I’ve already had 3 relatively quick rides with the RTL 500 (and the Edge 820).
It’s a compatible accessory for top-end Garmin Edge devices that provides a rear light and radar-based alerts to your Edge.
It works surprisingly well with the latest firmware.
Must Read: Garmin Varia RCT715 Review
When a vehicle approaches from over 100m away your Edge beeps and a little dot appears on the right-hand side of the Edge’s screen. As the vehicle gets closer the dot moves higher. I think the rear lights also flash more quickly to the vehicle as it gets closer as a warning.
It does seem to detect most vehicles but not all. Multiple vehicles ARE detected although sometimes a second vehicle close to the first is missed.
I have used it in light traffic (perfect) and medium-to-heavy (good). But I don’t commute to London much so I’m not sure how it would cope with an increased and permanently high level of traffic.
I have had issues with the sensor losing a connection intermittently. No doubt further firmware updates will eventually rectify this.
I might give it a go in the Pru Ride London on Sunday. Apparently, the RADAR will not detect bikes. With several tens likely to go past me (OK hundreds) then this will be a test to see whether the RTL 500 keeps annoying me with beeps for a whole 100 miles. Or I might not take it, just in case.
I got the impression from questions to a Garmin staffer that sales of these are not super high BUT sales are sufficiently robust that Garmin is continuing R&D on evolving the product line.
At £140 (UK Link) and US$200 (US Link), these are not cheap. On the other hand, how much is your life worth?
You might think of buying one to protect your kids but the reality is that your kid wouldn’t have an Edge 820 is almost every case. So, instead, you might have to buy one for your partner and their commute to work 🙂
This is a loan item from Garmin. I probably wouldn’t buy one myself as I tend to avoid cars where possible. It only takes one car though.
Last Updated on 20 May 2022 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
it’s peace of mind for me to have it out on rides where you need to cross several lanes. I would say the battery life isn’t great. other than that i enjoy it.
Except that the battery life could be better, it works really well for me and gives me more freedom while riding my bike.
Especially on roads where traffic is not constantly there, it gives me the freedom to ride not very close to the edge of the street without having a bad feeling about being an obstacle for suddenly approaching cars. It detects bikes, but only when they approach fast enough. When there’s a lot of wind or in winter time, when you can’t hear approaching cars, the radar does it for you. On fast hilly decents you always have the advantage of knowing if (and how many) cars are behind you.