2010 Athlete Gadget Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year when people stampede into their local mall in search of the perfect gift.  But choosing gifts for an endurance athlete can be tough.  Endurance athletes are picky by nature – for example, you’d never dream of giving a bottle of Heed to an EFS lover – that’d be akin to offering filet mignon to a vegan.

So I offer you my top list of sport related gadgets and training gizmos for the endurance athlete, sorted by category and who they appeal to.  This is a bit different from my Sport GPS Recommendations guide, in that I’ve narrowed it down to exactly what you should pickup for your endorphin-crazed friend.  Think of it as a foolproof guide.  I can guarantee you that anything you buy from this list will make that person happy.  No crapware products listed here.

And, as always – by using any of the links below you help support the site (and future giveaways).  Thanks for reading, and your support!

All Round Endurance Sports & Triathlete: Forerunner 310XT

Probably the worst kept secret is that my favorite all around training device at the moment is the Forerunner 310XT.  To date, it represents the most complete sport device from a training and racing standpoint.  Many devices can do training well – sport by sport – but only the 310XT can pull it all together on race day and offer a seamless story from swim to bike to run (err…maybe…painful walk).

Plus, the recent firmware update two weeks ago that add in new power meter smoothing modes means that you can truly use this as a single device – even for the most advanced cyclists amongst the triathlete crowd (or those cyclists that occasionally flirt with running).

And while there will always be a ‘new version’ to hedge bets against for the future, I don’t think you can go wrong with purchasing this unit now.  I expect to see Garmin continue to add features into the 310XT (such as support for their upcoming Vector pedal based power meter).  Plus, as proven by the FR305 – it’s still got a really long future on store shelves ahead of it.

You can pickup the FR310XT via REI or via Amazon for prices between $299 and $399 depending on tidal patterns and moon phases.

Watching Fitness: Withings WiFi Scale

I’ve reviewed a few different scales over the past year, but my favorite continues to be the Withings WiFi Scale.  During my Symposium talk I noted to the group of sport device companies the many reasons I think this is one of the most well thought out sports-related devices out there.  Its effortless setup process, it works anywhere you’ve got WiFi, and has an impressive online site with with everything from iPhone to Android to iPad integration and apps.  All this make keeping track of your weight easy, and…perhaps a bit exciting (no…really…well, except after this past Turkey Day).

But even more important is that they’ve continued to innovate and expand with partners.  Just last week they announced the ‘Health Triade’ with both Digifit and Zeo.  Both companies sent me products to review, so you’ll see those in a bit.  But to me, more importantly this shows me they’re (Withings) still actively working to better the experience for consumers today.  A rare and refreshing trait in technology companies.

You can pickup the Withings Scale for about $159.

The Cyclist: Garmin Edge 500

Cyclists are finicky folks (sorry, you/we just are).  First, they’ve got to color coordinate their jerseys to the frame, and then ensure the water bottle doesn’t clash with the handlebar tape.   Of course, that’s before we get to talking about component weight.  Don’t even try to engage that discussion, or even try inserting logic into it.  Logic never applies during that conversation.

But perhaps that’s the one reason that I recommend the Edge 500 to cyclists.  While I love the new Edge 800 as a great touring bike computer, it’s the Edge 500 that makes for the best ‘all around GPS bike device’.  It’s tiny, weighs less than an egg – yet includes all the major cycling features like speed, cadence, distance and ANT+ enabled power meter support.  And, when you’re done riding, you get a pretty map of where you went.  Except on a trainer, then it’s just a dot…since…well…you went nowhere.

Plus, for all you color-coordinating folks that can’t stand the thought of putting ‘little blue’ (as The Girl calls it) on your black and white bike…fear not.  You can pickup the Black and White version, or go where no clash has gone before with the Team Garmin Argyle Orange version.

The Edge 500 is available for between $199 and $249 on Amazon, again, depending on random factors within their control.

The Runner: Garmin Forerunner 210

For the past month I’ve been wearing the new Forerunner 210 every day.  And thus far…I love it.  While my full review should be out sometime this week, there’s very few small things that I nitpick with on it.  As you may remember, the FR210 added both foot-pod support and instant pace support to it’s slightly older brother the FR110.

Unlike the bulkier orange FR310XT, the FR210 is basically the same size as any other standard wrist digital watch.  Except, it packs a 8-10 hour GPS activity life, and a 1-2 week standby life.  And, as I’ve found out recently – as you cross time zones it’ll automatically pickup the correct time – just like your cell phone does when you land at a new airport.

While the new FR410 with its newly engineered four-quadrant bezel may be a great fit for runners seeking more advanced capabilities on a slimmer watch (trial unit arrives tomorrow for me), I find that for 95% of my running workouts – the FR210 will work just perfectly.

You can pickup the FR210 for $299.

The Swimmer: FINIS SwimSense

The swimmer category is a bit tough to fulfill.  See, I just don’t swim with much – and don’t really have any good toys for the pool…yet.  Well, besides my wetsuit and pull buoy.  Like any true triathlete, I love both of them!  Why let a bit of flotation get in the way of a good workout?

On the gadget side I’ve only tried one gadget to date – the Poolmate – which I was rather unimpressed with.

However, at some point this week the new FINIS SwimSense by SportSense will hopefully arrive at my hotel room – ready for me to take it for a spin.  While I haven’t played with the unit hands on yet, I have spent an inordinate amount of time on the phone with the SwimSense team over a multitude of calls spanning nearly 6 months during their development cycle, poking and prodding – and getting to play with the software side of things.  And I think they’re on the right track.

You can wait for my thoughts on the device probably next week sometime, or you can stick your name in the hopper now, via their website – for $199.

And as for music devices in the pool – I’ve never swam with one (would be fun to review though…), so I can’t offer any details there.

The iPhone Person: Wahoo Fitness iPhone Dongle

As I predicted earlier this year, the iPhone continues to gain acceptance as a sport training device.  There have been both a surge in sport-related hardware options for the iPhone, but also iPhone apps.  While my iPhone Sport Apps post is still being hatched, I can offer my ‘you can’t go wrong’ recommendations on hardware in the meantime.

My primary recommendation would be the Wahoo Fitness ANT+ iPhone dongle.  This dongle allows you to connect to any ANT+ device, be it a power meter, heart rate strap, speed/cadence sensor, footpod, Tanita BC-1000 scale, or even the new Garmin Chirp (for you geocaching folks).  And While Wahoo Fitness itself only offers a relatively modest software app, it’s the larger ecosystem that’s at play here.  Wahoo has over 40 different vendors either building apps, or have already released apps.  Everyone from MapMyRun/Ride to Quarq has something in the hopper or already out there.  Many of them either free…or just a few bucks.

You can pickup the Wahoo Fitness iPhone dongle here for $79.

Now, if you prefer a ‘fully integrated’ solution, then I’m seeing good things with the updated Digifit solution.  I’ve been a bit hard on Digifit in the past due to their previously wonky pricing model.  But they’ve cleaned that up a bit – along with cleaning up their apps.  Their new partnership with both Withings (WiFi Scale) and the Zeo Sleep Machine also signals and interesting shift in the companies directions.  I’ll have a full Digifit review at some point in the semi-near future, but for now you can pickup their iPhone dongle for $10, and you buy different apps separately.

(Note, I would offer sport recommendations for both Android and Windows 7 phone users…but to speak simply: There’s just nothing out there yet for ya to buy).

The Rundown:

	The Triathlete Garmin Forerunner 310XT $299
	Watching Fitness Withings WiFi Scale $159
	The Cyclist Garmin Edge 500 $249
	The Runner Garmin Forerunner 210 $249
	The Swimmer FINIS SwimSense by SportSense $199
	iPhone Sports Person Wahoo Fitness iPhone Adapter $79

Thanks for reading, and supporting the site!
-Ray

India Part II: Crouching Tiger

(Quick note: You can see the first half of my brief trip to India here in Part I)

As a general rule of thumb, when you want to go see unique things in the wild, it takes a bit of travelling to get there.  This has been true of my nearly 30 hour boat trip to Guadalupe Island for Great White Sharks, as well as previous African adventures.  In the case of getting to the home of wild tigers in India, it required a rather mixed transport journey.

First was going to the airport in Delhi at 4AM, then the flight at 6AM on a prop plane for two hours to Jabalpur.

From there, we loaded up in a not-so-four-wheel-drive car for a 4 hour trek on roads that ranged from nice highway…to downright nasty dirt roads.

(Above recorded via the Forerunner 210)

But…like always, the journey was worth it.

I decided to stay near Bandhavgarh National Park at Mahua Kothi Lodge, which is from the same AndBeyond company that I went to Africa with for my Tanzania trip.  And like then, the place was just crazy nice for being in the middle of nowhere.

Here was our little home for a few days:

While some folks get all serious in nice places…we don’t. :)  Well, actually, we tried to put on serious faces…but failed miserably.

Of course, the real question is: How’s the food? (C’mon, what’d you expect from me?)

Awesome.

All Indian food every meal – and tons of it, crazy selection of amazing food.

In the jungle…the mighty jungle

Once we were done eating our first meal, it was time to head out on our first ‘game drive’. No worries though, we weren’t shooting anything (aside from photos), that’s just what they call it on safari’s.

So we loaded up the 4x4’s and headed on out.

The journey is on dirt and rock roads that ramble through the amazing Indian wilderness.

Along the way you get to see a variety of different animals - from monkey’s…

…to a bunch of different species of deer:

Along with some huge wild boar (pigs), though they were always hard to spot and get good photos of.

While we did see elephants, they are no longer native to this region.  Instead, the park rangers use them to trek throughout the reserve and keep track of the tigers – essentially, the ultimate off-road vehicle.

Our first game drive of the trip ended up without any tiger sightings.  A sign when you enter the national park reminds you this may end up being the case.

And when you leave, a similar sign tries to up your spirits.

The next morning though, our luck increased just slightly.  We managed to catch a glimpse of a tiger off in the bushes…but this was as much as we got (look dead-center in the middle of the photo)

Later that afternoon though…we hoped we might luck out.  Given it was our last drive, it was our only chance.

Thankfully, after a bit of time waiting near the watering hole, one of the tiger cubs decided to peek out.

Unlike your common house cat, he certainly wasn’t afraid of the water – but rather enjoyed playing around in it.

After a bit of time he decided to go dry off.

Thankfully, he soon came back with his sibling.  These two are about 16 months old – and seemed to enjoy playing around in the water together.

You can say it now…’Aww…how cute!’

But, after getting tired of us…they decided leave the party and head back into the wilderness.  Nothing to complain about here though!  We enjoyed the time we spent watching them.

After leaving him, we stumbled into two more tigers along the way home.  Both amazing to watch in their grace as they strutted across the land.

Not all is well

As I often do in my travels – I try and show what isn’t typically shown by touristy magazines.  You may remember my stark views on the Pyramids in Egypt as an example.  Or perhaps my behind the scenes with Whale Shark Researchers.

And in this case, the photos to date in this post make it appear that you’re mostly alone out in the wild seeking the elusive tiger.

But that isn’t exactly always the case.  We found out quite quickly that this was unlike any African safari (and I’ve been on half a dozen of them).

To begin with, the national park has very specific hours you’re allowed to be in it – from 6AM to 10AM, and from 3PM to 5:45PM.  While the concept of ‘game drive hours’ isn’t new to even African safari’s, the middle of the day gap is.  While the goal of this gap is to allow the environment a break, what it actually does is create this:

What’s this you ask?  Well, it’s 32 jeeps lined up to enter the park at breakneck speeds to try and get to the last known tiger sighting.  This is quite different from Africa in that you wander until you find something – enjoying the journey along the way.

Unfortunately, you can’t entirely enjoy the full journey because if you were to pull over or stop, you’d invariably have unhappy jeeps stuck behind you – angry that you’re slowing their progress.  And ironically, a move meant to help the tigers puts them in further danger as it forces the behavior of bumble-bee soccer.  And you don’t want to be in the way of a swarm of jeep bumble bees.

Of course, if you do indeed find the tigers – that leads to everyone jamming the site.  We’re talking literally up to hundreds of peoples on jeeps.

This specific behavior is driven by the park’s rule that no communication devices be allowed…period.  No radio’s, no cell phones, nothing – by either drivers/guides or tourists.  Compare this to Africa, where drivers freely communicate information with other drivers using CB radio’s.  This allows the drivers in many reserves to ensure that only a few vehicles are present at any one time – basically, people taking their turn.  And once one vehicle is set, they radio to others to have them head on in.

Here, without a communication method, the only option is to swarm…and yell…and shout.

Eventually a park ranger would come along and cause more shouting.

What was interesting is that night at dinner we got the opportunity to talk to a conservationist from Africa that has been doing work with the park on behalf of AndBeyond about some of the things we saw.

The core of the is to some degree that India just doesn’t have the experience in operating safari’s like Africa does.  Some of their well-intentioned methods actually cause more harm than good.

He did say there have been strides though over the last 12-18 months.  For example, up until this year, they actually permitted 120 jeeps at once in the park – as opposed to the current 32.  And while they changed this, they assigned ‘routes’ within the park, to try and create separation (a good idea in theory).  But instead of forcing drivers on a given route for the entire time period, they let them complete the initial assigned routes, and then roam freely.  This in turn simply leads to the aforementioned ‘How fast can you complete your assigned route…so you can go to the last known spot’ syndrome.

Again, strides have been made – and that’s good, but there’s also work to be done.

As noted – some drivers do obey the rules, and luckily – ours did.  We found our lodges drivers were heavily cautious when it came to any moves they made.  And while that did at times result in ‘good guys finish last’ – it also meant we left with a better impression of the park, and also left a smaller impression on the land.  For that, we are thankful.

However, don’t let the above deter you from going to the region or India Safari’s in general. 

Go to India, take a Safari – but choose an operator who’s responsible.  How do you know?  Research your operator and choose ones that support the local area.  The majority of times these lodges are the same ones who operate responsibly within the park (aren’t reckless, don’t speed, observe the rules, etc…).

And most importantly – enjoy India’s parks as a whole.  Enjoy it for what you sometimes get to see see, but more importantly, the tigers you may not see.