Garmin Varia RTL 515 rear radar light

Overview

Short summary

If you ride on open roads or commute daily, this radar rear light is for you: more safety, peace of mind, and carefree cycling every day.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Manufacturer

GARMIN

Brand Origin

USA

Made in

TAIWAN

Year of manufacture

2020

Registration required (cloud based)

Weight

100 grams (manufacturer data: 71 g + mount approx. 29 g) A ChatGPT megkérdezése

Unit dimensions, WxHxD:

98.6 x 19.7 x 39.6 mm

Battery

1400 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion cell

Low battery warning

Operating temperature range

-20°C to 50°C

Guarantee or warranty ( for person )

2 years

Guarantee or Warranty (for company)

1 year

Training goal/ exercise motivation (Best = XXXXX)

Health care

XXXXX

Good feeling exercise

XXXXX

Battery Life (Accu)

Battery life (one charge)

6 hours solid, 8 hours peloton, 6 hours night flash, 16 hours day flash

Charge time

3 hours

Technical specifications

Release date

JUN 2020

Average service time (my own experience)

1-4 days

Waterproof

Ambient light sensor

Gloves to handle

Factory reset

Hold the device button for 8 seconds until all LEDs turn off. The reset will delete all pairing connections from the device.

SMARTPHONE FUNCTION

APP name

Garmin Varia APP

Android phones

Smartphone Compatible

Sport Modes customization

COMPUTER CONNECTIVITY

Data transmission device in the package?

Data transfer device name

Micro-USB – USB-A cable

Driver Name

Garmin Express

Compatible with PC

Compatible with Mac

Other interesting

My comments

Stabil működés, kevés falls jel, kiváló észlelés.

CÍCLING Light Compatibility

Connectable Wireless

Auto ON/OFF

Charge indicator

Brightness

20 lm (steady mode), 8 lm (peloton mode), 29 lm (night flash mode), 65 lm (day flash mode)

Alerts You To Vehicles Approaching From Behind

140 m

Radar beam width

40°

Displays the speed of approaching vehicles

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Charging/data cable

Bike Rear light

Other accessory

Garmin Varia seatpost mount

SPECS

Overview

Short summary

If you ride on open roads or commute daily, this radar rear light is for you: more safety, peace of mind, and carefree cycling every day.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Manufacturer

GARMIN

Brand Origin

USA

Made in

TAIWAN

Year of manufacture

2020

Registration required (cloud based)

Weight

100 grams (manufacturer data: 71 g + mount approx. 29 g) A ChatGPT megkérdezése

Unit dimensions, WxHxD:

98.6 x 19.7 x 39.6 mm

Battery

1400 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion cell

Low battery warning

Operating temperature range

-20°C to 50°C

Guarantee or warranty ( for person )

2 years

Guarantee or Warranty (for company)

1 year

Training goal/ exercise motivation (Best = XXXXX)

Health care

XXXXX

Good feeling exercise

XXXXX

Battery Life (Accu)

Battery life (one charge)

6 hours solid, 8 hours peloton, 6 hours night flash, 16 hours day flash

Charge time

3 hours

Technical specifications

Release date

JUN 2020

Average service time (my own experience)

1-4 days

Waterproof

Ambient light sensor

Gloves to handle

Factory reset

Hold the device button for 8 seconds until all LEDs turn off. The reset will delete all pairing connections from the device.

SMARTPHONE FUNCTION

APP name

Garmin Varia APP

Android phones

Smartphone Compatible

Sport Modes customization

COMPUTER CONNECTIVITY

Data transmission device in the package?

Data transfer device name

Micro-USB – USB-A cable

Driver Name

Garmin Express

Compatible with PC

Compatible with Mac

Other interesting

My comments

Stabil működés, kevés falls jel, kiváló észlelés.

CÍCLING Light Compatibility

Connectable Wireless

Auto ON/OFF

Charge indicator

Brightness

20 lm (steady mode), 8 lm (peloton mode), 29 lm (night flash mode), 65 lm (day flash mode)

Alerts You To Vehicles Approaching From Behind

140 m

Radar beam width

40°

Displays the speed of approaching vehicles

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Charging/data cable

Bike Rear light

Other accessory

Garmin Varia seatpost mount

Description

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

Wireless audio and visual alerts of approaching vehicles on your computer (Garmin EDGE, Wahoo Elemnt, Hammerhead and similar displays).
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.
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.
Automatic light pattern: as a vehicle gets closer, the flashing frequency increases – even more attention-grabbing during the day.
Ride with confidence – you can hear and see approaching traffic without having to look back.
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.
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

The radar built into the light detects vehicles approaching from behind while you ride, allowing you to cycle with greater safety.

The radar can be used with multiple devices: it pairs with Garmin, Bryton, and Wahoo units as well as with a smartphone – even simultaneously.

The Varia™ app is what you use if your primary display is your phone.

We are visible. Thanks to the bright daytime light, approaching vehicles can spot you from up to 1.5 km away.

Small, easy to mount, and fits almost any bike. Plus, it can be quickly re-mounted without tools.

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.

Greater Safety.

In the box / Warranty

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE VARIA RADAR RTL 515 REAR LIGHT PACKAGE?

Garmin Varia RTL 515 rear light
Seatpost mount (with 2 rubber adapters of different sizes)
2 rubber O-rings of different sizes
Charging cable (micro-USB to USB-A)

WARRANTY

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.

BEYOND WARRANTY

Two options are available:

Software-related issues are still repaired free of charge, whenever possible.
A flat-rate replacement is available: for the RTL515 the fee is 53,000 HUF (as of September 15, 2025). By returning the faulty device, the customer receives a new unit within a few days (not necessarily immediately).

IMPORTANT

For products not purchased from us, or not obtained through the official reseller network of Navi-Gate Kft., we cannot provide warranty, service, or support, and we are unable to handle these products. Any warranty or support issues must be addressed at the original point of purchase, according to the support system valid at the time of purchase.