Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts 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.While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!
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 2024 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.
Lovely watch. Yes please!
Wow!! What a great watch!! Yes please!
Peak performance!
Oooooo this is perfect for me :)
This would be perfect for some exploring
Could definitely use this one.
Really need a new watch
Ooh Suunto!! My aging Garmin will be so jealous!
Would love to have one of these!
Would be a nice color on my wrist!
Yes Please!!
Neon though… Hmmm
Yes please!
Yes please
just in time for a vacation in the dolomites
I could use something that works with a stryd.
a new watch is ALWAYS a good thing!
Nice stuff.
With a band that bright, I would never have to use the backlight feature!
I would like one of these! Neon green seems appropriate.
thanks :)
Giveaway tastic
Here I’m!!!!
Ohh, bright
dream watch!
Wooohoooo
Trail running, here I come! Pretty please ? :)
Really need a new watch, have outrun my old one!
I’ll take it
Me please
Your intro stories crack me up Ray…
I am in…..
got to love a brightly coloured watch
i’m in
Fingers are crossed! Thanks!
I feel 610 upgrade :)
Yes please!
Thanks for hosting this Ray!
On!
Yes please!!!
Thanks for this prize.
Sweet watch! Yes please!
Yes please!
Yes please
This is a sweet sports watch. Thanks DCR.
That’s great!
I would put this one to nice use ;)
Love the color!
Yes!
Thanks
Please?
Having already used Suunto products, this is the best item yet. I will keep crossing all my fingers toes.
Here’s hoping for a neon green will really scare away the lion!
Thanks.
I love bright colours – bring it on…
oh yeah. i would definitely love a sports bling like this! (^_^)
Have an Ambit 2 would love to upgrade.
Please please please!
I’m in.
This is my comment! Hope it goes well!
I need sunglasses for that colour
Pick me!
That’d be great here in the Ethiopian highlands! Pick me!
Yes please! Thank you.
This would work great for Mt. Rainier next year! Better then my Viviofit will!
Count me in ;)
Yes me please!
The ambit 2s has been great, I’d love to move to Bluetooth sync though.
Mmmmm, loves me some fluoro
I moved recently near the Appalachians so can’t wait to use it there…btw no mountain lions but black bears
I’m in
Will this be mine?
Green will be Ok:)
Come on luck!
Me please
yes
Excellent
Nice one.
looks great
Ooooh, nice
I’m in!
I sooooo need to go Vertical :) Come on Ray make it happen!
Green? Neon Green??? Dann, i’m in ?
Any good compared to a garmin?
Fingers crossed for new watch as my old Ambit is strting to lag
Thanks, Ray. Appreciate all of your reviews!
Can’t wait to climb a peak with that bad boy… :)
Count me in again :-)
Lush!
I’d rock the green; it’s loud enough to be pushed
I’m the lucky one :D
Like it.
Could use the upgrade to my watch game
Pick me! :)
This is a cool watch!
Nice color!
Fingers crossed! Thanks DCR!!
Please, again pretty please!
Does it work as good as it looks? I’m intrigued. ?
Pour moi, pour moi !