GARMIN VARIA RCT715 CYCLING RADAR & CAMERA: USER REVIEW

The best cycling safety gadget got a makeover with the addition of a camera.
I talk through the upgrade and see if it's worth the extra investment.
I'm a long term user of the Garmin Varia Rear Light Radar so this isn't sponsored by Garmin , it's a genuine customer users experience.
The link to my original review of the older (no camera) version which behaves exactly like this new one is here
kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqG0mnyvf6ukpq8
Watch the whole review or select the part you want by clicking on the time beside the required section below
00.00 Intro
1:17 Physical difference to RTL515
1:51 Varia RCT715 Close Up Overview
3:40 SD Card Storage
4:10 Fixing to your bike
5:00 Varia Camera Controls Widget
5:36 Varia Light Mode Widget
6:18 Varia Battery Life
8:14 Turning Varia Off
8:36 Varia Camera Modes
9:23 Resolution choices
9:36 Varia Phone App
11:09 Accessing Footage on Laptop
12:03 Varia Video Footage
14:40 My Experience with Varia
16:24 Summary & Recommendation
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[@alexmorgan6935]

Very helpful review as I bought one recently and the explanation of its functions was poor. You explained it all very well and now I feel confident setting it up and using it. Thanks very much

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Thank you Alex I'm glad it helped - it's a great thing to have on the bike for sure 👍

[@scottw4538]

I've been using the Radar/Light version for 2 years and find it invaluable in the rural areas I ride. Will definitely be upgrading to the later version with camera available.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Thanks for commenting first of all, my channel is still quite new and comments help the algorithm promote my videos to others. I think you are making a wise decision, those areas you ride in are where this gadget excels as I find wind noise means the car isn't heard ( I was also hearing "cars" when it was just wind noise !) I have had a driver cautioned by the police for almost taking me out based on my varia footage - Happy (and safe) Cycling🚴‍♂️👍

[@edteach3r]

Thank you for another excellent video, which was most insightful. Thanks to you, I ended up buying the RCT715 and it is simply amazing as it works in conjunction with my head unit. I also don’t care much about action footage and just want it in place on case of a near miss, accident or road rage. Thanks again!

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Hey Ed, I'm so pleased you found it useful. It's a great piece of kit for sure !!

[@paulflory3532]

Nice review, you show very clearly how to operate the thing. For several years I've used the RTL510 and then the 515, have now ordered the RTC715. One thing you didn't touch on is incompatibility of the new mount with the old ones. I've been using 3D printed clips to mount the RTL's to the loop on the back of my Topeak Aero Wedge saddlebag, won't work with the 715. Hoping I can figure out a way to mount it and still use a saddlebag. Garmin has come out with a saddle rail mount but that won't work with carbon rail saddles, and perhaps would not work even if I had the stainless rail version of my saddle. Tons of angry motorists around here too, just driving my car is bad enough!

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Thanks for your kind response 😀 I did cover how very different the mount is to the old style from 04.20 to 5.00, but yes I didn't stress that meant the unit couldn't be used on an old mount and I hope you solve that puzzle you have there, as it sounds like you really need this camera with your "Angry motorist" comment 😀

[@ca2997]

Great review thanks very much I’m going to upgrade from my old non camera varia 👍💪

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Thanks for commenting first of all, my channel is still quite new and comments help the algorithm promote my videos to others. I think you are making a wise decision. I have had a driver cautioned by the police for almost taking me out based on my varia footage - Happy (and safe) Cycling🚴‍♂️👍

[@ds94703]

The background music is very James Bond, Mr. Q

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

So it does ! 🤣

[@225rip]

I like the information, thanks.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Trevor.Adams640]

My wife has the older Varia (which was only £115) and I have a a Cycliq Fly6 rear camera and light. If we ride together (which we do quite a bit) we both get the benefit of both units. I can connect my Garmin to her Varia and get the warnings on my Garmin as well as hers. The latest Fly6 is £205, so though new Varia is not too much more. I’m not sure I would buy one though, as £350 is a lot to spend. Perhaps if they come down in price I would. Great and interesting video, by the way.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Looks like you have a great combo there that does the trick. I agree though it is too pricy at the moment really., and thanks for your input and comments 👍🚴‍♂

[@micksparrow8214]

Interesting that you can connect 2 head units to radar. I know it’s possible because of ant+ but what is the range like? I’m thinking about my cycling buddies that don’t have the radar itself but can take advantage of the warning message. Saying that most of the time they are way in front of me anyway 😂

[@micksparrow8214]

Interesting that you can connect 2 head units to radar. I know it’s possible because of ant+ but what is the range like? I’m thinking about my cycling buddies that don’t have the radar itself but can take advantage of the warning message. Saying that most of the time they are way in front of me anyway 😂

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

@@micksparrow8214 One for Trevor but I imagine it needs to be pretty close by, because the Head Unit of the 2nd cyclist will be showing car proximity to the radar which is on the other persons bike, so pointless if they are too far ahead or behind.

[@Trevor.Adams640]

Sorry, only just seen your question, Mick. The range of the Radar is about 150 metres. The range of the connection between the Varia and the Garmin head unit is about 10-15 metres. If the Varia is on my wife’s bike and she drops behind me for more than 10-15 metres, then I get a Radar Disconnected warning on the Garmin. This is a useful reminder to slow down to let her catch up! On a group ride, you can certainly all connect to the same Varia to all get the warnings. We’ve had 4 connected to the one Varia, but you could probably do more.

[@shepshape2585]

Great review Bill. I'm undecided on whether or not to buy something like this. I already own a GoPro and I use it to take video of some of my rides. As for the safety aspect, we don't have license plates (number plates) on the front of cars here in Florida, so while I would be able to capture video of a car that hit me from behind, it would most likely not lead to the authorities being able to track them down. And at such a hefty price, I'm just not sure if it makes sense. If we had license plates on the front of cars, it would make the choice much easier. Anyway, thanks for the review and stay safe out there!

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Wow yes I hadn't thought of that, with the rise of the popularity of cycling and the consequent increase in angry car drivers you'd hope that it's something that may change in the future

[@oakspro2998]

I went with the 515 for reasons cited above - not much use in US states that don’t require front license plates.

[@paulflory3532]

One thought is to use a front camera as well, e.g. the Cycliq Fly12 Sport. In addition to capturing events that happen in front of you, it should also pick up rear license plates of vehicles that have (close) passed you. Don't know how difficult it would be to sync the footage of the two cameras, though. A grim thought is that if there is a crash your footage will END there. If the other vehicle stops or is damaged, you have the plate number right there. Your last footage will show what led up to the crash (notice I'm not calling it an accident).

[@ds94703]

I'm in the market to upgrade from older Garmin 810's whose batteries are slowly getting less and less capacity. I have an old GoPro that I almost never use because once the SD card is full, you cant overwrite. (its older). I dont think Garmins are necessarily better than Wahoo or any other computer, but I use them because they are sort of a standard, and guys like you test them out. Personally, theres just too much configuration etc with my 810, which looks simple compared to all the things I would need to do just to get a decent rear camera. BUT - this looks likes a game changer, and is really more what I want. (no better camera?) The idea that the video is stored in short clips makes sense. Who needs a 20 minute video of nothing. What you want is to be able to get the license plate number of the car or truck that just ran you off the road intentionally, right? So resolution and conservation of battery are essential. Ease of use would be nice too.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

It's a great unit and I love that it has a setting where it doesn't record lots of nothing but starts when it detects a vehicle like the one in this short clip which went straight to the Police who contacted the driver. If you pause it as it passes me the license plate is clear 👍 kzbin.infoNKZGXxF3YzY?si=6IQUmDmOa2PZ1vaV

[@ds94703]

@@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike Does it go off constantly if you have a ride partner who tends to draft? (how good is it at distinguishing cyclists from vehicles?) THANKS

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

@@ds94703 In all the years I've used these I've maybe had a handful of times when it was a cyclist and always when it was someone going much faster than me about to overtake. I ride a lot with a club in groups of 6-8 people and it never does trhis and still picks up vehicles in spite of having cyclists in my group right behind me

[@UKDroneAdventures]

Good video. Thanks.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Thank you glad you liked it! It's a great piece of kit !!

[@UKDroneAdventures]

@@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike It looks like it. I’m a casual rider. Just 10 to 20 miles a day, sometimes more on a weekend, so don’t have the Garmin bike computer. It’s good to see that this can work using your phone.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Your channel name was a bit of a giveaway and I've subscribed, I've recently bought a DJI Mini 3 pro and the drone footage will start appearing in some of my future videos 👍

[@jobloggs1144]

The music whilst talking is a real distraction. Please re-record without the music playing. I could not watch your video due to the music playing.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Hi , I'm sorry this was a problem for you , but I'm not able to re-record this, however it's a point I will take forward in my future videos 👍

[@jimvanderzee1454]

The "high" video resolution is so poor, probably due to lack of stabilization, that you cannot even make out a license plate. It was a waste of $400.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

I just watched this again myself in case I had misled you. I did point out it wasn't that good in poor light but I have had one police prosecution because of a close pass caught on the camera so it does the job for me as I don't cycle at night. Agreed though that if they really want this to be a huge seller they need to greatly improve the resolution performance.

[@jimvanderzee3467]

You didn't mislead me. I ignored several warnings about the poor video quality, thinking "It couldn't be that bad". Once in a while, I catch a good license plate image, but the only 3 times that I have really needed it, it has failed. The issue is not lack of light, but lack of stabilization on rough roads.

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Ah Jim that is really some bad luck there - it has to be the stabilisation , or lack of it, yes 😬