Garmin Varia™ RTL 515 Rear Light with Radar
ZERGE’S CLEAR-CUT OPINION ON THE RTL 515 LIGHT
WHO DO WE RECOMMEND IT FOR?
For cyclists who often ride on public roads and want to avoid ending up in front of a car’s hood. For those who want to know if there’s a truck or car behind them without looking back, and who also want to send a clear signal to drivers during the day: there’s a cyclist ahead.
| Our product comes from official Hungarian distribution, so we provide a 2-year warranty for both private individuals and companies. In addition, the manufacturer’s local flat-rate replacement program is also available, offering a quick and efficient solution. Since these conditions are not valid with every retailer, it is worth checking before purchase. | ||
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
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Wireless audio and visual alerts of approaching vehicles on your computer (Garmin EDGE, Wahoo Elemnt, Hammerhead and similar displays).
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The Garmin Radar app can also run on your phone and notify you there. It detects up to 8 vehicles approaching at speeds between 10 and 160 km/h.
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Day and night modes – detects danger up to 140 m away, while the light itself is visible from 1.5 km during the day thanks to its powerful flashing beam, helping you avoid accidents.
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Automatic light pattern: as a vehicle gets closer, the flashing frequency increases – even more attention-grabbing during the day.
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Ride with confidence – you can hear and see approaching traffic without having to look back.
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ANT+ light function: control brightness and flash patterns via the Garmin app or your cycling computer, and integrate it into your bike’s light network.
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Battery status is displayed on your computer at start and finish, so you’ll never be caught off guard by a drained light.
WHAT I MISSED
Mounting – on round seatposts it’s best to use the Varia Seatpost Round Adapter, which is not included in the package. Of course, the factory mount works too, but it doesn’t look as neat.
GOOD TO KNOW!
In Germany*, bicycle lighting is regulated by the Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO). The rear light must emit a steady beam – flashing is not allowed. The fine is usually around €10–20, not dramatic but unpleasant. However, if an accident happens and it turns out the lighting was not compliant, liability issues can arise. (This is why the Garmin RTL 516 was designed for the German market: it has no flashing mode, only steady light at 5 lm brightness.)
The Garmin Varia RTL515 switches modes with short button presses after powering on, until you reach steady light. Once set, you don’t need to change it again, as the light remembers the last mode used.
*Similar rules apply in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. In contrast, in Austria you may only use the flashing mode.
IN MORE DETAIL
With self-driving cars it’s already common that the vehicle “sees” traffic, even what’s hidden behind obstacles — now you too can see what’s coming up behind you with this radar. The radar is integrated with the rear light functions, meaning the beam reacts when a car approaches: flashing by day, and more visible by night.
Let’s look at the numbers — how much reaction time you have to move aside:
- 60 km/h → 9.6 seconds
- 100 km/h → 5.8 seconds
- 130 km/h → 4.4 seconds
So not only do you have plenty of time to react, but the approaching driver also sees the beam flash intensely, making it eye-catching — with good chances that they’ll put down their phone for those 10 seconds.
What I personally love about it: carefree riding. The device notifies you when the road is clear and no vehicle is within 160 meters. That’s when I move to the center of the lane, stop watching for potholes, and just enjoy the ride. As soon as the radar alerts me, I move back to the side, continuing safely.
From my experience — and that of fellow cyclists — the flashing pattern makes drivers pass with about 1 meter more clearance on average.
Another important point: the light is extremely strong, visible even in daylight from as far as 1.5 km to both drivers and motorcyclists. Of course, this requires a direct line of sight, but this long-range visibility is what provides real extra safety. It’s not just the final 160 meters that matter (the radar’s detection range) — motorists notice you much earlier, giving them more time to react, slow down, and pass at a wider distance.
Zerge
FACTORY DESCRIPTION
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The radar built into the light detects vehicles approaching from behind while you ride, allowing you to cycle with greater safety.
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The radar can be used with multiple devices: it pairs with Garmin, Bryton, and Wahoo units as well as with a smartphone – even simultaneously.
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The Varia™ app is what you use if your primary display is your phone.
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We are visible. Thanks to the bright daytime light, approaching vehicles can spot you from up to 1.5 km away.
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Small, easy to mount, and fits almost any bike. Plus, it can be quickly re-mounted without tools.
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In daytime flash mode, it runs for up to 16 hours on a single charge.
MAXIMUM AWARENESS
Provides visual and audible alerts for vehicles approaching from up to 140 meters away.
MULTIPLE PAIRING OPTIONS
This radar works seamlessly with Garmin Edge cycling computers, the Fenix series, compatible smartphones, and the optional radar display. Since 2020, it has also been compatible with Wahoo Elemnt computers.
VARIA APP
This smartphone application helps keep you safe by providing graphics, audio alerts, and vibration warnings to indicate the position and speed of approaching cars.
PELOTON MODE
The Varia™ RTL515 can be used in multiple modes, including peloton mode, which provides a low-intensity flash that won’t disturb cyclists riding behind you.
SUPERIOR VISIBILITY
It alerts drivers as early as possible, as the flashing light is visible even in daylight from up to 1.5 km away.
COMPACT DESIGN
The light is easy to mount on almost any bike seatpost. Its slim, vertical design doesn’t interfere with pedaling, ensuring visibility while maintaining comfort.
THIRD-PARTY APPS
When used with a smartphone, the Varia radar integrates with your favorite applications, such as GPS apps, overlaying radar alerts onto the maps.
BATTERY LIFE
The rear light lasts up to 6 hours in solid mode, 8 hours in peloton mode, 6 hours in night flash mode, up to 16 hours in day flash mode, and up to 3 months in standby mode on a single charge.
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The complete package comes with a 2-year warranty, valid equally for private individuals and legal entities. The warranty must be confirmed with the invoice and warranty card, but for products purchased from us, this can be verified directly in our system. Warranty claims can be made through Navi-Gate Kft. or Zergesport Kft. (our company). In the past year, the average warranty service time was 2 days, usually resolved by a software update or device replacement. Please note: these products are not repairable through disassembly.
