Garmin unveils Varia RearVue 820, its brightest and most powerful radar tail light for cyclists

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) launched the Varia RearVue 820 on February 3, 2026, a radar tail light with advanced vehicle tracking, brighter illumination and extended battery life.

Key specs: vehicle size detection, alerts to compatible Edge devices and Varia app, visibility over 1.2 miles, radar range > 190 yards, battery up to 24 hours (day flash) or 30 hours (radar only), USB-C charging, and a suggested retail price of $299.99.

Positive

• Tail light visible over 1.2 miles
• Radar detects vehicles beyond 190 yards
• Battery up to 24 hours day flash or 30 hours radar only

Negative

• Same-speed tracking limited or unavailable in poor conditions
• Voice alert feature currently in public beta
• Alerts require compatible Edge cycling computer or Varia app

Key Figures

Stock price: $206.92 Price change 24h: 2.62% Battery life day flash: 24 hours +5 more

8 metrics

Stock price $206.92 Prior close before this news, GRMN

Price change 24h 2.62% Move on the day of Varia RearVue 820 announcement

Battery life day flash 24 hours Varia RearVue 820 in day flash mode

Battery life radar-only 30 hours Varia RearVue 820 in radar-only mode

Detection distance 190 yards Vehicle detection range for approaching traffic

Visibility distance 1.2 miles Tail light visibility range for Varia RearVue 820

Retail price $299.99 Suggested retail price for Varia RearVue 820

52-week range $169.2601–$261.69 GRMN 52-week low and high before this news

Market Reality Check

Price: $206.92 Vol: Volume 780,816 vs 20-day ...

normal vol

$206.92 Last Close

Volume Volume 780,816 vs 20-day average 900,743, indicating lighter-than-normal trading activity. normal

Technical Price $206.92 is trading below the 200-day MA ($216.19), despite today’s product launch.

Peers on Argus

GRMN gained 2.62% on a new cycling product while peers were mixed: COHR up 6.54%...

1 Up

GRMN gained 2.62% on a new cycling product while peers were mixed: COHR up 6.54%, KEYS up 3.4%, FTV up 1.8%, but TDY and TRMB slightly down. Only COHR showed momentum scanner activity, suggesting today’s move was stock-specific rather than a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 20	Golf watch launch	Positive	-5.2%	Launch of Approach J1 junior golf GPS watch at a <b>$299.99</b> price point.
Jan 20	Golf device launch	Positive	-5.2%	Introduction of Approach G82 golf handheld and launch monitor at <b>$599.99</b>.
Jan 20	Optics device launch	Positive	-5.2%	Unveiling of Xero L60i premium laser rangefinder priced at <b>$2,499.99</b>.
Jan 14	Earnings call notice	Neutral	-1.1%	Scheduling of Q4 2025 earnings call on <b>Feb 18, 2026</b> before market open.
Jan 13	Marine watch launch	Positive	+1.1%	Launch of quatix 8 Pro nautical smartwatch with satellite connectivity at <b>$1,299.99</b>.

Pattern Detected

Recent Garmin product launches often saw muted or negative next-day moves, though the latest nautical smartwatch launch drew a modestly positive reaction.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, Garmin has released several hardware launches across golf, outdoor and marine categories, often at premium price points (e.g., devices at $299.99, $599.99, and $2,499.99). These January 20 product announcements coincided with a -5.23% move, suggesting prior launches did not immediately translate into positive price action. The earlier quatix 8 Pro nautical smartwatch news on Jan 13 saw a smaller +1.14% reaction. Today’s Varia RearVue 820 cycling radar tail light continues Garmin’s pattern of segment-specific device innovation.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Garmin’s cycling portfolio with the Varia RearVue 820, featuring extended ...

Analysis

This announcement expands Garmin’s cycling portfolio with the Varia RearVue 820, featuring extended battery life of up to 30 hours in radar-only mode, long-range vehicle detection at over 190 yards, and visibility of more than 1.2 miles. Recent history shows multiple premium device launches across sports and marine segments. Investors may watch how this product integrates into Garmin’s broader ecosystem and how upcoming earnings on Feb 18, 2026 frame hardware demand trends.

Key Terms

radar, usb-c

2 terms

radar technical

"its most innovative radar tail light that can help cyclists be more aware"

Radar is a shorthand meaning that a company, issue or development has been noticed and is being watched by investors, analysts or regulators. Like a blip appearing on a ship’s map, being on the radar matters because it signals potential action — increased buying or selling, closer scrutiny, or follow-up reporting — which can change a stock’s price or a firm’s regulatory and market prospects.

usb-c technical

"includes a USB-C port for convenient charging and a new seat post mount"

USB-C is a small, reversible plug standard used for charging, transferring data and carrying video between devices, similar to a universal power outlet that fits either way. It matters to investors because widespread adoption shapes demand for components, affects manufacturing costs and product compatibility, and can alter competitive dynamics or regulatory risk across hardware makers and their suppliers.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

With advanced vehicle tracking, superior battery life and a brighter tail light than ever before, cyclists can ride with greater peace of mind

OLATHE, Kan., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced Varia™ RearVue 820, its most innovative radar tail light that can help cyclists be more aware and visible while riding on the road. New advanced vehicle tracking detects a vehicle's size, side-to-side movement and categorizes threat levels as the vehicle approaches from behind with alerts displayed on compatible Garmin cycling computers or the Varia smartphone app, thanks to more powerful and precise radar technology. This radar tail light is Garmin's brightest yet and serves as a brake light when slowing or stopping, so riders can feel confident about their visibility to motorists and other cyclists while on the road. And with superior battery life of up to 24 hours in day flash mode and up to 30 hours in radar only mode, cyclists can ride even longer with greater awareness and peace of mind.

"We're excited to expand our trusted cycling radar technology with Varia RearVue 820. Whether cyclists are commuting by bike to work or training along busy streets, this radar can help them stay more conscious of nearby traffic, especially with new, innovative advanced vehicle tracking alerts, all while the brilliant tail light and brake light can help them be more visible."
–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing

Advanced vehicle tracking

When riding with a compatible Edge^® cycling computer or when paired to the Varia^™ smartphone app, cyclists will get visual and audible alerts as vehicles are approaching or changing lanes behind them, along with their threat level, which indicates if the approaching vehicle is a higher threat to the cyclist based on its speed or path of travel. And with new vehicle size detection, riders can get visual alerts about the size of approaching vehicles – small, medium and large – right from their Edge computer or in the Varia app.

More peace of mind

• Boasting a wider field of view, the radar can detect vehicle movement several lanes away and alert riders on their compatible Garmin smartwatch, Edge cycling computer or the Varia app.
• Powerful radar technology allows the device to detect vehicles over 190 yards away.
• With same speed tracking¹, riders are notified about vehicles that are following behind them at the same speed or waiting to pass.
• In addition to vibrating alerts on the wrist, select Garmin smartwatches can also give voice alerts for approaching vehicles. This feature is currently available in the Garmin Public Beta program for select smartwatches².

Greater visibility

Ride with greater confidence day and night with Varia RearVue 820's bright tail light that can be seen over 1.2 miles away and offers multiple light mode options, including day flash, night flash, solid mode and peloton mode. Cyclists can also create their own custom light patterns in the Varia app based on the needs of their ride, including brightness level and duration of flash. Adding to that superior visibility, the device detects when the rider is slowing down or stopping, then alerts others on the road with a unique, flashing brake light pattern.

Compact design

Featuring a sleek, modern look, Varia RearVue 820 also includes a USB-C port for convenient charging and a new seat post mount that securely and cleanly fits onto almost any road or gravel bike.

Available now, Varia RearVue 820 has a suggested retail price of $299.99. For more information, visit garmin.com.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for runners, cyclists, swimmers and athletes of all levels and abilities. Committed to developing technology that helps people stay active and elevate performance, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garmincycling on social, or follow our blog.   

1	Same-speed tracking is limited or unavailable at slower speeds or when radar cannot detect the road (e.g., due to snow, ice, heavy rain, or other obstructions or incorrect device mounting)
2	This feature is currently in public beta testing and subject to future enhancements

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Edge are registered trademarks and Varia is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983), and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). Copies of such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brianna Silverman and Adrieanna Norse
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/garmin-unveils-varia-rearvue-820-its-brightest-and-most-powerful-radar-tail-light-for-cyclists-302676517.html

SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

When did Garmin (GRMN) release the Varia RearVue 820 and what is the price?

Garmin released Varia RearVue 820 on February 3, 2026 with a suggested retail price of $299.99. According to Garmin, the product is available now and sold through the company website and authorized retailers.

How far can the Varia RearVue 820 detect vehicles and how visible is its tail light?

The device detects vehicles at distances greater than 190 yards and the tail light is visible over 1.2 miles. According to Garmin, this combines wider radar range with a brighter light for improved cyclist visibility day and night.

What battery life can cyclists expect from the Varia RearVue 820 (GRMN)?

Battery life is up to 24 hours in day flash mode and up to 30 hours in radar only mode. According to Garmin, these modes let riders prioritize continuous visibility or extended radar operation depending on ride needs.

Which Garmin devices work with Varia RearVue 820 alerts and features?

Varia RearVue 820 sends visual and audible alerts to compatible Edge cycling computers, Garmin smartwatches and the Varia smartphone app. According to Garmin, some smartwatch voice alerts are currently available through the Public Beta program for select models.

Does the Varia RearVue 820 offer brake-light functionality and custom light patterns?

Yes. Varia RearVue 820 acts as a brake light when slowing or stopping and supports custom light patterns via the Varia app. According to Garmin, riders can set brightness, flash modes and peloton settings to match ride conditions.