GarminVaria RCT715 Radar With Camera(Return to Product Page)

There just isn't room for both this and my saddlebag on my seatpost (custom frame laid out by my fitter, so frame is NOT too big for me). I hoped to figure out some way to mount this to the saddlebag or elsewhere, either modifying the stock arrangement, finding a 3D printed clip, zip ties, etc but when it arrived I was stumped. So I returned it for credit.

Instead I will continue to use my RTL515 on a 3D clip attached to the saddlebag loop and have added a C**** brand rear video camera strapped to the tip of the seat tube.

You'd think Garmin would package Varia RT units with clips to mount them to saddlebag loops, as most cyclists who cover any distance use saddlebags to carry spares and tools.

I have used Garmin products for 20+ years and have been quite satisfied. Among the products I currently use are the Edge 1030 Plus, UT800 light, HRM, and Venu 2 watch -- all great products. I also have the original Varia "Rearview Radar", also great. However, I had always hoped Garmin would incorporate a camera into the Varia unit, so when announced I immediately bought it *knowing* that I could rely on high quality from Garmin. Sadly, this product leaves much to be desired: yes, the tail light and radar work just as well as the previous units, but the camera has no image stabilization and the software's file management is awful. First, the default is to create 90-second files! That can be adjusted, but apparently not if the file is created automatically by radar. Given that you may have hundreds of files from a ride, one might hope they could be easily viewed and copied. Nope -- you must select and transfer them one at a time, and much more slowly than expected. Currently, the only option for me was to pull the SD card and plug it directly into a computer. I can only hope Garmin will address the SW issues (including adding stabilization) and remove the bad taste & disappointment I've had from this purchase.

My real-world usage has found that, even in good lighting, you can read plates less than 50% of the time. Maybe on butter-smooth roads it is usable. But even on even average paved road, and set to record at 1080p, the image is so jittery that the quality is too low to read the plates most of the time. The radar and light are great, though. Get the version without the camera.

The Radar is awesome. Great safety feature, do not have to constantly check your rear view mirror. The light is very bright. I have not checked any video recorded from the camera yet. My only complaint is the poor battery life when using the camera and the price.