R Lyrae is a semi long-period variable with a range of one magnitude, 4 to 5 and a period of about 46 days.

R Lyrae is a little over a binocular field northeast of Vega: binoculars.

Near the southern edge of this field of view is Struve 2431, with a colour contrast, bright blue and pale white: 6.2, 9.6; 233º, 19.2".

If you now place R Lyrae at the bottom of your glasses, 16 Lyrae is near the northern edge. This is a 5.0 magnitude star, and is a convenient star by which to judge the magnitude of R Lyrae.