Varia RTL510 Radar
Speaking of connectivity, the Edge 130 pairs seamlessly with all ANT+ bike lights and the new Varia RTL510 rearview radar. Garmin provided a unit for us to test along with the Edge 130, and I grew to appreciate its functionality.
I have to admit, I had no experience with the previous generation, and I was a little skeptical on how accurate and reliable the RTL510 would be. After the first five minutes, it was evident this little device packs a serious punch. It pairs to the Edge 130 like any other sensor, and as a car approaches from behind, it beeps and shows an icon traveling up the display. At one point I had four cars behind me, and the RTL510 picked up all four.
While it won’t save you from being hit by a distracted driver, the Varia RTL510 helps keep you alert and aware of approaching traffic—and therefore a little safer when out on the road. I found it most useful when I was riding on less traveled stretches where it can be easy to get in your head and be less conscious of traffic. I even found myself feeling more exposed to potential hazards when I left the unit at home.
The tail light feature was also plenty bright and can be used as a standalone unit without the Edge 130 or the radar display unit (included in the bundle). Garmin claims the light can be seen up to a mile away, and it’s certainly bright enough to alert any drivers in close proximity of your presence.
Navigation
The Edge 130 utilizes GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellites and includes a built-in barometer for ultra-accurate readings. For navigation, Garmin incorporated the “breadcrumb” feature in the Edge 130. You can create your route of choice on the Garmin Connect website or through the app, and upload to the device itself. Once the route and GPS is found, you can follow along as the device prompts upcoming turns.
Summary
With other competitors jumping headfirst into this price point, Garmin stepped up and developed a modest-yet-functional computer that’s perfectly equipped for the average cyclist.
It’s accurate, boasts impressive connectivity and has a 15-hour battery life—plus it’s light, compact and costs just under $200. While omitting highly specialized (and rarely used) metrics, the Edge 130 delivers reliable data cyclists need on a daily basis and projects real-time data on its highly legible screen.
We can’t think of a better cycling computer at this price-to-feature ratio than the Garmin Edge 130.
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