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…
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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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!
5
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.
Glad to see around in Paris, where about you are going to do your 10 miles run? On the eastern or western parks or inside the city? Let me know if you want some routes.
link to davidlebovitz.com
And
link to lamaisonduchocolat.com
(But they’re in NYC, too)
Welcome to Paris!
Looking forward to see which is the best fitness device around… I might decide to finally buy one :-)
Cheers from Belgium!
My vote would be to include them in your 10miler. I know its not what they’re best at, but it would be interesting to see how they handle it.
I would be very interested in a collected results comparison of all of these.
And I also vote in favor of including them on the run. They’re designed to be worn at all times, right?
Agree with the other comments. Interesting to see how they cope with activities theyre not exactly designed fir, but activities which the readers of this blog most certainly participate in :)
Wecome to Paris!
Another idea for a run, following on Chmouel suggestion, is to link up western Paris (bois de boulogne) and eastern paris (bois de vinceene)by running along the Seine. This is possible on sunday as they close the “quai” to traffic and you can run down along the river. You could easily make it more than 10 miles if so inclined.
Nick (long time reader and Paris based American)
I’ll be interested in how the motoactv deals with the timezone adjustments you made. When I changed mine, the daily tracking went way way bad.
I say take them all with you on your 10-miler. Personally, I can’t even stand to a phone with me when I run, but if you can handle all those toys, take them! The data might be useless, but I’m sure it will be interesting.
Definitely take them on the run! I did a pretty in-depth review of the BodyMedia on my blog last year and I still wear it from time to time. It is definitely cool to see the data from exercise, and the minute-by-minute calories burned chart is quite entertaining. Another thing to compare the BodyMedia with is your sleep monitoring device, as it also monitors sleep (and tells me I am up way more than I think I am!) Have fun!
Do you ever get hassled by Customs when travelling with all those gadgets?!?
Not too much, thankfully. As long as you spread out the devices in the bag, the x-ray machines can see through them. But if one giant clump – never goes well!
And thanks all on Paris – having a great time thus far! David Lebovitz is definitely on my day to day reads… :)
Though I’m a DC tech leader, I only recently discovered you and your blog on a search for Fuel Band reviews. I’ve been checking back regularly for an update on the Fuel.
I’m only a very casual athlete (and really, athlete is probably overstating it), but I’ve enjoyed your thoughtful reviews of all sorts of awesome tech gadgets that I will never have cause to need.
I’d love to click your Amazon link and get a Fuel, but is it worth it?
It’s good, but I’m not convinced I like it any more than FitBit. The thing I like most about Fitbit is the battery. On Fuel, I’m only getting about 2-3 days. On FitBit, I can far far longer (7-10 days typically at least). In may mind, that’s more important than the wireless upload, since realistically if I’m plugging it in to charge it, I might as well just plug it in to sync data too.
Hi Ray, was wondering if you were going to write up this weekend? My wife really wants one of these things but wanted to see what you thought first. Thanks in advance
Was this comparo posted? wasn’t able to find it easily via search.
Sorry, I haven’t had a chance yet. On my list!
Still hoping on this one, as I’d been thinking of getting one and put off a decision until I read your comparison. Any ETA?
Sorry.
Here’s my two cents in the meantime.
Favs:
Fitbit, Jawbone Up, Fuel
Overall favorite:
Fitbit
I found the other two units (Bodymedia and Slimcoach) a pain in the butt from a user interface and battery life standpoint. The Fitbit/Jawbone/Fuel were all very clear on battery (or lasted long enough it didn’t matter). And all easy to upload with ‘clean’ software suites that didn’t look like something out of the 1990’s.
I prefer the FitBit overall though, because it’s out of sight – great for the workplace. The only issue I have with it is it can be easy to fall off your belt and into the toilet. Just something to be aware of.
The Motoactv is a great choice overall as a step-counter, but I prefer a bit slimmer watch day to day. Hope this helps!
Great, thanks! I look forward to full version when it comes out.
I was wondering if you have done any testing with Lark Life, just saw them in the Apple store today and it looks interesting.
No, nothing yet. Sorry!
Love your website. I have been wearing the Motoactv for 6 mths. I wore it running in very light rain and thought it had died ( horrible waterproofing!!). But put it in rice for 36 hours and it came back to life!! That was about 2 mths ago. It has just died for good this week. Looks like a hardwear problem. I am very disappointed. However I loved it!! As a running and cycling watch i thought it was terrific. I also loved it’s step tracking ability and believed it was very accurate. I wore it everyday for 6 mths. I am now looking at getting another GPS watch but want to track steps and distance throughout the day ( I am a data geek as well). I am thinking about the fitbit flex and find your assessment of the fitbit ultra very interesting.
Thank you for your website
David
Just saw this article in the MSM about the Fitbit Flex. What’s your take on his . . . take . . . on . . . what do you think about his review?
This thing I mean: http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/fitbit-flex—wearable-design-with-an-impressive-smartphone-app-184058112.html
I generally wouldn’t agree with his testing thoughts. Ultimately, different things matter to different folks. But, many folks don’t like the wrist aspect, and the lack of feedback on exactly how far to goal is a big issue for even more folks.
I continue to use the FitBit Zip daily since it ‘just works’. The battery lasts about 7 months (coin cell), and connects via BLE. I also like the Fuelband, as it gives you clear guidance on where you stand on any given day.
Has the comparison been done at yet?
Many of the devices (though, now with newer devices) have made it to full-blown In-Depth reviews. See ‘Activity Trackers’ under product reviews up top. Each review includes accuracy comparisons. The FitBit Force In-Depth review should be up early this week.