Product Reviews

Over the course of the past few years, I’ve reviewed a number of products. Most of them, it’s simply because I went out and bought the product and gave it a whirl. In some cases, it’s because a company sent me their product to review. I differentiate within each review how I came about the product. I tend to be super-detailed in my reviews – some might even say over the top. That’s just my style, leave no stone unturned! If you have any questions about any of my reviews, feel free to leave a comment at the end of each post.

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Other Reviews

What I wear: Cold weather running

Back a bit ago I got a question as to what my cold weather running gear looks like – after all, I do pretty much run outside no matter how cold it is. “Searched your blog but couldn’t see much … Read More Here

Behind the scenes: The DCRainmaker Gadget Cave

Back a while ago I had shown a photo of the heart rate strap collection I have, where I stash the massive number of heart rate straps that I seem to have obtained (usually just because they came with various … Read More Here

A review of the SportyPal Sony Ericsson Xperia Active Bike Mount

It’s not that often that I write reviews for items that actually include no electronics whatsoever.  Nor is it that often that I write a review for a single piece of plastic not much bigger than a deck of cards.  … Read More Here

Hands on look at the Magellan Switch and Switch Up GPS Multisport watches

Last week at CES I got the chance to sit down with the product development leads behind the newest multisport watch in the market – the Magellan Switch (or Switch Up depending on the model).  This unit will be available … Read More Here

Pushing the envelope: Ultra-long time tests on Timex Run Trainer andFR910XT

Earlier last month someone on one of the various Internet Forums had asked how long the Garmin FR910XT and Timex Run Trainer would last if you turned off GPS, and instead let it just rely on ANT+ data (heart rate, … Read More Here

At look at InsideTracker’s Nutrition Testing Service

About a month ago I was contacted by the folks from InsideTracker to do a run through of their newly unveiled nutrition testing service.  The goal of this service was to allow athletes and non-athletes alike the ability to quickly … Read More Here

Behind the scenes: LeMond Fitness

The guys at LeMond Fitness offered a tour of their facility over a year ago, when I first met the at the 2010 ANT+ Symposium.  Given I’m often in Seattle to visit family, it was just a matter of time … Read More Here

App Review: SwimRadar–Finding pools while travelling

(I’ve long been asked to do app reviews.  And I have done a few here and there, as well as written about them for various publications.  At the moment the number of developers asking for my app reviews far exceeds … Read More Here

My Totally Awesome New Shark Blimp

Remember back a week or two ago when I noted all the new products that came in to review?  Well, in addition to those, there was one little item that I just ordered myself…a remote controlled shark blimp. Yes, seriously. … Read More Here

Interbike 2011 Day 2 Overview (Sports Technology)

(First Note: This post is meant to compliment the non-sports technology Day 2 overview that The Girl posted a bit earlier here.) (Secondary Note: Yesterday I took all the questions everyone asked in the comments section of the Garmin Vector … Read More Here

Hands on review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active ANT+ enabled waterproof phone

When Sony Ericsson added ANT+ capabilities to some of their Android phones last year, it was a pretty cool milestone.  But with ANT+ comes the outdoors – and with the outdoors comes things that are generally considered ‘unhappy’ to electronic … Read More Here

In-Depth Review of the HeadsUp System Roof Rack Protection System

Back a few months ago I offered my views on how I avoid decapitation of my bikes when I pull into my garage after riding.  Like most, my method is simplistic and functional.  But it’s also tied to the reality … Read More Here

Review of 1BandID Sports & GPS watch ID bands

You’re likely very familiar with emergency contact ID tags – typically small bands that you wear on your shoe or person that identify who you are, and your emergency contacts.  These are invaluable in case you get into trouble and … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part III (The In Depth Statistical Analysis)

(Note from Ray: Two weeks ago when I published the results of the Bod Pod and body fat scale testing, a reader who happens to be a PhD Candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Nathaniel Page – made an offer to … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part II (The Results)

Yesterday we left off with nine folks getting weighed in on five different consumer body fat scales – all in the quest to compare it against the generally accepted more accurate method of using a Bod Pod.  Some of you … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part I

I’ve always wanted to do some sort of comparison test between many of the consumer scales that are out there today that measure both weight as well as body fat against one of the more expensive options such as the … Read More Here

Converting a $99 Target Schwinn beach cruiser into my Wedding Bike

When we were planning our wedding that happened back in July, one detail that kept creeping up was our ‘departure vehicle’ – that is, how exactly we’d be departing the ceremony and arriving at the reception.  Often times the bride … Read More Here

Behind the scenes on my aquatic product review posts

Monday night I had my usual Monday easy swim, and since it’s summer, I was able to do it outdoors in the town pool (during the winter, I’m stuck indoors).  I had planed afterwards to spend a bit of time … Read More Here

The Seattle Century 2011 Ride Report

Since my triathlon season has largely transitioned to running for the rest of the year, I was able to mix things up a bit and enjoy doing a fun century ride with my Dad while I was out in Seattle … Read More Here

Gadget or Gimmick: CamelBak Flow Meter

Back a while ago I ordered the CamelBak Flow Meter (with my own money).  This nifty little $30 gadget is designed to sit inline on your existing CamelBak drinking straw/tube and measure how much you consume.  It’ll also tell you … Read More Here

The ANT+ Bike Speed/Cadence Sensor: Everything you ever wanted to know

After the popular ‘everything you ever wanted to know’ post I did back this winter on the footpod, I decided it was time to continue the series with the Speed/Cadence sensor.  Thankfully, the speed/cadence sensor is actually a bit less … Read More Here

Experimenting with using the Garmin GTU 10 tracker during Ironman Boise 70.3

This past weekend I did a bit of an experiment with the Garmin GTU 10 (GTU = Garmin Tracking Unit), and Ironman Boise 70.3.  Many of you followed along on a separate Twitter account as both The Girl and I … Read More Here

A look at CompuTrainer ANT+ integration via ctANT+

On Wednesday an application developer jumped onto the scene with what is probably the coolest new completed CompuTrainer development in years: The ability to use ANT+ sensors directly with CompuTrainer.  This replaces much of the cabling that is typically required … Read More Here

My photo shoot day at Men’s Health Magazine

(Quick side note: If you saw yesterday’s post regarding wireless downloading from the FR310XT straight to the web via an iPhone without a computer, I’ve updated it with new comments from Garmin.  In short, they’re looking for feedback as to … Read More Here

A look at the Trek/Bontrager frame integrated DuoTrap ANT+ Speed/Cadence Sensor

A few weeks ago The Girl brought home her new bike, the Trek Speed Concept, which is one of the very few bikes out there that includes the option to add a frame-integrated ANT+ speed/cadence sensor.  The sensor kit fits … Read More Here