This collaborative space allows users to contribute additional information, tips, and insights to enhance the original deal post. Feel free to share your knowledge and help fellow shoppers make informed decisions.
Model: Varia RTL515 Rearview Radar with Tail Light for Cyclists
Deal History
Deal History includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "Sale Price".
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Many gadgets are superfluous in cycling, but i think this is a neat safety enhancement for people riding on the road. If you have a computer, consider it.
Many gadgets are superfluous in cycling, but i think this is a neat safety enhancement for people riding on the road. If you have a computer, consider it.
I have one of these I just don't really know how valuable it is. It's not exactly going to save my life in an accident. *Maybe* the flashing light being more aggressive as vehicles get closer might help, but I'm not sure if that's much different than any other flashing tail light.
This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.
I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
Many gadgets are superfluous in cycling, but i think this is a neat safety enhancement for people riding on the road. If you have a computer, consider it.
I have one of these I just don't really know how valuable it is. It's not exactly going to save my life in an accident. *Maybe* the flashing light being more aggressive as vehicles get closer might help, but I'm not sure if that's much different than any other flashing tail light.This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
It displays different colors based on the speed cars are traveling. I forgot the exact numbers but red means a vehicle is traveling very fast, orange is medium/regular speed or something. It also displays how many vehicles (up to 8) are approaching. My personal experience is that it's fairly accurate, it prepares me to know when to look over shoulder to change lane, instead of having to constantly check.
When no vehicles approach, I generally have more liberty to ride away from the curb too, and drift back when one comes up. Like you said, obviously it doesn't save life, but I don't ride without it now.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank UT07
If you're riding in or adjacent to heavy congested traffic, this thing becomes useless. Everywhere else this thing is amazing. It will even register another cyclist coming up on you
I have one of these I just don't really know how valuable it is. It's not exactly going to save my life in an accident. *Maybe* the flashing light being more aggressive as vehicles get closer might help, but I'm not sure if that's much different than any other flashing tail light.
This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.
I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
Well you're looking at it wrong.
Safety features on vehicles aren't always going to save your life either but they are valuable.
You pointed one way it helps, alerts you when traffic is approaching without looking back.
It also makes you very visible to that traffic approaching which is very valuable.
It does it much better than some cheap $20 light.
That's why you should use a front day time running with it.
BTW riding on the sidewalk makes you less visible & is more unsafe imo.
That constant looking out for vehicles pulling in or out of drives, not fun to say the least!
I have one of these I just don't really know how valuable it is. It's not exactly going to save my life in an accident. *Maybe* the flashing light being more aggressive as vehicles get closer might help, but I'm not sure if that's much different than any other flashing tail light.This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
It sounds like you might be using this without the companion app on your smartphone or a Garmin head unit. Which to be clear I don't even know how many people are buying Garmin head units these days, though road cyclists who've been around a few years will very likely have them.
See here - https://youtu.be/Bmdz_6ZpcIQ?t=23
The value isn't the beeping it's the "something's coming behind you" signal on the screen on your handlebars (within your line of sight) which is useful.
I've had one for only a month. I will give you the lowdown. It works absolutely great. This is important because false negatives not only put you in danger you will act upon it and go directly where you believe there is no car. And so far this is done a perfect job. That's not something I think they could ever get right but it looks like they did. What I do not like about it is the beep that it comes with. The whole point is to hear every car that is going to go by or that's behind you, so you hear a lot of beep, and those beep sound horrible. I don't think the beep could be changed. Also there is a learning curve to just using casually. It's more stuff to set up and keep track of and it has felt like a hassle so far but I assume I will just get used to it like every routine that starts by feeling like a hassle.
Highly recommended to get this or an equivalent with a better sounding beep . I got mine for 150 on a super sale so this is lower than that. The product works so good it's my reference for all future device devices like this.
Many gadgets are superfluous in cycling, but i think this is a neat safety enhancement for people riding on the road. If you have a computer, consider it.
You can also alternatively connect it to your phone and use the Varia app for visuals and notifications
1
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I guess where you ride determines how usable it is for you. For me on average about 80 cars pass me in an hour. That means that for minutes, there will be no cars and then there will suddenly be one or two or three. The roads here are not great, so knowing when there is no one behind me and when cars approach, how far they are and how many makes a huge difference for my situational awareness and sense of safety. This is a great price for it!
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
Top Comments
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
32 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.
I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
When no vehicles approach, I generally have more liberty to ride away from the curb too, and drift back when one comes up. Like you said, obviously it doesn't save life, but I don't ride without it now.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank UT07
This thing beeps constantly when I'm riding because there is always some Karen trying to run me over. When I'm on sidewalks, it's also always beeping since it picks up road traffic.
I don't change lanes as is without looking so what exactly is the value aside from the peace of mind of knowing when traffic is approaching?
Safety features on vehicles aren't always going to save your life either but they are valuable.
You pointed one way it helps, alerts you when traffic is approaching without looking back.
It also makes you very visible to that traffic approaching which is very valuable.
It does it much better than some cheap $20 light.
That's why you should use a front day time running with it.
BTW riding on the sidewalk makes you less visible & is more unsafe imo.
That constant looking out for vehicles pulling in or out of drives, not fun to say the least!
See here - https://youtu.be/Bmdz_6ZpcIQ?t=2
The value isn't the beeping it's the "something's coming behind you" signal on the screen on your handlebars (within your line of sight) which is useful.
Highly recommended to get this or an equivalent with a better sounding beep . I got mine for 150 on a super sale so this is lower than that. The product works so good it's my reference for all future device devices like this.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!