Varia Radar notification and tail light

 Garmin Varia RTL515

After daily riding in various traffic and road conditions, I now can say I DO NOT FEEL SAFE riding without this device.   The warning beeps notify me of rear coming vehicles way before I can hear them or see them in my helmet mirror.    NO more surprises.   
It works well with the Garmin 530 device in showing approaching vehicles with colors and speed indications. 
I also use the Varia iPhone app but that is more for the sound the radar Varia gives. Although the iPhone screen could be used as a visual clue if displayed on the handlebar,  I store the iPhone in my Acorn bag and a bluetooth connection is made to the Varia RTL515.  The iPhone also has a bluetooth connection to a small speaker that is attached to the outside of the Acorn bag or to my Sena pi helment communication device.

The Varia tail light is BRIGHT and I usually keep it in the 'blinking' mode.  The light intensity increases as vehicles approach from the rear.  it may just be me, but I have noticed vehicles now seem to give me a bit more room when passing then they did before.

I have the device mounted on the rear rack and that seems to work well.  The panniers do not interfere with the operation of the device. The testing thus far has my thinking this is surprisingly one of the BEST items for riding that I have experienced.  .. right up there with click shifting over fiction shifting decades ago.

 

Reliable rear view radar lets you ride like you know what’s coming

Get more life out of your radar with up to 16 hours of battery life in day flash mode

I just purchased the device to add additional Visibility to my riding.

I have been using a helmet mirror for decades.  But now, after a few recent close 'surprises', I decided to add a Garmin Radar activated blinking - flashing rear light to the touring bike. 

Maybe it is the increase traffic,

Maybe it is the drivers using cell phones

Maybe it is the less noisy vehicles.

BUT

Boy!!!

that RED flashing light is BRIGHT

When I first turned it on (accidently), I had the light close to my face.

I was seeing red spots for about 10 minutes ! 

Be careful of that.