@@dcrainmaker
February 26, 2026 • 11:40
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 Running GPS Review: Best, or Flop?
Huawei has launched the new GT Runner 2 watch to pretty strong fanfare: A dedicated running-focused event with Eliud Kipchoge in Madrid, a slate of new features, and a new GPS/GNSS antenna design that they are saying is the headliner feature and beating what they defined at the gold-standard GPS watch. As part of this, they held media briefings at a fascinating level of detail into how this new system is supposed to work, including side-by-side labeled comparisons with other benchmark competitors, such as the Garmin Forerunner 970 & Apple Watch Ultra 3. As a side note, it’s pretty rare for companies to actually label the competitors in these media briefings. Obviously, with this much GPS-focused fanfare, I’m here for it. And more specifically, here to validate (or debunk) these claims in the real world. Thus, welcome to this post. Now to be clear, there’s lots of other software-focused features that make this watch interesting. From expanded training load metrics, to expanded training plan pieces, to smart re-fueling reminders, and more. Though, as we’ve seen the trend recently, these features in and of themselves are no longer category leading, but just category baseline. Of course, it’s cool to see Huawei pushing deeper into the running side - with an acknowledgment during the briefing that this is the sport they’ll be tackling first, in terms of feature depth. That said, the cornerstone of this newly announced watch is the GPS antenna design being revolutionary, and thus, I wanted to focus on that.
February 19, 2026 • 15:32
Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 In-Depth Review: 23 New Things You Need to Know!
Here'sverything you need to know about the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2, and how it compares to the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro!
February 10, 2026 • 21:58
Garmin Varia RearVue 820 Radar In-Depth Review: Actually Worth It?
I dig deep into the new Garmin Varia RearVue 820 Radar, to figure out what works well, and what falls short. Garmin Varia 820 Radar on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4avdjBK (helps support the channel, thanks!!!) After nearly 6 years, we finally get a new Garmin radar, the Varia RearVue 820, which brings with a host of new features…and USB-C. Finally, USB-C to their base radar (only their camera edition had it previously). The new unit increases vehicle detection claims to 170m, though far higher in real life, and increases battery claims life to upwards of 30 hours (depending on mode). It adds a brake light, adds steady-state traffic tracking, and lets you see the size of vehicles (e.g. truck vs moto). Further, you can also adjust exact blink patterns and brightness, as well as it having a brighter light than previously (visible up to 2km/1.24mi vs the 1.61km/1mi previously).Of course, with all these new features comes a new price - $299 (compared to the existing $199…though really $149 most of the time). That said, Wahoo’s new radar is also in roughly the same ballpark at $249, though the new Lezyne radar is less expensive at $179. But more on some of those quick comparisons a bit later.And more importantly than all that: Does it actually work? Are these new features useful, or just a marketing gimmick? As you’ll see, the answer is mixed. There’s a lot of good here, but also some minor dumpster fires to address too. 0:00 Quick Overview 1:10 Inside the box 1:31 The New Mount 2:04 USB-C Port, Finally! 2:14 Size & Weight Changes/Comparisons 2:25 Why Get A Cycling Radar? 3:08 Increased Detection Distance 3:41 Detection Range Testing Deep-Dive 5:33 Increased Radar Beam Angle & Testing 6:23 Lane Detection Feature & Testing 7:06 Bike Commuting & App-Only Mode 7:29 Is Lane Detection Worthwhile? 8:40 Vehicle & Cyclist Size Classification 10:06 Same-Speed Vehicle Tracking 11:00 New Vehicle Coloring Scheme 11:52 Horse, Pony, and Goat tracking 12:10 New Brake Light Feature 12:31 Increased Light Lumens (Brightness) 12:41 New Custom Light Profiles 12:53 Increased Battery Claims-Specs 13:10 Real World Battery Testing Results 14:14 User Replaceable Battery (opened up!) 14:29 Upside-down Mounting 14:41 3rd Party GPS Testing (Wahoo/Hammerhead/etc…) 15:32 Bugs & Quirks 17:41 False Positives & False Negatives 18:58 The Price 20:42 Final Thoughts & Recommendations Note that links may contain Amazon Affiliate links, which help support the channel at no cost to you. #GarminVariaRadar #Garmin #GarminVaria
February 2, 2026 • 20:55
Garmin inReach Mini 3 & 3 Plus In-Depth Review: Worth The Upgrade?
Everything you need to know about the Garmin inReach Mini 3 & 3 Plus, a complete long-term in-depth review. Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MhhvNs Garmin inReach Mini 2 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qVjdmV (Links help support the channel, thanks!!!) The Garmin inReach Mini 3 & Mini 3 Plus is the most substantial update to the Garmin inReach lineup in years. If not, ever. At first glance it might seem like perhaps just a color change, and for the base unit, that might be a bit true. However, for the inReach Mini 3 Plus, it’s definitely a big update with a ton of changes. It continues to solidify Garmin’s position However, before you get too excited, there are also some big caveats. Not just the price of the unit or the activation/subscription fees, but rather the fact that I had some pretty big satellite failures in my testing. Leaving me questioning how well this unit would work if I needed the emergency features to get out of a bad situation. A concern I’ve never really had in my many years of using many different inReach devices, across many different adventures, well outside of cellular range. I’ve been putting this unit through its paces in all sorts of activities. From long hikes deep into the wilderness, to rides (road and mountain), to runs, sailing, skiing, and more. Testing both new features, and existing ones alike. 0:00 The Models & Pricing 1:06 What’s in the box 1:08 Voice Messages (Sending/Receiving) 2:07 Photo Support (Sending/Receiving) 2:35 New Speaker/Microphone 2:46 Emergency Siren Basics 3:03 Increased Character Limit 3:17 New Iridium Antenna Design 4:12 Voice Notes and Voice Commands 4:47 Display changes (a bunch of them) 5:45 Changes in unit weight 6:02 Changes in water/dust resistance 6:12 Added MIL-STD-810 compliance 6:18 Added dual-band GNSS/GPS 6:42 Added Garmin Share/Explainer 7:00 Added “Maps” 7:23 New Quick Control Menu & User Interface 7:37 New sport profiles option 7:55 Increased a bunch of limits 8:17 Battery Life Specs/Changes 8:37 Complete User Interface Walk-Through & Explainer 9:31 Emergency SOS Triggering 10:06 Subscription Costs/Service Plans 10:50 Navigation & Maps Explainer 12:30 LiveTrack & Mapshare Explained 14:09 Messaging (Text, Photos, Voice) 15:54 Weather 16:13 Emergency Siren Range Test 17:15 Battery Life Testing & Results 17:41 inReach Mini 3 Base vs Plus Comparison 19:03 Bugs & Failures 20:16 Recommendations & Final Thoughts Finally, note that I purchased the inReach Mini 3 Plus myself, though I have borrowed the secondary base unit. Also note, Amazon links above may earn me a commission via Amazon affiliate program. #GarmininReach #inReachMini3 #inReach
January 21, 2026 • 9:20
Garmin Watch Mini Battery Bank: Worth It?
Is this tiny battery bank actually worth it? Or just as single-purpose waste of money? I dive into it! Garmin Watch Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/3NFi9od Garmin USB-C adapters (4 for $9): https://amzn.to/4bHGBzg Garmin Charging Stand: https://amzn.to/4qQtnFr Standard 10,000mAh battery bank for $19: https://amzn.to/4sSzRET Lipstick size USB charger: https://amzn.to/3NVUtfp Links support the channel, and are Amazon Affiliate links (no cost to you). #GarminWatch #Garmin
January 13, 2026 • 13:09
Strava's New Instant Workout Feature Tested: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Strava's new Instant Workouts feature is here. But, is it any good? I dive into what works, and what fails, and how it compares to Garmin's Daily Suggested Workouts. This is for running, cycling, and more. #Strava #Cycling #Running
January 8, 2026 • 10:09
New Smart Trainer Integration with Philips Hue (Just $3)!
Here's everything you need to know about the new LightMyWatts app, which has integration with Philips Hue for a mere $3! I dive into how it works. This works with Zwift, Rouvy, TrainerRoad, and any other app. Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration, where you can get 15% off your first order: https://visit.pfandh.com/dcr Additionally, check out their free Fuel & Hydration Planner: http://visit.pfandh.com/dcr /// Hue Products I Prefer The Dual Light Bar: https://amzn.to/4qhE6bu The Go movable lamp: https://amzn.to/4swE29k The base bridge: https://amzn.to/4sAPIrO The lightstrip (for permanent installs): https://amzn.to/49wSCoN //// The app: LightMyWatts (Apple store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lightmywatts/id6755496044 LightMyWatts (Google store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.conatech.lightmywatts.android&pcampaignid=web_share Creator of app: https://www.instagram.com/ulrikvad/?hl=en Note: Amazon affiliate links for which I may earn a commission. #Zwift, #PhilipsHue #smarthome
January 7, 2026 • 6:01
Suunto Watch January 2026 Big Firmware Update Explained!
Suunto has just rolled out a pretty solid update, continuing a seemingly recent trend over most of the last 6-8 months of more frequent and more notable firmware updates. The updates during this timeframe has been a blend of long-needed changes (like, decade long in some cases), but also minor new features too. I’ll quickly go through a few of the items that stood out to me the most. Overall, the updates is for all of their recent watches from the last couple years, plus the Suunto 9 Peak Pro tossed in. The only exception however being the budget-focused Suunto Run, which as discussed back then, runs on an entirely different software/firmware platform, and thus isn’t seeing the benefit of these. On the bright side, it’s pretty darn cheap. The January 2026 Update:The update launched this morning is 2.50.26, and available for the Suunto Race (1), Suunto Race S, Suunto Race 2, Suunto Vertical 1, Suunto Vertical 2, and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro. You should be able to sync your watch now to the Suunto app, to start the download process, while you finish reading the rest of this.Here’s the official list of what’s inside:New features:- Connected sensors can be enabled/disabled per sport mode- Sensor services can be enabled/disabled separately in sport mode- New default sport modes in the watch for duathlon, swimrun and aquathlon- New data fields: Instant, avg and lap NGP, Peak power, Peak pace & speed and ascent/descent to next waypoint- Number of SuuntoPlus apps in sport mode increased from two to three (ONLY RACE 2 and VERTICAL 2)- ZoneSense adjustable as target to follow in sport mode- ZoneSense zone distribution shown in log summary- Automatic transitions in triathlon sport mode- Automatic transitions in swimrun sport mode- Circular transition between sports in predefined multisport modes- New map orientation selection for north vs heading- In-store demo mode for events and demo purposesImprovements- Significantly improved wrist heart rate accuracy (NOT VERTICAL OR 9 PEAK PRO)- Sport mode options remembered better- New paired sensors automatically enabled in compatible sport modes- Flashlight user interface improved (ONLY VERTICAL 2)- Map data field made bigger and more visible (NOT 9 PEAK PRO)- Weather data also downloaded over WiFi (NOT 9 PEAK PRO)- Improved pool swimming accuracy- Smoother transition between menus- Improved altimeter stability- Improved ascent and descent calculation accuracy- Several bug fixes and performance improvements
January 5, 2026 • 11:57
Garmin's New Nutrition and Food Logging: Worth It?
Here's everything you need to know about Garmin's new nutrition & food logging feature, from start to finish! Also including how it compares to MyFitnessPal and the existing integration for food/macro tracking. Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration, where you can get 15% off your first order: https://visit.pfandh.com/dcr Additionally, check out their free Fuel & Hydration Planner: http://visit.pfandh.com/dcr
December 23, 2025 • 9:26
Big Garmin Public Beta Update Adds 25 New Features to 2025 Watches!
Here's a complete walk-through of a bunch of the new features in the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Forerunner 970, Forerunner 570, Venu X1, Venu 4, and Vivoactive 6 public beta update. Full written post with links to release notes for all of them: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/12/garmin-features-watches.html #Garmin #GarminFenix8, #Dcrainmaker
