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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.
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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!
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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.
As usual very good write up. Have you got any fix on getting a better link between the Garmin 310xt and duotrap? They are sync’d. But the the cadence and speed are not accurate.
Thoughts?
Sweet review! Looks like something else to try with my iPad.
If lazy triathlete is talking about EZ-Trainer, speed and cadence are accurate…I’ve tested it extensively.
James Brannan
Founder, iNtervalSoft
Hey Ray,
I enjoyed the app review. This product came to mind with regards to your iPad placement dilemma.
link to criskenna.com
Thanks again for a great site!
Chris
A future Android based version of this type of software would also work really well especially with built in Ant+ support and HDMI output to a larger display.
It would also be really nice to have prerecorded video sync to your speed.
Had I know about the unit that Chris P suggested, that would have been a great solution for where to put my iPad. I’ve been using a regular music stand initially for a DVD player and now for the iPad. Good review, as usual, thanks for doing the leg work.
I like the look of this app. I believe airplay is being opened up to all apps when 4.3 is released and I think game center integration would be cool.
Any chance of someone creating a Windows version of all this? Ant+ dongle and the SW…
This is almost (but just almost) a reason to buy an iPad for me. I’d love to overlay this data on the lap top I already use to watch Netflix. Even better if it were possible to integrate this into WMC (Win Media Center)
Ant+ already supported in Android phones, link to blogs.sonyericsson.com without dongle.
Now we only wait for app to support it also :)
Excellent review as always…one thing I couldn’t figure out from the write-up…
Does ANT+ technology allow multiple sensors to pick up the data? i.e. if running EZ-trainer, can my Garmin still ingest all that ANT data from my bike cadence sensor and HR?
Hey Lazy-
RE: Duotrap
I wasn’t aware of 310XT & Duotrap issues, will have to poke around a bit (seperate from this of course).
Hi Chris-
RE: Stand
Thanks for that! Oddly enough, I do have a little iPad stand (desktop style), but for the life of me I can’t find it anymore. That stand you linked to though is very nice looking!
Hi Daryl/pdais97-
RE: Android
I did ask the developer (James) and he said that once a dongle came out for a tablet, he would look into developing against it. Right now, only the XPeria phones have ANT+ support, with no other donlges on the market for them yet.
Hi Sean-
RE: 4.3 update
I asked James about this specifically, and he noted that 4.3 allows apps to stream video to airplay devices, but not yet in-app content. He can probably clarify better. I was hoping for the same!
Hi Chris S-
RE: Windows Version
The ANT+ announcement today/yesterday allowing better access for developers to ANT+ and the dongle should open the doors to this – would love the same! Would also be interesting to see this make the Apple Mac AppStore as well for Mac owners.
Hi Beau-
RE: Multiple devices picking up ANT+ sensors
Yup, no problems there. In fact, during all this testing I was normally running both an Edge 500 or 800, and a Joule as well at the same time, collecting data from the same sensor sets.
Thanks all!
I have a SE Xperia phone(now with ANT+ support) so I´m just waiting for an app to test with…
Cant wait for a review on some good cameras to bring out on runs……Just bought a garmin going to have my thoughts on my blog.
link to 6months2liv.blogspot.com
Could this somehow work with a treadmill and a footpod?
jbing…check this out:
link to vimeo.com
It is currently getting reviewed by Apple.
* I find a sheet music stand works well.
* The AirPlay *does not* work with 3rd party app visuals. As of the latest beta it only streams the video. I’m looking into a “splitter dongle” that I found online, if it works, then I’ll have a solution for sending video to a larger monitor.
nice review–very thorough. this looks cool.
can one customize the data fields that are displayed? for instance, during my longer interval sessions i like to look not only at current cadence and power (3s), but also average cadence and power during that particular lap.
thanks! love your blog.
Enjoy your blog. This app is slick and *very* well done. However, many feel that iPad /phone screens are just too small, and don’t really work beyond the initial “hey, that’s neat” period. Larger monitors / TVs are standard in fitness environments, even home gyms.
The AirPlay solution (which doesn’t allow for 3rd party graphics because it interferes with TV ads and lower thirds) requires me to buy an ipad and apple TV, when I already own a TV /set top box, dvd and gaming console – all capable of running apps. $600 + another $85 dongle to see my watch data on my tv, when buying a single ($5-$25) app/game that works with your existing ANT+ stick will suffice? Plus, ANT+ is now open and there is no need to rely on the Wahoo APIs/dongles.
A solution could be a simple ANT+ TV or Gaming console application. An app that also handles streaming video, speed syncing video, and is cord-cutter ready: link to vimeo.com
Keep up the great work on your blog!
Do you happen to know if this will work with a PowerBeam Pro trainer and its ANT+ communication protocol?
Hey, EZ-Trainer LT was finally accepted to the app store!
You can try before you buy. It has ads and times out after 30 minutes of use though.
James
Hi,
This is an ANT+ question – can you have multiple devices receiving information from a single source? Eg could I still use my Edge 500 and this dongle receiving data from my PT? Reason being is that its easier then for me to do a single download from the Edge to TrainingPeaks rather than having to get the data off the iPad.
thanks.
Hi Craig-
Yes, no problem with that. In fact, I do that all the time when I’m testing devices – including when I was testing EZ-Trainer.
Enjoy!
Not 100% related, but what would be cool is some software that could replay recorded ANT+ data (from a ride) over a video you shot on that ride with your GoPro. Be great for creating a video from a Sprint race or other short race with your HR, Speed and Power overlaid on the video!
Hey Ben-
Actually, there’s some software to do that today. It’s not 100% geared towards ANT+ data, but it works just fine if you have a CSV export. I’ve seen a few videos of it, such as this:
link to youtube.com
Software here:
link to chasecam.com
Thread here:
link to forum.slowtwitch.com
Hi, is iNtervalSoft (James ) still in business? His website is links to someone Els and in the AppStore his software is not valuable anymore?
Cheers,
Twan
The Netherlands
Does this app work with garmin ant+ dongle ? If not any plans to implement …or is it not that easy
Mark
No, the Garmin ANT+ dongle is hard-coded to work with basically nothing but the Garmin FIT app.
Great article – but since 2011, I’m wondering if your opinion here has changed? I’m looking to see if you know about Apple or a 3rd party providing a lightening jack ANT stick ? The Sufferfest and KICKR combination is great but I am hoping to use the newer Sufferfest iPad app. Bluetooth is there but ANT i think would be better with all ththe areas of data inbound.