Varia RTL515 continues to disconnect from Edge 830

Tony-3450937
3 months ago

Totally frustrated by this Garmin Edge 830-to-Vartia RTL515 disconnect issue and I cannot figure out the failure mechanism so I can try to do a workaround:

I'll be riding for a short while, sometimes a bit longer, I get the error 'Light is disconnected from the network' and the radar disconnects. The radar indicator on top right of Edger flashes from black to red. This has started to happen to me in maybe the last six months, Very very frustrating when the Garmin solution is to turn off devices and repair. First off, I am riding. I count on the radar. and I am riding with others who don't want me to diagnose or try to fix the issue.

Varia RTL515 has software 3.34

Edge 830 has has software 9.81, I just backtracked to 9.75. Will give this a try (but, again, have to reconfigure the device).

I have fully reset the Edge to factory condition, reconfigured it, connectivity, data screens, etc.

I have removed lights related apps, including the connection to the Bontager Pro RT light so I use it manually.

No matter what I do, the disconnect occurs at random time during ride. Radar and light get disconnected, so no control via Edge.

Does anyone have a workaround different than turning off both devices (in the middle of a recording) ride, removing the sensor, repairing only to have it happen again over and over?

Does this happen to others?

Does Garmin have a suggestion?

  • 0 2 months ago

    Hi all,

    I have the same Issue with my Varia RTL516 and my Edge 830.
    - Edge 830 is on Software Version 9.75
    - Varia RTL516 is on Software Version 3.34

    When I start the Varia it is on paring mode (Light is flashing purple). As soon the paring mode is over, Varia and Edge will loose connection and radar is not working.  

    Does Garmin has any suggestion?

    Best Regards
    M.

  • 0 2 months ago
    1. I've given up. Bought a new device until software is fixed. No issues there but would prefer to have 830 up and working. I suspect it is a hardware issue, however, this never used to happen. It's only been in the last year.
  • 0 2 months ago

    I have the same issue just started today

  • 0 2 months ago

    I am having the same issue just started today. Light connects disconnects and leaves me with no light.  Not good in the dark. I've updated all updates abd this had not fixed the issue. Very frustrated Angry 

  • 0 1 month ago

    I finally figured out the failure mechanism for my situation. Too late as I bought a newer Garmin and still had the same issue. So, has to be the RTL515 right? 

    Okay: so, my Varia has a back of saddle mount. My under saddle small bike bag attaches through three attach points: velcro around the the seat post and two straps up and over the two saddle railings. Okay, the back of the saddle  pushed against the varia enough that when I would twist the varia into its Garmin mount, it would push against the saddle bag. Enough to apply pressure against it and slightly bend it (not visible). This created the the eventual disconnect. Somehow, inside the varia, some electrical contact of current is altered. It was not the top where the switch is. In this condition, the varia would keep alternating light modes (drove me crazy as I could see it jumping in the Smart Bike Lights 2 (Data Field) app and my friends would tell me the radar is off, on, linking, etc. Eventually, I think the Garmin 830 would give up and they would disconnect and mess up the light network (along with the Bontrager light). This was very difficult to replicate by hand bending the varia but when in the Garmin mount and with bending pressure from the read of the radar, I could replicate the failure. So, I stopped using the under saddle mount and went back to the stock seat post Garmin mount with black elastic band. Volia. Problem finally fixed (with inferior mount). I suspect this is not the problem many of you are having, but, something to keep an eye on.