Garmin Varia RCT715 review: a rear light, camera & radar all in one; average, good and actually fantastic

The Radar functionality is the star feature of this impressive bit of tech

Image shows the Garmin Varia RCT715 mounted on a bike
(Image credit: Paul Grele)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The RCT715 is a really impressive little unit capable of filming, providing a rear light and incorporating a radar. It will link to an existing Garmin Edge product or a bar mounted phone (via an app). It is well made and straightforward to setup and use. Whilst the camera film quality is excellent and the rear light is good, the radar is the standout feature. It gives the rider really accurate information to plan your movements on the road.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    All in one solution

  • +

    Really well made and designed

  • +

    Radar feature was exceptionally useful

  • +

    Choice of three products in the range, so that you can choose which features suit your needs

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Quite expensive

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The Varia RCT715 is the range topping device from Garmin's Radar series which also includes the RTL515 and RVR315. The RCT715 features a camera, rear light and radar, and it is able to link with either a cycling computer (a Garmin Edge device or others including Wahoo's Elemnt Bolt and Roam, and Hammerhead's Karoo 2), or your mobile smartphone for additional functionality. It weighs 147g without the bracket and measures 106.5x42x32mm (LxWxD). 

Garmin's Varia RCT715 is a device aimed at keeping you safe on the road by giving a visual warning to following vehicles (via the light), recording any incidents (via the camera) and giving the rider notice of following traffic (via the radar), namely the number of cars, their distance and approaching speed. It does not replace sensible riding and good all round observation, however! In conjunction with the latter, though, it is a really interesting and useful device.

  • Dimensions (LxWxD): 4.2″ x 1.7″ x 1.3″ (106.5 x 42.0 x 31.9 mm)
  • Weight: 5.2 oz (147.0 g)
  • Light modes: Solid, peloton, night flash, day flash
  • Lumens: 20 solid, 8 peloton, 29 night flash, 65 day flash
  • Camera modes: Continuous, off, radar-activated
  • Camera settings: 1080p/720p, with 30 FPS
  • Battery life: 4 hours solid, 5 hours peloton, 3 hours night flash, 6 hours day flash (all with 1080p recording)
  • ANT+®: Yes (radar, bike lights)
  • BLE: Yes (radar, camera control)
  • Wi-Fi®: Yes (local network only)
  • Water rating: IPX7
  • Viewing angle: 220°
  • 16 GB SD card included
  • Onboard accelerometer to automatically lock footage on incident detection
  • Camera control of Garmin Edge® and select wearables
  • Varia App provides convenient radar display, camera control and video transfer

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