Garmin Varia™ RTL515 Rearview Radar with Tail Light
Garmin’s proven cycling radar and tail light — 140m vehicle detection, 65-lumen visibility from 1 mile, 16-hour day flash battery, ANT+ and Bluetooth LE, peloton mode, and compact 71g design. $199.99.
Our Take: The Varia RTL515 is the cycling radar that made rearview radar a must-have accessory. It’s been the best-selling and most-recommended cycling radar for years, and for good reason: the vehicle detection is reliable, the tail light is bright, the battery lasts all day, and the price is right at $199.99. The 140m radar range with a 45-degree beam catches vehicles well before they reach you, and the alerts on your Edge computer or phone give you time to prepare. The 65-lumen day flash is visible from a mile away, and the 16-hour battery means you can ride all day without thinking about charging. Is the newer RearVue 820 at $299.99 better? Yes — it has longer range, wider beam, brake light, vehicle size tracking, and better battery. But the RTL515 delivers the core experience at $100 less. For riders who want a camera, the RCT715 at $399.99 adds 1080p recording. For radar-only without a light, the RVR315 at $149.99 saves another $50.
Why you’d choose this radar
- The RTL515 detects vehicles approaching from up to 140 meters (153 yards) behind you with a 45-degree radar beam. Visual and audible alerts appear on your paired Edge computer, Garmin watch, or the Varia smartphone app. The system that made Varia the gold standard for cycling radar.
- The tail light’s day flash mode delivers 65 lumens visible from up to 1 mile (1.6 km) away, with a 220-degree viewing angle. The light automatically increases intensity as vehicles approach, maximizing your visibility when it matters most.
- Up to 16 hours of battery life in day flash mode — enough for a full day of riding, century rides, or multi-stop commutes without worrying about charging. The longest battery in any Varia with a tail light (excluding the newer RearVue 820).
- A low-intensity 8-lumen flash mode specifically designed for riding in a group. Bright enough to be visible but gentle enough that it won’t blind the cyclist behind you. Radar still functions, providing alerts even in a pack.
- At just 71g (2.5 oz), the RTL515 is light enough to forget it’s there. The slim vertical design (3.9″ × 0.8″ × 1.6″) mounts cleanly on virtually any road seatpost with the included quarter-turn mount.
- Dual connectivity means the RTL515 works with Garmin Edge computers, compatible Garmin watches, the Varia smartphone app, and third-party devices from Hammerhead, Wahoo, and apps like Ride with GPS. No proprietary lock-in.
- The Varia smartphone app displays radar alerts with bold graphics, tone, and vibration alerts — even if you don’t have a Garmin cycling computer. Third-party apps like Ride with GPS can overlay radar alerts on your route maps.
- The RTL515 delivers proven radar detection and a bright tail light at the most accessible price point in the radar + light category. It’s been the best-selling cycling radar for good reason: it works, it’s reliable, and the price is right.
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Who this radar is perfect for
- Road cyclists who want reliable rearview radar and a bright tail light at the best value in the Varia lineup.
- Long-distance riders who need 16 hours of battery life in day flash mode for century rides and multi-day tours.
- Group riders who appreciate peloton mode’s gentle intensity that won’t blind the cyclist behind them.
- Riders using Garmin Edge computers, Garmin watches, or third-party apps who want seamless radar integration.
- Anyone new to cycling radar who wants the proven, best-selling option without paying for features they don’t need.
You may prefer a different Varia if…
- You want the most advanced radar with brake light, vehicle size tracking, and 24-hour battery → Varia RearVue 820 at $299.99
- You want a built-in camera for ride recording and incident capture → Varia RCT715 at $399.99
- You only need radar without a tail light (you have your own) → Varia RVR315 at $149.99
Specifications
| Feature | RTL515 |
|---|---|
| Radar Detection Range | Up to 140m (153 yards) |
| Radar Beam Width | 45° |
| Lumens — Day Flash | 65 |
| Lumens — Night Flash | 29 |
| Lumens — Solid | 20 |
| Lumens — Peloton | 8 |
| Tail Light Visibility | Up to 1.6 km (1 mi) |
| Viewing Angle | 220° |
| Battery — Day Flash | 16 hours |
| Battery — Peloton | 8 hours |
| Battery — Solid | 6 hours |
| Battery — Night Flash | 6 hours |
| Dimensions | 98.6 × 19.7 × 39.6 mm (3.9″ × 0.8″ × 1.6″) |
| Weight | 71g (2.5 oz) |
| Water Rating | IPX7 |
| Charging | Micro-USB |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth LE |
| Camera | ✕ |
| Brake Light | ✕ |
| Vehicle Size Detection | ✕ |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
All Variants
| Model | MPN | UPC | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varia RTL515 | 010-02376-00 | 753759254124 | $199.99 |
How the Varia RTL515 Compares
Focus or hover a row label for a plain-English definition.
| Feature |
RVR315Radar Only
|
RTL515★ This Product
|
RearVue 820Advanced
|
RCT715Radar + Camera
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Range?How far the radar detects vehicles. | 140m | 140m | 175m | 140m |
| Beam Width?Radar field of view angle. | 40° | 45° | 60° | 45° |
| Vehicle Size Detection?Classifies vehicles as small/medium/large. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Brake Light?Flashes when you slow or stop. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Same-Speed Tracking?Detects vehicles following at your speed. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Camera?Built-in rear-facing camera. | No | No | No | Yes (1080p) |
| Feature |
RVR315Radar Only
|
RTL515★ This Product
|
RearVue 820Advanced
|
RCT715Radar + Camera
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tail Light?Built-in rear light. | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Day Flash Lumens?Brightness in daytime flash mode. | — | 65 | 100 | 65 |
| Visibility?How far drivers can see the light. | — | 1.6 km (1 mi) | 2 km (1.24 mi) | 1.6 km (1 mi) |
| Battery — Day Flash?Battery in brightest flashing mode. | — | 16 hrs | 24 hrs | 6 hrs (w/ 1080p) |
| Battery — Solid?Battery in continuous solid mode. | — | 6 hrs | 10 hrs | 4 hrs (w/ 1080p) |
| Weight?Device weight. | 51g | 71g | 87g | 147g |
| Charging?Charging port type. | Micro-USB | Micro-USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| Water Rating?Water resistance level. | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Price?MSRP. | $149.99 | $199.99 | $299.99 | $399.99 |
Where does the RTL515 fit in the Garmin Varia lineup?
Radar Only — Varia RVR315
- $149.99
- Radar detection only (no tail light, no camera). 140m range, 40° beam, 7–8 hours battery. Pair with your own preferred tail light. Lightest at 51g. Micro-USB.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
★ You Are Here — Varia RTL515
- $199.99
- The proven radar + tail light combo. 140m range, 45° beam, 65 lumens day flash, 16-hour battery, peloton mode, 71g. The best-selling cycling radar at the best value. Micro-USB.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Advanced Radar + Light — Varia RearVue 820
- $299.99
- 175m range, 60° beam, 100 lumens, 24-hour battery, brake light, vehicle size/threat tracking, same-speed detection, custom light patterns, USB-C. The new gold standard. No camera.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Radar + Camera — Varia RCT715
- $399.99
- Same radar and light as the RTL515 plus a 1080p camera with incident detection and Wi-Fi transfer. Heavier (147g), shorter battery (6 hrs with recording). USB-C. For riders who need video evidence.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
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Varia RTL515 — Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Varia RTL515 actually do?
The RTL515 is a two-in-one device: a rearview radar that detects vehicles approaching from up to 140 meters (153 yards) behind you, and a tail light with up to 65 lumens in day flash mode visible from 1 mile away. When a vehicle approaches, it sends visual and audible alerts to your paired Garmin Edge computer, compatible Garmin smartwatch, or the Varia smartphone app. On your Edge screen, colored dots show the position and speed of approaching vehicles. The tail light also increases its flash intensity as vehicles approach.
Is the RTL515 still worth buying with the RearVue 820 available?
The RTL515 remains an excellent choice for riders who want proven radar at a significantly lower price. At $199.99 vs $299.99, you save $100. The RTL515’s core radar function — detecting vehicles and alerting you — works reliably and has been the gold standard for years. You give up the 820’s longer range (175m vs 140m), wider beam (60° vs 45°), vehicle size detection, brake light, same-speed tracking, and longer battery life (24 hrs vs 16 hrs day flash). If you ride primarily on quieter roads where basic vehicle detection is sufficient, or you’re budget-conscious, the RTL515 delivers great value.
What devices work with the RTL515?
The RTL515 pairs via ANT+ and Bluetooth LE with compatible Garmin Edge cycling computers (Edge 540, 840, 1040, 1050, and others), select Garmin smartwatches (fēnix, Forerunner, Enduro, etc.), and the Varia smartphone app on iOS and Android. It also works with third-party apps like Ride with GPS and compatible third-party computers from Hammerhead and Wahoo via ANT+.
How long does the battery last?
Battery life depends on the light mode: up to 16 hours in day flash (the most common mode), 8 hours in peloton, 6 hours in solid or night flash. Day flash is the recommended mode for most riding — it provides the best combination of visibility and battery life. Charging is via micro-USB.
What is peloton mode?
Peloton mode is a low-intensity flash (8 lumens) designed for group riding. It’s bright enough to be visible but gentle enough that it won’t blind the cyclist riding directly behind you. The radar continues to function in peloton mode, so you still get vehicle alerts. Battery life in peloton mode is up to 8 hours.
Does the RTL515 have a camera?
No. The RTL515 is radar and tail light only. If you need ride recording with incident detection, the Varia RCT715 ($399.99) adds a 1080p camera to the same radar and tail light. The trade-off is shorter battery life (6 hours max with recording) and significantly more weight (147g vs 71g).
What’s in the box?
Varia RTL515 radar tail light, seatpost mounting kit with hardware, micro-USB charging cable, and documentation. The mounting kit uses a quarter-turn system that fits most round seatposts. Aero and D-shaped seatpost adapters may require an optional Garmin mount kit.
Need help choosing? Call us at 1-800-403-8285 or 215-259-2700. Our team is happy to help you find the right Garmin cycling accessory.