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Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar With Tail Light

GarminVaria RTL515 Radar With Tail Light(Return to Product Page)

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User submitted reviews

Review by CYinPA

Reviewed 1/16/2024
by CYinPA
Competitive Racer
PA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
Total gamechanger for safety

I got this when I saw a sale pop up. I needed a new blinky for my bikes and was toying with a cheapo radar model, but this was reasonable with the sale.

So as a light, it's great. Very bright, has different modes like they all do, etc. All of the boxes are ticked there.

The radar component is a gamechanger. You don't realize how much goes on behind you, and this thing lets you know how many cars are coming, which is a great feature. Knowing one is pretty good, but however it figures out that there are 3 or 4 coming, awesome data to have.

One thing you probably never thought of is using it in a time trial race. If you want to hug the yellow line and corner faster, you can drift over and take better lines because you know the road is clear (take a quick peak just to be sure).

The one hiccup I've found is if a car is going the same speed as you. The car seemingly turns off, but it didn't, it's just not registering with the radar. You'll either get no dot back, or it'll keep coming and going and drive you nuts. So, like previous paragraph, you still have to check, you can't just rely on the beeps and dots.

Battery life seems fine, never had an issue, I do wish it had a USB-C rather than the silly Micro-USB plug. I've also had it hit with spray from my back tire in many rain storms and it is still going strong.

Easy to pair with your head unit too. No issues.

If you have more than one bike, find some mounts so you can share it around, I tried going without it, and it just feels wrong.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Eric

Reviewed 3/21/2024
by Eric
Cycling Enthusiast
Hood River, OR
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Worth it, now won't ride without, but...

Occasional software issue--1/10 rides-- where audible car alert will not work on iphone 11 used as a control device through the Garmin app. The visual alert has never filed to work. This seems to happen once charge on the radar is at 40% or less. Annoying, and Garmin tech support is not particularly responsive, nor do they follow up.

That said, it's an amazing device, which detects cars flawlessly and I can't imagine road riding without anymore.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by tpalfini

Reviewed 2/9/2024
by tpalfini
Cycling Enthusiast
Redding CA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Eyes in back of your head.

I have had the Varia for a couple of years. The light works fine and the radar works great with my Garmin 1030. The best/safest solution is to use the Varia with a bike mirror: one warns you to watch and by watching you can take evasive action if needed. If I were just starting out riding on the roads I would pair the Varia RTL515 to my phone and use a mirror while riding.

My son says this is all rationalization for buying the Varia RTL515 because riding on the road is crazy and to think my 73 yr old "catlike" reflexes will save me from being hit is a fantasy. But hey, I am a believer.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by george c.

Reviewed 1/1/2024
by george c.
Cycling Enthusiast
Martha''s Vineyard, MA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
Great Safety Measure

I've been riding for over 15 years on the same, primarily rural roads and know the traffic. However, in the last year, I added a mirror, which is suitable for looking behind but wasn't convenient. I purchased the Garmin Varia RTL51 5 Rear Radar on sale, and using it in conjunction with the mirror has brought back a comfort level to riding on the roads again. The Varia alerts me to an approaching vehicle (or vehicles), which I can check in the mirror, and then alerts me when traffic has cleared - good for multiple vehicles, especially trucks with trailers. I find the combination of radar and mirror immensely helpful and reassuring in providing another layer of safety on the road.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by PalmCitycyclist

Reviewed 2/23/2024
by PalmCitycyclist
Cycling Enthusiast
Palm City, FL
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Awesome tailight and radar!

I have been using this on my road bike and absolutely love the radar feature. It notifies you right on the Garmin computer screen letting you know cars approaching from the rear and also gives an audible alert. Really helps to keep you informed of traffic behind you.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Enrique C

Reviewed 12/21/2023
by Enrique C
Cycling Enthusiast
Near Memphis TN
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Best light - best radar. Great value from BTD

Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar With Tail Light is a great product. Family was a little concerned about my safety on the road, so they wanted to get me this light for my birthday. BTD had a great deal and discount over the holidays. Their price beat the most popular online store. BTD delivered even faster than Prime. - The light/radar is awesome. It turns on when Garmin computer turns on, and off when Garmin computer turns off. I choose the irregular flashing light setting that turns off almost completely when there is no traffic and it gets brighter and faster when cars approach. That is a great feature. My computer display shows all cars and vehicles approaching at any distance, and turns yellow, and red according to speed, plus green when is all clear. I prefer to hear the different beeps as well. My bicycle mates do not seem to bother all the sounds, they can also interpret the sounds by now. They even have an option to pair their devices to my light/radar. I love it.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by D Morgan

Reviewed 2/2/2023
by D Morgan
Santa Clarita, CA
Overall Rating
2 of 3 customers found this review helpful.
One of the greatest advances in safety next to helmets

Friends of mine purchased this and raved. I finally took the plunge when I BTD had them on sale. My 1st impression during the unboxing was of quality which IS the synonymous with Garmin, though I wished it had USB-C instead of a micro USB port.

Next the mounting hardware was complete with adapters for round, aero and D shaped seat posts (and I just happen to have each type in my collection ... perfect ????). At 1st I was a bit apprehensive about having just a single, though very muscular, O-ring being the only thing retaining this to my seat post, but upon reflection, I've NEVER had an genuine Garmin O-Ring ever fail in the many many years I've owned them, so that worry was soon put to bed.

Connecting it to my Garmin and Hammerhead Karoo2 went seamlessly and battery life so far has been at least 6+ hours.

Ok now as for the performance. It's absolutely brilliant!!! I genuinely feel this is as much a game changer in safety and CONFIDENCE as wearing a helmet. It detects vehicles at least 100yards back which gives to time to move to the right, then it signals "all clear" and you feel comfortable moving out into the lane a bit again. What you're NOT constantly doing anymore is looking back over your shoulder for cars and then finding yourself either drifting further into the lane or off it completely or hitting that pothole or the riders in front of you. I will never ride without it and can't believe I've waited this long

Once you've experienced this technology, you'll never be without it again ????????

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Bent2

Reviewed 12/7/2023
by Bent2
Cycling Enthusiast
Reno
Value Rating
Overall Rating
I won�t ride without it.

I bought one early on and have been using it continuously until just recently after surviving multiple drops from my recumbent bike bag while cruising over bumps at 20+ mph, I dropped in onto my concrete garage floor and it became unreliable. I nursed it until my new one arrived, and ordered a backup just in case. BTW, I got one for my wife�s recumbent Catrike too. The Garmin picks up cars just after I can see them in my mirror. So, if I have not seen by the time it beeps, it�s time to react to the car. It keeps me warned on expressways and multilane residential streets of high speed vehicles.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Dbikera

Reviewed 10/16/2023
by Dbikera
Cycling Enthusiast
Portsmouth, NH
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Will not ride with out it!

Always thought my hearing was good enough to hear traffic coming up from behind me. It took only one ride with the Varia to appreciate the benefit of having radar. Let's me know traffic is approaching before it can be heard. Also shows when multiple vehicles are approaching. It easily paired with my Garmin 530. Had my wife drive up behind me while I was riding and she noted the high visibility of the light. Definitely an essential part of my riding gear to be used on every ride.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/14/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Northern Illinois
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Remarkable safety device

Although it is easy to quickly look behind you and/or use a helmet mirror, there are instances when you have to focus on the road ahead, the route, your training plan etc.. Wind and road noise can obscure the sound of oncoming cars, I found that having an alert on the head unit was a huge safety advantage when your focus is divided. Also the light on the unit pulses quicker the closer the vehicle is to you, giving the driver a visual clue as well. I have installed a Garmin quarter-turn mount on all my bikes so I can use the Varia Radar every time I ride. In my opinion it is an indispensable bit of tech.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by jessesmash

Reviewed 10/13/2023
by jessesmash
Competitive Racer
San Diego
Value Rating
Overall Rating
It's like the blind spot warning light on your car's side view mirror

Did you live without it before? Could you drive without one now? Yes of course, but it's REALLY nice not having to crane your neck around to confirm no one's there. Same thing with this radar. Drivers are increasingly distracted so on the road, I like having a tail light. I also like bombing descents as fast as possible, and taking the lane makes that easier. Having a quick glance at my head unit confirm there's no cars behind makes bombing descents that much more enjoyable.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Erik S

Reviewed 10/13/2023
by Erik S
Cycling Enthusiast
Roseburg, OR
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Simple and straightforward. Like having eyes on the back of your head!

I waited until after all my riding partners had a Varia to get on one for myself. I wish I'd gotten it sooner! All those years I spent trying in vain to use a mirror connected to my glasses! The Varia integrates seamlessly with my Hammerhead Karoo 2 computer which detects it the same way it would a HRM or cadence sensor. When a vehicle approaches from behind, a vertical band appears on the left of the Karoo that tells me how many vehicles and if a car is coming REALLY fast, it flashes a red alert. It also picks up other cyclists if they are "closing" on me to help me be aware and avoid crashes. The mount it comes with is adequate, but if you're gonna use it on more than one bike, I would recommend separate mounts for each bicycle as it isn't easy to put on or remove the mount. Oh, and I've used a taillight for a long time so having the functionality in this unit is also a big plus and the fact that it shines more brightly when cars are approaching is pretty neat!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Ben in Tacoma

Reviewed 5/9/2022
by Ben in Tacoma
Cycling Enthusiast
Tacoma WA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Excellent product for every road

The Garmin Varia RTL515 has improved my overall feeling of safety on the road ever since I turned it on. It has a very bright light that is easily seen by motorists. The radar is great at picking up traffic coming up from behind and it will notify you on your had unit and start blinking to make motorists aware of your position. I would 100% buy this product again based on how helpful it is in ensuring safety.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by David Link

Reviewed 9/19/2023
by David Link
Competitive Racer
southeast Tennessee
Value Rating
Overall Rating
The Varia is a game changer in confidence of awareness!

Been riding for 30 years - don't know how I survived without the Varia radar. My new confidence in situational awareness on the bike cannot be overstated. The unit performs superbly as it detects overtaking motion (car, cyclist, runner?!?) LONG before you can even see it over your shoulder. And it has not returned a false positive yet nor missed any overtaking vehicle (the device detects overtaking motion, not "presence").

The only negative is the mounting: it sucks for aero seatposts, and I can't imagine it's any better for round seatposts. The device is secure and snug to the seatpost (aero or round) but will NOT stay in place; it is constantly rotating to the left or right. Fortunately there are a plethora of aftermarket 3D printed mounting solutions.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by James D.

Reviewed 12/16/2023
by James D.
Navarre Florida
Overall Rating
Nice piece of equipment

This is a really nice, potentially life saving piece of equipment. I have really gained a much higher level of traffic awareness. I know when cars are behind me much sooner than ever before. Relying on sound to identify traffic is sketchy at best. This thing rocks and like other reviews I read I�m not really sure how I did without it for so long. Buy it. You won�t be sorry.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 6/19/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Lake Oswego Oregon
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Fantastic product!!

This product was an instant success, I smile as I see cars coming up from behind, and can prepare with enough notice. Addicted to the safety aspects after one mile, truly a game changing product. As important as riding with a helmet for added safety on the road. Expensive, but would pay twice the price for what it does and how it improves the quality of every ride. Easy to link to my Garmin display with plenty of battery power for a 100 mile + day ride.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by JayU

Reviewed 5/16/2023
by JayU
Cycling Enthusiast
SW FL
Value Rating
Overall Rating
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
Not 100% accurate device, but close

I recommend using the Varia in conjunction with a dropbar end mirror, or helmet mirror, for knowing what's behind you. The Varia syncs cleanly with my Wahoo Bolt head unit, and is mostly accurate.

The Varia's cons are: 1) If a car/truck is keeping pace with you, it won't show up. It needs to be gaining on you. So, sometimes the car shows up on the screen only as it's passing you. 2) Ghosts. The vehicle icon stays on the screen sometimes even after there's no longer a vehicle behind you. Seems to happen most after making a turn. 3) "RADAR ERROR". I get this message occasionally, maybe once per ride. The quick fix is to Dismiss the message. Then it starts working right again, usually.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 4/11/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Boston
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 2 customers found this review helpful.
Great when it works properly, dangerous when it doesn't.

This RLT515 is a replacement for the RLT510 that I had been using for almost 4 years but sadly lost. It looks virtually identical but also now includes bluetooth and "peloton" mode. Unfortunately I've been having problems with my new unit throwing "0:FC" errors somewhat randomly during my rides. Some rides it performs great while other times it gets so bad that I have to disconnect it from my Edge 1040 solar. For instance I went for a 3 hour ride recently and it was fine for the first hour and a half then is started throwing the error several times a minute which is both frustrating and dangerous. The error came up probably 30 times in about as many minutes so I just disconnected it from my headunit and used it as a dumb light.

I never had these problems with my old unit and would go back to it in a heartbeat if I could find it. Searching the Garmin forums made it seem that it's a software issue and Garmin is aware of it. I love Garmin hardware but their software is utter garbage, hopefully they take care of this soon.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 4/9/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Albany NY
Value Rating
Overall Rating
So glad I bought it item

Today was my second ride using the Garmin Varia. I really like it because it warms you about cars that are behind you from a very long distance. All that information is shown on your Garmin head unit. The view on the screen contracts and there is a dot that shows the car as it approaches you. I feel much safer knowing what is going on behind me and this device works very well. I did get a sensor error message once for a short time. But it resumed working as it should shorty after. I'm glad I bought it.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/27/2023
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Mesa, AZ
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Radar plus light equals longer battery life.

I have had both the radar only and the radar plus light. The 515 turns my light and radar on which allows me to skip two activations in the back. A small plus. What makes it more convenient than the 315 is the 515 battery life is significantly longer. Less removals for charging. I know, I'm lazy. Other than that, they are both fine and I use now use the 515 all the time.

Thank you for your feedback.

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