Bryton Gardia R300L Bike Radar Review // Now MUCH Better with Updated Firmware

[@wattswheelhouse]

A video detailing all your custom Garmin data fields would be awesome. That wind field one is great!

[@michwoz]

My Varia RVR 315 often detects long vehicles as two close dots. Which is actually pretty cool because I learned to intepret it as truck incoming. Giving "all clear" when car is matching my speed for longer time happens with it too.

[@basti5307]

i love my guardia. great device. i saved nearly 50€ in europe. 149 € the Varia and 103 € i payed for the guardia. works fine as the varia my bike mates are using. so now after the firmeare update: you can go for the guardia. Very bright light ( maybe a bit brighter than garmin…)

[@zascar71]

Great video with the work of both radars, I bought the Gardia from Bryton, it arrives in 10 days. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱

[@AlwaysWildCS]

Hi GPLama, I believe that for someone who doesn't care about couple of dollars here or there it's better to buy Varia, but what Bryton and Magene are doing - offering a bit cheaper radars - is generally a great thing. Bringing radars for more people is suuuper important, and let's be honest - it's much better to have radar light that not having it at all. Thumbs up, great vid 👍

[@tonyg3091]

It isn’t as Garmin is doing the heavy lifting in R&D. Less money for them means less and fewer innovative products for us.

[@SignorLuigi]

Another great review!! 👏👏👏 BTW, regarding the tendency of the Varia on/off button to fail, I have been able to avoid that nasty flaw in the Varia's design by having my Varia Radar unit (and Garmin front light) automatically turn on when I turn on my Garmin Cycling computer. I may have pressed the on/off button no more than 2-3 times in the 2 years I have owned the Varia Radar because of this lovely and super convenient ability of my Garmin head unit to talk to my Garmin radar and front lights. Keep up the great work, Mate! 👍

[@sonygoup]

Great just remembered to look for new reviews!

[@daveallenwex1962]

Looking forward to getting time to look at conclusions Shane … great to have a competitor for the Garmin 💯🙏🚴

[@gplama]

If you're after the conclusions, apologies for the 21min+ video! Use the chapters to jump to the important bits. 👌🏼

[@daveallenwex1962]

@@gplama your routine is very interesting and I like to see the full story Shane that leads to the conclusions. I liked the idea of the Bryton but knew that it was troubled. It’s great to hear the firmware is available for the fix. 💯👍🙏

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

Lama looks like you might be breaking out the Winter face coat. None of the devices picked that up. Aside from that great update, it's great to see a worthy market contender to Garmin. This should create some pricing honesty for we consumers. It was also interesting seeing your screen set-up for the Windfield and Radar Apps. Thanks again.

[@lexington476]

I have been very happy with the Magene rear radar, based on your review. Still have it, it works great.

[@mikesimms1]

My Varia usually shows two vehicles for a truck towing a boat, which is a common sight around here. It's technically correct, which is the best kind of correct.

[@dirkhunt9425]

I have been using my Gardia for a few weeks. When I am alone, it does a fantastic job. They still need to work on detection of cars when riding with others. On the back it works great. If anyone is riding behind me it misses cars or lights up as they are passing me. Being told that, yes you did just get passed by a car is not useful information. I didn't do a side by side both mounted to my bike review, but could hear the audible beep from the Garmin users around me.

[@gplama]

Radar devices don’t work well when they are obscured by riders. They still work on line of sight.

[@MrCrowleyCycling]

Lightning deal today from Amazon took this product to 50% off down to 60$. At that price point it was a no brainier. ** it's the next day. Software is up to 6..16 now so it looks like it has gotten a few updates since this video.

[@SnappyWasHere]

My Varia constantly does the two dots for trucks like you show. So I just ignore the second dot half the time. The problem I have noticed is if it is actually two vehicles and the second slows down and doesn’t pass for some reason it clears but there is actually a car behind. Caught me a few time because I trust the radar so much I forget to be responsible and always check to make sure no one is behind.

[@ojtamno]

it would be awsome if radar could detect and comunicate difference between car and truck/bus incoming. I would really like to know what's coming next. For example a truck could be presented as double dot and/or red color. Unless this is already a thing and I missed it 😅

[@thekiteflyer1]

Already have a couple of varia, the Bryton GARDIA 300 arrives tomorrow

[@martinbonta1592]

I have a Bryton bike computer. I have contacted Bryton several times because it counts wrong. Every time i contact them over mail i only get a automatic replay saying "There is many trying to contact us but we will get back to you as soon as possible" For example, if i load a route that is 300km long and then it first gives me an overview that states that it is 300km but when i press start or "GO" it states that it is 450km remaining. Half way through the ride it should say that is is 150km remaining but it then says its 225km remaining. I have also sent them several GPX files and pictures. The unit is a Aero60 and it has a over-the-air update feature for FW if you connect it to a wifi network but it has not got any update for years! The lack of support and intrest from Bryton is really bad. I have mailed them several times on several diffrent mail adresses. English support, Taiwan suppor, global support etc.....they just do not care! So my advice to everyone is....stay away from Bryton.

[@mrwezbo]

Thanks Shane, just want to say I really appreciate the effort and detail you put into the review vids. For the 'truck is 2 vehicles' thing...I'm actually not against that? I like the (accidental) distinction between a smaller car and larger truck?

[@Musashi13]

It was pretty unusable there for a while and, like you, I felt it was more use turned off than on. However the latest firmware has redeemed it and out on a ride last Friday it was matching my ride buddy's Varia without fail.

[@landixus]

Ok i bought it mySelf. Aarrived today. I turned it on, and was looking direct in the light. I think i am blind the next 3 days...

[@rainbowlable]

Thanks for the detailed review 🦙! 👍 In the EU the Gardia is currently around 50€ cheaper than the Varia R515. And it has got USB-C 😎 which I was waiting for with the Varia. Looks like I save myself some money now 😁

[@craigsmith5134]

Good video and comparison of the units. One question I have since I've never used something like this is how does this actually help you? Sure you know there's a car coming, but does it affect how you ride? Are you going to dive into the ditch if a car is approaching fast? As far as knowing if a car is there or not if you intend to change lanes, I'd still use my eyes. I just kind of feel this is a gimmic and just something else needing to be charged.

[@marklyons4366]

I get where you’re coming from and thought the same before I got a Varia a couple years ago. Like many users though, I feel it’s near-indispensable after having used it. You’ll know if it’s a good time to reach for the water bottle, you’ll be able to scootch over right as a car passes if you like for extra safety. On gravel roads where you might to tracking good lines and not be at the side, or when it’s windy or an EV is coming and hard to hear it avoids the frequent shoulder checks.

[@davelucietto3530]

Hi Shane After watching your radar vids I decided on a Gardia300L . Went out for a first ride with it today and I am happy with the detection etc. I have the Gardia App on my new iPhone SE and use an older set of Aftershokz Air as I ride paired to my phone. Interesting issue, if I pause the music (which is only down low) the Gardia alerts are nice and loud, start the tunes and the alert volume drops to about a third and I can barely hear it. If I get a sms/whatapp alert it is the same volume as the music. I have spent a lot of time looking at setting on my phone etc, but no idea. Whether the phone is paired to my old SHokz, my new Bose QC45's or just using the phone speaker the volume of the Gardia alerts is barely audible when music is playing at any volume. Stop the music and it's fine. Any ideas? Thanks for a great YT channel. Dave

[@StornofuerKasse3]

Thanks for the video. Did you reach out bryton, if the double dots might be intentional from them? Seems to me that this might be the case which i personally find really nice. So then you know if there is a little Smart coming up behind you or a 40 tons lorry.

[@LorenzMapTV]

Interesting! I'm testing the latest radar tail light from iGPSport the SR30 how do you make the Garmin screen overlay with radar data? Thanks!

[@gplama]

I'm just about to go for a ride with the SR30 myself. The Garmin screen recording is a hidden option within their beta firmware only at this point.

[@rasherdk]

The radar data is the MyBikeRadarTraffic connectIQ data field

[@LorenzMapTV]

@@gplama Thanks Shane! 🤙🏽

[@DaveB2290]

Bought the Gardia about a month ago as they had a special and it was half the price of the Varia. There are two things I have noticed which may be common to all radars. In the rain I get false negatives which I think is due to spray off the back wheel blocking the radar. I have also had some false negatives when I car pulls out of a side street close behind me.

[@jpoodle]

Happy with it?

[@jimbo9030]

It would be interesting to see if the Gardia detects a bus as a single or multiple reading as a bus has a continuous form factor. If it detects a bus as 1 vehicle I'd argue there is something indigenous happening. What the ingenious thing is I'm not sure but it would perhaps mean the Gardia is actually more accurate and that could be exploited in later firmware updates.

[@nicoladeguida5351]

Is there any updated firmware that fixes R300L issues highligthted in this video?

[@ReemerFeddes]

The reason I'd choose against the Varia is that it has still not USB-C.

[@hakerj01]

How did you get the wind display on the garmin edge?

[@roolon6604]

@Shane Miller - GPLama thank you for review. 1.Does Bryton Gardia R300L support light Ant+ profile and modes can be set with Garmin Edge? 2. Do we expect succesor ofGardia R300L soon/when?. 3. I noticed that Gardia much latter(to late imo) then Varia show that the object has already passed (green filed). Am I right?

[@bernderler2713]

Hi Shane, Do you have any Information when the firmware Update will be available for older units ? (R300)

[@TheDarkoandreevski]

i have R300 as well, and firmware version 0.8.6 which i bought it in March. The radar is disaster and dangerous to use, so i also put it on shelf for few months and waiting for new firmware. But still nothing changed in my firmware version at all.. So i really hope that they'll update this version Gardia to be actually useful. What im a bit suprised, i thought that they are the same device and only difference is part of seatpost mounting rubber.. But look like totally different devices.. Can someone post more details why some of Gardia's did not have new firmware?

[@wouter-oosterveld]

Hi Shane! Thank you for the excellent review. Question - do you have any metrics on the time to charge the device? It has USB-C, but can it also charge faster than the Varia with its vintage micro-USB?

[@gplama]

From 0% it reached 70% after 60mins charging, and 80% after 90mins of charging. I didn't note the time to full charge.

[@Gryffes]

I can get the bryton for £87 while the garmin is £135 when its on sale. Thats quite a big price gap.

[@Papa-Bogey]

@gplama Excellent as always. But, something interesting happened on the way to Amazon US: The Bryton was not available. No stock. But as an alternative Amazon suggested the Varia and the “TUTULOO W100 Bike Radar Tail Light” for $90 US?! It seems to be a bike radar at half the price of a Varia. Have you heard of it?

[@gplama]

Interesting! First time I've heard of this brand and their product. The brand name doesn't exactly instill confidence in them being able to pull off making a radar that'd work very well.... CyclistsHub has a review of it up on his website. And after reading it, I'd be keeping clear of this unit for now.

[@sleepyvoyager]

How do you screen record these edge devices? Or is it a action cam setup above them?

[@gplama]

It’s a hidden feature of Edge units with beta firmware.

[@sleepyvoyager]

@@gplama Thanks for sharing this information! I did not find it anywhere else 😊

[@czinra]

I noticed that Gardia has difficulty detecting underbone/mopeds. And they do dissappear on the radar if they have the same speed as you.

[@notimetoplay8371]

In Taiwan Garmin cost about $200 USD for the Varia and about $90 bucks for R300 so the price difference is much easier to justify going with Bryton. Garmin is just way too overpriced

[@TruthSpeaker1001]

Had the Varia 715, didn’t like the camera, bugs not fully worked out. I exchanged it for the rtl 515 which I love and will not ride without.

[@Mixsu1000]

Hey! can the Garmin display, that data field that you have, where the speed of the approaching vehicle and the distance to the bike are shown.

[@joystation1]

How well do these radars perform in the rain and what happens when a vehicle is detected but then you go round a bend ?

[@becausewin]

did you do any testing with a bryton head unit?

[@gplama]

No

[@becausewin]

@@gplama :'(

[@oplkfdhgk]

very interesting. i wonder what would do better on higher speed roads. like 100km/h

[@Amir-cu4qp]

Did you also get the firmware update for the R300 (non L) version? Using the android app, the current firmware I have is R0.8.6, and it isn't showing any new firmware updates for the light.

[@MW-df2fm]

Would be interesting to know as I have got the R500 (without L) aswell and don't even have the chance to get my hands on a R500L and wouldn't want to invest in an other unit as this should be Brytons offer to hand me a safer version.

[@lexington476]

3:48 We all konw Lama does all rides Super Aero 🙂.

[@jaysanzo3382]

I've been using the Bryton Gardia R300L Bike Radar for about two weeks now, as my Varia 510 battery barely holds a charge for 3 hours. So far I've been pretty happy, though the one thing I've noticed (which might be user error) it doesn't seem to pick up other cyclists gaining on me (which at my age of 70 is often ;-) ). Has anyone else seen this? Or does it not pick up cyclists? Or is there a setting I'm missing? Trying to decide whether to send it back to Amazon and just get Varia 515 and not worry about saving a few dollars.

[@tillquist]

Hi Shane What you experience with the Bryton Gardia R300L, that the cars disappear on your Garmin 1040 device, I experience the same with my Garmin RTL516 and RVR315. When a car drives the same speed close behind me, they disappear on my device and it looks like there are no cars behind me until they speed up and overtake me, then they are back on my screen, I also drive with a Garmin Edge 1040. So after watching your video, I actually think there is a software error on the 1040

[@gplama]

I’m across the speed matching functionality when using a radar. As you mention, it occurs with all radars. I included that example as that’s exactly how it occurred on the road. I still suspect it’s the Bryton unit and its sensitivity. If you want to point the finger at the 1040, all good. I’d need more data/examples.

[@tillquist]

@@gplama I'm not pointing the finger at anything, but I thought it was remarkable because I experience it together with a 1040 where you test with Bryton and I ride with Garmin Radar. As you have connected to an 830/840 where they do not disappear when a vehicle has the same speed as you. Have you tried testing Bryton/830 and Garmin radar/1040?

[@2011cleaner]

If you're on a bike path, can this device (referring to Gardia) also detect bikes coming from behind? In Europe, many bike paths are quite narrow, so you might not always hear if someone is cycling behind you (for example, if you're wearing headphones)

[@gplama]

Yes

[@sfasto1]

Shane how was the lag for the Gardia with a Wahoo or Bryton computer?

[@gplama]

iirc similar on the Wahoo units. I didn't test with any Bryton head unit.

[@현구스]

Hi Shane, I bought one and my firmware comes up as 0.5.13, can you confirm if it's the same? Bryton is frustrated that they can't see the firmware logs.

[@gplama]

The units I have are on 0.4.13 and there are no updates available (at this point).

[@syncfunc]

I know it's unrelated to radar, but why are the two head units showing such different power meter readings? The radar comparison is great, though!

[@gplama]

Two different power meters.

[@aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

If I use this on a trail cycling, will it alert me to other cyclists coming up behind me or does it only detect cars?

[@gplama]

It'll alert on cyclists too.

[@demegens3126]

Hi, there is a new R0.5.15 version software for the R300L. Do you know whats new?

[@gplama]

No. Ask Bryton for a changelog if there isn’t one supplied with the update.

[@demegens3126]

@@gplama​​⁠Nothing supplied via changelog or app.

[@onyhow]

It just sucks Varia 315/515 isn't on sale in my country, only the very expensive 715. If I want something reasonable in price for radar, only Gardia R300L and L508 are available.

[@gplama]

Which country are you in?

[@Barney_NZ]

When is it coming to Aus/NZ?

[@gplama]

I'm not sure on their distribution arrangements for the radar. Looks like BikeSportz takes care of things in AU for Bryton.

[@crossroads4762]

I think the spirit level was invented in Ballarat.

[@gplama]

If you’re referring to the video levelling, it’s the GoPro being a pain in the arse with horizon lock. I’d wasted enough time with this video to go through and adjust this.

[@rasherdk]

@@gplama GoPro's horizon lock seems to have a lot of issues when used mounted on a bike/car. Found many complaints about it online. Either drifting or getting stuck crooked. Seems to be better suited for handheld/person mounted shots.

[@neon3690]

Does anyone when it will be available in Australia?

[@yolono9549]

Can you try the decathlon smart trainer d500

[@gplama]

They look like rebranded ThinkRider trainers.

[@landixus]

You can send me one, i can test where the cars are driving on the right side. :) BTW. You was there, beer was cold, but Shane wasnt there.

[@ezraarcena1928]

Does this work with hh k2?

[@gplama]

Yes

[@drmrossing]

Yikes, how many times did you almost get doored by parked cars?

[@gplama]

Always a few times each ride. :)

[@tomnanD3]

Big mistake by Bryton not making their products Garmin 1/4 turn compatible. They would sell millions of them.

[@demegens3126]

HI, Just recieved a R300L. Who knows the latest FW version: Mine is 0.5.14

[@gplama]

I think that's the latest mine are showing too. (Early Sept 2023)

[@johnnyboy4711]

Hi Shane,why would anyone chance one of these , when Garmin just works for 20 euro more

[@gplama]

Pricing depends on which market you’re in, and what sales are on. As I mention at the end of the video, it’s entirely your call what to buy/save a few dollars on. My focus was on how (and how well) the product now works.

[@rainbowlable]

At the moment it's more a 50€ difference and I read a lot about weird errors (e.g 0:FC and 0:9) with the Varia over the past 2 years that have not been fixed by Garmin yet.

[@johnnyboy4711]

@@gplama thanks Shane! bottom line good for established brands requiring innovation constantly as these guys are clipping at their heels.

[@小邦邦-u8x]

I am from Thailand , Do you like Thailand ? Welcome to Bangkok Thailand

[@gplama]

I visited that airport twice last month.

[@tonyg3091]

Garmin Varia Bryton Cardia Shmyton Shmardia etc Gotta love these guys, copy copy copy and copy some more. No, I wont give up my Varia for an blatantly stollen copy.

[@gplama]

Nobody is asking you to give up the Varia. By all means stick with it. This video should have given you the assurance it’s a better choice. What’s not great are monopolies. They inevitably keep prices high. These cheaper units should be welcomed, even if you don’t care about them.

[@tonyg3091]

@@gplama I beg to differ. Cheap knock offs lead to overal decline in quality. What would be Garmins incentive to innovate when they need to compete on crazy low prices? A race for the bottom line only always breeds monsters.

[@marcus_velo_9970]

kind of interesting but useless in the sense that there's no risk assessment indicated, cars/trucks passing distance - the real danger for us are high speed passes, large wayward truck passes, vehicles simply too close on their approach. wheres the tech to detect that? the radar would need to assess the vehicle approach speed and distance to us, tag the likelihood of an unsafe passing distance i.e. the trajectory of the vehicle approaching. this is where machine learning could be incorporated into a device to offer some smart tech for our safety.

[@gplama]

Given the millisecond time differences and centimetre distance differences between a safe pass, a close pass, and a collision, I don't think we'll see any tech that'll accuracy detect threats to this level. Not without a huge amount of false positives that consumers will inevitably claim as 'errors' and dismiss the tech. The auto industry would be a reference point here. And vehicles have ample access to power, not a luxury we have on bikes where equipment size and weight are always kept to a minimum.

[@marcus_velo_9970]

@@gplama a camera built into the radar that interfaces with an app for example could have enough information to predict the trajectory of a moving vehicle approaching. for example our reverse camera in the car, our new Subaru, predicts the trajectory when reversing via green lines drawn on screen. as a cyclist, I'd like a simple say 1.5m, 1m, or less. Of course going forward, its a matter of tech in the vehicle which communicates with cyclist, distance, gap etc, as autonomous vehicles are already reading the environment, including vulnerable road users that would be a good move. I've read that these vehicles assess the trajectory of a pedestrian already for example.

[@jimgray8423]

@@marcus_velo_9970 why not just have a mirror on your bike as well?

[@JFomo]

My Magene sucks

[@gplama]

Firmware 0.114 is now out for that unit.

[@JFomo]

@@gplama I'm new to these radars. Is the performance supposed to drop if this radar units gets dirty from riding on wet roads or is it my Magene that sucks?

[@gplama]

It should still work with a little mud and grit on it. Do the firmware update and see how it performs.

[@JFomo]

@@gplama Thanks I've just updated it. Fingers cross it actually works better now.

[@gplama]

Keep me posted on how it goes. 👌🏼

[@cyclingSausage]

I use a mirror 🙂

[@mareklesniak8768]

I used to use it all the time but it was driving me nuts to constantly check it instead enjoying the ride. Now, with the radar doing the work, I only take a quick look at the mirror if I really need to be sure (usually when taking a turn, needing more width on the road or just avoid something).

[@timdixo]

Use a mirror + radar…the safety features are quite different and work additively.

[@tmunk123]

Yes, use both for the best possible safety. I use the radar to let me know a car is coming, and I use the mirror to verify they've seen me. So they definitely work together

[@din75cschmoo]

Dittp

[@ed0078]

Here we go again with another copy-cat product

[@gplama]

Competition is good for the consumer.