Garmin has launched a new bit of kit for cyclists who want to light up the road and capture everything in front of them. It’s called the Varia Vue, and it’s the first bike headlight from Garmin to come with a built-in 4K front-facing camera.

Designed for road riders who like to keep their setup streamlined, the Varia Vue combines two essentials — visibility and safety — into a single unit. The result is a 600-lumen smart headlight that not only helps you be seen but also records sharp video of your ride. And if something goes wrong, it automatically saves the footage.

Camera that watches your back (or at least your front)

The camera side of the Varia Vue records in 4K and uses Electronic Image Stabilization to help keep things smooth even when the tarmac isn’t. It’ll continuously record as you ride, and if it detects an incident like a crash or sudden jolt, it automatically saves the footage from before, during, and after the moment.

You can also link it up with Garmin’s optional Varia RCT715 radar taillight camera to cover your rear view as well. With both devices working together, you get a full picture of your ride from both angles.

And if you’re the kind of rider who likes reviewing your footage or putting together edits, saved clips can be uploaded to Garmin Vault via Wi-Fi and reviewed later in the Varia app — although you’ll need to pay for that, as Garmin Vault is a subscription service.

Garmin Varia Vue light and camera

Lighting that adapts to your ride

The 600-lumen headlight isn’t just a simple on/off job. When paired with a compatible Garmin Edge bike computer, it can automatically adjust its brightness and beam pattern depending on your speed and surroundings. It also features a clever cutoff beam to help avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

There are five light modes to choose from, and you can tweak the settings either via your Edge device or the Garmin Varia app on your phone.

Battery life that goes the distance

Despite doing double duty as both a light and a camera, the Varia Vue promises decent battery life. You’ll get up to seven hours when recording video and using the headlight’s day flash mode. Switch the light off and just use the camera, and you can stretch that to around nine hours. And if you’re out on a really long ride, you can even charge it while you use it.

Other useful touches include a built-in microphone for capturing audio, compatibility with standard Garmin out-front mounts, and a relatively fuss-free setup process.

Garmin Varia Vue: Price and availability

The Garmin Varia Vue is available now, with a suggested retail price of £460. Just remember to pick up a memory card – it’s not included in the box.

Phil Huff
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