I recently purchased a Garmin RTL1515 Radar; briefly described it’s a rear facing radar and light that fits on the seat tube and provides warnings on my Garmin head unit of vehicles approaching from behind.

 

Calling it a game changer is no exaggeration.

 

The head unit displays indication of anything between single to multiple approaching vehicles and indicates their relative position as they approach and pass.

 

I’ve found it most useful on fast descents where wind noise prevents me hearing vehicles behind and where I don’t want to take my eyes off the road ahead.

 

As an estimate it gives me a ten to fifteen second warning of vehicles approaching, plenty of time to move over out of line.

 

The device also allows me to share this same data to other riders in a group who are using compatible Garmin heading units, which is almost everyone in the team I ride with.

 

If you are already using a Garmin head unit then I recommend considering the radar.

 

 

 

Update.

 

As an indication of how useful and valuable a safety aid this radar device is, I yesterday called off my training ride when I realized I had left the radar device charging at home.

 

It so reliably gives me warning of vehicles approaching from behind that I no longer want to ride on open roads without it.