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.
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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/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 would get new GoPro since I lost mine last year while backpacking through the Arctic Circle :(
Fenix 3 Hr… without a doubt
a good replacement for my old forerunner 15
I will spend them on a hometrainer, for all the long hours that would otherwise be spent on a spinning bike this winter.
Looking for a Garmin Forerunner to replace my 405.
The new Garmin Fenix 4 (or 5 – whatever the name) as soon as it becomes available
Probably the TomTom Spark 3 Cardio + Music GPS Fitness Watch, because Adidas gave up on the SmartRun watch I currently use.
I’d get another power meter. Because, why not?
Fenix 3 hr… because why not???
Fenix 3 HR for trail running even though I’m injured and won’t be back on the trails for a while!
Recently got a Garmin 235, so maybe upgrade to the 735XT?
Definetely a powermeter!
I’d love to purchase the other half of my 4iiii powermeter! Thanks for all the tips and reviews this year too.
Garmin Edge 520 so I can play with the software platform. Garmin Vivoactive HR for my wife so she finally gets heart rate
A new bike computer for sure!
My 910 is still going strong, but possibly a Garmin 735.
I’d get a Garmin 735XT for my first triathlon!
I need to get a new bike computer.
Santa brought a Nest instead of one.
Fenix 3! (Fortunately, Santa brought me the socks!)
anything is better then I got right now…
this the season for powermeters, la la la la la, la la la la
I’d spent your gift for a Tacx Neo Smart to improve my indoor workouts and reduce the mouse level.
Thanks Ray.
I’d get a gopro hero5, because my v800 is good enough and I would not replace it with anything else on the market.
A Garmin Edge 820. My old 510 has def. seen better days!
Probably bike trainer. Or maybe new watches.
I would go for a garmin fenix or forerunner for my bro, because he hasn’t got one this Christmas… so that would be realy nice!
It’d have to be a GoPro – because my girlfriend won’t let me buy gadgets anymore :(
would love a new tacx :)
just because the neo is so awesome
Powertap definitely.
I could use a new cycling gps unit. Maybe a Garmin Edge of some sort.
Would love to get hero5 so I can take pictures during long rogaine competitions. Something light and waterproof is needed.
Garmin Fenix 3 HR. Training without a hr-strap. That would be great!
A garmin fenix HR so that my wrist can look the part even if the rest of my body doesn’t!!
Probably finally get a bike computer. Just been using my gps watch.
A new watch for running. my old one died a long time ago
Vector pedals or Power tap pedals. Happy holidays!
A Wahoo elemnt or maybe a Garmin watch or GoPro for my son.
A trainer or a power meter… Or maybe just some coupons for massages for after all my races next year!
Definitely a gro pro for aviation and diving
I’ve been eyeing the GoPro Hero5 since the day it came out.
I’d get the tomtom spark 2 with music. I have the older version and it would be nice to get the gym workouts and music features!
A go pro for high adventure video recording
I am in the market for a bike case to travel with.
A gopro to film my trail running sessions.
No electronic gadget anymore ! Go for sensations only ! And a very old Casio to go back home on time ! ;)
I’d get the Fly6 I’ve been eyeballing.
The 735xt or a TomTom Adventurer
Probably a garmin for my wife and then a bike computer for me, I have a feeling low impact is about to become a mandatory focus of my training due to injury
I would love to upgrade my old Fenix 2 to the new Garmin Fenix 3 HR!! Love your site!
I’d go with a new edge unit or watch.
My Christmas present was Cycleops Magnus. I’d go for a power meter.
Garmin 920 plus optical HR and other things. Not liking my 235. Experiencing lots of drop outs. Though a power meter is tempting.
A powermeter to cx.
Probably a replacement for my aging 310XT: either a Fenix 3 or a 920XT.
I’d probably go for the GoPro Hero 5 or Hero 5 Session. But then again, it’s Clever Training so I may just hit the clearance rack and stock up!
Forerunner 630 for me, my 620 only gets 2 runs on a full charge and the hrm has given up the ghost
I’m hoping to buy the next version of the Garmin Fenix!
Merry Christmas Ray and family!
I would have loved a new trainer for Xmas…….
Build out the pain cave with a TacxFlux
I would love a Garmin 520! Thanks and happy holidays.
I would love to get a Garmin Forerunner 630 + the proper HRM strap from Garmin.
Best regards,
Florian
I could use a Fenix HR , planning to do a couple of fell runs to burn off the mince pies.
I would go for the trainer as I would be one step closer to using Zwift during the winter!
I’d probablement fête thé Wahoo Kickr with power control.
Probably a power meter, or a new watch, or a gopro, or…
I wish the Garmin FR935XT, since it finally might be good enough to replace my Casio F91W :-)
It would be a tough choice between a garmin 520 or a new GoPro. With $500 I might be able to get both without having to chip in much extra!!
A new Garmin bike computer, required as the last one was run over by a 38tonne truck! That will teach me to ensure it was fully engaged into its mount…….
An upgrade from my Garmin Forerunner 110 which I’ve had since 2010 when I very first started running!! Most likely a Garmin Fenix 3 or something with longer than 6hrs battery life so I can actually record my mountain runs ?? thanks!!
A start toward race wheels.
Something to replace my battered Polar M400. Most likely one of the new Garmin watches.
So many gadgets to choose from…. probably the best watch out there, the Fenix!!!
I really wanted a smart trainer in order to help me train for my first ironman. I work long hours and live in the northeast, so I can’t ride outside all winter. It would help me be a lot stronger on the bike
A garmin (triathlon) watch or an edge bikecomputer will be awaesome.
Keep up the good work Ray!
Thanks for the ongoing giveaways!
Wahoo Kickr! I need to turn up that trainer time to 11!
A new Kickr2 since my wife stole my old one…
Hmmmm. Tough choice. Probably a power meter.
A GoPro Hero 5 to carry with me everywhere I run!
GoPro Hero5 would be great :)
I would buy a Phoenix 3 for my husband. He is a dedicated athlete who is always selfless and buys me the tri gear I want before he buys it for himself. I would love to get him something just for him for this seasons training.
for sure a Fenix 3 HR to get more active
a garmin fenix 4? :)
I’ve progressed in experience and knowledge of analytics so I could use something with the additional data I need to train and race smarter. Garmin 920xt and it a power meter.
Garmin Fenix 3 HR. I just love the Garmin gadgets. =)
I’d probably get a Garmin Vivoactive HR and an action cam – leaning towards a Garmin…
I’d buy the upgrade for my Garmin Vector S to the full Garmin Vector 2
The Garmin Vivosmart HR; would provide me what I need to support what I do; Cheers and Happy Festivus to all!
Wahoo Kickr. I am tired of chewing threw tires on my trainer, plus then zwift would be way cooler!
Fenix 3 HR for the ski mode
Gotta go for the Fenix 3 HR.
I’d go with the powertap pedals.
Power meter
Probably an Edge 520 for my bike. Or perhaps some one sided power meter
Socks!
Well, maybe a newer watch… I’d have to look once I get the $500 ;)
If it’s on their shelves, a Garmin 520.
Fenix 5 or Gopro 5
I’m going to really try to take a step forward in my tri performance this year (my 40th)
A gopro hero 5, or maybe a fenix 3..
An indoor trainer..with the new year and less time to train I need to optimise the little I have
I’d buy an extra trainer (wahoo fitness kickr) such that I could ride in the basement with my wife.
/Kristian
Would definitely use the credit for a new powermeter.