It is not a hot topic that cyclists are vulnerable to traffic. Most of you reading this have probably been nearly passed by a car while riding or worse. The new Garmin Varia RCT715 adds a continuous recording HD camera to the existing RTL515. While this does not necessarily improve safety over the previous one, it does give cyclists the possibility of redress if they encounter an unpleasant accident while on the road.

The Garmin Varia system is a rearward radar that, when paired with a compatible cycling computer, smartwatch, or smartphone with the Varia app installed, warns of vehicles approaching from behind. The original Varia RTL515 won the 2021 Gear of the Year award in the Best Light category, and the latest version shares most of its specs with the non-camera model.

Both have the same radar system that covers a range of 140 meters, along with rear lights that can be seen from a mile away. When the lights detect the presence of a vehicle, they automatically flash if set to solid mode or flash faster if they are already flashing.

The new Varia RCT715 differs from its predecessor in that it adds a built-in 1080p, 30 fps video camera that continuously records while driving. It also automatically saves recorded video before, during, and after an incident, presumably using an accelerometer.

The downside of adding a camera is reduced battery life. The previous Varia could run for 16 hours in dayflash mode, while the RCT715, due to the nature of its continuous recording, only has a battery life of 6 hours in dayflash mode and 4 hours in solid mode. [The new Garmin Varia RCT715 costs £349.99 / $399.99 and is available now.