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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
4iiii power meter. Already have one on my tri bike, still need a power meter on my road bike.
I’d go for a new Fenix 3, because well why not?
Maybe a new trainer. I wouldn’t mind getting more connected as I head into the tri season.
I actually wanted the BSX Insight but the wife failed to listen… Not surprised though.
A dual leg power meter (4iiii or Watteam if it comes out in time) to help me chart progress as I work through a right leg injury.
Definitively garmin fenix 3
I wanted the Rose Gold Fenix3! I told my husband but apparently he doesn’t care about me enough to buy it for me.
I’d get a power meter since I hate having only power on my weekend ride. Sigh.
I wanted the Tacx Neo but have no monies. *womp womp*
Garmin 520 to integrate with my Varia
Fenix 3 because my Fenix 2 isn’t cool enough to hang out with all my running friends!
I would love to have the Forerunner 630.
Running is my passion. I strive to become a better runner. From being 256 pounds to now a Boston Marathoner with a marathon PR of 2:50. I want to further analyze my gait to improve technique and form to become faster. I want to overcome my limits. I want to run faster and farther!
4iii power meter. I wpuld love to start trainning with power!
#allflashnodash, I’d like some power pedals.
Garmin520 for me!
Tacx Vortex so I can still train on deployment.
A new Garmin 520 to replace my old 705.
Garmin 920xt tri package, because the 910 isn’t the best any longer
Either the Garmin Vector 2s or the Powertap P1 pedals. I want them for obvious reasons :)
I’d get a Garmin Forerunner 235 because I’d love to upgrade from my 210.
I really wanted to get into a new Garmin Fenix 3 this Christmas as it would have made my new year resolutions more credible… Maybe next year or courtesy of dcrainmaker… :-)
I’m in need of a tri watch. But a fancy new trainer to play Zwift on would be nice too. Probably the watch though….
I would love to have a power meter but cannot afford one right now!
A new Forerunner 920XT to replace the one that sidled off with my lost luggage…
I would get the new Wahoo bike computer to help with my wife’s training
4iiii power meter. I don’t have a power meter and it seems a good fit. Thanks!
A Garmin fenix would be awesome to replace my ambit. The ambit is great but they just can’t sort out their Android app… And who can be bothered with cables!
I hope the product I am waiting for will be announced at CES.
My smartphone with Google Fit automatically identifies and registers my steps, runs and cycling activities with good accuracy. But it is useless for swimming or spinning.
I have a Mio Fit around my wrist which does a good job of registering my heart rate. But it does not sync with Google Fit.
Some smartwatches apparently do quite a good job of registering different activities automatically themselves (f.e. withings activité (pop)). But without precise data (swimming stroke and speed, heart rate).
Dedicated sports watches (Garmin, TomTom, Suunto, …) are still pretty “dumb”: you have to tell them when you are moving, swimming recognition can be limited (TT), optical HR can be lacking (Garmin), Google Fit integration is often poor or non existent.
Smart watches are often not waterproof enough for swimming, even the ones targeted at sports (fe Motorola 360 sports).
So in summary, I would like to see a device that combines:
– optical HR, preferably continuously
– automatic sports tracking including swimming, running, cycling, spinning. Triggered by accelerometer and/or optical HR
– Google Fit (and apple health) syncing
– sleep tracking
– smartphone notification, but this is not mandatory.
I will stand in line for such a device. Hopefully soon.
I would love to get the Garmin forerunner 230 since my current GPS watch has reached the end of its life and I can’t afford to get a new GPS watch to replace it.
Wahoo Kickr, because my significant other couldn’t understand why I need yet another trainer.
i want an optical HRM
I would really appreciate 20 (give or take) pairs of socks, so for the three weeks after I win I can wear a new pair everyday! #livingthesream
KICKR. It is actually cold and rainy in the SF Bay Area for the first time in years!
If get 2 wahoo kickr stands for my tandem training needs!
fenix 3. ordered, there was a serious delay, then cancelled and opted for the TT spark… now have regrets… even ordered the tempe…
Garmin varia to keep me safe on solo rides!
Wanted a second road bike. A cheap thing with disc brakes on it.
For me a Garmin edge 1000 for navigation and following trails
A Garmin fenix 3 would be awesome to replace my Ambit2
A new Garmin Edge or a power meter would be nice because I want to some duathlons in 2016.
Ambit3, i need one for my first mountain ultra run
power meter. need the motivation of knowing just how weak i am :)
A power meter! I would to start training with power for the upcoming tri season.
The Garmin Edge 520 would be a great upgrade to my current bike computer.
I would get the 920xt Tri Bundle, because unlike the other versions, it’s not clown colored. It also has swim HR data and run dynamics too…which is cooler than my 910 I guess.
Pioneer Shimano DuraAce 9000 Power Meter Crank Arm — cus yeah, DA all the way!
I want either a power meter or Wahoo Kickr because I got neither this year.
I would buy a 4iiii since I still need a power meter for my bike.
ALL i got for christmas was SOCKS!!! all socks. wanted a 920xt and a vivosmart hr. (allthough I am awaiting Ray’s verdict on the hr precision on the vivosmart hr. – unfortunately cannot wear chest-based HR monitoring and the vivosmart hr is the same price as mio velo when on offer.
Power tap p1 pedals – $500 would go a long way to making them a touch more affordable.
4iiii’s Precision Power Meter for me, I don’t have a power meter yet and wouldn’t mind giving it a go
4iiii power meter because I don’t have one yet
4iii power meter. I’ve never ridden with one before have desired for one for such a long time.
Wahoo Kickr, that would be nice.
Forerunner 235 or Fenix 3 if I’m spending free money. My F405 (am I the last person using one?) is proving to be too durable and still functioning 7.5 years on for me to spend my own money on something with an equivalent feature set.
I’d use it to get an Inpower powermeter. – I’d have to make up the balance myself.
I have one on one bike and it makes such a difference to how I ride and how I view my progress and my fitness that I want another one for my second bike.
It’s great – and it just works.
I would get the fenix 3 so I can track my multiple activities, plus it looks awesome.
I would spend it on a Garmin bike computer! Not sure which one yet…
I’d love to get a Fenix 3 for my trail running…
I would like to get a BSX Gen2 Insight. I am a gadget freak and would like to train close to my lactic acid threshold.
Falko
Fenix 3 – the best training watch at the moment
Powertap P1 pedals so I can finally start training/racing with power
Since I no longer run long distances I would probably go for the new spark gps watch with music and optical HR.
Thanks :-)
4iiii power meter, cause it looks like a decent power meter
Fenix 3 sapphire, avid runner and swimmer..
I wanted a power meter for my road bike, but I didn’t get it because my wife would rather get her endless supplies of crafting materials and outrageous gifts for her sisters and parents.
I will for sure go for a new power meter…
I’d definitely ask for a 4iii power meter!
I’d get a FR920XT since my FR310XT is a bit old by now and I need a practical device for my first IM70.3 this summer.
PowerTap P1 is my choice
A fenix 3 or a 920xt because I am taking part in my first triathlon this year.
A Vivosmart HR would do quite nicely.
Wahoo Kickr Snap because it’s too cold outside.
4iiii power meter because i would to start trainning with power!
I would get a new tri-watch, probably the Fenix 3 or 920 XT from Garmin. My Fenix 2 has given me nothing but trouble since about a year ago, but I still like the brand.
I’d get the Garmin 235, as I prefer not to have to use an HR strap, and a bunch of socks to walk off the weight I gained over the holidays!
I’d get a Garmin Forerunner 235, because my 220 is starting to act a bit funny.
Will probably start with a Vector 2 upgrade kit because I can’t seem to get that online in New Zealand so clever training it will be.
Withings WS-50, so I can keep track off and start working of the pounds I’ve gained over the holidays.
wifi weight scale and sleep tracker would be nice!
My wife started running recently so I’ll buy her a running watch.
I would like to get Garmin Fenix 3.
Reason: android compatibility, smart notification, daily watch usage, run metrics, tri functions.
It would be nice to have a fenix 3!
I’d like to get a Garmin Forerunner 630 because I do not have the money to buy it.
forerunner 235
A power meter would be nice for measuring power during cycling.
Definitely a power meter. Currently I can only do power training on my indoor trainer, but with nice weather I miss my power output at the hills.
The Forerunnner 630, but hey… I got the Vivosmart HR, it’s a step of the way.
Scosche rhythm+. So tired of my chest hrm belt!
I’d get a power meter for my 14 y/o road and track racing daughter to use – she’s the good cyclist in the household, not me ;-) Probably Stages or 4iiii.
Either a power meter, or saving it for the fenix 4 or 930xt :)
A Wahoo Kickr. Really need to jump on the smart trainer bandwagon.
Powertap C1. Because I have a serious lack of power meter in my possession.
A power meter for me as well! One of the last things on the list!
A power meter would be great, although maybe slightly depressing compared with what I think I can generate……….
The “Cycleops The Silencer Direct Drive Mag Trainer” because the weather is starting to get wintry outside, and nobody in my apartment building wants to hear the tire friction from a magnetic or fluid trainer through my floor.
A Garmin Edge 520, so i can easily navigate the Spring Classics in Belgium next year!
Garmin FR630 + GoPro HERO4 will surely help me cleverly training for my first 50K trail running competition in 2016!
4iii power meter. Want to build up a bike for really long distance rides, but would hate to not have power on it.
i want to buy garmin varia and vario light front and rear!!!!
A garmin 520 as my girlfriend has stolen my 800 for the new bike I just gave her!
A power meter because I really like having power on my indoor trainer and I want to have it on my outside rides too. I would also look into the sunglass selection they have because my old pair has seen better days.
Hi Ray,
I’d be seriously considering the Garmin 630 – not really sure if I want to go touch screen, but my Ambit2 is starting to feel a bit bulky….
Nathan
I want the new Garmin Fenix 3 for all the activities possible around – just an amazing gadget!