Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
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.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
4
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
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!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
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.
You mention in the video that Polar communicated software update soon, is that for you to test only or an official one? ☺️
Both. I’ve already got the beta, but they’ve communicated they’re working for a public update soon.
The particular beta I’ve got aims to fix the crashes, as well as some high battery burn pieces. The optical HR piece is specifically outside of the beta update I have, but they say they believe they can fix it – due to the fact it appeared to be working better in earlier firmware versions.
I hope as this new firmware fixes the sync problems I’ve with the Vantage V3 as for most runs I’ve to reboot the watch in order to sync my run on Polar Flow app on iOS. Polar have said they know about this, though.
For me that is worrying that they haven’t included this now and use that words, belive they can fix it. It does not sound comforting. But maybe I’m too picky.
Anyway. Thank you!
Firmware version 1.2.5 has just been released for Polar Vantage V3 but no mention of Bluetooth connection issues.
“11.12.2023
There is a new firmware update available for Polar Vantage V3. This update fixes an issue that caused occasional crashes and resets for some users. Additionally, it resolves a problem where the ECG graph was not displaying correctly during ECG tests. Update your watch on your mobile via the Flow app or on your computer via FlowSync.
Version number: 1.2.5
Release date: December 11th, 2023
Improvements/fixes in this release:
Crash fixes and stability improvements
ECG graph not displaying correctly during ECG tests, fixed
Other minor updates and bug fixes
“
Do you think there is any chance of Garmin releasing a band (based on elevate 5) that one can wear like a Whoop around ones arm to collect 24/7 data? I use Garmin for running, but would love to use other watches the rest of the time.
I haven’t used an Android watch in a while. Can’t or why can’t an android watch provide enough features through apps?
I mean, why can’t they cover more features visa Garmin?
The problem is simply there’s no monetary incentive to do so.
There are random apps that fill/plug gaps, but the big challenge that we’ve seen happen for both watch and even phone-based sports apps, is figuring out how to plug all those gaps in a single app. For example, how do you:
– Deal with 24×7 tracking metrics cohesively
– Have a full swim/bike/run/hike/60+ other sports profiles covered in a single app
– Supported structured workouts
– Support full maps (and have those maps be licensed/etc)
– Support navigation (breadcrumb, routing, POI, etc…)
– Support a dozen sensor types (some of them extremely complex), and then support recording of that data properly per all the applicable standards
– Support training load & recovery metrics, tied to everything above
– Support recommendations and some form of virtual-coach type thing (again, tied to everything above)
…and on and on and on.
And the real trick is that each of these simple line items, have probably 30-100 features within them each. It’s why it’s so incredibly difficult for anyone new to break into the sports/fitness market for either watches or even bike computers. The incumbent companies each have a decade’s of experience, with the lowest experience level being COROS, but even they are making up for it by moving insanely fast.
Thanks for being a DCR Supporter!
Ray, I’ve been watching your video reviews for several years and find them very helpful. I just joined your annual membership program to help support your channel. Would you recommend the Suunto Race.? I’m selling my Apple Watch Ultra as I want to get away from smart watch and go to fitness watch. Want to stay away from Garmin. Let me know what you think. Thx.
Thanks for joining to be a supporter, appreciate it!
The Suunto Race is a good option for sure. I think in general you want to look at what you want out of the watch, features-wise. Suunto is somewhat still in their ‘growing-up’ phase when it comes to AMOLED display watches and some of the nuances there, that you might find a bit jarring coming from the Apple Watch Ultra. Inversely, you might enjoy how long your battery lasts.
In general, I’d probably recommend you buy a new watch first, then sell your old one. Just in case things don’t work out. :)
Ray, thx for the insight. Looks like the epix is still on sale for $599 and the epix pro is $799. These seem like better options for me, so would appreciate any thoughts based on your extensive reviews you can share.
Thx again.
Chip
I thought you wanted to stay away from Garmin?
Thanks for the video. Just a tiny correction. A Fenix 6 plus never existed, but Fenix 6 Pro did and does. Around 43:00.
Great video! Is the garmin fenix 7x pro solar the same as the enduro 2? They seem pretty much the same watch with the enduro having a better battery. Too many watches in the 7 line up.
Descent Mk3 is 100% out there – it’s on my wrist. AMOLED screen is wonderful and battery life is incredible. Might just be a dive community thing, but it’s jumped way ahead of the competition, IMHO.
Yeah, it wasn’t quite yet when we filmed. Looks cool though for sure, and some of the new multi-user air integration pieces are fascinating (which…are also not yet available).
Thanks for the review, this was great! FYI that unfortunately the Voice Assistant feature for the Garmin Venu 2+ and Garmin 3 is not really working any more. Lots of posts about it on the Garmin forums. When you try to summon the assistant it either flat out does not work or the spoken response is inaudible unless you have the watch up to your ear.