Garmin 010-02376-00 Varia RTL515, Cycling Rearview Radar with Tail Light, Visual and Audible Alerts for Vehicles Up to 153 Yards Away

I have to join the chorus praising the Varia radar. With a bar end mirror, I would usually hear a car before I saw it in the mirror (and my hearing isnt that great). I find it far easier to check my bike computer, a Garmin 830. I have used the Varia on several rides and it has performed flawlessly. I have had no false positives. The one time I thought it had alerted without a car there, I looked again and realized that the driver had pulled into a gas station. Likewise, it has never failed to detect an overtaking car. I do have a couple of nitpicks. First, it can be hard to hear the audible alert at higher speeds. This has only been an issue on a descent with my nose out over the bars, so it is hard to see my bike computer. My second, more serious, complaint is that there is no safety tether, and no attachment point to add one of your own. I cant imagine what they were thinking, and hope they change this on future models. These are minor issues that do not greatly detract from my satisfaction with the device. I suppose my opinion will change if I do manage to dislodge it on a bumpy road. Finally, I should note that I bought the model without a tail light because I do not like combo devices. It seems to me that one part of the combination always wear out long before the other. I would rather just mount the smaller radar and replace my blinky as needed.

I bought the varia for my road bike. I have used it a bunch of times. It does a really good job picking up traffic from behind. It really improves my awareness about what is going on behind me. I have only used it with the varia app. I really like being able to glance down at my phone (mounted on phone holder on gooseneck) and checking for traffic. This is really cool when there is a car parked in the bike lane of some other obstruction like a trash can. It is also effective when I want to make a left turn. I can look down and quickly see if the coast is clear. It is also really helpful by displaying multiple cars, so I am aware if there are more cars when I hear one coming from behind. The only drawbacks I have experienced is it eats up battery in my phone quickly (I am in need of an upgrade, though). Another thing that is difficult to manage is that sometimes I need to go into the middle of the road due to space limitations on the shoulder. When there is a car behind me going the same speed, it will drop off the display. I assume it thinks the target is another rider. The car only reappears on the display when it overtakes me. Cars definitely see the light, so that is super helpful when riding after work in late fall. Overall, I think the varia improves my awareness significantly and I always will have it going when riding on the road.

The unit is amazing. I have a Garmin 810 Unit and they work amazingly together. Not one malfunction yet. I have a bad neck so it is hard for me to head swivel to see vehicles approaching. The unit alerts and that accurately follows each vehicle as they approach and pass me. Once you get use to the system, you know how far cars are behind and how much time you have to react to make turns. I cant say enough about this product. It is awesome and every long riding biker should have one.

Great safety feature to have. Does what is supposed to do. Won’t ride without it.

After using this light/radar for some time, I dont ride without it. It works best when you have a dedicated bicycle computer already. I have been super pleased with the accuracy and its performance. I ride on a state highway that has quite a lot of traffic on it, and sometimes the ridable shoulder is full of debris. Using this radar, I am able to determine if its safe to ride on the cleaner pavement and avoid the debris filled shoulder.

As an avid road biker I would this is a must have in order to get peace of mind about traffic coming your way. It got 4 stars only because of the mount, rubber bands seem a bit too cheap to hold such device, there’s room for improvement here, Garmin. Besides that, excellent buy.

Road Testing

The Varia RVR315 is excellent. You can mount it upside down, right side up, sideways anyway, as long as its pointing behind you and theres no radar proof obstacle between it and the vehicles its meant to warn you about. I use a solid mount made for quick release on the seat post, and have used it mounted on the rear of a rack when needed (as the trunk bag used on the top of the rack would prevent its use). It charges up surprisingly quick and the charge lasted me from 6-8 hours of use. Connecting it to my Garmin Edge 1030 plus was straight forward, quick and easy.

Working well. Got as a Prime Day deal. No issues connecting it to my Garmin Edge cyclocomputer. This is the one without the light which works fine for me since my back light fits along with this unit on my bike. I like knowing when cars are approaching from the rear. Lets me not glance at my mirror so much. Audible warning is what I most value.

I bought this for my spouse and he loves it. He said it gives him a greater peace of mind when he is biking. He said he used it for six hours and the battery life was down to only 50%.