Garmin Varia RearVue 820 Advanced Radar and Tail Light Review

Introduction: The all new Varia Rearvue 820 improves significantly upon the Varia RTL515 Radar/Tail Gentle that was launched again in 2020. 

I believe it took so lengthy to replace it, because it was/is such a tremendous piece of expertise that considerably enhances security out on the highway.  Whereas I largely journey gravel, I often journey roads to attach trails, in addition to loads of grime roads, so I’ve come to depend on radar to supply steady consciousness of approaching automobiles and improve my visibility to motorists.

The 820 builds upon all the options and efficiency of the 515, however now provides some key enhancements that make for a compelling improve.

What’s within the Field:  After all we’ve the unit, then the mounting bracket with 3 totally different publish mount sorts (spherical, aero and D-style), two totally different measurement double huge bands, a tether, guide and a USB-C / USB-C charging cable.

What’s New/Options:

Superior Car Measurement/Orientation Monitoring – Beforehand with theV 515, you’d simply see any car represented as a easy dot approaching, which I at all times discovered to supply me with ample warning and spatial consciousness.  

However, that now appears a bit dated with the brand new expertise of the 820, that shows the car measurement represented by 3 totally different sized icons:  a protracted rectangle for semi vehicles, buses, dump vehicles or giant pickups/SUVs, a medium icon for normal measurement automobiles and a smaller icon for bikes, bikes or scooters.  

Not solely does the 820 detect and show the approximate measurement of the approaching car, it additionally exhibits facet to facet movement of the automobiles altering lanes, so that you could affirm whether or not or not they’re transferring to the facet to keep away from you, 

Video Demo

  Whereas I nonetheless can’t assist myself from double checking over my shoulder to maintain tabs, it’s nice for normal consciousness and peace of thoughts (and to this point, very correct).  I’ve not had any false positives, nor have I ever discovered any automobiles sneaking in undetected, it’s at all times spot on.

Longer/Wider Vary Detection – The 515 has 45 levels of facet to facet vary detection and a most of 140m (460 toes), which I discover to be ample and covers me in most conditions, however the 820 ups that vary to 60 levels facet to facet and 175m (574 toes) distant.  

At first I assumed the added facet to facet vary can be a legal responsibility and set off false positives, however to this point that has not been the case.  The added ~100 toes of vary (although I truthfully assume it’s really greater than that) is nice, to have that added warning time, significantly on roads the place the velocity limits are quicker.

USB-C Charging – now with USB-C charging over the earlier Micro USB within the 515, it’s a lot simpler to line up the cable throughout the recessed port (vs. the twiddling with the Micro USB interface making an attempt to find out which approach is which).

Brighter Flashing Gentle – Now seen as much as 1.24 miles at 100 max lumens (up from 1 mile / 65 max lumens)

Longer Battery Life –

10 hours stable (6 hours for 515)

15 hours peloton (8 hours for 515)10 hours night time flash (6 hours for 515)24 hours day flash (16 hours for 515)30 hours radar-only (not out there beforehand)

Brake Gentle Performance – As you decelerate, the flashing gentle doubles as a brake gentle, counting on an inner accelerometer, alerting riders behind you that you’re slowing by illuminating the sunshine brighter as you brake.

Gentle Sample Customization – (adjusted throughout the Varia app)

Adjustable Orientation – Inside the Varia app, you’ll be able to set the orientation (gentle facet up, or down), or maintain it on auto detect.

Replaceable Battery – if want be, you’ll be able to unscrew the 6 torx screws across the perimeter to switch the battery if it wears out over years of recharging.

Radar Solely Mode – Now you can decide to show off the tail gentle and simply use radar mode, which is handy at instances if you wish to save battery or simply don’t want the sunshine for no matter purpose.

Identical Pace Car Monitoring – It is a enormous replace for me, as considered one of my minor complaints over time utilizing the 515 was that if a car approaches, you’ll be able to see it approaching the radar, but when it sits behind you going the identical velocity, it’s going to drop off the radar.  Not so with the 820, as it’s going to at all times maintain the automotive in your radar view even when going the identical velocity.

A lot Improved Seatpost Mount – The earlier mount for the 515 was sort of flimsy for my part, with a single TPU “rubber band” holding the mount.  I nervous about this sufficient with the outdated model mount, that I minimize a slim strip of velcro that I used to be simply barely capable of rig that might at the least maintain the mount/radar from falling off if the band disconnected or broke.  The brand new mount is bigger and safer, with a thicker, beefier double band.  Moreover, for higher peace of thoughts, there may be additionally a lanyard you’ll be able to anchor to your seat rail or publish simply in case.  

Garmin additionally makes two different mounts bought individually, the Varia Seat – publish Quarter Flip Mount ($19.99), which clamps onto your publish with a screw on clamp for higher safety.

Or, my private choice, at the least for my gravel bike (which has a suspension publish and simply sufficient room to clamp in my bike work stand), is the Varia Seat Rail Mount Equipment ($49.99), which has a sturdy steel clamp and retains the Varia in an optimum place for full vary and visibility, in a really safe method.

Measurement Comparability between 820 and 515 – There’s a slight weight improve – 15 grams (now 87 grams vs. 72 grams) and the unit is barely bigger.  Maybe a slight downside for gram counters, however for my part, it’s a small worth for all the new options that the 820 presents.

Conclusions/Suggestions:  The Varia Rearvue 820 is superb, an enormous improve over the RTL-515 and is value each penny.  

I lengthy thought the RTL-515 was the most effective tech addition that I’ve placed on my bike and had the 820 not come alongside, I nonetheless would have been fairly happy, however now that I’ve gotten used to the 820 and all the enhancements above, I can’t think about going again.  

The longer vary, superior monitoring/positional consciousness, USB-C charging, longer battery life, longer vary, similar velocity monitoring, improved mount with tether and brighter flashing gentle, all add as much as a worthwhile and compelling improve.

All RoadTrailRide critiques HERE

Thanks for studying our assessment!

Purchasing at our companions under is way appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRide and RoadTrailRun

Jeff Valliere has been round bikes his total life, as a toddler following his dad to bike races and bike outlets, BMX racing as a child, working in bike outlets as a mechanic for 14+ years (10 at U-Bikes in Boulder the place he met John Tribbia fellow RoadTrailRide and RoadTrailRun contributor). Jeff additionally raced as an expert highway bike owner for a number of years.  Jeff now not races, however nonetheless likes to journey as he introduces his daughters to the fun of biking.  Along with being obsessive about biking, he runs mountains day by day and has been reviewing trainers/gear/tech for RoadTrailRun since 2015 and for different publications/corporations since 2005.