Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
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.While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!
Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 2024 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.
Ironman the best!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thank you for a great blog. I look at it almost every day.
Here’s my comment :-)
Leaving a comment, probably not very useful tho.
Count me 2.
Thanks for this, Ray.
Comment
tweeted
Great Blog. First site I visit every morning
Nice One. I was only the other day thinking I wonder when Ray will give another gadget away.. I must get a blog set up so I can have 3 entries. Alas I never got around to it so Twitter – Done, Facebook – Done, Comment…- Done
Great blog!
I am that guy who has no facebook, twitter or a blog… But I’ve got plenty of time for evening training sessions ;)
Not sure how you are able to work full time, train, and keep this website going, but I must say, “Thanks & Great Job!” Keeping my fingers crossed for the TGT.
One entry
Want it!
Count me 2 (other on is FB).
I want it !!!
In!
heres mine =)
Maybe it’ll make me an iron man, at the moment I’m somewhere between cardboard and aluminium
Keep up the good work with the blog, Ray – really enjoy it!
Put me down for 2 entries – here and FB.
Count me 1.
I’m in!!!
Looks like a great watch!
Tripletime baby!! The trifecta. A triathlon of entries, and in record time too! :)
f: mossybreen
t: mossyb
I’m commenting and I retweeted…so that’s two entried for me! Hope I get it. Definitely need some GPS in my life.
Great giveaway! I’ve also followed you and retweeted so two entries in the draw please!
My 3 , Facebook & twitter!
Woot!
Feel better after that poisoning Ray!
Nice one!
Great blog!
Another attempt to win for me :)
The bikingguru said DC Rainmakers reviews are greatly appreciated and trusted!!
Going for the triple! Comment, follow/retweet and posted on FB. Check! I added an update to the TGT post too since I had my first race with it on the weekend. Thanks, Bernard
Count me for 2! Great write-ups and interviews on InterBike
2 entries for me! Great DC!
Hey, Thanks for the easy ways to enter the giveaway. First time I have been on this website. Coach Casson sent out a Retweet. Only getting started into running and triathlon so this product would give me a great start to my running career.
Thanks,
Michael McCambridge
Only just found the site yesterday, so a cheeky first post!!!
also retweeted (user IJBedds)
Great blog, I usually check it out every couple of days.
I’m game!
I’ve also shared the link on Facebook, so count me twice please!
Well, missed on the 310XT giveaway, so here we go again.
Tweet coming up @getfit2009 as well as a blogpost on http://growth-focus.com
One more time, hope for the best!
IzzyODT
Count me in for one entry.
Comment and retweeted
Yes please, count me in.
3 for me.
Thanks for all the information you’ve given us the last couple weeks. makes me feel not so bad for missing all of these great events.
Count me in:)
Incredible review on the TGT – has me drooling to get my hands on one
Count me for 3 please! Comment, follow/retweet and posted on my blog http://www.ChristMilers.org
a comment
(Love reading your in depth reviews)
Count me in for 3.
If I win this one, this watch goes to my girlfriend… :)
Love your blog!
Hope I win!
2 for me, comment + blog entry
Two for me, please. Thanks!
this time it’s me!!! (okay, probably not, but gotta try:)
Awesome giveaway. Thanks!
I posted this on my blog.
great blog.
Thanks for your efforts on this blog. As a newbie triathlete, I look forward to reading your articles and check this daily
Put me down for 3 plz – twitter, FB & comment.
Awesome! thanks!
Awesome! thanks!
two please — here and facebook
Gimme gimme :-)
2 for me – this comment and a retweet :)
boooom!!! in for two. Blog comment and twitter @nealfor. Wish me the luck!
rickbarton boom boom boom, thanks for the watch :O)
need this for my boyfriends birthday gift xx
Sign me up! Here is my comment – great contest!
Triple me up, Ray.
Re-tweeted, FB’d and here is my comment.
loving the blog!
Great blog a…nd watch
Thanks Rainmaker. Please add my name to the hat!
Count me in for 2. Comment and Facebook.
COunt me in for one entry, Ray, thanks!
I did all 3, Thanks again Ray for a killer blog
Two entries for me!
3 Entries (This comment, blogged and tweeted)
Love the blog! I have no idea how you have time to train, blog and travel so much. You must not sleep. Shared it on Facebook as well so entries X 2.
Put me down for two entries, I’ll be re-tweeting in a few minutes.
aaaand, boom go the dynamite. Game on.
Love your “competitions”
Put me down for al three.
Torgeir Nes
great blog and great reviews
Love the blog! Thanks!
Here I am. Comment and retwetted (check @stronggale).
Cool blog.
— Umberto
awesome!
Three entries for me, thanks in advance for picking me!
This will make me faster!
Ooohhh, I clearly need one of these in my training-for-a-half-marathon-in-January-and-never-ran-before life.
Oh, and tweeting now!
I’m also in for 3. Thanks Ray!
This is my comment…
I linked it to my blog…
I linked it to my Facebook…
Sweet giveaway!
Ray Rules!
FB+Tweet+this=3
Thanks for doing this!
Woo! Comment!
Put me down for 3
link to twitter.com
link to facebook.com
Love your blog!
Two for me, comment and retweet. Thanks for a great blog.
And I retweeted
I’m looking at buying one of these or the Garmin version so winning would be awesome. Blogged it at http://billdeys.com and tweeted @billdeys Thanks!
I’ll play. And since I REALLY want to test this watch out, please feel free to randomly pick me as the winner. Put me in for three entries (though I always quadruple dip). I’ll repost on Twitter and Facebook, plus a blog entry.
Thanks for another awesome contest!
SCW
Great blog, even if I have to sometimes correct your spelling ;-)