Prime Day Deal for Amazon Prime Members
Garmin Varia RTL 515 rearview radar/light. These are normally around $300 locally.
I bought one of these just recently and its an awesome safety feature when riding on remote roads.
Integrates perfectly with Garmin headunits too.
CamelCamelCamel.
Hal, open the pod bay doors.
I'm sorry, I can't do that Dave.
I bought that exact same Bryton radar off the exact same Amazon listing for $121.05 back in April. Now it’s on “Sale” during prime day for almost $30 more.
Is it any good?
Yes! I’ve never used another radar so it would be hard for me to compare, but it works very well and I think it’s worth the price for $120. I really doubt you’d get $90 more value by buying a Varia. The Gardia also as a feature that (I believe) the Varia doesn’t have: an accelerometer that’ll change the light pattern and intensity when you’re slowing down - a brake light.
I personally find it most useful on single lane roads without a ton of traffic eg. Yarra Boulevard, suburban streets near my home. On roads like that, every time the radar chimes you’ll know for sure that it’s something that you’ll have to act on. All of these radars detect objects in a cone that widens to several dozen meters, so on multi lane roads it’ll pick up cars in the inner lane.
It has a fantastic detection range and will pick up a car long before I can hear it, or even see it on the tiny mirror I have on my right drop bar. There are situations where it’ll give me up to 10 seconds of fore warning to prepare and move to the shoulder. Even the most diligent rider doing frequent random head checks couldn’t match that.
I think it’s really important that you use it as an adjunct to situational awareness, instead of a replacement - always do a head check even if the radar is clear. All of these radars only pick up objects moving with a relatively higher velocity than you. You could have a car sitting right behind your wheel going the same speed and it’d be invisible to the radar.
Was $107.84 (delivered) when I purchased from Aliexpress in June.
The benefit of this device will warn you before you get hit.
The benefit of a mirror allows you to see the vehicle trajectory and take action.
My 3 bikes all have $10 Hafny 70mm mirrors. Priceless, and they don't need charging.
This device allows an overlay on your bike computer to show the distance between you and the vehicle and its approach speed.
Yes, I struggle to see the advantage of this over mirrors. Does it tell you of an approaching vehicle when you are going around a corner and you can't see them in a mirror? But then what? Do you head for the scrub?
The radar is highly sensitive and will pick up cars behind you on a corner.
For me, it picks up cars when I am riding on paths well off the road.
No one is forcing you to buy it mate, stick to your mirrors if that's what you feel better about.
It gives you an additional ‘sense’ that improves safety on the bike. You can still use mirrors as well if you want.
A mirror doesn't beep at you from your head unit and vibrate your watch. Adding a cheap mirror to use with the varia sounds like a good idea though!
No need to justify your spend, a mirror on the right drop bar is great. May not be cool enough for some people though.
Would be more effort feeling and looking at your watch whilst cycling, cool if it pops up with a notification on your Garmin head unit though (along with all the other notifications).
Anything that reduces your chances of being hit is good. Main thing is the rear light should have decent lumens and flashing. I run it during the day as well.
@G-rig: I bought this aerodynamic mirror back in 2019. It comes in a pair so I've got it on the right side handlebar end of two bikes.
It works well and is a bit more conspicuous if you're one of those people worried about looks.
@brotherfranciz: Those look alright.
I got a cateye BM-45, $28
https://amzn.asia/d/0ftRmTPV
Probably better for the task and cheaper, don't think I'll lose many watts from it, but yeah some people only concerned about aesthetics.
I've been doing some early morning rides lately where it can be really foggy. The radar is great as it picks the car up before you can see them through the fog. The radar is good to give you the first warning via the head unit beep just to let you know something is approaching from behind. Then you can do your head check or use your mirror to confirm. You don't want to be looking at the mirror constantly when you should also be paying attention to the road ahead. I've been riding with a radar for over 5 years now and can't imagine riding without one. There's a lot of people I ride with that have purchased one after seeing how they work and they are converted. Also I find the change of flash pattern when there is a detection helps alert the driver. I've been finding a lot more people pay closer attention on passing safely riding with a radar than without one. I guess it's almost like drivers go ohh crap something is watching me. I'll also note that I've found in my use that the range of detection is much less in heavy rain. Maybe down to like 50m from 120m plus. But I'm made of cardboard and rarely ride in the rain.
You have to be watching your mirrors to see the car coming, if you're in the 'zone' not paying attention, maybe struggling up a hill and not watching a mirror, this thing alarms and flashes red when it picks up a car. You could have this in addition to a mirror or you could turn your head or you could pull over in response to the alarm. I was a skeptic before buying mine, but all my bike buddies raved about theirs. After 6 months or so, I'm now a convert.
Agree and don't listen to music, it's about being aware. Pretty easy to hear a car coming.. easy with a mirror seeing lights coming too.
I run a Cateye BM45 mirror on my commuter (30$), nice and discrete and great for seeing behind you.
Main thing is you have a decent rear light so you can be seen, don't need too many gimmicks. I wouldn't mind a new one, my Bontrager Flare R is still going a treat but no doubt they have doubled in price (and don't think you can get them anymore.
You may as well get the camera version if you are going to bother. Also USB C would be better for that price.
Without researching just saw this:
$150, Bryton Gardia R300L Rear View Bike Radar Tail Light, Black https://amzn.asia/d/04oIsV43
(If you have a Bryton)
TIL this would be a good thing to have on my bike! What head unit would be good to link it with?
Garmin Edge and Wahoo Elemnt ranges work with this…
Still tempted to wait for an updated model.
Yes, the new ones should have USB-C.
Handy to note that you can use this with your phone. As a commuter cyclist without the fancy Garmin products, I just use a quad lock mount with my iPhone and it gives great insight into traffic coming up behind me. There’s also a vibration that the phone delivers to your handlebar when using it with a phone. Hope that helps.
I have one of the Magene L508's. The YT 'influencers' will suggest that Garmin is more accurate, but I've never had an issue with the Magene picking up cars, the number of cars, nor the warning tones (incl different tones for different closing speeds).
https://www.amazon.com.au/Magene-L508-Radar-Tail-Light/dp/B0…
Does the Magene work with a smartphone?
yes
Yes I second that, I have the Garmin and most of my ride group uses the Garmin. But we do have one on the Magene and it works just as good as the Garmin. I only find that the flash pattern when car is detected not as bright on the Magene.
micro-usb - sheesh.
Price showing as $288.92 +33.63 shipping from Amazon UK.
Must've been a limited time deal.
Bought one, but not yet shipped - has anyone else had theirs shipped yet?
Amazon really play the game when it comes to frenzy to sell it, but no rush to ship it.
I bought this light in a previous sale and the shipping was a little slow… From the US, I think it took about 2 or 3 weeks to arrive.
Thanks - appreciate the info.
Yeah US is slow..
Have to be patient for the cheaper price, haha.
Yeah, I bought mine on the 16th of July, The shipping details say it hasn't been packed. The tip here: when they advertised it during the prime day, the expected delivery day was meant to be the 31st of July (part of the reason why I purchased it).
I spoke with Customer Service, and they said they make it a priority shipping and possible compensation depending on the delivery date. I'd advise to the same, pretty dodgy what they did.
I spoke to customer service, they said that they ran out of discounted stock - whatever that means. There was stock advertised on the listing so huh?
So they said it will not ship - told me they would cancel the order and I should make a new one and they will give vouchers for the difference. As there was no other option I have taken them up on that, but not real happy with it.
BTW if you do re-order then see if the Pushys store is there as an optional retailer - it'll be here sooner, and you'll get aussie warranty too.
So far I have 3 things from prime day not shipped yet. Kinda crap when their advertised delivery dates are a fantasy guess and have no link to reality.
Great, and now I get a notification that they have shipped the first order too. 🤦🏻♂️
![[Prime] Garmin Varia RTL515 Cycling Rearview Radar with Tail Light - $212.68 Delivered @ Amazon UK via AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/79/856979.jpg?h=cf03f91b)
Best price I’ve seen!
Never ride without it.