The heads up displays we’ve seen on the Recon Jet and Kopin Solos have been impressive, but they’re locked into a proprietary sunglasses frame and lens combo. Garmin’s about to change the game with their new Varia Vision by allowing you to mount it on either side of any pair of shades you want.
Combine that flexibility with its ability to provide all manner of performance metrics, navigation, competitive progress and safety alerts from its Varia rearview radar system, and it could be the category killer.
Look ahead for video, images, specs and more…
Varia Vision also builds in a lot of user friendly features and tech. The mount should fit most normal cycling shades thanks to two sets of four different size bands included in the box. Adjustable positions for the body and lens so you can get it just where you want it. The weather resistant design has a touch-enabled pad on the side to swipe between screens, and they say it works in wet and dry, with or without gloves.
Inside is an 8-hour battery powering the device continuously for always on, instant access to the data. An accelerometer presumably wakes it only during movement so you’re not having to charge it every day.
For roadies, data sets include the usual performance and ride data like speed, power, ride time, grade, etc., pulled via ANT+ from compatible Garmin EDGE cycling computers. It also syncs with your smartphone via Bluetooth LE for call and text alerts, and will even show competitive data for your ride (details on that are sparse, we’ve reached out for more info).
For commuters, the data can be shown in simpler, more graphical views, and offers the additional situational awareness from their Varia rearview radar (check our first impressions of that here). Directions to your location come from visible cues with turn arrows and street names as well as vibratory alerts.
An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness for best viewing without being distracting or getting washed out in blinding sunlight (wonder how that works at night?). Claimed weight is just 27.8 grams.
To start, it’s compatible with their EDGE 1000 and EDGE 520 and the Varia Rearview Radar. Retail is $399.99 and it will start shipping by end of March 2016.
