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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment 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! 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.
Product Reviews
Other Reviews
Bontrager Flare RT & Ion 200 RT Connected Bike Lights In-Depth Review
Bontrager has introduced a new far smaller and much cheaper variant of their popular Flare RT connected bike lights. These $59 individual front and rear lights connect via ANT+ to supported head units to automatically turn on when you start … Read More Here
Week in Review – May 6th, 2018
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 … Read More Here
Quad Lock Cycling Phone Mount In-Depth Review
There is no category of gadgetry that I get more manufacturer e-mails on than phone accessory junk. Which is somewhat ironic considering I can’t even remember the last time I reviewed a phone-specific thing. Still, once you get on some … Read More Here
PowerTap Significantly Drops Prices, Plus Detailed Power Meter Pricing Trends (2018 Edition)
It seems like it’s that time of year again – when we start to see shifts in power meter pricing and companies tweak their strategy for the year ahead. The first to move this year was actually Pioneer, back in … Read More Here
Hammerhead Karoo Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
After an elongated delivery timeframe, the Hammerhead Karoo is finally shipping. If the various engagement metrics I track tell me anything, it’s one of the most awaited bike computers of the last year. It could be the fast touchscreen display … Read More Here
Hands-on: The AIRhub Pro Resistance Wheel
Last year about this time I tried out the original AIRhub while down at the Tour Down Under. That product is essentially a front wheel that provides resistance that you can control from your smartphone via Bluetooth Smart. It has … Read More Here
Garmin Running Power App: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Today, Garmin released their running power app that they announced back in October. The functionality requires a Garmin RD-POD, Garmin HRM-TRI, or HRM-RUN strap. It also requires the latest Garmin watches, specifically either a Fenix 5, Chronos or a FR935. While … Read More Here
Hands-on: The COROS Omni Smart Helmet
It’s been one year since COROS burst onto the scene with their COROS Linx Smart helmet. The main appeal of the helmet was that it had not only jawbone conduction speakers built into the straps (which don’t block outside noise), … Read More Here
Winter 2017-2018 Sports Technology Recommendations
(Before we start, you can find my massive Black Friday 2017 deals post here, expect a massive churn on that post over the next 5 days, as we go through both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This guide attempts as … Read More Here
Strava in Augmented Reality: Here’s how it works
As Interbike kicks off you’ll see a slew of both mainstream as well as smaller companies try and get your attention with new products. Some of these will be products that you genuinely find useful and plan to buy, and … Read More Here
DCR Facebook Live Q&A Tomorrow –July 28th!
It’s time. Again. Because, well, it’s been a long time since the last time. Plus, The Girl will be joining me this time! Tomorrow (aka this Friday) I’ll get be hosting a Facebook Live Q&A session for anything you’ve got … Read More Here
Stages Dash L10 Bike Computer In-Depth Review
Update Nov 2020: Note that Stages effectively renamed the original Stages Dash to the Stages Dash L10, when they announced the new L50 and M50 models. As such, to make it clear for folks, I’ve updated the title of this … Read More Here
The Xplova X5 Bike Computer Review: What I Love and Hate
When the Acer Xplova X5 was announced last year, it got a lot of attention for its headline-grabbing features: An integrated action camera, cellular connectivity, full color touchscreen with maps, and integrated nacho cheese dispenser. Well, maybe not the dispenser. … Read More Here
Garmin launches its first inReach products: the inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+
Back in February of 2016 Garmin purchased U.S. based GPS device and map maker DeLorme. In the press release of that acquisition Garmin specifically called out Delorme’s inReach two-way satellite communication devices. Those devices packed a unique capability that allowed the … Read More Here
Garmin launches Uber ETA and other Connect IQ Apps
Caught up in the announcement of the all new Garmin Fenix 5 series this morning was the release of a host of new Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields. Garmin is making available for download apps from Uber, … Read More Here
My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment I Use Daily
Preemptive note! Don’t forget my massive 2016 Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals page here. I’ve been updating it every few hours all day today with new deals, and expect to continue to update it constantly throughout the next few days. One … Read More Here
My Winter 2016-2017 Sports Gadget Recommendations
(Before we start, you can find my Holiday 2016 deals post here, expect a massive churn on that post over the next 5-7 days, as we go through both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This guide attempts as best as … Read More Here
BSX Insight Gen2 In-Depth Review
Update – Aug 20th, 2017: Warning – BSX has discontinued sales of the BSX Insight product line, and plans to discontinue the platform as of August or September 2018. After which point it’s unclear what, if any, portion of the … Read More Here
A look at Mio’s Personal Activity Intelligence Index, and a little Slice
We’re at kind of an odd place right now with the rapid developmental pace of sports technology. What we see happening is a misalignment of the hardware/software technology and the scientific and practical use cases for that technology. An … Read More Here
My Winter 2015-2016 Sports Gadget Recommendations
Introduction: (Before we start, you can find my Black Friday deals post here, expect a massive update of products on sale on Thursday morning when many deals kick off. This guide attempts to as best as possible take into account … Read More Here
Cycliq Fly6 In-Depth Review
I’ve been using the Fly6 (Generation 2) for the better part of a year now. While I wrote an initial preview last year of the Generation 1 model, it was just that – a preview. I figured it was about … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
A nice relaxing weekend back home in Paris – here’s what I was up to! 1) Paris Roller For some three years now I’ve seen the Friday night festivus that is Paris Roller. It’s when every Friday evening hundreds to … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2015 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Two weeks ago week I outlined every piece of gear that I regularly use in my day to day training or racing. Not the stuff that I review for products, but rather, the goods that I always turn back to once … Read More Here
The Zeal HD2 Snow Goggles with Built-In HD Camera In-Depth Review
This past weekend I spent three days using the Zeal HD2 goggles. These goggles have a built-in action camera in the upper edge of them, making them potentially perfect for recording your slope adventures. It includes both photo and video … Read More Here
A fitting Misfit update
While standing around chatting when we briefly crossed paths on the running leg of the first ever Las Vegas 140.6 yesterday, Ray and I noticed the Misfit booth conveniently situated adjacent to the Polar booth. We flipped a virtual coin, … Read More Here
