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First thoughts about the F6xPS and Varia rtl 516 (German version)

Volker
over 4 years ago

The pairing with the radar sensor and the F6xPS is easy done. To pair as a light sensor didn’t work, but I think this wasn’t announced for the wearables (only for the edge series). The warnings are very accurate and there was no false alarm during my 2 hour bike trip. Cyclists traveling faster were also reliably displayed. Tried it also with the Varia app with my IPhone SE (2020) at the same time, was also working fine. One thing I have observed:

if you are driving on a narrow road and the car behind you has to brake because it cannot overtake due to the oncoming traffic etc., the radar signal for this car disappears (although it is still behind you) and only reappears when it accelerate. So you might forget this car for a moment and this could end in a dangerous situation...

Overall I am very satisfied with the combination varia rtl 516 and F6xPS.

I would like to have the possibility to use only the radar without the light (I have a good red light), this should save battery. I thought, I have read, that this is possible, but maybe only with the Varia rtl 515?

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    My experience of the RTL515 is very similar to yours, although I’m paired to the Edge 830.   

    It’s an excellent device and works very well.  As the device warns you of approaching vehicles, if a car is hanging on your tail it does disappear from the screen.  Whilst I agree it could be dangerous, the 515 should aid and not replace your normal checks over your shoulder, which I’m sure you appreciate.  It is something to be aware of though....not to rely just on the radar.

    I can also confirm that the 515 does have the radar only feature, but note that the light will not flash once it senses a vehicle.   I get the vehicle approaching warning on my 830, but the light will not work at any point.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I have the RTL515 but I believe you should be able to disable the taillight by either pressing the button on the RTL516 to switch to different modes, or configure that in the F6xPS. 

    www8.garmin.com/.../GUID-73B08487-BA57-4EF0-A253-D226E229BC68.html

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to changrenyong

    The 516 has no different (light) modes, only solid mode (flash mode is not allowed due to German laws) and standby mode.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Volker

    The RTL516 does not have the peloton mode? I thought that's one of the key selling points of the RTL516 over the RTL510, other than the newly added integration with apps over Bluetooth?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to changrenyong

    The 516 has only 5 lm, so that may be the reason for no peleton mode.

    RTL515 LED luminous flux

    20 lm (solid mode)

    8 lm (peloton mode)

    29 lm (night flash mode)

    65 lm (day flash mode)

    RTL516 LED luminous flux

    5 lm (solid mode only)

    Certified for use in Germany
  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to changrenyong

    Looks like the output of the only light mode on the RTL516 is 5 lumen. That explains the lack of the peloton mode.