Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
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.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
-
5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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’m really interested to understand a bit more about how the Report Hazard function works.
I’ve just been out on my bike with my 1040 on the beta to try it and a couple of things occurred to me. First is where is the hazard actually recorded, and what’s the warning range? By the time I’d got clear of a gravel patch on a bend to safely free up one hand, tap the screen, select Hazard, select the type and press ‘Submit’, I was probably 100m or so past it. Will this mean that riders going to same direction as me will get the warning too late, and riders coming the other way will get warned too far in advance to be useful? This isn’t a criticism, it’s a great function, but I’m just interested to see how it will work. I guess a good way might be if your location was cached as soon as you touched the screen, and then if you did go through the process of adding a hazard, that location would be used for it – that might cut down on the distance elapsed (I don’t think many cyclists are going to stop, turn round and go back to the hazard to tag it, especially if they’ve just outrun a rabid dog).
My other question is how/when do the hazards get uploaded? Whilst I use my Edge for routing, I dual-record on my Fenix. At the end of the ride, if the activity uploads properly from the Fenix (I can’t remember the last time it didn’t), I delete the Edge ride without even saving it. Does this mean that any hazards I’ve tagged during that ride won’t be submitted, or are they submitted on-the-fly or regardless of whether the ride was saved or not (I also have the same question for any of the group ride awards)?
So, the warning range in my testing is roughly 200m it seems to come into range (for warnings already present). When you tap/tag a new hazard, the moment you tap into the hazard page, it sets the marker, then you’ve got whatever time it takes to decide which hazard/etc… But the initial marker comes from when you first hit open the hazard page. You can actually see that in the map afterwards.
Riders going both directions get warned on hazards, at least for obstructions and animals. I haven’t double-checked directionality of potholes and slippery.
The hazards are essentially stored in a secondary smalll map file. That map file gets constantly updated via the Garmin Connect app with nearby new hazards. That’s why if you set a hazard now, and your buddy is 30 seconds behind you, assuming good connectivity, they’ll get the alert near-instantly. In my testing, hazards are not tied to any live/active recording session, nor saved session.
In theory, it’s supposed to be visible in Garmin Connect course creator, but I’m not seeing it there yet (or, I’m doing something wrong).
Finally, hazards remain visible as long as it gets 50% upvote. Garmin also has some time-based decay in there as well, but they’re holding off on detailing that until they get the first wave or two of real-world feedback, in case they want to change it (like we saw with ClimbPro initially).
Oh, and as noted above – you can always turn off hazard warnings in the Ride Profile screens.
Thanks for being a DCR Supporter!
Great, thanks for the detailed response!
I’ve noticed this morning that reported hazards are showing in Course Creator (on my computer), but only when you create a new course and save it. In other words, during planning you don’t see any hazards, but once you’ve done, it will show you any hazards on your newly-saved course. It would be better if these were shown during planning (as you might want to detour around them), but maybe that’ll come.
I’m still not seeing anything relating to road surface type though, and today’s planned ride covers lots of unpaved country lanes. That’s anther thing it would be good to have visibility of during planning, given the amount of times I’ve found myself threading my road bike along a farm track.
Ahh interesting, I didn’t save it when checking. I’ll pass along that feedback, totally agree.
For me, I’m seeing unpaved as dashed lines on Course Creator, at least what’s around me here (which, is very limited for gravel).
Also, minor update above on the hazard warning. It appears to be exactly 225m (in a radius).
I’m now seeing the hazards on the course creator map before you save — both on web and in Connect mobile app (android). Had to look near Garmin HQ in Kansas to find a few, but they’re there :)
Ok, got some clarity back on hazards from Garmin, which is:
////
Hazards are enabled / disabled as a layer option in the tabs icon in the top right corner of the course creator window:
– If enabled they are pulled down for the viewable area on the current course creator window, obviously adjusting each time the user moves the viewable map area. They are clustered together in the same way as climbs are depending on the zoom level.
– If disabled, they are pulled down as you have seen when the final course is saved.
– If you touch / hover over the hazard, you will see when it was last reported.
///
And indeed, all that works out. Added a quick screenshot!
This is very nice, as it allows people with older units to plan the routes accordingly and avoid those hazards entirely.
They changed the status from 20% down to „pre rollout“, effectively halting rollout now.
Doesn’t “Pre Rollout” simply mean you have to manually check, versus automatic checks will download it?
Yeah, I pulled it down last night. All you have to do is “Check for Updates” on the device if you’re currently in the beta track.
I tried but that didn’t work for me. Neither on device nor via Garmin Express.
Thus I assumed it was halted, but maybe my Edge has some hickups.
Do you have betas enabled on your Edge? I know the forums say pre, but it worked for me last night regardless of that. I rode with 23.09 on my 1040 this morning.
You described Garmin Share as it is noted in one of the Edge 840 picture.
But on the beta Garmin site this feature isn’t mentioned.
Maybe Garmine forget to put this on the list?
The release notes are kinda funny, there’s some things missing (like Garmin Share and incident detection), and other things copied/pasted wrong (the Edge 1040 list says ‘840 only’) for some things.
In any case, as shown in the video (and the photo above), it’s definitely in the firmware.
Anyone know how the share is done?
IIRC, the original method was an ANT connection.
I wonder if they went back to that, are using Bluetooth, or are routing it through Garmin connect?
I’m pretty sure someone told me it was Bluetooth now. But I’ll check.
Any chance the functionality is extended to the Edge X30 units at a later date or is this a hardware limitation?
No realistic chance, for what is more business reasons.
I.e.- they want us to upgrade. Ain’t gonna happen. Wish they’d just port over to the 1030 Plus!
by the way – is there a way to fine-tune the ‘high traffic road’ warnings? Right now they pop up right before the crossing, it would make more sense if they behaved like the sharp turn warnings, a bit more in advance.
Not at the moment. That said, I know DesFit ran into some issues there, and Garmin is already looking into it.
As someone who bought a 1040 on Sunday, yes, my timing is excellent… Much regret and panic yesterday but now with these updates I feel the extra battery life is worth losing a nicer display and bell for!
I will update and see if I need the 1050 afterwards
The “road hazard” function is only in group ride? Or its avaible for everybody who ride after me? And if i someone ride after me some days later will this notify them?
I’m very interested in hazard reporting. I live and ride in rural South Carolina, and dogs are a very real threat to safe cycling. It would be good to list where viscous dogs are encountered so others are aware. Just because they are fenced in doesn’t mean they always are!
Garmin 1040
How many days or week until the beta is released as a regular update? I don’t like to install beta on my devices.
There’s no exact date known yet. Generally speaking though, it’s 4-6 weeks out. This is technically part of the Garmin Q3 updates, which normally hit production in mid-late August.
Generally speaking, Garmin starts releasing wearable betas around the last week of June or first week of July. I suspect this one went a touch bit earlier, due to timing it to the Edge 1050 release day. Thus, it might be a tiny bit longer than normal to get to sometime in August.
Why isn’t screen recording in this update. I like to use as replacement for Virb Edit, but I’m not seeing that option in the “hidden menu”. Also how are you screen recording the new features without that option? Thank you
I’m not sure why, but I poked back today.
All my screen recordings were actually with the Edge 1050. Screenshots are still available on this beta, which you see in the thumbnail, but obviously not super ideal.
Did they bring the menus across from the 1050 as well? I generally don’t like running beta code, but that would sorely tempt me
The UI is still the same on my 1040. There are minor changes in the appearance of the high traffic warnings and sharp turns warning, but otherwise it looked the same. I didn’t navigate with it yet, though, so maybe something has changed there. Gravel roads now appear differently on the map so you can tell what they are, but since my ride today was all paved, I didn’t see many gravel roads. Free ride ClimbPro was the same.
Correct, the UI will remain the same. Garmin says there isn’t the processing power for the new UI.
This will be the first time that a Beta version will have description about how to use the new features. Thanks to Edge 1050 manual.
We are requesting this since months – https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/fenix-7-series/f/community-discussion/364062/beta-phase—beta-manual-by-quarter—or-specific-topic-for-new-features
For example – Garmin Share
link to www8.garmin.com
Yeah (since I know the Edge team folks are watching the features here), I’d love to see similar explainers/screenshots for some of the big-ticket items in new firmware notes going forward. Almost akin to what some companies do in a quick blog-style format. Basically, what I did above, but just without the snark.
Most of the times it’s somewhat obvious what the new feature is, but there’s plenty of times the descriptions aren’t really clear – or more importantly, don’t actually highlight the depth of the feature. Said differently to the Edge team: Take credit for the cool new features you create, and give more details about the extent of them.
(Which, I know probably from a business standpoint doesn’t help me here, since that’s kinda my job, but still…I’m all for more information!)
@Ray, any plans for Gramin for tidying x40 UI?
No plans there as far as I know.
I did installed the update.
Updating map was a disaster via wifi. Edge deleted the map, wasn’T able to install it again. I did managed to sync to garmin server for downloading the new map but I did had enough space on my 840.
Widget ; I selected the one I want to see, deleted the others but nothing change, I still have all widgets on the main screen.
Because of first issue, I did a master reset, when it reinstalled the sensor, sensors were there but link with device wasn’t working, Varia wasn’t even listed.
I just installed the Beta and already regret it , device is slower, also, I did not update the maps as I do not really need the extra data…I hope the final version is snapier
Ray, do you think, that garmin will release a x40 plus with the cpu, ui and bell of the x50 but with a mips screen?
Does anyone know how to roll back to previous version? The beta is much slower on my 840. I left the Beta program, but no idea how to revert to back to official version.
Never thought about bell in cycling computer, but now I wish Garmin ported it to my Edge 840 too.
840 can play whole darn song at the end of the climb, so why it can’t play bell sound? It may not sound realistic through a beeper, but does it absolutely have to?
It’s the loudness more than the tone. Meaning, the new bike bell speaker is Loud AF, whereas your existing top-of-the-climb tones are mainly just loud enough to annoy your buddies.
I think I am the only one that enjoyed that little tune at the end of a climb . Sad for GARMIN to remove it instead of giving the option to disable it.
Downoladed beta on 840. Tried to update the map (19GB) – estimated time 12h. Paused it, went on a ride. Now it is impossible to download. Ended up with incomplete map of Europe. Device got slower. I will reset to factory. Thanks Garmin!
Delete the map, then re-download.
Either way, it’s a beta, expect bugs. That’s the point of beta – literally – to find and resolve bugs.
Thanks. There is no possibility to delete at least from the device level. Anyway device got quite laggy, so will reset anyway.
You should be able to delete from the new WiFi Map Manger, under system. Unless by pulling it mid-download, it got in a weird half-state.
Unfortunately the map is not listed there. I can only download it again with ends up in a preparing… state
Bummer. Probably best then to use the old-school way: Garmin Express via computer.
I removed the maps from device’s drive. Now it is downloading again. The problem is, edge goes into sleep after few minutes. Anyone has an idea how to turn it off?
I’ve seen a few other note that as well. At the moment, the solution seems to be get a coffee, and sit there and tap it every once in a while.
In the case of Garmin’s wearables, it sorta does the opposite. It starts the download of various things when connected to a charger (such as music).
It should be a quick fix software wise though. Probably quicker than downloading a map 😅
One can turn off auto sleep in activity profile.
Thanks Bartek S, that’s very helpful info, I couldn’t find it elsewhere. CycleMap Europe now on 14% with 10+ hours remaining!
Hey Ray Maker, is it possible to go from Beta 23.xx back to 21.19? Do you know where I can find the rollback files…because there are no files on Garmin forum.
Thanks!
Did a 100+ mile solo ride on my 840 with beta software this weekend and overall found the beta software quite good (New York City Long Island north shore / 3,400 ft climbing). Some observations:
* WIFI MAP UPDATES NEED WORK. Good start, Garmin, but don’t try this at home unless you have many hours to babysit… (and don’t even think of trying this on the road). Not sure will truly improve until Garmin breaks up the gigantic 1gb+ file size maps into smaller, more easily digestible and useful areas — though keeping it from auto-sleeping when charging will at least allow you to leave the long update process unattended.
* NAVIGATION MAPS FINE. Initially sluggish after upgrading map, but improved quickly to baseline as I rode. Some text got smaller — sharp turn and high traffic warnings, and maybe maybe street name text (I made larger). High Traffic warnings still often come too late to be useful (on, in, or even after the intersection) — but that’s not new in the beta.
* ROAD HAZARD FEATURE IS NEAT. Tap the screen when you’re riding and the hazard option pops up — and it gives you some time to respond with the hazard identification (I’d like to see longer before it times out tho), even being able to edit on the map where the hazard is. Shows up quickly for others and in the course creator too. Ultimately this is a pay-it-forward feature and I’ll be curious to see how it plays out in the months ahead… Will people use it? Will maps in high use areas be littered with so much crap to the point of noisy uselessness?
* CLIMB PRO REPSONSIVE. Noticeably more responsive gradient when climbing! Unfortunately some of the climbing data in the hills 60 miles around New York City is still wonky (some notables missing, start/end points off, grandient incorrect).
* UNPAVED ROAD ALERTS GOOD. Though only as good as the underlying data — which isn’t perfect.
* NO MORE ELEVATION CALIBRATION NOTIFICATION BEEPING. Good riddance — this was driving me crazy ever since Garmin added the notification… Sometimes it’s the little things, right?
It’s beta software… Happy to see it available timely and hopefuly Garmin will smooth this out in the next few weeks.
Any idea if new Edge 1050 will be added to the list of units supporting the Outdoor Maps + subscription?? It will be great with the new screen and RAM size!
Does anyone know if this update applies to the Explore Two?
The map download is buggy. The unit kept powering off mid-update. After the plugging the unit in, it was been “Waiting… Preparing… Waiting…” since yesterday. So my 840 is down. I should’ve known better than too mess with a Garmin Beta. They’re full release products are problematic enough. For the cost, they are way behind over tech companies.
Waiting for Apple to design a bike computer…
Don’t do it!
My 840 has been doing this for 48 HOURS.
…with this screen splashed intermittently.
Hello Guys
Does someone know how to remove the Beta version on my 840?
Cheers
Stef
Can you download a trail into the computer.?
Can you pair it with AllTrails
Can I important workout from Training Peaks?
I know probably not but want to ask.
With my 530 been killed in a crash with a child running onto the street yesterday, any news on when to expect this features becoming part of a normal firmware, not beta?
Trying to figure out whether to buy the 840 or go all in on the 1050 🤔
Trouble is these Hazard Warning Alerts tend to be a distraction right at the point when you need to be focusing on the hazard itself. ‘Sharp’ Bend – Beep! A Busy Road – Beep! Yet another pothole – Beep! The seemingly incessant beeping when riding has meant I’ve disabled these alerts already.