# Garmin Varia RTL515 vs CatEye AMPP 1100: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Garmin Varia RTL515 (Garmin) and CatEye AMPP 1100 (CatEye) among bike lights. CatEye AMPP 1100 is the cheaper of the two at $79.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Garmin Varia RTL515 | CatEye AMPP 1100 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $199.99 | $79.95 |
| Brand | Garmin | CatEye |
| Light type | rear | front |
| Max lumens | 65 | 1100 |
| Runtime high hrs | 6 | 1.5 |
| Runtime low hrs | 8 | 4.5 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | — | 2500 |
| Charge port | micro-usb | micro-usb |
| Charge time hrs | — | 3 |
| Weight grams | 71 | 200 |
| Water resistance rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Mount type | seatpost | handlebar |
| Mode count | 4 | 5 |

## Key differences

- Light type: Garmin Varia RTL515 rear vs CatEye AMPP 1100 front
- Max lumens: Garmin Varia RTL515 65 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 1100
- Runtime high hrs: Garmin Varia RTL515 6 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 1.5
- Runtime low hrs: Garmin Varia RTL515 8 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 4.5
- Weight grams: Garmin Varia RTL515 71 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 200
- Water resistance rating: Garmin Varia RTL515 IPX7 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 IPX4
- Mount type: Garmin Varia RTL515 seatpost vs CatEye AMPP 1100 handlebar
- Mode count: Garmin Varia RTL515 4 vs CatEye AMPP 1100 5

## Sources

- Garmin Varia RTL515: https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-C41F445D-457F-447D-88C8-FE286BF157E9/EN-US/GUID-FBD11322-E81F-477A-8A12-28BF12FAC26F.html (www8.garmin.com, verified 2026-07-13)
- CatEye AMPP 1100: https://www.cateye.com/intl/products/headlights/HL-EL1100RC/ (cateye.com, verified 2026-07-13)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/bike-lights/garmin-varia-rtl515-vs-cateye-ampp-1100/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Garmin Varia RTL515 ($199.99) vs CatEye AMPP 1100 ($79.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/bike-lights/garmin-varia-rtl515-vs-cateye-ampp-1100/
License: CC BY 4.0.