rublow

Hi,

I am looking for a rearlight, with a good battery life. Currently, I am using Knog Blinder, which is ok, however due to some electronic problem it is not longer reliable (it turns off suddenly, even with a full charge).
I did check everything and cannot decide which one to choose:

1. Bontrager Flare RT - compact size, weight, ANT+, but 13,5h is a bit short for me.
2. Knog Mid Cobber - no experience with this kind of lamp, 100h on eco flash is convincing
3. Cygolite HotRod 90 - unavailable in Europe
4. Moon Sirius Pro 350 - I don't know anyone using it.
5. Garmin RTL 515 - I tried, and liked it, but I am still wondering if it is worth ~200euros.

Do you have any suggestions?

10 Wheels

Go with a Dinotte Tail Light. They have Six Mode Settings

10 Wheels

I have bought many from EBAY.

This one has a Double Headlight as well as a Double Tail Light

Dinotte Bike Lights | eBay

WhyFi

The Varia is worth it. I don't know anyone that has a Varia who wouldn't replace it immediately if they lost or damaged theirs.

Darth Lefty 

We are still in the LED/lithium era, so all the improvements are to the user interface. I think you figured that out already, since you have the Flare RT on your list. I have a Cygolite Hotshot 50, and it crapped out this year. The real issue with that is that it has a proprietary battery. So it’s toast. That’s irritating.

shaun3000

I’m running a Varia and a Flare on the rear and a white Flare in the front. All tie into my computer via ANT. The computer automatically changes the headlight to a bright steady beam at sunset which is handy when I’m out later than planned. And it can sense deceleration and bake the rear lights go full bright like a quasi-brake light. All
combined with the situational awareness the Varia gives and I’m quite happy.

DeadGrandpa

Garmin Varia radar blinky rear light, paired with a Garmin gps or the dedicated radar display unit that is sometimes bundled with the 510 Varia. You will learn to appreciate it.

Bah Humbug

Let me echo the Varia.

datlas 

Agree

chaadster

I have a Lil’ Cobber which I think is awesome, but like the OP, have had lousy experience with Knog durability, so I’m expecting the worst, and wouldn’t necessarily recommend the brand except on style points.

My favorite taillights are from Lezyne. I have tons of lights, many Lezyne, and never a Lezyne failure. Their feature sets are good, and styling is pretty decent,
too. Check out the Strip Drive Pro.

I’m also big fan of Specialized’s Stix units for their compact, low-pro styling and mounting flexibility. The Stix Elite2 is a killer piece of kit.

ericcox

One more vote for the Varia.

RGMN

Love my Varia. It improves the situational awareness enormousness. Besides being a very bright tail light.

Mojo31

Have the Specialized Stix on a couple of our Specialized bikes. Really like them for defensive light.

Have the Flare RT set on my Trek with the Blendr mounts, and like the integration with my Garmin computer. Planning to add the Varia, but debating between the RVR315 and RTL515. Any thoughts on which?

WhyFi

The Varia with a light built in change their flashing pattern with the approach of passing vehicles. I think that's quite helpful - my frequency of close passes has gone down markedly since getting the Varia. Unless they've baked that changing light pattern in to the ANT+ Light protocols, and any connected tail lights would react accordingly, I'd stick with the whole-assed Varia.

shaun3000

The 315 doesn’t have a light. The one with the light is definitely the one to get. The light works in tandem with the radar. And it’s a good tail light even without the radar.

oldwinger14

I love my Varia RTL515 and will not ride without it.

rower2cyclist

Holy s*ht so much good feedback on Varia. Maybe I should give one to myself as a xmas gift!

oldwinger14

I don't think any of us promoting it are Garmin/Varia employees....just happy customers!

rower2cyclist

Chill dude. Wasn’t implying everyone was promoting Varia. It was an honest response.

oldwinger14

My comment wasn't meant to be anything other than commentary. I was, by no means, upset with what you wrote.

masonv45

I've been running this rear light for 7 months now and love it. For those that don't have room on their seat post, it will strap to the seat stay. Different modes for both day and night riding. Great side visibility.

Note: trim the rubber away from the micro USB connector - otherwise it's a tight fit and hard to get a good connection.

It has surpassed all my expectations.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7NY7DD...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Juan Foote

I be honest. I stick a lithium AA in a "Cherry Bomb" and don't worry about it for the next 5-7 years.

Carbonfiberboy 

I see all these folks who love the radar thing. I get that. But 20 lumens steady, 65 day flash??? Really? And short battery life with few lighting choices. I want at least 200. My Dinotte is 300 lumens and has a zillion lighting choices. I guess I'm spoiled. Lights are all about the lumens. You want the driver to see you very clearly at least a mile away in daylight. I've had motorists thank me for running such bright lights. They're actually a hair too bright at night - don't want to blind anyone, so I point the taillight down a bit, so that it also illuminates the pavement behind me.

WhyFi

It's cool that you're so well versed with its shortcomings having never used one - that's a gift.

It's bright. It can be seen plenty far enough away. When approaching vehicles are within radar range (150 yards or so), it goes spastic with brighter flashing regardless of mode, even when in Low. Since it's reactive, rather than dumb, more lighting modes really aren't necessary. In Day Flash mode, which is what I use 95% of the time, it'll last a good 200 mile week without needing a recharge.

But yeah, it sucks - don't buy one.

kissTheApex

Another vote for Varia. Great light, even better radar. I get roughly 13 hours (low 14s on a stretch) from it. The best feature is the reactive light pattern change as WhyFi mentioned, added to the fact that it can track up to 8 vehicles as far back as 150 yards.

I’m a cheapskate and use a cheap $25 front light (usb chargeable 500+ lumens oranie or some such from Amazon), but would buy a replacement in a moment if my Varia were to kick the ghost.

if you know for sure you will never need the BLE connection of the 515, you can save some money by getting the 510 (previous generation). If you’re in garmin ecosystem, you can also turn the light on/off, or change what light mode you’re on from your head unit, which comes in handy during my commute as I get in and out of the MUP, and don’t want to blind people on the MUP with it.

I honestly believe garmin engineer(s) that came up with it will have endless good karma for the rest of their lives.