Hunterdog

I have ben using the 2018 Garmin Varia radar/tail light for a couple of months. I have it paired with a Garmin 520. Most of my riding is done on rural roads with limited traffic; it's easy to get a little complacent paying attention to vehicles approaching from the rear. For my use it has been a nice addition to my set-up and the audible warning has been great. The daylight blinker is very bright. The unit holds a charge as long as my prior tail light. So far I would recommend it. Now I'll have to see how it holds up over time.

aspalmat

My experience matches yours. I've had mine for about 2 months. I really appreciate the advanced warning of cars approaching from the rear. I have noticed the radar picks them up, and displays them on my Edge 130, long before I can hear them coming, giving me more time to "prepare" for them. I also ride a lot of rural country roads where the traffic is fairly light, but, it only takes one car to ruin your day. When I bought my cycling computer, I struggled between the Wahoo Element Bolt and the Garmin 130/520/820. I picked the Garmin specifically because of the RTL 150. If I had to make the decision again, knowing what I know, I'd go with the Garmin and the RTL150 again.

taz777

I have the original, rectangular, Garmin Varia tail light, paired to my Edge 1000, and find it a bit ugly aesthetically, although it's highly functional. I see that the RTL 510 is a much nicer design.

Just something to be aware of with the Varia tail lights: if the approach speed of the car behind you is very slow (i.e. going only a little faster than you are cycling) then the light doesn't pick up the vehicle so I always look over my shoulder when changing direction.

124Spider

Agreed; we use the light on a tandem, and we love the extra eye looking out for cars.

I understand why many people wonder why one would want such a thing; but those who find the idea intriguing seem universally to love it.

Mark

spdntrxi

I have both..and that is what I've noticed :

Advantages of RTL510 : brighter light, battery last longer but my old one is...old so maybe the battery is getting worn. Picks up solo cyclist a little better, looks better

Disadvantages : does seem to work as well in large pelotons as my old one in picking up vehicles.

TrojanHorse

I have the varia rtl510 and a garmin 520... it occasionally picks up a cyclist passing me, which is handy.

The battery life was insufficient to make it through a full century last weekend, though I wasn't really hammering. I turned it off at the lunch stop and it never repaired with the head unit, which was a bit annoying. Could be user error.

But yeah, I really like having it. Works great on quiet roads, a bit of a distraction on busy roads but I'd say I'm better off having it than not having it.

Hunterdog

Update on my review: Used Varia for Century ride. Varia's battery lasted the whole ride, no issues. The unit was on for about 7 hours.

jmess

I like my RTL510 except for one thing, I can't hear the alerts on my Edge 1030 unless I am riding slowly on a really quiet road. The tone is too high and/or volume too low. There isn't any volume or tone control. I have opened a ticket with Garmin support. Garmin Engineering was suppose to be looking into adding an alert tone adjustment but I can't get any update on what the status is.

rick47601

Greta review . Im going get one soon
Rick

b88

Happened to me a couple times already. But overall the unit is a nice safety feature to have.