Originally Posted by
Polaris OBark
I've been using the first gen Varia radar with a seat bag quite close above it (due to short legs and limited seat post) without a problem. I recently got the 515 and that one needs a bit more vertical space, so I am cramming my saddle bag up into the rails.
I have, it works fine. The radar is in the black portion below the light. As long as you don't have it hidden behind metal, it should be fine. Most "bike" stuff is radar transparent (e.g. non metal stuff). I've even put one in my jersey pocket when I had a full rack on the back and it worked just fine. I also have the radar only version and use that when I have a rack on the back with a rack trunk. The radar is on a mount on the chain stay under the rack (inside the rack) and then I have a separate light on the back of the rack. That also works just fine. Bottom line - if you can see the light or if even the black part of the radar unit is visible, you'll be able to make it work just fine.
J.