Radar warning systems have been increasing road safety for cyclists for several years now. So far, however, there have only been a few solutions that can be used flexibly on different ebikes. It is therefore all the more pleasing that with the Varia eRTL615 from Garmin, a system is now coming onto the market that improves this situation.
Garmin Varia eRTL615 rearview radar tail light
Garmin has been working with the bicycle manufacturer Cannondale for some time now. Both companies are combining their know-how in a project that is being installed on Cannondale bicycles as a Smartsense system. As early as 2021, a corresponding device on the then Cannondale Mavaro Neo alerted cyclists to vehicles approaching the ebike from behind while riding. Later, the manufacturer transferred the feature to other models, such as the Adventure Neo.
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- Minimalist display of the Smartsense radar warning system
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- Tail light specially made for Cannondale
A special kind of foresightedness
Now you can use exactly this technology on ebikes from other brands. Disguised as a simple tail light, the Varia eRTL615 monitors the area in your back that you would otherwise only be able to see with a glance over your shoulder. Inside is a 24 GHz radar system that detects vehicles even when they are up to 140 metres away. You will be warned acoustically and visually that something is approaching and can prepare yourself for the situation. The warning is most clearly displayed on a smartphone that uses the Garmin Varia app. The display gives you a good estimate of how far away the vehicle currently is and how fast it is approaching. Each vehicle is recorded and displayed individually. If you are riding without a smartphone or cannot comfortably attach it to the stem or handlebars, you have other alternatives with cycle computers from Garmin’s Edge series and various smartwatches from the manufacturer.
View of a warning of a vehicle approaching from behind in the Garmin Varia App
In addition to the radar, the Varia eRTL615 functions as a conventional tail light. Thanks to the viewing angle of 220 degrees, it is also easily visible from lateral directions. According to Cannondale, it can be seen from a distance of 1.6 kilometres. Considering the maximum light output of 65 lumens, this seems quite realistic. You can choose between a total of four light modes. Only one of them is a continuous light. The remaining three are flashing modes of varying intensity.
Designed for widely used ebike systems
This leaves the pressing question of which drive systems the Varia is suitable for. At this point, some of you may be cheering while others exhale in disappointment. Garmin offers three adapter cables for the rearview radar tail light that connect directly to the battery of the ebikes to draw power from there:
- one for Bosch drives of the second development stage, i.e. Bosch Active Line, Bosch Active Line Plus, Bosch Performance Line, Bosch Performance Line CX and Bosch Cargo Line,
- one for Shimano Steps,
- and one with a conventional USB-A connection.
Especially the compatibility with the Bosch system is a little surprising. For the moment, the current generation with the Smart System is left out. At the same time, the Smartsense solution can be found on the Cannondale Mavaro Neo model for the 2023 season. And this ebike features Bosch’s Smart System. So basically, both systems should be compatible with each other.
On ebikes that can be fitted with a Varia, there are two possible places for it. Firstly, you can mount it directly on the rear carrier. Secondly, there is a kit with a universal mount and two M4 screws to attach it to the saddle stays.
The Varia eRTL615 is now available on the Garmin website for 299.99 euros. The adapter cables cost an extra 29.99 euros each.
Garmin Varia eRTL615 at a glance
- Size: 41.2 x 77.7 x 20.0 mm
- Weight: 50 g
- Light modes: continuous light mode, peloton, night flashing mode, day flashing mode
- Lumen: 20 in continuous light mode, 8 in peloton mode, 29 in night flashing mode, 65 in day flashing mode
- Power supply: 6 to 12 V DC, maximum 1.6 W
- Connectivity: ANT+®, BLE
- Degree of protection: IPX7
- Angle of view: 220
Pictures: Garmin Ltd.
