Big Sports Tech Deals Right Now! The Garmin Epix Gen2 is on sale right now for a staggering $549USD, roughly $300 off, and the Titanium edition just $50 more! And, it also got a big slate of new features this past week. Alongside that, there’s big discounts on the Apple Watch Series 9, Polar, Samsung Galaxy Watch6, and a pile of other Garmin watches including the Forerunner 255, 955, and Instinct 2 series. Full updated list 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.
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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!
Have some fun in the travel section.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment 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! 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.
Great write up. Question: does Garmin still do research and development in the fitness market? Or do they just read your blog?
Sounds like an interesting little device, and if they made the changes you suggested (the public maps being most important) it’d be incredibly useful. Aside from racing uses, it’d be great piece of mind for long solo rides.
Integrating an ANT+ radio would certainly help increase the value, especially if it could integrate with their other offerings (ie add menus in the Edge 500/800 to configure it in the field). $200 is a bit on the steep side for simple position reporting, but it’d be a no brainer if it could report full real-time telemetry.
Now they just need to negotiate with the carriers in Canada so we can join in on the fun 😉
Hey Ray,
I was following twitter on my phone most of the day. It was interesting to see the updates. I couldn’t tell but, they seemed to be a little behind. It was also interesing to see you closing in on the girl in the updates and then you could tell you passed her.
I agree with you on having public maps but, it doesn’t seem like Garmin intended it to be used in this way. Although it would be good to see them adapt to the way people would like to use it. It would be cool if they could have it communicate with other Garmin devices and display your time, pace, altitude, mileage, etc…
An iphone app for real time location on a map would also be great.
I’ll probably end up getting one next year for a half-ironman/ironman…all because of your reviews. Same thing with the 310XT, I may have never bought one if I hadn’t read your review.
Ray, if you upgraded to the more expensive tracking package offered by the GTU 10, would that make any difference?
I have one myself and have been instructed to keep it on me when I’m out training…apparently an occasional crash makes people worry.
Let me first start by saying congrats to you and The Girl. Well done!
Worked Great as far as I could tell. Is this something that might be for sale soon? I would love to have something like this for Marathons. In the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, they had a sorry excuse for runner tracking on an iPhone app.
Look forward to your response.
CC
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So I first read your blog when you talked about the EDGE 800. You had mentioned that one of the cons of the 800 was no wireless connectivity, and I thought, “What’s the point?” Now I see what it is, which leads the next question, are they planning on adding the GTU function to the next EDGE line?
Have you looked at sites like endomondo.com, which offers both real-time tracking and uploading from files or directly from Garmin devices? They offer apps for every smartphone out there, from Symbian, iOS, Android, etc. It does require you to carry your device with you (I wouldn’t do it on a swim), but it’s pretty cool
Gave you my comments on the tracking below your race report.
Your idea of an Ant+ chip is pu genius. They would sell so much more of these units.! I would definitely get one straight away. (I think I’ll end up getting one anyway)
One question: I know the unit does not keep a track log, but does the website?
Honestly having to set up geofences makes this devices almost useless. Let’s say I just wanted to carry the GTU 10 with me on my long ride, so family members can check in every now and then to see where I am. I’d have to set up geofences before riding? Or am I missing something. I’d DEFINITELY be purchasing them for myself and my husband if people could simply have access to a map to follow along.
great write up – FYI I have been using this for cycling and it works well – see my ‘daves’ review on amazon.com for more detail about the difference between the two plans .. and Alison if you see this, yes your family can track you while you ride.
Last night after talking to my wife about getting the GTU 10 and the benefits it would offer for tracking my long distance bike rides, runs, and races I finally decided I was going to purchase one. Today I went to Amazon.com to buy it. The phrase (Discontinued by Manufacturer) followed the product’s name.
I called Garmin’s support for the GTU 10. I asked if it was being replaced by a newer model. The representative said she didn’t have any information of a newer model. What gives? I’m hoping that there really is a new model coming out and that they didn’t simply drop this type of tracker. Although the representative said they will still support the GTU 10, I didn’t purchase it. I’m hoping there really is a next generation model. I’ve been searching for another type of gps athlete tracker and haven’t found one yet.
They’ve kinda quietly discontinued it. Mostly because both the latest Garmin Edge (cycling) and Garmin Forerunner (running) units now have Live Tracking connectivity through the cell phone.
Do we know if there any comparable products out there, that are doing this sort of job? I’d be keen to purchase some thing for training and racing.
Justin
Unfortunately nothing quite yet. Though, the just announced Timex One GPS+ does do the same thing (built-in 3G). Check it out on the front page.
I’ve been looking for a GPS device so I can track my husband while he’s doing an Ironman this autumn. I’ve been recommended the Spot Gen3 which he would wear, and I can follow his realtime progress via an app on my phone. Whether it would provide the sort of data you’re looking for I’m not sure.
link to findmespot.com
When renewing the tracking (dec 2014), I noticed that Garmin says tracking ability will stop in Jan 2016 with no plans for a subsitute. I use the GTU10 mainly for tracking our auto; just leaving it pluged in & on. Garmin Edge/Forerunner tracking isn’t really the same thing. Anyone know of a GTU 10 replacement?
Not a lot of good options that are multi-use like the GTU10 unfortunately. There’s ones that are sorta specific like the Spot trackers, which is about as close as you can get. Or, sport-specific like the Bia watches.
Is it compatible with Garmin edge 810? I mean…
I do not want to use my mobile phone for live tracking.
Could i connect both devices (810>U 10) in places where my phone is out of order cause there is not Movistar/vodafone/Orange signal?
I will being connected through GTU unit as well…!
Is it possible ?
Thanks 🙂
No, not compatible with the Edge 810.
I was so excited to find this article because I was going to find and dust off my Garmin GTU-10 for my first upcoming Half Ironman–not wanting to take my cell phone on the bike but wanting to let family and friends know I am still moving–and then I found this: link to buy.garmin.com — “Due to changing circumstances, the third party services necessary to support the operations of your GTU 10 tracker terminated Jan. 1, 2016. As a result, your GTU 10 is no longer operational. We apologize for the inconvenience.”