GARMIN Varia Radar 2 RTL510 Rear Light ($134.99 w/ Free Ship)

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07-02-2020 at 07:50 AM #2

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

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07-02-2020 at 07:59 AM #3

Garmin has been clearing these out since March. There is a newer model now that works with non-Garmin bike computers and phones. This only works with select Garmin head units and a proprietary dedicated unit. Bought mine for $129 at B&H.

It definitely lets you know when there are cars behind you and how fast they are approaching. The taillight blinks faster as cars come closer. Doesn't false very often. My riding partner can see if a car is coming by watching the changes in the light.

Good product. Yes, a mirror is cheaper but if you're descending fast the mirror shakes and you can't hear a car behind you at 25 mph.

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07-02-2020 at 08:05 AM #4

Quote from guitarzan1958 :

Garmin has been clearing these out since March. There is a newer model now that works with non-Garmin bike computers and phones. This only works with select Garmin head units and a proprietary dedicated unit. Bought mine for $129 at B&H.

It definitely lets you know when there are cars behind you and how fast they are approaching. The taillight blinks faster as cars come closer. Doesn't false very often. My riding partner can see if a car is coming by watching the changes in the light.

Good product. Yes, a mirror is cheaper but if you're descending fast the mirror shakes and you can't hear a car behind you at 25 mph.

These do work with non-Garmin head units, anything that is ANT+ compatible and supports the radar function will do it. The older 500 and newer 515 also work across brands since ANT+ is an industry standard and not proprietary.

Here's the DC Rainmaker review w/Wahoo head units:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/...ivity.html

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07-02-2020 at 08:07 AM #5

Quote from russia21eueu :

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

I've read fairly good things about it from the last deal and Amazon reviews. There are reviews on WB for it, as well. I have a Garmin Edge 1000 bike computer, so at this price, it made a lot more sense to me. One complaint about this, as I recall, is that if you're riding on a heavy traffic road - it goes off all the time. That said, I do ride a more heavily trafficked bike trail where you often have to jump on the road to go around congestion and there are a lot of faster riders... and I usually wear earbuds as well... so, for me, this should be very useful. If all you do is ride slower low density trails, then it's unlikely you'd get as much value out of something like this.

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Last edited by GimmeYoTots July 2, 2020 at 08:10 AM.

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07-02-2020 at 08:08 AM #6

Quote from russia21eueu :

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

It either sends notifications to your Garmin Edge computer or watch, or a Wahoo computer. The model that was just released ($199) can connect with a phone. BIG upgrade if you don't already have a computer.

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07-02-2020 at 08:09 AM #7

Quote from Son of Dad :

It either sends notifications to your Garmin Edge computer or watch, or a Wahoo computer. The model that was just released ($199) can connect with a phone. BIG upgrade if you don't already have a computer.

Ok. If it works with Fenix 5X then I'll buy it. Will look it up, thanks to everyone

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07-02-2020 at 08:37 AM #8

Quote from russia21eueu :

Ok. If it works with Fenix 5X then I'll buy it. Will look it up, thanks to everyone

I looked into it and was really close to buying it. I ride mostly gravel, so I decided against it. Here is a video I found of how it looks on a watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qQ4eSxOpVk

I really think the phone functionality of the new one is worth it. I bet it will be on sale by BF.

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07-02-2020 at 08:57 AM #9

Quote from russia21eueu :

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

Works really well, here's in depth review.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/...eview.html

My friend, who's got a bad neck uses it every ride.

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07-02-2020 at 09:07 AM #10

Quote from russia21eueu :

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

I thought it was going to be gimmicky but gave it a shot when the head/tail combo hit $170. I'm a total convert now. It's amazing to be able to "see" behind me, especially if needing to quickly avoid debris in front or if I need to briefly block a lane to avoid getting squeezed at an upcoming turn. Two thumbs way up.

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07-02-2020 at 09:10 AM #11

If you are like me and do not have a dedicated cycling computer, you can get the Varia RVR315 to work with your smartphone. I already have a "dumb" taillight that I like and just needed the radar function. It works really well. The confidence that this device gives me is well worth the price to me.

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07-02-2020 at 09:13 AM #12

Quote from russia21eueu :

How well does this thing actually work? Does it send notifications to your phone?

This does NOT work with a smartphone. You can get the RVR315 that has the radar function without the smart taillight or the newer RTL515 that includes the taillight function. Both models will work with a smartphone.

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07-02-2020 at 09:17 AM #13

Quote from russia21eueu :

Ok. If it works with Fenix 5X then I'll buy it. Will look it up, thanks to everyone

I used to use the original 5x with the RTL500 (RTL510 is gen2), so I'm sure it will work. The audio alert was loud enough that I'd notice it 90% of the time. Unless you've already got an RDU to use with it, I'd opt to mount the watch on the handlebar and wear a HRM strap.

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07-02-2020 at 09:22 AM #14

Quote from Son of Dad :

The model that was just released ($199) can connect with a phone. BIG upgrade if you don't already have a computer.

Big if you don't have a computer, but useless if you do, as most people who ride a lot do -- I would never use the phone functionality. Does the new unit do anything else other than ability to be used with a phone? I'm thinking the lumens are rather on the low side, has that improved?

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07-02-2020 at 09:22 AM #15

Quote from JesusFreak :

I thought it was going to be gimmicky but gave it a shot when the head/tail combo hit $170. I'm a total convert now. It's amazing to be able to "see" behind me, especially if needing to quickly avoid debris in front or if I need to briefly block a lane to avoid getting squeezed at an upcoming turn. Two thumbs way up.

It is really useful, but it should still only be used as a supplement to a good helmet or barend mirror. The RTL doesn't always catch everything, especially when you've got cars slowly following behind you--when they come close to matching your speed, they disappear off the radar, which is really bad news.

I was riding just yesterday and had one older fellow in a car who was just too skittish to pass. There were like 4 cars behind him and the RTL kept passing my RDU and Fenix the "all clear". As much as I like the radar technology, it really shouldn't be your only (or even preferred) safety option if you spend significant time on the road.

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