Heads up!!! Here’s your massive Cyber Monday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) 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.
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.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 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.
Wooooooowwww
Great Ray
Great reviews and give aways.
Fantastic, my 610 that I got in Iraq is in bad shape and is telling me I am running near Olympic miles on my last 8-miler.
Greatest Blog
Great !!
Thank-you Ray
Bravo Ray.
Grazie!
Another Perfect Day ;-)
Too kind!! :)
Looking forward to this.
This all sounds too good to be true.
Superawesome!
Awesome!
Testing my ability to comment.
This might just be more awesome than The Avengers movie!
I never win anything, I guess I’m due.
Yes please!
Based on your various pictures of the Eisenhower trail, I live around the corner (Cameron Station)! Love the blog! You can save on any postage!
Jason
I’m due to win!!!
Jan Kubes
Ray I must say that Your reviews are Amazing!!! Thanx from the Czech Republic!!!
Jan
I’m winnig this time :-)
Nice project :) Greeting from an avid skiier in the Netherlands!
mykkel90@hotmail.no
Cool!
Awesome!!! Thanx Ray!!!
Ot.k@seznam.cz
Otilie
Even more awesome than usual – way to go, Ray!
Hello, great that awesome. Need some toys!
Great!
Looking forward to it!
Looking forward to it!
Looking forward to the giveaway!
Can’t wait for the giveaway
I’m in.
i’m feeling lucky, i’ll take what you got..
Well, life is hard….
Matthias
I’m in!
Grzesiek
Hey did they come out with the watch that orders pizza yet? Oh that would be in 2015 I think you told me. So anyhow I’m up for anything you got!
Wow and Awesome! Hope I’m one of the lucky winners
I’m in
Love the site!!! Thanks for all the good info!
Looking forward to winning something… anything.. crumbs will do!
Looking forward to it! Thanks Ray!
C’mon..I haven’t won anything this year….I’ll take anything you got!
crossing my fingers…
I’m past due, come on old, sweat socks!
Yes please
Still rocking the Garmin FR60. Upgrade would be nice.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Just found your site this week. Great blog. My new bike could use some bling. Please put me down for whatever you are giving away. Free stuff – it is like I am back in college!
I am good with anything, but please no slightly used tri-shorts. Anything for the wife to make her forget how much money I spent on my bike and race fees would be nice as well.
Nice. I’ll even be in DC mid August. Instead of shipping you could geocache a drop just like during the great …err…coldwar.
Very cool site Ray. Keep it up!
Thinking about getting a Garmin 910XT, but free stuf could change my mind!
Great idea!
Sounds great.
First I would like to thank you for all of the great advice and info you have put forth over the years. My wife and I recently started participating in Tris and have found you and Berties trials, triumphs, and tribulations very informative and helpful.
We have been waiting to see your comparison between the GoPro and the Contour HD. Our thought is to have a recording device to use while bike riding to and from work for protection in case someone drives crazy, but we have not been able to make a decision between the two. Last I remember there was a accident where the Contour fell off and I have not seen a return to the product comparison.( I may have missed it) So I am hoping that since you seem to prefer to use the GoPro that the Contour will be one of the items to be passed on. Either way again thank you from 2 fans.
Can’t wait!
Hook me up!
That would be awesome.
Is there a list of all the items up for grabs or do you plan to just publish them one (or a bunch) at a time every couple hours starting at 9pm PT?
I’m in if they are still available.
nice blog
this is awesome, i can’t hardly wait
Greetings from San Diego at 9:00 pm local time!
Is it too late to enter? If not, I’d like a GPS something or maybe one of your cool waterproof cameras. Not likely but hey it was worth a shot :)
I’ll participate from Sri Lanka, but you can send the stuff to Italy! ;-)
It’s always a pleasure to read you Ray!
Ale
Hi Garrett-
No list ahead of time. :)
Just every 3 hours on the dot, starting at midnight.
Hi Unknown-
RE: Contour/GoPro
I do want to dive into it a bit more, but at the moment I really prefer the GoPro system – just far more flexible and easier to use. I admit the Contour with integrated GPS is appealing, but I find it a pain in the butt from a mounting standpoint, and the interface isn’t super-clear. Additionally, the GPS is increda-slow.
Just my two cents…thanks for dropping by!
Anything Garmin would be rad!
Thanks Ray.
Since I don’t know what you have, I’ll just say what I’d like:
-Daily wear sports watch (like yours!)
-ANT+ compatible anything
-GoPro mount (just got the GoPro HD2 per your recommendation!)
THANKS,
-Garrett B.
Hi DC,
GARMIN GARMIN GARMIN!!!
;-)
Very generous, thanks
Ha, ha! I can’t believe I let the excitement prevent me from sleeping last night. :-)
Why is the polar givaway locked at 10 comments?
Liking your work
Ooooooh. Thanks. Nice this “free market” ;)
I like free stuff :-)
Thank you on the reply to the GoPro and Contour, that is very helpful. We were some what getting caught up on the size differences in the two and the idea that the GoPro appeared to be a bit more awkward to have positioned on the bike or helmet. I have heard that the audio recording for the Contour was better but not sure. We have the Garmin 910 so the GPS aspect was not that much of an issue. Thanks again and maybe this time it will not show up as unknown.
I meant to say I wanted the 910XT please – Aldrich
Don’t know if my previous post went through. Please consider me for the 910. Thanks!
Balances the best running test page? I sign!!
great reviews, great info – thanks for putting your reviews out!