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:
A new slate of sports tech deals began over the last few days. These are typical deals that Garmin does *every* single year, usually starting about a month out from Father’s Day. Suunto also often jumps in the fray (and others too). Note: All the trainer ones end tomorrow (May 25th).
⚡ Both myself and my wife have been using these since last fall, after years of using the Beats Studio Buds...man, these things rock. Sure, they're good for sports, but frankly, I use them on planes, editing, and such more than anything else. In fact, I've been listening to them now for 8 hours as I type away on my flight across the ocean. Only briefly putting them in the case to top-up.
⚡The Fenix 8 is now down to $799 for the 42/47mm AMOLED editions, and from $899 for the Solar/MIP editions. This is the first big sale, outside of a short $70 discount back in January by Uncle Amazon.
This is the lowest price to date on this watch, bringing it down to a very strong $499. This unit includes maps and is more or less a plastic Fenix 7 Pro. The FR970 just came out this week, adding ECG functionality and a few other software features...but at $250 more!
This has become one of my favorite drones, given it's tiny size (fits in my running shorts pockets) and ease of use. While there's the new Pro drones, those are nearly 2x the price (and more for Pro-Max), and honestly, the video quality isn't really achieving that price point. Also note the checkbox to get yet an extra free battery (thus 3 batteries in total, based on the way it's currently coded in Amazon).
Here’s a not-so-small smattering of all the random things that I stumbled on while doing my civic duty to find the end of the Internet (and in this case, some of these are from the past few weeks…as my backlog is a bit longer):
1) Person mods GTA V to work with smart trainer, and pedals around world: That’s super cool! And it will even export a .FIT file out for upload to Strava or others, and it seems to imply it’s doing road-feel too. Now before someone compares to Zwift, as pointed out in the Reddit comments, GTA V had upwards of 1,000 developers working on it (Zwift has 200-300 employees in total) with a budget of $265 million. Yes, Million.
Also, fun industry tidbit here: The person who did this (Nestor Matas) actually did all the original ANT+ FE-C work at Bkool years before anyone else in the industry did so in their trainers, though he now works for Garmin. Back then though, Bkool was the annual on-stage demo company of FE-C at the ANT+ Symposium – and I even got suckered into being the volunteer cyclist on-stage one year to show it off – I think there’s a picture of both of us on stage somewhere. These days of course it’s baseline functionality in every smart trainer, and is how this mod works.
2) Cervelo co-founder Phil White joins 4iiii as Acting President of Company: This is an interesting one. He’s been a board member for a bit already, so this is a transition within the orbit of the company he’s already familiar with, rather than coming entirely out of left field. The company makes good products of course, but it will be interesting to see if he can boost their profile or market penetration.
3) Dirty Kanzelled race routes: If you were looking at riding the Dirty Kanza and now need a substitute route to keep you busy, this site has piles of awesome routes. Bookmarking it for future reference of simply good routes to scope out (mostly using parts of them).
5) Emergency Autoland puts Garmin on bleeding edge of autonomous flying: This has nothing to do with sports tech, but it’s all about tech and aviation (and you know, I love aviation). Anyway, it’s a super fascinating look at Garmin’s new AutoLand system for emergencies of mostly smaller aircraft (single-pilot focused). Sure, the tech is interesting, but it’s actually more about the certification here. The idea that if you start with the assumption of all lives being lost in an emergency, and work backwards to find a tech solution that could most likely save everyone with low-risk, it’s astounding. This piece is 6 months old, but notable because the system finally received certification this week. Also – it’s relevant here because people might say ‘I’d never trust Garmin software for life-saving functions’. Ignoring the fact that if you’ve flown on an airplane you probably already have; the key difference here is that this system was a *decade* in the making. Your watch? Probably a 6-12 month product cycle. Different markets, different QA thresholds.
8) RideWithGPS adds Garmin Course AutoSync (API) Support: After Strava and Komoot rolled it out last week, RideWithGPS joins them. As noted, I suspect we’ll see plenty of companies quickly add support for this. It’s a no-brainer.
Sports Tech Device 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 are 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? Oh – and if you want to get a head start on things, this page is a great resource for watching Garmin and a few other firmware updates.
The “15-year old girl pedals 1,200 kilometers carrying dad on her bike” link goes to “Venu SW 4.60 is now live” on the Garmin forum. Not nearly as interesting ;-)
The one thing I hate about your weekly posts is that the offers are always US based. Aren’t there any other areas that get offers? (And I appreciate I’m complaining about a free resource, such is human nature ?)
Honestly, it doesn’t oft happen in Europe. But the reason is actually simple: In Europe, the whole concept of MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) is illegal. Which is when manufacturers specify the price a retailer can sell it for, and will cut off that retailer if they advertise lower than that price.
In the US, that’s the norm for virtually every product out there. However, with Europe (and most other countries) laws against it, the penalties are massive if a company even hints to a retailer than they shouldn’t lower prices (there are however ways manufs get around this, but it’s harder). So as a results, in Europe pretty much everything is always on-sale.
All that said, sometimes there are retailer-specific deals, like one I shared on Friday: link to twitter.com
Haha…neither system around pricing is ideal. Both have their pros and cons, and both positively and negatively impact consumers in different ways. And positively and negatively impact retailers in different ways. And positively and negatively impact manufs in different ways.
I’m sure I could write an entire post about it (and seeing it from both the consumer and retailer/manuf side, on both sides of the Atlantic now), but I doubt they’d want to hear my ramblings there.
You seriously think that (illegal) price fixing isn’t happening here in the UK???
Have a wander around all the well known online retailers and notice how uniform the pricing is around rrp.
As one small local retailer told me any stockist that steps out of line will get a nudge from a sales rep. Then they find that they can’t get stock ending with the retailers official stockist status being supuriously removed.
Oh, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen – it’s just that they can’t be as overt about it. In the US, it’s written into contracts and the retaliation terms are also clear cut. For GoPro & Garmin for example, it’s 6-month product turn-offs if a product is a single penny too low.
Typically in the UK (moreso than the rest of the EU, however you want to define that), they seem to be a bit more clear about it. They’ll often simply cut off stock, rather than actually saying anything – as you noted.
It’s historically been much harder for companies to pull that off in mainland EU over the years (hence why, for example, we see so many cycling discounters coming from Germany especially).
It’s impossible for me, having worked my entire career in product development (commercial equipment and instruments), to understand how the Garmin sports division is part of the same company as the marine and aviation divisions. I’ve used all three, starting with a basic handheld aviation unit back around ’91-92. Frankly, I can’t understand the development process at the sports division at all, in any context.
FWIW – a friend had the Wahoo Snap on backorder with REI for about a month and they sent her a cancellation notice without any explanation. She called REI and they told her they didn’t expect more to become available. She then called Wahoo who confirmed.
So typically speaking Wahoo has a semi-pecular policy that they’ll cancel any pre-orders/backorders if the date from the manuf slips beyond 30 days. This often bites folks for pre-orders of Garmin watches, where they get a random cancellation e-mail.
We also see it a ton with both Wahoo & Tacx trainers at REI, since in most cases they’re not getting weekly shipments, but likely a monthly drop.
I haven’t heard anything about Wahoo cancelling the SNAP lineup, so my guess is this is just a case of REI doesn’t have a date for when they’ll get the next order from Wahoo (or they haven’t placed another, etc…). I know for example that CT was expected to get another shipment next week…err, this week now.
regarding garmin edge530 firmware update
I am sad that virtual activities will loose the live track option.
I think it was cool to share where the others should have imagined while I was training indoors.
And I was hoping for a multiplayer option from Garmin…
As it was able to place us on virtual maps, hence in a group as well, it wouldn’t have been complicated to connect groups to compete against each other, within Garmin ecosystem.
Ray, is there any chance that Garmin will enable livetrack to be switched on meanwhile doing indoor training?
Unless I’m reading it wrong, it simply says ‘Automatically’, not that it’s going away. Meaning, if indoors and yours settings are configured to automatically do a livetrack each time, it won’t do that automatically anymore.
That GTA 5 mod looks amazing! Chris Pritchard posted a video of him doing a free ride, and it looked so much fun. It seems to require a Windows operating system, so as an Apple Mac owner, I will have to nab my son’s Windows laptop!
Sorry about that. Everything back up and running a little while ago. We experienced a significant increase in usage that caused a service outage in the middle of our night a few hours ago. Good to go now.
Excuse my ignorance, if in Garmin Express once Edge 530 is connected to PC via USB and sync is done but Express says no Update is available ( for 5.50) does that mean it has not been rolled out in my part of the world (South Africa )ye,t or is there some trick to getting it. Thanks
However, at the links in the Garmin Forum, you can simply download the update file (it’s a .GCD file, just put it in the ‘Garmin’ folder on your Edge), and you’ll be off and cookin!
Hey Ray — being a fellow aviation fan, I highly recommend checking out the posts from Admiral Cloudberg on Reddit (link to reddit.com). He does a weekly analysis of a certain commercial aviation incident/accident. I’m always amazed at the multiple factors that go into a plane crash and how disaster (or near disaster) could’ve been averted if any one thing hadn’t occurred. The redundancy that goes into the workings of airplanes is fascinating. The near crash of Air Canada Flight 759 is a great one to start with: link to medium.com
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The “15-year old girl pedals 1,200 kilometers carrying dad on her bike” link goes to “Venu SW 4.60 is now live” on the Garmin forum. Not nearly as interesting ;-)
Doh – thanks! Fixed: link to cyclingtips.com
The one thing I hate about your weekly posts is that the offers are always US based. Aren’t there any other areas that get offers? (And I appreciate I’m complaining about a free resource, such is human nature ?)
Honestly, it doesn’t oft happen in Europe. But the reason is actually simple: In Europe, the whole concept of MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) is illegal. Which is when manufacturers specify the price a retailer can sell it for, and will cut off that retailer if they advertise lower than that price.
In the US, that’s the norm for virtually every product out there. However, with Europe (and most other countries) laws against it, the penalties are massive if a company even hints to a retailer than they shouldn’t lower prices (there are however ways manufs get around this, but it’s harder). So as a results, in Europe pretty much everything is always on-sale.
All that said, sometimes there are retailer-specific deals, like one I shared on Friday: link to twitter.com
Thanks for the explanation. And I must admit I’m tickled by the fact that socialist Europe enforces a free market, while capitalist USA doesn’t ?
Haha…neither system around pricing is ideal. Both have their pros and cons, and both positively and negatively impact consumers in different ways. And positively and negatively impact retailers in different ways. And positively and negatively impact manufs in different ways.
I’m sure I could write an entire post about it (and seeing it from both the consumer and retailer/manuf side, on both sides of the Atlantic now), but I doubt they’d want to hear my ramblings there.
You seriously think that (illegal) price fixing isn’t happening here in the UK???
Have a wander around all the well known online retailers and notice how uniform the pricing is around rrp.
As one small local retailer told me any stockist that steps out of line will get a nudge from a sales rep. Then they find that they can’t get stock ending with the retailers official stockist status being supuriously removed.
There’s more than one way to skin a cat!
Oh, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen – it’s just that they can’t be as overt about it. In the US, it’s written into contracts and the retaliation terms are also clear cut. For GoPro & Garmin for example, it’s 6-month product turn-offs if a product is a single penny too low.
Typically in the UK (moreso than the rest of the EU, however you want to define that), they seem to be a bit more clear about it. They’ll often simply cut off stock, rather than actually saying anything – as you noted.
It’s historically been much harder for companies to pull that off in mainland EU over the years (hence why, for example, we see so many cycling discounters coming from Germany especially).
It’s impossible for me, having worked my entire career in product development (commercial equipment and instruments), to understand how the Garmin sports division is part of the same company as the marine and aviation divisions. I’ve used all three, starting with a basic handheld aviation unit back around ’91-92. Frankly, I can’t understand the development process at the sports division at all, in any context.
When is that whoop strap review coming! I’ve been putting off my purchase/rental until I see your exhaustive review :)
New goal: This week. Hopefully.
FWIW – a friend had the Wahoo Snap on backorder with REI for about a month and they sent her a cancellation notice without any explanation. She called REI and they told her they didn’t expect more to become available. She then called Wahoo who confirmed.
So typically speaking Wahoo has a semi-pecular policy that they’ll cancel any pre-orders/backorders if the date from the manuf slips beyond 30 days. This often bites folks for pre-orders of Garmin watches, where they get a random cancellation e-mail.
We also see it a ton with both Wahoo & Tacx trainers at REI, since in most cases they’re not getting weekly shipments, but likely a monthly drop.
I haven’t heard anything about Wahoo cancelling the SNAP lineup, so my guess is this is just a case of REI doesn’t have a date for when they’ll get the next order from Wahoo (or they haven’t placed another, etc…). I know for example that CT was expected to get another shipment next week…err, this week now.
If I use one of the links to a trainer at REI but buy the Fenix 6 do you still get the affiliate sale? I have a rather large dividend this year ?
Yup! Much appreciated! You can use any of the REI links above, and then wander off and buy whatever you want. Thanks for thinking of me!
regarding garmin edge530 firmware update
I am sad that virtual activities will loose the live track option.
I think it was cool to share where the others should have imagined while I was training indoors.
And I was hoping for a multiplayer option from Garmin…
As it was able to place us on virtual maps, hence in a group as well, it wouldn’t have been complicated to connect groups to compete against each other, within Garmin ecosystem.
Ray, is there any chance that Garmin will enable livetrack to be switched on meanwhile doing indoor training?
Unless I’m reading it wrong, it simply says ‘Automatically’, not that it’s going away. Meaning, if indoors and yours settings are configured to automatically do a livetrack each time, it won’t do that automatically anymore.
That GTA 5 mod looks amazing! Chris Pritchard posted a video of him doing a free ride, and it looked so much fun. It seems to require a Windows operating system, so as an Apple Mac owner, I will have to nab my son’s Windows laptop!
Looks amazing… like if they want to step into this market, there will be no Zwift anymore
Formula E driver Daniel Abt disqualified and fined for cheating with a ring-in during virtual race.
link to abc.net.au
RWGPS link Goes to an error page.
It’s their site/server, it’s currently returning errors for every page. :-/
Sorry about that. Everything back up and running a little while ago. We experienced a significant increase in usage that caused a service outage in the middle of our night a few hours ago. Good to go now.
Your newsletter no longer reaches me, so I am re-subscribing. Many thanks for all your great stuff!
Excuse my ignorance, if in Garmin Express once Edge 530 is connected to PC via USB and sync is done but Express says no Update is available ( for 5.50) does that mean it has not been rolled out in my part of the world (South Africa )ye,t or is there some trick to getting it. Thanks
Correct.
However, at the links in the Garmin Forum, you can simply download the update file (it’s a .GCD file, just put it in the ‘Garmin’ folder on your Edge), and you’ll be off and cookin!
thank you Ray. For some reason my 830 is not updating automatically either.
Hey Ray — being a fellow aviation fan, I highly recommend checking out the posts from Admiral Cloudberg on Reddit (link to reddit.com). He does a weekly analysis of a certain commercial aviation incident/accident. I’m always amazed at the multiple factors that go into a plane crash and how disaster (or near disaster) could’ve been averted if any one thing hadn’t occurred. The redundancy that goes into the workings of airplanes is fascinating. The near crash of Air Canada Flight 759 is a great one to start with: link to medium.com