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For Garmin Varia Radar RTL510 (Rear Bike Light), 92 customer reviews collected from 3 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.7.

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22.4.2019

Garmin Varia RDU and RD510 rear light reviewBeing nearly 55 years old and having started cycling at the age of 5 or less, I can say with conviction that I have 5 decades of cycling experience under my belt! Still keen and fit, I would say that in terms of cycling safety, nothing can replace experience, road sense and good observation. Hence, it was with some magnanimity and caution that I approached this device to review - but ended up an enthusiastic convert.The small RDU unit clips easily using the Garmin ‘1/4 turn’ mount that fits to your cycle stem or crossbar (various adaptors are supplied). The rear light unit likewise connects to the rear seatpost (it must be firmly mounted - it cannot be clipped on like some rear lights).The two units pair via bluetooth.Mine initially would not pair until I did a firmware update which is done by syncing with the relevant Garmin iOS or Android app in your smartphone and the RDU.The rear light unit provides a useful 3 mode light functionality  - bright, medium and flashing. As a light alone, It’s very good - one of the best I have used, with superb range. This is achieved by a small switch on the top of the unit. But the piece d’resistance is the built in rear-facing radar transceiver. It can detect multiple moving vehicles up to c.150 m behind your bicycle, within a 45 degree arc of radius. This information is beamed to the RDU to give a visual readout. Green - all clear, amber - vehicle/s approaching, red - vehicle approaching fast. A white led moves to show the approach of the vehicle/s. Simple and very effective and intuitive.I tested the set-up in two scenarios - busy London roads and quiet roads in rural Portugal.The system works remarkably well. With road tyre noise or just a light wind, even on quiet rural roads, it can often detect a vehicle coming before you can hear it. In heavy London traffic it works very well, coping with a stream of multiple cars and trucks easily. Its most useful advantage is that it gives you a visual all-clear indication if you want to turn left or right off a road. This can only be a double-check to your own observation, of course.It’s only shortcoming, clearly, is on a twisty road: cars out of direct line of sight would be missed by the radar beam as it would have a ‘blind spot’.If you have one of the newer Garmin Edge GPS cycle computers, you get more functionality and bluetooth connections to the RDU and rear light.Battery life of the in-built rechargeable Li-Ion batteries seem to be a commendable 15 hours in real use situations, though the rear light I only used in daylight in flashing mode.In summary, I am generally cynical about many gadgets and apps in modern life that are sometimes a ‘solution to a problem that doesn’t exist’, so to speak (marketing is usually about convincing us what we want rather than what we need) but I would not apply that analysis to this device. It’s a genuinely useful piece of technology. Build quality and engineering design are as high quality as we have come to expect from Garmin. So is it worth about £150? I would say so…..
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6.6.2018

I do a lot of road cycling, and I find it can be difficult to get a good look behind you when crouched over dropped handlebars. After a couple of nasty scares where traffic suddenly appeared without warning, I decided to give this a try - I was half expecting it to be a useless gimmick.After my first ride, I didn't think it was a gimmick any more. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I wouldn't ride a bike on the roads without it any more. The best way I can describe it is to say that it just works - it does, as the advert says, exactly what it says on the tin.I have it paired with my Edge 520 cycling computer - you get a small radar icon in the top right of the screen to show you the radar is active.When it detects a car - which it can do at around 100 yds behind you - you get a small dot on a thin black line overlaid on the edge of the display which shows the position of the car relative to you; you can judge its speed by how quickly the dot moves up the screen. It is completely obvious and intuitive - it even shows multiple cars as multiple dots.In terms of range, if the wind is coming from behind you, I find that I can just about hear a car at the point at which the Garmin detects it. But if the wind is going the other way, this gives a good 5-8 seconds of warning before you hear the car. It very seldom fails to detect a car; on the couple of occasions it has done so, the car in question had pulled onto the road out of a junction immediately behind me, and was matching my speed - because this uses Doppler radar, it can only detect things moving at a different speed from you. That said, in both these cases, I had seen the car waiting to pull out and so knew it was there anyway.The only snag I have found with this was when I added a Garmin "smart" front light as well - that seems to confuse the computer sometimes and, while it shows the radar icon, it doesn't detect anything. Rebooting the computer fixes this - I think the trick is to turn the radar on first and then to turn the computer on. It's also important to stress that this is a piece of technology, and such things can and do go wrong - I've got no intention of wildly veering into the middle of the road without looking just because the radar says there's nothing there; think of it as an additional measure to improve your situational awareness, not a replacement for turning around and having a look!But in every other respect, this is a stunningly useful piece of kit. As I said above, I won't cycle on the roads without it now.
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12.3.2019

I'll start by saying I'm the last person to want to add technology to my bike (I don't even have a cycling computer, that's why I got the bundle with the display), I researched for a month to be sure it's something I needed.The most important thing to realize is: because it uses Doppler radar, it will only detect things that are coming towards you.It will not detect things that are static or moving away from you.It does not know if you took a corner, went through a roundabout or how much lateral separation there is between you and the object (specs say beam width is 40°).If the radar bounces on something and the math says it's getting closer, it will alert you.After you realize that,you can now go with your bike for a ride and decide for yourself if it's useful to know any of the following:- that there is something approaching from behind (and I mean anything: from cars, to motorcycles, to cyclists, even the McDonalds lady that sneaks up on you while waiting for your order)- how many objects (up to 8)- how far (as a series of dots, you don't get actual distance units, but you can estimate since the max range is 140 meters / 460 ft)- if they're coming in really hot (there's an amber/red led for this, not sure what the threshold is)If any of those things sound useful to you, this will not disappoint you.After getting it, I obviously wanted to see if I can "beat" it with the bike mirror I have installed.The ONLY case where I was better than the Varia was: long stretch of road, quiet, dark, one single car with headlights on -- I could see/hear it for a few seconds before the Varia.In ALL other cases, the Varia won without a shred doubt.It is exceedingly great for the following scenario: you're on a narrow stretch of shoulder, cars passing you by pretty close, you don't have enough road to turn your head because you'll go out of your "lane" and get swiped by a car -- it's amazing to be able to look down quickly and see how many cars are left before you can breathe again.Battery life in "day pulsating" mode lasts forever, same for the display unit.Easy to mount, although the way it's mounted seems flimsy, it survived both my MTB/roadbike on potholes, so appearances aren't everything.I realize I sound like a fanboy, but after seeing what it can do, I have no reason not to.Oh yeah, I also got hit by a car from the back, so maybe I'm biased.Stay safe!
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18.11.2019

Wife bought me this (along with the Garmin Varia UT800 smart headlight) to use on my ‘cyclocross’ bike. I use quite a few Garmin products so I liked the idea of having this tie into my other Garmin cycling devices with no hassle. Installation and set up was simple.As a 'smart' rear light (when used with a compatible Garmin Edge), it turns itself on and off appropriately, varies its output dependant on situation, is more than bright enough for road use and has enough 'flashing modes' to alert road users behind you.Where I'm really impressed however, is with the radar aspect of this. as its range and accuracy are quite frankly amazing. I use mine with a Garmin Edge 830 and it lights the display in green,amber and red depending of the proximity of approaching vehicles... alongside a series of dots that represents each one closing in on your position. It adds an extra degree of confidence and allows you to better position yourself on the road. Miles better than looking over your shoulder all the time or attaching mirrors to your bike.The only downside is that I would’ve liked to have seen a more reassuring mounting bracket supplied with this. The one it comes with is ‘rubber band’ based and works well enough... but it doesn't feel as solid as the one that came with the Garmin TL300 Tail Light. Garmin do a proper solid bracket which ‘bolts’ onto a typical saddle stem rather than gets strapped to it... so I will be getting that at some point. Why not just put that in the box to begin with., Garmin...?Other than that, I'm really impressed with this. Recommended.
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20.4.2020

I paid £99 on a special offer. Honestly just buy it!! It’s incredibly accurate, well built, easy to use and increases not only your visibility but also helps you be more aware.Pros:1.It’s a light if nothing else. 60 lumin is bright enough don’t stress about 100 lumin lights, do you plan to be visible from space or something?2. Seamless connection to Garmin, turn it on and find the sensor than your done. Next time just turn your Garmin on and hey presto!3. It’s incredibly accurate, I mean what! How! It’s better than our eyes? Wait I don’t have eyes in the back of head.. now I do.Cons:1. No escaping it expensive, but remember you forget the cost of something you use and lot (this little guy)and remember the stuff you never use... my gopro YAWNN.2. Terrible in the city, constantly going off.3. It’s on the bigger side and I think (just me) it’s ugly as sin. But it’s the rider (or car) behind who’s looking at it so... Out of sight out of mind.To summarise, it’s the single best bike gimmicky thing I own which I love and now could not do without. I love my bikes and hate having junk on them. No stupid saddle bags or toptube bags I like a clean, slick, stealth, and light road bike that follows all the roadie rules. But **** it this makes the cut it’s that good.Ps shave you legs you’ll look both cooler and go faster on the bike ;)
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20.5.2020

Bought this unit at start of covid-19 lockdown as I was spending more time on the bike for fitness. Had previously purchased a garmin cycle computer for route guidance and ride stats. and decided to purchase the radar as well mainly as an expensive rear lightIt is one those devices you never really thought you needed until you use it. Radar is great and when paired with my Edge explore notifies me of traffic coming up behind me. That coupled with the light means I am more confident cycling on main roads as I can identify traffic behind and I am also visible to the traffic.Basically its an extra pair of eyes only in the back of your head!Shame the price has increased by 60% over the past month.I guess it must be due to supply issues as the price has also gone up on the Garmin site .Best to update the software using garmin connect on a PC/mac. On my first ride, the unit kept disconnecting from the he cycle computer. I updated the software to latest version on getting home and have had no problems since.Only down side is that it comes with flimsy rubber bands to attach to the seat post. Garmin.com sell a mount for the seat post which costs an extra £15 with free delivery at present. (Varia™ Seat-post Quarter Turn Mount part number 010-10644-11). this should have been included with the unit hence 4 stars for value.
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22.9.2019

This kit only includes the Radar LED light and without another Garmin device it is of little use.I now however have bought a new bike and also got the Garmin Edge 520 Plus when on sale from Amazon.My bike seat post does not have a clear rear view as my bike has a pannier rack fitted so I have attached the lamp to that (see my photos).I am not sure I really trust the mount to not falling off relying on a thick elastic type band and as my pannier tubes are thinner I had to add some extra packing to stop the light moving.Once the lamp is charged via USB the green light is on and pairing it with the 520 Plus was easy and no other changes are needed.The light goes into a sort of standby mode andwill come on when the 520 Plus does (and go off).How well does it work is the main thing of course.I have found on our UK roads it is pretty good at detecting cars but is also sometimes triggered by phantom items and if you are on a bike track next to traffic it still of course detects them beeping quite a lot.The detection range is good, perhaps too good and I have found it best to just listen to the warning beeps rather than looking at the 520 Plus display (best to look where you are going).Being older, looking back is a little more difficult so this helps but make sure it is working before you set off.
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20.5.2020

I took ages to finally make the plunge and buy this light, as I had been put off by the high price .... £140 just for a rear light, seriously?? However, it is probably the best accessory I have ever bought for my bikes and I could not be happier with this light, having been using it for the past 4 months. The primary reason for this is the added safety that I now feel I have, as it links to the handlebar-mounted Garmin Edge 1000 that beeps when a car is approaching and I can then see a 'dot' on the Garmin as the vehicle(s) (one dot for each vehicle) approaches, plus it shows 'red' if the vehicle is coming up from behind at speed. Hence, I no longer have to turn around to check what is behind,so it feels safer all round. The light is also very bright and I use it on the 3rd 'flashing mode' to preserve battery life (the longest ride I've had is 8.5 hours and the battery lasted on this setting). I cycle about 9000 miles a year, so I am getting a lot of use from this light. If you can swallow the price tag, then I would highly recommend this light. PS. I am not a Garmin employee, merely a cycling nut :-)
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3.4.2020

This device works and does its job.I am living in Istanbul / Turkey with one of the worst traffic environment in the world. I decided to start road biking from safe MTB worlds. I purchased this device for additinal safety for my rides and connected to my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt computer. which recgonize this device as Radar.this device is perfectly working and does its job. It starts warning as soon as a car is detected dozens of meters away. incredibly, it can detect cars where I am in turn and car is emerging at beginning of the turn. it can differentiate a car or other obstacles, for example, if I place my hand in front of radar, it does not sound alarm.or I can detect a car is moving from a park line between dozens of other cars are stopped and parked.It can detect multiple cars behind and shows them as different objects.so, I totaly recommend this Germin Radar, it is totaly worth money. I feel much more safe as I get a warning if there is something coming behing me. It keeps me alerted and be much more careful and focused.
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29.5.2019

If you are reading this review, it means you have done your research already. I agree with everyone else that said this item is very good but not for the city, it is better suited for small towns and country roads. So I live in a large town:This item is great to negotiate a turn in the quiet roads while avoiding nasty surprises from *censured* motorists trying to overtake you. The accuracy is unbelievable, it does not only detect the cars just behind you but also those cars 2-3 lanes away which, again that means it is not suitable for busy roads.In less than 24 hours of using this product, I was told two persons that my rear lights were on... Yes,be ready to feel like an idiot as Garmin did not incorporate a feature to turn the light off while keeping the radar on (or I am the only one that has not found the way around it) even that would defeat the purpose of "being seen", I would rather prefer to turn the lights on and off from my Edge GPS. That would be a five stars product!
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12.12.2019

I paired this with a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. It works almost flawlessly. The light is bright and effective with pretty good battery life. The radar is a game changer. I've only done a few hundred miles on country lanes with the radar unit but it has never failed to warn me of cars approaching. It even shows me if there is more than one car approaching and gives an indication if the closing speed is high or low. Sometimes if a car approaches and then slows down to match your speed, the radar seems to think it has disappeared but it soon picks it up again when the vehicle speed increases to overtake. I used it on a group ride and it occasionally picked up one of the other bikes if they were moving quickly past but otherwise it picked up approaching cars long before anyone in the group heard them.Obviously it is not a substitute for looking over your shoulder when making a manoeuvre but the warnings of approaching vehicles is most welcome.
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29.6.2020

As per other reviewers this is most useful if you ride country lanes. The tail light will pick up a car behind from a good 400m back, long before you have heard it, giving you time to drop out of your reverie and pay attention. Also really good for telling you that although one car has gone past there is another behind it. Rarely misses a car. Sometimes confused if the car is traveling at the same speed as you or is really close up so I will always check in the mirror but it is an essential extra layer of safety.I mounted mine low down below the seat post and it works fine. I boosted the Garmin "rubber bands" with a cable tie for extra security. It does seem always to want to go back to continuous mode instead of flashing,but after you have set it right a couple of times it then stays in flash mode. It's very bright.Now I regard this as essential as my helmet!
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21.10.2019

My hearing significantly deteriorated some years ago and this device, coupled with my ELEMNT Bolt, prevents me from being startled by cars approaching from behind as I cannot hear them. You must not however rely upon it to alter course without looking behind you first - this just gives me more information as to the state of the road behind me. It works really well - I've not had a car pass me that was not detected and I've not had any false positives. It is good to know too if a car (or cars) is approaching at speed. The light is very bright and easy to attach to the bike with the supplied fitting.How to rate battery life?Mine seems to last for about 5 hours use before the low warning alert comes on - I know there is at least another hour after this first alert but I've never pushed it beyond that before re-charging.
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6.6.2019

This really is a great bit of kit if you're riding on generally quiet country roads, giving you advance warning if a car is approaching. I'm often surprised to find a car behind me if travelling at speed with some wind noise. It's really accurate and helps you to make that split second decision whether to choose the inside or outside edge around that pothole!I've tested it our on a couple of rides now and am very pleased with my purchase.If you cycle on busy roads I'd think it would be less helpful and possibly become annoying.Another thing to be aware of is that while the battery on the light is pretty good, it really drains the battery on your Garmin computer.I was out for 5-6 hours and the low battery warning message flashed up on my screen, while the light is supposed to have 15 hours in flash mode.
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3.1.2020

Cycling around the quiet rural roads of S.France this has made a positive difference to my riding. No longer can following vehicles creep up on me. It can be hard to hear some cars that are surprisingly quiet but especially with wind noise. Paired to a Wahoo Elment Bolt the screen alerts are adequate. The orange LEDS for approaching work well and the Green for all clear are very helpful. The moving icon showing proximity is fine as well. Often a little procession of cars pass by, slow vehicle in front holding up a couple of others and it’s tidy to know when last vehicle has passed by - move out a bit and draft it! The light is very bright.Overall it just adds to my ability to be aware of what’s happening around me and provides a little bit more security - marginal gains!
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