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…
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.
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.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!
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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!
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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?
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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.
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 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.
Hi there – can you please check out the 3iii HUD and see if there is any news on its release?
Many thanks
BOOTH 1041: Word from ANT+ group/symposium if their radio will be built into iPhone 5 or 6 (dreams but why not)?!
BOOTH 20061: Cycleops booth stopover, new G3 release dates?
If it caught your eye..a device that clip on your eyeglass and displayed vitals (speed/cadence/power) on your lens like a HUD, so you dont have to look down. Im sure some upstart has the tech!
Have a blast @ IB!!
Will Cervelo be dropping their new TT bike the PXX or whatever it’s called? Be sure to cover that, I doubt many people will.
I still want to know the total # of companies that end up using the term “Game Changer” in their marketing materials or presentations.
You mentioned you will be speeching at the ANT+ Symposium, will you be doing any speeching at Interbike? I have the opportunity to go this year.
Please take some pics of the Ceepo Climax that I can drool over ;)
Probably doesn’t need to be said, but please for the love of god, FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN ABOUT GARMIN VECTOR!!!!
Please :)
Yes, please ask Garmin why they decided to go with the Polar/Look also ran strategy.
Please ask the crew from computrainer about the new software. Please fell free to haze them a little bit for the inordinate delays!!!!
Hi All!
Great suggestions thus far – keep em’ coming!
Don-
Can you clarify what you mean? I may be misunderstanding. Garmin bought Metrigear right before Interbike last year. Polar/Look announced thier power meters around the same time. Metrigear had been publically working on it for a few years prior.
Hey Rey, I am really interested in the cerebellum hindsight 35. Every week I hear about another about another cyclist being struck by car and killed. This product seems to have tremendous potential.
CorrectIon. Cerebellum.
Hi
I am interested in the Tacx virtual trainers. Would like to know how the latest software is going and the thoughts on the bushido vs the fortius
Hey Ray,
I remember when garmin first started discussing power meters/vector, there goal was a price point that brought power meters to the general public….
$1500…they missed their target. Does garmin have any response to this, or is it just not possible to build a power meter <1000?
(Although I believe cyclops entry level is now under 1000).
Thanks
Any chance of following up on Cycleops VR software? Does this make the Powerbeam Pro and Indoor Cycle 400 comparable to Computrainer and Velotron respectively (with RacerMate One)?
Keep up the good work. Really enjoy your blog.
PhilH
News about Tacx ANT+ turbotrainer and compatibility with ANT+ powermeter (which one are really compatible), new TTS and power feature (customization of data in view)
need any help clearing the box pile?
you can send some my way, any time …
Hi Ray,
Please could you note any info on the Cycleops Powerbeam Pro and if it will be coming with the new Joule computer or with the Joule 3(soon to be discontinued?)
Thanks so much.
Ps Keep up the fantastic work.
Jason uk
Dude, you are living the dream! Have fun for the rest of us :)
Ray
Would be great if you could ask the Garmin Vector people if there are plans (and a timeframe) to release the vector PM so its compatible with speedplay pedals and also given the initial metrigear publicity was indicating that the system was going to be using speedplay what the reason for the change is.
Cheers (and have fun)
Hi Anon-
RE: Vector Price Point
I suspect that what we’re seeing is a price point to be able to meet demand, and then I suspect we’ll see a drop. Keep in mind there are other new competitors also coming onboard (O-Synce) as well as the solid drop in price by CycleOps in thier PT lineup. I suspect you fast forward to next fall and things will look quite different.
Hi Jason-
RE: PowerBeam Pro
Actually one of those will be arriving shortly around here. They were trying to get it sent out last week to me, need to check on that.
Hi David-
RE: Vector q’s
Yup, definitely have those on the list for my Vector Interbike post.
Thanks all for the awesome suggestions thus far, there’s a few in there I hadn’t thought of – so really appreciate them, keep them coming! Plus, it also helps me focus on the areas that you really want to hear about.
Ray, I may be alone here, but is Garmain doing any updates to the GTU10 to make it more user friendly/better mapping/updates? I would love to see this technology incorporated into the Edge 800. . . that would push me to the upgrade for sure.
After reading your awesome reviews I’d love to have you stop by our Strider Sports Booth #2090
Check out our bikes for Toddlers!
Kent Jacobs
Strider Sports
The Tacx Genius Mulitplayer T2000
Its scheduled release date is November 2011 or January 1 2012 depending on which webpage you read.
There is a cool clip of it on this web page at the bottom:
link to tacxvr.com
Hi,thanks for you “offer regarding Interbike report”:
1-The Genius look great and i saw that they’re planning a new software too, BUT what would be nice to know is if there’ll be now the possibility to create “lap” during VR, RLV, RLT and visualize the Power Zone (instead HR, since is the actual effort you’re doing at the moment) also helpful for further training analysis.
Which the difference between Genius, Bushido and Vortex motorbrake?
2-Vector, Power2Max
Please ask CycleOps if and when the G3 hub will be available in Smart Enve wheels. I’m getting conflicting info that only the old 45 and 65mm rims will be used for 2012.
Racermate One update would be good. Should be shipping soon I hear :rolls-eyes:
Cant wait to see pics. Shoot some video if you have time. Can you take some time to compare some of the new Zipp 404 knock off wheels. So many out there to compare against the 404’s. If you have time do a side by side or multiple wheel comparison that would be really cool.
I just left Vegas on Saturday and it was HOT 110 to 102 everyday. If your wife is going with check out the Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor. It is amazing. If she loved the movie she will love the exhibit. Trust me.
Vector (again) + one other ……
At least one person I spoke with at Garmin wasn’t sure if the GSC 10 would be necessary anymore if you have the Vector system. Maybe someone at Interbike could clarify. If yes- what for? In other words, could the crank magnet at least be removed? (Might have to be in order to install the Vector). Also ……replacement policy of the little knob that hangs off the crank arm (seems like that is just hanging there waiting to be destroyed). I almost wonder if at $1,500. they don’t include a head unit (bundle)? I also wonder how “solid” that March 2012 date is. I think there are a bunch of us that would buy something else if it’s any further out than that (you’re really looking at getting into the 2012 season at that point). Lastly- what’s up with the new Garmin 310XT replacement? Any details on the watch itself and a release date for it (Vector compatibility, etc., etc..)? In addition…..are we going to have to buy all new quick release stuff for it if we already have it on several bikes for the current Garmin 310XT?
I agree with Tony, BUT what about the power distribution (that were advetize for Tacx Bushido and TTS) between L and R legs?
Garmin FR 910;
looking forward to your Interbike report :-)