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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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(248 customer reviews)
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User submitted reviews

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 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 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.

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 Joe biker

Reviewed 10/25/2021
by Joe biker
Cycling Enthusiast
Hayward, WI
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Garmin Varia RT515 Radar tail light

the radar tail light is awesome. I makes you feel more comfortable what is behind you when you are riding. It is easy to use and works.

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 Hal

Reviewed 9/9/2021
by Hal
Cycling Enthusiast
Georgia
Value Rating
Overall Rating
This light is a game changer for safety!

I love knowing when cars are approaching fro so far back. I have an Italian racing mirror but with the wind and road noise you don't always know something is back. The combination of mirror and radar is fabulous and I don't feel comfortable without them. I don't particularly like the rubber band mount. A fixed mount would be better but with so many seat posts designs I can see how it would be difficult.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 8/28/2021
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
NY
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Will never ride without it again!

I love it. I used to right with just a tail light and thought it was a little overkill for radar. But after a few months with it, I can easily say I'd never ride without it. Can't count how many times it's alerted me to oncoming cars that I didn't hear, or 2 cars approaching together that I would have missed thee second car. Really invaluable tool for safety. Gives me a little more peace of mind out on thee roads. Definitely recommend.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 8/12/2021
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
Love it

Can't say enough about how much more peace of mind the radar gives me while riding. It almost always spots cars before I hear them, beeps loudly enough to be noticed, and gives a clear sense for whether they're coming in particularly hot. I now own two of these and bought a third as a birthday present for my sister in law. Would recommend without hesitation.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 8/13/2021
by Anonymous
Cincinnati Ohio
Overall Rating
It's easy to use and frankly love it

The setup on it was simple and easy to pair wirh my wahoo edge. I feel a lot more comfortable on the road knowing more about where cars are relative to me. I'm also impressed with it's ability to detect speeds and change color on my screen.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Carey

Reviewed 8/6/2021
by Carey
Cycling Enthusiast
Seattle, WA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Most awesome!

The word "awesome" is overused. Not in this case. You feel like you have eyes in the back of your head. The alerts, yellow to red, definitely help with situational awareness. It isn't a solution to distracted drivers, but now I know when a vehicle is approaching too fast, too close or is just big.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by mverni

Reviewed 8/2/2021
by mverni
Cycling Enthusiast
las vegas
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar With Tail Light

This is my third unit. Worthwhile upgrade from RTL510. Dual notification of approaching cars: visual on the head unit and sensory, by iPhone vibration in your pocket.

Battery is long lasting.

Would never consider road riding without this.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by DSS

Reviewed 8/5/2021
by DSS
Cycling Enthusiast
Northampton, MA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
A terrific product, that I highly recommend. Provides an additional level of safety.

I tend to listen to podcasts when I ride, and the auditory signals that the Varia send out provide an alert to switch my attention to traffic approaching from the rear. My experience is that it gives virtually no false positives. The light flashes when a car is approaching, and if someone is riding with me they also get this visual warning to be vigilant.

Thank you for your feedback.

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