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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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(227 customer reviews)
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User submitted reviews

Review by Mark Taylor

Reviewed 11/5/2020
by Mark Taylor
Cycling Enthusiast
Lithia, FL
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Excellent product for rear traffic awareness and cyclist visibility.

I really like this product. Before having it I was always wondering about traffic coming on behind and getting distracted with looking back. Now I know what's coming well before it passes me. I also know that the light is helping with visibility as it kicks in to high gear flashing when it detects a car approaching. Fantastic

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Mike

Reviewed 11/6/2020
by Mike
Liverpool
Overall Rating
Wow ! Such a great product. All my cycling pals have one now .

Easy to set up and link with my Garmin 1000 and phone if needed . Such a great device now you don't have to be Surprised by a car on top of you . Now you'll know When a cars coming from behind.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/22/2020
by Anonymous
USA
Overall Rating
I love this light so much

I feel so much safer with this light. I paired it with my new Garmin 1030 & I can control it from the computer! No more twisting around in my seat, or having to get off my bike to change the settings.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Val b

Reviewed 10/24/2020
by Val b
Mt Vernon NY
Overall Rating
One of the best cycling products that hit the shelf

Out of all the money I have spent as a cyclist this is the greatest investment I've made I feel so safe riding my bike let me know a block and a half away that a car is behind me! And the number of cars to how great is that!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by JNaz

Reviewed 10/15/2020
by JNaz
Cycling Enthusiast
Ashburn , VA
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Acts as a eye on the back of the head!

I use the rear tail light (rtl) radar every time ride on roads. It has really given me the confidence to ride on roads with cars approaching me from behind. I feel like it's a third eye (rear-facing).

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/9/2020
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Chicago
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
I love this thing!

I thought it would be gimmicky but it's my new must have item for any ride! While I still shoulder check for oncoming cars when moving into traffic it's great for taking the lane. I can just ride until it beeps to let me know a car is approaching. And it works great with my Garmin 830.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/8/2020
by Anonymous
CNY
Overall Rating
Amazing Safety Device!

Paired with my edge 530, this thing is a great addition to my road cycling. I feel much less exposed knowing when cars are coming without craning my head around to look, the face that the light gets brighter when a car is coming is also great. The only downside is somewhat limited battery life and the fact that it identifies people who are cycling behind you fairly often.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Gordo1

Reviewed 1/12/2023
by Gordo1
Competitive Racer
Florida
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Essenstial Safety Device

This is my second Varia. First unit's mounting 'ears' broke after several years of use. To me, the Varia has become as essential as wearing a helmet. It's worth every bit of the purchase price!

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by OKBiker

Reviewed 9/23/2020
by OKBiker
Cycling Enthusiast
Claremore, OK
Value Rating
Overall Rating
I once thought it would be nice to have, now I won't ride without it!

The ability to detect multiple vehicles and a general idea of how quickly they are approaching you is great. I still check my mirror to confirm, but I hear the beep well before the vehicle. My only wish is that my garmin would sound a little louder, particularly with a headwind (which has nothing directly to do with this unit).

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 9/3/2020
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Washington DC
Value Rating
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Must purchase if you ride with traffic

I didn't need this, at least I didn't think I did. I was skeptical but I have found this radar to be a great addition to my bike and rides. It alerts you to traffic coming up on you as well as the number of vehicles and relative distances. Four of my riding partners have purchased and we all wonder what took us so long.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by SWF Rider

Reviewed 9/4/2020
by SWF Rider
Cycling Enthusiast
SW Florida
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Sleek, functional, essential for riding

I Upgraded from the RTL 500. Very happy with this light. High visibility. The vertical profile does forced me to use a less bulky seat bag in order for the radar to clear the rear wheel, and not block the visibility of the lights to approaching cars.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by exsoas

Reviewed 8/31/2020
by exsoas
pasadena
Overall Rating
Works as promised

its bright and I have yet to run through the battery

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Reviewed 10/10/2022
by Anonymous
Overall Rating
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
Excellent

My only regret is not buying this sooner, really a great product and can detect cars that are not visible with my helmet mirror in foggy conditions.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Katy trail tim

Reviewed 8/16/2022
by Katy trail tim
Lee''s summit
Overall Rating
Will not ride on any road without it

It works great

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Jose

Reviewed 8/8/2022
by Jose
Katy tx
Overall Rating
The best product from garmin

Great invention

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by NasserM

Reviewed 8/4/2022
by NasserM
Cycling Enthusiast
Burlingame, Ca
Value Rating
Overall Rating
What a wonderful way to watch your back!

I do a lot of back road riding and this allows me to see cars or bikes approaching from behind. I then become more cautious and stay to my right on narrow roads.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by G

Reviewed 7/11/2022
by G
Yay Area
Overall Rating
Best piece of safety equipment I own

It's has your back. Period. I always recommend this piece of tech to every rider who asks. This one was for my wife.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Fran

Reviewed 7/8/2022
by Fran
Overall Rating
Quality

excellent quality. pretty good battery life

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Ted

Reviewed 5/20/2022
by Ted
Portland, OR
Overall Rating
Life saver

I bought this from REI and it works great with my Wahoo Roam. This is one of my best safety devices - worth every penny.

Thank you for your feedback.

Review by jodieakins

Reviewed 1/28/2022
by jodieakins
Casual Cyclist
mississippi
Value Rating
Overall Rating
Nice extra measure of safety

It is great to have an extra set of eyes behind you providing that feeling of safety.

Thank you for your feedback.

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