Garmin Varia™ eRTL615 eBike Rearview Radar
Garmin’s first battery-free cycling radar — powered by your compatible eBike, 140m vehicle detection, 65-lumen tail light visible from 1 mile, rack and seat rail mounting, ANT+ and Bluetooth LE. $299.99.
Our Take: The Varia eRTL615 solves a specific problem for eBike riders: one less device to charge. It plugs directly into your compatible eBike’s power system via a Garmin eBike cable (sold separately), so the radar and tail light run as long as your bike does. No internal battery, no USB charging between rides, no forgetting to charge your safety light. The radar matches the RTL515 spec-for-spec: 140m detection range, 45-degree beam, 65 lumens day flash, visible from 1 mile. If you already trust the RTL515 radar (and millions of cyclists do), the eRTL615 delivers the same experience without the charging hassle. The important caveats: the eBike power cable is sold separately ($30+), compatibility is limited to specific eBike motor systems (Bosch, Shimano STEPS, and others), and installation may require professional help depending on your bike. These are real friction points — check your eBike’s compatibility before purchasing. For eBike riders with compatible systems who want set-and-forget radar, the eRTL615 is the only option in the Varia lineup. For riders who want the absolute best radar regardless of bike type, the RearVue 820 at $299.99 has superior detection (175m, brake light, vehicle tracking) with its own rechargeable battery. For budget-conscious riders on any bike, the RTL515 at $199.99 is $100 less with the same radar specs and a 16-hour internal battery. For a camera, the RCT715 at $399.99 adds 1080p recording.
Why you’d choose this radar
- The eRTL615 draws power directly from your eBike’s battery through a compatible Garmin cable (sold separately). No internal battery to charge, no USB cables between rides. When your eBike is on, your radar is on. Always.
- Detects vehicles approaching from up to 140 meters (153 yards) behind you with a 45-degree radar beam. Visual and audible alerts on your paired Edge computer, Garmin watch, or the Varia smartphone app. The same reliable radar technology trusted by cyclists worldwide.
- Day flash mode delivers 65 lumens visible up to 1 mile (1.6 km) with a 220-degree viewing angle. Four modes: day flash, night flash, solid, and peloton. Light intensity increases automatically as vehicles approach. Since it’s eBike-powered, you never run out of light.
- Purpose-built for eBike riders with mounting options for rear racks and seat rails. Connects to your eBike’s power system via a compatible Garmin cable. No need to remove and charge a separate device — the eRTL615 is part of your eBike setup.
- At just 50g (1.8 oz) and 41.2 × 77.7 × 20.0 mm, the eRTL615 is lighter than any battery-powered Varia since it doesn’t carry an internal battery. Clean, minimal profile on your rack or seatpost.
- Includes both a direct rack mount for compatible rear racks and a seat rail mounting kit with adapters. Mount it wherever works best for your eBike setup. Position 250mm–1200mm above the road for optimal radar detection.
- Dual connectivity for maximum compatibility. Works with Garmin Edge cycling computers, compatible Garmin smartwatches, the Varia smartphone app, and third-party devices from Hammerhead, Wahoo, and apps like Ride with GPS.
- IPX7 rated — submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Ride in rain, through puddles, and in any weather. Important for eBike commuters who ride in all conditions year-round.
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Who this radar is perfect for
- eBike riders with compatible Garmin-supported motor systems who want radar that never needs charging.
- eBike commuters who ride daily and don’t want to manage yet another device’s battery.
- Riders who want their radar and tail light to be a permanent, always-on part of their eBike setup.
- Anyone who has missed rides or ridden without radar because they forgot to charge their RTL515.
You may prefer a different Varia if…
- You want the most advanced radar with brake light and vehicle tracking → Varia RearVue 820 at $299.99 (175m range, 100 lm, 24-hr battery)
- You want proven radar + light at a lower price for any bike → Varia RTL515 at $199.99 (same radar, 16-hr internal battery)
- You want radar + light + a built-in camera for ride recording → Varia RCT715 at $399.99
Specifications
| Feature | eRTL615 |
|---|---|
| Power Source | eBike battery (via Garmin cable, sold separately) |
| Internal Battery | ✕ (battery-free) |
| Radar Detection Range | Up to 140m (153 yards) |
| Radar Beam Width | 45° |
| Lumens — Day Flash | 65 |
| Tail Light Visibility | Up to 1.6 km (1 mi) |
| Viewing Angle | 220° |
| Light Modes | Day flash, night flash, solid, peloton |
| Dimensions | 41.2 × 77.7 × 20.0 mm (1.6″ × 3.1″ × 0.8″) |
| Weight | 50g (1.8 oz) |
| Water Rating | IPX7 |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth LE |
| Mounting | Direct rack mount + seat rail kit |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
All Variants
| Model | MPN | UPC | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varia eRTL615 | 010-02788-00 | 753759315108 | $299.99 |
How the Varia eRTL615 Compares
Focus or hover a row label for a plain-English definition.
| Feature |
RTL515Standard
|
eRTL615★ This Product
|
RearVue 820Advanced
|
RCT715Radar + Camera
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Range?How far radar detects vehicles. | 140m | 140m | 175m | 140m |
| Beam Width?Radar field of view angle. | 45° | 45° | 60° | 45° |
| Day Flash Lumens?Brightness in daytime flash mode. | 65 | 65 | 100 | 65 |
| Visibility?How far drivers can see the light. | 1.6 km (1 mi) | 1.6 km (1 mi) | 2 km (1.24 mi) | 1.6 km (1 mi) |
| Power Source?How the device gets power. | Internal battery | eBike battery | Internal battery | Internal battery |
| Battery — Day Flash?Battery life in brightest mode. | 16 hrs | Unlimited (eBike) | 24 hrs | 6 hrs (w/ 1080p) |
| Brake Light?Flashes when you slow or stop. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Vehicle Size Detection?Classifies vehicles. | No | No | Yes | No |
| Camera?Built-in rear camera. | No | No | No | Yes (1080p) |
| Feature |
RTL515Standard
|
eRTL615★ This Product
|
RearVue 820Advanced
|
RCT715Radar + Camera
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBike Specific?Designed for eBike power systems. | No | Yes | No | No |
| Rack Mount?Mounts to rear rack. | No | Yes | No | No |
| Weight?Device weight. | 71g | 50g | 87g | 147g |
| Charging?Charging method. | Micro-USB | eBike powered | USB-C | USB-C |
| Water Rating?Water resistance level. | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Price?MSRP. | $199.99 | $299.99 | $299.99 | $399.99 |
Where does the eRTL615 fit in the Garmin Varia lineup?
Standard (Any Bike) — Varia RTL515
- $199.99
- Proven radar + tail light for any bike. 140m range, 45° beam, 65 lumens day flash, 16-hour internal battery. The best-selling cycling radar at the best value. Micro-USB charging. Works on any seatpost.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
★ You Are Here — Varia eRTL615 (eBike)
- $299.99
- Battery-free radar for compatible eBikes. Same 140m radar and 65-lumen light as RTL515, powered by your eBike’s battery. Rack and seat rail mount options. 50g. Never charge your radar again.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Advanced (Any Bike) — Varia RearVue 820
- $299.99
- The most advanced Varia radar. 175m range, 60° beam, 100 lumens, 24-hour battery, brake light, vehicle size/threat tracking, same-speed detection, custom light patterns, USB-C. No camera. Works on any seatpost.
- 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. Seatpost mount.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
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Varia eRTL615 — Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the eRTL615 different from other Varia models?
The eRTL615 is the only Varia designed specifically for eBikes. It draws power directly from your eBike’s battery through a compatible Garmin eBike cable (sold separately), so it never needs charging. Every other Varia (RTL515, RearVue 820, RCT715) has an internal battery that requires periodic USB charging. If you ride an eBike with a compatible power system, the eRTL615 eliminates battery management entirely — it’s always on when your eBike is on.
Which eBikes are compatible with the eRTL615?
The eRTL615 requires a compatible Garmin eBike cable (sold separately) to connect to your eBike’s power system. Garmin offers cables for specific eBike motor brands including Bosch, Shimano STEPS, and others. Compatibility depends on your eBike’s motor system and wiring. Check Garmin’s compatibility list for your specific eBike model before purchasing. Important: the eBike cable is not included and must be purchased separately. Some eBike systems may require professional installation.
Does the eRTL615 work on regular (non-electric) bikes?
It’s designed for eBikes since it has no internal battery. However, some riders have used it with external USB battery packs via the Garmin USB-C accessory cable (010-13331-00, sold separately). In that configuration, it functions similarly to a standard Varia but powered by an external battery. For regular bikes, the RTL515 ($199.99) or RearVue 820 ($299.99) are the intended choices since they have built-in rechargeable batteries.
How does the radar compare to the RTL515 or RearVue 820?
The eRTL615 uses the same proven radar technology as the RTL515: 140m detection range with a 45-degree beam width and 65-lumen day flash tail light visible from 1 mile. It matches the RTL515 spec-for-spec on radar and light performance. The newer RearVue 820 ($299.99) has superior radar: 175m range, 60-degree beam, 100 lumens, brake light, vehicle size tracking, and same-speed detection. The eRTL615’s advantage is battery-free operation on compatible eBikes — no other Varia offers that.
What light modes does the eRTL615 have?
Four modes: day flash (65 lumens), night flash, solid, and peloton (low-intensity flash for group rides). The light increases intensity as vehicles approach, just like other Varia models. All modes provide 220-degree visibility. Since the eRTL615 draws power from your eBike, battery life in any mode is effectively unlimited while the bike is powered on.
How do I mount the eRTL615?
The eRTL615 includes two mounting options: a direct rack mount that attaches to a compatible rear rack, and a seat rail mounting kit with a 2-bolt to friction flange adapter. Mount the device as high as possible (250mm to 1200mm above the road) for optimal radar detection and light visibility. The device should face backward and be perpendicular to the road. Installation requires 3mm and 4mm hex keys plus a compatible Garmin eBike power cable.
What’s in the box?
Varia eRTL615 radar tail light (with direct rack mount), 2-bolt to friction flange mount adapter, seat rail mounting kit, and documentation. Important: the Garmin eBike power cable is NOT included and must be purchased separately based on your eBike’s motor system.
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.