
User submitted reviews
Review by Ted
I bought this from REI and it works great with my Wahoo Roam. This is one of my best safety devices - worth every penny.
Review by jodieakins
It is great to have an extra set of eyes behind you providing that feeling of safety.
Review by Anonymous
This is a great product to help you more aware of your surroundings as you cycle. Ultimately, it provides you and those with you a safer riding environment.
Review by Anonymous
Great gaget
Review by M. Andrada
Dont drop on a hard surface. It may nor power back on.
Review by Gerrit
Very glad that I bought the Garmin Radar tail light. It's great knowing when a car comes up behind me.
Excellent
Review by IMFletch
This is one of my favorite pieces of cycling gear and its one that all cyclists should own. Easy to set up and operate, I don't ride on the road without it.
Review by Swags
The added safety on the road is worth the money. I'm in the front of the pack calling out "car back!"
I now have the rear visibility to improve the safety of our club.
Review by MikeT
This is a game changer - it is extremely helpful to know cars are approaching- absolutely do not want to ride without it now ! Get one ASAP
Review by Purple
Incredibly simple to use, super bright light, and works flawlessly. Don't ride without one!
Review by nestor
...it's very helpful especially making you aware of vehicles behind you when paired with the right garmin computer...alerts you and drivers behind you because of the red flash it emits
Review by Anonymous
Audible and visual feedback well in advance of cars approaching from behind, reduces stress and need to crank your neck to look behind.
Review by Thunderhawk
Total game changer. I know now when I need to look over my shoulder when a Tesla sneaks up on me. Love it!
Review by Jeroen
Light is supper bright and is working great as advertised
Review by Anonymous
Very happy with my new Varia Radar. Feel a lot safer on the road in addition to work extremely well out of the box. Would recommend again to any enthusiast.
Review by Anonymous
obviously tells you when cars are approaching so you can move over, but especially helpful on the down hill so you can take curves wide when the coast is clear.
Review by Eric
This is one of those, 'didn't know how much I needed this,' purchases. The radar picks up cars further back than your ears can hear. I feel much more aware of what's behind me at all times. Can't imagine riding without it.
It works well with my Wahoo Bolt 2, though it doesn't remember my preferred flash settings (takes 15 seconds to configure pre-ride).
Battery life is fine. I can get several rides out of one charge if I'm only doing flash alerts. If I'm also using it as a persistent rear light it needs to be charged by the end of the ride.
Included seat post mount uses silicon bands to secure. Better clamp-based options out there.
Review by Anonymous
Great piece of tech. This is my second one. The first one stopped recharging after several years. I bought the same one again.
Review by nyc2pdx
Was on the fence about shelling out for this - I considered myself a very aware cyclist. The RTL515 proved me wrong, big time. My senses cannot beat a radar system this accurate. Under most circumstances, we cannot hear a car coming up behind us if near one or more cars already. Both engine, bike, and road noise make it nearly impossible. With more electric cars on the road now - it's even more difficult to detect. This radar will pick up an approaching car/motorcycle/cyclist/etc just under 500 feet away. 2-3 seconds before you hear it, no matter how good your hearing is - the radar will alert you beforehand. Alerts can be setup on the head unit via tone and / or on-screen. Additionally, you can be alerted via the Varia phone app through vibration or tone in the jersey pocket. Which makes this a standalone product that doesn't require any bike computer. I use it with the 840 - it forms an ANT+ network with the UT800 front light - allowing for full control from the computer. Although this is not new tech by any means - Garmin's put a lot of work into it. There frankly is no price on the peace of mind these products provide.
Review by Thejudge
After observing my friend using his Varia radar light, I had him hook my Garmin Edge to his light and got to experience first hand as long as I stayed close to him. My wife asked what I wanted for Christmas and the deal was done. Installed easily, but then had to learn a few things as the pictograph directions are sketchy. Luckily my buddy knows all about it. I especially enjoy that if one is not paying close attention it will chime and let you know another bike is coming up faster than you are.