Varia RTL515 Rearview Cycling Radar, Built in Tail Light, Compatible with Edge Bike Computer, Multiple Display options, Visual and Audible alerts, Daylight visibility up to 1 mile

I cycle a lot, all year, in all weathers. Primarily road cycling. This rear light and radar is expensive. But. Its a good light with good range and handles spray and heavy rain well..no issues with battery life and I'm told that it's pretty bright. It links to my Garmin Edge 530 easily for the radar and for any necessary software updates. Comes with variety of attachments to suit your seat post. The radar, which is the main reason for my purchase activates pretty accurately and in my view is a great safety addition especially at night or bad weather. Its radar function notifies vehicle proximity on my Garmin Edge 530 by flashing orange and reporting the cars location as large white dots approaching you on the right of the screen. The first beep and flash to indicate a car is approaching from the rear occur at about 60-75 meters away. It also indicates how many cars there are each with their own dot closing in on you. In my view it's pretty accurate most of the time. The Edge display functionality is not affected when notifying you. Display screen borders change colour when there is a car directly behind you roughly 2 to 3 meters away. It does not replace physically checking before making a move or turn. But it helps as an additional safety tool to improve your road awareness and a prompt to check before moving. Could do with a small elastic lanyard to larks-foot around the seat post incase it's mountings we're to loosening come off, in the same way as the Edge 530 has. Would I recommend....Yes. Strongly. I don't cycle without it day or night.But its not cheap!

Hi, Just bought this and 3 rides in on busy and quiet roads plus bike lanes A huge increase in safety and less stress when riding, definetly recommend this Benifits When you have a headwind or are being overtaken by electric cars/bikes or other cyclists this gives you early warning well before your hearing would. So situations like potholes become much easier to navigate A good bright light with good battery life It detects cyclists and ebikes when on a bike path Pairs easily with Garmin GPS, acording to WWW it pairs to other devices best check. I have the Explorer which is not current but no issues with pairing or functionality Not affected by light rain, I will add an update for heavy rain Weaknees's The mount that is supplied is perfectly functional, Garmin has suppled "bungie" mounts for some time. It works but I will buy a bolt on after mount for peace of mind Depending on frame size this may interfer with a seat bag. You could mount onto the seatbag but I have not tried that. Remember you have to have the radar above the wheel to see traffic. I ride a 54/medium frame and had to remove the seatpack. A bit of a pain but well worth it for the benifits. I this a large frame would work fine without any changes I will always bouble check with a visual look when turning, just to make sure it is clear but the Varia just adds addition details of what is there during critical turms

I was going to drop a star for the mount. The light is held on by one, very thin, o-ring. I'm quite confident in the quality of the o-ring and I don't think it's going to snap or anything, but the unit is not held very securely and tends to swivel one way or the other when going over bumps. I am going to buy one of the many third party mounting options available which clamp onto the seat post or saddle rails. That aside the unit itself is amazing. I have only just received it and have only ridden with it once. This was an 80 mile ride taking in all manner of different roads. The first thing that hit me was just how reliable it is. It ALWAYS picked up an approaching vehicle. I went ahead of my wife at several points (she was on her bike), slowed down to the point where she was going just faster than me and it picked her up no problem. I'm amazed that this kind of technology is available at this price point, I really am. And it's a light as well!! When it detects something it gives a warning beep and shows the approaching vehicles as white dots which track up the right hand side of the screen of a compatible Garmin cycle computer (Edge 530 in my case). The border of the display becomes Amber (or red for vehicles approaching more rapidly) then briefly goes green when all vehicles have passed before returning to normal. There is a small radar symbol in the top right of the screen. Should connection be lost there is a very loud warning tone and the radar symbol begins to flash. I was riding for nearly 5 hours and the battery was fine. It took a while to charge when I first got the unit and very little time to charge after my ride, leading me to believe that it had plenty life left in it after the 5 hours of continuous operation. I'd recommend checking out one of the many YouTube videos which show the unit in operation if you haven't already. The only downside is riding in groups. Obviously people riding directly behind you will render the radar completely useless. So unless you're OK riding at the back all the time, the Varia is best used when you're out on your own. Also, if you have a very small framed bicycle you might have difficulties because the unit requires a 15cm vertical clearance between it and the top of your rear wheel. This almost certainly could be remedied by mounting it on an aftermarket saddle rail mount. EDIT: I've been using the unit for a few weeks now and continue to be impressed. I've upgraded to an Edge 1030 Plus and the bigger screen enhances the experience with the Varia. I've noticed the 1030 Plus has a Widget on the status screen where you can easily change the mode of the light (solid, flash etc.), which is great. I've got the light set to activate when I start an activity on my Edge computer, which is quite good. I've also purchased a clamp-on seat post mount, which has eased my fears about the light dropping off. It was a genuine Garmin mount as well (see photo). Can't help thinking that should have been included with the Varia instead of being another 15 quid but it only works for round seatposts, unlike the one which comes with the Varia. I have had the unit drop a signal for a vehicle behind on multiple occasions now, though. When cars are following at a constant distance, waiting for a clear road to overtake for example, sometimes the signal for that vehicle will disappear and suddenly reappear at the point the vehicle begins to overtake.

Very accurate - picks up multiple vehicles and a good distance (50m+). Battery life is OK, I have to charge it far more often than the Edge and front facing light. I manage to get about 3 or 4 days' use out of it on flash mode at ~2 hours per day, which is MUCH less than the quoted value. It is also difficult to tell what mode you are in, with no clear indicator as you cycle through. The mount is also quite flimsy and over rough patches of road the unit shakes around enough that it sometimes temporarily disconnects from my Edge. BUT the increased situational awareness more than makes up for the shortcomings. Anecdotally, I've also found that drivers pass me with more room when the unit picks up their car and starts flashing. It's stating the obvious but this should not replace visually checking your surroundings before turning or moving lanes, but this enhances awareness. A good addition to anyone who cycles frequently as a hobby or for commuting.

To be honest, this device actually works better than i'd expected. It gives a clear audible and visible indication of approaching vehicles (cars/bikes and lorries). The sides of the screen on the Garmin head unit light up amber or red depending upon the approaching speed. Once a vehicle (or multiples, it shows a dot on the right hand side for each vehicle) have passed, the screen sides go green for a few seconds to show it's clear. This unit has allowed me to know that vehicles are approaching before i even hear them. Of course you can't tell how close someone is passing but it's a massive help overall. It's actually useful to just know when there is nothing behind to, without having to keep looking back. It hooks up to the head unit with very little effort and just works. Brilliant piece of tech !!!!

This is an excellent product to increase your safety whilst out on the road. The device gives plenty of warning of approaching traffic and the display on my garmin computer shows the distance the vehicle is behind which is a great feature. Battery life is good and lasts a couple of rides for me which is about 7 hours approx.

The Garmin Varia RTL515 Rear view Cycling Radar is one of those rare cycling accessories that genuinely changes the way you ride. After several weeks of using it on busy roads quiet lanes and longer training routes I can say with complete confidence that it has become absolutely essential. In my opinion it is now just as important as wearing a helmet and I would not ride without it. The device’s main strength is its rear facing radar which detects approaching vehicles with impressive accuracy and sends clear alerts to your head unit or compatible device. The radar picks up cars from a long distance and does so consistently even when you are riding at speed or on roads with bends. This early warning gives you precious time to adjust your position increase awareness or prepare for a vehicle passing closely. It transforms what could be a stressful moment into something far more manageable. The built in tail light is bright and effective with several visibility modes. It adapts depending on the situation and helps ensure you are clearly seen by approaching traffic. Even in broad daylight it remains noticeable and in darker conditions it becomes an invaluable visibility aid. The fact that it combines a radar and a powerful rear light into a single compact unit makes it extremely convenient. Pairing with a Garmin head unit or a compatible device is effortless and the on screen alerts are clear without being intrusive. The sound notifications are also helpful especially when you are concentrating on your line or navigating traffic. The radar distinguishes between single vehicles and groups which gives a more accurate sense of what is approaching from behind. Battery life is very strong and easily covers several long rides on a single charge. The build quality also inspires confidence with a solid secure feeling once mounted. It stays in place even on rough surfaces and does not add noticeable weight to the bike. What stands out most is the psychological impact. Riding on roads can sometimes feel unpredictable but knowing that the radar is constantly watching behind you gives a huge boost in confidence. It allows you to focus on the ride ahead without constantly checking over your shoulder. For me it has become a non negotiable safety item and I would not consider riding without it now. Overall the Garmin Varia RTL515 is a must have safety device that enhances awareness boosts visibility and provides peace of mind on every ride. It is one of the most valuable additions you can make to your cycling setup.

I honestly wasn't sure what I was thinking when I decided to order this, it's ridiculously expensive for an accessory for my bike but whenever I searched for a new bike light I kept being drawn to this one with the fandangly radar. I fought it, I really did but I decided there must be a reason I've not bought anything else and keep looking at these longingly so I took the plunge, made my bank account a bit lighter and now I have one of these (I hope I don't lose/dirty/scratch/drop it). First impressions was that it's quite big, and as I was mounting it to the rear of a pannier rack and it came with only seat post mounts I had to wait for a bracket to be delivered before I could attach it (I used a saddle mount which worked perfectly as there isn't a pannier specific mount). Pairing with my Edge Explore was a doddle, and once the radar was paired the light part was automatically added. Choose in the settings which light settings you want Day/night flash/solid etc and then you have a dedicated screen to override it's settings. Oh and Peleton mode is great, my other half was riding behind me and complained about how bright the light was until I selected Peleton mode and she stopped complaining so it must have worked. The radar part is amazing, it's magic, I actually don't know how it can see cars behind other cars but it spots them. The orange shading comes on to show it's picked up something approaching from behind way before it's close enough to be a dot on the screen. I have a mirror but particularly at night it has to be offset slightly to avoid blinding me every time a car is behind me so to be able to know something is coming gives me the advanced warning I need to check the mirror and decide if I need to do anything. I'm not saying I couldn't live without it but to have it in conjunction with a good quality mirror definitely makes me feel a little more safe when it comes to traffic approaching from behind. The light is seriously bright, I had a friend drive behind me and he said it was easily comparible to a fog light on a car. I like how it changes flash pattern as a car approaches and I can control it all from my Edge Explore (or my Fenix 6 Pro, but that would be a bit of a faff on the move). All in all the hole this leaves in my bank account hurts but if it has the lifespan of some of the other Garmin products I have had it should last me long enough to forget it was nearly £200 and I'll just be happy to see those little dots warning me of something coming.

Prodotto eccellente che aggiunge un enorme livello di sicurezza durante i percorsi su strada. Utilizzarlo mentre si pedala cambia davvero la percezione del traffico alle spalle e permette di concentrarsi molto di più sulla guida. Il sistema è affidabile e preciso: in diverse occasioni il radar segnala le auto prima ancora di sentirle, cosa particolarmente utile con vento, asfalto rumoroso o in tratti extraurbani. Questo permette di anticipare le situazioni e aumentare ulteriormente la sicurezza. Diventa quasi indispensabile, soprattutto se si vive o si pedala in certe regioni italiane dove i ciclisti non sono sempre ben tollerati. Le uscite su strada diventano più tranquille e consapevoli, soprattutto nei tratti più trafficati. Una volta provato, diventa difficile farne a meno. Consigliatissimo a chi percorre spesso strade aperte al traffico e vuole aumentare concretamente la propria sicurezza in bici.

Es imprescindible para aumentar tu seguridad como ciclista. Funciona muy bien y se integra perfectamente con tu ciclocomputador Garmin. Te sirve como luz para que te vean y como radar para detectar coches.

Le Garmin RTL515 combine lumière arrière puissante et radar pour prévenir des véhicules en approche. C'est fantastique ! Je ne me vois plus aujourd'hui rouler sans le radar fixé à ma tige de selle ! Quelle sécurité d'être prévenu des voitures, motos, camions en approche. Combiné à un compteur (même le basic Garmin Edge 530), l'affichage est clair sur l'écran du compteur et cela fonctionne même avec certaines montres Garmin (je peux aussi avoir l'alerte sur ma Forerunner 945 qui a pourtant 4 ans). La précision est excellente, il y a très très peu de faux positifs (c'est généralement un cycliste qui me double un peu "trop vite" qui est détecté). Fonctionnement : lumière fixe quand pas de danger, elle se met à clignoter vigoureusement à l'approche d'un ou plusieurs véhicules. Très efficace, même en journée avec le soleil ! Absolument rien à redire, l'investissement est important mais le prix Amazon est meilleur que tous les autres sites internet, même à l'étranger. L'autonomie est très bonne. Donné pour 16h de lumière non stop. L'application mobile dédiée donne le niveau de batterie, ainsi que le compteur Edge ("batterie radar faible") donc aucun souci à se faire pour faire des charges presque complètes et prendre soin de la batterie interne. A compléter avec une protection en silicone type Tusita (10€ sur Amazon) pour protéger le radar.

Spokój ducha, jakie daje to urządzenie jest wręcz nieocenione - niezależnie, czy jedziemy drogą, gdzie wyprzedzają nas auta, czy ścieżkami/w parkach, gdzie mogą nas wyprzedzać rowerzyści 🚴‍♂️. Zasięg wykrywania jest na tyle duży, że jesteśmy powiadamiani jeszcze zanim zdążymy usłyszeć nadjeżdżający samochód - nie mówiąc o tym, że czasem przecież w ogóle ich nie słychać (przez wiatr lub np. w przypadku elektryków). To zapewnienie, jakie daje urządzenie z jednej strony pozwala nam jechać bardziej środkiem pasa, unikając studzienek czy większych ubytków w jezdni, a z drugiej pozwala z odpowiednim wyprzedzeniem zrobić miejsce pojazdom. Do działania lampki również nie mam zastrzeżeń - włącza się po rozpoczęciu treningu, gaśnie po jego zakończeniu, mamy kilka trybów do wyboru. Jedyny minus to ładowanie przez stare micro-USB. Jedyna sytuacja, gdy radar może nie informować o pojeździe z tyłu (a raczej błędnie poinformować, że go już nie ma) jest sytuacja, gdy ten zrówna się z nami i będzie podążać z tą samą prędkością np. czekając na możliwość wyprzedzenia - wynika to wprost z zasady działania urządzenia, ale warto mieć to na uwadze :)

Good battery life and so worth the money. I feel so much safer being able to react to traffic, works well on quieter narrow country roads as I can ride in the middle of the road until Rader detects a car then I can move over