Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Radar Camera and Tail Light

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Product guide

Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Radar Camera and Tail Light

Rearview: The Garmin Varia RCT715 combines a rear-facing bike radar, camera and tail light in one seat-post-mounted unit. It can alert a compatible Garmin device or paired phone to approaching traffic while recording video, with camera resolution and lighting mode affecting battery life.

At a glance

Radar is listed as detecting vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards (140 meters) away, with alerts through compatible Garmin devices or the Varia app on a paired phone.
The camera records at 1080p or 720p and can automatically save footage around detected incidents.
Three operating modes allow different combinations of camera, tail light and radar use.
The listed battery estimates apply to 1080p recording and vary by tail-light setting.

Price

$299.99Save 25%

Reference price: ~~$399.99~~

Price checked: Nov 14, 2026

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Often bought together

Garmin Edge® 1050, Premium Cycling Computer | Large & Vivid Touchscreen, Advanced Cycling Metrics, Built-In Speaker, Garmin Coach, Groupride, Road Hazard Alerts

$599.98

Garmin Varia™ Vue, Cycling Headlight, 4k Camera | Records in 4k Resolution, Superbright Light Up to 600 Lumens, Cutoff Beam Preserves Oncoming Traffic Vision

$399.99

Pros and cons

Pros

Combines rear radar, camera and tail light in a single bicycle-mounted unit.
Incident capture is described as saving footage before, during and after a detected event.
The 720p setting is offered as a way to extend battery life compared with 1080p.
The listed contents include a 16 GB SD card, so the product description presents it as ready to use.

Cons

Camera recording, radar and tail-light operation share a battery budget, with listed 1080p estimates ranging from 4 to 6 hours depending on light mode.

Technical specifications

23 specifications

Identity
Brand	Garmin
Model	Varia™ RCT715

Display and video
Screen size	5
Video resolution	1080p, 720p
Video format	MP4
Frame rate	30

Connectivity and controls
Wireless connection listed	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Control methods listed	App
Compatible devices	Android, iOS - Apple

Radar, lighting and battery
Radar detection range	153 yards (140 meters)
Battery life, 1080p recording with solid high or night flash tail light	up to 4 hours
Battery life, 1080p recording with solid low tail light	up to 5 hours
Battery life, 1080p recording with day flash tail light	6 hours
Battery cell type	Lithium Polymer

Camera and storage
Optical sensor technology	CMOS
Maximum aperture	2.8 f_stop
Storage listed	16 GB
Flash memory type	SD

Dimensions and installation
Mounting types listed	Seat Post Mount
Dimensions	4.2"D x 1.3"W x 1.7"H
Weight listed	5.2 ounces
Color	Black

Model and coverage
Warranty description	1 year limited warranty

What to know before buying

The camera may be regulated or prohibited in some jurisdictions. Check applicable laws and privacy requirements before using it.

What’s in the box

Included

Varia™ RCT715
Seat post mount kit
USB cable
16 GB SD card
Documentation

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Cyclists who want rear-approach alerts alongside recorded rear-facing video and a tail light.
Riders with a compatible Garmin bike computer, select Garmin wearable or compatible paired smartphone who want traffic alerts.

Less suited to

Riders seeking a dedicated camera for substantially longer recording sessions than the listed battery estimates support.
Riders who do not want to use a camera function subject to local recording and privacy rules.

Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Radar Camera and Tail Light · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 369 ratings

5 stars80%80%
4 stars9%9%
3 stars5%5%
2 stars3%3%
1 star3%3%

Customer feedback describes the radar as useful for detecting approaching vehicles and praises video quality and product quality. Connectivity experiences are mixed, with some reporting connection issues. Battery life and value also divide opinion. That variation matters for buyers relying on phone or device alerts and for rides that may approach the listed 4-to-6-hour battery estimates, which depend on tail-light mode while recording at 1080p.

Positive themes

Customers praise vehicle detection and video quality.

Mixed feedback

Feedback on connectivity, battery life and value is mixed, including reports of connection issues and differing views on whether runtime and cost are acceptable.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Varia RCT715 record video?

Yes. The listing specifies 1080p and 720p recording at 30 fps and says the camera can automatically save footage around detected incidents.

How long does the battery last?

The stated estimates are up to 4 hours with the tail light on solid high or night flash, up to 5 hours on solid low, and 6 hours on day flash, all while recording at 1080p.

How does the radar provide alerts?

The listing says it detects vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards (140 meters) away and can alert through compatible Garmin devices or the Varia app on a paired compatible smartphone.

What is included?

The listed contents are the Varia RCT715, seat post mount kit, USB cable, SD card and documentation. The feature text specifies an included 16 GB SD card.