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…
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.
-
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/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!
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 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.
I’d probably go for one of the newest Garmin watches.
I’d get Fenix 3 HR so during running I’d look shiny and chrome. :)
A powermeter for sure
Garmin Edge 25 for my wife and Vivoactive HR to replace my Vivoactive.
I don’t know what yet but with $500 in my pocket I will sure find something :D
Bike computer with navigation to explore new grounds :)
I’d love the new Garmin Fenix HR!
a power meter so I can get the most out of my training!
My wife said the Wahoo Kickr was too expensive!
Garmin Fenix 3 HR or something not yet released (roll on CES)
I would get a 735XT. My 920 is getting old and it is time for a replacement.
A Garmin Edge 820 to replace my 800
The Redshift Aero Switch Pack to finally be able to blast seriously with the head down. :) Maybe staring at a Garmin Edge 820 meanwhile.
fenix 3 to replace my old timex
Probably a couple of GPS watches for my nieces who are both running cross country and track.
I would go for the GoPro Hero 5 black since I already got the watch I wanted ;)
I’d put it towards a power meter – probably the Powertap P1.
It would be a difficult choice, but I think I would chose a Fenix
A PowerTap C1 sure would be high on the list. Whoever wins, and everyone else for that matter, have a happy new year! Thanks to Ray for the best site on the net.
One of the watches for my wife!
I want a Garmin Felix chronos because it’s new and shiny :-)
I’d get a Garmin FR 735XT – seems rather decent and leightweight at the same time…
Tri/multisport watch, so I can start tracking my swims!
i’d get a suunto ambit 3 cause battery lifetime on my ambit 2 decreased a lot.
I’d go for Garmin 735HR, it’s perfect for me!!!
Probably upgrade my old Edge 500. Merry Christmas !
A Garmin VIRB because I’m sure my rides are amazingly exciting.
To see how fast I really could or should go in the water: HRM Swim strap
Garmin 735XT will suit right my 2017 sport plans :)
I really would like to have a good power meter. But it is still on the budget range of a tiny bit to much.
I would go for a garmin edge bikecomputer
I would go for an indoor bike trainer. X-Alp is booked for mid 2017.
Fenix 3 HR
I would get a better gps watch for running. Prob. the fenix 3 or some other top end garmin.
Some sort of an indoor trainer with a brain
I would probably go for my first power meter.
I’d wait to see what is released at CES and decide from there. Thank you for the opportunity!
I’d like the new Garmin Fenix 3 HR so I can accomplish my first half marathon.
Tough one. If I have to strictly play by the stated rules, an Edge 820. But I’d rather wait and see if a Fenix successor is coming that might have base maps.
Garmin FR235 to replace my trusty FR305!
(maybe even a Fenix 3 HR…)
Happy Holidays everyone and thanks again Ray for all you do. I would definitely get my first PM – powertaps p1s.
Garmin 735 for sure!
I’d probably go for a set of Powertap P1 pedals!
I would go for a Fenix 3!
I would like to get a FR630 to update my old FR610….
An Edge 820 please!
I will get the Apple Watch. Its a gadget and I just want it :) Wish health and luck to all.
GoPro Hero 5 Black. Still rocking a Hero 2 but would love a waterproof camera that doesn’t need a case with image stabilisation to streamline the post production process! Great blog/podcast/youtube!
I’d either get a GoPro to capture all my exciting trainer rides, or a power meter to improve my rides :)
A new gps watch will be nice… Fenix or Spartan maybe.
A powermeter for my Cyclocross bike!
I’d like to get Garmin 520 for my bike.
A Garmin Edge 820 to replace my 800.:P
I would love to win the Garmin fenix 3 to subtitute my forerunner 220. Need. More. Data!
Hi Ray,
Thanks for this opportunity ;)
I would get a powertap P1s pedal to strat using a power meter and get more meaningful resource, or to top off and get a nice triathlon bike.
Cheers,
Ben
Garmin 820 as my eyes are dead from trying to read four fields screen using the Fenix on the bike
I’d get a cheap 4iiii Precision Power Meter on Shimano 105, to raise my cycling performance to a highest level.
One of the Garmin triathlon or running watches.
Gopro I think!
Fenix 3 HR to track running and bike commuting
I would put it towards a Pioneer power meter for my wife’s bike!
Fenix 3 HR would bee nice gadget.
I’ll go for a PowerTap for sure. The C1 with dual-sided power meter will be great for my training sessions :D
A Fenix 3 to replace my duct taped 610.
Probably the Fenix 3, although I’d like to hold out to see what comes out in the new year.
I think i’d go for the Garmin Forerunner 735xt – it’s about time i upgraded to a decent watch with optical hr :)
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR, I have a 920xt but it looks rather dated at this stage
I’d love a fancy new bike trainer
Garmin 735XT. I’m happy enough with my TomTom Runner, but it’s getting old and looking for something more sophisticated now.
Something to replace my battery fading 610
I need so many things… But I would probably choose some Oakley glasses so I can retire my everyday use glasses when I go running or cycling.
Perhaps a trainer
A Garmin Vivosmart HR+ for my wife to replace her old Vivofit.
I’d get the Forerunner 735xt
I would love to upgrade my Forerunner to a FR235!
The new tri-watch Garmin will announce at CES :)
One FR735 please and thank you.
735xt so I don’t have to worry about chest straps, especially on race day.
I’d be a Garmin 735xt to get me off the Christmas couch and onto the beach, ocean and bike – first ever triathlon coming up in March!
Fenix 3Hr
While I’m a little bored with 3j with the v800. But a successor would be even better.
I’d buy a Powertap C1, so I can measure power on my cross bike!
I would need an internal debate to choose between a new Garmin watch or powermeter… But I’d be glad to have one :-)
I’d choose a yet to be released Garmin running watch with better optical heart rate sensor.
I would get a GoPro Hero 5 black, because all I have is an old GoPro Hero and I would absolutely love to have the extra camera with the screen and higher video quality. Thanks!
Garmin 520, hard to choose between that or a camera
A fenix 3 so I can work out how many mince pies I have burnt off………
V800, because i already have an Garmin 735XT. And would like to test a watch from another company
I would go for a powermeter. Pitty the Powerbeat isn’t available yet in Europe…
I’d spend it on a Garmin Fenix 3. This watch is simple awesomeness! :)
I plan to run a marathon, so i need a garmin watch for better training
Was hoping for a new gps watch but didn’t get one, my fault (definitely not my wife’s) because I didn’t ask for it so how could she know?
I’d definitely get a power meter/indoor trainer combo!
A fenix 3 hrm bundle to give me all the stats on just how poor my running ability is. At least I’ll look like a pro for the first 3 steps of my next marathon.,.
A fancy Garmin of course. Fenix 3 HR or 735XT.
gopro hero5 black!
I’ll go for the GoPro 5 hero black :)
Probably towards a Fenix 3 HR to replace the one I sold and am kind of regretting
I’d get a power meter. Maybe Powerpod. Need to start tracking power on bike workouts.
I would proberly go for a new gps watch and new running socks… because you never can have to many running socks can you….
A Fenix 3 HR as a perfect hiking wrist GPS
Either a NEO or a Quarq DZero for my gravel bike.