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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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(236 customer reviews)
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User submitted reviews

Review by ABCBiker

Reviewed 3/3/2023
by ABCBiker
Cycling Enthusiast
Arkansas
Value Rating
Overall Rating
A great tail light that warns me of traffic behind me through my hearing aids via Bluetooth.

I'm 84 and ride with the Big Dogs on my E-Bike. This light/radar unit keeps me aware of traffic behind me, including the faster riders, and keeps me up on the world. I'm getting better at pairing the Garmin Varia to my cellphone via the Garmin Varia app, and pairing my cellphone to my hearing aids. Now, no more surprises from rear!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by la15ota

Reviewed 2/16/2023
by la15ota
Casual Cyclist
San Jose, CA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Newbie needs to be safe

My cycling enthusiast college to me on a ride and afterward said I should have this item to keep me safe on the road. I love it. It's easy to pair with all the other gadgets he recommended, and it reassuring to know if something is coming up from behind. The light is super bright, and l like the flashing options.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Wil

Reviewed 2/16/2023
by Wil
San Francisco East Bay
Overall Rating
It works just as described. I feel safer with the Varia

A riding buddy has the Varia and told me how much safer he felt being able to see traffic coming up on him. I wholeheartedly agree. It tracks all the vehicles coming up behind you from asfar back as 150 yards. Amazing.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 9/30/2022
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Don't leave home without it!!

Purchased for both bikes! Works as advertised. Keeps me alert on ALL cars coming up from behind. I find it very beneficial when riding on narrow roads or when I ride close to the road's edge. Only false positive is running parallel to the freeway.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Bill

Reviewed 9/1/2022
by Bill
Oxford, Georgia
Overall Rating
Gives some peace of mind

I ride mostly rural roads and use a small mirror but have cars still surprise me occasionally. Having this effective warning really gives me more confidence to enjoy my rides and feel a little safer. I recommend it highly.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 8/16/2022
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
Very bright

Alerts 'texters' way out, the radar option is ok and gives approx 5' warning so it keeps surprises to a minimum

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Brian

Reviewed 8/8/2022
by Brian
Mill Creek, WA
Overall Rating
Must Have

This radar with the tail light is a must have for anyone who rides on any roads. The tail light is great for getting the attention of the cars coming your way and the radar helps the rider know when a car is coming. I had the radar only version previously with a separate tail light but the integration of them in one unit is much better. All I can say is, this thing works and works very well!!!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Garp

Reviewed 8/4/2022
by Garp
Cycling Enthusiast
Denver
Value Rating
Overall Rating
I wouldn't ride without it....

I rode with the original and now I got this one. Both are great but the new one won't fit the short seat post on one of my bikes, so I use both. I wish there was a camera that would display at the bottom of my Garmin but this is close enough.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Rob

Reviewed 7/8/2022
by Rob
KS
Overall Rating
A must have

I read others reviews before purchasing and until you try it you will not know just how much you will be saying "Wow they were right. How did I do without it? The light on this is very bright and the radar has worked flawlessly. On a tour I was on there were some stretches with little to no shoulder and it helped to give me an alert way in advance of approaching vehicles. ??

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Andrew

Reviewed 6/30/2022
by Andrew
Broken Arrow, OK
Overall Rating
Great light/radar

Works as expected no issues syncing with garmin. Radar gives very clear beeps to warning you of approaching vehicles. Haven't tested battery life to full extent yet, but so far happy with the purchase.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Kevin

Reviewed 6/24/2022
by Kevin
Cycling Enthusiast
Naperville, Illinois
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Fantastic addition to my Garmin edge computer

I mostly ride bike paths but due need to cross busy streets along with street riding between paths.

During these rides I encounter cars behind me.

Now thanks to my new Varia RTL515 Radar With Tail Light I am always aware of traffic and type of speed they are coming up behind me.

This is a fantastic device.

I highly recommend to all cyclists.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Andy H

Reviewed 6/25/2022
by Andy H
Cycling Enthusiast
Eastern PA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Excellent gear to add a layer of safety

I'm pairing this with a Garmin 530 computer and it works quite well. The added visibility into traffic coming from behind is a much-appreciated addition for safety. For the cost, this is well worth it in my mind.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by scottf

Reviewed 6/4/2022
by scottf
Cycling Enthusiast
east coast
Value Rating
Overall Rating
game changer

I'm not the guy to be nervous or fear the traffic but this brings a whole new level of comfort. While this thing isn't cheap, I can't help but think what a bargain it is for what it does. I agree with some others about using it in urban or high traffic areas, the thing will just be flashing and beeping the whole time but other than that I can see this thing being standard equipment in the future.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Snowtracker X

Reviewed 5/26/2022
by Snowtracker X
Cycling Enthusiast
Boyne Falls Mi.
Value Rating
Overall Rating
After a couple rides with the Garmin RTL 515 Radar light. I can not ride without it.

I purchased the Garmin radar light to use on my new Diverge gravel bike. It really gives me a good feeling of knowing what is going on around me when traveling on a road to the trailhead, dirt and gravel roads.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 1/11/2024
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Austin
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Another way to stay safe

It is something that seems overpriced until you need it, then you are glad you have it. I

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 12/29/2023
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
Great technology

Easy to pair with a Wahoo

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Snowman8

Reviewed 12/18/2023
by Snowman8
Cycling Enthusiast
NE Ohio, Geauga County
Value Rating
Overall Rating
you can tel whats coming

Its easy to use the functions, Connects with my Stages M50, bright. They should have added a tether ring for a backup in case it falls off

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Moe

Reviewed 4/15/2022
by Moe
Cycling Enthusiast
Arizona
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Don't leave home without it.

This is one of the best safety upgrades one can put on a bike. I'm 65yrs young and have a bit of trouble looking back to see any upcoming vehicles this light let's me know when upcoming traffic is coming but it is a good habit to still look just to be sure.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 12/8/2023
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
Best light

A bit pricey but excellent light

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by velodvm

Reviewed 3/7/2022
by velodvm
Competitive Racer
Tucson and Iowa
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Best safety device available

I love being able to see when cars are approaching. On bad roads I can ride in the better pavement but move over to the edge when cars are passing. When riding with a friend we will ride 2 abreast on county roads but one of us goes up and one goes back when cars are approaching. Sometimes there is no better place to be but even then it is good to know when there are no cars approaching.

Thank you for your feedback.

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