Garmin, the leading GPS navigation and wearable technology company, has unveiled its latest gadget for ebike riders called Varia eRTL615. The device is the first of its kind in the range designed specifically for ebikes. It serves as a rear tail light and bike radar that aims to improve road safety for cyclists.
The Varia eRTL615 is an updated version of RTL515, which was launched in 2020. Unlike its predecessor, the Varia eRTL615 can run off the bike’s own power, so it doesn’t require a battery. This feature makes the device more user-friendly and efficient, and the increased mounting options allow for a more horizontal orientation than the previous vertical style.
The bike radar part of the device works by emitting radio signals and interpreting the reflected waves to calculate the distance and relative speed of other objects on the road. It alerts the rider when a car is approaching and the speed at which it’s doing so. The device sends an alert through a Garmin watch, a Garmin Edge bike computer, or a phone running the Varia app.
The Varia eRTL615 can detect incoming objects up to 140m away, and the integrated light is designed to make the rider visible up to a mile away. The light output varies from 20 lumens in its consistently-lit mode, 29 lumens in its “night flash” mode, to 65 lumens in its “day flash” mode. The device also has an 8-lumen setting for group rides, where a brighter light can be a distraction.
Garmin acquired the owner of Backtracker, iKubu, in 2015 and has been improving upon the tech ever since. The Varia eRTL615 is a sleeker version of the original, and its housing has good IPX7 water resistance. The device is 21g lighter than the RTL515, weighing in at 50g.
While the Varia eRTL615 lacks the built-in camera of the RCT715, it still offers a range of features that make it a worthwhile investment for ebike riders. The device is available to order now for $299, which may seem a little pricey compared to the RTL515 that costs $199. However, the advantage of not worrying about charging another battery will be a boon to some users.
The Garmin Varia eRTL615 is currently available with Bosch, Shimano, or USB-A adapter cables. With this new device, Garmin has taken a step forward in improving road safety for cyclists, especially those riding ebikes, and it will be exciting to see what further improvements the company will bring to its bike technology range in the future.
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