Smart tail lights - pairing

[Spafsack]

Hi guys

I am looking to buy my son a smart tail light so he can be warned of approaching vehicles [road bike].

The issues are this. He does not have a bike computer, nor garmin watch, he uses my old Huawei GT4 and it actually works like a bomb for him. The problem is how on earth do i do this at minimal expense. Garmin and Meganne smart tail lights [dont need video recording] are say 3k. Then an entry level bike computer is a few thousand. Other option is to upgrade his watch to a Garmin, then he can get alerts on that? I recall when these tail lights were launched some had a handle bar display with tiny led lights that warn you, can you still get this or do you have to pair it to a bike pc, watch? I guess he could pair to his iphone, but not keen on mounting that on the front end of the bike, or are there tricks i am missing here? 

[Mamil]

I'm not aware of any tricks you are missing - I have heard that the radar works with non garmin head units but I think you pretty much are headed for the upgrade - I'd look for a second hand 530 and there is a radar only option from garmin that excludes the (excellent) light which might save a few ZAR.

It is in my view, money well spent

[cadenceblur]

There is also a varia app. 

[wolver]

Your least expensive option is the Garmin Varia paired to mobile phone using the Varia mobile app. You can keep the phone in his pocket and hear the tones (and possibly feel the phone vibrating, but I wouldn’t rely on that) to alert of an approaching vehicle. 
 

The Varia is a device well worth the investment, I can’t ride without it now, makes riding more enjoyable and safer! 

[Spafsack]

Thanx everyone, Wolver, maybe this could work. If i paired it with his phone, maybe his watch, which gets alerts anyways, could allert him, vibrate, make a sound, wonder if that would work.....His phone is in the back of his shirt or in the side pocket [ciovita cargo pants] 

So my other options would be:

upgrade to a new garmin watch, then at least he has a decent watch, will pair with varia, or

Find second hand edge, or

Try use app and test the waters.

But as you say, its safer, need to make a plan very soon. Thanx for the help so far.

  

[Knersboy]

Garmin used to make a dedicated head unit but that has been discontinued.
 

Other than that the options mentioned above and maybe another option is to buy the radar only (no light) which is about $50 cheaper and use a conventional light if he already has one. Then use that cash towards a computer. 
 

I did my first ride with my RTL515 yesterday. It is great. I had vertebrae in my neck fused a few years back, since then it is more difficult to look behind me when riding. Even with the radar I still check, but safer to check when it isn’t detecting a car because with the decreased mobility I tend to drift more than I used to when checking and I had some hairy moments like that. Got to the point that on narrow roads I would stop to check if I needed to turn. 

[michaelbiker]

The Garmin edge 130 plus units work with a radar. You can also opt for a cheaper Chinese head unit. Some are quite full featured and good value for money like the iGPSport and Magene units.
 

Head units are better because they tell you how many cars are behind and you don’t have to keep glancing at your watch - which means moving your head. 

[michaelbiker]

Oh and BTW I have the Magene tail light. Had it for a few years now and it works very well. IMO the Garmin is not worth the extra cost - the Magene’s have had a lot of software updates to bring their features on par with Garmin and the mobile app is pretty good too.