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

I used to rely on handlebar mirrors and/or quick glances over my shoulder to check for cars behind me, but the Garmin Varia has been a savior and at least replaced the mirrors. The read out display on my Garmin head unit gives and audible warning and also provides ample alert to cars approaching from the rear. If there is any concern it is that while in group rides with teammates behind me the radar can sometimes confuse cars and bikes and filter out the warning, but perhaps I don't have the unit set correctly to accommodate for both bikes and cars behind me. I will not ride again without the Varia on my bike and should have purchased it when it first came out.

This is, without a doubt, one ofnthe best purchases I have made. I ride in a city where most streets don't have bike lanes, so it used to be a constant craning of the neck to check on traffic. The radar on this light is amazing. It is highly accurate and gives a city block distance of warning of approaching cars. I never look back now. I ride how I want, and pull to the shoulder when the radar beeps. An incredible experience. Only issue is with integration with my Edge 820 (it won't connect unless another sensor first connects, Garmin is no Apple) but once it does, it is perfect.

A friend recommended this to me and I bought one. I love it. For a techie product, I love that it just works. Easy peasy. It is a substantial safety improvement to see cars approaching from behind. It is really the only game changer in many years. I bought an Edge 130 computer to go with it, replacing an older computer, and it is great, too. The best thing is that 1) I can work it, and 2) it requires no sensors. No wires, no batteries to keep replacing. I liked it so well I bought my daughter the same kit.

this model works quite well with my 1030 edge computer, a previous version did not work. Does not have a real long battery life but the computer lets you when its low. However I have only used it in cold weather. It is very handy when riding around in the suburbs.

Works like a charm!

Communicates with my Garmin well.

Does communicate twice - once for the radar and once for the light.

Virtually no documentation with unit.

Had to reference online documentation to figure out how to make light come on when you start a ride.

Decent battery life.

Picks up cars (and other cyclists) at a distance.

A must have if you ride on roads with cars

This product was exactly what i was looking for and needed. I feel more comfortable riding on the road now knowing when cars are approaching from the rear. Everyone i bike with also enjoys it because they also know when a car is coming. The light is bright and battery lasts for several rides. Great product would highly recommend to anyone.

My commute takes me on busy roads with a bunch of left hand turns so it's nice to know how I'm going to take that turn based on the cars from behind. This device makes it easier to determine if I take the lane or do a u turn on a perpendicular road. Very few ghost cars if any. Great safety device.

My commute takes me on busy roads with a bunch of left hand turns so it's nice to know how I'm going to take that turn based on the cars from behind. This device makes it easier to determine if I take the lane or do a u turn on a perpendicular road. Very few ghost cars if any. Great safety device.

Excellent purchase. Highly recommend. May not be of great use if you constantly have traffic behind you.

Very reliable device for road cycling. Paired with my Garmin Edge, get visual and audio cues about approaching vehicles. Effective in identifying multiple vehicles. Usually warns me before I can hear vehicles. Combined with the integrated flashing beam, offers better margin of safety than my previous combination of mirror and rear light. Usually get about 4 hours of riding between charges.

I'm a recreational cyclist and prefer lonely country roads. However, I need to ride urban roads in order to get to them. The Varia taillight/radar gives me warning without having to constantly look over my shoulder. Highly recommended.

The radar feature works great paired with my Element Bolt. Red light indicators and audible beep when vehicles come into range and visual indicator remains red until coast is clear. The light is also very visible and has various options to choose from. The app looks cool for the virtual overlay of the vehicle location on your map if using a smart phone.

The Varia RTL515 rear radar works well and was easy to install and pair with the Garmin 1030. I only gave it four stars because it seems to run out of battery if I try to get more than one ride out of a charge.

It quickly hooks up with my Garmin . I have problems turning my neck so it�s a blessing not having a struggle to do so . My friends I ride with like the fact that it starts blinking which lets them know a car is coming .

went on sale, got one. Don't know why I waited , WORKS GREAT

Great way to observe cars behind. I use it to supplement my rear view mirror. It provides ample warning.

Increases awareness of cars on the road. Easy to connect to Garmin head unit. Love that the cadence of the blinking light will change as cars approach.

Loved line so much in bought this for my wife. Easy to use. Long battery life. Adds safety to alert you of vehicles coming up from behind before you can hear them. Recommended.

For my rides this is a huge help in alerting me of cars approaching. No longer am I constantly looking behind me.

Love this light and radar combo. Great for detection of nearby cars and bright enough to stand out making cycling safer.