[Review] Performance is close to Garmin, but the price is half. The second generation iGPSPORT radar tail light "SR mini" is smaller and more functional.
First, let's look at the product specifications. What makes it stand out is that it is compact while still achieving specifications that surpass those of other companies.
- Size: 77 x 37 x 19 mm
- Weight: 50g
- Price: 13,750 yen (tax included)
- Runtime: Up to 20 hours
- Battery capacity: 1,100mAh
- Communication: Bluetooth, ANT+
- Waterproof standard: IPX7
- Light brightness: 30lm
- Radar detection distance: 160m
- Radar detected relative speed: 4 to 110 km
- Radar detection angle: 45 degrees horizontal
Next, we will compare it with the previous model, the SR30, and other companies' products.
Compared to the previous model, the battery capacity has decreased due to the smaller size. The runtime is also 20 hours, but it is still longer than Garmin and Magene.
In addition to the wider detection angle, the detection relative speed is 4km/h, which is slower than other companies' models. This improvement is very useful because it continues to capture until just before the car stops at an intersection, etc. On the other hand, the upper limit has been lowered to 110km/h, but this is within the margin of error when driving on public roads. Garmin's specifications are to detect a speed difference of 160km/h, but I think this is necessary to detect overseas.
I have used all the radar tail lights except for Bryton (I wrote a review article), but a year ago Garmin had better functions, and the others, including iGPSPORT, had similar performance. Garmin excelled in the completeness of its detection logic, which is not listed in the catalog specifications, but how has the SR mini evolved?
The SR mini also surpasses other companies in terms of catalog specifications, and is also by far the cheapest. I think the evaluation of the SR mini will depend on how well the detection logic is completed.
I hope Garmin will phase out microUSB soon...
Unpacking ceremony (package and included items)
The packaging is white, which is common to recent iGPSPORTs.
On the back side, in addition to the specifications, the compliance status with various regulations is listed. It has also acquired technical conformity.
Included items are the manual, Type-C cable, Garmin compatible mount, saddle rail clamp, anti-fall strap, hex wrench, and inspection certificate.
exterior
The main body is compact for a radar. It features a design that surrounds the radar unit with a light. Garmin also has a radar-only product called the RVR315, but the total length of the RVR315 is 72mm. The total length of the SR mini is 77mm, which is only 5mm longer even though it has a light installed.
The back side. Mount with a Garmin compatible mount.
The charging port is USB Type-C. It appears to be fairly waterproof.
Actual weight
The weight of the main unit was 49g, almost as stated. It was very good.
review
Now for the product review.
attachment
Installation is done using the included saddle rail mount.
The entire mount weighed 24g.
The mount is Garmin compatible, so you can use the seatpost mount that comes with the SR30, for example.
Pairing with a cycle computer
Pairing is done from the sensor addition menu. With iGPSPORT, it can be registered as a radar and light.
*Images to be added
With higher-end iGPSPORT models, if you register the sensor as a light, you will be able to use a function called smart light connection.
When you enter this menu, you can check the remaining battery level and turn various functions on and off from the cycle computer screen. It may be easier to operate it with a smartphone app, but it's good to remember it.
Garmin's Edge 1040 can only be registered as a radar.
When you register, a warning screen like this will appear, but it will work without any problems.
It is also possible to simultaneously connect to iGPSPORT's BiNavi and Garmin's Edge 1040. There is no difference in the content or timing displayed, so it doesn't matter what brand of cycle computer you connect to.
About the app
iGPSPORT products are designed to work with a smartphone app. Once you turn it on, connect it to the app first. The screen and menu after connecting are as follows.
"Radar detection" is a function that displays vehicles on your smartphone screen.
A cycle computer that supports radar display is a high-performance model that exceeds a certain level. It is useful if you are using a cycle computer that is not compatible, or if you do not need a cycle computer and only want to use the radar.
"Light Mode" allows you to set the light pattern. There are 7 modes:
"Turn off the lights" is a mode that uses the radar only, but does not turn off the high-intensity flash function when a vehicle is detected. The runtime for the radar alone is said to be up to 20 hours, but if you are driving on a busy road, the lights will come on every time a vehicle is detected, so the runtime will be shorter.
Personally, I would like to turn off this "flash when vehicle is detected" function, but is this unavoidable given the concept?
The customization features are as follows. You can choose between always on (lighting) and blinking. If it is on, the brightness can be adjusted in 1% increments (minimum 0%).
The blinking mode can be adjusted in even more detail. In addition to the brightness, you can also set the time for the light to turn off and on.
Finally, there is the "Smart Function Settings". The following functions can be set.
Radar display
Now that pairing is complete, it's time to go for a spin.
First, let's look at how it will appear on the screen; I think the easiest way to understand it is to watch this video.
This is the same for Garmin and other companies, but when a vehicle is detected, an alarm sounds and an orange lane and vehicle icon is displayed. The number of icons displayed is the same as the number of detected vehicles (up to 8). You can change whether the lane is displayed on the left or right in the sensor settings.
If the speed difference is large, the lane will turn red, and once the vehicle leaves the radar range or the speed difference disappears, the lane will turn green and disappear after a few seconds.
Regarding the radar specifications, on winding roads such as mountain passes the vehicle can go out of the radar's detection range, making it useless as the vehicle is quickly lost (although it is useful in that it can tell when a vehicle is approaching from behind).
Although the horizontal detection angle has expanded, radio waves do not bend to follow the shape of the road, so this is an issue that cannot be helped.
By the way, although we refer to them collectively as "vehicles," the system can detect not only bicycles, but also people running if there is a speed difference. In reality, it is almost impossible to detect runners or bicycles while riding a road bike, etc. (in terms of speed difference)...
Detection accuracy
As for the accuracy of vehicle detection, in conditions with good visibility, it seems to capture vehicles from about 160m away as per the specs, and there are no missed detections. 160m is a distance where you won't notice a car even if it's in your mirror, so it's helpful to be able to recognize it early.
Next is the issue of "false positives" (many people call them "ghosts"), which was an issue with the previous models, SR30 and Magine.
A false positive is when an alert is issued because "something" is detected even though there is no vehicle behind. There are two patterns. The first is when you pass an oncoming vehicle. The second is when there is no vehicle at all.
In both cases, the vehicle icon appears and then disappears immediately, which shows that it is a false positive. This was the same not only with the SR30 but also with the Magene, so I thought "this is how it is," but since it means you have to move your eyes to the screen every time an alert appears, it's something I'd like to see improved (by the way, Garmin almost never has false positives).
As for the SR mini, there are almost no false positives. I feel it has achieved the same level of accuracy as Garmin.
An alert only comes on when a vehicle has actually been detected, so there's no need to move your eyes unnecessarily, which is very convenient.
By the way, a characteristic of millimeter waves is that their accuracy decreases when it is raining.
How to use the radar
It's about usability.
Following on from the false positives mentioned earlier, another thing that bothered me about the SR30 and Magene was that when the speed difference was less than the minimum detectable speed difference of 10km/h, the vehicle that had been detected up until that point would simply disappear. This is in line with the specifications, but it was quite frustrating.
For example, if a truck is coming from behind, on a narrow, one-lane road, if there is an oncoming vehicle, the truck will not be able to overtake the bicycle and will have to travel at the same speed.
The radar will then determine that the vehicle is gone and the display will immediately disappear. However, there is still a truck directly behind you. If the truck turns right or left along the way, the display will naturally disappear, but you will not be able to tell which situation it is without looking at it, such as by checking the mirror or turning around.
Garmin is the only device that continues to display the speed difference on the screen for a while (about 5 seconds) without losing it, even if the speed difference reaches 0km/h.
Like other companies, Garmin also clearly states that the "detectable relative speed is 10 to 160 km/h," but its judgment logic seems to be superior, which is added value that explains the high price.
As for the SR mini, it took a long time to lose the signal, just like Garmin. If you turn right or left and it disappears, it disappears immediately, so it's very useful as it makes some difference. It's amazing that you can do it if you try.
Personally, I feel like the "stickiness" between when the speed becomes constant and when it disappears is about one second longer on Garmin, but it's still a big improvement over the previous model.
About the Light
The light has the following seven modes. The mode changes each time you press the button on the top of the unit.
- High brightness: 12lm
- Medium brightness: 6lm
- Day flash: 25/0lm
- Night flash: 12/2lm
- Comet flash: 30lm
- Waterfall flash: 30lm
- Customization
*Details about each mode can be found around 4:25 in the unboxing video above.
When a vehicle is detected, the light flashes several times, and when braking is detected, the light turns on for a few seconds and functions as a brake light. These functions work even in radar-only mode and cannot be turned off. Therefore, the actual runtime will be shorter by the number of vehicle detections and braking.
summary
This is a smart radar taillight released by iGPSPORT in March 2025.
The functionality has been significantly improved from the previous model, the SR30, and not only have the specs been improved, but usability that is not reflected in the specs has also been improved, resulting in performance approaching that of Garmin.
And yet, it has the lowest price among its competitors, making it a very competitive product. At this point, we can say that the SR mini is the best choice to buy.
As mentioned above, it is true that Garmin's detection logic is slightly better, but because of that performance difference...for example, I personally cannot recommend whether it is worth paying 25,800 yen for the radar-only RVR315.
I bought this clip-type mount because I want to use it in brevets. I plan to insert it into the APIDURA clip holder. If I attach a strap to prevent it from falling off, I think I can prevent it from getting lost even if it comes off due to impact.
Posted by: morou2