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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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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!
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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.
Certainly an intriguing device, but they really do need to work on making it more flexible. I love the concept, but every use-case I can think of buts up against one or more of it’s limitations. You can get it to work with work-arounds like your elaborate alternating geo-fences at mile markers trick, but such a natural scenario like that should have an elegant approach.
The most frustrating thing is that the limits that are a problem aren’t technical ones, but artificial ones. The hardware/firmware itself seems to be fine, it’s just a matter of changing some policies.
Either way, it’s certainly good to see that they are working in the right direction. Hopefully they remove those silly limitations down the road and I’d pick one up in a heartbeat! As it stands, I can’t really see many uses for it :(
PS I second the suggestion that an ANT+ transceiver would be a huge bonus for a device like this (even if they had to tack on an extra monthly fee for the additional data). Aside from being able to relay sensor details, it would be awesome if it could be configured on-the-fly via a head unit (even more so if it allowed an Edge to display the locations of other friends on screen).
thanks for covering this. i purchased my gtu10 for testing and a 1-time event usage, then sold it. it worked pretty well, with a few caveats.
the emailed links is a nice try but, as you note, note quite there. the fact that it requires continuous tracking is a bummer — the particular event i used the gtu10 for was a 9-10 hour bike race, so putting in that limiter seems a bit unfortunate. in shorter events (for me), fewer people would want to track me and logistics are less a concern.
glad to see they are updating the device and not abandoning it. when the same event rolls around for me next year, i’ll debate whether or not to make another purchase. i was hoping a gtu20 might be around by then.
not sure if the new features are enough to sway me to buy the device and keep it — but based on my past generally positive experience i’d probably buy it again.
during my particular event, i had a few critical missed updates as the device was unable to send text messages (no cell signal); the gap between the prior pre-planned text message and the next zone (where the message wasn’t received) was too great.
perhaps the continuous tracking might have helped my support team get a better sense of where i was up to the point where the signal was lost — but then again there is that 5-hour limiter.
i’d love to see some provision in there to send failed messages when a signal is regained, with some sort of notification that the message was being delivered late.
Ever try Glympse for tracking? If you run w/ your GPS capable cell that might be an alternative.
I love the concept and until now I use the spot tracking site frequently to see the progress of runners / bikers and others in (trail) endurance events.
But for more urban races (coverage of cell towers) I see a good future.
I hope too see the next (hardware)version supports the Russian Glonass gps system. I hear its more accurate. But maybe it does already because even the new Apple Iphone 4s (and other smartphones)support it’s now.
Yup – it’s getting there but it’s still not right.
We go on annual multi-week bike tours and friends and family always like to know where we are at any given point and like to check we’re still moving etc.
The last couple of times I’ve used a combo of GPS tagged photos, updated daily to Picassa and if the sun is out, I can use the solar charger to keep a live tracker from my phone running.
The idea of a tiny package which can be set to set to upload my location every hour, for say 2 weeks is spot on perfect. Then I just give the link out to people and they can see where we’ve been and the route covered so far. It’s got so much potential but it’s still falling way short. 5 hours wouldn’t even cover you for an IM!
I updated the app a couple days ago and was excited to see the invites. I haven’t looked into it any further…
So basically you can only let others track you when the device is in continuous mode for 5 hours or they’re only allowed to watch you for up to 5 hours?
Forgive me if I’ve missed the obvious, but will this device only work within normal cellular phone coverage areas, or does it communicate via a satellite network and work more like a gps? I’d like to get one so my family can keep tabs on me during some bike rides where there is no cell phone coverage. Thanks Ray for your reviews!
I would know the same :)
Only within cellular coverage range.
Then… An useless gadget…
Not for most that have bought it, just for you.
Try the Spot Tracker, it communicates via satellite instead of cellular.
I am looking for a real GPS, i mean…
I brake my leg downhill with my BTT. I have not celular coverage range. I can not call anybody. I need to send a SOS or my family follow my stepts to find me.
Could i do this with Garmin 10?…//
rolf–
your question is a basic but good one, and the problem is the answer is not as readily apparent as it should be.
the device gets a GPS signal, but in order to do any messaging it must have access to a cell network.
this can be problematic in many circumstnances.
The Endomondo app does more or less the same thing with a gps enabled phone…
An extra battery or some sort of external battery option would allow you to track the progress for how ever long you could get the battery to last…
And Endomondo also allows you to recieive peptalks from the people following you on your workout.
the gtu10 is nice, in a way, because it requires no interaction. that’s a blessing and a curse. in the race i needed it for, one cannot use a phone — and it would be annoying to carry anyway.
so….if a cell signal is available, the gtu10 would have been nice. also, if continuous tracking were available for 10-12h, that would be great, too, for when cell service goes in and out.
it’s frustrating to me that if an alert is triggered but it occurs at the time when no cell signal is available (perhaps even momentarily unavailable), then the message is not queued for later delivery with the same timestamp, it is simply never delivered.
these things could be fixed if garmin is so inclined. there are MNAY things i like about this product. a few more features would make it close to perfect.
The history display is confusing. It currently shows me correctly in the Hotel but 21 mins a go, 5miles down the road. I’ve not left the hotel for some hours. Obviously this is a concern since I need to use the unit for child safety purposes. I updated to the latest sw version 2.9 so it looks just like your post. I called support and the rep didn’t explain the inaccuracy very well. So now I am concerned.
just came across this device called the “tagg pet tracker”. you put a collar on your dog (looks not dissimilar to the gtu10), and you can track your pet on your computer or mobile device. it’s unclear exactly how the signals are sent and how frequently it updates, but it’s worth checking out.
looks like it is about $100 and requires an $8/month service (though the service is month-to-month and requires no contract). cheaper than the gtu10 and may have more useful features.
worth investigation. the website is http://www.nomorelostdogs.com.
Have there been any updates to the “5 hour expiry”? I see that the Garmin app was updated Jan 2012.
So…the GTU10 service is gone after next year. (link to buy.garmin.com) Any suggested substitutes that don’t require a phone?
Not a ton of options at present.
You’ve got the Bia Watch, which does 3G (though two pieces). The Timex One GPS+, which is one piece – but not out yet.
Ray have you looked at this category in any depth? It is one of those things that family might find helpful for tracking someone like me when I go out for 100km rides or night bike rides and they want to know where I am if I do not return at the expected time. Call it peace of mind? I do not have or want a smart phone monthly charge as the option right now but maybe in future. One thing that looks possible is something like TrackR? What are your thoughts on this category of personal location tracking options?