Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are 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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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 and Equipment 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! 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.
1. The Dash headphones – because the idea of (somewhat) safely listening to music when riding alone appeals greatly
2. 237,391
1 – Garmin Epix : great training and navigation decide on top of smart watch capabilities
2 – 234567 steps
1. The Ampstrip seems like it could be an interesting development for tracking the “rest of the day”, though I feel propably my wife would disapprove with me wearing it to bed.
2. 182 164
1. great idea, difficult to guess
2. 89000 steps
1. 4iiii power meter seems like a great option. I would love to see one for a pedal.
2. 182256
Garmin Fenix 3 – cool functions and good design (soemthing new to Garmin)
106666
1) The Garmin Fenix 3 – it actually looks more like a watch than a brick
2) 302,591
Garmin fenix 3
20254 steps
1. Most excited about the new Garmin tri watches. Love my Fenix 2.
2. 46,000
Most excited about the 4iii
Step estimate – 95,551
1) New Garmin Forerunner 620 or similar product
2) 91471
The vivoactive – potential looks awesome.
#116677
Some of the step counts are massive… impressed if you did make them Ray!
Fenix 3 due to the multisport blend
7,554
1. Garmin vivoactive because finally there’s a smartwatch + gpswatch that looks good AND looks functional
2. 198999
I’m very much interested about Garmin Vivoactive Smartwatch with Connect IQ. If that watch would have also SIM card I would by it definitely.
Steps count is 230 002
1. Garmin fenix3, they’ve taken all the best parts of the fenix2, addressed the shortcomings, added some nice extras, and refined the look just enough.
2. 206,500 steps
Felix 3! So many reasons, but I’ll go with great feature set.
172165
Garmin fenix 3. Design and functions.
222,678
1) Fenix 3…duh!
2)22155 steps
Stoked about the new fenix 3.
650,000 steps
The new garmin watches with ConnectIQ.
123 785 steps
Garmin Fenix 3
142,777
1) Fenix 3
2) 131210 steps
1. garmin 920, a lightweight competitive watch w Connect IQ. I have other nice analog watches for other occasions.
2. 154,678 steps
920 and fenix 3. The 3 seems like an excellent blend of form and function
141879
I am really interested in the garmin products to tie into the bike gear I already have
My guestimate : 279,652
1. Fenix 3 and ConnectIQ …..
2. 139,524 steps
Felix 3
161,002 steps
Hi. 1ºFenix 3 and ConnectIQ.
2º 147.553.
1) Wearable tech for running like runscribe, and optical HR arm (rather than chest) straps
2) 140,000 steps
1. 165489 steps
2. Really psyched about the new Garmin wearables
I’m most excited about Polar being back from the cold. V800 specifically. Then the unspoken Big Data that all our fitness trackers provide to these guys. And what they can do with it. Interesting and scary.
Steps: Based on my runs, shorter than yours, you having a shorter stride length, stalking you Strava Runs in LV, and the steps I spent just loitering around CES: 324121.
Garmin Fenix 3 for multisport including navigation and day to day watch
168547 steps
1) I am most impressed with Vivoactive. This time, Garmin outdone themselves with not only a device that combines GPS watch with activity tracker but they did it with style.
2) Assuming 20000 steps per day for 5.5 days, I guess you have done 110000 steps.
1. Fenix 3, everything in one package.
2. Steps taken 116,456
1) More and more running/biking GPS watches with Barometric altimeters.
2) 123,188 steps
1) FitBit Charge HR, love the concept and the design, looking forward to your review
2) 116,000 steps
245782 steps. Kind of interested inp the new garmin and those new hrms the ones that stick to your body. Inteteresting technology.
1. Polar v800 – well designed, future software promising
2. 165343 steps
Open API leveraging all the available info and data streams available between garmin devices and the internet, so many useful and just flat out cool data mashups to be found!
188,953 steps
Fenix 3. All in one package
Guess: 123010 steps
I am looking for an everyday watch with fitness tracking, smartphone notifications and GPS, so the Garmin vivoactive, Fenix3 and Epix are all of great interest.
Steps: 190,000
1) I am most interested in Fitbit Surge as it is time GPS running watch goes mainstream with good design and functions.
2) Did you meet your target steps per day with 20254?
The Fenix 3 – finally a running watch i can wear to work
162258 steps
358,714 steps
I would use the gift certificate for the new Garmin 620.
Fitbit surge looks like a great all around fitness tracker
18,874
Garmin 920- color screen, and interested in the live tracking
256,890 steps
new arm pcVIII for the new top ends powermeters.
#153452
1. The Fenix 3 may be the 1 for me. In red or blue, either will do.
2. Your step counter should have stopped at 195,273 steps, which is my wild guess.
affordable power meter for the ordinary folks
130123 steps
I’m most excited about the Garmin vivoactive.
my guess is 222,222 steps.
1. The Fenix 3 is the one for me because the features are just right
2. I think you walked 123001 steps
1) Connect IQ, really hoping it becomes popular with developers and some cool apps are created for cycling specifically.
2) # 158648 steps
– 4iiii power Meter :-)
– 125432
1) Smarter activity trackers. Slowly getting more useful! Might actually get one this year.
2) 278,478
Epix and Fenix3 look good.
112,970 steps.
Fenix 3, it seems to suit all the stuff I do and still look like a cool watch to wear.
20254
211200 steps
I would get the new Garmin 920XT
1. The Garmin family with the Viviactive
2. 127.009 steps
1. Fenix 3!!!!!
2. 181.778
1) Garmin Epix for Map feature
2) 789500
1. Fenix 3
2. 288,999
Felix 3!!!
221,900 steps
Fenix 3
197,751
1 Vivoactive
2. 241,004
1. New power meters!
2. 106,841
1) Garmin VivoSmart!!!
2) 195562 steps
fenix 3 and vivoactive, look and great feature!
for the steps, 211 011
1. Fenix
2. 105,323 steps
4iiii powermeter or Fenix
291910 steps
1. Fenix 3
2. 97350 steps
1) 4iiii Precision !!!! Afordable power meter, no need for a special crank, possibility to upgrade for a second unit
Not sure about the Fenix 3 and the round display… probably too big for my wrist anyway and not sure it fits well under a wetsuit (plus I don’t wear a day-to-day watch), so I’ll probably stick with the 920XT (although color sucks…)
2) 111222
1) Garmin Vivoactive – looks like a strong contender for FR15 replacement in 6 months – a year’s time.
2) 184,333 steps
Definitely pretty excited about the 4iii power meter.
I’m gonna guess 141, 361 steps
Vivoactive, 121,350 steps
1. Fenix 3 and Epix
2. 187988 steps
Vivoactive, 131,456 steps
A technology that would excite me would me a device whereby it can alert my exercise form from running to walking etc so as to prevent any injury which I think at the moment I don’t think there’s a product for this.
Steps: 140, 971 steps.
1. Ampstrip
2. 213575 steps
1) that’s a tough one:) The fenix 3, a garmin edge or even a garmin virb…
2) 81375
122,157
1. Garmin Vivo Active – so much cool stuff for such a great price. For $500, I can buy 2
2. 79,926
1. The 920 xt with a wifi upload feature. You can use your home wifi router to upload your workout with just the long push of the menu button. The watch turns on it’s wifi, upload the sessions you’ve done, and turns off the wifi.
2. 185,280
Ray, I’m gonna have to guess 202,549. Interested in the Garmin 920 but haven’t done my normal level of research into it. Hoping it fills all the requirements of an ultra distance athlete- we’ll see…
definitely the fenix 3!!
196,377 steps :)
Looking forward to the Fenix 3. Too many goodies in this latest update.
Steps estimate: 144,870
Fenix 3 for sure.
173,313 steps.
1) fenix3
2) 136000 steps
1) Would be interested in the vivo line of products. Would be interested to try activity tracking and see how it helps keep me active.
2) 178,123
1) The Fenix 3. Had a Fenix 2 and loved it, but moved to the 920 because of it’s increased features. Have missed some of the extras of the Fenix 2 and the form factor. Excited about the F3!
2) 135,789
1. Fenix 3
2. 141,779 steps
looking forward to trying or buying the new Fenix and all the apps it has to offer,
Steps: 135,679
1.any 24/7 hr monitor.. Amstrip / fitbit charge hr
2.169888
1) Fenix 3 as it seems to fit all my needs
2) 210,500
1-Garmin Vivoactive
2-193,230
1. Garmin Fenix 3. I want to start training for a 100 miles trail race.
2. 174896 steps
1) The Vivofit 2, actually. I have the 1 but want thenew features
2) A cool quarter million
Impressed with the Dash, the wireless heart-rate monitoring music headphones.
Increidible technology
I think you did 133,228 steps
1. Garmin Epix I love the turn by turn navigation
2 223,007 steps
I love strapless gps watch with long battery life. I meant 24 hours or more.
Yet to find one. My current Tomtom cardio only last for 8 hours if continuous gps and HRM usage.
Estimated steps 1999999.
1. Fitbit surge
2. 143587