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1
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.
2
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!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
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4
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!
5
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.
Then you have the Polar V800 which launched this summer and is working away on adding features and becoming more competitive.
Has there been a single feature added to either the watch or the flow site? I didn’t notice anything in the last 2 months…
They added features in June, and they’re scheduled to add more soon. “Working” implies currently under progress, versus “worked” being past tense and done. ;)
Flo,
When the Polar programmer gets back from vacation I’m sure we’ll get even more new features. LoL
ST
P.S.
From the Polar Release Notes:
Release date: 3rd of July, 2014
Version number: 1.0.10
Enhancements/Fixes:
Improvements to heart rate monitoring with Swimming profile
Minor bug fixes improving quality
****************************************************************
Release date: 18th of June, 2014
Version number: 1.0.8
Enhancements/Fixes:
Tests: Continuous Jump test can’t be cancelled with back button, fixed
Sport profiles – Free multisport: speed and cadence sensor signals not found when changing sport in some cases, fixed
Sport profiles – Other indoor: ‘GPS fix found’ vibration and sound played in Start mode, fixed
Training: Running cadence value is 0 instead of “_ _” when stride sensor is lost, fixed
Training: Training target of 50 m is shown as 0.5 km, fixed
Fine tuning of some display symbols and texts
Wider restoring of your training history after firmware updates
Lots of minor bug fixes improving quality
****************************************************************
Release date: 2nd of June, 2014
Version number: 1.0.3
Enhancements/Fixes:
Improved sync with Polar Flow App
Improved accuracy of recovery status calculation
User interface enhancements
Minor bug fixes improving quality
Any news on polar willing to let us use our data outside of polar flow/beat. I love their products, but not being able to use my data the way I want is a deal breaker!
They established timeframes that are listed in the post.
That said, there are no less than three (creative) apps now that can indeed export Polar Flow data to .TCX and like file formats.
I had the fenix2 for a week or two and became frustrated with activity upload issues to my iphone 5. (Same problem with my edge 800). Have you experienced upload issues with the fenix2 or have they fixed this?
I’ve got the 5s, and haven’t had any real upload/sync issues with mine (or my FR620) lately. Initially it was a pain, but it seems reasonably happy lately on that front. I use manual sync on the Fenix2. So basically when I’m done, and when I’m ready, then I go to the menu and press ‘Sync’, versus doing any sort of automatic sync.
This is what I do and have not experienced any issues, regardless of length or activity type.
I’ve been eyeing the Fenix2 as a potential long-term replacement of my 610. It is hard b/c the 610 still works fine so any ‘upgrade’ would be for the aesthetic factor, hiking features, and the live tracking. Do you envision the Fenix2 being a long-term option (3+ yrs)?
Also, would my old HR strap for the 610 work with the Fenix2?
Thanks!
The FR610 strap would work with the Fenix2, but you wouldn’t get the two running dynamics features (which may or may not matter to you).
We’ve seen that for the most part the Outdoor team (Fenix is under) tends to give continual upgrades to products (far more so than the fitness team, which is the Forerunner/Edge). For example, the original Fenix upon release is pretty much a totally different watch than that of today with firmware updates. And even the Fenix2 has had a ton of features added. The only odd duck was the Tactix, which has had many minor updates, but is sorta the middle-child timeline-wise.
I am on the mailing list for ANT Alliance. They are promoting the Ant Symposium September 23rd-26th with an email I got a few days ago. In that mail:
Garmin has chosen this year’s ANT+ Symposium to unveil the next chapter in how they approach products. Don’t miss this opportunity to be there when the world finds out.
This is most definitely an effort to clear out old inventory of the flagship because something new is in the pipeline. Tough call to buy or wait and see. Also Interbike is coming and there probably will be some announcements for competitor products.
Typically speaking, announcements there from Garmin at the ANT+ Symposium would be more underlying-focused. Thus, chipset focused, protocols, things of that nature. I wouldn’t expect any consumer-facing product there to be announced.
Any update on the release of the “920xt” and thoughts on price drops on the 910xt?
Thanks!
The FR910XT was on sale a few months ago, and currently has a $50 rebate. The main sale in May was likely to drive in-season purchases instead of not-quite-yet available competitor units (like the Polar V800).
Thanks! I was wondering if you have heard anything on the 910xt’s replacement and whether the release of that product would cause the 910xt price to drop substantially more than it is available for now (Clever Training discount plus $50 rebate)?
Ray,
Thanks for all the reviews and info, When will your Ambit 3 full review be coming out as I am stronlgy considering replacing my piece of junk Garmin Fenix-2 for the Ambit 3.
Thanks
I finally replaced my piece of junk Fenix2 (actually unit #3, they were all junk) with an Ambit2, since those are on super sale all over the place. Has worked flawlessly out of the box, with no lockups, sensor drops, nothing. The main reason I’d gone withe Fenix was the # of points allowed in a route (10k), whereas Ambit is only 1k. However, the Fenix was unable to actually load a large route without totally locking up, so that was pointless anyway. The Ambit successfully downsampled my recent 120 mile trail run in BC down to 1k points, and it worked great the entire run…. all 30 hours of it.
Summary: Fenix blows, Ambit is at least working to spec so far. Try the Ambit2; it’s a bargain right now.
Sale in US only? When will Sweden get some love?…
You gave us Ikea, for that, we love you.
Buy it from the US!
I did with my 305 a couple of years ago half price compared to Sweden even though customs were added.
This.
I’ve noticed the VIRB Basic/Elite have been marked down on Amazon for some time now. Looks like with the announcement of this sale the price of the Basic is down an extra $20 but the Elite is up an extra $20? Doesn’t really make sense.
In keeping with the speculative tone of the conversation, I ask Ray and other readers if (or when?) they think Garmin will hop on the wrist-based heart rate trend.
I think eventually all companies will be forced to. But I don’t foresee any of the big ones doing it immediately (Garmin, Polar, Suunto). By immediately I mean before next Spring. Perhaps after that, but I think that will depend a little bit on what some of the other players do. For example, if the iWatch includes support that would speed timelines, since it represents a major player going for the tech. Whereas if it remains just Samsung (in the non-fitness world), then I don’t think that’ll push timelines.
Of course, other companies are doing integrated today including TomTom, Adidas, and Soleus. But there’s a difference in volume between that and what a Garmin/Suunto/Polar do, and thus some of the imperfections of the technology would become more pronounced at scale.
I Cant see any Garmin price love in the UK. :o(
Does it mean that Fenix3 will be coming around soon? Hope it will be out during September. Have you heard any news Ray?
Hank,
Fenix came out in 10/2012.
Fenix2 came out 3/2014.
I would imagine we’re a good 12 months away from a new Fenix.
I’d agree with Matt, I wouldn’t expect anything soon there.
Ray,
When will your Ambit 3 full review be coming out?
I am stronlgy considering replacing my troubled second Garmin Fenix-2 for the Ambit 3.
It depends a little bit on when Suunto finalizes things. If they hit September first, then I’ll be aiming for sometime in September. It’s tricky in that the next 3-4 weeks are a bit of a nightmare for me travel-wise. I’m home exactly one day between now and Sept 14th. So a lot of it I can work on from wherever, but other pieces require being at home with a bike, etc…
Obviously, I’ve been using it since June, but much of what makes the Ambit3 different from the Ambit2 is app-driven, and is just coming together recently.
Hi Ray
Curious is there any hand off from the Fenix2 to their Edge Gps devices? I just ordered the watch but I like to continue using my garmin edge 510 for the larger screen during my bike leg of triathlons.
With ANT+, you can connect to the same sensors concurrently – so no issues there. For example, on my most recent triathlon I used the Fenix2 for all three legs, but really only looked at the Edge 1000 on the bike segment.
So, there 2 options:
1. Garmin 920 this fall (interbike?) with no wrist base hr
2. 920 best year (maybe with wrist based hr)
Am I wrong, Ray?
….next year…
Ray has been pretty liberal with his hints (I’m sure as liberal as he can be) without coming out and saying it. The 910xt successor “is not coming out in the next few weeks”, but “probably will be before the end of the year” (paraphrasing). Meaning, it likely won’t be out at Interbike (9/9-9/12) and he specifically said he doesn’t expect a hardware release at the ANT+ Symposium (9/24-9/25). Seeing as how they released the 910xt in Kona, 10/11-10/12 (Kona 2014) is a pretty good bet for the successor.
As for optical heart rate… no, I don’t believe 910xt successor will have that. Combine the previous statements with “But I don’t foresee any of the big ones doing it immediately (Garmin, Polar, Suunto). By immediately I mean before next Spring” — the new Garmin Tri watch will not have optical heart rate built in.
There is supposed to be a big unveiling from Garmin at the Ant+ symposium but don’t know what it is. Product announcement doesn’t make sense as the symbolism doesn’t really get much/any press
Ray, thinking of upgrading my 310XT, mainly because I want to…
Would you go Fenix 2 or 910? I actually mainly run with the watch but I have put in my 40th list to do an Olympic Tri :) Thanks muchly
For the 910XT vs Fenix2 piece, I talk about my thinking a bit here: link to dcrainmaker.com
WooHoo, Ray mentioned the Middle East! 113 degrees (I’m American) tomorrow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yuck. I board a flight increda-early tomorrow to Jeddah for a day of meetings before jumping to Al Khobar for two days. Guess I don’t need a long-sleeve coat.
Make sure to take your CamelBak – you’ll need all the extra fluids! If you find yourself in Riyadh late next week let me know!
The humidity on the east side has been intense the last week or so. Nothing like 110ºF with 80%! Enjoy.
Hi Ray,
I’ve had my fenix 2 for a few months now and even though I don’t use it much (have an FR620 and a Swim) the buttons have become jammed, or stuck in-wards. Basically I can’t use the watch much except to tell the time – otherwise I have to go nuts pressing the buttons to make them work. Have you heard of this happening to anyone else?
Thanks for all the fantastic articles – you keep me posted and motivated!
Cheers,
Lutfi
That sounds like a salt build-up issue. Go ahead and put some warm/hot water (not crazy hot, just nice-hot) in a bowl with some soap. Plunk the watch in there for about 15-20 minutes and towards the end shake it a bit and press the buttons some. That should clear it up.
Perfect – thanks!
REI is having the exact same sale if people want to go in and look at them in person before making the purchase. I bought mine this morning.
Good idea. There are a few sites btw with the same sale if you are looking to avoid paying tax. Congrats on the new watch. Mines arrives Tuesday
The Garmin site doesn’t seem to have the sale prices; only vendor sites.
Hey Ray, Should I wait for the replacement of the 910xt, or should I go for the fenix2? Right now I own a 910xt.
If you have a FR910XT and are happy with it, I personally wouldn’t upgrade to the Fenix2.
Hey Ray, what do you think, should I go for the fenix2 or V800 …. ?
Thank you.
Greetings from Slovenia. :)
Ray,
Have an older polar rs800cx. Very hard to see screen due to glare and curvature. Mainly running…have a 500 for bike. Would you go 610 or Fenix 2…prefer to keep price low and not wear a brick like the 310
I’d go Fenix2 over the FR610. But at the same time, depending on exact FR610 price, I’d actually probably look more at the FR220.
When buying the watch from Clever training, should I also be able to get the 10% discount. I can’t get the DC code to work. I’m buying 2 of them so would be a significant discount.
Sorry, but no…last line of Ray’s review…already a good deal
Very unhappy with Fenix 2 and I bought it in Dubai for $550. I live here. It is my first GPS watch. Ultra trac gets stuck all the time. Swimming indoors is totally off always (yes I entered the correct pool length). Recovery time almost always says 0 hours. What can I do with this thing?
On the swimming, have you tried other swim watches previously? They can be a bit tricky sometimes in understanding how to ensure there isn’t extra movement. I’ve put a bunch of tips within my FR910XT review, in the swim section on how to improve accuracy: link to dcrainmaker.com (see end of section titled ‘Troubleshooting swim data’)
As for 0 hours, are you wearing the HR strap?
In any case, I’d suggest contacting Garmin support if you’re having other problems.
Ooh. Thank you Ray. I’ll check out the swim options. I do wear the HR strap sometimes. I should do that again and then check the recovery. Thanks for the info. Oh, how does one go about contacting Garmin? From their website? Thanks, Jeremy
Yes, the website will list the right contact for Dubai. In general I recommend calling as you tend to get quicker answers.
On the recovery item, a HR strap is required there, since it uses heart rate variability to determine recovery.
Amazon links for Garmin Virb are both dead (at least the German ones).
Hmm, it looks like the German site uses different SKU’s (which breaks the geolocate and passthrough logic). I’ll see what I can do, but no worries if you’re trying to support the site. Once there you can simply search for it in the toolbar. Note that I don’t believe non-US sites are part of the discount unfortunately.
Hey Ray, would like to order the fenix with HRM from clevertraining, but it only gives me the option for watch only.
I just chatted with them, they’re looking into why it just disappeared and should have it fixed shortly. I’ll post back here in the comments once I get the green light.
They just swapped over their entire website platform on Wednesday and are working through some little odds and ends (but doing so about 24×7).
Thanks for the support!
Ok, all fixed!
(Yes, really, that quick! Thanks for the heads up!)
Am completely happy with where I am garmin wise ( buggy software excepted!)
Fenix 1
FR 620
Edge 810
Virb Elite
BUT am pulling my hair out with regards the Swim and the need for an Ant+ stick. Would be kinda o.k if it would talk to the GC App on my phone S4 but….. It won’t grrr. As an ultra low volume seller doubt the Swim will get upgraded any time soon and even then what chance BT?
Ho hum!
I know that the TrainAlyze app just added support for it via ANT+, but it looks to be iOS only at this point: link to trainalyse.com
I have no idea if they’ll upgrade the Swim to be BT capable (I can only hope, it’s my favorite swimming watch and what I normally use). If they upgrade it, I have no doubt that it’d get BT.
Ray, do you think the Fenix 2 is a good deal at this price for someone who is in the market for a tri watch? I would guess that a 910 replacement would be priced the same as the current 910 ($399).
Ray,
Currently considering getting the fr220 or now the Fenix2(given the sale price). Primary use would be for running. Do you think the extra $50 is justifiable for the expanded features of the Fenix2?
I’m intrigued by the notification ability but as you mentioned in the review the watch is not really ideal for long term use due to the lack of low energy Bluetooth mode for notifications. Is that something that potentially could be addressed in a firmware update? Or would it be a no go for sake of incorrect Bluetooth radio in the watch?
Thanks for all the great work!
For the FR220, I definitely wouldn’t expect Bluetooth Notifications. For the Fenix2, while it has them, battery can be a bit limiting there.
If you set that feature aside, I sorta prefer the size of the FR220 over the Fenix2. Though obviously it’s a far less powerful watch – for a pure runner, it’s not as big of a deal since the FR220 has so many running features in it. Only the most advanced features like running dynamics an additional data fields per screen aren’t there. Hard call.
Ray,
Any idea if the new garmin 920 includes weight scale integration? As an aspiring triathlete struggling with weight issues it’s a plus for me.
I have the FR620. I am having issues with HRM. First of all the sharp top right and top left edges are making snag marks on all my dri-fit shirts. My wife also has the same HRM and it is cutting into her skin under her breasts. Have they redisgned the HRM at all? Do the FR620 and Fenix2 use same exact HRM? My HRM may need a new battery because the last two runs said my avg heart rate was in the 80’s. Looks like I need to find a small screw driver to get to the battery. That is also poor design.
I’m wondering if you have the hrm strap too loose. In the case of your wife the hrm should be placed further under her boobs.
I will try making it tighter but it is pretty tight as it is now. My wife has tried moving it down but it doesn’t work as well lower and to put it bluntly, she has large breasts. I hope that eventually they design a HRM that has more rounded smooth edges.
How long should the battery last in the HRM? I’ve used my FR620 for 6 months. I just replaced the battery today to see if anything works better.
For troubleshooting HR issues, start here: link to dcrainmaker.com
For your wife, try this: link to dcrainmaker.com (it worked for my wife, and many men as well).
All Garmin units use pretty much the same strap – and realistically speaking, the entire industry is more or less using the same strap.
Hi Ray and everyone else, do the top of the range Forerunner’s ever see this kind of discount? that’d make buying from CT a no brainer, as it is we get done for 20% vat in the UK and depending on the delivery agent up to another £10 for customers clearance fee’s.
Not usually in the first 12-16 months after a product launch. It’s typically after that point that you see it.
Ray, great website which I have found very useful however, I have a dilemma with which watch. I have an 810 on my bike and I was looking to get a multi sport watch to help with training for my first Tri early next year. I was looking at the ambit 2 but then seeing your note regarding the Fenix 2 sale I’ve looked at the Fenix and it looks to do lots of things that I think I might use but here in the UK it’s more expensive than the Ambit 2 and 910 so I was tempted to buy from clever training as the exchange rate would make it more affordable but, I was wondering whether the guarantee is a worldwide one or would it be only valid within the US. Any ideas? Also, would the Fenix 1 be a good on the basis it’s £262 (still a little more expensive than the ambit 2)
Hi Chris, The warranty is world wide and garmin’s European base is in the UK so no problems there. For cheaper/cheapest prices in the UK google Handtec, That’s where I got my NOH 610 for £155 obviously they do new stuff as well which is all clearly marked, I only made the decision to purchase after spending 20 minutes on hold to garmin to verify they were authorised sellers. Which they are.
Thanks for that. Handtec have it at £350+ but if I use 1.5 as the exchange rate, and 20% VAT and £20 handling I still make it £259.99 which is still significantly cheaper than the cheapest price I’ve seen it over here in the UK. Thanks again
Hi Ray and others,
Love your website.
Was thinking of upgrading to a fr220 but with this sale on the fenix 2 even with the conversion rate from Aussie $$ it has given me a moment of pause. It will mostly be for running and a bit of riding aswell. I liked the Fenix but was always just a bit to much $$. Now with this sale is it a better running watch to have?
It’s tough, as it’s totally different than the FR220. If you’re doing almost all running I’d go with the FR220, but if you’re blending a bit, the Fenix2 would definitely be a better option.
Looks like there now out of stock, can’t add one to the basket. The other big seller in America. Doesn’t ship abroad but I have a cousin in law in New Jersey, What’s family for eh?
I ordered but it’s on ‘preorder’. I wondered why that was. Maybe they’re selling like hot cakes now then?
Has CleverTraining already sold out of the Fenix2’s or is this still a website conversion glitch? I cant seem to order one from them anymore.
Just having them look into it now (sorry for the delay, was slammed at Eurobike all day long).
Ray,
Im enjoying the watch – Question – Would you explain how you use it in a triathlon? – do you select multisport? how does it know when to switch to bike then run?
i tested the GPS accuracy out on a 30 mile bike ride yesterday compared to my Edge 510 and they were very close on distance, etc. Very cool.
Hi Gabe-
I walk through some of the scenarios within the Fenix2 in-depth review, including how I use/used it in triathlons. But yes, multisport is the way to go.
Cheers.
Ray – I clicked from your excellent site thru to Amazon to give your site the referral when I ordered the fenix 2. Once on the Amz site I edited the url from www.* to smile.* (as is my usual practice on Amz) to support an animal rescue site and completed the purchase.
Afterwards I started to wonder. Had my altering the url to the ”smile” site to support the charity effectively taken the referral $ away from your code and given those $ to the non-profit? Or do both your site and the charity get their $? My apologies if I goofed. Thx.
Thanks for the support. In looking through some of the documentation this morning, it doesn’t appear as though changing to smile breaks anything with supporting DCR. So I think you’re good to go! Appreciate it!
Bugger, looks like the sale is over… Bought the Garmin810 last week and was about to go for a Virb!!
I ordered one yesterday for delivery to the UK. Anyone have any idea how long it might take to be despatched and delivered?
Thanks
Mark
Ordered mine last week, despatched express Fed Ex Thursday, only wrist last night!
Ordered mine last week, despatched express Fed Ex Thursday, only wrist last night!
Ordered mine last week, despatched express Fed Ex Thursday, only wrist last night!
Ordered mine last week, despatched express Fed Ex Thursday, only wrist last night!
Ordered mine last week, despatched express Fed Ex Thursday, only wrist last night!
Thanks Chris,
that’s pretty quick, are you in the UK too ??
Mark
Yes. FYI, with the exchange rate and vat it still cost less than £250. I’m chuffed to bits with it but, need to Phathom out how to work it properly.
Thanks Chris,
I guess it was pretty quick through customs etc. then? How did it work with the VAT etc?
Mark
VAT is charged at 20% of the total cost in $ (I.e. Cost of watch and postage). Both cost me approx £46. FEDEX deliver parcel and then invoice you for the VAT rather than as the post office do and hold the package, send you a postcard with the cost on and wait for you to pay it before they schedule a delivery date.
To be clear the watch cost £250 all in, inc the vat & postage. Happy Days!
Thanks Chris, as clear as chrystal now :o)
However, I thinks that’s just making me worse……my lack of patience is killing me, ‘order status’ still showing as ‘processing’ since Monday :o(
I only wanted to be clear about the cost as I’m stunned that I have saves over £100 for the same item. That is so, so, cool!
Hurray, mine is now on route……its at the Fedex depot in Memphis…..roll on next week.
Like you, I too can’t believe I’ve been able to save £100 on this……fingers crossed it turns up ok now.
:o)
Glad it worked out thus far! Thanks for the support via Clever Training!