Heads up! Big sports tech sales have begun! Check out the massive list of everything, from 20%-30% off all smart trainers, to $200 off the Garmin FR945 LTE & $150 off the Edge 1030 Plus. Then $240 off Garmin’s Rally power meters (including MTB edition) and $200 off the Wahoo POWRLINK Zero Speedplay power meter. Plus deals on Varia Radar, rocker plates, more watches, action cams, drones, and more. Realistically the best deals we’ll see till November. Enjoy! Full and updated list here.
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 that most of the Garmin deals end on/around fathers day (June 21st).
All of the DJI Action 2 kits are 15-20% off (depending on the variant you choose), which is the first time we've seen the Action 2 on sale since launch.
⚡This is the first time we've seen the DJI Mavic 3 on sale (for a non-bundled deal). With all the firmware improvements since the fall, it's finally getting to a more stable place in terms of features.
⚡This is the first time we've seen the DJI Mavic 3 on sale (for a non-bundled deal). With all the firmware improvements since the fall, it's finally getting to a more stable place in terms of features. This is for the full bundle, which includes extra batteries (3 total), ND filters, extra props, and the battery charging station. Note this does not include the RC Pro remote (but does include the base/normal remote).
⚡This is the lowest price we've seen to date on the Edge 1030 Plus, far surpassing last spring's $100 off sale. The Edge 1030 Plus came out June 2020, but has continued to receive numerous firmware updates/features, and is Garmin's top-end unit.
Garmin Epix Sapphire Black Titanium - Actually in stock
This isn't on sale at all, however, it might feel like it. Cause this is the first time since launch the Sapphire Editions are actually in-stock and at list prices. Thus, I figured I'd mention it here. 🤣🤣🤣
Garmin Epix Sapphire White Titanium - Actually in stock
This isn't on sale at all, however, it might feel like it. Cause this is the first time since launch the Sapphire Editions are actually in-stock and at list prices. Thus, I figured I'd mention it here. 🤣🤣🤣
Both the Forerunner 245 & 245 Music are on sale for $75 off. This is neither a huge sale, nor the lowest we've seen them (previous low was $199 last Black Friday).
⚡ This is a solid deal on a very capable watch. More notably, it's also the watch I've long used when I'm not testing other things (and still use to compare things). While it doesn't have the onboard maps of the FR945, since I'm not traveling as much, it doesn't bother me. Of course, keep in mind that with all the Garmin units on sale, the price differences to map-inclusive units aren't very much. It's also the lowest price we've seen on the FR745 ever.
⚡Officially this is $200 off, but realistically the FR945 (non-LTE) floats at about $520 most of the year, so it's really only about $120 off the norm. Still, a fantastic deal.
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
Garmin Rally RS100 (SPD-SL Single Sided) - 20% off
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
Garmin Rally XC100 (Shimano SPD Single Sided) - 20% off
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
⚡ This is a very solid deal, and only the second time we've seen it on sale. If you were looking at the Rally setup (which can be swapped between pedal types), grab these before this disappears (and it will disappear). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
This is Garmin's standalone radar+taillight option, and $149 is pretty much the standard sale-price. While Garmin just announced their new RCT715 radar that includes a camera and taillight, that's $399 (and not on sale).
This is a pretty solid deal on the KICKR Bike, if for no other reason than we haven't really seen much in the way of KICKR Bike sales (except Zwift's clearance event recently). Note officially it lists the retail price as $3,800, but I don't think that's actually the real retail price lately. It's always been $3,500
⚡This is the first time we've seen the POWRLINK Zero pedals on sale, and thus far, about 4-5 months since launch - people seem really happy with them (as am I, it's become part of my testing rotation due to strong accuracy). Requires REI membership, using coupon code with REI link here: ANNIV22
DCRAINMAKER.COM Posts in the Past Week:
Here’s all the goodness that ended up on the main page this past week:
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 to clear out the backlog):
2) US Olympic Boxer Cleared of Doping Violations via Sex: While easy to make jokes about (really really easy), it’s actually an interesting scenario. Good to see that USADA and the individual were seemingly on the same side of this.
4) Why HealthKit needs a health check at WWDC: I actually agree with a lot of what’s laid out here. HealthKit is by far one of the most important tech-focused innovations of the last few years when it comes to consumer health tracking. But, there’s too many gaps in it today, especially around sports as noted in the article, but also around accessibility of that data if tied only to an iPhone (not even an iPad, because iPads don’t have HealthKit). (via Stéphane)
7) When Zwift Won’t Do, Just Make Your Own Game: Obviously this isn’t going to compete with Zwift anytime soon. But it’s a fun tech-focused look at making a bike-driven workout simulator/game.
9) Behind the Scenes at Garmin Canada: This actually comes from the now renamed ANT+ YouTube Channel that I’ve had in my YouTube feed for years. Back a year or two ago Garmin renamed ANT+/Dynastream to ‘Garmin Canada’. They also built a new fancy building that houses both the ANT+ side of the house (which is theoretically separate from a function standpoint serving other ANT+ members), and then the Garmin division that works out of the same building on Garmin-specific projects. This video is about that Garmin-specific half. While the scripted video touches on it, the employees up there tend to focus on sensor aspects of products such as the optical HR sensor, Varia radar, Vector pedals, RD pods, HR straps, etc… Which makes sense, the long-term knowledge from what started as mostly former ANT+ employees converting to ‘normal Garmin’ employees sways heavily that way.
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.
Great work on the videos recently – the windy drones tests, the short videos for new Strava features and the amazing Wahoo TICKR video – I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much watching a tech review video! 🙂
Btw do you have any news on when the podcast is coming back :/ ?
Wahoo ELEMNT fixes have been coming thick and fast recently. Live tracking totally broken, iPhone pairing broken, and on my device at least, ANT+ drop outs that last minutes. I hope they get this figured out. This is the worst my ELEMNT has been in 4 years of ownership.
I’ve been looking to upgrade my Forerunner 235 for a while and the Fenix 5+ has just gone on sale here in the UK for £349.99 (roughly $440). I’m just wondering if it’s worth it at that price, or if there’s likely to be a further sale on the horizon in the coming month(s), seeing as I don’t need an upgrade urgently? Or, should I just be looking at the Fenix 6 at this point? Thanks
The Fenix 5+ series pricing in the UK would be driven retailer-driven sales at this point. By and large, Garmin doesn’t dictate sale pricing in the UK (only the US), so retailers dance to their own beat in the UK (due to MAP pricing type stuff that exists in the US but doesn’t exist in Europe).
Still, that seems like a pretty good deal if you ask me.
Of course, with the Fenix 5+ series you shouldn’t expect any feature updates at this point. Whereas the Fenix 6 is still getting them. But, if you’re happy with what you see on the F5+, go forth!
Mine Bolt stopped ca. 3-4 weeks ago automatic syncing activities over home wifi (no problem to update firmware so it’s not a fault of the network), so I have to sync via mobile app 🙁
Anyone has the same behavior?
I had the same behaviour with my Bolt a few weeks back after one of the latest updates. But after 2/3 days it started syncing again. Have you tried a factory reset?
I’ve had similar janky behavior with my Bolt. There have been a lot of firmware updates in the past few weeks and ever since they started, syncing has gone to crap. And tonight, just as I was at the trailhead and ready to ride, my Bluetooth connection failed and I had to completely re-pair the Bolt to the phone. C’mon Wahoo, did you hire the Strava devs? I would love to roll back my firmware a couple of weeks just to have a properly working head unit again.
I just got emails from Western Bike Works and TriSports.com with an offer to pre-order the Garmin Edge 130- and 1030 plus. Any official information on those?
When I click on the link, the website says that the offer is not available yet.
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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 2021 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.
Great work on the videos recently – the windy drones tests, the short videos for new Strava features and the amazing Wahoo TICKR video – I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much watching a tech review video! 🙂
Btw do you have any news on when the podcast is coming back :/ ?
Wahoo ELEMNT fixes have been coming thick and fast recently. Live tracking totally broken, iPhone pairing broken, and on my device at least, ANT+ drop outs that last minutes. I hope they get this figured out. This is the worst my ELEMNT has been in 4 years of ownership.
I’ve been looking to upgrade my Forerunner 235 for a while and the Fenix 5+ has just gone on sale here in the UK for £349.99 (roughly $440). I’m just wondering if it’s worth it at that price, or if there’s likely to be a further sale on the horizon in the coming month(s), seeing as I don’t need an upgrade urgently? Or, should I just be looking at the Fenix 6 at this point? Thanks
The Fenix 5+ series pricing in the UK would be driven retailer-driven sales at this point. By and large, Garmin doesn’t dictate sale pricing in the UK (only the US), so retailers dance to their own beat in the UK (due to MAP pricing type stuff that exists in the US but doesn’t exist in Europe).
Still, that seems like a pretty good deal if you ask me.
Of course, with the Fenix 5+ series you shouldn’t expect any feature updates at this point. Whereas the Fenix 6 is still getting them. But, if you’re happy with what you see on the F5+, go forth!
FWIW I’m using a Fenix 5 (not even a 5+) and I haven’t seen any compelling reason to update to a 6. If the price is right…
Mine Bolt stopped ca. 3-4 weeks ago automatic syncing activities over home wifi (no problem to update firmware so it’s not a fault of the network), so I have to sync via mobile app 🙁
Anyone has the same behavior?
I had the same behaviour with my Bolt a few weeks back after one of the latest updates. But after 2/3 days it started syncing again. Have you tried a factory reset?
I’ve had similar janky behavior with my Bolt. There have been a lot of firmware updates in the past few weeks and ever since they started, syncing has gone to crap. And tonight, just as I was at the trailhead and ready to ride, my Bluetooth connection failed and I had to completely re-pair the Bolt to the phone. C’mon Wahoo, did you hire the Strava devs? I would love to roll back my firmware a couple of weeks just to have a properly working head unit again.
– nick
Have also experienced this with my Bolt in the last few weeks.
My Edge 1000 seems to have updated to 15.40, not sure what this contains as the firmware page lists 15.20 as the release that dropped June 5th
It contains magic beans.
link to forums.garmin.com
I just got emails from Western Bike Works and TriSports.com with an offer to pre-order the Garmin Edge 130- and 1030 plus. Any official information on those?
When I click on the link, the website says that the offer is not available yet.
Same from biketiresdirect.com this morning. They even had live preorder links up for a while. I suspect someone jumped the gun.
All the same company.
Can we expect Fenix 7 announcement any time soon?