Garmin Varia RTL515 RADAR LIGHT - why I NEVER ride without it 

I've had mine for almost a year and I won't ride without it. The peace of mind it gives you is worth every penny.

About 2 years ago during the first lockdown I was out riding quiet country roads in East Lothian. Going through a little village with cars parked either side of the main street making it very narrow, I was passed by a 4x4 going pretty fast. It got very close resulting in my losing my balance, hitting the road and badly injuring my thumb. I am 70 but a very experienced and fit life-long cyclist. While recuperating I resolved to buy the Garmin 510. I already had the Edge Explore. Best thing I ever did from a safety point of view. Apart from the helmet. I trust it totally. You can use it without the light if desired. The radar still works fine. I have been considering upgrading to the Varia RCT715 which is the version with a rear view camera. Quite pricey at £350.00 so need to be sure it's worth it.

Couldn’t agree more. I have one on my road bike and couldn’t believe how quickly I learned to trust it and how much more confidence I have on country roads now. Wouldn’t say it’s stopped me ever checking over m’shoulder but game changing for sure. 👍

I just got one and am impressed. I agree with your message due to so many "mad" car drivers. I find it very good when I speed up a bit in country lanes and the wind reduces my hearing for up and coming cars. Great Video.

I just bought the RTL315 *without* the light because I also ride with the FLY6 rear view camera. I’ve had the FLY6 for years and found it indispensable, including using video as evidence in a police report. Very happy with the RTL. It does exactly what you say in your video. I also have the Vector3 power meter peddles. No problems at all with them. The additional metrics regarding power phase and peddle center offset have been of huge value for improving my cycling form. I hope you like them too. Ps: I started with the Vector1 and then Vector2. It’s true that they have problems but at least half of the issues were with the underpowered Edge 500. That’s all been cleared up with the Vector3 and Edge 503. Plus, Garmin customer support has been outstanding. My only issue is with the menus in the 503. Else, thanks Garmin!

I completely agree. Don’t leave home without the Varia radar. One reviewer wondered what use it was. You nailed it’s use exactly. As for the Vector 3 pedals, I finally gave up. The battery doors, dropped signals and finally they wore so badly after 3 years that my shoe wobbled when clipped in. Assioma pedals have been rock solid so far.

New to cycling since June. Wow. Fully agree - won't ride without it. I "trained" myself to hug the edge when I see a Orange warning and look over my shoulder, ready to pull off if Red (based on object closing speed). Being in the USA (drive on R-side), I moved the dots to the Left column as it's more intuitive.

Totally AGREE, the Safest Bike Tech on the market and anyone riding on the road should use one.. Great Review…. 🇺🇸

Great video. The radar is now on my list of purchases. On another note, I have only recently discovered you and your channel and the content and delivery is brilliant. Keep up the good work. Andrew.

Literally binge watching your videos today, yesterday was a big day out on my new MTB around the lakes so just resting up and loving your videos 👍👌 keep them coming

That’s made my mind up. Great review well delivered and great detail. 👍

I just purchased one for road riding (on rural country roads), yet to try it just waiting on weather to break. fit well on my Trek 2020 Domane SL 5 and it was easy to sync to my Garmin 830 Edge. will still use my helmet mirror but hopefully will make riding more relaxing and safe!

Don’t know how I stumbled across your channel but binged watched . Brilliant keep up the vlogs.

Had mine for one ride. Totally brilliant. Felt so much safer at so many levels!

FYI: A flashing rear light is generally preferable (if it's legal where you live) as it draws the eye of motorists better than even a much brighter solid light, especially in brighter conditions like dawn/dusk or daytime riding. A solid light is better for depth perception so having both a solid and a flashing light would be ideal, but that's a bit overkill unless you're riding in really dark conditions.

Garmin Vector 3 user here - 2 years on them - ZERO problems.

Great review, if I hadn’t already bought one, I would have after watching this … looking forward to taking it out on it’s maiden voyage tomorrow! 😊

Agree, had mine for over 3 years and never ride without it.

Just got mine yesterday. Can't wait to use for first time. Thanks for showing this. SUBSCRIBED 🙌🙌🙌

my is on order; can't wait to receive mine

Just one thing with the varia whilst out on my bike i love listening to music so whilst on the app i can hear the tones for cars coming up on my AirPod pros plus the visual on my garmin computer as well this has been invaluable on country roads with random cars and tractors.great video though.

Wow. I watched this again now a few moths later and I must’ve missed the part about the device connecting with the app on the phone. That’s exciting, that motivates me to pull the financial trigger because I didn’t want to have to get a new Garmin unit to work with it. Thanks for doing this video very impressive. As for showing up at the race with it, dude, you don’t have to worry about anybody messing with you with those guns.

I’ve had my varia since March and agree it’s the best thing Garmin have invented, don’t leave home with out it, got it hooked up to my edge explore and Fenix 6x (fail safe just in case I forget to charge the explore 🙄😂) . I’ve got the display unit as it came with my purchase. I’ve got the varia front light as well, it’s a great light specially as it will automatically change lumens if linked up to the light network on trip computer, saves manually pushing the button.

Got mine after watching your video! Just been out and tested it. Thanks Mark, keep the great videos coming!!!

Funny thing just bought the RTL today... after the purchase I watched your video... and you also ride a PX. I love how completely honest you are riding such a rocket... same as me 😅

100% never take to the roads without my Varia on the bike , mine is paired to my Wahoo Roam head unit so easy to pair & has never let me down & im using first Varia 510

Good luck with the space bike in the race. The radar is an awesome bit of kit.

Thanks! Ordered mine today.

The radar will also pair with the Fenix.

Assioma Favero Pedals all the way! Best of luck on the Vectors though, hope they will work fine for you without the cap or battery issues.

I got one on two accounts. As being partially deaf, I have some difficulty hearing motor vehicles approaching from behind, especially on quite country roads where I don't expect them. The other is low morning or evening sun, looking over your shoulder and being blinded, is there a car there or not? Great device gives me advance notice for when vehicles are approaching (and really fast cyclists, but it cant tell the difference)

My research indicates this device can be a life saver, especially in locales where many drivers think cyclists are nothing but a nuisance and will not give us space. Maybe a better safety device than a helmet. Of course, if drivers would respect cyclists, and if governments would create cycling-safe infrastructure, helmets and radar wouldn't be needed at all.

Fwiw, I’ve connected my rtl to my Forerunner 245 watch. Seems to work just fine, and gives the little dot and color coding the same as the bike computer.

Very nice explanation 👍🏽🙏🏽

Agree 100 percent!

Good video. I’ve had mine since the 500. The 510 currently. Would like then515 but only too hear the bleeps louder off my phone?

Good review!

Just ordered mine :)

Waiting for mine, I think in a race it's best to put it in low brightness pelotonmode? Thanks for the awesome review

Awesome device. I use an app on my iPhone called Bike Brain. I find it excellent for all of my needs. Will this radar light work in conjunction with this app, or any other app one decides to use for cycling? I wish they could come out with a small Star Trek type transporting device I could use against the many a-hole drivers I encounter. By the time I'm done with my ride, there will be a traffic jam in Antarctica. Mahalo!

Would it be useful if I barely glance at my garmin? I only glance at my garmin to see my power output.

I’m curious to see how haywire the radar feature will go cycling the streets of London. Question, does it detect smaller objects like motorbikes or other cyclists...who I’m definitely not joining in silly commuter races with .

Does it have to be mounted on the seat post? In other words mounted high? Can I mount it on the back of my saddle bags?

great video. I have one question. I also have Fenix and Edge. But how do you use them on bike? Because it has no sense to upload activity from both to garmin connect/strava. So what your way to use them? Sometimes I start activities on both (fenix and edge), but upload only from one of them and from another throw it away. Thank you.

Sweet cave

If your riding in a group does it pick up other cycles behind you?

When you can film this on your spaceship you get your spaceship license

I just googled the price! 😳

If you are riding in a group, will it flag up the rider behind you?

Whats the maglite you have next to your bed. I want one.

Not sure I agree with it being indispensable. It helps people who ride in the gutter, which then allows cars to try and squeeze past at speed. If you want to really be safe on the roads, learn to ride assertively. Ride in the middle of the lane, unless there is a specific bike lane. This is your right as per road rules, and ensures that drivers have no choice but to respect your personal space.

Do you still use it or something els

This item is an excellent supplement to a helmet or glasses mounted mirror. For Mark Lewis (the videographer here) not to have a mirror (as he intimated) is almost incomprehensible. With a mirror one can determine the tracking of the car. If they're distracted or drunk you can see it clearer and jump totally off the road if possible. This radar, your ears, and turning around for a glimpse won't do that.

do you afford all this just by being a youtuber?

please adopt me. nobody in my family buys me anything.

tos out the garmin, use yoursmart phone with a rear view camera in real time, lasts all day insteadof a few hrs, has music gps and everything including netflix

I use a Take a Look mirror. You can see cyclists and vehicles behind you. Hard to beat for $12.