I feel naked on my bike without the Varia Garmin taillight
9/9/2022
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
I really appreciate some of the accessories on my gravel bike. Take the Selle Italia seat or the magnetic pedals from Magped. However, my favourite is the Garmin taillight. Now also available with video.
Favourite items. Just the idea itself appeals to me. One of my absolute favourites has accompanied me on gravel bike trips for a year and a half now. The smart bike light from Garmin. I was particularly taken with the taillight and its integrated radar from minute one. Ever since then, I haven’t hit the road without my Varia RTL516.
Garmin Varia RCT715
Now we’ve got the Varia RCT715, a successor bike taillight with included radar. A feature extended by Garmin with video capabilities. It provides visual and audible alerts to warn of vehicles approaching from behind up to 140 metres. The integrated camera records the situation behind you with up to 1080p/30 fps. An accelerometer detects if an accident occurs and automatically saves the footage to a 16 GB SD memory card before, during and after the event. I paired the Varia RCT715 with an Edge 530. However, using the Varia app, radar operation also works via smartphones. You can find further technical details here.
Accidents leading to hit and runs
Hit and runs. A disgusting concept at the name alone. And if you’re a regular bike rider, like me, you’ll be quite familiar with hairy situations involving cars. Which usually just speed off. Recently I drove through a one-way street which was also a bicycle path. I was therefore allowed to drive in the opposite direction, as signalled accordingly. The lady who approached me in her SUV probably didn’t know that, and was probably annoyed by the stupid cyclist who, like all stupid cyclists, wouldn’t obey any traffic laws anyway. So she accelerated. When she was level with me and I tilted to the right to avoid her death machine, she succinctly commented, «Well, one way street» through the open window and drove on. As I was lying on the ground between two parked vehicles. My «But it’s a cycle path you stupid…» didn’t change anything. Apart from a few abrasions, I was uninjured.
Had I owned a Varia RCT715 back then, it probably would have recorded the accident and I might’ve had a licence plate. Maybe then I’d have quickly called the police. But I didn’t, because I didn’t have it yet. For a few weeks now, however, I’m always on the road and happy with my tool. In the app, I can specify, among other things, whether I want a continuous recording or only want to film when a vehicle or another bike approaches from behind me.
I usually drive around in the latter mode as it conserves battery power. In traffic, which I avoid whenever possible, this plays a subordinate role, since there’s always something moving behind you. And this is what a recording looks like, here recorded in continuous mode.
Absolutely essential
Compared to its predecessor, the RCT715 is quite attractive and twice as heavy at almost 150 grams. You can see the size difference in the header image. However, I’ll gladly accept this extra weight. The delivery includes a mounting kit for round, aero and D-shaped seat posts, as well as a charging cable and the quick start guide.
A quick ride without my smart tail light? Forget it. I’m sure you also own items that accompany you in everyday life without you specifically noticing them. Only when they aren’t there do you notice something’s missing. As happens on my bike with both the Varia RTL516 and the Varia RCT715 from Garmin. Without them, I feel naked. I’ve already turned back halfway because I’d forgotten it at home. I no longer ride without it.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
