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On Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, Cycplus finally launched its L7 cycling radar. They introduced it at Eurobike 2023. It should be available a few months after the fair, but the development and testing probably took longer than expected.
In the end, it’s a good thing they took their time with the launch rather than pushing out a radar that is not 100%. So, how does the L7 differ from its alternatives, what does it bring that is new, and will it even be competitive? We’ll see when I receive and test it properly (bookmark cyclistshub.com so you don’t miss my review). The technical specs look promising.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Cycplus L7 promises the longest battery life of all cycling radars, up to 36 hours in radar-only mode and 25 hours in flashing mode. It also comes with 2 mounts (one for the seatpost and one for the saddle), a longer detecting distance than Varia RTL515 (140m vs. 160m), a battery life indicator, and more. One of the most exciting things about L7 is also the price. L7 was priced at $99, which is half the price of Varia RTL515.
| Feature | Garmin Varia RTL515 | Magene L508 | Bryton Gardia R300L | iGPSport SRTL SR30 | Trek CarBack | Cycplus L7 | Wahoo TRACKR Radar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 98.6×19.7×39.6 mm 3.9×0.8×1.6 in | 94×38×25 mm 3.7×1.5×0.98 in | 97×20.9×40 mm 3.82×0.82×1.57 in | 99×20.3×39.7 mm 3.9×0.79×1.56 in | 70×50×30 mm 2.76×1.97×1.18 in | 76.5×37×25 mm 3×1.46×0.98 in | 90×82×42 mm 3.54×3.23×1.65 in |
| Weight | 71g | 65g | 66g | 68.8g | 70g | 67g | 99g |
| Claimed battery life | Up to 16 hours (flash mode) | Up to 18 hours (flash mode) | Up to 17 hours (flash mode) | Up to 18 hours (flash mode) | Up to 7 hours | Up to 25 hours (flash mode) | Up to 20 hours (low flash mode) |
| Real battery life | 9 hours and 30 minutes in the day flash mode¹ | 7 hours and 20 minutes in the flash mode | 11 hours and 40 minutes in the day flash mode² | 16 hours and 55 minutes in the flash mode | 11 hours and 21 minutes in the flash mode | 15 hours and 15 minutes in the flash mode | n/a |
| Charging | MicroUSB | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Radar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Taillight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake sensing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Auto stand-by | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | Yes |
| Lumens | Up to 65 | Up to 40 | Up to 73 | Up to 65 | Up to 90 | n/a | Up to 53 |
| Light modes | Solid, peloton, night flash, day flash | Solid, peloton, flash, pulse, rotation, quick flash, radar only | High/low solid, group ride (peloton), flash, radar only | Constant (solid), fleet, breathing, day flash, night flash, radar only | Day flash, day steady, night steady, night flash | Steady, flashing, breathing, radar only | High and low steady/flashing |
| Customizable light modes | No | Yes³ | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Detecting distance | Up to 140m | Up to 140m | Up to 190m | Up to 150m | Up to 230m⁴ | Up to 160m | Up to 150m |
| Relative detecting speed | 10 to 160 km/h (6 to 99 mph) | 10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph) | 10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph) | 10 to 120 km/h (6 to 74 mph) | n/a | 10 to 160 km/h (6 to 99 mph) | n/a |
| Water resistance | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Viewing angle | 220° | 220° | 220° | 220° | n/a | 270° | n/a |
| Horizontal detection angle | 40° | 40° | 40° | 40° | n/a | 40° | 35° |
| Protocols | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| More info | RTL515 review | L508 review | R300 review | SR30 review | CarBack review | n/a | Coming soon |
| Buy | Check Price Check Price (rei.com) | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price Check Price (trekbikes.com) | Check Price | Available soon |
¹About two years old unit. The battery depreciation probably influenced the battery life.
²Demo unit – I am not sure if this influenced the battery life.
³Paid subscription or free for email subscription.
⁴Early reviews suggest the real detecting distance is around 150m, which means more or less the same as other radars.
Updated: May 27, 2025
On paper, the Cycplus L7 should last the longest of any cycling radar on the market. When I spoke to the L7 developer at Eurobike, he said their radar runs on a slightly different technology that allows for longer battery life. Well, we’ll see what the reality is. I like that the L7 has a battery life indicator, which is missing from other radars (except the recently launched Trek CarBack).
The mounts are also worth noting. The one on the seatpost looks similar to the Bryton Gardia R300L and should hold on to most types of seatposts. However, if you have a problem with it, the saddle mount should save the day. This is the first time a manufacturer has shipped their radar with this mount type.
The L7 has 4 light modes (steady, flashing, breathing, radar only) and also a brake light. That is, the moment the gyros detect that you are braking, the light changes. Also cool is the feature where multiple L7 radars near each other can unify the flashing frequency. In other words, once they synchronize, they will flash in the same pattern. The light also changes the flashing pattern to 10 flashes per second to alert those behind you. But it’s unclear whether this change occurs during the entire overtaking period or for just a few seconds.
Another difference from the Garmin Varia RTL515 is that the L7 should be able to detect vehicles from 20m farther away. The detecting speed is comparable to the Varia and higher than the Magene L508, iGPSport SR30, and Bryton Gardia R300.
The radar’s brightness is 40 lumens, which is the same as L508 but lower than most other radars. For example, the CarBack has up to 90 lumens. Cycplus also states that the viewing angle will be up to 270°, so the light should be easily visible from the sides. Of course, it has a USB-C charging port, and I also like the safety tether.
Other technical specifications are listed below.
Cycplus L7 Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 37×76.5×25mm
- Weight: 67g
- Claimed battery life: Up to 36 hours
- 25h flash mode
- 36h radar only mode
- Charging: USB-C
- Radar: Yes
- Taillight: Yes
- Brake sensing: Yes
- Auto standby: Yes
- Lumens: up to 65
- Light modes: Steady, flashing, breathing, radar only
- Water resistance: IPX6
- Detecting distance: 160m
- Detecting speed: 6 to 160 km/h (3.7 to 100 mph)
- Viewing angle: 270°
- Horizontal angle: 40°
- Protocols: ANT+, Bluetooth
You can find more details in the Cycplus L7 manual.
What do you think of Cycplus L7? Will it be competitive? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow the Cyclists Hub, where you will also find a review soon.
Thank you for this in-depth and very thorough review of the Cycplus L7 bike radar light. Your is the most complete and comprehensive I could find online. It appears after several months that the L7 is now in stock and for sale on the Cycplus website. I would be very interested in reading your test review of the product if that is planned and forthcoming. Thanks again you for your in-sights.
Hi Andy,
Thank you. They postponed the launch by a few months. I will consider buying/reviewing this one, but it’s winter here so I don’t ride outside often. 🙁
– Petr
I’m seriously considering this radar tail light. I supose the compatibility is same as Varia and others, do you know something about it?
Had you tested how it works in terms of false positives ( or negatives)?
Thanks in advance an thanks for your reviews
Hi Dani,
Yes, this radar should be compatible with the same devices, as Garmin Varia, for example.
I have not tested this radar yet. 🙁
– Petr
Thanks for yor answer Petr!
I’m between this and Bryton Gardia. I don’t know if to wait to know about L7 possible false negatives and positives or take the risk, or buy the Gardia…
I’m gona think twice🤔
Well, you know what to expect from Gardia (more false positives than Varia). For a device as essential as a bicycle radar, I’d rather pay for certainty, or wait a bit longer for reviews. 🙂
– Petr