Garmin Varia RTL 515 USB C

Is there any news on the a Garmin Varia RTL unit that has a USB C charging port. Or are they gonna keep the 1990 micro usb charging port ?

Realy like to buy the light/radar but I'm trying to get rid of all the micro usb things in the house!

Top Replies

GPLama 5 months ago +5 verified

The RTL515 (516/315) are nearing four years old. I'll speculate with the firmware update we saw quietly rolled out last week to the 515 that a USB-C refresh is likely under development and they found an…
aweatherall 8 months ago +3

The RCT715 uses USB-C, but you are paying more to get a camera combined with the radar.
Joeribar 8 months ago +3

Seems like the Magene L508 is a good alternative option. Cheaper and USB C

All Replies

0 aweatherall 8 months ago

The RCT715 uses USB-C, but you are paying more to get a camera combined with the radar.

0 Joeribar 8 months ago in reply to aweatherall

Yes and a very heavy unit 2x the weight

0 Joeribar 8 months ago

Seems like the Magene L508 is a good alternative option. Cheaper and USB C

0 msquared2 8 months ago

Agree - it's a pain to find an old USB cable to charge my varia when literally EVERYthing else is USB C. Come on, garmin!

0 huntken 6 months ago

EU is requiring USB C next year (2024), I think. So there is hope I imagine. Wahoo is also announcing a new product at the beginning of the year, so maybe they'll just solve the issue for us.

0 Sandrotto 6 months ago in reply to huntken

I watched the YouTube video of the interview with the Wahoo CEO. They said they have been developing/researching the new product since about 10 years....so not sure if it is just a cycling radar or something bigger? Would be cool tough. Some competition is always good and will force Garmin to move as well.

The EU law is for computer and peripherals only if I am not mistaken? In any case, next version of the Varia will definitely have USB-C. Question is, when German will finally release it. I guess sometime in spring/early summer before the season starts.

Just ordered a regular rear LED light from a competitor as a stop-gap solution until Garmin releases the USB-C Varia.

0 MaxR6 6 months ago in reply to msquared2

msquared2 said:
it's a pain to find an old USB cable to charge my varia when literally EVERYthing else is USB C. Come on, garmin!

first world problems.

+1 GPLama 5 months ago

The RTL515 (516/315) are nearing four years old. I'll speculate with the firmware update we saw quietly rolled out last week to the 515 that a USB-C refresh is likely under development and they found an improvement in that development that could easily be rolled into the existing unit. It'd be a pretty cheap and easy refresh for Garmin Cycling in a year we'll be unlikely to see any new x40 EDGE units or updates to the RCT715 or Rally pedals.

0 Joeribar 5 months ago in reply to MaxR6

Yes that's why me made this topic. And didn't put it on the news.

0 Joeribar 5 months ago in reply to GPLama

Great news! ii hope you're right.