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.
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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.
Wow, one off.
At least I’m getting closer.
:)
Looking forward to your 410 review. I wonder how much it will really differ from my 405CX.
Peace.
Matt
Hi,
There was a comment from a Garmin rep on the Garmin 410 forum suggesting the bezel differences between 405 and 410 were a bit more subtle than sub-divisions:
link to forums.garmin.com
I’ll be really interested to see how you find it – the bezel problems put me off ever buying a 405.
When I saw my name I thought I was the one, unfortunately my name is near to the winner, but not this time… Congrats.
Congrats on the winner..
Can’t wait for the Swimsense review. If it’s as in depth as your other ones… Thumbs up!
no moisture allowed? hahah. can’t wait for the review. i didn’t even know they made products like that. oops :)
I’m first in line for the Finis Swimsense giveaway!
congrats to adam…even if we all are secretly sending him dirty thoughts…not that kind of thought.
love the 410, interested in the swimsense review!
Looking forward to reading your report on the 410. I have the tiniest wrists. One of the deterrents (well, the biggest is cost) to investing in a garmin is the bulk on my arm; I definitely need a smaller style.
Hi DC, great blog!! Have you tried/used the “Swimovate” that seems to be a similar product to Swimsense? The older model looks like it is “proven” in counting strokes and the new Pro series allows for downloading.
Thanks,
gscozzison
I have played with the Swimmate a bit, and was actually sent one to try out. I used it on and off for quite a few months – but just became so frustrated with the usability of the device, I ultimately gave up and didn’t bother spending my time writing up a full review.
While it counted laps quite well, the user interface (menu system) of the device was so difficult to master that I’d often end up accidentally deleting my own workouts just moments after completing them. I’ve talked with others that have used the watch and describe similiar problems – though most are willing to ‘make it work’. It’s rare for me to become so frustrated with a device, but that one was it.
On the bright side, the hotel I’m at here in Delhi has a pool with lap lanes – so I hope to give the Swimsense a whirl in the next 24 hours.
Thanks!
I know you are more focused on tech, but i was wondering if you could review the new ON shoes, those bizarre-spring switzerland enginereed shoes
I was looking at the ascent activity tracking software forum yesterday and saw a post from someone requesting a functionality change to switch to bing maps! Thought that was funny given the outrage surrounding garmin connect’s recent change! Like you said, they both have good and bad depending on what you’re looking for and where you’re looking.
Ray, your picture of the 410 makes it look like the ring around the face is silver but the picture on Garmin’s web site makes it look black. That’s odd.
Hi–I’m interested to see what you find about battery life with the 410. I’ve returned a 405CX and now a 410 because the batteries only lasted about 4hours. Thanks to REI’s awesome return policy these watches haven’t put me out of pocket. Input for those with a 405CX or 410…the bezel scratches easily. I purchased a “generic” Invisible Shield (45mm watch face) from Zagg.com (I have no affiliation with them), and it worked great to protect the bezel and the screen from abuse, while still allowing normal bezel use. Not that I had the watches very long as the battery life was dismal. Just ordered a 310XT, in part due to your review. Thanks for taking the guesswork out of what it’ll be like.
I got the Swimsense last week and have tried it out for two swims. The data is accurate for my freestyle and backstroke but off for my breaststroke and fly. That could just be me. I agree that it is easy to configure and get going, but harder to download the data. I did get it all set up after a talking with tech support and updating my version of Firefox.
I look forward to your full review.
From a comment above it sounded like you may have given up on a doing a review of the Finis SwimSense. It hasn’t been hassle free for me yet either, but I’m going to try to keep using and see if it starts to help in training.
I was able to get one of the first batch as a Xmas gift. Took it for test-drive today. Had it actually lock up on me twice. The second time it happened was while the battery died mid workout, then it locked up. (I then also found out the hard way pressing the two right buttons clears a workout, argh.)
Got home and opened a trouble ticket with Finis, hopefully they keep trying to improve the software on the watch. The site seems slick that unit cam upload to, and they now offer all web features at no cost. (I think I might be cursing right now if they didn’t.)
My issues were running version v1.0.1.2, as I got home from the gym they released version v1.0.1.3… fingers-crossed