Heads up – Big Garmin sales are out!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off, the Forerunner 965 is $150, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, and a ton of other Garmin gear has substantial discounts! Go check out the full 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:
A few things have popped up this week, so here’s a quick mention:
This is the first major sale for the Apple Watch SE 3, which came out just 2 months ago. It's essentially Apple's 'budget' offering, yet it still has all the same software features as a higher-end Apple Watch Series 11, as long as the hardware permits.
This is the first time we've seen the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on sale, and given it's $100 off, that tends to be the typical sale price for the holidays/Black Friday for the current/just-released version.
This is the activity tracker that both of our oldest daughters have used for years (age 8 & 9), as well as most of their friends now. They/we all like it. Check out my full in-depth review for all my thoughts. That said, the new Bounce 2 came out two months ago, and while my review isn't out yet, it's a far better product. But, quite a bit more too. The TLDR on that review will be that it's the best kids smartwatch/tracker to date (for both parents and kids), but obviously will cost you $100 more.
⚡This is a very solid deal, and is still one of the best bike computers Garmin has ever made, especially when you look at the battery side of things (it lasts far longer than the Edge 1050).
⚡At $249, it's pretty much impossible to beat this deal in terms of bike computers. There's no competitive option that beats it on features/battery/etc at this price, or frankly anywhere near it. Sure, it doesn't have a touchscreen, but it's not as bad as it used to be (I did a stint on it this winter for a week or so, and was fine).
⚡⚡This is the lowest price we've seen on the Garmin Edge 540 Solar to date, which has gained virtually all of the new Garmin Edge 1050 features as well. And notably, lower than the Edge 540 without solar (which is kinda silly, but hey, win for us!).
This is the lowest price we've seen on this to date. The Enduro 3 is simply the Fenix 8 with a MIP/Solar display (but without the scuba or voice calling features). It gets all the Fenix 8 features and updates otherwise.
⚡⚡⚡ This is a fantastic deal. By far the lowest price we've seen this! The Epix Pro has a flashlight which the regular Epix lacks, plus the newer Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor with ECG support.
⚡⚡⚡ This is a fantastic deal. By far the lowest price we've seen this! The Epix Pro has a flashlight which the regular Epix lacks, plus the newer Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor with ECG support. Note: Availability on this deal fluctuates, just keep checking back, I'm sure it'll pop back again (it always does).
⚡ If you wanted the battery life of a Fenix MIP series without the cost of a Fenix 8, this is basically your best deal. Plus, unlike the base Fenix 7 series, the Pro series includes the flashlight and Gen5 HR sensor with ECG.
⚡ If you wanted the battery life of a Fenix MIP series without the cost of a Fenix 8, this is basically your best deal. Plus, unlike the base Fenix 7 series, the Pro series includes the flashlight and Gen5 HR sensor with ECG.
⚡ This is very unexpected, and is an Amazon-specific deal, not a Garmin-supported one. Thus, I expect it won't last more than minutes/hours. Grab it while you can!
⚡ The Fenix 8 keeps getting all the new software features of the Fenix 8 Pro that was launched two months ago. Setting aside that Fenix 8 Pro which gained LTE & Satellite Messaging, this is otherwise the most capable sports watch on the market.
⚡ The Fenix 8 keeps getting all the new software features of the Fenix 8 Pro that was launched two months ago. Setting aside that Fenix 8 Pro which gained LTE & Satellite Messaging, this is otherwise the most capable sports watch on the market.
As a general rule, the Fenix E is the watch that literally nobody is buying, and makes no sense at higher prices. The hardware is simply the Epix Gen 2 with Fenix stamped on it. That watch is going for $400, though I expect we'll see it down to $300 over Black Friday. However, one *KEY* difference with the Fenix E, is that it includes all of the software features of the newer Fenix 8, whereas the Epix Gen 2 doesn't get all the new software features. Otherwise, save your $200.
⚡ This is (by far) the lowest price on the Forerunner 265, which was recently replaced by the Forerunner 570 (but at nearly twice this price). What's fascinating about this sale price, is it's well beyond the usual sale prices for Garmin for this product. This pricing is 100% an Kansas-themed 'Hello!' to COROS and their just released COROS Pace 4 at $249.
The Foreurnner 55 is a great option if you simply don't want to spend a ton, but still want a super-capable runners watch (and general activity/sleep tracking watch). I've heard a lot of you get it for teenagers that run, as a great/inexpensive way to track their runs, and still be a good everyday watch.
This is the lowest price to date on the Forerunner 965, which is logical given the Forerunner 970 came out this past spring (which essentialy adds a flashlight and some other running metrics/features).
The Garmin Inded BPM is Garmin's medically certified blood pressure monitor. It integrates directly into your Garmin Connect account. I use it on occasion as a comparison for wearables, and it works just fine (obviously it's already medically certified by the FDA, so I say 'works' here in the sense of usability/functionality/etc...).
The Instinct 3 series came out earlier this year, with both an AMOLED and Solar variants. The big upgrade over the previous editions is the inclusion of the flashlight in all sizes, and a massive ugprade of sports features.
The Instinct 3 series came out earlier this year, and the Solar edition in particular has 'unlimited' battery life in certain scenarios. The big upgrade over the previous editions is the inclusion of the flashlight in all sizes, and a massive ugprade of sports features.
This is Garmin's radar without the light, so it's a bit smaller as a result. Same radar tech though, and compatible with Garmin/COROS/Hammerhead/Wahoo bike computers.
This is Garmin's standalone radar+taillight option, and $149 is pretty much the standard sale-price. Even despite all the new radars out there, this remains the most accurate option on the market. Now, only if Garmin would just re-release it with USB-C. C'Mon Garmin...maybe next year?
This is the first time this product has been on sale, since launching last spring. I'd argue it could have used a $100 off sale...but hey...they don't consult me.
⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen on the newest product in the entire Garmin Holiday 2025 sale lineup. This is basically a blend of a Forerunner 970, Venu 4, and Fenix 8...but super thin. It's argueably one of the best deals here at $599, though, Garmin is still clearly trying to figure out the right pricing to drive purchases.
⚡ This is the first time we've seen the Vivoactive 6 on sale, which is essentially a Venu 4, but without the voice/calling/ECG features (and a few other tidbits). It's probably one of the best deals in Garmin's lineup (sale or otherwise).
⚡ This is the lowest price we've ever seen for this. This is my defacto satellite communicator when out of coverage area, and I've used it on a number of major treks over the past two years when well outside of cellular service, both in a 24x7 tracking mode for friends and family, but also there in case of emergency. Would strongly recommend for anyone doing anything in the wilderness.
This came out last fall, and is the second time this has been discounted, but now to the lowest price to date. The key difference with the new Plus model is that it adds the ability to send photos and voice messenges via satellite. I've used it a bit, and it's pretty cool because it makes it a lot faster to just say something rather than type it out, but the $499 price seemed excessive. $399 makes it slightly more palatable.
This is the go-to sales price for the NEO 2T, though has become more frequent over the past year. It's still an incredible trainer, and is the top-end non-moving trainer from Garmin/Tacx.
⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen to date on the Tacx NEO 3M, and finally takes it down to a semi-logical price (compared to it's competitors). This is a good buy, and obviously, given it's only a year old, I definitely don't expectany sort of new version of this anytime soon (the last NEO series unit was about 5 years between versions).
⚡ This is a very solid deal for this bike, and the lowest price to date. I actually like the KICKR BIKE SHIFT more than the higher-end KICKR BIKE V2/Pro, mainly because it's both quiter, and seems to be more resillient to issues (less complex design).
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:
1) Garbage Can Running Race: Just when I think I’ve heard of or seen most types of running races, this is a new one. This particular athletic endeavor involves dragging a wheeled garbage can as fast as able for an unclear distance. Apparently flour is part of it too. It’s all a bit…fuzzy to me. But it looks spectacular:
2) Fitbit to end sideloading music onto watches: The writing on the wall for this was actually a year or two ago when they stopped allowing it on their more recent units. While I think in general, people loading MP3 files or such onto watches is mostly a thing of the past (save a few diehards), with most using streaming services, I’m surprised that this is something that requires fancy software – versus just enumerating as a mass-storage USB drive with a simple ‘Music’ folder.
3) The Argument For More Buttons on Smartwatches: I’d (obviously) agree, including with testing the Watch5. Just like that writer’s location, it’s hot and sweaty right now in Amsterdam, and trying to swipe to get to certain pages on the Watch5 Pro during workout mode is challenging at best. This is obviously no different than in the past, except now Samsung and Apple are targeting more and more of that endurance focused market with new modes like triathlon and longer battery life for GPS sports.
4) New Aerosensor System Launches Crowd-funding Campaign: This aptly named Aerosensor (no, really, that’s the product name), has been lurking in the background a number of years in development, and I’ve met with them a few times at trade shows during that timeframe. It was previously called Velosense. They’ve now launched, and CyclingTips has a pretty good in-depth article on it. Without diving into specifics on this product, it’ll be interesting to see if the aero sensor (for cycling) industry can find their way. Pre-COVID, the challenge was these products were just too finicky to use for most athletes. Even the most geeky/advanced athletes often had challenges getting repeatedly accurate (or at least consistent) results, mainly due to a blend of knowledge in how to use them, and numerous ‘gotchyas’. Then COVID came along and basically killed off any reason for racers to go out and buy a $1,000 device to test their position, since races were largely off the table (especially the big races people trained an entire season for). I have no doubt if we fast-forward umpteen years down the road, with technology improvements, aero sensors will be as common on a high-performance bike as a bike computer. In fact, probably built into the bike computer (like we saw with the iBike). But the road between now and then is long.
5) Peloton has more layoffs, increases hiring of engineers, increases prices, and more: This is an interesting one. I’d agree that they’re likely overbuilt in the customer-service departments (as well as retail presences), but I’m not convinced that switching entirely to 3rd party delivery is the answer, given how horrifically bad the 3rd party delivery has been (though, the memo addresses that head-on too). To Peloton’s credit, the new CEO has been moving very fast in making changes, and also undoing changes too when the data doesn’t support them working. The next earnings call is in 11 days, where we’ll see how numbers looked (subscription mainly). Remember, the last earnings call showed yet more subscriber growth (in an industry where everyone else is losing numbers like crazy). But maintaining that over the summer is tricky at best (this would only show the first portion of that). As a side note, Peloton is apparently honoring the old prices till Aug 19th on a case by case basis.
6) Cycling Tips Founder Wade Wallace Resigns: All the props in the world to Wade for building what is easily the best cycling news site out there, with a massively talented bench of writers. I’ve met and chatted with Wade a number of times over the years at various events, and he’s a good egg for sure. And atop that, in building that company, all of the people he has hired are simply awesome individuals as well. Good luck to Wade in whatever he does next.
7) Zwifter’s Nearby Sidebar – A Deep-Dive: Just when you think you know a fair chunk about how something works, comes this post, which dives into all the insane nuances of the Zwifter’s nearby sidebar with boatloads of little features that you may have seen, but not entirely understood. This covers it. The image at the end of the post is worthy of offering in a poster format.
8) Man in the Netherlands Caught Trying to Steal Palm Tree on Mobility Scooter: This has nothing to do with endurance sports, and everything to do with the country I live in. Also, the point of ‘Week in Review’ was technically never to be always sport related. This is funny enough that I just had to include it. The quotes in there are amazing. For context, Hornbach is basically an also-orange big-box Home Depot of the Netherlands.
I’ve seen a few purported leaks in the past week or so about a Suunto 9 Peak Pro in the near future.
With 40 hours GPS battery life and what looks like fast charging.
Not much else known about it yet.
Hey Ray. Have you heard/seen any firmware update for the 955 and the problems some are having with the Training Status/Acute Load not loading properly. Mine has been stuck at the same load since I bought it. I did comment on the forums and for the past month they said their engineering team was looking at it. Not ideal for one of the main features on an expensive piece of training equipment to just not work. I know a lot of people are having problems with this based on the forum, so wasn’t sure how big/serious this is and if you have heard of a fix coming.
I haven’t had those issues on the FR955, but I am currently having those issues on the Enduro 2, and I know it’s essentially the exact same issue (I outlined it in more depth in my Enduro 2 review).
I suspect it’s a core reason why Garmin has delayed roll-out to the Fenix 7/Epix/Enduro 2 series, while they figure it out. I also know it’s considered a pretty critical issue, but it’s not clear if they’ve got a root-cause for it yet. :(
I have my 955 unopened in it’s box ready to be sent back with the reason of faulty firmware and no public progress in form of alpha/beta to show that Garmin is trying to solve any issues.
They recently added a forum for the FR955 alpha/beta. Typically they do that within the same day/or days of adding an actual beta. Again, my guess here is that they’ve taken a bit of a step back to try and untangle whatever is happening here.
In my case (and most others), I haven’t heard of many issues with the FR955 – people seem pretty happy. Of course, if you’re caught by the same bug there that I am on the Enduro 2, then that’s sucky.
I have returned the 955 inside the regulated 14day on online purchase. Therefore unopened box.
I felt there was so many reported bugs that would potential affect me in my Garmin usage so
I waited to order 955 until there was hints of an upcoming beta.
So I waited and there was no beta with potential bug fixes and that was a part that made my decision.
So I have to continue to use my Fenix 6 until I feel that 955 FW i mature in the parts I use the most. Then I will order a new 955.
On the zwift list, do you know if they’ve considered heart rate zone( just colour as per the user gets on their own screen) It’s be useful in races at least as IRL you can look at someone and maybe sometime see if they’re suffering.
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Hi Ray
Seems like Garmin’s recent 7.10 update for Vivoactive 4 and Venu is causing lots of user issues. In case you’re interested:
link to forums.garmin.com
Keep up the great work!
Any news on new suunto products the have such a great app but lack of new watches
Yikes. That looks non-optimal. I’ll take a deeper poke this week.
Thanks Ray – looks like Garmin have now pulled the 7.10 update for Vivo4/Venu: https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/vivoactive-4-series/304608/pulled-vivoactive-4-4s-software-update—7-10
I’ve seen a few purported leaks in the past week or so about a Suunto 9 Peak Pro in the near future.
With 40 hours GPS battery life and what looks like fast charging.
Not much else known about it yet.
The wheelie bin race is basically just me every threee weeks or so when my teens forget to take out and I see the truck coming up the road.
Substitute snow for flour here and it’s done
So true!!!!
Hey Ray. Have you heard/seen any firmware update for the 955 and the problems some are having with the Training Status/Acute Load not loading properly. Mine has been stuck at the same load since I bought it. I did comment on the forums and for the past month they said their engineering team was looking at it. Not ideal for one of the main features on an expensive piece of training equipment to just not work. I know a lot of people are having problems with this based on the forum, so wasn’t sure how big/serious this is and if you have heard of a fix coming.
did you receive 11.12 update?
many issues were solved
Yea, I have been on that update and still having this problem.
Yeah, I feel ya.
I haven’t had those issues on the FR955, but I am currently having those issues on the Enduro 2, and I know it’s essentially the exact same issue (I outlined it in more depth in my Enduro 2 review).
I suspect it’s a core reason why Garmin has delayed roll-out to the Fenix 7/Epix/Enduro 2 series, while they figure it out. I also know it’s considered a pretty critical issue, but it’s not clear if they’ve got a root-cause for it yet. :(
I have my 955 unopened in it’s box ready to be sent back with the reason of faulty firmware and no public progress in form of alpha/beta to show that Garmin is trying to solve any issues.
They recently added a forum for the FR955 alpha/beta. Typically they do that within the same day/or days of adding an actual beta. Again, my guess here is that they’ve taken a bit of a step back to try and untangle whatever is happening here.
In my case (and most others), I haven’t heard of many issues with the FR955 – people seem pretty happy. Of course, if you’re caught by the same bug there that I am on the Enduro 2, then that’s sucky.
That was created 2 weeks ago so it feels more like a “smokescreen” to calm disappointed 955 user.
Sorry for being so pessimistic.
Just to clarify though, you haven’t even opened the box and are claiming it’s faulty? I’m confused.
Both yes and no.
I have returned the 955 inside the regulated 14day on online purchase. Therefore unopened box.
I felt there was so many reported bugs that would potential affect me in my Garmin usage so
I waited to order 955 until there was hints of an upcoming beta.
So I waited and there was no beta with potential bug fixes and that was a part that made my decision.
So I have to continue to use my Fenix 6 until I feel that 955 FW i mature in the parts I use the most. Then I will order a new 955.
On the zwift list, do you know if they’ve considered heart rate zone( just colour as per the user gets on their own screen) It’s be useful in races at least as IRL you can look at someone and maybe sometime see if they’re suffering.
I suspect they’ve considered it, but for whatever reason haven’t implemented it.
Thanks for being a supporter!
Garbage can races have nothing on outhouse races.
link to youtube.com
That’s amazing Though, I feel like regulations should require a standard issue outhouse, built atop whatever sled someone wants.
According to the link below Polar have had no software updates since 21st June?
link to support.polar.com