I had a close call a few years ago with some fast car approaching me, back then it provoked me to very almost buy a rear facing camera. I considered, researched and shopped the subject for a few weeks, but at the end of the day I didn’t. They are very expensive, don’t last long and also not guaranteed to actually get results if you do get hit.
Fast forward to recently… A grabbed a Garmin Varia Rear View radar rear tail light. Garmin use radar technology to sense cars and alert you with loud beeps and graphic on your computer showing how close. The unit uses a radar system to detect cars approaching from behind up to 140m / 460ft and has a 40 degree view so it has some ability to see around curves.
Is this tech worth it? – First let’s compare a few things to get a grounding.
Overview
Since most of us are familiar with regular tail lights, I think it might be good to compare here: The middle column is wht I would call a high quality, good regular tail light. With a good battery life, day flash and price.
| Garmin Varia RTL515 | PDW Daybot (NON RADAR) | Magene L508 *not personally tested |
| Link | webpage | Webdetails |
| $199 | $35 | $120 |
| 3.9” x 0.8” x 1.6″ | 2.8″ x 1.1″ x 1.3″ | 3.7″ x 1″ x 1.5 |
| Day Flash – 65 lumens, 16 hours Solid – 20 lumens – 6 hours Peloton – 8lumens – 8 hours Night Flash – 29lumens – 6 hours | Day Flash – 100 lumens -20 hours Day Solid – 60 lumens -6 hours Night Solid – 20 lumens -20 hours Night Flash – 20 lumens -100 hours Night Pulse – 20 lumens -30 hours | Quick Flash – 15-18h Pulse mode, 11-13hr Solid- 4-11h Peloton 10-16h Rotation Mode 10-12h 40 Lumen max falsh |
| Micro USB Charging | Micro USB | USB C Charging |
| Flash modes can be set on the head unit for Garmin. Flash modes cannot be set from the headunit on Wahoo, have to be set on the light. | Flash modes set by multiple button presses on light. | |
| No | No | Smart Braking – Light Turns on with deceleration |
| No | No | Auto Sleep / Wake |
| Senses vehicles up to 140m /459ft | No sensing | Senses vehicles up to 140m /459ft |
| Works with Garmin Wahoo and probably other head units. Works with RWGPS – If you are navigating from an iphone | n/a | Compatible with all cycling computers that support ANT+™ Radar |
| A nice graphic and visual display that shows cars approaching on a linear scale. Can detect and display multiple cars (up to 8). Display can be small on say a Wahoo Bolt, as the display is a smaller size. | n/a | |
| flashes head unit’s LED’s along with sound. – On Wahoo | ||
| Beeping pattern changes depending on vehicle speed. Fast vehicles get a different alert. | n/a | ? |
| Beeping can be annoying for some but easily muted on the Wahoo platform >sensors>more. On Garmin headunit it’s harder to mute, as its buried in menus. | n/a | ? |
| Because of the Radar technology, the light must be mounted vertically on only the seatpost. The design is nice, fits round, square and aero seatposts easily. | The positioning is less critical and light can be mounted at different angles and locations. | Because of the Radar technology, the light must be mounted vertically on only the seatpost. |
| Unit must be ant paired to your headunit. Pairs easily to your head unit, as long as you don’t stand next to a friend with one. | No pairing needed. | Unit must be ant / bt paired to your headunit. |
| Changing flash pattern when radar detects vehicle – yes | no | no |
| Constant complaints about the power / flash mode switch being iffy and getting unresponsive after aging or dirt. | No problems with the switch |
Do you need a Radar light?
For the longest time I did not think I needed one of these. And after riding with people who have them; plus all the bleeps and blips, I was convinced I did not need one! , BUT… after riding with one on my bike, I now know why they are great and why people love the radar lights.
The fact of the matter is the Radar tail light can make you feel safer and have more confidence. period. How much safer and how much more confidence is dependant on rider.
Are you a highly aware rider listening out? – there’s a high probability you don’t physically need one, that’s not to say it couldn’t enhance your safety… You don’t ride with headphones, you listen to traffic, look over your shoulder and can ride a straight line while doing so. Is it safer to have radar, undoubtably. Could radar make you feel more secure? – sure
Do you ride long long rural roads with the potential of high speed vehicles? – Radar could benefit you the most. this is where I found it of most use ( as generally classifying myself as a none headphone super aware rider)
Do you wear headphones while riding ? if so, the visual alerts can certainly assist. Making you more road savvy and in a better position in traffic.
Do you ride mostly in the city ? – because of the density of vehicles, and vehicles travelling the same speed as the cyclist are virtually invisible (do not show up) – you will find radar the least useful here.
Which is for you?
Given that I haven’t hands on tested the Magene but part of their specification concerns me. The brightest flash is 40Lumens, thus I would choose the Garmin if going for a Radar Tail Light.
The Garmin Varia 515 is highly refined and is a nice design, obviously that comes at a high price. Nowadays im riding in the daylight with a day flash… the well designed 65 Lumen Day Flash is what sells me.
If $200 on a light breaks the bank, the 100 Lumen Day flash on the PDW regular light will certainly keep you noticed. It charges quick and has long battery life. more details here
Upcoming & in the works
The Varia has been out quite a while now and the last Garmin product was a Varia with Camera capture. We estimate there’s a new Garmin Varia update to be launched soon? (6-12months is my guess) but my experience here has been with the current generation the RTL515.
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