$299.99* | Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Bike Radar w/ Camera & Tail Light at Amazon

DreadPirateWesley

Aug 19, 2026 2:06 PM

631 Comments

Joined Sep 2015

DreadPirateWesleyAug 19, 2026 2:06 PM

631 Comments

Pretty cool idea. It's salty to me, but I am not a road cycling enthusiast - for those that are and willing to spend the coin, this is a very nice thing to have. I also like the lights that project solid laser lines to the left/right of the bicycle - it provides car drivers a visible boundary they instinctively avoid.

treycook

Aug 19, 2026 3:04 PM

142 Comments

Joined Nov 2014

treycookAug 19, 2026 3:04 PM

142 Comments

Quote from DreadPirateWesley

:

Pretty cool idea. It's salty to me, but I am not a road cycling enthusiast - for those that are and willing to spend the coin, this is a very nice thing to have. I also like the lights that project solid laser lines to the left/right of the bicycle - it provides car drivers a visible boundary they instinctively avoid.

There's a more affordable option in the RTL515 which is just the radar sensor + taillight with no camera. It also has longer battery life since it's not powering a camera. But this is a good option for commuters and people who spend a lot of time in auto traffic with increased risk of being hit from behind.

lolopolo

Pro

Aug 19, 2026 4:07 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Dec 2017

lolopolo

Pro

Aug 19, 2026 4:07 PM

1.8K Comments

I found this on Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32...22943.html - looks similar and has some positive reviews on Reddit. Granted it does not have the camera, but looking at the Garmin, it does not look like you can continuously use camera instead of a rearview mirror.

OrangeChannel8353

Aug 19, 2026 4:12 PM

79 Comments

Joined Dec 2020

OrangeChannel8353Aug 19, 2026 4:12 PM

79 Comments

I have used the 515 for years and think its very useful when you are out in the suburbs or country roads to know a car is coming, even better if you have a Garmin bike computer because it shows the car approaching. not sure if the camera is worth it, I guess if you survive the crash the footage would come in handy (or if you don't and they can find out what happened to you).

the 515 is super old now and Garmin did release a new model but there's not much in that makes a practical difference.

clsA

Aug 19, 2026 5:47 PM

1.7K Comments

Joined Oct 2006

clsAAug 19, 2026 5:47 PM

1.7K Comments

Quote from OrangeChannel8353

:

I have used the 515 for years and think its very useful when you are out in the suburbs or country roads to know a car is coming, even better if you have a Garmin bike computer because it shows the car approaching. not sure if the camera is worth it, I guess if you survive the crash the footage would come in handy (or if you don't and they can find out what happened to you).

the 515 is super old now and Garmin did release a new model but there's not much in that makes a practical difference.

Yeah I use the 515 with my Karoo it's a great setup. I also bought both of them used (last years model) to save a few bucks

clsA

Aug 19, 2026 5:52 PM

1.7K Comments

Joined Oct 2006

clsAAug 19, 2026 5:52 PM

1.7K Comments

Quote from lolopolo

:

I found this on Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32...22943.html - looks similar and has some positive reviews on Reddit. Granted it does not have the camera, but looking at the Garmin, it does not look like you can continuously use camera instead of a rearview mirror.

yes the Magene Bike Radar and the COOSPO TR70 Radar are both reasonable alternatives for alot less money.
There on Amazon also, Only downside to those is more false positives are reported but probably not a big deal.

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$299.99* | Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Bike Radar w/ Camera & Tail Light at Amazon

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