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 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!
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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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In Depth Product Reviews
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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.
Nice deal for you!
Sadly it won’t help much people living outside the US or Canada… I’m living in Germany and even with the weak dollar and the 10% discount it costs 29$ S&H plus the import taxes one will have to pay.
But at least you will finally get a bit more for your hard work!
Thanks, Ray, but:
“You can use this link here.”
EQUALS
“Oops! Google Chrome could not connect to http://www.shareasale.com“
FYI
Great for you! Also very usefull for the readers from The States and Canada. I hope you’ll get another sponsor for European readers. I guess we will get “our” share through your posts and it is more than enough for me!
In the UK I think import duties are the same as VAT i.e. 20% you don’t have to pay both VAT and import duties.
You do have to pay the VAT on the postage and other fees though.
Nice! I am currently the founder of eFreeme.com and had contacted you about our product. We will create a custom marketplace that integrates with your current blog, just for your users to buy and sell, and you’ll take small transaction fees from the buying and selling of items. This will help your site grow while remaining product neutral in your content, and in addition your users will be happy to be able to sell or buy items to like minded individuals.
Consider this as an option and contact me for more details. As a follower of DC Rainmaker and also as an avid cyclist I think the benefit for both you and your users would be enormous.
Cheers!
Mark
The links works perfectly fine for me, as has been all day btw.
I will be supporting you in any way I can with my purchases. Triathlon is so much better with cool gadgets!
This comment has been removed by the author.
http://www.shareasale.com
appears to be non-functioning at least in USA with IE or Chrome
It links to link to shareasale.com
And says link is not active (using an ipad)
:-(
I second other voices from Europe… Including all the discounts, for us, US shops became too expensive with weak euro (when adding all the taxes and duties). However, when i’ll be in NY at the end of the year, i’ll surely order some stuff to my hotel :-)
I’m also getting the “The link is not currently active.” error when clicking on the two different links on the main page.
links now work for me…
Sorry all for the link issues – I’ve been told they’ve been resolved and that it shouldn’t happen again (changed the process).
A bit of growing pains, but I appreciate the support!
ok, one quick question for clarification:
If I click through the amazon link on DCR and then do my regular amazon shopping DCR can get credit for all of my shopping???
If this is correct, then you just become my new amazon access portal!
PS – I am hooked on your site. It has completely changed the way I train! Thanks for all you do!!
Great, I hope to be in the States in a month, so I might as well order it with 10% off. Sweet deal!
Hi JD-
Yup, that’s correct! So all you need do is simply swing over here, click on the Amazon logo in the upper right corner, which takes you to Amazon. At that point your tagged as coming from here for the rest of your visit to Amazon. All purchases made (be it toilet paper, a new diamond ring, or chocolate) get ‘credited’ to me.
So yup, many folks simply just use the above as a portal and then shop like normal. I greatly appreciate the support!
Thanks!
-Ray
Good info! I use Amazon often when Coach Alan tells me I need this or that. Might as well give you the credit so you can buy more mixers and ribbons for the Cupcakery!
Also, I will be checking out the Clever Training site.
Thanks Barb and Paul!
The link in the sidebar isn’t displayed under Google Chrome Linux and Mac.
Forgive the spam… another request to please consider setting up a similar partnership with a European retailer…
As noted above, VAT and Import duties (yes we do pay both in the UK, on some goods at least) & warranty/support make it impractical to buy from the US.
thanks much indeed…
Thanks for your hard work.
Here is a pic of the sidebar under google chrome linux : link to i50.tinypic.com
Thanks Horst – I appreciate the heads out.
Out of curiosity, do you see the same (but smaller) picture and links when in the product review itself (see the FR10 example below which has it added):
link to dcrainmaker.com
It would appear at the very end of the review (right before comments), directly above where the Amazon logo and instant pricing is.
Huge appreciation for helping me troubleshoot this!
The link and picture are displayed and working fine in the reviews.
link to i48.tinypic.com
Great, thanks! And what about on the sidebar now? I made a few minor changes to try and address that (and it seemed to fix some folks), but can make a few more.
Thanks!
Your modifications worked : the Clever Training image link in the sidebar is displayed correctly in my browser.
Cheers for this Ray.
Just ordered a Forerunner 910XT with a footpod.And thanks also for the heads-up on the $50 rebate. I was shamelessly hoping I’d win it from your 910xt giveaway.
I wanted to get another running watch ever since my FR 305 was stolen last year. Got the Xperia active with the liveview. But the liveview broke when I was trying to remove it from the watchstrap.
Was torn between 610 & 910xt, but lack of courses was a deal-breaker for me.I’ve used it in the past when I was visiting a foreign city & found it rather helpful.
All my amazon(& my friends) purchases go through you. But it’s no big deal compared to what you’re doing for the running/tri community. Keep going.
Cheers
Hi Santhoshknn-
Thanks for the support (both on Clever and Amazon), I appreciate it!
Hope you enjoy the watch!
Ridiculous global pricing by some companies.
A garmin footpod in my local sports store (national chain) was $110 (Australian dollars). Aussies dollar to American is 1:1 at the moment, so even with $30 on postage it was considerably cheaper buying from here with the discount ($45 plus postage, but split over a few items).
Thanks Ray and clever training.
Hi Emlyn-
Yeah, some of the stuff companies are doing to the AUS market is pretty ugly.
Glad at least Clever was able to make it slightly better!
It seems like the 10% is not necessarily an exclusive. When I went to the site today it offered me 10% off as a new shopper to the site. I ignored pressing that link and just applied the code for you at the end. Getting the Powerbeam pro with joule GPS and an accessory kit. Also I added a heart rate strap but now I am thinking one comes with the set up as the cadence sensor does. Cycleops is not very transparent about this.
OR maybe I messed up and could have got 10% off of a 10%…hmmm No idea.
Anyway love your reviews..
armyslowrdr
on MTBR and bikemojo and singletracks
Thanks for the support Pete! Indeed, sometimes it pops up a new user discount. They aren’t stackable though (so no 10% on 10%) – but it was a nice thought!
Enjoy the PowerBeam and Joule!
Ray,
I can’t get the CT banner links to work. I get a connection error, Web page down, or connection refused error. I can head directly there and use the code though – do you still benefit I go this way rather than via the referral link?
Here another pitch for an european retailer:
The products cost what they cost but if you buy from a company within the European Union the product lands on you table within a day or two.
If the shipment comes from the US there is additional hassle with both potential tax payments and VAT.
The consequence is that you look for somebody operating from Germany or another EU country where the tax and VAT payments are already taken care of.
Cheers,
Pyry (from Finland)
Yup, I hear folks! I’m definitely working on some stuff there, but timelines are a bit fuzzy (it’s complex, as you might guess).
Is this still current? I just tried to order an Edge 800 shipping to the Netherlands and was presented with the following “THAT COUPON CAN ONLY BE USED ON SELECTED PRODUCTS. NONE OF THE ALLOWED PRODUCTS ARE IN YOUR SHOPPING CART. (DCR10AKG)”
Nevermind, just re-read the their webside “NOTE: Certain clearance or sale items may not be eligible for coupon codes.” I guess the Edge 800 is already reduced so the coupon doesn’t apply. May want to tweak your spiel at the top as you do state the discount applies to everything you buy there..
Sorry David! Strange, I thought I had it above on the deep-discount/clearance items. Typical sale is no problem, but if it’s a major sale (like the Edge 800 currently), it doesn’t quite work (though, still does support the site).
Appreciate it!
Just wanted to let you know that I really, really appreciated your review on the Fenix 2. It really clarified a lot of points on the watch for me and ultimately led to my decision to purchase. I just got done ordering through Clever Training because it may be a small thing, but the fact that you put so much into the review that was a benefit to me, it only seemed appropriate to do that to support your work.
Thanks so much for the great information and site!
Thanks for the support Chris, I appreciate it!
Ray,
Before I place this order do you want to confirm with clever training that they are still honoring this partnership?
I have $1,918.64 worth of items.
Garmin Vector is the largest at $1,699.99
Another Item is $169.99
Another $47.66
When I use DCR10AKG
Discount: ($4.87)
Sub Total (Including Discounts): $1,913.77
If not I can source them locally for the same price including installation.
Russell
Hi Russell-
I’ve touched base with you offline and I think you’re good to go.
For others, Clever Training is in the initial stages of a rollout of their VIP program. By being a DCR reader you get a sweet deal on it. The full details are here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Right now it’s a bit of a soft-launch while we work out some of the kinks that unfortunately Russell got tangled in
Thanks for the support!
Does this mean the “nominal” 10% DCR discount is going away soon?
Ray,
I am good to go. The support from Clever Training was excellent, even during the transition period. They took care of all of my problems quickly.
Russell
Hi David-
Nope, the discount is here to stay. It’s simply being rolled into the VIP program.
Cheers,
Ray
Hey Ray, hope you’re doing fine.
Just trying to place an order for a Fenix 2 with Clever Training, but the 10% discount code (DCR10AKG) is flagged as not valid for this product (F2).
Shoud I just purchase the VIP membership and 30 minutes later, place a new order for the F2 using that discount?
Thanks in advance for your response, and congrats on everything you provide to our community!!!
Regards
Hi Fernando-
Yup, the process you outlined is correct for the Fenix2 – about 30 minutes later you’ll receive your personal coupon code and be good to go! As with before, it’s good on any product Clever Training sells.
I appreciate the support of the site!
Cheers,
Ray
Hi Ray,
I have the same problem, Clever Training does not accept yhe discount code for Garmin Fenix 2.
I have discovered this site two weeks ago, thanks for all the information provided.
Sorry Ray.
I´ve just read about the VIP program and understood how it works.
Everything´s clear.
No worries, I appreciate the support!
Here’s the link for others: link to dcrainmaker.com (and yup, the discount with the VIP program works just fine on the Fenix2)
Trying to buy a new, full price item and the code isnt valid. You should prolly pull this outdated code!
Hi Kate-
The code still works for the vast majority of products (all but 7 actually). Here’s details on how to still save 10% on those 7 products with the VIP program instead: link to dcrainmaker.com
Cheers, and thanks for the support!
I was trying to order a schoshe rythm+ from Clever training but the site is not providing the free shipping even if I use the code.
Greetings!!! Made a purchase on Clever and the code DCR10JKW didn’t work.. Called Clever and spoke with Caryna who was not pleasant, she stated she had no idea what the code was and would escalate it. How do you get credit without that code?
Hi Sherrie-
Do you know what item it was for? It’s not valid on sale/clearance items, or about 7 different Garmin items (per Garmin request). But, the good news is that you can still save 10% on those just by signing up for the VIP program instead, which only takes a second: link to dcrainmaker.com
As for getting credit – as long as you use one of the links here on the site – then you’re good to go!
I appreciate the support, and will let them know about the customer service person.
Happy Holidays Ray,
It was for the 910XT with HRM.
Ahh, gotchya, it’s currently on a big holiday sale for pretty significant discounts – hence why the code didn’t add any more.
Sorry for the confusion – but huge thanks for the support. Enjoy the unit, it’s a solid deal right now!
Thank You!!
Just got my Garmin 15 for Christmas with the DCR discount and was going to give myself a Clever Training e-gift card from parents-in-law. I was surprised to find CT does not have a gift certificate option. Strange to me an online retailer doesn’t offer such these days and thus by default bumps me automatically over to Amazon.
Thanks Hank.
Indeed, they had switched back end platforms this past fall and had hoped to have gift certificates all ready on the new platform ahead of the holidays but ironing out other things have delayed that slightly likely a few more weeks.
I do appreciate the support though!
Hey Ray
Do you know if there has been any update on the Clever Training Gift Cards? Looks like it has been a couple years.
Is your Cleaver Training 10% discount code no longer valid, their web page says its not a valid code
Hi Mike-
With a handful of Garmin products, Garmin requires use of the DCR/CT VIP program to save the 10%. It only takes a second to sign-up though (via this link: link to dcrainmaker.com).
Once you do you’ll get a personal coupon code that’s good for all the Garmin products.
Thanks for the support!
-Ray
Thanks Ray for the coupon code.
I just ordered a Tomtom Runner from Clever Training. At $89, it’s the best deal ever.
Thanks!
I just purchased my 735XT + Run HRM bundle through Clever with your 10% discount code. Your review made the decision for me that this is the watch for me, so using Clever to buy it with the discount was a perfect win.
Thanks again,
Ryan
Thanks for the support Ryan, appreciate it!
How will warranties work with items purchased through clever training?
There’s two pieces. First, you’ve got a 60-day return period from Clever Training. Then you have the usual manufacturer warranty. That’s typically 1-year in the US, and 2-years in Europe.
Clever Training refused my discount code, saying they’re not allowed to discount Garmin products.
Indeed, since this post (almost 5 years ago), Garmin has changed their policies slightly. Now you can still earn 10% back in points, but Garmin specifically has restricted the use of a 10% discount code.
Here’s the details on how it works now: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks for the support!
This is great, thanks
Raymond,
Thanks for making my life as a coach easier!
Cheers,
Coach Clare Zecher
I still see this partnership mentioned on more recent posts, but just tried to buy a Scosche Rhythm 24 with your link and they wanted to charge me shipping to Colorado and also rejected DCR10BTF as a coupon code. Did this partnership end?
This review will surely prove to be your magnum opus. I simply can’t see anything topping this.
Even without the stroopwafels.