Garmin’s new rear-view radars are like eyes in the back of your bike helmet
Smart alerts if traffic is approaching
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Garminhas launched a pair of new rear-view radars to help cyclists watch out for approaching traffic and take some of the anxiety out of riding on the road.
The Garmin Varia RVR315 and RTL515 (the latter of which includes a tail light) attaches to your seat tube and works together with various popular GPS-enabled cycling apps, overlaying extra info on your phone’s screen to help you stay safe.
Alerts are color-coded so you can see what’s happening behind you at a glance: green means the road behind is clear, amber means traffic is approaching, and red means something is coming up at speed, so you can be prepared and ride defensively to keep yourself safe.
You’ll also get audio and vibration alerts, so you’ll know if something is approaching without taking your eyes off the road.
Bright ideas
The tail light built into the Varia RTL515 doesn’t just make you more visible to incoming traffic, letting incoming drivers see you from up to a mile away in daylight, as it’s also designed to be friendlier to fellow cyclists. When you’re riding in a group, switching topelotonmode tones down the flashing to be easier on your friends' eyes.
The Varia RTL315 has a suggested retail price of £129.99 (about $160 / AU$250), while the Varia RTL515 will set you back £169.99 (roughly $200 / AU$320). That might sound pretty steep (especially considering you’ll still need a good quality front light, even with the RTL515), but the extra peace of mind could be worth the cost.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.
DJI officially makes a surprise leap into e-bikes – here’s what you need to know
Forget drones, DJI could soon hit the trails with a shock move into e-bikes
Belkin’s Travel Bag for Vision Pro has pockets and is way cheaper than Apple’s own case
