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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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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.
Hallo Ray,
thanks and don’t forget the great working swim update from yesterday for the V800.
Yup, definitely haven’t forgotten about that! I just wanted a chance to try it out first. :)
Hello Ray,
I tried swimming today and it worked fine. Upsetting part is the polar blocked Bluetooth transmission and I couldn’t use my mio link. If I changed sport profile it worked fine.
A few days back many of us probably got a cryptic email from Strava that hinted at new premium services/features/etc – I think the date on that release was Nov. 14/today. Maybe connected to this integration release in some way, along with other linking/data connection capabilities? For now, just hoping Clever Training gets stock to fulfill VIP preorders of the Polar M400. Many folks have it locally at this point, so a little awkward to continue to wait for an unknown shipment almost 2 months after initial preorders were made.
So the Nov. 14 “release” from Strava appears to be a new jersey/bibs combo for Premium members. Oh well. Hope they and others recognize we are anxious for capability and data freedom, not more clothing.
It will be even better when the Polar Flow Android app supports the V800!
Now I just need to get my hand on the V650 and we are ready to go!
Great news & a step in the right direction, however notice that this seems to be one way communication, i.e. only receiving data from Accesslink, no communication the other way, i.e. uploading data to Accesslink (as far as I can see), which means years of data from other services can’t yet be transferred to Polar.
Interesting. That’s definitely a good move for Polar. Looks like they are friendly towards exporting your full data to xyz company. How does this compare to Garmin?
Dear Ray, thank you for the update. Do you know when Trainingspeaks will offer a connection like Garmin does? The Garmin connection is really cool and made me change from many years with Polar (RS800Cx) to Garmin FR620 seem to be resolved soon. (I hope). Do you know when Polar will be able to have the promised import from Polar Trainer 5 to Flow?
The FR620 works great for me as a runner. I have no issues with the GPS precision (90% of the time). Biggest downside are the extremely bad elevation measurements. Biggest downside from V800 is the large footpad, I am as well considering the FR920, but they seem to have massed up the elevation as well. The footpad issue from Polar could be solved with the upcoming Wahoo Footpad….
Thanks for your great reviews.
Pedro
I got this response from Trainings peaks:
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the email. We do have a planned integration with polar happening next year but I don’t have a timeline for exactly when that will happen. You can export .tcx files from Polar Flow right now so workouts done with the V800 should transfer okay. The only issue I’ve heard of is that the lap data is not getting transferred with it. I hope that helps. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Ray – I’ve been happy to see the Polar updates. I’ve been noticing an issue when I export from Polar Flow and import to Strava that the time zone is incorrect. It seems that Strava assumes the data was recorded in UTC time but I believe this is because the Polar data has the wrong times listed in TSX and GPX files. Have you noticed this?
I have the same issue as all my exports are in Zulu time (it should be eastern time). Is there a way to fix this?
Thx!
Thank you for the up-date, Ray.
Very happy about the ‘opening of the (automatic) gates’ from Polar Flow. Giving choice is important.Go, Polar!.
One feature still missing from Flow is the abilty to pre-create routes on Flow and then download these to the V800. This functionality has existed on Garmin Connect for a while. Let’s do it.
Hanging out to see their Keo Pedals now.
Bo
This is great! Polar is making a good push with their new devices and open platform.
Random question here – I’m headed to Paris for a week from the US. Any suggestions of the best SIM/data plan I should pick up while there? I don’t need talk, just a decent data plan to hook my phone into for the week. I’m guessing something local would be much cheaper than AT&T’s horrible rates!
There are lots of major cell networks in Paris proper. I know that both Bouygues and Orange (like ATT & Verizon) have data deals. When friends/family come in, we’ll usually get them the $15 200MB data SIM card. You also get about 60 minutes of free international calling on it. Obviously, you’ll need an unlocked phone – so be sure to sort that out ahead of time.
Thank you!
Helo Ray, good news. Do you know something about the import features (for route guidance)? Thank you, Petr
any news about firstbeat integration ( exporting to firstbeat athlete)
Congratulations to Polar to permit users to dispatch and use their data as they want.
This kind of opening will weight a lot in the future when people will choose running tools.
All the “wearables” that we see at the moment should keep that in mind not to end in a drawer :)
Polar, what are you doing? Other platforms have led the way, and then this. I get two files? *scratching my head* Why? I’ve never understood why you separate it? And then the file formats. We are no longer in 1980 where Windows INI files are cool (HRM is nothing else). And have you any idea how much garbage is in XML files. In second-exact recordings GPX and TCX files are very large. Traffic is not free! A binary format such as FIT or Protocol Buffers (by Google) are much better. Thumbs up for the free interface (can I invest this in Internet traffic ;-)). We’ll see how that develops…
Great post as always Ray!
When you do your review of what gear you use for this year I wondered if you had any plans to talk about which fitness websites you use and why? It would be great to get your insight on what features are good where and on what each site offers over the others.
I know you have talked about some sites in reviews (Garmin Connect) but I don’t think you have covered Maymyrun, Stravav etc?
Thanks for all your posts over the years
Better connectivity is a good shift for a previously closed system. I like my v800/loop combo better every day and this makes it sweeter. Polars customer service has even improved. I had the dreaded expanding battery issue with the v800… They had the whole thing swapped out for me in 3 days. Polar was my first HRM so many years ago (20+) and frankly the last few years I thought they were finished…. But After a couple bad garmin experiences with so so customer service and polars new attitude…things are getting interesting again.
Polar seems to be doing all the right stuff now so… But the amount of device’s are exploding and customer service, data portability and market experince are going to be the differentiator. So far I’m firmly back in the polar camp.
Good to see that Polar are moving in this direction. I just wish the functionality to import data into Flow from PT5 was available now. Are any timelines available Ray?
No daily steps in Google Fit? That seems like a glaring omission.
There does seem to be issues with syncing data with HealthKit. I have a M400 and within the HealthKit settings, Polar Flow can only write Steps, Heart rate and Workout. But doesn’t write running distance. RunGap’s implementation does allow you to write distance to HealthKit. So suspect it’s an issue with Polar Flow.
Hi Ray, this is really good news – my RCX5 has been pretty much consigned to the drawer for a long time now. I’d really like to start using it again. Will the transfers to Strava, etc. combine the separate GPS and HRM files from the RCX5 and it’s G5 GPS pod, do you think?
Will the Polar Flow export include lap data for the TCX-files soon?
Does anyone know if there is a way to import old data from other devices into Polar Flow? I’d like to have everything in one place for easy comparison etc.
Not yet, it’s on the way.
Hi,
I wanted to get acces to this API but request was rejected without any comment. Does anyone already use it?
I want to know what details should I provide in my request to have it satisfied.
Anyone know of if Runkeeper has an upcoming integration with this – or in general, how many partners have signed up and launched?
Hello, I use TICKR X Workout with my smartphone when I´m training and compete. Last moth I damage my phone on water with a waterproof case.
So, I really interest tochange to Polar M400 (nice features and low price). Do you know if this watch works with TICKR X Workout? It can sync all the metrics? Most importante for me HR and cadence (spm).
Thank you very much
Hi, wondered how much you have used Apple Health Kit with Polar and other devices? Although Polar state they provide Calories they are hidden within the ‘Workouts’ dashboard only and even now January 2016 Polar still don’t update the ‘Active Calories’ dashboard which is where you would expect calories from workouts to go.