Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light

AquaHamster2704

Apr 3, 2023 1:05 AM

7 Comments

Joined Apr 2023

AquaHamster2704Apr 3, 2023 1:05 AM

7 Comments

Have any tried this in a busy city? Not sure how effective this would be living in NYC but open to feedback

3

1

bajanboy5809

Apr 3, 2023 1:13 AM

4.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2014

bajanboy5809Apr 3, 2023 1:13 AM

4.3K Comments

I love mine, a must have. 100% accurate, not 90%, not 95%, 100%.

5

andyman87

Apr 3, 2023 1:20 AM

50 Comments

Joined Sep 2016

andyman87Apr 3, 2023 1:20 AM

50 Comments

Quote from AquaHamster2704

:

Have any tried this in a busy city? Not sure how effective this would be living in NYC but open to feedback

I've ridden with mine in busy traffic. It definitely goes off a lot but it's much like a rear view mirror. You may see lots of traffic coming but it's still nice to see it. The benefit of this is you don't have to turn your head and you don't have to have a large mirror on your helmet or handlebars.
It works really well too - except for vehicles with trailers. At a distance it thinks it's two cars.
I paid $200 for mine, use it every time I ride. Great buy!

7

FreaknSweet

Apr 3, 2023 1:24 AM

111 Comments

Joined Sep 2009

FreaknSweetApr 3, 2023 1:24 AM

111 Comments

Quote from skypig

:

Note that the Garmin RVR-315 [amazon.com] (same radar but without the taillight) is also $50 off at $99.99. I personally prefer this as it allows you to use a brighter taillight than the 65 lumen one integrated into the RTL-515.

How bright of a tail light are you using?

The one think I don't like about the RTL-515 is that the tail light is too bright on the highest setting. Partly due to their weird super focused beam. It is blinding for anyone behind someone with it at max.

Lucky it has different settings to make it more friendly.

I'm not sure why they thought such a tight focused beam was needed for a tail light.

2

daiei27

Apr 3, 2023 1:36 AM

1.8K Comments

Joined May 2006

daiei27Apr 3, 2023 1:36 AM

1.8K Comments

Quote from skypig

:

Note that the Garmin RVR-315 [amazon.com] (same radar but without the taillight) is also $50 off at $99.99. I personally prefer this as it allows you to use a brighter taillight than the 65 lumen one integrated into the RTL-515.

You can have more than one light…. On long rides, having a backup light could save your butt.

It can also help your lights be visible from more angles. In addition to the situational flashing someone else mentioned, that's why I keep the light on.

I put the 515 on my back left seat stay (cars come from your back left in the US) and a brighter light on my back right.

The 515 also has a bigger battery life, even more if you turn the light off. Again, this could really help on long rides or if you forget to charge it regularly.

Pairs well with my Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt v2.

I tossed and turned on getting the 315 instead or even skipping it altogether. So glad I didn't.

Last edited by daiei27 April 2, 2023 at 06:46 PM.

5

supermanrob

Apr 3, 2023 1:37 AM

13K Comments

Joined Jul 2010

supermanrobApr 3, 2023 1:37 AM

13K Comments

Quote from deal_maverick

:

Same price at REI as well if you want the member dividend . Purchase this a few days ago and they were kind enough to price adjust

Unfortunately they don't show any in stock and sales do not count towards dividends.

https://www.rei.com/product/18234...-taillight

8

Cebu

Apr 3, 2023 1:42 AM

374 Comments

Joined Feb 2008

CebuApr 3, 2023 1:42 AM

374 Comments

Quote from FantasticBike3156

:

Quick search shows you can pretty much pick your store for this price. Also, the 715 appears to be $50 off too.

If you're looking at the 715, Kohls has it with $70 in Kohls cash on top of the $350 sale price:
https://m.kohls.com/product/prd-5...eb-regular

1

Revers3

Apr 3, 2023 2:19 AM

142 Comments

Joined May 2022

Revers3Apr 3, 2023 2:19 AM

142 Comments

Quote from n8236

:

I have all kinds of sensors on my road bike and this one is by far the most useful bc it tells me when a moving object is coming up behind me. Super helpful even in light traffic areas.

I am curious, once you know that "moving object is coming up behind" you what are you supposed to do? What do you do yourself?
I don't have this gadget, but I still know that car is coming due to engine, tire noise and, in case of doubt, a quick look over my shoulder, and I just try to keep straight and let it pass, On some bikes I have rear view mirror, but i find it more annoying then helpful.

6

1

FamilyFeud

Apr 3, 2023 2:21 AM

78 Comments

Joined Sep 2015

FamilyFeudApr 3, 2023 2:21 AM

78 Comments

I've had this for 3+ years. Absolutely love it. It is my favorite non-bike biking purchase I've made. I feel it increases my safety while biking to the point that I almost won't bike without it now.

My only gripe is that the battery life is getting to be only a few hours, and I don't see any way to replace the battery. But I value it so much that I would purchase a new one even at full price if I had to.

6

bajanboy5809

Apr 3, 2023 2:41 AM

4.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2014

bajanboy5809Apr 3, 2023 2:41 AM

4.3K Comments

Quote from daiei27

:

You can have more than one light…. On long rides, having a backup light could save your butt.

It can also help your lights be visible from more angles. In addition to the situational flashing someone else mentioned, that's why I keep the light on.

I put the 515 on my back left seat stay (cars come from your back left in the US) and a brighter light on my back right.

The 515 also has a bigger battery life, even more if you turn the light off. Again, this could really help on long rides or if you forget to charge it regularly.

Pairs well with my Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt v2.

I tossed and turned on getting the 315 instead or even skipping it altogether. So glad I didn't.

Yep, have the Garmin and then I have a small led light above it too as a backup.

ssc280

Apr 3, 2023 2:56 AM

775 Comments

Joined Aug 2009

ssc280Apr 3, 2023 2:56 AM

775 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ssc280

Quote from Revers3

:

I am curious, once you know that "moving object is coming up behind" you what are you supposed to do? What do you do yourself?
I don't have this gadget, but I still know that car is coming due to engine, tire noise and, in case of doubt, a quick look over my shoulder, and I just try to keep straight and let it pass, On some bikes I have rear view mirror, but i find it more annoying then helpful.

It picks the cars up pretty far in advance, you'll use much more of the road with this. When it alerts you, you slide over

5

3

Santa_Claus

Apr 3, 2023 3:01 AM

10.2K Comments

Joined Sep 2007

Santa_ClausApr 3, 2023 3:01 AM

10.2K Comments

Quote from PhobosTau

:

I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Open... the.... door....

1

tommyz23

Apr 3, 2023 3:34 AM

184 Comments

Joined Oct 2007

tommyz23Apr 3, 2023 3:34 AM

184 Comments

Also available at REI for the same price:
https://www.rei.com/product/18234...-taillight

2

1

tommyz23

Apr 3, 2023 3:35 AM

184 Comments

Joined Oct 2007

tommyz23Apr 3, 2023 3:35 AM

184 Comments

Quote from Tank

:

If this were the camera version, I'd be all over it...

Look at the reviews first. Sadly, the camera isn't the best.

3

Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light

$150

$200

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