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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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.
No words can do justice for what you do.
Well done dude! I’ll be knackered if i had to do that, id rather do an IM :)
Numquam est qui ubique est.
I was wondering if you’ve been talking to Apple. I suspected they wouldn’t be interested in one of your brutally honest reviews.
No one benefits from sugar-coated reviews. Disappointed customers rarely return, so there’s really no incentive for a company to solicit subjective reviews.
Did you write the review on the flight on the way back? By my reckoning you’ve only just landed in Paris (it’s 10.30am London time!)
Amazing how you manage to fit so much in as well as training Ray! Keep up the good work.
Peter
I put it together over the course of the week and hit publish before I took off. But yup, just landed and left the airport (in record time – 10 mins from pulling up at gate to being in Uber!).
Very interested in strava devices.
There a subject or analysis on your list?
congratulations from blog zitaSport
Ray, what do you think of the potential of the Apple watch? We all know that the battery is a problem for longer activities but shouldn’t it be cool with upcoming apps?
You must have at least one twin brother, because that’s not human and a completely, totally, absolutely impossible schedule for a normal human being :-)
Good luck in the Paris marathon ;)
And Paris – Roubaix…
I always found it funny that the Paris Marathon and Roubaix are on the same morning each year. Additionally, that Paris-Roubaix doesn’t even start in Paris, but rather 80km away. :-/
So apple watch supports continues heart rate monitor , if so that would be a big hit for android wear devices , even charge hr
Finger on the brake on the shot from 35th floor?
Can never be too careful…
Ray great use and subtle plug for the scosche rhythm. That’s pretty close to where I wear mine every time I go biking…great product
Indeed, I’m glad to have wrapped up the Fenix3 review where I needed to wear the HRM-RUN for various Running Dynamics stats (most of the time). Love being back with the Rhythm+.
Looking forward to the Quarq behind-the-scenes report.
Hi Ray,
any comments about the new Phantom3 from you? I think the price is very competitive. No need to buy an Inspire.:-)
Indeed, a very solid looking unit. I’ll probably buy one. :)
I will probably buy one too. But only after you and if you are satisfied.:)
Did you see 3DR’s new offering today? Hmm…also tempting. Though, I’ve kinda been burned by their poor software in the past, so a bit less excited there having some history. But in theory it looks great. Love the cable-cam idea, brilliant.
The Verge had a good piece on it, though the footage they shot was in 20MPH winds, so it looked rough. That’s one area I’ve seen comparing the 3DR to DJI offerings, the DJI units just do so much better in windy conditions.
Thanks for the hint Ray. Yes, the Solo seems to be a nice competitor to the Phantom. If it all really works as advertised. They invested 85 million dollar and need success. The price is also ok.
What I like about the Phantom 3 is the lightbridge. I think a really stable system based on LTE technology and one of the best, if not the best system for FPV. And the camera without the fisheye effect is also a big plus for me. Hopefully the Phantom 3 is nearly as stable as the Inspire. This I find really fascinating. Like a crane in the sky. Unbelievable. But at the moment there are not enough videos to judge this seriously. Minus is perhaps the missing of programmable waypoints. But I normally don’t need it. And perhaps it comes later.
PS: My neighbours were in Paris last weekend, but unfortunately I forgot to send them to the CupCakery:-(
Any details on the PC8 you can share? Like does it actually exist?
It exists. In theory they’re to start shipping soon. It’s a very crisp display, no doubt about it.
Looking forward to hearing what MapMyFitness has going on.
Have SRM made an announcement on a release date and availability for the PC8 yet???
They said 1st week of April, but it sounds like it’s now the end of April. Volumes will be low – only about 50 units a week for the near-term.
That BB based PM by Ashton Instruments looks promising. At what stage of development are they currently?
Check back at 12:01AM US Eastern Time (Tuesday) for everything you ever wanted to know about it. :)
Looking forward to it, Ray! :)
Looks to me like Strava has a bunch of devices in Strava orange. I’d like to get devices with custom colors.
Is it true there is no WiFi or bluetooth capability on the PC8?
Current info is that the PC8 has wifi and BT hardware and they will bring it online in software with a later update.
Hmm thats interesting.
And 50 a week turn over! Im hoping my pre order might see me with one next month.
Crazy schedule, but you get to check out & do some cool stuff!
Hi Ray,
Any plans to do a write up on your visit to Quarq? Thanks.
Yup, I’m going to try and get it out this week.
Thanks Ray. I just got my first power meter, a Quarq Red 22. I love it. I would like to see (and I’m sure many others would too) what it takes to make one of these gems. Thanks again.