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.
Hey DC,
I don’t know how to tell you this gently… but most of us only have 1 (or maybe 2) “active” HRM straps at any one time. But the problem isn’t with you, it’s with us…
Hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon!
DROOOOOL!!!!! Just seeing that you HAVE that many to keep track of is insane. My 1 is a pain for me, but I like the simple idea of the wall hook. Will have to try that to keep track my measly single strap.
And what about units? How are they stored? Attache to straps?
I thought that this was a really cool solution to a problem that I share (albeit not quite to the same degree). I showed your solution to my wife . . . she just shook her head and told me that all triathletes are insane. C’est la vie.
Hell with Insanity…to the wall with heart rate straps!
LOL
Cool! When will we get to see your Ikea solution??
Man I wish there was a standard. I only have two heart rate straps but I wear them both while on the trainer -#$$%^ !!!!
looks like garter snakes
How many are redundant and/or interchangeable? Do some work with multiple brands?
Hi Rainmaker,
with so many Heart Rate Straps you could make an outstanding “Heart Rate Devices Accuracy In Depth” test.
I just have two heart rate sensors, my classic Garmin says 240 (after chancing already three batteries), while my adidas strap seems to work right.
But with 15 straps, it would be really interesting who they perform when you are doing different activites…
…how they perform…
Sorry, i am just an austrian guy with poor English, surrounded by Alps!
For what do you use Zephyer Bluetooth Strap?
The main (and really only) use is for connecting to phones. All of the major phone variants have apps that support a Bluetooth HR monitor (Blackberry, iPhone/iPod, Windows 7 Phone, Android, etc…) – so this is a way to get HR data to a phone and/or Bluetooth device that doesn’t support either ANT+ or older analog HR straps (since almost none do).
Polar actually has one as well that’s in the mix there. Battery life is a bit better than the Zephyer one.
Ray, do you know of anyone making a heart-rate sensor strap that transmits both ANT+ and coded 5kHz signals?
None. There’s some BLE + 5kHz, some ANT+BLE, and even some ANT & kHz (Suunto), but none ANT+ and 5kHz. Sorry!
I second the request for a HRM review. I use HRM’s with both a 310XT and Edge 800 (sometimes simultaneously), and would also like to use with an iPhone 4s and later iPhone.
In 3 years I have gone through 3 Garmin HRM’s. After 1 to 2 years they just stop working. I never got the Garmin soft straps to work even with eloctrode gel. The soft straps would randomly give unbelieveable high readings after 20 min of run. Even the original plastic strap which works OK for me at run start will fail if very hot (over 85F) and shirt becomes sweat soaked. Run without a shirt helps. Last, 2 of my plastic Garmin’s have failed after 1 to 2 years. They start to randomly report unbelievable low readings (less than rest HR when riding or running tempo) and at this point you have to get a new one. So I am thinking of the 4iiii V100 Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor.
How do you clear the history/runs off the watch?
Another request for a “best of HRM” review. After years of running and cycling I figure it’s about time I actually track my progress. New to your site…..really appreciate your informative shares =)
Hi Ray perhaps you can help me, I know my FR610 and SWITCH can only connect to one hrm at a time, by accident I had them both fired up today, don’t worry I’m not after your job! :) anyways they both displayed the same heart rate, my question is how many devices can the belt transmit to simultaneously?
ANT+ HR straps (which is what the FR610 and Switch use), can connect to an unlimited number of display devices at once. It’s how I do much of my testing (one strap to multiple devices).
They should have made them bluetooth and one would be used for all devices. So the waste of time, money and environmental waste would not be this high. Please support unified protocols to avoid waste like this.
Hmm, not exactly.
First off, the reason I have so many straps is because products include them. Not because they aren’t compatible.
Second, virtually all of the straps above are either ANT+ or Bluetooth – both widely used protocols.
Third, actually, using Bluetooth legacy would be a poor choice these days, rather than Bluetooth Smart or ANT+, which are widely supported by devices/apps.
Is there another product that does the same work as the Polar V800 but doesn’t have a heart monitor strap?
Yes, the Mio products such as the Mio Link would pair with the V800. Also, the Scosche Rhythm+.
What strap would you recommend for a waterproof HR monitor strap that is both BT smart and ANT +?
I have an inordinate amount of trouble keeping track of ONE heart rate strap-
too many black things generally is part of the problem.
Maybe some color- coding….
Need help with organization ideas. Bought a wire mesh drawer tower, but its too flimsy. Any ideas on where to find one with roller bearing slides? Thanks!
I’d love to get some tips on how best to wake up and pair various HR monitors. I’ve only got a couple but I almost always have to quit my iPad app(s), reboot the iPad or do some other mysterious combination of things to actually connect to either of the HR monitors. I only use Bluetooth connections to a Wahoo KickR Core, a Garmin Edge 520, my iPhone and a couple of different iPads. iPad apps are primarily Zwift and FulGaz. Any suggestions?