Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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.
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!
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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.
I bought the Epix 3 months ago and now it feels like I have an outdated watch :-(
Don’t worry, most of the new features will come to your watch with new firmware: link to dcrainmaker.com
First tip. Update the software. (I know obvious) But when I first got my epix pro it didnt’ have weather overlays. I searched high and low before realizing I needed to update.
Funny, that was the issue with the original Fenix 7 & Epix units as well…actually made an entire video on it. But good catch, forgot about it this time!
I actually remembered you saying that on those products which reminded me that I should update before doing anything else. Once I did it was fine.
Thanks, Ray! Have you had a chance to test pulse ox accuracy? None of the Elevate sensors to date, including on the non-pro epix 2, have been usable for me (showing high 80s to low 90s when a reference device shows high 90s) and was curious whether this latest sensor is better
Yeah, if I test against an EU/CE certified pulse oximeter device – it’s fine in a scenario where I compare like-for-like. Meaning, comparing sitting still at a desk/etc, it’ll be the same.
But overnight sleep measurements, are kinda all over the map (like many companies).
Ray does it pick up pulse when swimming, or do you still require a chest strap?
It can do HR underwater, albeit, like all HR underwater, it can be hit or miss on a per-person basis (especially tied to how snug it is). I find it generally tracks the trend well enough, but doesn’t pickup short bursts super well and can become confused with quick increases in stroke rate.
Great article as ever Ray. Despite being a Garmin user since the Fenix didn’t have a HR sensor I am still unsure about the metrics.
Both the Epix and pro sometimes do a strange HR jump at times. I upgraded as I thought the new sensor might fix things. It does seem to track micro changes but the big jump is strange.
Try using a chest strap and you would be able to compare.
To monitor both at the same time you would need a second Garmin watch to pair it to, as I think when you pair a HR chest strap it disables the watch HR sensor.
How is the stress level predictions on this in different scenarios?
Generally I find them align fairly well. If I’m stressed (such as behind on a review that has to go live at a certain time), it’ll show that. Likewise, I tend to see stress from sickness too.
Unfortunately Garmin seem to have an issue with their beta program, and enrolling devices into it.
I, like so many, are unable to join the beta program, due to some, unidentified issue with Garmin. The Garmin forums are inundated with people unable to enrol.
I previously owned an Epic 2, which was able to be enrolled, but by Epix Pro 51, can’t.
It’s logical to expect the Epix Pro could be enrolled at the point when the new beta build for the F7/Epix line is released. Which, hopefully, will be any day now. I’d suggest to keep checking the beta forums, which you probably are anyway. :)
When using on a bike handlebar does the watch come back to life with a tap? (I don’t care if it’s black most of the time)
I have answered my own question having gotten a epic pro Aug 3rd.
If on map screen a simple tap makes it visible.
Other screens simply require a press of the light button. Pretty easy.
If gesture mode is on, does the screen light up whenever you get a notification (ie WhatsApp)? Or does it stay off and just vibrates until you move your hand to check the screen? Asking for battery life.
Thank you!
I just got an Epix Gen 2 Pro Sapphire Edition. I’m trying to use the Garmin Connect app on my Android phone to configure the data screens.
I cannot for the life of me figure out how to configure the data screens using Garmin Connect. I go to Device Settings, don’t see Data Screens there, so I look under every sub menu, ‘Activities and Apps’, ‘Notifications and Alerts’, etc… Can’t find Data Screens anywhere. Can someone please tell me how to get to the Data Screens configuration on the Garmin Connect app?
Thx,
MB
On the iOS app, you do this:
Device Icon at the top of the main app screen (called the ‘My Day’ view) then
Activities & Apps then pick one of the activities shown, such as
Run – then select Data Screens
And configure from there. Add, delete, edit, modify, etc…
Never used the Android app but I’d assume it’s somewhat similar….?
Thanks so much Neil!
Hello I’m having hard time finding this info: is Load focus calcualated exclusively from “recorded activities” or does it take metrics also from e.g. heart rate readings / HVR from “normal watch use” during the day?
(i’m using Epix Gen2 14.23)
Thanks
Hello DC, Hello community, I switched from the Fenix6xpro to the EPIX GEN2 Pro 51mm. Maybe I`am wrong or I missed something to setup correctly….
Yesterday I started an own programmed intervall training session. By starting a training you get an addition datafield, beside the own setup ones, which shows the range of the target pace, decremental segment distance, time in segement. From the Fenix I know that the targetpace is shown in this field as segment pace to the second. But with the Epix I have here the “standard” pace with the +/-5s accuracy. For intervall sessions where I focus on pace in a segement this is not sufficient from my point of view. This “automatic” datafield is not selectable to modify. Do I made a mistakte in the setup ?
You know what would be Pro. An LTE modem from the 945 LTE.
How does the Muscle Oxy fields work on this? Is there another sensor that needs to be used with watch??
Ray, is there a way to customize what data fields are shown during interval workouts? I hate that if I’m running distance based intervals, let’s say 12x400m with 400m recovery, that it won’t show me heart rate. Os there a way to edit these data fields? If not, has garmin ever commented on why they won’t give us this ability on our $1,000+ watches?
For $1k it the Epix pro gen2 has the Worst alitimeter !! I’ve done the calibration 3 times an it’s still sucks..
Bizarre, never touch mine and it’s always dead on. Warranty issue?
Update- I haven’t done anything but outdoor gps activities, currently visiting family 5 hours from home and randomly checked the elevation….. The epix pro is within 5 feet of the actual figure!!!
I have just purchased the Epix Pro (gen2) appart from doing the software update on it is there any other key issues I should be aware of?
Ray if coming from a base Fenix 6, would you recommend the cheaper Gen 2 ($692 AUD) over the Pro ($1600 AUD)
Question for everyone….why would the Epix 2 Pro Sapphire 51m track my heart rate while running on a tread perfectly and then all of a sudden it drops and never seems to pick back up? For example I will be running for like 20 minutes and my hr is up to 150+ and then all of a sudden the Epix drops my hr to 117 and it never seems to get much higher.
I ordered my Garmin Epix Pro (2nd Gen) 51mm just now.
Got it for 774 USD. I hope it was a good deal.
Where ? – which website ?
Thanks Ray (and community) for all the great reviews/info!
Just got myself a Epix Pro (Gen 2) 47mm Sapphire @ €749 (incl 2nd leather strap)!
Can’t wait!