Why I Won't Ride Without One (My Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar Review)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2021
- In this video I review the Garmin Varia RTL515 rear view radar (which is also a rear light). I've used it for 4 months now and I absolutely love it.
The video shows the Varia in use with the Garmin Edge 530, Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT and the Bryton Rider 750, so you get a feel for how it works with both Garmin and non-Garmin bike GPS devices.
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What about the link for the mount on your saddle bag?
I saw these advertised. Laughed at the price. Read the the reviews and instantly thought of moments in the past where it would have been useful / saved me a scare. Thought maybe it's worth a go. Bought one. Love it. Now as evangelical as Monty (well, almost).
Excellent, fun and precise and very informative. Exactly how videos are supposed to be. If only everyone made more videos like these
Bought one yesterday after watching a lot of reviews. As good as everyone says, incredible for road riding on rural roads. I feel a lot more free as I can ride away from the gutter until a car is behind me. I have not yet bought a bike computer so use the 515 with my iPhone in the background while watching Komoot.
Thanks for posting, I've just ordered one (14/04/24) having watched this review, and your recommendation
I luv my Varia! I often ride by myself, so I love the fact that it lets me know when cars are coming in advance, which gives me the opportunity to look in my review mirror that’s on my sunglasses and move over. Best accessory ever!
Single most useful accessory I have for my bikes. Like you, I feel anxious when I pop out for a quick ride and forget to move it from the last bike it was on. Some notes for you and your viewers. In city driving, or where you have a steady procession of cars coming around, the audible warning can be annoying. In my far suburbs region with narrow roads, the Garmin 515 is exceptionally accurate. It's worth taking the time to see the actual car distance relative to the display icon position. What looks like a vehicle (or cyclist) approaching from a far distance is really the farthest distance the Garmin can "see" at the time. On a long straightaway that's upwards of 200 m. On twisty roads it's the distance to the last bend.
Love it. Subscribed! (And ordered)
Good review as always Monty 👌🏼 You’re my go to for all things bike tech now! 😊
Informative and entertaining, love it. Keep the vids coming Monty
Thanks Glynn. Will try!
This was so informational and entertaining 👍😂
Keep making great and clever videos!!
I have one. I would summarize the usefulness in a couple of scenarios: 1) a mostly rural ride and you need a few more seconds to be aware of of an approaching vehicle 2) In an urban setting, just assume that there is always a car right behind you and carry on.
Absolutely BRILLIANT!🇺🇸
Agree with you completely! Best bike tech ever.
Hi Monty, love the videos informative and equally very entertaining. I have the same seat tube back as yourself, and was wandering how you went about fixing the bike mount onto it? Keep up the good work. Cheers Phil.
I just bought a varia and needed to learn how to use it. Great video Monty! :)
Great, glad you found it useful Todd
Nice one Monty, A friend has had one of these for quite some time and highly recommends it and then only last week I was googling whether the RTL515 was compatible with a Wahoo and have since informed my better half that I would like one when my birthday rolls around.
Thanks for the review. I wanted to see if it was compatible with the Wahoo bolt. Now I am sold. I'll be grabbing one soon.
Just finished my 1st ride with my RTL515 and immediately experienced its safety value. My old L&M tail light needed to be replaced. It was time for an upgrade.
Hello, your videos are amazing and helpful amoung all other videos and channels on youtube.
Love your videos.
New subo yeeeeeee, tnx nice review ☀️☀️☀️🇲🇰🇲🇰👍👍👍
couldn't have put it better myself. I purchased one this past summer and wondered why I didn't jump on the bandwagon earlier.
Good review. Might also be worth covering, in a future video, what the different modes are - e.g. peloton mode, as well as what a motorist would see when approaching.
Good point Tony. I’m sure my love affair will be long lasting, so it’ll pop up in future vids.
Excelant review, and funny as well
I agree brilliant bit if kit for safety, on group rides guys think I'm Yoda! I've used through two solid winters with no issues. I would suggest a fixed post/ saddle mount as I don't trust ageing rubber bands! Cheers Monty.
Thanks for the informative review, Bought mine in Argos for £100's
I have the original version with the horizontal, Knight Rider display & a separate unit, and I love it.
I won it at a posh dinner & as others have said, I thought it was a bit of a novelty.
It's been brilliant, especially since I moved back to Wales & now cycle by myself on some fast and/or twisty A and B roads. The battery went on one of my recent rides (had forgotten to charge it) & I felt the difference.
Oooh, I loved (love - present tense) Knight Rider!
I’ve had the Varia 510 for almost 2 years, and it’s the first thing I charge up before I go out on the road. It gets a little ‘busy’ in town but is worth its weight in gold in other places ( apart from being run over by a blind pensioner on a roundabout the Varia has been flawless- and it was not the units fault the old guy didn’t see me).
I tend to just use the normal flash mode for everything other than dark misty starts. I still have no idea what happens to it when the light is off when you use the button to scroll to that option, so I leave it on!
Battery life is excellent and I haven’t had a ride yet where it’s run out, right up to 100 miles at times.
I started with an edge 520, but moved to wahoo bolt not long after I got the Varia - I actually prefer to see the little cars coming up the screen. The Garmin colours were really hard to see in sunlight but it never missed a beep / vehicle on either device. In fact, of all my bike gadgets, this one always works perfectly and lives up to my expectations of it. It’s fantastic even on a group ride - many times I’ll get a car detection long before the rider at the back shouts out there’s a car behind. But the clever thing is it doesn’t pick up your mates who are cycling along at your speed behind you. I’ve taken the Varia out in hot weather, freezing cold driving rain for hours. It’s been covered in mud and works in all conditions. A couple of scenarios that I like - when turning right it is such a big help in knowing when to move across- yes I look, but knowing WHEN to look stops any veering out.
The other scenario is wind - you can’t hear a lot of traffic in the wind, but this thing picks it all up. I have the wahoo set so that the LED’s come on - this means that if I don’t hear the bleep in the wind, I’ll have a visual cue.
Don’t leave home without it !
I have the older 510 and I love it, will not venture out without it, the constant beeping is a bit anoying in town but thats the only downside!
Good idea on the saddle bag mount. I've just bought a road bike, new seat will have topeak quick clip mount. So envisage buying one of those. Therefore have same issue. The 515 on offer at £130, which is a bit more affordable.
SUBSCRIBED !!! awesome MAMIL 👌 shout out. 👏 🤣 I am one too!
well reviewed...great contents
Thanks Glenn
I’m going to get one great job
Thanks dude
I do like the quirky nature of your videos......As well as the content obviously 😁
I fear the quirk may actually be the content. Thanks Ricky 😀
great review! One question, can it be mounted upside down without loosing functionality? (I have dropper post...) thank you.
I can't do better than quote Lets Havefun "Excellent, fun and precise and very informative. Exactly how videos are supposed to be. If only everyone made more videos like these"
Just ordered one for my recumbent bike. Hopefully means I’ll get out on it more :)
I'm the same before buying it you wonder what the fuss is about - after buying one won't ride without it. If you want to know how popular a device is search eBay for second hand ones, there are none of this the TL510 or 515 - at the moment on the UK site. No-one buys it then decides its not for them and sells on eBay. These are very useful for the country lanes and B roads in the UK, a bit of pain around a busy city centre (but I turn the noise alerts off and just have visuals on the screen), with more and more vehicles on the roads of the electric variety it a good unit for alerting you to those vehicles you can't hear. Another thing it helps with is when wanting to make a right turn, I can work out if there is anything in the vicinity before I need to maneuver and adjust speed accordingly, whilst giving the quick head turn to make sure it is 100% clear. It doesn't stop you from checking or double checking but its a great aid to riding. The light has a feature too that when it detects a vehicle approaching the light pattern changes to a faster flash which is there to help alert the driver they are approaching something.
You say at 5 26mim you couldn't think of not buying the 315 on its own. Well I bought it cos I have a bontrager flair R rear light. Great video BTW 😊
Fair enough 😄 I'm sure it's great in that configuration as well.
Also: battery life. As an owner of the 510, I can tell you that there are better rechargable lights.
Great video once again Monty! I just wanted to know if this radar/light will work with the Hammerhead Karoo2 cycling computer?
That’s a good question - and one I should be able to answer within days. The Karoo 2 is hopefully winging it’s way over to me because I bought one last week.
Yes - works well with Karoo2
Very nice video mate! I love the editing, too. I just got one of these and am rather evangelical about it as well (can I get a hallelujah). Definitely worth it when you compare to a Fly6 camera/light. Had one of those but returned under warranty as was just rubbish all round. And it was also more a reactive thing. Not that helpful for preventing hospital visits or worse.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm trying to get better at my editing!
Outstanding review and tutorial, but cut back on the Red Bulls dude LOL!
My wife staged an intervention and my Red Bulls were taken away. Hence my recent videos are more sedate...
Fully agree how good it is, purchased one myself after a windy ride and I couldn’t hear the traffic, first ride out I was still looking behind every now a bit unsure of it , but now I put my trust in it, it picks up from surprisingly a fair distance back cars and dare I say it other cyclists hammering past me, it did let me down on the tortoise that overtook me though, it never picked that up on radar 😀, worked great with my Elemnt Bolt before I switched back to Garmin as the screen was too small for me , and obviously works flawlessly with the Garmin 530, great review and entertainment yet again 👍🏻
"daylight flashing mode, but that's nothing to do with bike lights" 😂 I LOVE my Varia radar. Thank you so much for mentioning the lack of ANT+ light protocol support by non Garman devices. The Hammerhead Karoo2 recently got ANT+ light support, but it's still not so good, because all it does is turn on/off the lights based on time or ambient light sensor with no manual control. I actually got my Edge 830 over the competition specifically for the ANT+ light support. Might not seem like a huge deal, but if you do a lot of riding on trails during the day, turning off the light nets huge battery life improvements. There's no other way to keep the radar running with the LED off. Pressing the button on top (not holding it) will cycle through a LED off mode with the unit running, but it turns off the radar too (or at least the bluetooth connection, since I tested it with a phone. Maybe with a headunit that uses ANT+, you still get radar info with the LED turned off that way? I'm not sure. Would you mind testing it with your non Garmin devices?). Speaking of bluetooth, you forgot to mention that the RTL515 has bluetooth support, while the nearly identical RTL510 does not; if you plan to use this with a phone, or if you want audio prompts as you listen to music/podcast/etc. on your phone, you'll want the RTL515. If not, the 510 can be had for much cheaper. Great video as always. Really enjoying your content and your sense of humor!
Most of us already have a ton of rear lights; I've got exposure, knogg and the ultimate, a 4 Fourth Scorpion, so the radar only works for me.
I have and is brilliant. Once you have one won't ever ride without it. It also detects cyclists behind you not only cars. I use it connected to my Edge 130plus and to my phone. since I cycle with my headphones the iphone Varia app also alerts me through the headphones.
Can it be used without a computer?
What about Power Save Mode? I often ride in PSM which means that my Edge Explore goes to sleep when not active. Does the Varia override this? I've read that pressing the sleep button on the Edge causes the Varia to sleep so wondering what has priority? I'm guessing the Varia must always stay on?
I just got the cheap 315 version without a light (already have too many lights, albeit not "smart") after making a nuisance of myself on descent this week-end not realizing (thanks to the wind noise, duh) a car was catching up...
I can no longer make a left turn (equivalent to a right turn for those in the UK) without coming to a full stop on a bike without a Varia. A quick glance over the shoulder, or under the armpit, without seeing confirmation in the form of a green bar on the bike computer no longer fills me with enough confidence that a car isn't approaching from behind.
Battery time is an issue. I get 5 hours when using the flash function. However, there's nothing quite like it. And it works!
Great video. I’m guessing that if you’re on a group ride, it will pick up other rides behind?
That's been a difficult one to test in lockdown. My understanding is that it shouldn't pick up the riders in the group, as they're all going the same speed as you. Guess the caveat might be if you're down a pace line of some sort. Which I never do!
If they are faster than you, yes. It only tracks objects moving faster/toward you.
I think this channel should be called the agressive cyclist.
As an owner of the same topeak saddle bag, can you share the details of how you get the garmin mount appropriately attached t the saddle bag? Thanks
There is a flap of fabric on the end of the Topeak saddle bag I have. I've attached rear lights to it before. I was able to slide a single Garmin rubber band behind it and then stretch it around and hook it into the standard plastic Garmin handlebar mount. This is then more than stable enough to attach the Varia light to.
There is a TH-cam video, where a guy used a soldering iron, on a nylon bag to mount a Garmin mount to the bag. He used zip ties to fasten it.
I have also seen (expensive) adapters on eBay that attach to the saddle rails and project the mount over the bag.
Hi I wonder if you can help me I have a bryton 750 and I can't work out how to connect my garmin varia rtl515. I am stuck at the code the bryton 750 wants to connect. Please help thanks
Hi Monty, I’m enjoying you vids. I love my Varia too but do you know if there’s a way to turn it off using a Garmin Edge device? Reason being when I go off road onto gravel…
Good question (which I had to Google). It seems the answer is.... no. It's always on. I guess you could fiddle in the menus to tone down the alerts on your head unit when you're off road. Or disconnect the ANT+ connection entirely. All a bit of a faff though...
you can now turn off the light through a garmin head unit and still have the radar working
@@uptowndisco2 I'm intrigued. Do tell...
How does it compare to a rearview mirror? I like to actually see what's stalking me. Also, my mirror only cost $10.
I use both. Often, the Varia picks it up way before I do. Knowing the number of vehicles at a quick glance is great, too.
Yeah but are you constantly looking at that rear view mirror????
Can we get a video on how did you attach garmin mount on the saddle bag?
With a couple of people having asked for it, it's on the list. Might be a short video though!
@@Sportivecyclist I was about the ask this same question. Looking to figure out how to install on my wife's bike saddle bag (in a way that it will not fall off. Have had cheap lights fall off the saddle bag in the past. Would rather not lose this piece of kit). BTW, it was a great video!
I made that video! How to Attach a Garmin Varia (or any Garmin Mount) to a Saddlebag
th-cam.com/video/2-0STTG_dkA/w-d-xo.html
Can you please tell me if the warning beep is too quiet on the 530 compared to the bolt?
I have a bolt but would like to get a 530 but dont want to compromise my radar.
I don't know if it's too quiet but I think it is quieter. The new v2 BOLT seems very loud (if that's the priority). I think as well that the Edge doesn't bleep to tell you that the vehicle has passed (when it reverts to green), whereas the BOLT does.
So you can't control the light if you use the Wahoo element bolt? Is there no work around ?
Not as far as I am aware.
Apparently the 530 does not beep to say the road is clear behind you, unlike the Bolt ?
Hmm, now you ask specifically, I'm not sure. It definitely beeps to say there is one but I'm not sure about the all clear. I've been checking my footage, but on much of it I've got three computers going so I can't work out which one is bleeping. Will test it. That said, I've ridden plenty with just the 530 (and now the 830) and I've never missed it sounding the all-clear. I've been more than happy with it just alerting to the presence of a car when it first appears.
Hi could you help I just got one off the Varia rtl515 I am using a phone at the mo am trying too test it but cannot find a test mode in the app could you help please
Sorry for the delay in replying. I am not aware of any test mode in the app. Once you've got the RTL515 paired with your phone, you could just walk towards it (the Varia) and normally that will set it off.
To me the downside is it doesn't have a tether or lanyard hook for you to secure the varia in case if the seatpost mount or the garmin mount suddenly come loose and you end up losing an expensive piece of equipment.
I purchased an outer case which does have the lanyard. Tight fit so no risk of losing the Varia
Do you know if Wahoo unit will automatically turn on the lights and blink when a car is approaching? or it is something that only the garmin unit can do?
Hi there - I think you're referring to the Varia rear light (rather than the blinking LEDs on the Wahoo device). As far as I am aware, using a bike GPS to turn on the Varia light or change the mode from the handlebars can only be done by a Garmin device. Wahoos don't have the ANT+ Light Control function (yet?). ** However **, the flashing behaviour of the rear light when a car approaches is independent of the GPS - it is built into the Varia itself. The Varia will flash in all the riding modes (i.e. other than standby mode) when a car approaches (either fast or slow depending on the mode). Changing the mode of the Varia is done by pressing the button on the Varia itself.
@@Sportivecyclist thanks 🙌
Can I 100% trust this device? I mean if garmin told me all cars is passed, can I turn without checking?
So, it really works with Bryton rider750 except controlling the light mode? Thz
Yes. The radar is quite a simple integration (though I don’t profess to understand much beyond the fact it works) and the Rider 750 supports it just fine.
Thanks
I have a garmin 520 will the Varia RTL515 work on it ?
Yes.
Re Installation - can you not install it upside down so the light is below the bag? From what I've read some people do that and it works fine.
Also on Amazon you get "clamps" gizmos that attach to the saddle with the Garmin attachment point above the saddle bag, so two more options.
Re computers: I agree with the video creator. From all the reviews I've seen, the Wahoo seems the clearest indicator system, with the loud noise and the LEDs flashing that are much more eye catching I'd say than an LCD change. I've got my eye on getting a Wahoo Roam specifically for this.
This was in the Amazon Prime Early sale in the UK for £110 so I'd keep an eye out for black friday sales this year.
Finally there is a new version with a camera in it that's a great idea but insanely expensive.
EDIT the RTL was in the sale, I'm still to get a Roam, I'll sniff around black friday.
Re the Roam - that’s probably the v1 version in the sale.
@@Sportivecyclist
Hi, I see I wasn't clear, (I'm re-reading it and I just worded it badly) the RTL515 was in the sale for 110, vs a normal price of about 170.
I've got one ordered. I had a bit of a scare over the summer on a quiet road when a car shot by and I was totally switched off and I was in the middle of the road, I think it was electric. It came out of nowhere, like a 4 wheeled ninja. I've added a Blackburn road bike mirror that helps a lot (when I'm not knocking it out of it's velcro strap).
I was cycling yesterday and looking at my current computer and thinking how much it's normally not really in my eyeline and how much I really want something flashy (like LEDs) to attract my attention and doubling down on the roam idea. An "ahead" computer mount and tilted up a little will help.
Id get one but i put the saddle bag behind the seat im not a fan of the front saddle bags
I madez a video about this: How to Attach a Garmin Varia (or any Garmin Mount) to a Saddlebag
th-cam.com/video/2-0STTG_dkA/w-d-xo.html
@@Sportivecyclist My Bontraeger bag does have that! So that would work perfectly!
Glasses mirror for me
I just wish Garmin would ship with proper brackets
To be fair they do. For the seat tube. Connecting like this to a saddlebag potentially reduces accuracy of the radar so I don’t think Garmin would recommend it, let alone ship a mount for it. This falls firmly in the ‘hack’ bucket. The hacket.
I have had one for over a year. Very disappointed. I'm 69 and can not hear it, so unless I'm looking at my edge I don't have a clue what's behind. The Fenix 6 vibration is so weak I don't notice it either.
aren't mirrors cheaper?
I wanna see a race bike with a mirror on each side
That sounds like a video. How many mirrors can we fit to a road bike. Quadrophenia with a bit less drugs (ok, different drugs)
Probably. Reviewing bike mirrors is possibly a bit niche, even for me. Also not very aero. Good to know that at least one member of my family watches my videos....
mirrors won't notify you that car is approaching, you have to constantly check them
A small eye glasses or helmet mirror works best! You can actually see the vehicle, speed, color and type of vehicle...in case an accident would happen.
I just don’t understand this product.
You can use normal flash, it is also visible.
You can place a rear mirror (don’t ride without one) and always be warned and not relying on electronics that can fail or discharge.
Also, if you ride and don’t notice bypassing cars - I have a lot of questions, like how reckless you ride? Pay attention, you are the part of traffic
Also it is pricey
I use my iPhone as the computer for my Garmin
Ive been riding Trieye the 1st ever formal pair of sunglasses a total revelation in cycling safety for two plus years after a almost fatal cycling accident as a semi pro 13 years ago. If it wasnt for Trieye id never have started road again. These should be main headline cycling news. It will bring back road cyclist. Why these are not main headline news is likely due to the brand loyalty and sheep mentality most cyclist get locked into. Im not one of those. Trieye has so sinked with my riding road i cross duel lanes never looking behind me. I have ZERO blind spots unlike a car or motorcycle. I can warn groups well ahead of time of on coming trailers behind cars somethung garmin will not pick up. It has totally givem me control of the road versus sitting on my bike a helpless victim. Itsthe quickest growing cycling glasses on the market yet few road bike shops stock these thanks to their brand loyalty. Sad
Have you tried the Varia Vision?
Not yet, but I might well do at some point.
low battery solution , buy 2 Varias and swap them over when first gets low battery 🤣 maybe the next new version will have a USB C that can use an external power bank to keep it lit for as long as needed .
No tether so lose the unit if it comes loose
Not for commuting in to London, !
Yeah. Guess you’d want to turn the audible alerts off.... possibly the Wahoo implementation, not being too obtrusive, could work.
you've got new subs simply from your evangeli... err way of telling story!
Hello,
You have to much energy.
Go 100 km biking.
And do the review again.
Doesn't seem like the best use of my time Erik but I'll give it some thought.
What's wrong with you? ADHS!
Amazing TH-cam creator syndrome
its worthless. you can't see how close the car is when it passes you.
use a mirror and you ears.
Extremely overrpiced "system".... You cannot without it. In real world we can
Dunno. In the real world I did buy it with my own money - one for me (which had value as a video topic) but also one as a Christmas present for someone else (so not related to the channel). Admittedly I did manage to pick them up for £130 each, which felt like a lot more manageable price, but I feel I am getting that much value. So perhaps a little overpriced at the full whack but certainly not 'extremely overpriced' (IMHO YMMW etc).
You cant put a price on safety.