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.
4
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!
5
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.
This is similar to what I did when they started warning us not to put locks on checked baggage or it *could* be destroyed. I started securing them with zip ties and put a pair of beat-up old clippers in an exterior pocket. That way if they cut the zip tie, it didn’t matter – and I’d have the clippers to open them if they hadn’t.
After cutting enough zip ties, they’ll become a little beat up and won’t be much good for precision cutting fingernails anyhow.
That is destructive method of dealing with a cable tie.
Insert the tip of a 2mm screwdriver into the locking mech, lever up the locking pin that prevents the strap from coming out and release the tie. SImple, takes a couple of seconds and you can reuse the tie and no possibility of damage to the item held by the tie.
No need for cutters, clippers, special tools,
Try to carry a screwdriver on an airplane!
Good tip, I can’t remember using anything else. I actually use the big-ass ones (I think they are toenail clippers) since they are a bit sturdier and you get tons of cutting power.
hahaha i like your the one regarding the nail clipper that somehow still become the wife’s
Cable cutters (if available) also work well.
link to hyperline.com
I cut a lot more cable ties for work than on my bike and I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that…
Any good tips on keeping the wife from using my Razor to shave her legs and armpits. I have to hide mine to keep it from being dull as a butter knife.
excellent relationship advice. I see a new blog “Dear Ray”
Funny, when the title of this post came up on my news feed I excitedly clicked the link thinking “oooh, you mean there is something better than nail clippers?” Good tip.
@bmatt: ever tried using a straight razor?
Ray, they make a tool to remove cable ties. I work in the electronics systems area, and we are constantly bundling and unbundling cables & wires and have found these cutters are the only tool that will remove the tie without damaging the wire insulation behind it. The tool has a couple of thin hooks that you slide behind the cable tie, then squeeze the handles closed to cut the tie. They aren’t that expensive either, <$20.
link to techtoolsupply.com
bmatt – you have to be sneaky. I have two razor cartridges on the go. One is the old beat up one that I leave on the razor out in plain sight. When it’s time for me to shave, I swap it for one in the case, then swap it back after. Admittedly, timing can be tricky.
@bmatt–try growing a beard, worked for me!
As you can see, we depend on China… ;-)
Looks like you are the last one, who do not know about this tool :)
Oh, I know well about cable tie cutters (I use them all the time at work)…but, those are $20…a nail clipper is usually a dollar ($1). :)
Narrow cuticle clippers works even better
With a small flat screwdriver and a little patience it’s usually possible to unlock the zip tie. Driver head has to be small enough to fit into the zip tie lock block then gently push between the locking pin and the locked end. Once the driver head drops in, the locking pin disengages and the zip tie slides off Much safer than cutting and the zip tie is re-usable. This might sound like a lot of effort but there’s a lot of plastic junk in this world and there are probably a few hundred million zip ties that get used once then discarded.
Alternatively, use re-usable zip-ties.
If you want to stay well away from your paint, cut through the head to release the pawl. Of course, you’ll probably need something that opens further than nail clippers.
I wish I had seen this earlier…