Introduction

The Garmin Varia RTL515 is a cycling rearview radar and tail light device aimed at enhancing safety for cyclists on the road. As we delve into this review, we'll explore my personal experience with the device followed by a breakdown of its features and benefits.

My Experience

To be honest, when I first heard about the Garmin Varia, I dismissed it as just another unnecessary gadget and so I never really delved into its features and benefits. But when my birthday was approaching and I was asked for gift ideas, I remembered the Varia radar light and thought I would take a look at the product and see if it would be useful.

After researching its capabilities, I started to get a bit excited by the Varia, I began to think of the regular cycle routes I take and the danger spots along them. There's one spot just before I get home: a fast downhill with a challenging right turn on a bend. With cars frequently parked along the road and me trying to navigate at speed, checking for any cars behind, avoiding potholes, signalling – all while hoping if there's a driver behind that he notices me – it’s a nightmare. I wondered if a rear radar could actually be the answer to my problem and so it was added to my birthday list.

Setting up the Varia was straightforward since I already own a Garmin Edge cycle computer so I simply set to bluetooth mode and paired the device, job done. The Varia is compatible with Garmin, Wahoo, Edge, and Karoo cycle computers, or you can use the phone app. It also integrates with your favourite apps, such as Ride with GPS to overlay your maps with rearview radar alerts.

My first test of the Varia was during a sunset ride, I time my ride so I arrive at the coast to catch the sun setting but then my return trip home is in the dark though busy traffic. Before even experiencing the radar feature, I was impressed with the rear light part of the Varia; having an additional light with visibility over a mile even in daytime was a bonus and the flash pattern of the light speeds up when a vehicle approaches to make you even more visible to the driver.

Entering traffic, the Varia sprang to life. It informed me of approaching vehicles before I could see or hear them, without me having to glance away from the road. Indicators on my Edge displayed the rear view, and each passing car was accurately represented, accompanied by an audible beep in case I wasn't looking at the screen. The radar detected anything moving faster than me, including a fellow cyclist who shot past me unexpectedly. And I was pleaseantly surprised when it alerted me with a beep that a silent electric car that I hadn't noticed on the screen or even heard was about to pass me.

Returning home in the dark, amidst busy traffic, was the most secure I've ever felt on a ride. There were no surprises, no need to strain my neck checking behind, and when I needed to switch lanes, I did so confidently, aware of the traffic around me. I also felt that cars were giving me a wider berth, was the brightness and changing intensity of the light making drivers more aware of presence, it certainly felt like it did.

I was and am beyond impressed with this device.

In Action

I paired my Varia with my Garmin Edge 1030 plus so the image shows how they work together but the priciple is the same if you use a Garmin Edge, the App or another compatible device.

The vehicle position displayed as a dot moves up the right hand side column as a vehicle gets closer to your bike, multiple vehicles can be represented with two shown on this image. The threat level of the indicator changes color based on the potential level of threat. Green indicates no vehicle is detected. Amber indicates a vehicle is approaching. Red indicates a vehicle is advancing at a high rate of speed. There will also be an audible beep to warn you about a vehicle.

Garmin Varia on Garmin Edge 1030 plus

Garmin Varia RTL515 Features

The Garmin Varia RTL515 is a premium cycling rearview radar and tail light designed to significantly boost the safety of cyclists on roads. This device merges innovative radar technology with visibility features to provide an unparalleled riding experience.

Key Features

  • Rearview Radar: Capable of detecting vehicles from behind up to 140 meters away, it offers cyclists advanced warning of approaching traffic.
  • Daylight Visible Tail Light: Ensures that cyclists are noticeable by oncoming traffic from up to a mile away.
  • Integration with Garmin Ecosystem: It pairs seamlessly with other Garmin devices, providing both visual and audible alerts for approaching vehicles.
  • Extended Battery Life: Offers up to 16 hours of usage in flash mode, making it suitable for long rides.

Benefits

The true value of the Garmin Varia RTL515 lies in its ability to enhance the safety of cyclists. The rearview radar is a groundbreaking feature, offering real-time data about approaching traffic. This minimizes the need for constant over-the-shoulder checks, allowing riders to maintain focus on the road. Its integration with the broader Garmin ecosystem means those with Garmin devices will find it particularly beneficial.

Varia Models

At the time of writing the 3 main Varia models are-

Conclusion

The Garmin Varia RTL515 is undeniably at the forefront of cycling safety technology. Its state-of-the-art radar system and impressive visibility features make it a valuable asset for serious cyclists. Although it comes with a hefty price tag, the safety benefits it offers can justify the investment for many.

So is it the best bike gadget ever, probably, you can easily argue about this, gps bike computers, power meters etc. But is it the best bike gift ever, definitely, because it doesnt matter if you're buying it as a gift for a loved one or just for yourself, the safety this device gives to anyone out on the road in my mind makes this priceless.