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!
Sports Tech Deals:
Not many deals yet, mostly the quiet before the storm of typical Black Friday deals a bit over a month from now. However, this deal for UK/EU folks on the Tacx NEO 2 SE is solid (better deal in the UK than EU, but still a deal). Also a deal for US folks too. That trainer is basically just a Tacx NEO 2, but with additional thru-axle support. While it lacks the (very small) handful of new features on the Tacx NEO 2T, it’s actually the Tacx NEO 2 that I use at home as my main trainer (whereas at the DCR Cave/Office I tend to use a KICKR V5). Point being, I’d happily save that much money compared to a NEO 2T given the minor benefits.
The lowest price to date for the Enduro 3, whcih is basically the 'cheaper' Garmin 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.
This is actually the lowest price I think I've got on record for the Garmin Fenix 7. It got virtually all new Fenix 7 Pro features until this past fall, and even this past week is still getting some new features. A very soild deal.
This has been one of Garmin's most popular running watches, and it's down to a very strong price. I often use this in my accuracy testing comparisons when validating other watches, due to it's very strong GPS performance. Note this is the base edition without solar. It'd be hard to find any better deal in sports watches today, from any company (given this has full mapping, tons of new features even this week, etc...). I say '$100ish', because it's usually been on forever sale at $499.
Just three weeks later, and the Instinct 3 is already on sale from Uncle Amazon. This appears to be the AMOLED 50mm version specifically. But hey, winner!
Not quite as good as the $299 back during the holidays, but this is likely the new-normal sale price. And hey, it's still a very solid camera and my preference for day-time footage (at night, I use the Insta360 Ace Pro 2).
⚡ This has become one of my favorite drones, given it's tiny size (fits in my running shorts pockets) and ease of use. While there's the new Pro-Max drones, those are basically 2x+ the price, and honestly, the video quality isn't really achieving that price point. ***Note: Select the '$100 coupon' checkbox on the site.*** Also, you can select yet another extra battery as an option below that checkbox.
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! Note, this upcoming week would be a strong week to have that notification bell hit too…just sayin’.
Stuff 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. Also, there’s a few things this week that were actually from a week or two ago – I’m just catching up on this list:
1) How to run Zwift & TrainerRoad At the Same Time on an iPad: Good quick tutorial on doing something far more efficiently than I usually do (which is two different devices at once). The main reason folks want to run both at once is that you get points on Zwift for time in the saddle, whereas you want TrainerRoad for the structured workouts/programs.
2) Amazon Expands Halo Fitness Products: I toyed with the previous Halo device a while when it first came out, but just found it kinda blah. Sorta like a bad knock-off without any clear purpose. I think my core issue was that it lacked a screen, and while Whoop has the same general concept, Halo lacked any real insights that Whoop manages to deliver (setting aside my accuracy issues on the earlier 3.0 unit). In any case, might pick up another one when it comes out and poke again – perhaps this will do a better job at finding that middle ground.
3) Racing in the Age of COVID – Be Flexible: A good reminder that the machine isn’t as well oiled as it was a few years ago, and races aren’t just navigating complex restrictions – but also simply getting race logistics aspects back up and swinging again. Speaking of which, I owe folks a triathlon race report from last weekend. Maybe tomorrow.
4) One Woman Ran 916 Smartwatch ECG’s Last Year: Look, I had this on a browser tab from July, and it apparently never made it into a Week in Review. This was just too amazing not to share. Also, I plan to hire this 70-year-old woman…stat!
5) Peloton Makes More Commercial-Focused Changes via Precor: Not only did Peloton recently add their bike to Precor’s portfolio (allowing commercial organizations to more easily pick it up through existing procurement channels), but also in last week’s terms of service pop-up that all Peloton users got, they quietly added 20 person limit per device (to access). For a home user this is of course a non-issue. But for a hotel, this is a non-starter. Instead, hotels/offices/etc need to use a commercial account.
6) Withings Adds New ScanWatch Horizon Dive Watch: This one is peculiar to me. The watch itself looks great, and setting aside the accuracy of the sleep apnea bits for a second, I don’t entirely understand the dive angle. Namely due to the 100m rating. It’s not that the 100m isn’t sufficient for the *vast* majority of divers, it’s that the perception is that it isn’t. There’s an (incorrect) perception among divers that you need to have a rating 3-5x the actual rating (or that you supposedly can’t press buttons). And while that might have been fun decades ago, it’s simply not based on any actual science or testing. Assuming a company tests and certifies a device to a given level, then yes, you can actually do it to that level. I used to demonstrate this with my waterproof test chamber (including pressing buttons), until it became so boring to do because everything always passed. But my point is that fighting that perception is tough, and the linked article demonstrates that easily.
Sports Tech Device 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, Wahoo, Polar, and a few other firmware updates.
Polar Unite Firmware Update: Adds a slate of new features including HR broadcasting via BLE, new watch faces, energy sources, activity goal, quick settings menu, and more.
Australia (tropics area) but not that bad! I’ll try a different wall plug and see what happens. Did find someone else on GoPro community support page with similar problem.
Still waiting for a firmware that fixes cadence being halve on most Connect IQ datafields for the newer Garmin watches (like the Fenix 6 and FR945 LTE). Developers like me can use a workaround, but it requires more memory, which sometimes isn’t there if all available memory is already used
Nope, not yet. I traded e-mails with them mid-last week, and they were hoping they’d start shipping out units sometime this week. Sounds like across-the-board delays.
Are the “Improved results for daily Body Battery calculations” in Fenix 6 19.20 the same as Body Battery 2.0 that is in the latest 945 LTE beta? Or is BB 2.0 specific to the Elevate 4 sensor?
My understanding on Body Battery 2.0 is that’s what the Venu 2 bits were based on that basically accounted for sleep more heavily in the daily wake-up calculations (among a few other things). Meaning, it’s far harder to hit 100% at night sleeping. That said, I thought that was already in the 945 LTE, so now I’m not sure.
No idea on Strenght 2.0 unless, again, it’s the Venu 2 ported stuff. Either way, shooting a note over shortly, also asking if those will come to Fenix 6/945-regluar.
Just curious whether you heard anything back on this. I now see “Added improved Resting Heart Rate algorithm” as part of beta 19.74 (well, on the download page, while strangely no longer on the forums page) – not RHR 2.0, though!
I don’t have an answer on that one (not sure, but I’ll roll it into another question sending over to Garmin).
Additionally, while I could easily remove the gigantic ice cream cone from the first comment post (it’s literally a single click). I’m afraid I can’t. I just love it too much this way.
916 ECGs in a year is less than three a day. When I’m having heart hiccups, I’ll do three in five minutes, trying to catch the anomaly in the act. Having the ability to capture real data for my doc is reassuring, replacing the anxiety that came from trying to remember and explain in words.
Re: the Withings “dive watch” – does the depth rating really matter these days? I’ve been diving for 20+ years and can confidently say that it’s been at least a decade since I’ve seen anyone on a dive boat strap on a dive watch vs (or even in addition to) a dive computer. When a solid, reliable dive computer can be had in the $200 range, I can’t imagine anyone opting for a less-functional (for diving) $500 smart-dive-watch *instead*.
So presumably the target market for this would be a non-diver who wants to wear something that “looks like a dive watch”. Are they really going to care that much about depth rating?
I do, however, agree that the article perpetuates the perception, pointing out that its water resistance makes it “ill-suited for deep dives” while ignoring the fact that with current technology, dive watches are effectively ill-suited for *all* dives. (Not even getting into the fact that typical recreational dives are limited to either 60 or 130 feet depending on training, so the number of divers that are going to go below that is a tiny percentage…)
Totally agree across the board. I’m certainly not going to use this diving in place of an actual dive computer.
And yup, as you noted, the whole 100m thing is so far beyond silly anyway, given how few divers actually go that deep. And even if they did, absolutely certainly wouldn’t be using a device like this as their main (or even backup) dive computer.
“The ability to measure water temperature readings during a pool swim activity was removed in version 7.80. After through testing and investigation, we have discovered that having the barometer-thermometer (a combined electronic part) powered on during exposure to chlorine dramatically accelerates the failure of the part. Therefore to give customers the best experience and product longevity we decided it was very important to make the change to turn off this part during pool swimming.”
Yeah, RSS feed copies are pretty common. No hacking or anything, they just take my RSS feed (public feed), and duplicate the content. The ads are all within Livejournal there, so nothing specific to me – just their platform
There are lots of them out there. Though, I’d be curious how you stumbled into this one (e.g. came up in a search result, etc…).
There’s usually little recourse for me that’s worth the time – it tends to take forever to get rid of.
Been looking for a mtb computer and came across this link to corebikecomponents.com but can’t find any reviews. Looks like it’s app based, and I’m curious how it plays with garmin specifically, looks like a cool idea to me though. Cheers!
Apple Airpod Pros or Beats PowerBeats Studio Buds?
Which are better in your option for use when running (i use a Garmin Fenix 6 pro for music). Currently using Plantronics backbeats but want something smaller which will stay in my ear when vigorously exercising. Greats. Keep up the great work 👍🏻
I havne’t tried the AirPod Pro’s. I’ve used both the PowerBeat Pro (over ear), and then since earlier this past summer, the PowerBeats Studio Buds. I like both, work pretty well for me.
link to bestbuy.ca
Not sure if this is how you let people know stuff but I bet this means the black friday sales are coming.
Or that the fenix 7 is coming.
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Got my 10 to overheat whilst plugged in and uploading media to wifi router.
Woah, that’s crazy. How hot is it inside your home?
(I’ve been finishing uploading all the test footage over the last few days from three cameras, and no overheating.)
You’re asking how hot the home was?!? Whats wrong with you? It must have been the hot footage :P
🤣
I’d like to think so! 😆
Australia (tropics area) but not that bad! I’ll try a different wall plug and see what happens. Did find someone else on GoPro community support page with similar problem.
Still waiting for a firmware that fixes cadence being halve on most Connect IQ datafields for the newer Garmin watches (like the Fenix 6 and FR945 LTE). Developers like me can use a workaround, but it requires more memory, which sometimes isn’t there if all available memory is already used
Hi! Curious as to whether you’ve received your Whoop 4.0 advance unit yet?
Nope, not yet. I traded e-mails with them mid-last week, and they were hoping they’d start shipping out units sometime this week. Sounds like across-the-board delays.
Got it, thank you!
Are the “Improved results for daily Body Battery calculations” in Fenix 6 19.20 the same as Body Battery 2.0 that is in the latest 945 LTE beta? Or is BB 2.0 specific to the Elevate 4 sensor?
I was wondering that too body battery 2.0 and strength 2.0 – what’s that? Has anyone tried the beta yet?
My understanding on Body Battery 2.0 is that’s what the Venu 2 bits were based on that basically accounted for sleep more heavily in the daily wake-up calculations (among a few other things). Meaning, it’s far harder to hit 100% at night sleeping. That said, I thought that was already in the 945 LTE, so now I’m not sure.
No idea on Strenght 2.0 unless, again, it’s the Venu 2 ported stuff. Either way, shooting a note over shortly, also asking if those will come to Fenix 6/945-regluar.
Thanks, Ray!
Just curious whether you heard anything back on this. I now see “Added improved Resting Heart Rate algorithm” as part of beta 19.74 (well, on the download page, while strangely no longer on the forums page) – not RHR 2.0, though!
My HRM-Dual got an update this past weekend. I struggled to find any release notes for what may have changed. Any ideas?
rofl accidental image attach 🤦
I don’t have an answer on that one (not sure, but I’ll roll it into another question sending over to Garmin).
Additionally, while I could easily remove the gigantic ice cream cone from the first comment post (it’s literally a single click). I’m afraid I can’t. I just love it too much this way.
Hi Ray,
do you think there’s a chance that changes from 945 LTE (namely HIIT and Strength 2.0) will trickle down to original 945 and Fenix 6 line?
916 ECGs in a year is less than three a day. When I’m having heart hiccups, I’ll do three in five minutes, trying to catch the anomaly in the act. Having the ability to capture real data for my doc is reassuring, replacing the anxiety that came from trying to remember and explain in words.
(YMMV if you’re a hypochondriac to begin with.)
Fair enough.
Re: the Withings “dive watch” – does the depth rating really matter these days? I’ve been diving for 20+ years and can confidently say that it’s been at least a decade since I’ve seen anyone on a dive boat strap on a dive watch vs (or even in addition to) a dive computer. When a solid, reliable dive computer can be had in the $200 range, I can’t imagine anyone opting for a less-functional (for diving) $500 smart-dive-watch *instead*.
So presumably the target market for this would be a non-diver who wants to wear something that “looks like a dive watch”. Are they really going to care that much about depth rating?
I do, however, agree that the article perpetuates the perception, pointing out that its water resistance makes it “ill-suited for deep dives” while ignoring the fact that with current technology, dive watches are effectively ill-suited for *all* dives. (Not even getting into the fact that typical recreational dives are limited to either 60 or 130 feet depending on training, so the number of divers that are going to go below that is a tiny percentage…)
Totally agree across the board. I’m certainly not going to use this diving in place of an actual dive computer.
And yup, as you noted, the whole 100m thing is so far beyond silly anyway, given how few divers actually go that deep. And even if they did, absolutely certainly wouldn’t be using a device like this as their main (or even backup) dive computer.
Maybe this specific detail is an interesting nugget to highlight for your next weekly weekend stuff…?
https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-945/271676/temperature-data-screen—swim-activity-not-working-after-7-8-update/1307177#1307177
“The ability to measure water temperature readings during a pool swim activity was removed in version 7.80. After through testing and investigation, we have discovered that having the barometer-thermometer (a combined electronic part) powered on during exposure to chlorine dramatically accelerates the failure of the part. Therefore to give customers the best experience and product longevity we decided it was very important to make the change to turn off this part during pool swimming.”
I think you got hacked or something. There’s a website duplicating your content to serve up weird ads from Russia. Dcrainmaker.livejournal.com
Yeah, RSS feed copies are pretty common. No hacking or anything, they just take my RSS feed (public feed), and duplicate the content. The ads are all within Livejournal there, so nothing specific to me – just their platform
There are lots of them out there. Though, I’d be curious how you stumbled into this one (e.g. came up in a search result, etc…).
There’s usually little recourse for me that’s worth the time – it tends to take forever to get rid of.
Been looking for a mtb computer and came across this link to corebikecomponents.com but can’t find any reviews. Looks like it’s app based, and I’m curious how it plays with garmin specifically, looks like a cool idea to me though. Cheers!
Hi there Ray,
Amsterdam Marathon is this sunday, 17th Oct.
Are you going to participate?
No, not this year, unfortunately. But I might consider it next year.
Apple Airpod Pros or Beats PowerBeats Studio Buds?
Which are better in your option for use when running (i use a Garmin Fenix 6 pro for music). Currently using Plantronics backbeats but want something smaller which will stay in my ear when vigorously exercising. Greats. Keep up the great work 👍🏻
I havne’t tried the AirPod Pro’s. I’ve used both the PowerBeat Pro (over ear), and then since earlier this past summer, the PowerBeats Studio Buds. I like both, work pretty well for me.
475 Canadian for fenix 6 pro at best buy today.
link to bestbuy.ca
Not sure if this is how you let people know stuff but I bet this means the black friday sales are coming.
Or that the fenix 7 is coming.
will you be doing a review of the new Withings Body Scan scale with handles anytime soon? thank you
( withings.com/us/en/body-scan )
My understanding was that was coming out later this year? Either way, once it’s out, I’ll give it a poke for sure!