lighting is more likely to gain attention. Perhaps.

Anyway, other than the potential to be screwed by Garmin's coding inabilities, this seems like a potentially useful addition for some people. Don't knock it simply because you don't like it or don't need it.

I do not see the usefulness for hearing people, but only for deaf, like me ~X(. Whats's the price?

Lol, well I thought it was a good idea but couldn't really see the point. iKubu's owners are now millionaires... I am not... shows how much I know!

Shoulder check and no earphones is much better option. Keeps you from becoming complacent and keeps you constantly aware of your surroundings.

Here's a thought. Is the radar signal strong enough to trigger the speed sensor some cars carry. They may slow down thinking a speed trap is ahead.

The radar detection for this device naturally needed a way to be displayed to the cyclist themselves, and Garmin computers tend to be the display device. So yeah, this would only make sense that Garmin acquires the unit as well. I would love to have this as the roads I cycle on are narrow, and drivers are aggravated when they approach to see any cyclist already.

I don't get the negativity that comes from a lot of the readers on this site. Too expensive this, too advanced that. If you really think none of the advances matter in cycling, then why even visit a website. The first bicycles including the wheels were made with wood, shall we keep using those forever?

i think it is a good idea.
it won't replace a shoulder check but sometimes have a bit of an idea about oncoming traffic without turning every single time. I ride alone a lot and some times one can get caught out. I also have a mirror but for my bike fit i seem to have to strain my neck to look in it it's probably even easier to do a shoulder check as well.
riding in groups it's odd how often people don't hear a car cos they're chatting away till it's up close and personal.
I don't think it picks up other bikes just cars btw

my tuppence...

Taking into consideration that in the last two weeks garmin connect returns the error message "internal error" every time I make a search in activities. A fix of this bug should be an easy programming exercise. I doubt that Garmin will ever manage to do anything of value with this new technology.

Maybe for the race team so they know when someone's opening up their sprint behind them????

For me personally, I'd prefer to keep riding on the wrong side of the road, thank you very much.

This would be good for someone who is deaf, or doesn't have a cheap mirror. For the other 99.999 per cent of us it's pointless. Absolutely pointless.

So this elderly cyclist, nervous about things approaching in the biggest blind spot, and having never seen helmet- or handlebar-mounted mirrors, has a radar device developed for him so he can- what? Stop riding on the wrong side of the road? Sounds like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Good one, Garmin, clasping at straws. I can still see hundreds of nervous mamils queuing up for it however.

Wheelsucker avoidance device!

Perfect for avoiding draftbusters in triathlon ?

Other than that. Erm. I must be missing some function or future function.

I must say I can see no practical use for this as it is, unless you are totally paranoid.
So an alarm goes off for a car 140m back, even 10m back what are you supposed to do with that information? In urban areas it would be going off permanently unless so accurate it can detect it is on a collision course?
Might be useful if it triggered a camera though so you only record when a vehicle is approaching thus saving battery and recording time.

What are you supposed to do with the information? You get notified of a car approaching, do you jump off the road or something?

I prefer to ride in a straight, predictable line at an appropriate distance from the kerb. If I hear a car or see it in my tiny mirror* (yes, I have a mirror, even on my light carbon 'summer' bike), I don't do anything different.

* The mirror was installed so I can keep tabs on riders following me more easily - IT IS NOT a replacement for a shoulder check.

Oddly, I already came up with this idea!

http://vimeo.com/39688600