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expired Posted by RabbidHugo • Jun 6, 2021
expired Posted by RabbidHugo • Jun 6, 2021

Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light

w/ SD Cashback + Free S/H

$170

$200

15% off
BuyDig
73 Comments 32,435 Views
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Deal Details
BuyDig has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Amazon has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99. Shipping is free.

Garmin has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member RabbidHugo for finding this deal

Note, item must be sold/shipped by Amazon or Garmin

About the Product
  • Maximum Awareness; provides visual/audible alerts for vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards (140 meters away)
  • Multiple pairing option; seamlessly w/ your Edge bike computer/compatible smartphone + select Garmin wearables
  • Works w/ the Vaira App; tone + vibration alerts to indicate position/speed of approaching cars
  • Third party app; integrates w/ your favorite apps such as Ride w/ GPS overlay
  • Superior visibility; daylight visibility up to 1 mile
  • Compact design
Includes
  • Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515)
  • 1x Lithium Polymer Battery
  • Mounting Kit
  • Cables
Warranty
  • Typically includes a 1-year warranty w/ purchase

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • Price Research: Purchase this unit today and save $30 Off (15% Savings) from the original MSRP price of $199.99. The next best available price starts at $180.99 ($11 Off or 6.08% Savings). This appears to be the lowest price in the available market for this item
  • Compact design that easily mounts to most road-use bicycles; great if your biking a lot and want the comfort of security/safety. Battery life up to 16 hours a day in flash mode and up to 6 hours in solid mode
  • Offer valid while promotion last
Additional Note
  • This product has earned an average of 4.8/5 star rating w/ over 900+ customer reviews on Amazon
  • Details of BuyDig's return policy can be found here.
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by RabbidHugo
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
BuyDig has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99. To earn 2.5% in Slickdeals Cashback, before purchase, follow the cashback instructions below. Shipping is free.

Amazon has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99. Shipping is free.

Garmin has Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515) on sale for $169.99Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member RabbidHugo for finding this deal

Note, item must be sold/shipped by Amazon or Garmin

About the Product
  • Maximum Awareness; provides visual/audible alerts for vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards (140 meters away)
  • Multiple pairing option; seamlessly w/ your Edge bike computer/compatible smartphone + select Garmin wearables
  • Works w/ the Vaira App; tone + vibration alerts to indicate position/speed of approaching cars
  • Third party app; integrates w/ your favorite apps such as Ride w/ GPS overlay
  • Superior visibility; daylight visibility up to 1 mile
  • Compact design
Includes
  • Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light (RTL515)
  • 1x Lithium Polymer Battery
  • Mounting Kit
  • Cables
Warranty
  • Typically includes a 1-year warranty w/ purchase

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • Price Research: Purchase this unit today and save $30 Off (15% Savings) from the original MSRP price of $199.99. The next best available price starts at $180.99 ($11 Off or 6.08% Savings). This appears to be the lowest price in the available market for this item
  • Compact design that easily mounts to most road-use bicycles; great if your biking a lot and want the comfort of security/safety. Battery life up to 16 hours a day in flash mode and up to 6 hours in solid mode
  • Offer valid while promotion last
Additional Note
  • This product has earned an average of 4.8/5 star rating w/ over 900+ customer reviews on Amazon
  • Details of BuyDig's return policy can be found here.
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by RabbidHugo

Community Voting

Deal Score
+42
Good Deal
Visit BuyDig

Price Intelligence

Model: Garmin® Varia™ Rearview Radar With Tail Light For Cyclists, 1-9/16" x 13/16" x 3-15/16", Black

Deal History 

Sale Price
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Current Prices

Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 4/25/2025, 08:06 PM
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Top Comments

This thing is great. I just picked one up a few weeks ago on the last sale. I know it seems a bit unnecessary but it is a total game changer when road riding. It does a great job of alerting you to cars approaching. It truly makes cycling safer. Now I won't ride without it!
100% in agreement with you. It let's me know when I need to look at my helmet mounted mirror and assess the vehicles approaching from behind me, so I can keep my attention to the front more of the time instead of constantly looking in my mirror.
I agree, this new unit is awesome. I was going to buy the previous Garmin Varia. That one needed a Garmin cycle computer to work. This new Varia RTL515 is a stand alone product with a basic app and doesn't need an expensive Garmin Edge head unit to work. The way I use it is I use my iPhone with a Quad Lock case mounted on my road bike. I synced the Varia RTL515 with a free cycling map app I found called "Ride with GPS". It displays the oncoming cars from the varia 515 just like the Garmin units do. It uploads my data to Strava and does it seamlessly. Saved myself the $500-600 by not having to buy a Garmin computer.

73 Comments

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Jun 8, 2021
1,947 Posts
Joined Jul 2004
Jun 8, 2021
mrdeucie
Jun 8, 2021
1,947 Posts
Quote from Nihlus :
The ripoff is the garmin cycling computers (their prices, to be precise) this unit connects to.
Is it just Garmin cycling computers you think are unfairly priced or Wahoo too. From what I understand these connect to Wahoo computers too.
Jun 8, 2021
288 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
Jun 8, 2021
zcmack
Jun 8, 2021
288 Posts
holding out for a better deal on the older version as i already have a garmin computer. good deal on this though!
Jun 8, 2021
174 Posts
Joined Apr 2011
Jun 8, 2021
Nihlus
Jun 8, 2021
174 Posts
Quote from mrdeucie :
Is it just Garmin cycling computers you think are unfairly priced or Wahoo too. From what I understand these connect to Wahoo computers too.
I think most higher-end cycling computers (530, 830, 1030) are at least 100-150$ overpriced for the technology they are packing. Wahoo, from what I remember is up there with the garmin, but it's been a while since i checked their prices. Before getting into cycling I dealt with Garmin's car units (bought one as a nav backup) and those were/are much more reasonably priced due to the pressure from smartphones. A lot of cyclists are passionate about this hobby and the companies are willing to exploit that by charging outrageous prices.
Last edited by Nihlus June 8, 2021 at 11:43 AM.
2
Jun 8, 2021
771 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Jun 8, 2021
Magic83
Jun 8, 2021
771 Posts
If this had an integrated camera that loop record for a few mins and save the recording when it detects a crash it would be perfect
Jun 8, 2021
174 Posts
Joined Apr 2011
Jun 8, 2021
Nihlus
Jun 8, 2021
174 Posts
Quote from Magic83 :
If this had an integrated camera that loop record for a few mins and save the recording when it detects a crash it would be perfect
This^ I'm fairly confident that Garmin will add a camera to it at some point. Will be an instant buy from me. Doesn't even have to be a video recording. Just a series of photos of an approaching vehicle at certain intervals, depending on the speed, with a g sensor to detect a collision/crash and save the event.
Last edited by Nihlus June 8, 2021 at 02:06 PM.
Jun 8, 2021
442 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
Jun 8, 2021
gashinshotan
Jun 8, 2021
442 Posts
Got it for $120 after discover $40 and $10 gift card credit.
Jun 9, 2021
771 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Jun 9, 2021
Magic83
Jun 9, 2021
771 Posts
Quote from Nihlus :
This^ I'm fairly confident that Garmin will add a camera to it at some point. Will be an instant buy from me. Doesn't even have to be a video recording. Just a series of photos of an approaching vehicle at certain intervals, depending on the speed, with a g sensor to detect a collision/crash and save the event.
I suppose a series of photos would be better in terms of image quality than video, probably better low light capture, less strain on the processors, etc. Take a picture as the car approach a certain distance. If it had something like this I would buy it in a heart beat.

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Jun 9, 2021
889 Posts
Joined Apr 2009
Jun 9, 2021
drwx
Jun 9, 2021
889 Posts
Quote from 177match :
I agree, this new unit is awesome. I was going to buy the previous Garmin Varia. That one needed a Garmin cycle computer to work. This new Varia RTL515 is a stand alone product with a basic app and doesn't need an expensive Garmin Edge head unit to work. The way I use it is I use my iPhone with a Quad Lock case mounted on my road bike. I synced the Varia RTL515 with a free cycling map app I found called "Ride with GPS". It displays the oncoming cars from the varia 515 just like the Garmin units do. It uploads my data to Strava and does it seamlessly. Saved myself the $500-600 by not having to buy a Garmin computer.

garmin edge headunits start at $300ish for the 530, depending on whether or not you get a bundle.
Jun 9, 2021
1,947 Posts
Joined Jul 2004
Jun 9, 2021
mrdeucie
Jun 9, 2021
1,947 Posts
Quote from drwx :
garmin edge headunits start at $300ish for the 530, depending on whether or not you get a bundle.

From what I understand the 130 Plus also works with this, so the entry for a Garmin bike computer that works with this is even lower at $200.
Jun 9, 2021
889 Posts
Joined Apr 2009
Jun 9, 2021
drwx
Jun 9, 2021
889 Posts
Quote from mrdeucie :
From what I understand the 130 Plus also works with this, so the entry for a Garmin bike computer that works with this is even lower at $200.

yep i saw another comment saying they were using it with a 130. i got my 530 last year and love it. It's got bettery battery life and accuracy than any phone gps.. plus it's a dedicated device, so it's not sucking down my phone battery (although it still does to some extent since i'm using the garmin for live tracking).
Jun 9, 2021
1,675 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
Jun 9, 2021
sychan
Jun 9, 2021
1,675 Posts
Quote from mrdeucie :
From what I understand the 130 Plus also works with this, so the entry for a Garmin bike computer that works with this is even lower at $200.
I'm using this radar with the 130 (not 130 plus) which Amazon had on sale 2 months ago for $100, down from I think $150, so entry is even lower than $200.
Jun 9, 2021
37,299 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
Jun 9, 2021
fyu
Jun 9, 2021
37,299 Posts
Quote from 177match :
Yes I agree the battery life of a head unit is much better but unfortunately my rides don't last more than an hour so I am perfectly good with my iphone. When my legs get stronger then I will have to make a decision about what to do. I for sure don't want to give up my iphone though the screen is easier to read. Battery pack vs dedicated head unit idk yet.
They do not. Battery life is about the same. Garmin head units use the same chips as phones.

Get a cheap Samsung or iphone SE and it'll be much better. Larger screen, and way faster, and if you really need all day battery life get a battery case.
3
Jun 9, 2021
3,223 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
Jun 9, 2021
flatlight
Jun 9, 2021
3,223 Posts
Amazon occasionally has the Edge 530 for under $200, was able to grab a few at that price.
Jun 9, 2021
60 Posts
Joined May 2015
Jun 9, 2021
mwada
Jun 9, 2021
60 Posts
I own this radar and the first generation radar. The battery wasn't lasting as long as it used to so I bought a new one but I still use the old one on another bike. First, I feel that no matter what method you use or don't use (radar, mirror or super bike riding skills) there is no guarantee to prevent you from getting hit from the back. The only certain prevention is not to ride on the road. Yes, you can ride on the sidewalk but that is even more unsafe than the road. You won't get hit from the back but you will get hit from either side or you will hit the car when crossing a driveway. Not to mention it could be illegal or you could hit a pedestrian.

I use my radar so I can watch what is in front of me instead of looking back. If I were to make a left turn from the side of the road and there is a radar alert I won't even bother looking back. I will wait for the alert to clear and then look back to crossover. There were times when traffic was so heavy to crossover so I just stopped and waited for traffic to clear. Another example is on a narrow road where I did get an alert. There are Dot Bots on the lane of the road. I would always listen to hear if the approaching car tires would hit those Dot Bots and know the car is pulling over to the other side to try and avoid me. Not a certainty but an indication. If I didn't hear the tires hitting the Dot Bots? I try and pull further to the side and hope all will be well.

This radar is very accurate but I notice if a car pulls out of a cross street it may miss that car but since your eyes were watching the front, you should have been aware of this. AND yes, no matter how accurate, always look back. I ride with two others and they showed no interest in this radar. I doubt it was even a gadget to them. They just found no use for it. One already had a Garmin so he wouldn't have to purchase the head unit. The focus of this radar always appears to be what is in back of you but I feel it should be about being able to keep your focus of what is in front of you.

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Jun 9, 2021
513 Posts
Joined Aug 2009
Jun 9, 2021
xcougar
Jun 9, 2021
513 Posts
Quote from fyu :
They do not. Battery life is about the same. Garmin head units use the same chips as phones.

Get a cheap Samsung or iphone SE and it'll be much better. Larger screen, and way faster, and if you really need all day battery life get a battery case.garmin
that may be some older garmin before current generation.

garmin 530 battery life is about what they claim, I have no problem on 10 hour rides using about half. strava on a phone used to be much costlier on battery for me. I prefer to keep the phone as a full reserve for when I really need a phone... and a big phone on handlebar is not so great for me, each onto their own.

And I swear by their 2nd gen radar. It has corner cases. Parallel highway without a wall or fence is one for my routes.
Flashing setting extends battery life a lot compared to solid, II can get 10 hours out of my 2nd gen varia, they dont emphasize this enough on package.

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