The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered what to do with all of the coolness that people write, and while I share a lot of it on Twitter and Facebook, this is a better forum for sending it on to y’all. Most times these different streams don’t overlap, so be on the lookout at all these places for good stuff!
So with that, let’s get into the action!
DCRAINMAKER.com Posts in the Past Week:
Here’s all the goodness that ended up on the main page of DCRainmaker.com this past week:
Sunday: Week in Review – May 6th, 2018
Monday: Tech Tidbits: Withings becomes Withings again, Favero’s Assioma 1% Update, AIRhub Core, and FirstBeat HRV Summit
Wednesday: TrainerRoad now pulls in outside rides, adds training log and load analysis
Thursday: Fitbit Versa In-Depth Review
Sports Tech Deals This Week:
There’s a smattering of sports tech deals out there right now, here’s what’s cookin’:
| Product | Sale Price | Amazon | Other site | Sale Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin Bounce LTE Kids Tracker - $30 off | $119 | Amazon | This is the activity tracker that both of our oldest daughters have used for years (age 8 & 9), as well as most of their friends now. They/we all like it. Check out my full in-depth review for all my thoughts. That said, the new Bounce 2 came out two months ago, and while my review isn't out yet, it's a far better product. But, quite a bit more too. The TLDR on that review will be that it's the best kids smartwatch/tracker to date (for both parents and kids), but obviously will cost you $100 more. | |
 | Garmin Edge 540 - $100 off | $249 | Amazon | REI | ⚡At $249, it's pretty much impossible to beat this deal in terms of bike computers. There's no competitive option that beats it on features/battery/etc at this price, or frankly anywhere near it. Sure, it doesn't have a touchscreen, but it's not as bad as it used to be (I did a stint on it this winter for a week or so, and was fine). |
 | Garmin Edge 840 - $100 off | $349 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's main mid-range cycling GPS, it's what my wife uses and she's perfectly happy with it. |
 | Garmin Edge 840 Solar - $150 off | $399 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen on the Edge 840. |
 | Garmin Enduro 3: $100 off $899 | $749 | Amazon | REI | This is the lowest price we've seen on this to date. The Enduro 3 is simply the Fenix 8 with a MIP/Solar display (but without the scuba or voice calling features). It gets all the Fenix 8 features and updates otherwise. |
 | Garmin Epix Pro - $589 (~$300 off!) $899/$999 | $589 | N/A | REI | ⚡This is a pretty solid deal, especially if you wanted the flashlight and ECG not found on the Epix Gen 2 (which came before the Epix Pro), but don't quite want to spend on the Fenix 8 AMOLED (Epix got renamed to Fenix 8 AMOLED) |
 | Garmin Fenix 8 Series - $250 Off! $999-$1,199 | $849 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ The Fenix 8 keeps getting all the new software features of the Fenix 8 Pro that was launched two months ago. Setting aside that Fenix 8 Pro which gained LTE & Satellite Messaging, this is otherwise the most capable sports watch on the market. Note that the Fenix 8 officially got a price hike to $1,099 in the last month or so, thus the $849 price instead of $749 price. |
 | Garmin Fenix E - $250 off! | $499 | Amazon | As a general rule, the Fenix E is the watch that literally nobody is buying, and makes no sense at higher prices. The hardware is simply the Epix Gen 2 with Fenix stamped on it. That watch is going for $400, though I expect we'll see it down to $300 over Black Friday. However, one *KEY* difference with the Fenix E, is that it includes all of the software features of the newer Fenix 8, whereas the Epix Gen 2 doesn't get all the new software features. Otherwise, save your $200. | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 (Base) - $50 off $249/$299 | $199 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 Music - $50 off! | $249 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 255/255S Music - $150 off! $349/$399 | $249 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Forerunner 265 Series - $150 off! $449 | $299 | Amazon | ⚡ This is (by far) the lowest price on the Forerunner 265, which was recently replaced by the Forerunner 570 (but at nearly twice this price). What's fascinating about this sale price, is it's well beyond the usual sale prices for Garmin for this product. This pricing is 100% an Kansas-themed 'Hello!' to COROS and their just released COROS Pace 4 at $249. | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 55 - $50 off $199 | $149 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Forerunner 965 - $150 off $599 | $449 | Amazon | This is the lowest price to date on the Forerunner 965, which is logical given the Forerunner 970 came out this past spring (which essentialy adds a flashlight and some other running metrics/features). | |
 | Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED - $100 off! $399/$449/$499 | $399 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Lily 2 - 20% off $249 | $199 | Amazon | The leather version is also on sale as well. | |
 | Garmin Varia RCT715 Camera Radar - $50 off | $349 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Varia RVR315 Radar - $50 off | $99 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's radar without the light, so it's a bit smaller as a result. Same radar tech though, and compatible with Garmin/COROS/Hammerhead/Wahoo bike computers. |
 | Garmin Varia Radar (RTL515) - $50 off | $149 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's standalone radar+taillight option, and $149 is pretty much the standard sale-price. Even despite all the new radars out there, this remains the most accurate option on the market. Now, only if Garmin would just re-release it with USB-C. C'Mon Garmin...maybe next year? |
 | Garmin Varia Vue Front Light/Camera - $50 | $499 | Amazon | REI | This is the first time this product has been on sale, since launching last spring. I'd argue it could have used a $100 off sale...but hey...they don't consult me. |
 | Garmin Venu 3 - $100 off! $449 | $349 | Amazon | The Venu 4 came out in September, though with a massive price jump. | |
 | Garmin Venu X1 - $200 off! | $599 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen on the newest product in the entire Garmin Holiday 2025 sale lineup. This is basically a blend of a Forerunner 970, Venu 4, and Fenix 8...but super thin. It's argueably one of the best deals here at $599, though, Garmin is still clearly trying to figure out the right pricing to drive purchases. |
 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 - $100 off! $299 | $199 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 - $50 off! $299 | $249 | Amazon | ⚡ This is the first time we've seen the Vivoactive 6 on sale, which is essentially a Venu 4, but without the voice/calling/ECG features (and a few other tidbits). It's probably one of the best deals in Garmin's lineup (sale or otherwise). | |
 | Garmin inReach 2 Mini Satellite Communicator (2-way) - $150 off | $249 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've ever seen for this. This is my defacto satellite communicator when out of coverage area, and I've used it on a number of major treks over the past two years when well outside of cellular service, both in a 24x7 tracking mode for friends and family, but also there in case of emergency. Would strongly recommend for anyone doing anything in the wilderness. |
 | Garmin inReach Messenger Plus - $100 off! | $349 | Amazon | REI | This came out last fall, and is the second time this has been discounted, but now to the lowest price to date. The key difference with the new Plus model is that it adds the ability to send photos and voice messenges via satellite. I've used it a bit, and it's pretty cool because it makes it a lot faster to just say something rather than type it out, but the $499 price seemed excessive. $399 makes it slightly more palatable. |
 | Tacx NEO 3M - 25% off! $1,999 | $1,499 | Amazon | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen to date on the Tacx NEO 3M, and finally takes it down to a semi-logical price (compared to it's competitors). This is a good buy, and obviously, given it's only a year old, I definitely don't expectany sort of new version of this anytime soon (the last NEO series unit was about 5 years between versions). |
Also, I’d highly encourage you to check back in tomorrow (wouldn’t impact any of the three above items though). Just sayin’.
YouTube Videos I Made This Week:
Here’s what hit the tubes over on the You of Tube, definitely don’t forget to subscribe there to get notified of videos the second they hit!
A user of the DCR Analyzer? Here’s a nifty tutorial I put together. Not a user of the DCR Analyzer? Then here’s what it’s all about. It’s actually been out for anyone to use for almost 18 months now! Crazy!
Stuff that I found interesting around the interwebs:
Here’s a not-so-small smattering of all the random things that I stumbled on while doing my civic duty to find the end of the Internet.
1) A Google-branded ‘Android Wear’ (Wear OS) device on the horizon? Perhaps, but then again, we’ve also seen these rumors numerous times over the years. Still, I do agree with the concept here. As I said in one of my recent keynotes – Android Wear/Wear OS won’t gain meaningful market share (or app resources) until there’s specifically a ‘Google Pixel watch’, or something with Google-specific branding. It’s as simple as that.
2) GoldenCheetah Open Data program now hits over 140,000 workouts to analyze: Super cool project, and can’t wait to see this become part of non-developer builds.
3) GoPro Snow: Jesper Tjäder’s Forest 2 – Return to Åre! Once again, always awesome to watch Jesper ski, but more interesting to me in this video is how little (virtually none) post-production appears to have been done in terms of editing color/clarity/etc… It’s normal for his videos to be a single take, but it doesn’t appear there’s much more in the way of video work here aside from just pressing upload and briefly shifting into slow-mo in some sections.
4) Pre-teens apparently buy $500 swimming tech suits: Woah, the fact that this is a thing for 7-year-olds is nuts. I totally agree with the planned ban.
5) SportTracks Connect IQ Developer Fields: Really cool to see them add support for this, gives folks so much flexibility in analysis of files. Read up their whole thing on all the uses for this, but it includes analysis of sensor data like Stryd, RunScribe, and more.
6) A whole lot of cycling apps to consider: A pretty comprehensive pile of apps to consider from the folk at Road.CC. Worth of a browse to see if something fits your needs.
7) An Open Letter About Female Coaches In the NBA: Yes, just yes.
8) 2.1KM bike tunnel opens up located inside a sewage tunnel. That’s kinda cool, looks very fancy too!
Sports Technology Software/Firmware Updates This Week:
Each week I quickly highlight some of the new firmware, app, software and website service updates that I see go out. If you’re a sports technology company and release an update – shoot me a quick note (just one-liners are perfect, or Tweet it at me is even better) and I’ll make mention of it here. If I don’t know about it, I won’t be able to post about it. Sound good? Oh – and if you want to get a head start on things, this page is a great resource for watching Garmin firmware updates.
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2 Firmware Update: A smattering of tweaks, many to do with Toe-to-Toe challenge
Garmin Vivofit 4 Firmware Update: Inclusive of Toe-to-Toe challenge tweaks, and a few more for good measure
Garmin Edge 1030 BETA firmware update: One minor bug fix
Garmin Edge Explore 820 Firmware update: A large number of new features added.
That’s it for firmware updates! Apparently all the engineers were out enjoying the weather last week instead!
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With that – thanks for reading!
Garmin also released the FR935 beta version 8.99 on Friday. It is listed on the device page, but has not been posted in the Forum or on the other typical FW listings yet. This brings the 935 in line with the F5 series.
Interesting apps on #6. One I did not see on their list or find on your site is “Epic Ride Weather”. Link it to your routing software account (RWGPS, Strava, etc), select a route, give it a start date & time and average overall speed and it gives weather along the entire route based on when you should be cycling through. Including wind direction and speed. I have found this useful on shorter loops of only a few hours as the winds tend to change direction a fair amount in my area so I know whether I’m better off going clockwise or counter-clockwise. Even more helpful when trying to figure out what to wear and pack for 400 & 600k brevets.
I can only imagine what the bottom of Jesper’s skis look like.
Qualcomm finally releasing a new SoC for watches is probably even bigger news in some ways. The last update they made was 2 years ago and wasn’t very good when it was new which greatly held back the market. link to arstechnica.com