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:
There’s a number of strong sports tech deals out there right now, primarily tied to Garmin’s ‘Birthday’. Which, is also phrased as ‘Right, Fitbit, Apple, and everyone else have just released devices, let’s steal some sales. I mean yes, Birthday. Either way, money savings for you.
⚡ 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).
This past week was definitely the calm before the September storm. Hold on tight!
YouTube Video This Past Week:
Here’s what hit the tubes over on the You of Tube, definitely don’t forget to subscribe there to get notified of videos the second they hit! Note, this upcoming week would be a strong week to have that notification bell hit too…just sayin’.
Stuff I Found Interesting Around The Interwebs:
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. Also, there’s a few things this week that were actually from a week or two ago – I’m just catching up on this list:
1) DesFit and I Go To the Alps to Review Watches: Actually, we went to the Alps for Eurobike. But we hiked/ran/rode nearly 30 hours worth in less than a week (plus squishing in two days at Eurobike). Des has his video up first, comparing the Fenix 6 to COROS Vertix 2, but it’s more of a VLOG style video – complete with dueling baguettes and plenty of fun behind-the-scenes tidbits. I’ve got a companion video between the Enduro & Vertix 2, plus a pile of other videos on other devices (announced and otherwise). In the meantime, enjoy this one:
3) When Building Plans Give Away Product Plans: Granted, there’s very little doubt Peloton is building a rower, it’s just a matter of when. As an aside though, as with Zwift rowing, I remain skeptical on how big that market really is (in the US especially) for people to own home equipment. Every time I do napkin math on it, it just doesn’t even come close to bikes and treadmills.
4) VanMoof becomes most funded e-bike company in the world: The company raised another $128M in its most recent round. No doubt it’ll continue to easily expand, though if Amsterdam bike paths (home to VanMoof) is any indication, then the competition is quickly catching on. I’ve seen a notable increase in share of other hip e-bike companies in the last 12 months among the younger crowd.
6) The FR310XT – 12 years ago: For fun, here’s the review I wrote on the FR310XT some 12 years ago this week. It’s interesting to see how things have shifted, and in some cases, where they haven’t. Either way, it’s crazy to think that little orange is 12 years old now. Doesn’t feel that long ago – but at least we don’t have to deal with the ANT Agent anymore!
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, Wahoo, Polar, and a few other firmware updates.
hey ray, some of your posts, (i think the ones with tech deal columns) show up very weirdly on my feedly reader. maybe i am the only one still using a blog reader?
Huh, you’re right. That does look like crap in Feedly. Let me dig into it in the morning with the developers. I suspect something it’s being closed correctly in the first column.
Hey Ray, any idea when a new Edge 1040 or whatever they’ll call out may get released? My 1030 battery is far from what it used to be but the 1030 Plus seems like not enough of an upgrade right now. 😕 Anxiously awaiting the opportunity to give Garmin more money! 😂
FYI, September is usually “New GoPro” month. The rumors show the usual upgrades (e.g. higher FPS at higher resolutions). You may want to hold off on GoPro 9 until the 10 is released just in case there is some feature you need.
Ray – It is awesome you got to go to the Alps but I am *very* envious! I’m heading to Sea Otter in October. I’m in SF so not a big effort to get there. :-) You expect a lot of stuff to be announced or was Eurobike the place for it? Or will US companies likely use Sea Otter to launch?
I don’t expect much to be released at Sea otter, unfortunately. And also, unfortunately, Eurobike wasn’t really the place for it either. Gonna be a mostly quiet remainder of the year.
Awe, 12 years old! I just moved big orange from my wife’s desk drawer to the retired Garmin box this morning. It still works and in many ways better than the Apple Watch she replaced it with.
Trying to decide between 945 and 945 LTE. Would jump at 945 if discounted! Have just seen a new 935 for 243euro though! Decisions decisions……. Still think I’ll hold for 945 sale
I’d be semi-surprised if we don’t see the FR945 on sale around Black Friday. Here’s (attached) the historical FR945 deals (mainly US, but that’s mainly where we’ve seen deals).
For anybody wanting a 310XT, $89.95 with free shipping. It’s a Garmin refurb.
Bands and charging clips also available. link to g.factoryoutletstore.com
With the 19.20 firmware, the Connect App gained a new sleep score “card”, providing detailed score on the several components of sleep score. Seems actually quite interesting. In my case, I started to see a pattern of bad deep sleep, which might mean I need to put aside my phone earlier :)
…still prefer ANT agent over a Garmin Express…
but due to protocol discrepancy, two laptops are a must.
One with ANT agent for 910XT and Tanita Scale.
Second with Express for Edge, 920XT, Drive, and guest devices upload…
started here with 310XT, because Ray’s review was more useful than reading the manual from Garmin.
Just like Ray, it was fun to record flying without a barometric altimeter (activity/51776686).
I agree that the indoor rower market is small, but there is a place for them. Nordic Track seems to be doing well with their rowers and the iFit app workouts, so maybe Peloton see some competition and market share they are missing out on.
Note, I am slightly biased here, but with the Concept 2 rowers being the gold standard around the world that is going to be who they want to beat. Now, the rower who want the Concept 2 erg and those that desire the Peloton experience may be different. I guess we will see
Hi, all the newest watches seem to have a recent update. The 55, 245, 745, 945 and fenix 6. For when the 945LTE will have a update too? Nothing since the 14 of july. You have some news about that?
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hey ray, some of your posts, (i think the ones with tech deal columns) show up very weirdly on my feedly reader. maybe i am the only one still using a blog reader?
thanks!
Huh, you’re right. That does look like crap in Feedly. Let me dig into it in the morning with the developers. I suspect something it’s being closed correctly in the first column.
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Surprised that there’s a big discount on the 745 but no discount on the 945 ?
Yeah, a little bit. Sometimes Garmin just mixes them up for the sake of mixing them up I think.
Garmin released Firmware 19.2 this week. A pretty substantial pile of improvements and features.
Hey Ray, any idea when a new Edge 1040 or whatever they’ll call out may get released? My 1030 battery is far from what it used to be but the 1030 Plus seems like not enough of an upgrade right now. 😕 Anxiously awaiting the opportunity to give Garmin more money! 😂
that will take at least a year, 1030+ is finally what the 1000 and 1030 should have been with the latest updates. It’s good.
In Italy the 1030+ is also part of the birthday sale at 459.99€
btw, when Ray doesn’t answer these questions sometimes means he already testing the device and he’s on embargo, so can’t reveal it :)
FYI, September is usually “New GoPro” month. The rumors show the usual upgrades (e.g. higher FPS at higher resolutions). You may want to hold off on GoPro 9 until the 10 is released just in case there is some feature you need.
Ray – It is awesome you got to go to the Alps but I am *very* envious! I’m heading to Sea Otter in October. I’m in SF so not a big effort to get there. :-) You expect a lot of stuff to be announced or was Eurobike the place for it? Or will US companies likely use Sea Otter to launch?
I don’t expect much to be released at Sea otter, unfortunately. And also, unfortunately, Eurobike wasn’t really the place for it either. Gonna be a mostly quiet remainder of the year.
Awe, 12 years old! I just moved big orange from my wife’s desk drawer to the retired Garmin box this morning. It still works and in many ways better than the Apple Watch she replaced it with.
Indeed, it’s still a machine when it comes to workouts (assuming of course, the ANT Agent is feeling up to the task that day…).
Hi Ray,
Have you gotten hold of the Fuego 1.0 trainer just released with crazy claims compared to the price of the unit?
No, not yet.
Trying to decide between 945 and 945 LTE. Would jump at 945 if discounted! Have just seen a new 935 for 243euro though! Decisions decisions……. Still think I’ll hold for 945 sale
I’d be semi-surprised if we don’t see the FR945 on sale around Black Friday. Here’s (attached) the historical FR945 deals (mainly US, but that’s mainly where we’ve seen deals).
For anybody wanting a 310XT, $89.95 with free shipping. It’s a Garmin refurb.
Bands and charging clips also available.
link to g.factoryoutletstore.com
Does it support Connect IQ?
Sadly not.
With the 19.20 firmware, the Connect App gained a new sleep score “card”, providing detailed score on the several components of sleep score. Seems actually quite interesting. In my case, I started to see a pattern of bad deep sleep, which might mean I need to put aside my phone earlier :)
…still prefer ANT agent over a Garmin Express…
but due to protocol discrepancy, two laptops are a must.
One with ANT agent for 910XT and Tanita Scale.
Second with Express for Edge, 920XT, Drive, and guest devices upload…
started here with 310XT, because Ray’s review was more useful than reading the manual from Garmin.
Just like Ray, it was fun to record flying without a barometric altimeter (activity/51776686).
Ray, loving your work as always. How would you compare the Garmin 935 and 745? Good deals on both in the UK – £220 for 935 and £300 for 745. Thanks
I agree that the indoor rower market is small, but there is a place for them. Nordic Track seems to be doing well with their rowers and the iFit app workouts, so maybe Peloton see some competition and market share they are missing out on.
Note, I am slightly biased here, but with the Concept 2 rowers being the gold standard around the world that is going to be who they want to beat. Now, the rower who want the Concept 2 erg and those that desire the Peloton experience may be different. I guess we will see
Hi, all the newest watches seem to have a recent update. The 55, 245, 745, 945 and fenix 6. For when the 945LTE will have a update too? Nothing since the 14 of july. You have some news about that?