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.
WOW you and the Girl clean up really well, you should take her out to fancy parties more often…
i imagine you handling 400 hundred of comments with such a filled weekend ! wow! SuperDCR !
Wow, you were hot enough to burn a polar bear’s butt !!
Can’t wait to see the review.
The poor dead polar bear :-(. Pretty random. On another note. Any news of when the mio link might land. Feb became the day of the Irish but still no apparent launch. Cheers
Last I heard last week pre-orders are planned to start Wednesday, with arrivals in April (unclear when in April). I’ve asked for clarification.
(Mio Link)
Love the frock!
First off, really like the new “Jump to:” floating tool bar.
And, the polar bear picture might be the best picture ever to grace this blog!
I do agree about this picture.
Ray did you ever consider selling DCR tshirts ? If so, use this photo on it pleaaaase !
Yep – the ‘look’ on Ray’s face reminds me of Zoolander……..!
Hi Ray,
When do you planned to publish an in-depth review of the leikr watch?
Btw, no pressure, I do understand you have tight schedule and your in-depth review are terribly time consuming!
Thanks
I don’t have a specific date or time frame in mind for the Leikr unit. As I noted to them directly (and have stated in the past), they need to add more features for it to become competitive in the marketplace at that price point.
Loved the girls dress! Who’s the designer?
Hi Ray,
how do you set your training HR zones?
as % of fc max or other method (joe friel, karvonen, etc)?
link to digifit.com
Hi Amedeo-
For my zones my coach has put them all together, loosely based on Friel’s zones.
Ok, thanks a lot, Ray ;)
Another cool 5 thingydingys. The girl looks beautiful in the bear pic. You not so much…
Haha. You the man.
I recognized that bear paw immediately! That is from the Club de Chasse. Very select indeed. I went there once. Not that I am or was a member, but I was invited by a friend for dinner. The meal was absolutely exceptional! I remember it was somewhere in Le Marais, and we smoked cigars and had vintage armagnac after the dinner.
That does not make my any younger, this was at least 15 years ago… Amazing this place still exists… you really are doing the whole thing in Paris!
Cheers
6co
Astounding to think a single bear paw can be around so long.
And indeed, it was in Le Marais and the food was quite good. Like you, definitely not a member, nor do I know one. It’s just the venue that the organization happened to manage to book (pretty sweet). :)
Hey Ray! Thanks for sharing- loved every bit of your post. What program do you recommend for learning French? And don’t say move to Paris
My French is…less than awesome. In part because while I live here, I actually don’t work with any French folks (I don’t go to an office). Rather, it’s just my home base. As such, I spend more time outside the country with other languages than inside the country.
That said, the company I work for pays for French classes, which I generally take 1-2 times a week when I’m in town (also tricky).
So my reading of French is generally functional, but speaking is tougher for me. Except foods, I’m really good at foods.
That’s why American folks are so well liked around here in Europe :)
I got stuck in an elevator one time at NC State University with like 6 or 7 other people. We were stuck for an hour and a half, and were freed by some firemen. We were on the way to a movie and we missed it. Poop!
Based on the time gap between ending #1 and starting #2, I can see why you decided to grab a velib!
Hi dc
Congratulations for the very good news…
What is the planned date for the baby?
Early September?
Hervé
As The Girl often points out, we have a baby already: It’s called The CupCakery.
;)