Garmin Varia RTL515 in 2026: Still Worth It?

The Garmin Varia RTL515 has been around for a while, but is it still worth buying in 2026? In this video, I take a practical look at why the RTL515 is still one of my favorite cycling accessories, even now that newer bike radars are available. Garmin has newer options like the RCT715 with video recording and the RearVue 820, Wahoo has the TRACKR Radar, and budget options like the Magene L508 are also competing for attention. But for a lot of riders, the RTL515 may still hit the sweet spot: radar alerts, a rear tail light, Garmin ecosystem support, and a simpler setup without the added cost or complexity of a camera. I’ll talk about what the RTL515 still does well, where it’s starting to show its age, how it compares on price, and who I think should still consider it in 2026. This isn’t a spec-sheet battle. It’s a real-world look at whether this older Garmin Varia radar still makes sense for road cycling, e-bikes, gravel riding, and solo rides.