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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!
Have some fun in the travel section.
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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.
Hi,
About going to CES, please take time to go by BRAGI so we can have your comments on their wireless headphones with HRM, MP3 and lots more…
link to ces16.mapyourshow.com
Yup. I’m also a backer on their project – so I’ve been watching that front as well, hoping my units might ship in the meantime.
Thank goodness, I was starting to think the Internet was broken :)
Can’t wait for CES this year, with Garmin going all out on features it’ll be interesting to see what their competitors do, especially with Polar and Suunto due a new Tri watch. I’m thinking v850/v900, Ambit4 and Edge 820 at the very least. I’m hoping Garmin are all watched out at the high end, although a new Quatix is overdue based on Fenix 3. I also think Suunto will try an Epix this year, hopefully with a bigger screen like their Eon Dive computer.
Hi Ray,
Just wondering if you think it’ll be a safe buy for the FR 235 for Christmas, or if someone will have something up their sleeve at CES that will give it a run for it’s money.
Have a safe Christmas
235 is nice, either way they won’t be disappointed. But, there will likely be a new Garmin Vivoactive, Fitbits, Suuntos, Polars, and other brands we hadn’t even considered, so that’s just a fair warning. The new Fitbits apparently will have more advanced sensors and are big departures from their previous gens, so that could be quite interesting.
Even if something does appear to rival the FR235 at CES it won’t ship immediately. If you plan to use the device immediately, or for an event before July then choose from what it shipping today. The FR235 seems to be the right mix of features at a good price, so for a runner would be a great option, and it’s unlikely anything better will be along other than the FR630.
Don’t forget, as a new device Garmin actually will be showing the FR235 and FR630 at CES this year, and probably the 920XT, Fenix 3 and Epix as well. Just because Ray doesn’t photo/comment on them doesn’t mean they aren’t at the show it’s just that he’s already covered them and concentrating on the new stuff we’re not aware of.
There might be a replacement Polar M400 and v800 in 2016, and a Suunto Ambit 4 but it’s unlikely they will be better than the FR235 for a runner, unlikely they will be significantly cheaper (well, maybe the M400) and unlikely they will be shipping in January.
If you listen carefully you can probably hear Ray laughing at my speculation while wearing all of these new gadgets under NDA :)
You are correct on the launch date, but if the Vivoactive was any indication, the Vivoactive 2/HR will be as capable as a running watch as the 235 (at least in some respects).
Garmin is going to be at the show (their on the exhibitor list).
I say, they will announce the Fenix 4………the Fenix 3 was announced last year, and it was a year after the Fenix 2.
They just added MOB to the Fenix 3 so even more doubtful on a Fenix 4 in January as this is a sign of Quatix 2 using the Fenix 3 hardware platform just as they did with the D2 Bravo.
Looks like Garmin are releasing a Fenix 3 HR (with optical HR) and a Tactix Bravo at CES based on the Fenix 3 hardware so very unlikely to see a Fenix 4. There are pics of both in the Garmin press room, and screenshots on my site :)
Nice write up Ray. Speaking of parks do check out Bryant park.
I’d also recommend people stay far far away from time square.
Do check out Brooklyn. It’s a great contrast to the craziness of manahattan and certainly feels less touristy.
Do you have any initial thoughts on the Microsoft Band and Garmin Vivosmart HR? I need a new activity tracker for my company’s new insurance provider and have had my eye on these.
You should strongly consider the garmin 230 if you are looking for an activity tracker. Its quite good. The battery life for activity tracking is superb. The bluetooth on all the time battery life is a bit poor, about 2.5 weeks. The 230 is light and comfortable and looks mostly like a normal watch.
Ray – interested why you are wearing the MS Band the ‘wrong’ way round? (screen on top of your wrist rather than underneath)
I usually try optical units both ways to see if there’s any difference in accuracy. Accuracy aside, I doesn’t really feel good either way to me.
I’m curious to see how a run in Charleston fits in between NYC and heading to Seattle.
Yeah, we went down to Charleston for the weekend to hang-out with family down there. Definitely nice to run in some warmer weather!
Regrettably, I forgot to charge the GoPro battery and realized that about .25mi into the run. Doh!
Ray,
Very odd staging for the morning show. Was it intentional to have your back to the camera the whole time?
Not entirely – just sorta how it worked out as things progressed in realtime.
Ray–let me know if you want to do a fast run from Leschi to Seward park while in seattle
Nice to see that you are working on a Suunto Traverse review… I’m looking very much forward to it! Especially since there is no information on experiences with the new v1.5 update anywhere on the web.
Re: CES ’16….C’mon Ambit 4!!!
Smooth of the host to dry his hand on the back of your shirt.
Rayyyyyyy!!!!!
You never do a NYC group run!!!!!!!!!!!
End rant!
It’s going to be 72 degrees F in the next few days here.
Sam Power was on Colbert?! I had no idea. I’ll have to find time to watch it because I’m really intrigued by this…that’s one audience I would have liked to be in!
Hi Ray,
Any ETA on the report of how the MS Band2 performs?
I am looking to update from my current mix of devices to try and simplify to just one that can capture a lot of different data – and still help on the golf course.
A dream device is Fenix with inbuilt HR and Approach style apps… but no one seems to one to build it.
Go figure??
Anyway love the blog – enjoy the holidays.
So in general, some thoughts:
A) GPS Accuracy: Seems quite good and consistent across a wide range of environments. Happy with it.
B) Optical HR accuracy: Mixed. Some it’s really good, yet other times it’s really bad. All over the map.
C) Physical design: To me, it’s just awkwardly heavy and generally uncomfortable.
D) Battery: 2-3 days on average.
E) Golf: Unfortunately haven’t touched that.
F) Fitness customization: Super-low, you can slightly tweak a few data fields, but not much.
Overall: Hmm, kinda blah.
Thanks for that.
You’re a speedy replying superstar.
I might just wait for Garmin to come up with something as I like the ecosystem I am in… just not the number of devices…. but they work well.