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How to Control the Camera of the Varia RCT715 and Varia Vue

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How to Control the Camera of the Varia During an Activity

After you pair your Varia™ RCT715 or Varia™ Vue radar with an Edge® cycling computer, you can use the camera controls on select Edge cycling computers to manually save locked videos and photos during an activity. Compatible Edge cycling computers include the following:

  • Edge 530

  • Edge 540 | Edge 540 Solar

  • Edge 830

  • Edge 840 | Edge 840 Solar

  • Edge 1030 | Edge 1030 Plus

  • Edge 1040 | Edge 1040 Solar

  • Edge 1050

  • Edge Explore 2

Select your model of Edge cycling computer for instructions on controlling the camera using your device or the Varia app.

WARNING: For your safety, we recommend coming to a stop before accessing these controls.

Edge 840 Series | Edge 1040 Series | Edge 1050 | Edge Explore 2

Newer touchscreen Edge computers have have a Camera Control menu accessible from the timer overlay when in an activity profile. Tap the screen to view the timer overlay, and the camera controls will be present if a Varia Vue or RCT715 is paired to the Edge.

Timer overlay with camera controls showing 

The default options for quick access camera controls are:

  • Take Photo

  • Save Clip (2 minutes)

  • Film Ride (180 minutes)

Selecting the > arrow to the right of the Film Ride option will open the Camera Controls menu. This menu offers the same camera controls as the timer overlay, as well as a status bar showing the progress of a clip that is being saved.

Camera Controls menu with settings for Headlight Camera and Radar Camera, with options for camera controls 

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Edge 540 | Edge 540 Solar | Edge 840 Series (During Screen Lock)

    1. Select the top right button.

    2. Select Take a Photo or Save a Clip.

      Options menu for activity profiles with Take a Photo highlited

    3. "Saving" will display until the save is complete.

      Data screen with Saving message in top right corner

    4. Select the back button (lower right side) to return.

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Edge 830 | Edge 1030 | Edge 1030 Plus

During a ride, follow these steps to manually save locked photos and video:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Widgets.

    Status Widget of Edge 830

  2. Scroll to the left or right until you reach the Varia Camera Controls.

    Varia Camera Controls Widget with options for take a photo and Save a Clip

  3. Select either Take a Photo or Save a Clip.

  4. "Save in Progress" will display until the save completes.

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Edge 530

During a ride, follow these steps to manually save locked photos and video on the Edge 530:

  1. From your data screen, select the back button to access the Home page.

  2. Press the Up button to access the Status page.

    Edge 530 Status page with Varia camera controls

  3. Select either Take a Photo or Save a Clip.

  4. "Save in Progress" will display until the save completes.

    Edge 530 Status page with Varia camera save in progress

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Varia App

The Varia app can be used to control the camera while riding if the Varia is paired to the app. Follow the instructions below:

  1. Pair your device to the Varia app.

  2. Select your Varia by clicking the icon of the device.

    Varia mobile app main screen with RCT715 and Vue paired

  3. Select the Camera icon to open the quick Camera controls. Options presented here are:

    • Continuous Mode

    • Radar Mode

    • Recording Off

To save a photo or clip while riding, select the camera icons at the top of the screen. Taking a picture will show a "photo saved to gallery" message. Saving a video clip will change the video camera icon to a red Stop button, and will show the REC message next to the recording mode for each light. The camera will continue to saved the locked footage until the stop button is pressed.

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How to Customize the Camera Settings on Your Edge

The camera settings can be adjusted after forming a light network between your Varia and Edge cycling computer. You can customize the following:

  • Resolution: Choose the resolution of the recorded clips.

    • Varia Vue: 4k 30fps, 1440p 30fps, 1080p 60fps, 1080p 30fps.

    • Varia RCT715: 1080p 30fps, 720p 30fps.

  • Video Recording:

    • Continuous: Video will continuously record to the SD card on a loop while the device is powered on.

    • On Radar Activity: Video will only be captured when the camera is activated due to radar threats.

      • Varia Vue requires a compatible radar to be part of the light network for this mode. If no compatible radar is detected the Vue will default to Continuous mode.

    • Off: Video will not record.

  • Audio Recording: This can be toggled on or off to enable or disable the mic built into the Varia.

  • Image Stabilization (Varia Vue only): The electronic image stabilization can be toggled on or off.

Select your model of Edge cycling computer for instructions on controlling the camera using your device.

Edge 840 Series | Edge 1040 Series | Edge 1050 | Edge Explore 2

Follow these steps to adjust the camera settings:

  1. From an activity profile, tap the screen to open the timer overlay.

  2. Select > on the right of the Camera Control options.

    Edge timer overlay with camera controls showing

  3. Select your device from the Camera Controls menu.

    Camera Controls menu with settings for Headlight and Radar cameras and camera controls

  4. Choose a setting to adjust.

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Edge 540 | Edge 540 Solar

  1. From an Activity Profile, press three black dots stacked vertically to open the Options menu.

  2. Select Camera Controls.

    Edge 540 options menu with Camera Controls highlighted

  3. Select a device.

    Camera Controls menu with Headlight Camera highlighted and options for camera controls

  4. Choose a setting to adjust.

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Edge 830 | Edge 1030 | Edge 1030 Plus

NOTE: Not all camera settings for the Varia Vue may be present. To adjust those settings, use the Varia app.

Follow these steps to adjust the camera settings:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Widget Menu.

    Edge 830 Status widget

  2. Scroll to the left or right until you reach the Varia Camera Controls widget.

    Varia Camera Controls widget with Take a Photo and Save a Clip options.

  3. Select Radar Camera or Headlight.

    Varia Camera Controls widget with Radar Camera selected

  4. Choose a setting to adjust.

    Camera Settings menu with options for resolution, recording, and audio

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Edge 530

NOTE: Not all camera settings for the Varia Vue may be present. To adjust those settings, use the Varia app.

Follow these steps to adjust the camera settings:

  1. From the Home page, scroll up to the Status page and select Light Network.

    Edge530 Status page with Light Network Highlighted

  2. Select Radar Camera or Headlight.

    Light network settings page with radar camera highlighted

  3. Scroll down and select Camera Settings. 

    Radar camera sensor menu with Camera Settings highlighted

  4. Choose a setting to adjust.

    camera settings menu with resolution, video recording, audio recording options

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How to Customize the Camera Settings in the Varia App

The Varia app can be used to change the camera settings of your Varia RCT715 or Varia Vue. Follow these steps to customize the camera settings:

  1. Pair your device to the Varia app.

  2. Select three blue dots stacked vertically (top right).

  3. Select Devices.

  4. Select your device.

  5. Select Camera Configuration.

  6. Choose a configuration setting to adjust. Available options include:

    • Recording Mode

    • Video Quality & Audio

    • Live Camera Preview

    • Incident Recording

    • Data Overlays

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Troubleshooting the Connection With Your Edge

No Camera Widget Available

If the camera widget is not available, the Light Network has not been formed. Try repairing the device to your Edge.

Can I Control Multiple RCT715 or Vue Devices From a Single Garmin Display?

Garmin displays (Edge cycling computers and wearables supporting Varia camera control) currently only support the camera control of one RCT715 and one Vue at a time. Connection to multiple RCT715s or Vues is not a supported use case. You will not be able to control both cameras.

Incident Detection Shown on the Varia App but Not on Edge

This is an indication of the bike light network not being formed. If the bike light network hasn't formed with Edge, the Varia will default to using its onboard incident detection algorithm. The onboard incident detection on the Varia will be more sensitive to Edge since it doesn't have GPS/speed information to use in the decision process. Therefore, it is more likely to detect a false incident detection.

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