Customer Ratings & Reviews

I didn't thing this device would have as great an impact as it actually has but now I wouldn't ever want to ride without it especially when I cycle on routes that share the roads with other vehicles. It does an amazingly accurate job at letting u know when someone is approaching from the rear and even uses color coding to tell u how fast they're approaching. The flashing LED is very bright and visible from afar even in full daylight. It's very worth its pricetag.

I purchased the Garmin Varia Rearview Tailight before my trip from Los Angeles to Guam. Best Buy shipped this just in time to my home before my flight in just a few days. The light has been awesome on my Giant TCR Road Bike. I can see using my Varia App if a vehicle is approcaching closer from the rear. Wouldn’t ride without one ever again.

At first I thought this was just another extra accessory, but after a few rides with it, it actually changed how I ride. The radar works really well — it lets you know when cars are coming from behind way before you can hear them, especially when you’re focused or riding fast. That alone makes a big difference, you feel more aware and less stressed. The light is super bright too, even during the day, so I feel more visible to drivers. I ride on roads with traffic pretty often, and this gives me more confidence out there. Battery life has been good so far, no issues, and it connects fast every time. Setup was simple, nothing complicated. Not gonna lie, it’s one of those things you don’t think you need until you try it. Now I wouldn’t ride without it. I ride in Texas traffic and this made a huge difference!!

The Garmin Varia line of cycling radar taillights is a popular choice for cyclists who prioritize safety on the road. Here's a positive review combining the strengths of the two most popular models, the RTL515 and RCT715: Pros: Increased safety: The primary function of the Varia is to warn cyclists of approaching vehicles from behind. The radar is highly effective in this regard, with a range of up to 153 yards (140 meters) for the RTL515 and even further for the RCT715. This gives cyclists ample time to react and make themselves more visible to motorists. Multiple alerts: The Varia can be paired with a variety of Garmin devices, including bike computers, wearables, and smartphones. This allows cyclists to receive alerts in a variety of ways, such as visual, audible, and vibration. Bright taillight: Both the RTL515 and RCT715 feature a bright taillight that is visible from up to 1 mile away during the day. This helps to improve a cyclist's visibility in low-light conditions. Easy to use: The Varia is very easy to set up and use. It pairs quickly with compatible devices and the interface is simple to navigate. Long battery life: The Varia has a long battery life, typically lasting for several hours on a single charge. Additional points to consider: Price: The Varia is a more expensive option than some traditional taillights. However, many cyclists believe that the increased safety and peace of mind is worth the investment. Camera (RCT715 only): The RCT715 model includes a camera that can automatically record footage in the event of an incident. This can be helpful for providing evidence in case of an accident. Overall, the Garmin Varia is a well-designed and effective product that can help to improve the safety of cyclists on the road. While it is more expensive than some other options, the peace of mind and increased visibility it provides are worth the investment for many cyclists.

Easy to use and I wouldn't ride without it! Makes riding so much safer. I don't have a Garmin but it works with an iPhone App and provides a visual tracking of approaching vehicles. The display even differentiates if the vehicle is approaching fast and alerts when it has passed. Highly recommend for all road bikers.

Works exactly as youd like it to. I have had no false positives and no misses of vehicles behind me after using it a dozen times so far. That matches up with the video reviews I watched. It is easy to mount, and the charge lasts quite some time. The Varia app runs in the background on my phone while apple fitness and strava are active. I have it set to play audio alerts in my headphones that play over music. Cant miss it, yet its not annoying. The light is very very bright and I feel much safer sharing the road days and nights. A shame that they havent updated it with USB-C, still using micro. My only gripe!

Attached to bike easily. Super bright and has several different options as far as light intensity and flashing. Connects to app and alerts to car being close by and headed your direction. Light gets more intense when car gets closer to grab their attention. Battery lasts a long time considering it’s a radar and Bluetooth connected.

One of the best purchases I’ve made for my bicycle. Quickly picks up vehicles, at least 150 ft away, approaching from behind. You receive an audible alert when a vehicle is detected. If you have an iPhone with the Varia app you will also see where the vehicle is relative to you. I’ve had three vehicles displayed at once.

This is perhaps one of the most useful tools I have obtained for my road bicycle. The unit paired seamlessly with my smartphone. No surprises anymore. A vehicle cannot sneak up on me since an audible tone alerts me to an approaching vehicle(s) along with a visual depiction of the approaching vehicle(s), and then another tone for all clear. The only drawback I have noticed is that it will signal an all clear if a closing vehicle slows to match your speed instead of passing (since it is no longer closing). I have also paired my smartphone with an external bike mounted speaker so there is no issue hearing the audible alerts and all clear signal. I can hear the tones even when the phone is in my back pocket, and high ambient noise levels and/or wind, as the tones are sent to the speaker mounted on the handle bar. Decent battery time as well. I rarely give 5 stars but the bike radar is deserving.

This unit is like having a 6th sense for traffic behind you. It does a great job of detecting vehicles, displaying how many are behind you, and showing how far away they are. It is a must-have safety device for road riders. Paired it with my wahoo bolt and it works great.

Everything is great with this light! I bought it because a friend recommended it, and you can spot it from about 2 km away. I’m still getting used to the proximity alert sound for cars, but it’s a nice safety feature. The only issue I had was when charging it—I plugged it into my computer and didn’t notice that the charging indicator wasn’t blinking. Other than that, it’s an excellent product!

Game changer for road cycling. battery lasts 10-12hrs. Must have for any cyclist. connects with both BLE and ANT+. picks up targets behind you traveling faster than you out to 150m. pairs with a cycling computer or cell phone app.

Huge increase to safety while riding. I cant imagine riding without it now.

This thing has been great for safety and long rides. The battery lasts a long time and it paired with my cycling computer easily! Love the paring with the Edge 1050! Shows the oncoming vehicle and audio is loud.

Nice safety device, it provides a set of eyes on your back. Buy it, it might save your life

If you rely on Garmin for cycling & athletic performance stats, you should consider relying on this small warning device. Peace of mind alerts refocus your ride when cars are approaching from behind & give proximity with rate of closure thru moving icons. Weatherproof & reliable like Garmin products are known, just another tool I don’t want to road bike without. Easy set up with numerous mounts.

I purchased this product to make me a little more visible when I go on bike rides. When cars are coming up behind me, it notifies me on my Garmin bike computer how far it is behind me and shows it passing me and notifies when it’s all clear. I would recommend this product to others who ride bikes.

excellent! Enhances safety as it lets me be aware of approaching vehicles from behind!

Works well in alerting me of traffic coming from behind. Linked with my Garmin Explore 2 head unit so I didn't have to buy anything else to use it.

This little gadget is a lifesaver! Nothing replaces safety like your own judgment! Using one of these radars make your ride so much safer.