Magene L508 Radar vs Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar | Long Term Review

I have used the Magene and the Garmin off and on for the past 5 months. Here are my quick thoughts of the two lights. Which one is better? Check out the video to see my experience with both lights. I do not go into the details of the functions of both lights, but just focus on the differences.
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[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Be sure to visit my website at www.blackwaterbicycles.com Subscribe: tinyurl.com/yyd6vb6k Follow me on: Instagram: instagram.com/blackwater.bicycles Facebook: facebook.com/Blackwaterbicycles1 Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/179615

[@JohnonaBike]

I have just got the Garmin and I was very impressed how the Garmin flashes faster as the car approaches

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Yes the Garmin still has the edge over the Magene with the light function but the Magene is still a great deal.

[@CarlosRojasBaritono]

Thanks for this!!! Just the video tht i’ve looking for!

[@tonyhanemaayer6407]

Thanks for doing this. I went ahead and ordered the Magene L508 today as with the Black Friday sale in Canada it was on for $131.00 plus tax but with free shipping. The Garmin here on sale is $239 so more than $100 cheaper, couldn't resist.

[@franklaliberte1143]

hi, where did you find this at that price, i live in Canada too

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Appreciate the feedback. You found a great deal Tony! That was a no brainer there.

[@Taylorc52]

Thanks for comparison! Very helpful.

[@msheron]

The Garmin is way brighter! The Garmin also has a more rapid blink when a vehicle approached in your test. I will stick with Garmin. Thanks for putting them side by side. I have had the Garmin now a few years and it has been flawless.

[@zizjzjjsjsj]

brighter not mean good，it is very bother to who ride back to you

[@MrMavhen]

Lol, brightness can be set on magene L508

[@kletterfreak814]

Gamins only flaw is the micro-usb. Since EU-mobile standard is (the way, way better) USB-C, this really should be changed a.s.a.p.!

[@edsinofsky]

excellent comparison, thanks

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Thanks Ed! Appreciate the feedback.

[@aldrinclementina4297]

Hi there. Thanks for sharing. The Garmin shines brighter indeed. But it seems like the Magene catches the car further away.

[@strandedpaki]

My bike computer is a Hammerhead Karoo. I used to be on a Varia RTL 510, now on the Magene. A couple of less noticed features have gone missing with the Magene. With the Varia I could just start the ride and the light/radar would auto-start. Basically it had a mode where the ANT+ connection was listening for a connection though the light/radar would be off, then on ride start the Karoo could tell it to start. As far as I can tell Magene doesn't have a similar mode. Also with the Varia, I could set the initial light mode in the Karoo sensor details page, then later mid-ride change the light mode from the light page in the control panel. With the Magene, no matter what light mode I set in the sensor details p[age, or even if I try to change it mid-ride from the computer, the light stays in the mode that was set manually. So in practice I now I have to start the Magene manually if I can remember, and change the light mode manually if I want to. Both used to work flawlessly with the Varia. As far as I can tell Magene didn't implement the ANT+ light protocol completely. Bummer. Other than that it has been flawless. Great review on the brightness, I hadn't realized that. Cheers.

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Great feedback here and I appreciate it! Yes I have discovered the same with the Varia vs the Magene. I did set my Magene to wake up when the bike moved so it does technically auto connect because of that for me but it also turns on when I move the bike out of my way to do something else. I also discovered the Magene always would go back to the manual set light function so I would have to manually change it before each ride. Thank you again. I may make another video with more details soon.

[@becyk_du_quebec]

Hopefully you can do the same comparison in a few weeks/months with Bryton's own radar when it gets released, that'd be great!

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

I will get a 3 way comparison for you when they have it ready. Bryton had some interesting claims on battery life and light brightness. Almost too good to be true so we will see when they release it.

[@BFmeister]

Which one to get...can't decide... 😅

[@ranjseblos]

awesome comparison! price diff was the main reason as well why i got the magene. what mount do you use btw? the default one keeps on slipping off on my round seatpost. is the kom varia mount compatible with the l508?

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm using the stock one and it's working great. Are you using the smaller rubber o ring for it? The KOM mount is compatible with both the Garmin and the Magene. The mount on the KOM can be rotated for the Magene to fit.

[@DiegoCamarero]

that Garmin light is much brighter. Is it as bright as Bontrager Flare R?

[@ellerybice3787]

Generally Making purchases based on price leads to disappointments in effectiveness and durability.

[@deDANIEL11609]

How long is the battery life? You would probably still need an extra light for longer rides?

[@SAMSUSAM]

Я несколько лет использую garmin 510 и с тех пор я больше не беру с собой никаких зеркал. Это потрясающее устройство, как и передняя фара garmin. Однажды я отправился в маршрут по непроходимым местам и свернув с дороги я не отключил дневной маяк. Спустя 9 часов я вернулся домой грязный и уставший, но радар продолжал работать. И это прекрасный опыт, потому что я люблю уезжать в длительные поездки. Magene - это хорошее устройство хотя бы потому что теперь у людей есть альтернатива.

[@CyclingwithVovo]

For me the difference of the brighter light could be the difference of a driver seeing you better which could be a life saver. When it comes to safety you can not put a dollar value.

[@w2ge]

Question? How do u know when the Magene is truly off? When I cycle through to no light, it’s still showing it’s attached to my Wahoo? Btw, with Magene attached to the APP, you can make the light MUCH brighter.

[@vancouverphotographer]

How's the accuracy with the update? For safety devices such as radar. It would be nice to be 100%

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Hi, I have never had a false negative but the Magene has had a few more false positives than the Garmin which is not bad. The Magene reminds me of the first generation Garmin as far as false positives. The Bryton has had way more false positives but the firmware is getting it a bit better bit still not as good as Magene or Garmin.

[@cdnmember]

The Garmin is currently $240 Cdn, I would go with that based on your review. Well done.

[@Leo-gt1bx]

240 for a tail light? Why?

[@user-nu5fx6en9h]

@@Leo-gt1bx for safety brother

[@mrpogi23]

don't cheapen out on SAFETY, Garmin looks like its totally worth the quality

[@fkrr5]

It seems like the Garmin is much brighter, but maybe in person it's more equal.

[@kurtalexander3683]

Does the Magene connect to Garmin?

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Hi Kurt, yes it does. It also connects with other head units as well like Wahoo, IGPSport, and others.

[@aydossarif-bambaydos2082]

How about ability for detecting motorcycles? Which one are better?

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

My first generation Garmin could detect them but not as good as the newer Garmin and this Magene is no different. It even detects other cyclists coming up behind you. So it has no issues with a motorcycle.

[@cravefour]

Price is doubled in Garmin right?

[@tipkeri7923]

No

[@mariogarciagil3567]

Garmin or magnene

[@jessemartinez6120]

Lights appear equally as bright just different configurations.

[@seenstee]

One might imagine a long term review of a bike radar would include radar comparison between devices. I hear Magene lags behind Garmin with detecting cars. Stating which head unit is being used is also helpful.

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

My experience in detection between both units has been almost identical, that is why I didn't mention it and just stated they perform almost identical on everything except the light brightness. You cannot actually compare them side by side because the radars interfere with one another. I did use land markers and tested individually but once again, sometimes the Magene was faster and sometimes the Garmin.

[@becyk_du_quebec]

Most other reviewers seem to agree that they detect at the same rate. I have no idea which lag you're referring to. I did hear the light isn't as bright however. And that the battery could be better etc.

[@paulb9769]

I can't justify that cost I will stick with my Rockbros Q5 sensing like for £15😂

[@timdixo]

Just looked the Rockbros up...that's an entirely different product without head unit notification!

[@user-nu5fx6en9h]

garmin all the way, the light is so much brighter which is really important

[@Leo-gt1bx]

What is the benefit of spending this much money on one of these?

[@LR6092]

Not dieing

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

@@LR6092 If you watch one of my previous videos where I was actually hit by a car, the radar alerts me to check cars behind me to make sure they are giving me enough room. In situations where cars are constantly passing you, its not as beneficial.

[@Leo-gt1bx]

@@BlackWaterCyclist I will watch it. I have a brake sensing light but I can't afford that amount of money for a radar. I will have look though.

[@msheron]

Being visible and not a statistic hopefully.

[@elmo8985]

magene is good for indoor Lol😂

[@aventurasdopiu2928]

Oi

[@paulstuart525]

Ive been riding Trieye the 1st ever formal pair of sunglasses a total revelation in cycling safety for two plus years after a almost fatal cycling accident as a semi pro 13 years ago. If it wasnt for Trieye id never have started road again. These should be main headline cycling news. It will bring back road cyclist. Why these are not main headline news is likely due to the brand loyalty and sheep mentality most cyclist get locked into. Im not one of those. Trieye has so sinked with my riding road i cross duel lanes never looking behind me. I have ZERO blind spots unlike a car or motorcycle. I can warn groups well ahead of time of on coming trailers behind cars somethung garmin will not pick up. It has totally givem me control of the road versus sitting on my bike a helpless victim. Itsthe quickest growing cycling glasses on the market yet few road bike shops stock these thanks to their brand loyalty. Sad