Garmin Varia RVR315 & RTL515 Radar/Taillight In-Depth Review
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- čas přidán 12. 05. 2020
- In-depth review of the new Garmin RVR315 and RTL515 Varia Radars and Radar Taillight. You can get the RVR315 here: geni.us/variaRVR315 Get the RTL515 here: geni.us/RTL515RadarLight (Amazon affiliate links that help support the channel - Thanks!)
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Thanks for watching!
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You can get the RTL515 here: geni.us/rtl515 and the RVR315 here: geni.us/rvr315
(Amazon links) Thanks for watching, folks!
Only 510 I can't see 515
I did not know that why did you not tell me 2 years earlier quad lock is expensive!
My friend has a varia and I always link up to hers when we ride. I find that it’s super helpful as we get a fair amount of wind which inhibits the sound of the car approaching. Great device.
Definitely. Interesting way to get to use it, too!
These are critical for those of us with hearing loss.
For sure
Just ordered the Varia RVR315 Rear View Radar because it's smart phone compatible; saving me money. The trees in rural Florida absorb the sound of cars coming up from behind me and as a seasoned citizen, I'm not as quick to react either...so this is perfect.
Best review of these I've seen. Covered all the bases. Thanks!
Sure thing!
Another "pretty darn good" review. :D Love it! I am a happy RTL510 user btw (previous model) - a must for those living outside the city and doing longer routes.
Thanks!
Thanks!! Your Review is very cool, informative and very easy to understand !
Thanks a bunch!
So impressed with the 510. Wouldn't ride on the road without it. I pair mine to a 1030 or the Garmin head unit as I bought the bundle. Paired to a compatible watch it buzzes as an additional warning also.
Even better when you have multiple devices. Cheers!
when you ride at 30km/h and faster the wind noise covers most of the approaching car's noise until the car is really close anyway. And when a car passes you at 90 km/h or more it can be scary. Very useful gadget I would say!!
Very helpful video and love the helmet lamp!
Thanks! Glad it helped!
Great stuff! I just ordered the RTL515.
Nice! Enjoy!
How do you find it?
Great review as always. Very thorough and to the point. Excellent production as well (audio, demo transitions, etc.). I was on the fence about the value of rear radar as well, but my RTL515 is on its way.
Glad it helped. Thanks a bunch!’
Thanks for the great review!
Sure thing!!
Agree with hearing loss as key use case. I have a RVR315 and ride with many LSVs around our community and it detects those golf cart sized vehicles as well.
Excellent video, told me everything I needed to know prior to my purchase of this light, Thanks, liked & Subbed :-)
Thanks Bob! Glad the video helped.
Hey love the videos. No one else goes in depth on the quality of fitness data provided. Can you do a review of the fossil gen 5s fitness capability?
Great review, I just bought the 515
Hope you enjoy it!
As always informative
Thanks!!
Many of us use seat bags for repair tools and such. There's no room left on my seat post for this kind of mount. It would be nice if Garmin made a quarter-turn clip-on mount with a silicon rubber locking strap (like the LEZYNE Zecto Drive Max mount, but as a quarter-turn add-on)
Nice review man! And now I want one :-)
Nice! Thanks a bunch!!
Great video. Love the idea of the app to see cars. Question.. If I have my earbud on listening to music from my phone via Bluetooth can I still use varia app and woukd I hear both music and sounds from varia app in earbud? Thanks
Great job, thanks!!
Glad you liked it!
Great review thanks! any feedback on how these work on trails and detecting riders coming behind you?
I just bought the 315 because I already have a nice tail light. Also, love the tshirt. where can I get one?
I have one, and it's awesome. I love it, and with an android, I can split the screen with my samsung health app for all my riding stats
Nice!
Thank you so much 😊
nice, professional video
Thanks!!
Thank you 👍
You're welcome!
If you like to over prepare (like me), you can replace the rubber o-rings with zipties for attaching the taillight mount. Nice video Des!
Thanks and great tip!!
Whats the weight saving
Keeping It Real Zero. You’re simply replacing the rubber o-ring with zip ties for better security.
Great sharing
I love that T-Shirt!
Thanks!
@@DesFit link? I want that tshirt!
Hi Des, awesome videos I always watch your channel. I bought this today after watching your video! 😀 Can I have the link for the phone ☎️ mount? Many thanks!
Awesome~~!!! Can I use the battery for 7 hours even if I use Bluetooth ???
Thank you for the helpful information, I when and ordered the rtl 15, going to used with my iphone for now, until tax time I'll buy a computer 😂. Thinking of getting the wahoo elemen bolt.
Nice! It should work out great. Thanks!
I purchased the Varia RTL 515. One thing I found using the Android app is if you want to turn the tail light off (device button or app), the RTL 515 will disconnect (- no radar). I also own a Wahoo Roam and the same thing occurred. Note: If you need to turn off the tail light during certain conditions, and still want the radar active, you’ll need a Garmin Product for full compatibility.
hi, would suggest that the day flash mode is brighter and the battery duration shorter.
Yes but also where can we buy your t-shirt!?
Honestly as a mountain biker this helped me really be willing to add road to our families rides. These devices are as game changing as dropper posts are for mountain biking. Wouldn't ride dirt without a dropper post today or a Varia radar on the road. all four of us have them now.
Does dirt/mud on the radar affect it's ability to detect cars? I do some mixed road/dirt riding and it would be great if I didn't need to wipe it down frequently...thanks!
Rafael Sanchez we haven’t seen any issues with mud but worst case you take two seconds and wipe it withy our finger like you do your goggles
Also even on white roads I'm sure they could help. I ride a lot of agricultural roads and sometimes there are cars. I had a fright the other day riding home there were 3 in quick succession and I wasn't paying attention! I even met another cyclist! Also some times on the cycle way I use fast road bikes come up behind me and it can be scary, you don't hear them coming till too late.
You forgot to mention that the VARIA RTL515 in daytime flashing mode can last up to 16 hours. For me it is the better choice of the two although a bit more expensive.I have been using it recently.On a busy road, except that it changes its light, it is not that useful to me, I know that there are always cars.But when I'm on a quieter road or driving fast and with the wind I can't hear or can't easily look back it's very useful
Great review! You think it should work on a escooter? I was planning to mount it ver my back wheel in a handle. Thanks
Can’t see why not but definitely not the intended use case. Thanks!
So the different between the 315 vs 515 is the red safety light indicator? Thanks great video I will be sure to use your link when I decide to buy one
Yup! I think the light makes a big difference in terms of being seen. Thanks so much!
Do you get push notifications if you have the app running in the background but are using strava for navigation?
This would be good on a motorcycle too
Great review, thanks. Now I just have to figure out how to mount it to a trunk; Idea anyone?
It looks like a steering stem cap (Garmin female computer holder) would suffice to mount to a flat surface.
Yup, that should work or even the default quarter turn mounts (using the elastic) that come with any Edge device. Thanks!
How do you incorporate this with a saddle bag ? I don’t see any way to clip this to one .
Can these work with the app in the background on iOS? I would like to use Komoot or Google maps.
I have my tool bag under my seat. I have 8cm of clearance,will that accomadate the radar tail light?
Hey Des I have a favor to ask. Could u test the gear sport and use the Dc Rainmaker analysis tool to look at the data mainly the hr? I just wonder if the gear sport hr is usable. If the gear sport is on the newest tizen update I wonder if the hr will do better or worse. Maybe this little experiment could tell whether the hr is inaccurate because of the software or the hardware. Btw I love your videos keep up the good work with those animations!
I don’t have the Gear Sport anymore so I will be unable to...sorry. I dunno - I’ve tested 4-5 Samsung devices and all of them, including the Active 2 that has the new HR sensor, have had fairly massive HR failures.
@@DesFit That's too bad, thank you for responding though. Hopefully the next watch Samsung releases will fix the hr problems.
If I use the phone app, will the varia's audio alerts come through the phone to my Bluetooth earphones? I listen to podcasts when I ride, would be great if the alerts temporarily interrupted my audio to warn of approaching vehicles
I tried using the app on my old Iphone SE with a bluetooth speaker sitting on a frame bag. It worked, but not good. I got data delayed warnings from the app due to the connection being shared. Error goes away when the speaker is off.@Sub
I'd be interested if it would actually show the trajectory of the vehicle coming up behind you
I am still waiting for Garmin to combine this device with a go pro camera, that is what the market lacks and everyone wants, 1 device that does it all.
That device already exists-it is called a rear view mirror.
Tedolph Bundler that is one amazing device, very useful as well, though when you are hit and left in the ditch to die, the mirror cannot provide answers to the police or to the grieving family...
@@baractiberius6100
Once you are dead, nothing matters.
Which Edge Explore unit is that @ 2:48?
Great review!
That’s an Edge 1030 👍
@@DesFit Thanks!
I thought it perhaps might be that one also.
I didn't know the 515 flashed more intensely with an upcoming car. Thanks for that info. The 515 $200 price is still a little hefty in my opinion. I have the 315 and will try it soon. Thanks again.
Does it detect magpies!
You’ll have to ask Shane about that 😁
4 years passing already… does someone know if newer version is coming quite soon?
Two questions for anyone who has the 515: If you are running the smartphone app, must the app be in the foreground in order for the audio signals to be heard? Or will the app generate the sound signals if it runs in the background? Secondly, does the back of the 515 allow for other kinds of mounting (like a screw or bolt) other than the seat post mounts? Thanks in advance!
Audio signals will come from the background, but I have found they offer very limited usefulness due to the unit only audio signaling off of the front car in a pack. A display is crucial. Regarding your second question, mounting the unit is like mounting a bar of soap to your bike. Garmin made zero provisions for attaching without their mount, not even a lanyard loop. Good luck. @Flyshacker
When's the in-depth Charge 4 review coming out?
Maybe within a week or so.
nice lamp xd
Thanks!
work with all the Wahoo computers too!
Yup!
Not fully
2:55 the "bip" cannot be disable?
I'm having a difficult time deciding which unit to get. I cycle primarily at night (1:00 am - 5:00 am) on rural roads to avoid the daytime traffic and I already have multiple Cygolite taillights and the Cycliq Fly6 camera. I have so many taillights now that I look like a Christmas tree rolling down the road. If they put these units on sale with Cyber Monday / Christmas approaching then I'll make the decision.
Even though you have plenty of lights already, the integration in regards to alerting others to your presence with the flashing modes is pretty cool, so hopefully that version is on sale. Thanks!
@@DesFit I have decided, in large part because of your review, to purchase the RTL515. Also I'm a new subscriber. Thank you sir.
Sure thing
If you have a small wedge under saddle pack, does that cause false notifications or something that you would need to remove?
The concern would probably more blocking the radar more than false notifications. You can mount the radar rather low, however.
DesFit I’ll definitely consider buying one. I like the iPhone case/Garmin mount. Thanks for the tip
Is the RTL 515 worth the extra $50 if you already on an Edge product?
Both the RVR315 and RTL515 pair to a compatible Edge so I’m not exactly sure what you mean? In regards to the extra $50, for me, I’d go for it.
hi...do these make a noise when something approaches...does it need to be a motor vehicle ? If you were to reverse towards a fence or a wallwould it also beep?
Yup, it makes an audible alert and it shouldn’t register if you are backing up unless you were backing up at a considerable speed! 😁
Can you control the light with a garmin head unit? I'd like to save battery if I'm on a rail trail, but turn the light on if i turn on to a road, without stopping to press the button on the device itself.
It does not which is a deal breaker for me
Yes, I have the 1030 Plus and there are on-screen controls for the modes including "OFF"
Is the RTL 515 worth the extra $50 (after discount of 510) if you already own an Edge product?
Both the RVR315 and RTL515 pair to a compatible Edge so I’m not exactly sure what you mean? In regards to the extra $50, for me, I’d go for it.
@@DesFit i think he means if he doesn't need bluetooth, is the previous model a better deal or is there some other improvements beyond bluetooth?
Donald Barnard ah, gotcha. In that case, no, save the money and get the 510! :)
How does the peloton mode work? When he sees one bike in the back?
It’s just a fancy name for the lower intensity solid second mode. It’s also a lower intensity flash alert for traffic.
What's it do to phone battery life on longer rides?
It will probably have to do with your particular phone and how much battery it used having an app open while you ride.
Consigo conectar com o Apple Watch?
Only a Garmin device or a smartphone
When will you upload gbd h1000
Soon, really soon.
Any Android users know if the Garmin radar app works in split screen with other apps?
Not sure but it works great on the Ride With GPS app.
Does it detect motorbikes or other cyclists coming up behind you or only larger vehicles?
If you still searching for the answer,it detects motorbikes but not other cyclists. btw cars or bikes must be coming with minimum speed acquired ,if the car following you with let say same speed as yours it won't detect on your mobile or gps computer.
@@ytcensorship8180 Mine dedects other cyclists approaching from behind.
More electric cars on the road too, so yes.... more justification for these now
For sure!
Reason why I bought one, 👍🏼
any options to mounting these, I have a saddle bad under my seat so no seat post space available.
Do you have any space on your seat rails? If so, this could work: amzn.to/35XOjl5
@@DesFit Thanks
I wonder if it would word in the back pocket of a cycling jersy
Possibly, but it would be hard to be able to trust it entirely.
Initial problems,
1) not compatible with iPhone before iOS 13, 2) limited compatibility with non Garmin head units 3) seat bag prevents mounting, rack mounts equally, 4) Lacks tether for secure mounting
1. Good info and thanks for sharing!
2. That’s up to other manufacturers to add that functionality. It used a standard transmission protocol so that’s why you see it on Wahoo devices.
3. Seat bag, sure, but for a rack you can use a standard quarter turn mount (it’s the same mounts as an Edge, just rotated 90 degrees) and try to mount it ok your rack.
4. Try zip ties rather than the rubber bands, although I have them mounted on my gravel bike with the bands and even on rougher roads mine have not fallen off.
Looks nice, but goddamn expensive. It's amlost an entire monthly avg salary where I live.
What about health concerns from the radar radiation ? Think of people riding behind me for long durations... how much radiation will they absorb ??
You look like Monk Yi Long
I could only wish I was that shredded though!
DesFit not far behind on that department either🙌🏾
I think this is awesome because you cannot hear those electric cars coming up behind you. wish it did not cost so much.
This is a product that can provide a lot of peace e of mind plus plenty of awareness for drivers with the extremely bright light. I think it is well worth the money for the safety aspects 👍
First
Nice!
nice add-on but way to expensive. Garmin can do better.
Your safety?
@@chefausi I get that, but then why not charge $1000.00 in that case. the price is way too high...Garmin is losing out on sales before a copy cat comes along.
Micro USB is just not acceptable anymore in Mid-2020.
USB-C all the things!
They need to capture all markets and can do so using micro USB. Less development costs, this pretty much the same as the last model. And to be honest, this for me isn't a deal breaker and pretty much a first world problem and not worth getting my panties in a knot about....
@@cappaculla Well that escalated quickly, hahaha.
Why wouldn't USB-C capture markets the same? Do you think there are people who are would consider buying a 200 dollar bike radar, but then decide against it because it uses USB-C? I don't consider this device having a huge audience, outside of the upper-middle class biking crowd.
Just curious. Maybe I am missing something.
Way too bulky