Garmin VARIA RTL516 Owner's Manual
VARIA™ REARVIEW RADAR RTL515/
RTL516
Owner’s Manual
© 2020 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Garmin. Garmin reserves the right to change or improve its
products and to make changes in the content of this manual without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements. Go to www.garmin.com for current updates
and supplemental information concerning the use of this product.
Garmin®, the Garmin logo, ANT+®, Edge®, fēnix®, Forerunner®, and vívoactive® are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. Garmin Connect™,
Garmin Express™, and Varia™ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of Garmin. The BLUETOOTH® word mark and
logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
M/N: A04024
Country restrictions apply. 010-02377-00 is approved for operation in France and the United Kingdom. 010-02378-00 is approved for operation in Germany.
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................1
Getting Started............................................................................1
Tips for Installing the Device.......................................................1
Installing the Universal Mount.....................................................1
Device Overview......................................................................... 1
Varia RTL515/RTL516 Status LED............................................ 1
Taillight Modes............................................................................1
Turning Off the Taillight.............................................................. 2
The Varia RTL515/RTL516 and Your Edge 1030.......... 2
Pairing the Varia Radar Device with Your Edge 1030................ 2
Viewing Radar on Your Edge Device......................................... 2
Tone Alerts for Approaching Vehicles........................................ 2
Viewing Widgets......................................................................... 2
Customizing the Varia Device Settings with Your Edge 1030.... 2
Customizing the Radar Alert Settings with Your Edge 1030...... 3
The Varia RTL515/RTL516 and the Varia App.............. 3
Pairing the Varia Radar Device with Your Smartphone.............. 3
Viewing Radar on the Varia App................................................ 3
Customizing the Varia App Alert Settings................................... 3
The Varia RTL515/RTL516 and Your Radar Display
Unit.................................................................................. 4
Varia RDU Device Overview.......................................................4
Installing the Varia RDU Device................................................. 4
Pairing the Radar Device with the RDU Device..........................4
Turning On the Varia RDU Device..............................................4
Turning Off the Varia RDU Device and Radar Device................ 4
Other Compatible Devices............................................. 4
Pairing the Radar Device with a Compatible Edge Device......... 4
Pairing the Radar Device with a Compatible Garmin Watch...... 5
Device Information......................................................... 5
Charging the Device................................................................... 5
Device Care................................................................................ 5
Radar Detection.......................................................................... 5
Specifications..............................................................................6
Troubleshooting............................................................. 6
Resetting the Device...................................................................6
Updating the Radar Software With Your Edge Device............... 6
Product Updates......................................................................... 6
The radar device is not responding............................................ 6
Radar detection does not work indoors...................................... 6
The radar device does not turn on.............................................. 6
The status LED is flashing yellow............................................... 6
The status LED turns red while charging.................................... 6
The status LED turns red while updating the software............... 7
The radar device disconnects from the Edge device.................. 7
The radar device disconnects from the Varia app...................... 7
The radar device disconnects from the Varia RDU device......... 7
Replacement O-rings.................................................................. 7
Getting More Information............................................................ 7
Index................................................................................ 8
Table of Contents i
Introduction
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the
product box for product warnings and other important
information.
The device can improve situational awareness. It is not a
replacement for cyclist attentiveness and good judgement.
Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, and operate
the bicycle in a safe manner. Failure to do so could result in
serious injury or death.
Always consult your physician before you begin or modify any
exercise program.
Getting Started
You can use the Varia Rearview Radar RTL515/RTL516 with
your compatible Garmin® device, a smartphone, or the Varia
RDU (radar display unit). This list provides an overview of the
installation and setup tasks.
• Charge the device (Charging the Device, page 5).
• Install the universal mount (Installing the Universal Mount,
page 1).
• If you are using an Edge® 1030 device, pair the devices (The
Varia RTL515/RTL516 and Your Edge 1030, page 2).
• If you are using your smartphone, download the Garmin
Varia app to your smartphone, and pair the devices (The
Varia RTL515/RTL516 and the Varia App, page 3).
• If you are using the Varia RDU, pair the devices (The Varia
RTL515/RTL516 and Your Radar Display Unit, page 4).
• If you are using another Garmin device, pair the devices
(Other Compatible Devices, page 4).
Installing the Universal Mount
Select a rubber pad based on your seat post shape, and
1
place the rubber pad on the back of the universal mount.
Place the universal mount on the seat post.
2
Attach the universal mount securely using one band .
3
Align the tabs on the back of the device with the universal
4
mount notches .
Press down slightly and turn the device clockwise until it
5
locks into place.
Device Overview
Tips for Installing the Device
The Varia Rearview Radar RTL515/RTL516 device includes a
taillight and micro radar that can detect approaching vehicles up
to 140 meters away.
• Select a secure location to mount the device where it does
not interfere with the safe operation of your bike.
• Mount the device as high on the seat post as possible for
optimal light visibility and radar detection.
NOTE: The mount surface should be vertical. The mounts
are designed to accommodate most seat post angles.
• Mount the Varia RTL515/RTL516 device on the seat post 250
mm to 1200 mm above the road.
• Install the device correctly.
The device faces backward and is perpendicular to the road.
Press to change light modes.
Device key
Status LED
Hold for 1 second to turn the device on and enter active
mode.
Hold for 2 seconds to turn the device off.
Hold for 8 seconds to reset the device.
Changes color based on the battery level, pairing status,
and charging status. (Varia RTL515/RTL516 Status LED,
page 1)
Varia RTL515/RTL516 Status LED
LED State Status
Flashing purple The device is in active pairing mode.
Flashing blue The device is in smart mode and can be
Flashing green The device is charging.
Solid green The device is fully charged.
Flashing red The device has approximately 60 or fewer
Solid red An error occurred. You may need to restart the
controlled by a paired Varia RDU or compatible
Garmin device.
minutes of battery life remaining.
device.
Taillight Modes
You can switch the Varia RTL515 light modes by pressing the
• Make sure there are no obstructions in front of the light.
• Go for a test ride during the day in a safe environment.
Introduction 1
device key.
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