Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light

configsys

Aug 24, 2026 9:49 PM

388 Comments

Joined Sep 2006

configsysAug 24, 2026 9:49 PM

388 Comments

Reviews are great for this device!

1

jlax01

Aug 24, 2026 10:51 PM

53 Comments

Joined Feb 2018

jlax01Aug 24, 2026 10:51 PM

53 Comments

Looks like Garmin has them on sale too: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/69...-02376-00/

1

ben_r_

Aug 24, 2026 10:54 PM

14.8K Comments

Joined Jul 2006

ben_r_Aug 24, 2026 10:54 PM

14.8K Comments

These things are awesome! I have one on each bike (all different models, but including this one) and they all perform great! So nice to get that alert when cars are coming up behind you way farther back that can be heard!

1

jdn

Aug 24, 2026 11:36 PM

159 Comments

Joined Feb 2008

jdnAug 24, 2026 11:36 PM

159 Comments

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

Still USB MICRO! Lazy Garmin been milkng this design too long. I have one and it works good, but been waiting for an update for USB C. It's the only device left in my house with that really old interface.

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ursus

Aug 25, 2026 2:03 AM

7.8K Comments

Joined Apr 2009

ursusAug 25, 2026 2:03 AM

7.8K Comments

Quote from jdn

:

Still USB MICRO! Lazy Garmin been milkng this design too long. I have one and it works good, but been waiting for an update for USB C. It's the only device left in my house with that really old interface.

Waiting for an SD deal, or waiting for an update (updated model)? I think there was one called Garmin Varia RearVue 820

1

4SKZ8

Aug 25, 2026 4:40 AM

6.7K Comments

Joined Mar 2013

4SKZ8Aug 25, 2026 4:40 AM

6.7K Comments

I rather not know if a car is about to hit me. I like surprises

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jeff34270

Expert

This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement

Aug 25, 2026 3:08 PM

18.6K Comments

Joined Jun 2012

jeff34270

Expert

This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement

Aug 25, 2026 3:08 PM

18.6K Comments

On gravel, where I'm always in the middle or even on the wrong side of the road, these are great about telling me when a car or atv is approaching. On pavement, I'm often riding in (or close to) the car lane because of frequent debris on the shoulder, so this lets me know when to move over.

3

ZepLed

Aug 26, 2026 2:21 AM

402 Comments

Joined Oct 2020

ZepLedAug 26, 2026 2:21 AM

402 Comments

Quote from jdn

:

Still USB MICRO! Lazy Garmin been milkng this design too long. I have one and it works good, but been waiting for an update for USB C. It's the only device left in my house with that really old interface.

Thanks for the heads up

Fam Money

Aug 26, 2026 8:21 PM

843 Comments

Joined May 2004

Fam MoneyAug 26, 2026 8:21 PM

843 Comments

Quote from ursus

:

Waiting for an SD deal, or waiting for an update (updated model)? I think there was one called Garmin Varia RearVue 820

Correct, the RearVue 820 has USB-C for charging as well as some nice new features. Just can't justify spending $300 on it so like you am waiting on a deal on it.

https://velo.outsideonline.com/ro...20-review/

meerkat

Aug 26, 2026 8:41 PM

340 Comments

Joined Jan 2012

meerkatAug 26, 2026 8:41 PM

340 Comments

This is more a regular price at least for the past 15 months, with temporary short term price spike. It works well and also recognized by IGPSport bike computer beside Garmin ones. The radar works well although sometimes has one false alarm especially on a curved road. I only had one no alarm when I made a right turn onto a road, a van was close, 5 or so seconds away from me on the road I turned to but the radar never alarmed me. Not always like this, it happened.

One nuisance (beside the out dated USB-mini port) is the mounting plate is 90 degree off from Garmin's own bike computer mount or any other Garmin compatible device mount, so you have to use the radar included mount (and if you want to use the radar on different bikes, each has its own mount, then not easy to get radar version mount) or purchase quarter-turn adapter to use on the top of general brand or gamin's bike computer mounts.

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scratchingfeline

Aug 28, 2026 3:36 AM

129 Comments

Joined Nov 2021

scratchingfelineAug 28, 2026 3:36 AM

129 Comments

This is still the gold standard model. The newer Varia is improved but price differential is quite a bit higher so this model is better suited for cost conscious. The micro USB is no big deal. The main gripe is the battery life isn't so great if you do routine longer rides you'll just need to recharge often - most likely a lot more often than your bike computer.

upboat

Yesterday 2:59 PM

316 Comments

Joined Apr 2010

upboatYesterday 2:59 PM

316 Comments

I don't ride on the road often but I love this thing when I do. Such a nice piece of mind, definitely the best bike tech Ive purchased

1

ColoradoFoxtrot

Today 10:25 AM

1.5K Comments

Joined Sep 2008

ColoradoFoxtrotToday 10:25 AM

1.5K Comments

I'm pretty sure this is what I saw on a bike the other day and it was super cool. As I approached the bike in my car, it blinked faster and more noticeably. If I didn't already see them, it would have really caught my eye and helped me notice.

As a safety nut (former EMT... We end up either safety nuts or owning modified crotch rockets) I think these are super cool.

Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar w/ Tail Light

$150

$200

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