Features

Overview: Garmin Varia Rearview Radar is the world's first cycling radar that warns you of vehicles approaching from behind. Because getting hit from behind is the leading cause (40%) of cycling fatalities in the U.S. (according to a study by the League of American Bicyclists), Varia radar helps protect you by giving you an extra set of eyes watching behind you. This radar bundle consists of the Varia RTL 500 rear tail light and the Varia RDU radar display unit.

Varia Smart Bike Lights: The Varia line of cycling awareness products includes smart tail lights, smart head lights, and dedicated display units. The included RTL 500 rear tail light can detect vehicles approaching behind your bike, and wirelessly display the relative speed of approach and threat level on the dedicated display or on a compatible Garmin Edge cycling computer. The RTL 500 also brightens and flashes to notify the approaching vehicle of your presence.

RTL 500: The RTL 500 rear tail light mounts high on the seat post on your bicycle. The RTL 500 uses low power radar to detect up to 8 vehicles approaching from the rear, and alert you through the included Varia Radar Display Unit (RDU) or a compatible Garmin Edge bike computer (such as the Edge 1000 or Edge 520). The radar detects approaching vehicles up to 153 yards (140 meters) away, at speeds between 6 and 99 mph. The radar beam width is 40°, to provide coverage for typical bends in the road. The tail light features eight red LEDs. The four middle LEDs flash at all times. When a vehicle is detected, additional LEDs progressively turn on and the flashing frequency intensifies to alert the approaching vehicle of a cyclist ahead. You can also switch the LEDs to solid mode, if desired. The RTL 500 uses 2.4GHz ANT+ technology and wirelessly links to the RDU or Edge unit. Dimensions of the RTL 500 are: 2.852"W x 1.71"H x 0.913"D. It weighs 2.2 ounces.

Radar Display Unit: The Varia RDU will indicate the detection of a vehicle approaching from behind through a series of LEDs. The single Threat Level LED changes color based on the potential level of the threat: green (no vehicle detected), amber (vehicle approaching), or red (vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed). A column of LEDs indicate the position of the approaching vehicle. The lit LEDs move up the column as the vehicle gets closer to your bike. Dimensions of the RDU are: 1.337"W x 2.371"H x 0.752"D. It weighs 1 ounce.

Garmin Edge Compatibility: The RTL 500 is compatible with the Garmin Edge 1000 and Edge 520. Both units will display radar information and alerts from the RTL along the edge of the display. As with the RDU, the threat level LED and vehicle position LED have similar functionality.

Rechargeable Batteries: The Varia RTL 500 and RDU are both powered by built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. The RTL 500's battery life is approximately 5 hours in constant illumination mode and up to 8 hours in flash mode. The RDU's battery provides approximately 10 hours of battery life under typical usage. The batteries charge in approximately 2 hours via USB, using the included Micro USB cables.

Mounting: The RTL 500 and RDU are equipped with "quarter-turn" mounts. These are the same mounts used by many of the Garmin Edge bicycle computers, and allow you to easily attach or remove the device. Two mounts are included for the RTL 500, a universal mount and a seat post mount. The included handlebar mount for the RDU is the same mount included with the Edge products, so they are interchangeable.

Water Rating: Both units have an IPX7 water rating, making it suitable for use in rain or snow. It can withstand incidental exposure to water, but is not suitable for immersion.