Reviews over the

Garmin Varia RTL515 Rearview Radar

Nice sturdy radar & lamp in one. Works seamlessly with Garmin cycle computer. Good recognition of cars and also approaching cyclists. Very precise! Modes for lighting easy to operate. Sometimes bothered by proverbial ghost notification of a car on a dyke about 3 metres higher. Not a big deal, radar doesn't miss anything and that's reassuring. Mounting material is a bit so-so with the rubber straps, it suffices but that's it. Included for on multiple seatpost shapes. All in all very positive experience, don't cycle without it anymore.

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It exceeds my expectations !!!

I use it on my road bike. The Edge/Varia shows whether there is something going on behind me on the road - or whether there is nothing going on. It is more relaxed when there is a lot of traffic and also when there is very little. The vehicle recognition actually works excellently, better than I expected. The biggest advantage for me is not being surprised. Overall, it's much better than just hearing (wind noise, several vehicles in a row, etc.) or even a small mirror. If you want, you can optimise it individually via ConnectIQ and Smart Bike Lights.

Quickly mounted, installed and tested (with Garmin Edge 530) - great!

All in all, a great improvement when you're travelling in busy areas. I wouldn't want to be without it.

I'm so excited that you can now always keep an eye on the traffic from behind.

I opted for the EU version with blink mode as I cycle a lot in Italy and France. For long tours in the Alps, you need the flashing mode to have a good battery life. The brightness is great, and thanks to the Rader function I am always informed about vehicles approaching from behind. I generally always ride with the Varia as I've got used to it. It's a reassuring feeling to see on the display of the Garmin Edge when a vehicle is approaching from behind.

The radar function in particular is ingenious, seeing cars that you can't recognise despite the mirror

On the road, indispensable for warning us of the arrival of a vehicle long before we hear it!

It has become indispensable to me for my daily commute and my cycling trips.

simply a great product from garmin

Easy to pair with the Garmin. Indicates in time when something is coming up behind you. On the cycle path, however, the radar also detects traffic on the motorway, which I found annoying at first, but soon got used to.

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I bought this radar when I went cycling in Spain because you usually cycle on the motorway there. It detects following traffic very well and already from far away. It can see how many cars are coming and how fast they are going. The light is very highly visible and it makes me feel safe, the radar detects it even before I can hear the traffic myself. Unexpected advantage is in descents where you can't hear the traffic coming because of the wind. However, there is a big disadvantage to it and that is that at random times it disconnects the radar and then gives a sensor error. Then the radar stops working and you have to push those notifications away on your bike computer, which is very distracting. This happens several times every ride, sometimes several times in quick succession.

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Fahre seit Jahren mit dem Varia. Es ist eine Bereicherung fürs Radfahren. Viel mehr Sicherheit, da man weiß, was hinter einem passiert.

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Now I don't have to turn around all the time

The Garmin LED light provides a very bright light, and gives an extra alarming flickering light when traffic is following behind. The radar gives a safe feeling because it is linked to the Garmin Edge and gives a signal + visual. Battery is fine and lasts for several hour-long rides. Mounting is simple and effective for many frames but feels cheap and unfortunately not suitable for the Giant Propel. Purchased a saddle mount myself for a few euros which fits optimally (for any bike) and feels better quality.

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Amazing detection of approaching cars and very bright light. Seatpost mount is not so stable though. I use it with gopro mount adapter instead to give much more stable attachment.

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Excellent, reliable product. Allows me to tackle descents with better trajectories or to be more central when the roads are bad on the sides without having to turn round all the time. When the audible and visual signals inform me, I have time to reposition myself. Be careful, though, as the radar doesn't have the same effectiveness in tight bends or when a car is following at the same speed, it disappears from the screen, so it can be a surprise when it suddenly overtakes. Overall, though, it's a very valuable accessory that I'd recommend. The rear light also contributes to good visibility.

The function is excellent and the device has a very good quality.

I really like this rear light. It improves my situational awareness on the road and I will use it on all my training rides from now on. I think this flashing RTL515 version is better than the steady RTL516. Both are legal in Sweden. I think cars will see you earlier and also possibly give you more room with the adaptive flashes. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. The only downsides discovered is that it has occasionally had short drop outs with a message on my head unit that it was disconnected and seconds later connected again. It has also somtimes warned me for cyclists that are sitting on my wheel as if they were cars approaching from behind.

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I bought these to go cycling with in Spain, since they don't have separate bike paths there. The radar already detects approaching vehicles from a great distance and also how fast they are going and how many there are. It is really nice to be prepared that something is coming, so you can already start riding behind each other and a little more to the side. You also don't get surprised anymore on the descents when the wind whistles in your ears and you can't hear if something is coming up behind you. Unfortunately, occasionally it spontaneously disengages and falls into sensor error. I again do not know if that is part of it or if this is a defect.

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After about three bike rides, I can say it is a good product. Works great with a Wahoo Element, easy to connect via Bluetooth. Vehicles are recognized and indicated in the display. A safe and convenient tool. Very occasionally a message that the cog has a connection error, after all they are still wireless devices, but that also quickly clears itself. It also detects vehicles on the road when the bike path is 10 meters next to it. But so far a fine cog with rear light which provides a bit of extra safety.

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Didn't think it would work so well

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Meets expectations as radar and action on approaching vehicle. Automatic on-off works. Can be used and charged at the same time. Lighting can be programmed differently if desired. Only Micro USB is such a shame. USB C would be nicer because of stable connection. And ah yes, the Garmin mount is quarter turned compared to an Edge. That's not practical if you want to use something other than the included standard mount; I have the Varia on a GoPro mount. All in all, a serious recommendation! Top done Garmin.

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Now my bikes are perfectly equipped. Very early and reliable warning when a fast vehicle approaching from behind. No more ride without radar.

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The saddlebag has touched and operated the on / off button. Have the holder therefore sewn to the saddlebag. Otherwise it works very well.

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Use more than meets and exceeds my expectations

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So far no vehicle has been overlooked

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Very briefly get used to the layout. After that, you won't want to miss it. Increases your own safety, but also that of other road users.

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I had long wondered whether I needed it at all. Once you've tested it, you don't want to do without it.

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Safety is priceless, but this is an absolute bonus. In "good visibility" mode, lamp and radar last Saturday lasted 11 hours before I received notification to charge it.

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The radar works great. Ideal for detecting traffic behind you (autos, speedpedelecs). You are visible from very far away. Very long battery life.

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Feels safer anyway

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Excellent safety feature on the road, reliably indicates approaching traffic that is moving faster than you (cars, bicycles etc.)

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Above expectations, use together with garmin edge; especially nice as I cycle a lot In empty polder landscape; extra long battery life by keeping lamp off and radar on....

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Unfortunately after every ride in or after a rain shower, there is a lot of fine sand between the knob causing it to stick. A hassle to get that button working again.

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So far, the device has reliably detected and displayed on my Garmin 1030+ everything that approached from behind and overtook, including cyclists. Especially when approaching quietly and suddenly passing in close proximity, the moment of shock is now eliminated, which, for me, creates an increased feeling of safety. I can fully recommend the product

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A great product for the road bike. Cars and motorbikes are safely detected. Strong light increases the rider's visibility.

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Very good 'you see me, i see you' principle, works really well and you can already see the car behind you on your display using red lines and a dot which comes up behind you and the lines turn green again when the car has passed. you keep an eye on the car coming up behind because you know it's coming.

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I have been riding around with the Varia RTL515 on my road bike for over a year now. It really gives me a super safe feeling, you may speak of extra eyes in your back which gives safety a huge added value. I notice that cars pass me in a wider arc when overtaking. I was once complimented by a police officer saying "every cyclist should have that device". I first used the device in combination with the Garmin Edge Explore. The disadvantage was that the beeping signal of the Edge Explore is very soft. In all honesty, I sometimes missed overtaking traffic coming from behind because of this. After all, you are not constantly looking at your bike computer. Now I ride around with the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus. This one has a much louder signal tone. Great, you can't miss the beep now. Combined with all the information on the screen, even safer! I really never take off without the Varia RTL515 again (cycling 10,000 km. a year). One downside: I ride with a bag under the saddle. This leaves no room to mount the Varia RTL515 to the seatpost. I therefore had to attach it to my saddle bag itself, which was a bit of a puzzle.

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A really great product, worth every penny.

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Absolutely meets my expectations

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A safe feeling on the country road.

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Gives you the feeling of additional safety as you are better seen and also warned of approaching traffic from behind.

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So far, everything is working great.

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teammates find rear light too bright light intensity should be adjustable but that requires adding screen options yourself first

Didn't see the benefit of this radar at first. But since I was only going to cycle in the mountains, I did. Very satisfied with it. Sometimes, due to curvy mountain roads, you can't hear traffic coming, but the radar already detects it! The battery also lasts a long time (at least on flashing mode). Well worth the money already!

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The unit does its job absolutely reliably.

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I bought the "European" model and am super satisfied. Contrary to the "German" model, it can flash (forbidden according to the German STVO). But I think it is much safer that way... The installation and connection was self-explanatory and totally problem-free. When driving, you can rely on the RADAR. It shows too often rather than too seldom (which is the better alternative). I really feel much safer, especially on country roads, and I wouldn't want to drive without the Garmin radar any more...

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Works smoothly, very easy to install and use if you are accustomed to Garmin products.

Fully met the expectations. I feel much safer. Super investment.

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Provides a safer bike ride

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Very simple and very quick to pair with Wahoo. Works well, does take some getting used to at first on group rides, then it also regularly sees cyclists from its own group accelerating to close gaps. Gives confidence in what is happening behind you.

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Since there is no flashing in Germany, I have resorted to this version! I can only recommend it and I don't want to do without it anymore;)

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Reliably shows how many vehicles are approaching.

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You can sit more relaxed on the bike and don't have to be pushed off the road by unexpected encounters of the four-wheeled kind.is of course not a 100 percent safety, but close and highly recommended for riders who are often alone on country roads. Not so recommended in the city because there is too much traffic and then it becomes too much with the warnings.

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I can recommend this to every racing cyclist. A + in safety, especially on country roads.

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Surely this device makes cycling a little safer especially where there is heavy traffic

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Overall a very useful tool, the holder with the rubbers is a bit wobbly

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The Garmin Varia RTL is easy to mount on the bike with the accessories and is suitable for different seat posts. The integration into the app or a suitable bike computer is absolutely problem-free. The battery life is easily sufficient for normal tours or long distances. Provided you charge the Garmin light after every ride. I wouldn't want to do without the visibility and radar function. That gives a plus in safety.

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Once you have tried it, you don't want to do without it. It recognises every vehicle that comes up behind you 100% of the time. It is indicated both visually and acoustically. No false alarms so far

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Useful tool for the safety riding, it is a little bit heavy, and the beam too wide, if the bike road runs parallel with the road you will get false alarm. Anyway it is great in smaller streets in the city or on the road with high speed traffic. Full integrated smart light.

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I use the device with my Wahoo Bolt and am absolutely thrilled. It connected to the Wahoo without any problems and worked perfectly straight away. On the first test ride with two of us, we were able to ride side by side and were warned in good time of vehicles coming from behind. That was very pleasant to ride. Even when driving in a row, the radar detected vehicles coming from behind me. I can't say anything about the running time yet, I haven't driven enough. The only point of criticism is the minimalist operating instructions and the lack of a way to set the light mode.

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Indicates well when cars are coming up behind, with the light flashing brighter. Especially useful in high winds or if you can't hear approaching traffic well. It notices that cars stay behind you until they can safely go around it.

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In any case, only buy the RTL 515

Feel much safer and freer on the road with the lamp and radar

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I used to cycle with a small rear view mirror on my racer. Now I invested in this radar rear light instead and am very impressed with the function. You get a clear warning if a rear vehicle is passing even if cyclists come and overtake. Thought that the radar would not detect vehicles when someone is cycling behind but even that works, very satisfied.

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Very fast delivery, top product! I feel safer now!

The RTL 515 does what it is supposed to do. In addition, the light is nice and bright.

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this purchase provides peace of mind when driving in winter with a hat and scarf and struggling to hear from behind

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The radar function works better than expected.

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Everything perfectly handled

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Good product that works reliably and supports critical situations (e.g. turning left, riding in a group) well. As always with Garmin, the unfortunately not included description (you then look for yourself on the internet) at the end gives a few riddles (in this case the operation of the light setting via the paired Devise, here Edge 1030).

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Best radar light ever! don't look back anger.

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Is really an asset and you can hear the traffic behind you at all times

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Great! In the city, it's better to switch off the sound. On country roads, I can drive more centrally with a clear conscience and only keep to the right when there is traffic.