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.
Given the glee that my wife misidentified an Edge 25 as a running watch as she opened it, I think I would have to get her a Forerunner 620.
Hhhmmm, what would I like??? The Garmin scale would be a starting point.
I want a Fenix 3 and Santa forgot to drop one off at my house.
All I want for Christmas was a garmin edge 520 all I got was a water bottle – not that I’m complaining, it is a nice water bottle but…
4iii power meter. Here in the Tuscany hills it would be very useful!!
Forerunner 630 to replace my old one.
My main activity over the past few days was overeating…. So now I really need a WiFi scale to help me take care of the consequences.
Towards a set of P1 pedals most likely
Pt 1 pedals
Probably some shoes and fitness apparel!
Garmin 520 is the priority.
Thanks again Ray, happy new year!
I’d like one of those Kickr desks, Perfect for getting in a training ride while mulittasking and pretending to be working. All I will need then is the hopefully soon to be released Wahoo kickr baby guard that will stop inquisitive two year olds getting too close to whirling spokes while Daddy is getting the miles in.
A garmin edge 520 because my 500 is holding together with duck tape :)
I’d probably get a Garmin Forerunner 630, because I’m tired of using my phone to track my runs :)
Fênix 3, I need to replace my running watch and fenix 3 is very cool!!
I’d like a 4iiii power meter to reach a new level
I want a fenix 3. I love programming and I want to try garmin connect. I had an ambit, but Suunto programing platform has disappointed me
Going into winter I would probably get a fancy new trainer, but that fenix 3 sure looks nice.
I’d like the Fenix 3 – good looking watch which I could use a back up in case my Edge 510 dies mid-ride.
I’m due for some new running shoes. That and some replaceables like tyres, cables & general bike gear…
Needing a Garmin 520 to replace my old fellow 500
i would go for a power meter
Garmin Edge 520
Garmin 1000 need better nav in the woods with Gravel and MTB!
Shoes, socks, possibly a moov now to compliment my current running watch, but maybe an upgrade!
I would like the Fenix 3 to cranck up my speed and more progression in my running
I want to ditch the HR monitor…garmin fr235!
Forerunner 920XT, my old Garmin is dying and does not track my swimming.
ohh the fenix 3 under the tree would have made 2016 the year of workouts :)
Umm… I think I’d get power meter. 4iii or put it towards P1 pedals tho? However, then I’d need new shoes… Mm, new shoes. Free money is expensive…
Garmin 920xt of Fenix 3 to finally replace old and worn-out 310XT.
A new power meter would be nice! And a wahoo tickr would be great too!
pioneer power meter. Because I can’t change cranks by myself.
I would love the Fenix, that would be like a dream.
I need that right side vector2 so I can figure out how lopsided my pedal stroke is.
The garmin forerunner 235 sure looks nice. Light and all the features I need.
I would love to buy a TACX Vortex Smart to start more continous biking!
I’d probably end up buying a BSX insight. There are so many things I want, but so little that I really need, this would at least give me something that I currently have no way to do on my own.
the Scosche Rhythm+ is the one thing Santa somehow forgot to stick under my tree.
…i’m sure i could find a way to spend the left over cash if you forced me to.
I would get a Garmin Fenix 3 – Just love this watch and want to own one so badly….. :-)
I would buy a power meter, would have to read your reviews before deciding which one though!
tacx vortex smart – too miserable to train outdoors :-(
As with many above it’d be a Fenix 3 to replace my trusty Forerunner 405 which is approaching four years of very regular use.
I dream about Fenix 3 :)
A power meter that I can move between bikes!
Wahoo elemnt. I would like to replace my Garmin Edge 705. Was considering garmin 520 but I like the bigger display with better contrast. And I like the fact that it is not Garmin.
I’d get the new Garmin 630 for my wife
I will choose a Fenix 3 or Go Pro hero 4
Wahoo Elemnt for me. It’s more innovative than the Garmin products with side lights that show the intensity of whatever metric you want to focus on (eg, heart rate or speed) and better map capabilities (including using the side lights to signal when you should turn right or left).
4iiii Precision Power Meter. I really need one for my training.
One fenix3 for my runs… please please! :)
4iiii power meter would be a lovelly gift. Happy xMAs.
God jul.
I’d get my wife a Garmin 920xt so she can track her open water swims better.
I’d like an update for my now old fenix 1. Fenix 3 is a solid option but something lighter for day to dat use might sway me like a 235 or something. But with 500 I might just squeeze in both ;)
I would like to get a nice trainer, to be able to train indoors!
Garmin Forerunner 920XT Tri Bundle, the grey/black one!!!!
It would have to be the Fitbit Surge Fitness Superwatch – to see how good it is.
My V800 is getting long in the tooth, the apple watch screen looks the part but its awful as a fitness watch/band, so really i want a V900 which is a cross between the V800 and the apple watch screen. ;), that doesnt exist, so the fitbit would be nice.
Turbo trainer, because mine is a goner…..
I would use the festivus giveaway to a new trainer or toward a power meter!
I’d go with the Tacx Vortex Smart, to start training indoor….
A nice new garmin edge would be perfect.
For sure the 4iiii Power meter for a simple reason: I don’t have a power meter yet and Polar M450 so that seems to be a good combination.
I would love to get a Fenix III!
I’d get a Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ or a Tacx Vortex Smart b/c my novo force isn’t cutting it (I’m just too lazy to use the speed/cadence sensor of my bike and I want it to change via apps). Or a power meter. Prob a power meeting b/c they’re still to pricey for me.
Probabbly Suunto Ambit 3.
For me it would have to be a garmin 520 to replace my damaged 500.
I would get the Tacx Vortex to add the option of indoor workouts this winter.
A power meter… it’s all I need in my life right now, any power meter!!
I’d pick up a Garmin Edge 1000 Pack for the wife and some new overshoes for me! :)
4iiii Precision Power Meter to give massive kick to my cycling trainings.
BSX insight as I love gadgets
Asked for a Garmin Edge 520 and a Forerunner 630. Didn’t get anything. Really, Santa ?
I would like to have a Garmin 520, the old 510 is getting slower and slower after all new strava updates… :)
I would spend it on a fenix 3 for my boyfriend because by the time his old Fenix 1 picks up a GPS signal i am already freezed. My ambit 2 picks up a signal in less then 10 seconds.
I’m looking for a sports watch. I would ask Ray to assist as shopping guide! You can’t find anybody better suited for the job! :D
New Garmin Fenix 3 please, because I have the F2 already…
WiFi scales to shame myself in to action after a mountain of food the last week!
Fenix 3, has everything I need/want and a lot more!
It’s time to finally start training with a power meter. The Powertab hub seems ideal for me.
I would love to replace my old 910 with the Garmin 920xt tri package
For some reason I’m really interested in knowing my heart rate while I swim so I’d probably get the Garmin HRM Swim and Tri heart rate strap set.
Some trainer would be great
Tacx Satori Smart Indoor Cycling Trainer
or
Elite Qubo Digital-ANT+/Bluetooth Smart Wireless Indoor Cycling Home Trainer
A Garmin Edge 1000 would do just fine :)
Fenix3, it may help me find the motivation to look into this triathlon thingy.
Would use to get P1 pedals.
I asked santa for a Garmin 630 watch… I must have been bad this year though.
I would purchase a power meter for my road bike.
New gps watch for me!
A 4iiii power meter, I really need to train smarter for my first Alps trip next summer
I would like the traverse if you publish something about it in time.
Garmin FR630, looks so much better than the FR620
a 4iii power meter please as Santa ignored my repeated letters despite my good behaviour.
Surely choice the Garmin Fenix 3. Love that watch.
Garmin Fenix 3 to replace an aging 1st gen Fenix for the improved run metrics.
The 4iiii power meter. Don’t have one and would like to train with power this year.
Garmin 520
A turbo trainer or power meter to improve my power output. I can’t decide which!
I would get the Garmin Fenix 3…overkill for what I normally do, but I think it’s more likely to last compared to a Garmin 235.
Power Meter it is!
I’d get one of the recent Garmins that show alerts / messages from your phone – useful if the wife might message.
Already spent a lot of money on gifts but there is always more to gift. I would be slightly selfish and moderately lovely and would pick a GoPro Hero4 session for myself and gift a Forerunner 235 for my girl who has picked up running again. As always, win or no win,thank you for the giveaway.
Hope you had a great Christmas and Wish you a great New Year 2016!
That BSX Insight looks awfully cool – I’d love to see what readings it gave for my lactate threshhold.
I would get a power meter!!!