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Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar Review

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By Best Choice team
Checked icon Last updated - June 13, 2025
9.7

Verdict overview

  • Easy installation 9.6
  • worth the money 9.6
  • Precision 9.9
  • Simple to use 9.9
  • Battery Duration 9.4
  • Luminosity 9.9
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Pros
  • The rearview radar with tail light provides awareness of vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards 140 meters away.
  • It pairs seamlessly with your Edge bike computer and compatible smartphone, as well as select Garmin wearables or the radar display unit.
  • When used with your compatible smartphone, the Varia app provides graphics, tone, and vibration alerts that indicate approaching cars.

Tech specs

Compatible DevicesD2 Delta, D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S, Edge 1000, Edge 1030, Edge 1030 Plus, Edge 130, Edge 25, Edge 510, Edge 520, Edge 520 Plus, Edge 530, Edge 810, Edge 820, Edge 830, Edge Explore 1000, Edge Explore 820, f nix 5, f nix 5 Plus, f nix 5S, f nix 5X, f nix 5X Plus, f nix 6, f nix 6 Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6 Pro Solar Edition, f nix 6S, f nix 6S Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6S Pro Solar Edition, f nix 6X Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6X Pro Solar Edition, f nix Chronos, Forerunner 735XT, Forerunner 935, Forerunner 945, tactix Charlie, tactix Delta Sapphire Edition, tactix Delta Solar Edition, tactix Delta Solar Edition with Ballistics, Varia Vision In sight Display, vívoactive 3, vívoactive HRD2 Delta, D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S, Edge 1000, Edge 1030,
Power SourceD2 Delta, D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S, Edge 1000, Edge 1030, Edge 1030 Plus, Edge 130, Edge 25, Edge 510, Edge 520, Edge 520 Plus, Edge 530, Edge 810, Edge 820, Edge 830, Edge Explore 1000, Edge Explore 820, f nix 5, f nix 5 Plus, f nix 5S, f nix 5X, f nix 5X Plus, f nix 6, f nix 6 Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6 Pro Solar Edition, f nix 6S, f nix 6S Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6S Pro Solar Edition, f nix 6X Pro and Sapphire Editions, f nix 6X Pro Solar Edition, f nix Chronos, Forerunner 735XT, Forerunner 935, Forerunner 945, tactix Charlie, tactix Delta Sapphire Edition, tactix Delta Solar Edition, tactix Delta Solar Edition with Ballistics, Varia Vision In sight Display, vívoactive 3, vívoactive HRD2 Delta, D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S, Edge 1000, Edge 1030,
Batteries1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. included
Product Dimensions6 x 3 x 3 inches
DepartmentMens
Other display featuresWireless
Item Weight2.5 ounces
colorOne Color
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Product Overview

The Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar is a must have for any serious cyclist. This revolutionary device provides cyclists with the ability to be aware of vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards 140 meters away. This makes it an essential piece of safety equipment for those who ride in busy urban areas, or on roads with a lot of traffic.

The Varia RTL515 pairs seamlessly with your Edge bike computer and compatible smartphone, as well as select Garmin wearables or the radar display unit. When used with a compatible smartphone, the Varia app allows you to receive graphics plus tone and vibration alerts that indicate approaching cars. The Varia radar also integrates with third party apps such as Ride with GPS, which can overlay your maps with rearview radar alerts.

This device is incredibly easy to install and use. It comes with a mounting kit, cables and documentation that make installation straightforward and simple. The vertical design mounts easily to most road use bicycles, and the battery life is impressive up to 16 hours in day flash mode, up to 6 hours in solid mode so you can go for longer rides without worrying about having to recharge it. It also has a Peloton mode which provides a low intensity light flash that is perfect for cycling in groups or when you want extra visibility on the road.

The brightness of the Varia RTL515 is also noteworthy it has visibility up to one mile which gives motorists plenty of warning that you are on the road ahead of them. This makes it an excellent choice for cyclists that ride at night or in low light conditions since it will help keep you safe while also making sure other drivers are aware of your presence on the road.

Overall, I highly recommend the Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar for anyone who rides regularly on roads with lots of traffic or at night. It provides an extra layer of safety by allowing you to be aware of vehicles approaching from behind, and its combination of visibility and battery life make it an ideal choice for any cyclist looking for peace of mind while they ride.

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The secret behind our reviews

By Best Choice team

Best Choice Team is your go-to source for curated product recommendations across various categories. Leveraging years of industry experience and advanced AI technology, we analyze data from multiple sources to bring you the most relevant and up-to-date product lists.

Our AI-driven approach allows us to streamline the selection process, ensuring that the products we feature align with current market trends and consumer preferences. We aim to provide content that helps you navigate your purchasing decisions with greater ease Like.

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