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See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.
The device can improve situational awareness. It is not a replacement for cyclist attentiveness and good judgement. Always use your best judgment, and operate the bicycle in a safe manner. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
Always consult your physician before you begin or modify any exercise program.
You can use the Varia Rearview Radar RVR315 with your compatible Garmin® device, a smartphone, or the Varia RDU (radar display unit). This list provides an overview of the installation and setup tasks.
The Varia Rearview Radar RVR315 device includes a micro radar that can detect approaching vehicles up to 140 meters away.
The device faces backward and is perpendicular to the road.
![]() Device key | Hold for 1 second to turn the device on and enter active mode. Hold for 2 seconds to turn the device off. Hold for 8 seconds to reset the device. |
![]() Status LED | Changes color based on the battery level, pairing status, and charging status. (Varia RVR315 Status LED) |
LED State | Status |
Flashing blue | The device is in active pairing mode. The device is connected and transferring ANT® and Bluetooth® data. |
Flashing green | The device is charging. |
Solid green | The device is fully charged. |
Flashing red | The device has approximately 60 or fewer minutes of battery life remaining. |
Solid red | An error occurred. You may need to restart the device. |
The Varia RVR315 and Your Edge 1030
You can remotely control your radar device and customize settings using your compatible Edge device. This section contains instructions for the Edge 1030 device. Other compatible Edge devices contain similar settings and controls (Other Compatible Devices).
The first time you connect the Varia RVR315 device to your Edge device, you must pair both devices. After the initial pairing, the Edge device automatically connects to the radar device when you start your activity and the radar device is active and within range.
NOTE: The radar device is compatible with other Garmin devices (Other Compatible Devices).
When the sensor is paired with your Edge device, the sensor status is Connected. The (radar) status icon appears solid on the top banner of the home screen.
Go for a ride. The radar information appears on the active data screen.
The vehicle position LED moves up the column as a vehicle gets closer to your bike. The threat level LED changes color based on the potential level of threat. Green indicates no vehicle is detected. Amber indicates a vehicle is approaching. Red indicates a vehicle is advancing at a high rate of speed.
The Edge device beeps if audible tones are turned on in the settings. Your device has alert tones for several features. The alert tone for approaching vehicles has a unique sound. The device beeps one time when the first vehicle is detected. After the threat is cleared, the device beeps again when another vehicle is detected.
The next time you swipe down to view the widgets, the last widget you viewed appears.
Before you can customize the radar alert settings with your Edge device, you must pair the devices.
You can customize how the radar alerts sound and display on your Edge device.
The Varia RVR315 and the Varia App
The Varia app connects to your Varia radar device using Bluetooth technology. The app displays radar information and enables you to view settings.
You can download the Varia app from the app store on your smartphone.
The first time you connect the Varia RVR315 device to the Varia app, you must pair both devices. After the initial pairing, the Varia app automatically connects to the Varia RVR315 when you open the app and the radar device is active and within range.
When the radar device is paired with your smartphone, the app displays the current status, , and
.
Go for a ride.
The radar information appears on the active data screen.
The vehicle position moves up the screen as a vehicle gets closer to your bike. The threat level banner
changes color based on the potential level of threat. Green indicates no vehicle is detected. Amber indicates a vehicle is approaching. Red indicates a vehicle is advancing at a high rate of speed.
TIP: The line next to the vehicle also indicates the threat level. A straight line changes to jagged with a red threat level.
Before you can customize the radar alert settings with the Varia app, you must pair the devices.
The Varia RVR315 and Your Radar Display Unit
You can display radar data using the compatible rear display unit (RDU).
![]() Device key | Turns the device on and off. |
![]() Ambient light sensor | Detects available light and automatically adjusts the brightness of the display. |
![]() Connection status LED | Appears solid blue when the device is paired with the radar device. Flashes blue when the device is searching for the radar device. |
![]() FRONT and REAR device status LEDs | Flashes red when the battery is low. Appears solid red when there is a device error. |
![]() Threat level LED Charging status LED (Charging the Device) | Changes color based on the potential level of threat. Green indicates no vehicle is detected. Amber indicates a vehicle is approaching. Red indicates a vehicle is advancing at a high rate of speed. |
![]() Vehicle position LEDs | Moves up the column as the vehicle gets closer to your bike. |
NOTE: If you do not have a Varia RDU device, you can use a compatible Edge device.
You can install the device on the stem or the handlebars.
The rubber tabs align with the back of the bike mount so it stays in place.
The Varia RDU device can be paired with one radar device at a time.
The Varia RDU LED turns solid blue and the threat level LED turns solid green.
The Varia RVR315 status LED flashes blue.
Hold the device key for 1 second to turn on the device.
The LEDs fill the column to indicate the battery level.
The LED flashes blue while it is searching for the radar device.
Varia RDU Battery Status LED
When you turn on the device, the LED at the top of the column briefly indicates the battery status.
LED Activity | Status |
Flashing green | The device is charging. |
Solid green | Charging is complete. |
Flashing yellow | The battery is low. |
Flashing red | The battery is critically low. |
Setting the Varia RDU Device Tones
If the Varia RDU device is paired with the radar device, you can turn off both devices at the same time.
Hold the device key on the Varia RDU device for 1 second.
This task is for the Edge 1000, 830, 530, and 130 devices. If your device is not listed, go to buy.garmin.com.
This task is for the Forerunner® 945, fēnix® 6 series, and vívoactive® 4 series watches. If your device is not listed, go to buy.garmin.com.
When the sensor is paired with your Garmin watch, the radar status icon appears solid.
NOTICE
To prevent corrosion, thoroughly dry the USB port, the weather cap, and the surrounding area before charging or connecting to a computer.
The device is powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery that you can charge using a standard wall outlet or a USB port on your computer.
NOTE: The device does not charge when outside the approved temperature range (Varia RVR315 Specifications).
Tips for Charging the Device
NOTICE
Cleaning the Device
After cleaning, allow the device to dry completely.
Battery type | Rechargeable, built-in lithium-ion battery |
Battery life | Up to 7 hr. in active mode |
Operating temperature range | From -20º to 50ºC (from -4º to 122ºF) |
Charging temperature range | From 0º to 40ºC (from 32º to 104ºF) |
Wireless frequency | 2.4 GHz @ 4 dBm nominal; 24 GHz @ 12 dBm nominal |
Water rating | IEC 60529 IPX7[1] |
Battery type | Rechargeable, built-in lithium-ion battery |
Battery life | Up to 10 hr., typical usage |
Operating temperature range | From -20º to 60ºC (from -4º to 140ºF) |
Charging temperature range | From 0º to 45ºC (from 32º to 113ºF) |
Wireless frequency | 2.4 GHz ANT+ @ 4 dBm nominal |
Water rating | IEC 60529 IPX71 |
[1] The device withstands incidental exposure to water of up to 1 m for up to 30 min. For more information, go to www.garmin.com/waterrating.
You can reset the device if it stops responding.
Hold the device key for 8 seconds until all the LEDs turn off.
Resetting deletes the pairing connections from the device.
Before you can update the Varia radar software, you must pair the radar device with your Edge device, you must have a Garmin Connect™ account, and you must pair the Edge device with a compatible smartphone.
The radar device LED flashes blue and green to indicate the device is updating. When the update is complete, the LED flashes green 20 times.
On your computer, install Garmin Express™ (www.garmin.com /express).
This provides easy access to these services for Garmin devices:
Updating the Software Using the Garmin Express Application
Before you can update your device software, you must download the Garmin Express application.
The radar LED flashes blue and green to indicate the device is updating. When the update is complete, the LED flashes green 20 times.
During a ride, if the radar device status LED is solid red, the device is in an error state.
The device is tuned to detect vehicles in an outdoor setting. If you turn on the device indoors, a saturation alert can occur. When you take the device outdoors, the device resumes normal operation.
If the device does not turn on, disconnect the charger, and charge for another 4 hours.
If the radar device status LED flashes yellow, the device is in demo mode. When the radar device is in demo mode, artificial data is generated for demonstration only.
To exit demo mode, select an option:
If the radar device is not connected or sending radar data, Garmin recommends that you stop riding and check the devices in a safe location. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
The Varia RVR315 device sends radar data to the Edge device. The Edge device displays when connected.
If the radar device is not connected or sending radar data, Garmin recommends that you stop riding and check the devices in a safe location. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
If the radar device is not connected or sending radar data, Garmin recommends that you stop riding and check the devices in a safe location. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
If the threat level LED is solid red and the REAR LED is off, the radar device is not connected to the Varia RDU device.
Replacement O-rings
Replacement bands (O-rings) are available for the mounts.
NOTE: Use Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) replacement bands only. Go to http://buy.garmin.com, or contact your Garmin dealer.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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