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I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
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Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
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In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
I like the look of that Motorola MOTOACTV, can’t wait to read all about it. I currently use the forerunner 205 (aka Mr Garmin). I almost want him to give me trouble so I can start looking for an upgrade!!! (but I don’t have money so I also hope Mr Garmin lasts forever…)
Love the look of the MOTOACTIVE (and this is coming from a four-Garmin person). I wonder if Motorola have just done to the fitness watch what Apple did to the smartphone.
Because the Motoactv is not available in Europe until 2012, I am searching someone who is willing to chip it to Europe. Amazon does not accept my Shipping Adress in Germany :(. Playse contact me at uflex7_at_googlemail.com
Great preview! MOTOACTV looks like a product with a great potential.
For the full review, please tell us if it’s possible to use it under wet (sweat, rain) conditions and with gloves.
And if it’s possible to load courses to take the full advantage of the map screen. I have been using the map screen on a FR305 for long training runs. Trying to decide if MOTOACTV or 910xt is a better choice.
that picture with the USB hub is almost frightening. I REALLY hope they all use mini or micro USB…that could be a nightmare
I see from the MOTOACTV user guide that the ANT+ Fitness Equipment profile is not supported. Can you find out from your sources if and when this will be added? I want to use this on the concept2 rower (erg) and spin bikes at the gym. I do more than 50% of my training on the erg and would love to be able to have one device for all purposes and logging in one place. This device is sooo close!
Looking forward to the Motoactv review, particularly whether or not you can download workouts with pace alerts, like you can with the Garmin 610.It seems to me that in order for Motorola to truly compete in the elite athlete/runner space the unit would need to have this functionality. Otherwise it’s merely a slight improvement over the Nike+ but not for the serious athlete.
Hi…really looking forward for your in depth review of MOTOACTV. does it offer the flexibility of creating our own advance workout training like garmin does? and does it work with garmin heart rate monitors?
the earphone heart rate monitors from Motorola is a bit expensive i think.
Ok, I am now officially curious about the MOTOACTV. Feed us some info! :)
Hurry up Ray!! I just ordered my 610, but it’s not too late to send it back.
For me it’s all about the battery life. I’m slow, and if I were to use this on my first marathon and the battery dies a mile from the end, I would be furious. What is real world battery life? I’m figuring that if it’s a color screen, gps, ANT+ with heart rate and foot pod, and the Bluetooth to cell phone and then music headphones that’s got to be a battery hog.
As a non-traditional use, I think it would be cool to use it on your wrist for maps when visiting unfamiliar places. Again, if the battery only lasts 7 hours, and you’re using it for your first (and only) trip to Prague and it dies when you’re 1/2 way back to the your hotel/train station/rental car…. Now you’re lost with a really cool thing on your wrist, but still lost.
I get my motoactv from amazon tomorrow. A couple things that I’m already irritated about before I’ve even gotten it. The Motoactv app for android is only available to Motorola phones. I can understand if they only started with one platform but there is no reason it shouldn’t work on all android phones. They are just trying to push people into buying the new droid Razor (it’s pre-installed on it.)
The other thing is why doesn’t it come with a watch band? I got over that and still ordered one, but everyone is out of the watch and arm bands so I’m going to have to find a piece of Velcro to strap to my wrist and hope the clip stays on it?
The other th
Couple of quick answers:
RE: USB Hub
Regretfully, not a single one (Swimming watches) uses mini or micro. I’m actually really impressed I managed to not lose a single charging cable (all different).
RE: ANT+ Fitness Profile
I’ll ask tomorrow.
RE: Download/Create workouts
Yup, you can create them online and they automatically sync to phone. Not quite as versatile as the Garmin software today – but about 75% there (pace is one of them). I think it’s a good starting point though.
RE: Battery life
That’s turning out to be interesting. I’m seeing less than they list – so I’m getting some clarification there. It may be tied to my display settings, though I’d argue they are ‘normal’.
RE: Android App
Yeah, kinda bummed on that one too – going to ask as well.
RE: Watch band
I’d agree, including the watch band would have been preferable over the little clip that’s included by default. It’s a nice band too.
Hey Ray. I stumbled upon your site somehow when looking for reviews for GPS watches and now it’s become a daily read! I know you are just doing initial reviews of the MOTOACTV, but I was wondering if you could do a comparison of the MOTOACTV to the Timex Run Trainer, and a comparable Garmin unit. With Christmas coming up, I’m starting to think about my own Christmas list!
Thanks Ray!
Not sure if Motorola will like this so feel free to delete my post if you need to. I modified the Android app so it would install on my Samsung phone. I can’t test it with the watch until I get it tomorrow, but the app seems to be working. link to forum.xda-developers.com
I’d be happy to buy one off you if you have one too many – there is no shipping to Europe from Amazon/Motorola it looks like. But I guess you are planning to give it away instead of selling it:)
The Motoactv looks interesting, might not be for the hardcore athlete but it might do the trick for those who want something nice without the look of “IRONMAN”.
Not sure I care much about the Jawbone, but it will be interesting to see what it provides as far as usable information.
As to the ZEO Mobile, having never used one is it actually worth looking into it? I would like to modify my sleeping habit and the possibility of tracking it might be nice.
Great preview.
Following your every step, DC Rainmaker. Looking forward to the full review.
I agree with Ian – this has the potential to disrupt the fitness watch industry. In fact, it already has.
Hopefully Android hackers will get cracking on this one. With all the connection possibilities, and the potential for Wifi, the MotoACTV could serve as a great remote control in your home.
BTW there’s an Accuweather app on Android market published by Motorola.
Limiting the use to Moto phone owners only could enhance the Moto brand, but of course will ultimately 1. Minimize the potential sales of the MotoACTV 2. Lead other brands to introduce their own devices if the MotoACTV takes off.
I also believe Moto made a mistake not to include a vibration engine in the watch as it provides so much more value than limiting alerts to the visual/auditory modes only. Nothing beats the tactile feedback of a vibration alert on the wrist, and it seems strange they omitted this feature, when ALL other BT watches have it.
Question about the MOTOACTV and battery life. Can you charge this while recording as you can with the 610 , etc? That would help but I realize is a bit of a hassle.
The Motorola MOTOACTV really looks fine and I am a a little bit astonished to see such a thing as this from Motorola.
One question only:
Is it possible to copy tracks to the device before to follow them?
Thx,
wachsi
Ray thanks again, your site is just an outstanding daily resource. I am a 405 (before that 305) user and the 610 while tempting seem to me too small a step. The pictures of the MotoActv you posted look like the step I envisioned. The combination of a big beautiful color screen, touch control, Bluetooth, Low power Bluetooth, ANT, and best of all Wi-Fi seems in every way to be the future. Add in things like integrated music, integrated phone control, and innovative (and hopefully accurate) heart rate monitoring wireless headphones and you have a product that seems multiple generations ahead of anything else, too bad the rest of the media seems fixated on this as a iPod nano competitor (which is why I didn’t pay attention at first) instead of a Garmin 610 or 310xt competitor.
I am concerned about Motorola’s lack of a history in fitness products (ie. how will support be, how frequent will there be updates) and would love some insight in the future about “future proofing” our data so we don’t feel locked to one brand (for example most all of my data is on Garmin Connect with some transferred to dailymile).
Thanks again, I hope that Motorola runs with this and I hope companies like Garmin know they won’t have long to react, for me the 610 suddenly doesn’t cut it as an upgrade from my 405.
Thanks again,
Can’t wait for the review. PS: Garmin if you read this, I hope you plan a response quickly!
Ray,
Any idea on cost comparison of the Zeo mobile vs. the bedside clock version?
Thanks,
Brett
Ray,
Found the answer to my own question $99.99 vs. $149.99 mobile and bedside repetitively, on MyZeo.com
I did have another question which I haven’t seen the answer to, does the iPhone app have to be running currently to acquire data or can it be running in the background?
Thanks,
Brett!
It has to be running and open. They’re scary-clear in the instructions to not press home, not press lock, and just turn it over.
Even with my corp 15m lockout policy, it’s still all good when I wake up in the morning.
It does have an interesting side effect though of increasing my sleep because I don’t dork with my phone (i.e. checking e-mail at 1AM, etc…).
How does this compare, you think, to the Polar products?
Ray – I need to post a comment about the ZEO portable. I’ve been trying to use it for 6 nights straight now, and while it’s definitely picking up the signal, especially when I’m about to go to sleep, every single morning, I’ve awoken to zero data collection. I’m now putting my iPod Touch about 12″ from my head, in the hopes that it won’t lose the bluetooth connection, to no avail. Losing the connection on the ANT+ ZEO has been very, very rare. I’m stumped. I want the portable version to work, but the app and head device really leave me wondering about signal strength or auto-sleep or something. I’m just not sure. I’m going back to the bedside clock.
So how are the battery levels on the watches?
Hi DC,
thanks for the great review!
How’s the big battery test proceeding? Really looking forward to hearing the results!
Hmm, sorry, realized I never posted the results in a seperate post, just a few sprinkles here and there.
(all with GPS off, but ANT+ data on)
For the Timex Run Trainer – the battery didn’t even dent at 99 hours, but the display can’t show more than that (and memory ran out around 20 hrs).
For the FR910XT, it was about 54-56 hours (two different tests). Crazy long!
Now I’m sorta tempted to go back and test some other units and see how they do…
Hi
Just landed the Motoactv in South Africa. Does anyone know a reliable method to upload maps for this region or any region not officially available on motoactv.com?
I have tried the mapdroyd route however the watch app crashes when I try to view map(show route).
Thanks