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.
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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.
Are you using litespeed POS on that iPad there? It looks a lot like what we’ve used for other customers before
Please go ahead and give us your thoughts about trainers now. I must buy a trainer in the next days. Actually I would buy the new powerbeam pro with virtual training, but this trainer is not available. Nowhere. And the availibility is delayed again and again. The former modell is still more expensive and without the training software. You have to buy this for another 300 euros. No way. So I’m toying now with the idea to buy a tacx genius. A good idea?
Since you are in France, will you also review the housebrand trainers of Decathlon? Decathlon is a huge sportbrand, in France as well as in Europe. Their bikes (B’Twin) are well known.
I think a lot of sporters, as myself would love to buy the best trainers, but have to make a choice between a Tacx Santori of 200 euros and a In’ride of 100 euros. I can see in my club that almost everybody wears jerseys of Decathlon, just because price/quality they are very good. But I don’t know what’s the situation with their more technical/mechanical equipment. As you know you can only spend your money once…
(link to decathlon.be)
Hi, Ray!
Is this really the orange fenix strap that Garmin is showing on their fenix mini-site? The one on the mini-site is much nicer, I think.
I’d say, wait with the trainer review untill you have them all covered.
I’d vote for getting your current thoughts on trainers asap. Getting colder & darker at nights here already and thinking of getting a new trainer (I’d probably have already got a power beam pro if they were available).
Please give us your thoughts on trainers, it gets dark around 19:00 and starts to get cold
How about an interim summary review with a full review in time for holiday shopping? Sounds like you have a gut feel for each and could create an initial DC Comparison chart?
Hey
Interim summary on the trainers follwed up by a full review would be great.
Also, any update on the wahoo kickerrrrrrrrr thingy?
trainer review now :)
Or at least your thoughts on how the current crop compares, so we can plan/make our purchases before indoors is the only riding option!
thanks.
I’m with those saying review/comparison now with more in-depth review later. The temps are dropping fast and I’d like to be able to tell my wife which trainer I’d like before she starts Christmas shopping.
I’d say sooner rather than later on that trainer post. You can always go into more detail at a later date if necessary.
Ray, I’d love a full review, especially yours since they are the best out there, but it is already freezing here in New England and I will need to make a choice in the next week or two. I am most interested in the Kickrr(?) but open to the best out here. Thanks
I am anxiously awaiting your trainer reviews. And while I would like to see your recommendations sooner than later, I am also a research fanatic before I buy anything.
It
Was
Cold
Here
Today
I hate cold. Must stay inside.
Enough said.
I would not rush the trainer review, to ensure you have adequate training time with each to give it fair treatment.
Understanding that your audience is anxious, and given that daylight is waning I’m the northern hemisphere, perhaps you could divide them into blocks. You could provide a Trainer Overview Part 1 and then a Part 2 to complete. That approach is not perfect and also might show favoritism to the first block, but I’ve no doubt you can do it fairly and openly.
lets hear about the trainers now…you can always update
I would love to get your current thoughts on trainers soon and then see an update if things change. I need to buy one in the next couple of weeks and I want time to price out the best option. Thanks.
I agree with the 2 part review idea. Perhaps start with the #1 and #2 recommendations and in part #2 cover the runners up.
Well…seems like I’m joining the masses but I would say to break it into two blocks. Given your experience and knowledge if you could give a breakdown with as many thoughts as you can now – with the complete reviews to follow I think that would be best. Maybe give thoughts on the major areas of concern – tech, durability etc but then follow up with each in your typical detailed review style. Maybe include a tentative schedule for each coming review so some folks can wait if they are deciding on something on the horizon?
Most importantly – thanks for all the info and hard work. I think people mostly want some extra info and opinion from someone we trust. Thanks for helping us make as informed purchases as we can.
I’m with the majority – getting your current thoughts on trainers asap would be awesome. I’d like to buy something in the next few weeks.
I agree with the rest. I really want to buy a trainer ASAP and would welcome rays comments ASAP.
give me the Forerunner 910xt!
A brief run-down would be great. Am looking to purchase in the next 2-3 wks. Thanks for all your time and effort on the reviews, they are excellent.
I always enjoy your writing, this is by far my most followed blog. Keep up the great work!
I’d love to see bike trainer comparisons/reviews as well. Not just for people with more than $1000 budget, but also some entry level trainers as well.
Thanks all!
Barring something unforeseen, it’ll be published tomorrow. Working on it right now. My lowest budget recommendation starts at $99.
Enjoy!