Garmin Varia™ RVR315 Rearview Radar
Garmin’s most affordable rearview radar — 140m vehicle detection, ANT+ and Bluetooth LE, 7–8 hour battery, IPX7, and just 51g. Radar only (no tail light). $149.99.
Our Take: The Varia RVR315 is pure radar, nothing more — and that’s exactly why some cyclists prefer it. If you already have a tail light you love (a Bontrager Flare, a Lezyne, a See.Sense, or anything else), the RVR315 lets you add Garmin’s proven vehicle detection without replacing your light. At 51g and $149.99, it’s the lightest and most affordable way into the Varia radar ecosystem. The 140m detection range and alerts are the same reliable system that made Varia the standard for cycling radar. The trade-off is obvious: no tail light. If you don’t already have a light, spend the extra $50 on the RTL515 at $199.99 which includes a 65-lumen tail light with the same radar. For the most advanced radar available, the RearVue 820 at $299.99 offers 175m range, brake light, vehicle size tracking, and 24-hour battery. For a camera, the RCT715 at $399.99 adds 1080p recording.
Why you’d choose this radar
- The RVR315 focuses on doing one thing well: detecting vehicles from up to 140 meters (153 yards) behind you and alerting you on your paired device. No tail light, no camera, no extras — just reliable radar at the lowest price in the lineup.
- At 51g (1.8 oz), the RVR315 is the lightest and most compact Varia. It almost disappears on your seatpost. For weight-conscious riders, every gram matters — and you save 20g vs the RTL515.
- Already have a tail light you love? The RVR315 lets you add Varia radar detection without replacing it. Use it alongside any tail light from any brand. No compromises on your light setup.
- The entry point to Garmin’s Varia radar ecosystem. $50 less than the RTL515, $150 less than the RearVue 820, and $250 less than the RCT715. If you already have a good tail light, why pay more?
- Dual connectivity for maximum compatibility. Works with Garmin Edge computers, Garmin watches, the Varia smartphone app, and third-party devices from Hammerhead, Wahoo, and apps like Ride with GPS.
- The RVR315’s tiny form factor (1.8″ × 2.8″ × 0.8″) mounts cleanly on your seatpost using a quarter-turn system. It takes up minimal space, leaving room for your tail light, saddle bag, or other accessories.
- Up to 7–8 hours of continuous radar operation on a single charge. All battery power goes to the radar since there’s no tail light to drive. Micro-USB charging.
- The RVR315 is IPX7 rated — submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Ride in rain, through puddles, or in any weather condition without worrying about your radar.
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Who this radar is perfect for
- Cyclists who already own a preferred tail light and want to add radar detection without replacing it.
- Weight-conscious riders who want the lightest possible radar unit at just 51g.
- Budget-conscious riders who want proven Varia radar at the lowest price in the lineup.
- Riders with multiple bikes who want an affordable radar for a second or third bike.
- E-bike riders who have a built-in rear light and just need radar alerts.
You may prefer a different Varia if…
- You want radar and a tail light in one unit → Varia RTL515 at $199.99
- You want the most advanced radar with brake light, vehicle tracking, and 24-hour battery → Varia RearVue 820 at $299.99
- You want radar, light, and a camera for ride recording → Varia RCT715 at $399.99
Specifications
| Feature | RVR315 |
|---|---|
| Radar Detection Range | Up to 140m (153 yards) |
| Radar Beam Width | 40° |
| Battery Life | 7–8 hours |
| Dimensions | 40 × 72 × 20 mm (1.8″ × 2.8″ × 0.8″) |
| Weight | 51g (1.8 oz) |
| Water Rating | IPX7 |
| Charging | Micro-USB |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth LE |
| Tail Light | ✕ |
| Camera | ✕ |
| Brake Light | ✕ |
| Vehicle Size Detection | ✕ |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
All Variants
| Model | MPN | UPC | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varia RVR315 | 010-02252-00 | 753759242152 | $149.99 |
How the Varia RVR315 Compares
Focus or hover a row label for a plain-English definition.
| Feature |
RVR315★ This Product
|
RTL515Standard
|
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° |
| Tail Light?Built-in rear light. | No | Yes (65 lm) | Yes (100 lm) | Yes (65 lm) |
| Brake Light?Flashes when you slow or stop. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Vehicle Size Detection?Classifies vehicles as small/medium/large. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Camera?Built-in rear-facing camera. | No | No | No | Yes (1080p) |
| Feature |
RVR315★ This Product
|
RTL515Standard
|
RearVue 820Advanced
|
RCT715Radar + Camera
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life?Maximum battery duration. | 7–8 hrs (radar) | 16 hrs (day flash) | 24 hrs (day flash) | 6 hrs (day flash + 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 RVR315 fit in the Garmin Varia lineup?
★ You Are Here — Varia RVR315
- $149.99
- Radar detection only. 140m range, 40° beam, 7–8 hours battery, 51g. No tail light — pair with your own. The lightest, most affordable entry into the Varia radar ecosystem.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Standard Radar + Light — Varia RTL515
- $199.99
- Adds a 65-lumen tail light visible from 1 mile. Same 140m radar with wider 45° beam. 16-hour battery in day flash. Peloton mode. The proven best-seller. 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
- Radar + tail light + 1080p camera with incident detection and Wi-Fi transfer. Uses 140m radar. 6-hour battery with recording. 147g. USB-C. For riders who need video evidence.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
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Varia RVR315 — Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I choose the RVR315 over the RTL515?
The RVR315 is for riders who already have a preferred tail light and just want to add radar detection. At $149.99, it’s $50 less than the RTL515 ($199.99). It’s also lighter (51g vs 71g) and smaller. If you use a high-end tail light like a Bontrager Flare, Lezyne, or another light you prefer, the RVR315 lets you add Varia’s proven radar without replacing your light. If you don’t already have a tail light, the RTL515 is the better value since it includes both radar and a 65-lumen light for just $50 more.
Does the RVR315 have a tail light?
No. The RVR315 is radar only — it detects vehicles and sends alerts to your paired device, but it does not emit any visible light. You’ll need a separate tail light for visibility. This is the key difference from the RTL515, RearVue 820, and RCT715, which all include a built-in tail light.
What devices work with the RVR315?
The RVR315 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?
The RVR315 provides 7–8 hours of radar detection on a single charge. Since it has no tail light to power, all battery capacity goes to radar operation. Charging is via micro-USB.
How big is the RVR315?
The RVR315 is the smallest and lightest Varia: 1.8″ × 2.8″ × 0.8″ (40 × 72 × 20 mm) and just 51g (1.8 oz). It’s significantly smaller than the RTL515 (71g) and dramatically lighter than the RCT715 (147g). It mounts on the seatpost using a quarter-turn mount.
Is the radar quality the same as the RTL515?
The RVR315 uses the same generation of radar technology with a 140m detection range. The beam width is slightly narrower at 40 degrees (vs 45 degrees on the RTL515). For practical purposes, the vehicle detection experience is very similar — you’ll get the same reliable alerts for approaching vehicles.
What’s in the box?
Varia RVR315 rearview radar, seatpost mounting hardware with quarter-turn mount, micro-USB power cable, and documentation.
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.