Garmin Varia RCT715 or Garmin Varia RTL516: which should you choose?
Comparison of the two bike radars using our catalogue's scoring criteria, value by value. Scores are relative to all the models we have analysed.
Garmin Varia RCT715
Main drawbackShort battery life requires charging after every long ride
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Garmin Varia RTL516
Main drawbackLimited light output for attracting attention from a distance
Read the full analysis →Our verdict based on your priority
- Priority: “Battery life”Garmin Varia RTL516 7.2 / 10 vs 6.7
- Priority: “Light output”Garmin Varia RCT715 7.8 / 10 vs 6.8
- Priority: “Equipment”Garmin Varia RCT715 9.3 / 10 vs 7.3
By criterion
| Criterion | Garmin Varia RCT715 | Garmin Varia RTL516 |
|---|---|---|
| Detection range | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Battery life | 6.7 | 7.2 advantage |
| Light output | 7.8 advantage | 6.8 |
| Detection angle | 8 | 8 |
| Equipment | 9.3 advantage | 7.3 |
A gap of less than half a point does not count as an advantage: our scores are relative to the catalogue, and using them to pick a winner would imply a level of precision we cannot offer.
Side-by-side specs
| Specification | Garmin Varia RCT715 | Garmin Varia RTL516 |
|---|---|---|
| Detection range | 140 m | 140 m |
| Battery life | 6 h | 9 h |
| Light output | 65 lm | 5 lm |
| Detection angle | 40 ° | 40 ° |
| Charging time | 3 h | Not provided |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | ANT+ |
| Compatible with a bike computer | Garmin | Garmin |
| Lighting modes | Daytime flashing, Night flash, Peloton, Steady | Steady |
| Ingress protection rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power supply | Built-in rechargeable battery | Built-in rechargeable battery |
| Mounting location | Seatpost | Seatpost |
Figures published by manufacturers and retailers, compiled in our reviews. “Not provided” means the figure could not be verified.
Which is right for you?
Garmin Varia RCT715
Leads on 2 criteria of 5 compared
- Equipment: 9.3/10 vs 7.3/10
- Light output: 7.8/10 vs 6.8/10 (65 lm vs 5 lm)
Garmin Varia RTL516
Leads on 1 criterion of 5 compared
- Battery life: 7.2/10 vs 6.7/10 (9 h vs 6 h)
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Comparison based on published specifications and our scores, calculated using the same criteria for every model. Our methodology →
Frequently asked questions
Which is rated higher, Garmin Varia RCT715 or Garmin Varia RTL516?
Garmin Varia RCT715 scores 7.8/10, compared with 7.3/10 for Garmin Varia RTL516, using the same scoring criteria.
Which wins on “Equipment”?
Garmin Varia RCT715 wins on “Equipment”: 9.3/10 compared with 7.3/10 for Garmin Varia RTL516.
Which wins on “Light output”?
Garmin Varia RCT715 wins on “Light output”: 7.8/10 compared with 6.8/10 for Garmin Varia RTL516. Recorded values: 65 lm versus 5 lm.
Which wins on “Battery life”?
Garmin Varia RTL516 wins on “Battery life”: 7.2/10 compared with 6.7/10 for Garmin Varia RCT715. Recorded values: 9 h versus 6 h.