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.
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
In The Queue: DJI Mavic Pro
Is it not odd that this is called Mavic? I was expecting something with a yellow label and at least 5 oddly named innovations. Surely there are lawyers in Annecy?
Yeah, it’s funny. There was some discussion on Reddit about that and rumors about blocks occurring there – but nothing seems to have come of it. Some lawyers commented that essentially nobody would confuse bicycle parts with a drone.
But it’s not unthinkable Mavic would one day introduce one. To follow you while cycling.
If they ever do, they should call it the Mavic DJI
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Looking forward to the review. Had planned on getting Karma, but after your review, and the recall, that was a no-go. Went ahead and pre-ordered the Mavic on high hopes that it’s everything I’m hoping it will be.
Awesome unboxing pics. Can’t wait to get mine in a month’s time. Can you explain the dark gimbal cover please? I know the transparent one’s for protection, but didn’t know about the other.
It covers the plastic cover. 😉
No, really, it does. See, the hard-shell plastic cover is in theory designed to also be used in flight to provide added protection. On a non-sunny day, it won’t impact optics too much, but once sun/rain/etc hit it, it gets wonky. So I don’t use it.
So the rubber piece is designed to protect the plastic cap while travelling. I just use the plastic cap sans-rubber cover while travelling, and have found it scratches easily. Not that I care, since again, I don’t use it for flight.
Oh – and flew it on 20 flights today over the course of 8-9 hours getting video for the review. Awesome stuff, and incredibly durable and amazingly able to withstand multiple hookups with trees and not fall to the ground. Gotta test everything…right?
Thanks for the swift response! Can’t wait for the full review and to get my hands on my own. Keep up the good work!!
Yup, review up early next week, though you’ll start seeing YouTube videos uploaded on Thursday probably. Got one more day of shooting tomorrow, and then a bunch of editing to do.
Ray, when you carry your Mavic around, do you ever put the gimbal locking piece back in? I always put the cover on, but haven’t been going to the extra trouble of the locking part. It seems a little fiddly, and also I worry about damaging the gimbal as I try to put the locking piece on and off.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Mark
Definitely, mostly because I noticed while I was riding one day with it in my back pocket that it rattles a crap-ton. I figure that’s probably not good for it.
Normally I wouldn’t bother. The secondary reason was also that the rattling was annoying me and the silence while riding. 🙂
Thanks Ray, I have practiced a bit and can get it on and off without fear now,
Best
Mark
Will the youtube videos be up soon?
Any luck on this one Ray? Definitely looking forward to your review!
Sorry, the videos have been taking longer than I thought to edit. Color grading is a @#$#@. Should be up in the next 24-36 hours.
The text/photos/etc of the review is actually done.
I love your blog! I just found it this week. I hope your transition to working on this site full time has gone well. In my search for the latest gadget, I found a product I’m very interested in. However, I don’t know if it is accurate enough. While thinking about it, I realized that it might be of great interest to you and your readers — if it proves to be accurate enough. I hope you have the time and interest to do a product review on it. Here’s the info from the product’s website:
link to lifetrakusa.com
Zoom HRV – The World’s First Wearable Body Computer
With the push of a button, ZoomHRV™ continuously measures your heart rate and heart rate variability with extraordinary accuracy and precision. ZoomHRV automatically detects your body’s readiness to train and tells you how hard to push. ZoomHRV tracks every move you make, every calorie you burn, and minute you sleep.
“The Zoom HRV is a device that will revolutionize the wearable industry.”
Finally. Heart rate for running, cycling and swimming.
ZoomHRV measures everything you do, anywhere you do it. Accurately monitor your heart-rate and performance metrics with every stride, stroke, lap, or loop – above ground or under water. ZoomHRV continuously tracks crucial heart-rate data so you can learn how to push your limits.
Multi-Sport. Multi-Function. Multi-Wear.
Data that makes a difference
If you’re into counting steps, buy an activity tracker. ZoomHRV is an advanced, biometric device for serious athletes who want to train smarter. ZoomHRV can be worn on the wrist, forearm, or upper arm to measure heart-rate during any type of training. Or wear on the ankle to track cycling cadence. ZoomHRV even counts laps in the pool. True versatility for multi-sport athletes.