Sigma RECO 81: A Breathe of a Fresh Air with a But…!

Cyclists Hub is supported by its readers. We might obtain a fee if you happen to purchase merchandise utilizing our hyperlinks.All content material on Cyclists Hub is written by people, not robots. Study Extra

Feeling safer on busy roads because of a biking radar modified the way in which many people trip. For a very long time, the selection of biking radars was restricted. However these days, there are many radars you may select from, one in every of which is the not too long ago launched Sigma RECO 81. How nicely does it carry out in comparison with Garmin Varia, Wahoo TRACKR Radar, and different Chinese language radars?

My RECO 81 ranking at a look:Reliability 5/5 | Multi-object Detection 5/5 | Battery Life 5/5 | Brightness 3/5 | Facet Visibility 3/5 | Mount 4/5 | App 1/5 | Value 3/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5More about this biking radar scoring.

NOTE: I examined this radar with firmware v1.05.

Sigma RECO 81 Abstract

Under is a abstract of the Sigma RECO 81 technical specs.

My Expertise with Sigma RECO 81

Primarily based on my testing, I discovered the next professionals and cons of the RECO 81.

The field features a saddle mount (with an aero and D-type adaptor) and the radar. The mount is oriented the identical as Garmin-like models, so you should use it with the Garmin Varia or vice versa (Garmin mount with Sigma radar).

I up to date the RECO 81 firmware, paired it with my Garmin Edge 850, and began utilizing it. You’ll be able to pair the radar with the Sigma Experience app, however the pairing course of is a bit complicated. It’s a must to enter the right mode (orange flashing gentle) to pair the radar to it (see the next screenshots). The app solely permits downloading firmware updates, nothing else.

Anyway, it was sooo refreshing to not get a false optimistic each hour (I examined a few Chinese language radars earlier than this one). Briefly, it mainly labored in addition to the Wahoo TRACKR Radar or Garmin Varia radars. I dare to say that it labored even higher.

As this text explains, dialing within the detection algorithm isn’t precisely straightforward, so regardless of many radars utilizing sensors from the identical producer (Terasilic), they nonetheless need to deal with the firmware.

RECO 81 has a 60° area of view, which is 20° greater than most different radars. In apply, because of this it covers a broader “hall,” catching automobiles in adjoining lanes or drifting over sooner, which is very helpful on multi-lane roads or throughout overtakes.

What shocked me was the wonderful detection vary. On paper, RECO 81 ought to detect automobiles from as much as 140 meters, however in apply, the detection vary was longer. I observed this when evaluating it aspect by aspect with Varia RTL515. RECO 81 detected automobiles a few second earlier, suggesting the detection vary was over 160 meters.

Multi-car detection additionally labored nicely, and I consider that is partly because of the wider area of view. We don’t have many four-lane roads right here, so I couldn’t take a look at it on this state of affairs, nevertheless it merely detected automobiles from wider angles, which is noticeable in bends.

The battery is meant to last as long as 21 hours in day flash mode and as much as 30 hours in radar-only mode. I examined the day flash mode, and it lasted roughly ~14.5 hours. That is about 25% lower than the claimed battery life.

RECO 81 has a below-average brightness, as you may see from the next comparability of Coospo TR70, Sigma RECO 81, and Garmin Varia RTL515. On paper, RECO 81 is seen from as much as 500m, Varia from as much as 1.6 km.

The radar remembers the final used mode and adjustments the flashing sample all through the complete overtaking interval. It additionally options the brake gentle, that means that the radar will change the sunshine sample while you begin braking. This characteristic is changing into a regular. Sadly, you may’t management RECO 81’s gentle modes from the pinnacle unit as a result of it doesn’t help ANT+ management. Additionally, bike computer systems can’t wake it up from standby mode, so it’s important to press the activate/off button earlier than every trip. I imply, why? Why did Sigma not implement these options? They make utilizing the radar far more handy.

As talked about above, the app gained’t offer you any risk to regulate the radar settings. It’s solely used for firmware updates. So, if you happen to don’t have a motorbike laptop, you may’t use it to interchange it.

The included seatpost mount didn’t slide, primarily because of the agency rubber band, however I can nonetheless think about somebody developing with a sleeker system. Sigma’s mount is a bit bulkier than different mounts. Keep in mind that the Sigma RECO 81 mount socket is suitable with the Garmin quarter-turn mount. Each mounts can match each radars, guaranteeing good compatibility.

Sigma RECO 81 vs. Different Biking Radars

The next desk summarizes the technical specs of the RECO 81 and different in style biking radars.

Function/RadarDimensionsWeightClaimed battery lifeReal battery life (day flash)Charging portBrake sensingAuto stand-byCustomizable gentle modesLight sample change when overtakingApp can exchange a motorbike computerLumensDetecting distanceRelative detecting speedWater resistanceViewing angleHorizontal detection angleProtocolsDetecting frequencyMount standardMore InfoBuy

Varia RTL51598.6×19.7×39.6 mm3.9×0.8×1.6 in71g16h flash 22h radar solely 9.5¹MicroUSBNoNoNoYesYesUp to 65Up to 140m10 to 160 km/h(6 to 99 mph)IPX7220°40°Bluetooth, ANT+~24 GHzGarminRTL515 reviewCheck PriceCheck Value (rei.com)

Magene L50894×25×38 mm3.7×0.98×1.5 in65g15h flash19h radar only7.3USB-CYesYesYes³YesNoUp to 40Up to 140m10 to 120 km/h(6 to 74 mph)IPX7220°40°Bluetooth, ANT+24.05 – 24.25 GHzGarmin-like rotated 90°L508 reviewCheck Value

Bryton Gardia R300L97×20.9×40 mm3.82×0.82×1.57 in66g17h flash 24h radar solely 11.7²USB-CYesYesNoYesYesUp to 73Up to 190m10 to 120 km/h(6 to 74 mph)IPX7220°40°Bluetooth, ANT+~24 GHzGarmin-like rotated 90°R300 reviewCheck Value

iGPSport SRTL SR3099×20.3×39.7 mm3.9×0.79×1.56 in68.8g12h flash 20h radar solely 16.9USB-CYesYesNoYes (only for a couple of seconds)YesUp to 65Up to 150m10 to 120 km/h(6 to 74 mph)IPX7220°40°Bluetooth, ANT+~24 GHzGarmin-like rotated 90°SR30 reviewNot beneficial

Trek CarBack70×30×50 mm2.76×1.18×1.97 in70g12h flash11.3USB-CNon/aNoNoYesUp to 90Up to 230m⁴n/aIPX7n/an/aBluetooth, ANT+~77 GHzProprietaryCarBack reviewCheck PriceCheck Value (trekbikes.com)

Magicshine R30096×29×34 mm3.78×1.14×1.34 in110g16.2h flash 26.3h radar only9.4USB-CNoYesNoYesNoUp to 300Up to 140m10 to 160 km/h(6 to 99 mph)IPX6270°35°Bluetooth, ANT+24 – 24.25GHzProprietaryR300 reviewNot beneficial

Cycplus L776.5×25×37 mm3×0.98×1.46 in67g25h flash 36h radar solely 15.3USB-CYesYesNoYesNoUp to 40Up to 160m6 to 160 km/h(3 to 99 mph)IPX6270°40°Bluetooth, ANT+n/aGarminL7 reviewNot beneficial

Wahoo TRACKR77×19×37 mm3.03×0.75×1.46 in99g15h excessive flash36h radar only8.5USB-CYesYesNoYesNoUp to 53Up to 150mn/aIPX7n/a35°Bluetooth, ANT+~24 GHzGarmin⁵TRACKR Radar reviewCheck Value

iGPSport SR mini77×37×19 mm3.03×1.46×0.75 in50g7h day flash25 radar solely 8.6USB-CYesYesYesYesYesUp to 30Up to 160m4 to 110 km/h(2 to 68 mph)IPX7220°45°Bluetooth, ANT+n/aGarmin-like rotated 90°SR mini reviewCheck Value

Coospo TR7096×23×39 mm3.78×0.91×1.54 in65g30h flash 40h radar solely 19.5USB-CYesYesYesYesYesUp to 70Up to 140m6 to 128 km/h(3 to 79 mph)IP67220°40°Bluetooth, ANT+n/aGarmin-like rotated 90°Coospo TR70 reviewNot beneficial

This desk compares options of the chosen bicycle radars.¹About two years previous unit. The battery depreciation in all probability influenced the battery life.²Demo unit – I’m not certain if this influenced the battery life. ³Paid subscription or free for e mail subscription.⁴The actual detecting distance is round 150m, which implies kind of the identical as different radars.⁵TRACKR Radar gained’t match Garmin mounts because of wider socket.Up to date: March 6, 2026

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Bicycle Radar

Biking radars need to be extremely dependable. They could offer you false positives, however they need to by no means offer you false negatives, that means they by no means miss a automobile.

You must have zero tolerance for false negatives if you happen to purchase a tool like a biking radar. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t rely totally on a bicycle radar and use your different senses whereas driving.

Primarily based on my testing, the RECO 81 by no means missed a automobile and proved to be on par with the very best biking radars available on the market.

My Verdict

I’m glad I obtained to attempt a working radar after a while. It’s a pity that the RECO 81 isn’t out there within the US and another markets, as a result of I consider it could discover customers given its affordability. Small issues, like the dearth of a security tether within the packaging, are positively not deal breakers. What might be dealbreakers are the lacking ANT+ performance and the dearth of a sleep and stand-by mode.

The hyperlink with the entrance gentle is a nice-to-have characteristic, particularly if you happen to trip your bike early within the morning or within the night. So, I’m curious whether or not different producers will begin copying it. Regardless of not switching gentle modes instantly from the pinnacle unit (I at all times use flash mode), I miss the standby and autosleep options. If RECO 81 has them, it could be a simple selection.

Do you propose to buy this or one other radar? In that case, which one? Let me know within the feedback. Should you like RECO, please take into account shopping for it through the hyperlink under in case you are in Europe. It’s one of the simplest ways to help this web site. Thanks prematurely.

Sigma RECO 81 FAQ

The product for this assessment was kindly offered by the producer. This didn’t affect my total verdict or my opinion in regards to the product. You’ll be able to study extra about how I method critiques right here.