The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered what to do with all of the coolness that people write, and while I share a lot of it on Twitter and Facebook, this is a better forum for sending it on to y’all. Most times these different streams don’t overlap, so be on the lookout at all these places for good stuff!
So with that, let’s get into the action!
Sports Tech Deals of Note:
Just a quick note to let folks know that Garmin, Withings, and Fitbit all ‘re-launched’ many of the Black Friday sales starting today. So everything from Garmin Forerunners and Vivofits, to Fitbit activity trackers, to the Withings Scale and Activité Pop. All back marked down. And the Scosche goes on sale for just Monday/Tuesday as well.
Companies are obviously trying to grab your final pre-Christmas dollars while they can. Full listing of details here on my usual holiday page.
The DCR Podcast:
Here’s the low-down on what was covered this past week in the DCR podcast:
This was a bit of a longer one this week, as we are rambling on a few different topics at length.
– We discuss holiday sales and how/why they work
– A chat about the future of ‘connected treadmills’
– Will we see a Polar V800 replacement soon?
– When to release optical HR sensor products, and why the winter sucks for them
– And a bunch more random chatting on various topics
Thanks for listening! Subscribing and rating in iTunes is much appreciated, and be sure to send in your questions via the voice mail widget at the bottom of the podcast page!
DCRainmaker.com posts in the past week:
Here’s all the goodness that ended up on the main page of DCRainmaker.com this past week.
4) Kickstarter projects fail 9% of the time: Will be interesting if Kickstarter plans to start doing something about that, versus just talking about how it’s not their problem.
5) Testing Chris Froome: What does the physiologist who conducted the tests make of the data?
I regularly sift through Kickstarter and Indiegogo (plus a few others on occasion) looking for sports projects. If you’re unfamiliar with projects, read my detailed post on how I decide which projects I personally back. Note that as always with crowd funded projects, assume the project will be late and will under-deliver on features. Thus far, on the numerous products I’ve helped ‘fund’ (except a leather bike handle), that’s been the case.
Headkayse – A soft/foldable cycling helmet (via James)
Sports Technology Software/Firmware Updates This Week:
Each week I quickly highlight some of the new firmware, app, software and website service updates that I see go out. If you’re a sports technology company and release an update – shoot me a quick note (just one liners is perfect, or Tweet it at me is even better) and I’ll make mention of it here. If I don’t know about it, I won’t be able to post about it. Sound good?
Garmin Fenix3 Beta Firmware Update: This is a massive one, with tons of new sport profiles including Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and Golf (among others). Plus a crapton of other features new to the unit.
Garmin Varia Radar Update: You can now control various tones (when used with an Edge) as well as other on head unit Varia features. (Note: No direct link, you update).
Garmn Edge 520 Firmware Update: Lots of smaller new features, plus the Varia ones. I know some of these features will definitely make a few folks happy.
Garmin FR230/235/630 Firmware Updates: All sorts of stuff here. Largely minor tweaks and improvements. The FR235 got battery improvements, but that appears to have come at the cost of 24×7 HR polling interval (being significantly decreased).
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Check out the comments on the FR235 for folks that have updated. Basically in order to increase battery they cut down the resting HR measurements by a ton – like 1 per 30-60 minutes in some cases.
I stay with the Scosche year-round. I don’t have any more or less issues based on the weather. I have ran with it when the temp is below zero (Fahrenheit).
Grr. That “damn millennials and their locker room” article is so far off-base. NOBODY likes the skeevy locker rooms and changing rooms at public pools. Instead of “these damn millennials”, the article should say “gyms are remodeling to attract customers”.
Same thing goes for putting comfortable seating and power outlets at airport gates. It isn’t “these damn millennials”, it’s keeping up with the realities of customers. (see also: the lack of wifi on TGVs)
On treadmills, they have Life Fitness ones at my gym. With this I have an iOS app that allows me to login with a QR reader type process and so can save my “My Stats” like on a Garmin. Just noticed it has the ability to replay an outdoor GPS run you record with the app on the treadmill. Will need to give this a try!
9 % of Kickstarter projects fail? Would be interesting to put that number into a perspective. From my experience in doing projects in large enterprises, only 9 % failed projects is already a pretty impressive result. ;-)
I suppose it’d probably depend on the type of work. And whether one is separating ‘failed’ versus ‘delayed’. I’d struggle quite a bit to think of any ‘failed’ projects in my enterprise work. Delays, sure, but a project being considered an outright failure or not completing at all – that’s tough.
But again, it’s probably different that for me they were technical deployments – in most cases the only way forward is to deploy something. I suppose in a medical setting, it might be very different, for example.
Yes, you are right, technical deployment projects rarely completely fail, although also in that realm contracts sometimes get reversed. However, when I look at product development in the companies I have worked for, it happens all the time that for some reason a product is not brought to the market in the end, may it be technical feasibility or commercial or marketing reasons. In one company I worked for we had an even 50/50 split, only about 50 percent of projects lead to a marketable product.
Re Garmin Varia Radar-you said “You can now control various tones (when used with an Edge) as well as other on head unit Varia features. (Note: No direct link, you update).” -thanks for heads up-I have updated both Radar and my 1000 but have hunted all over and cannot see how to control the tones?? Can you give me a hint ???
On treadmills my Nordic Track allows plotting routes in Google maps and then I can run that virtual route, this is an advanced iFit feature and built into the unit.
Also you should check out RunSocial. Their app is basically Zwift for runners and you can buy a bluetooth device that you place under any treadmill to transmit running speed to the app. I have this all set up on my home treadmill and it works great.
Hey Ray. That Fenix3 update seems quite interesting. As a 920XT owner, I’m curious to know, whether you think that same update will come eventually to the 920XT?
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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
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.
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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!
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.
A couple of links missing Ray: Garmin Varia Radar Update and Garmin FR230/235/630 Firmware Update
You missed a small Ambit3 firmware update – 2.0.45
Oops, I thought that was last week. Added!
Sounds like a busy week. Are you gonna do an in depth review of the Garmin 520 anytime soon?
That’s what I was going to ask too.
Any more details on the 235 firmware update (“appears to have come at the cost of 24×7 HR polling interval — being significantly decreased”)?
Check out the comments on the FR235 for folks that have updated. Basically in order to increase battery they cut down the resting HR measurements by a ton – like 1 per 30-60 minutes in some cases.
Ray: Does the Scosche hold up in cold weather or do you switch back to a regular chest strap when it gets cold? Thanks.
I stay with the Scosche year-round. I don’t have any more or less issues based on the weather. I have ran with it when the temp is below zero (Fahrenheit).
Thanks!
Same here.
Grr. That “damn millennials and their locker room” article is so far off-base. NOBODY likes the skeevy locker rooms and changing rooms at public pools. Instead of “these damn millennials”, the article should say “gyms are remodeling to attract customers”.
Same thing goes for putting comfortable seating and power outlets at airport gates. It isn’t “these damn millennials”, it’s keeping up with the realities of customers. (see also: the lack of wifi on TGVs)
On treadmills, they have Life Fitness ones at my gym. With this I have an iOS app that allows me to login with a QR reader type process and so can save my “My Stats” like on a Garmin. Just noticed it has the ability to replay an outdoor GPS run you record with the app on the treadmill. Will need to give this a try!
9 % of Kickstarter projects fail? Would be interesting to put that number into a perspective. From my experience in doing projects in large enterprises, only 9 % failed projects is already a pretty impressive result. ;-)
I suppose it’d probably depend on the type of work. And whether one is separating ‘failed’ versus ‘delayed’. I’d struggle quite a bit to think of any ‘failed’ projects in my enterprise work. Delays, sure, but a project being considered an outright failure or not completing at all – that’s tough.
But again, it’s probably different that for me they were technical deployments – in most cases the only way forward is to deploy something. I suppose in a medical setting, it might be very different, for example.
Yes, you are right, technical deployment projects rarely completely fail, although also in that realm contracts sometimes get reversed. However, when I look at product development in the companies I have worked for, it happens all the time that for some reason a product is not brought to the market in the end, may it be technical feasibility or commercial or marketing reasons. In one company I worked for we had an even 50/50 split, only about 50 percent of projects lead to a marketable product.
I thing they should make the update interval on 235 changeable. I’d rather have more data and charge more often.
if this is what Ambit4 would look like… I am bought before official announcement and any reiview :P
Re Garmin Varia Radar-you said “You can now control various tones (when used with an Edge) as well as other on head unit Varia features. (Note: No direct link, you update).” -thanks for heads up-I have updated both Radar and my 1000 but have hunted all over and cannot see how to control the tones?? Can you give me a hint ???
I haven’t tried it yet. I just updated my Edges late last night, and will be heading down to the cave soon to update Varia.
Does the text in the Edge 520 update help? link to www8.garmin.com
Text for 520 gives more detail but I still cannot see how you can vary these settings-everything is simply on or off
For the drone, might be useful to be less then .55 pounds.link to faa.gov
For the Garmin radar, what is the new type of radar that is being supported?
On treadmills my Nordic Track allows plotting routes in Google maps and then I can run that virtual route, this is an advanced iFit feature and built into the unit.
Also you should check out RunSocial. Their app is basically Zwift for runners and you can buy a bluetooth device that you place under any treadmill to transmit running speed to the app. I have this all set up on my home treadmill and it works great.
Sorry for upside down pic. Blame it on Android ;)
Hey Ray. That Fenix3 update seems quite interesting. As a 920XT owner, I’m curious to know, whether you think that same update will come eventually to the 920XT?
Thanks in advance!
No, I wouldn’t expect those (at least not anything navigation/hiking related).
Any update on the Garmin epix review? Thanks!