Wahoo TRACKR Radar Review: A Worthy Varia Competitor?

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Wahoo took practically 10 years to answer Garmin’s Varia radars, however they’ve lastly launched their very own—the TRACKR radar. I purchased it with my very own cash and was the primary individual within the Czech Republic to check it. On this evaluate, I examine it instantly with the Varia and different in style biking radars to spotlight its strengths and weaknesses and enable you to determine if it’s price it.

My TRACKR ranking at a look:Reliability 5/5 | Multi-object Detection 5/5 | Battery Life 2/5 | Brightness 4/5 | Aspect Visibility 2/5 | Mount 4/5 | App 3/5 | Value 3/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.7/5More about this biking radar scoring.

NOTE: I examined this radar with firmware v1.0.39.

Wahoo TRACKR Radar Abstract

Beneath is the abstract of the Wahoo TRACKR Radar technical specs.

My Expertise with Wahoo TRACKR Radar

Based mostly on my testing, I discovered the next execs and cons of the TRACKR.

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The packing consists of three mount adapters (flat, aero, and d-shape) and in addition two rubber straps of various lengths. I take advantage of the aero adaptor with the shorter strap, and it really works properly for my seat put up.

I first used the TRACKR with the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3. I additionally paired my Garmin Varia RTL515 with Garmin Edge 840 for side-by-side comparisons. TRACKR has a 10m longer detection distance, so in concept, it ought to detect automobiles quicker. In observe, they had been detecting them at just about the precise second. Typically, although, Varia detected the automobile about 1 to 2 seconds quicker.

The TRACKR additionally carried out properly in detecting a number of automobiles directly. It was in a position to monitor them precisely, particularly in bends when a number of automobiles had been driving behind me and the radar may “see” them (in contrast to when automobiles are driving behind one another). I attempted to copy this by pointing the radar at a freeway, however TRACKR couldn’t detect them, in all probability attributable to excessive speeds. I believe that it has a decrease detection velocity than Varia.

The variety of false positives was near zero. Throughout one cost of the radar, I obtained about 2 or 3. That is so refreshing as a result of radars, such because the Magicshine R300 or iGPSport SR30, give a number of false positives per hour. The Cycplus L7 I reviewed lately gave me between 3 and 5 false positives per hour, relying on the world. For instance, in city areas, false positives are extra frequent than in rural areas.

The battery is meant to last as long as 20 hours within the low flash mode. In the course of the first spherical of testing, the radar solely lasted me 8 and a half hours with 4 % left. This was approach behind the claimed battery life. So behind that, I discovered it exhausting to consider and determined to check it once more. In the course of the second spherical, the TRACKR lasted about the identical size, so not even half of the declared size. This was an enormous disappointment, and I wrestle to consider the outcomes are so unhealthy. So, I’m doing a 3rd spherical of testing, and I’ll replace this half as soon as I end it.

As soon as, I additionally skilled one thing unusual. I attempted to show off the radar, however it at all times began flashing once more, even after I pressed the ability button for over 3 seconds. So, I needed to do a tough reset. Happily, I’ve not encountered the same drawback since then.

The Battery Extender Mode function is fairly helpful. It lowers the brightness of the LEDs when no automobiles are detected. However you need to flip it on within the Wahoo app, so maintain this in thoughts. It’s a disgrace that there isn’t any auto-sleep function. It will be useful for longer stops, extending the battery life even additional. TRACKR Radar additionally has no LED battery life indicator. So, it’s important to verify the battery life within the app.

TRACKR’s brightness is common. The flash has larger brightness, so I desire utilizing it as a substitute of the stable mode. The next image (credit score to the GP Lama for the concept) compares the Bryton Gardia R300L, Varia RTL515, and TRACKR Radar. It’s not as clear within the image, however the Varia had the brightest and most centered gentle, whereas the TRACKR was the least vibrant.

I’m glad that the radar remembers the final used mode and modifications the flashing sample all through the complete overtaking interval. Nonetheless, you need to allow this function within the app. It ought to be on by default! Naturally, you can even management the TRACKR’s gentle modes from the top unit if the top unit affords this performance. Sadly, Wahoo (or every other bike pc) can not get up TRACKR from standby mode; they’ll solely flip it off whenever you flip off the exercise. That is one other large disappointment, and I hope Wahoo will implement this with future firmware updates.

Not like with the Magene L508 or Cycplus L7, you’ll be able to’t alter gentle modes utilizing the Wahoo app. I don’t thoughts, because the default modes are adequate for me, however some tinkerers would respect this. Please additionally do not forget that the Wahoo app can’t change a motorbike pc by exhibiting you automobiles like another radars (Varia, Gardia, and many others.). It doesn’t have this performance.

One other factor I wish to talk about is the mount. Whereas I’m not the largest fan of its look (it’s cumbersome), it really works and doesn’t slip on the seatpost. That is primarily due to the rubber that means that you can tighten it. The radar stays in place even after wild sprinting or driving on cobblestones.

The field doesn’t embody a stable mount to your saddle, in contrast to the Cycplus L7. Bear in mind, although, that the Wahoo TRACKR Radar mount is incompatible with the Garmin quarter-turn mount. The Wahoo socket is 1mm wider than Varia’s, so it will probably’t be used with third-party mounts. I imply, come on. Why did you try this, Wahoo? Was this an inexpensive attempt to lock individuals into your ecosystem? As you’ll be able to see within the following photos, the Garmin Varia RTL515 matches into the TRACKR mount.

Wahoo TRACKR vs. Different Biking Radars

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

FeatureGarmin Varia RTL515Magene L508Bryton Gardia R300LiGPSport SRTL SR30Trek CarBackCycplus L7Wahoo TRACKR Radar

Dimensions98.6×19.7×39.6 mm 3.9×0.8×1.6 in94×38×25 mm 3.7×1.5×0.98 in97×20.9×40 mm3.82×0.82×1.57 in99×20.3×39.7 mm3.9×0.79×1.56 in70×50×30 mm2.76×1.97×1.18 in76.5×37×25 mm3×1.46×0.98 in90×82×42 mm3.54×3.23×1.65 in

Weight71g65g66g68.8g70g67g99g

Claimed battery lifeUp to 16 hours (flash mode)As much as 18 hours (flash mode)As much as 17 hours (flash mode)As much as 18 hours (flash mode)As much as 7 hoursUp to 25 hours (flash mode)As much as 20 hours (low flash mode)

Actual battery life9 hours and half-hour within the day flash mode¹7 hours and 20 minutes within the flash mode11 hours and 40 minutes within the day flash mode²16 hours and 55 minutes within the flash mode11 hours and 21 minutes within the flash mode15 hours and quarter-hour within the flash moden/a

ChargingMicroUSBUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C

RadarYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

TaillightYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Brake sensingNoYesYesYesNoYesYes

Auto stand-byNoYesYesYesn/aYesYes

LumensUp to 65Up to 40Up to 73Up to 65Up to 90n/aUp to 53

Mild modesSolid, peloton, evening flash, day flashSolid, peloton, flash, pulse, rotation, fast flash, radar onlyHigh/low stable, group journey (peloton), flash, radar onlyConstant (stable), fleet, respiratory, day flash, evening flash, radar onlyDay flash, day regular, evening regular, evening flashSteady, flashing, respiratory, radar onlyHigh and low regular/flashing

Customizable gentle modesNoYes³NoNoNoYesNo

Detecting distanceUp to 140mUp to 140mUp to 190mUp to 150mUp to 230m⁴Up to 160mUp to 150m

Relative detecting speed10 to 160 km/h (6 to 99 mph)10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph)10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph)10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph)n/a10 to 160 km/h (6 to 99 mph)n/a

Water resistanceIPX7IPX7IPX7IPX7IPX7IPX6IPX7

Viewing angle220°220°220°220°n/a270°n/a

Horizontal detection angle40°40°40°40°n/a40°35°

ProtocolsBluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth, ANT+

Extra infoRTL515 reviewL508 reviewR300 reviewSR30 reviewCarBack reviewn/aComing quickly

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This desk compares options of the chosen bicycle radars.¹About two years outdated unit. The battery depreciation in all probability influenced the battery life.²Demo unit – I’m not positive if this influenced the battery life. ³Paid subscription or free for e mail subscription.⁴Early critiques counsel the actual detecting distance is round 150m, which implies kind of the identical as different radars.Up to date: Might 27, 2025

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Bicycle Radar

Biking radars should 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 for those who purchase a tool like a biking radar. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t rely completely on a bicycle radar and use your different senses whereas driving.

Based mostly on my testing, the TRACKR proved dependable by way of its technical specs. It detected automobiles about as shortly as Varia and didn’t miss any automobiles. The variety of false positives was near zero.

My Verdict

It’s nice to lastly see an equal competitor to Varia RTL515. Sure, it took a number of years for the opponents to catch up, however we’ll solely profit from this. If I had to decide on between Varia and TRACKR, I might in all probability purchase TRACKR. It has a USB-C charging port, and its mount holds the radar in place. It’s only a disgrace that third get together Garmin mounts are usually not appropriate with TRACKR because of the wider mount socket.

Nonetheless, I’m trying ahead to the upcoming Varia mannequin that the complete biking group is anticipating quickly. However the fact is that we anticipated its launch two years in the past already, and the brand new Varia is nowhere to be discovered.

Wahoo TRACKR Radar proved to be dependable, giving near zero false positives, and it additionally does its job properly in different areas (brightness, mount, and many others.). It’s not excellent (it gained’t help you alter the sunshine modes and doesn’t have an auto-sleep function), however it’s price it.

If you want to buy it, please think about clicking the next hyperlink. It gained’t value you something further, and it’s one of the simplest ways to help Cyclists Hub. Thanks very a lot prematurely.

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Wahoo TRACKR Radar FAQ