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.
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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!
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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.
Fenix 3. Despise the touch screen on my Vivoactive. Never again will I use a touch screen running watch.
New Gamin Fenix, got a 920xt, but they look cooler….
I’d have Santa Ray bring me the down payment on an etap build kit upgrade!!!!
My pain cave needs a Wahoo Kickr. Please.
I’d love to get a Go Pro. Merry Christmas!
GoPro 5 or power meter, hard choice.
I would get a power meter for my road bike.
I’d like Garmin Fenix 3 HR. Just started trail running this year after knee injury.
I would get a smart trainer….either the Kickr or the Hammer!!! Crossing my fingers, eyes, and toes that I win!!!
I’d take a Garmin 820, or maybe the Fly12 camera to go with my GoPro
Something with power, so I can shut my husband up.
I would buy a smart trainer
Hmm. They don’ sell bionic legs. I’d love to get a powermeter (PowerTap C1, most lilely) for my PRSix.
The Garmin Fenix3 HR for the Boyfriend. He’s been eyeing it for a few weeks now. I’m already sporting the Vivoactive hr. He would look extra sexy running with that on!!!! ??⌚️
I would get another stages for the mtb. Cx and road are equipped. It’s time.
I’d get a Wahoo Fitness Bike Desk for my home office and a new Forerunner 35.
I’d take a Fenix 3 or Garmin 520. My Triathlon tech needs an upgrade!
GoPro camera to capture some road racing action next season.
Wahoo kikr or similar smart trainer, need to get those bike splits down before Outlaw next year ;)
As much as I give everyone crap for indoor training “miles”, a decent trainer would be awesome. Everyone here raves about Wahoo’s KICKR SNAP, so that’s probably what I’d get.
GoPro Hero5 Black Is my choice if I were to Win.
Garmin 735 or one of the Fenix, no excuses to start that Ironman training!
One of these new smart trainers, so I can ride Zwift with my brother-in-law who lives downstairs from me.
Power meter for my bike please!!!!1
I could really use some new cycling clothing, because I haven’t really bought any since buying my first bike 4 years ago. I may also go after a foot pod setup that will let me try out the running module on the Zwift iOS app.
Fenix 3. Just becouse need one.
PowerTap C1, way outta budget with baby on the way…wife’d lynch me!!
The Garmin Vivoactive HR to help me get in better shape
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR
I would definitely get the Garmin Fenix 3 watch.
I would likely go for an FR 735 or something in the Felix line.
garmin virb or 735xt
I need a trainer, desperately. As it turns out I’m crap on the bike which is really affecting my triathlon. Merry Christmas
I’d get a Garmin Edge 820, it’s time to replace the edge 800.
I could do with a new Edge 820. My 810 is starting to show some signs of the aging variety. Backlight isn’t cooperating anylonger and it’s randomly losing connection to all sensors at once, preferably during high intensity interval… :D
I would like a speed sensor for my new bike! And a Gopro
I’d use the money toward a new trainer to help me get back into shape this year.
I would put the prize toward a power meter.
I’d get the Garmin HR Run to go with my 920xt. Thanks for the great work Ray :)
Would get a smart trainer to bring on the watts for 2017!!
I would get a garmin 630 or 735 to start training for a triathlon in the spring!
I would finally get a power meter…
New wahoo kickr to go with zwift.
Probably an Edge 820, seeing as how I’m still rocking a 500!
A new trainer is on the list for a long time now. Just could not make a decision until now. Too many rainmaker reviews to read. ?
I’d get powermeter for my father and entry level gps watch for me (tomtom or forerunner).
I would love a GoPro Hero5 to document all the trips I have planned throughout the next year, no matter whether it is skiing, scuba diving or simply exploring new cities.
Tacx Neo smart to avoid angry neighbours or a Fenix 3
some garmin watch
Just recently bought the new Quarq power meter, so I would use the money towards an action cam
I would put it towards getting power on my cranks or replacing my GPS
I’g go with Fenix 3 HR. It’s just cool.
fenix hr3. Unless the five comes out first!
Powermeter, simple
because i haven’t
I would get a new Garmin Edge 820. My wife really likes the idea of knowing where I am when I get hit.
A Garmin VIRB please.
Kickr, because ANT+ trainers are so yesterday.
A lovely new sports watch or activity tracker for my wife.
GoPro 5 series or Powertap hub or Garmin 820
I would probably get the 920xt because reading my fenix 2 is a hassle for my bad eyes
I think Id go for a Vector 2 right pedal, get some of that Garmin cycling dynamics goodness.
I would get the Shimano Vector power meter pedals as I’ve foolishly entered the Alpes Marmotte with 8 work colleagues next July and need to train smart so I can beat them!!! Also Alpe d’huez long triathlon at the end of July….
A Kuat rack!
A Garmin Edge 520 to replace my ageing 800
Whatever to help the Christmas food to go away
I really need a new bike trainer!
Fenix 4 (after its presentation at CES 2017 ;-) )
I’d go for a Garmin 820. I like the sensor pooling and bluetooth stuff the 800 I have now lack.
A fenix 3 hr , would love the all day he recording!
I’d probably get the Garmin 735XT for the wrist HR (Fenix 3 HR costs more) to replace my failing FR15, that is randomly shutting down.
Definitely a power meter that I could switch between bikes. I always found them too expensive but with an additional $500 I’ll go for it.
A Garmin Fenix 3 HR for sure!
New garmin since the timex global trainer is finally wearing out.
mmm, difficult to say, probably a Fenix 3HR or a smart home trainer (it’s too cold for me to go outside :)
Stages PM for some top off road Power Trace geekery
Speaking of Spam (r), here in the States Dollar General recently had in their weekly merchandise/grocery flyer buy two cans of Spam, get a dozen eggs free.
Now to the MIG, Missing in Gift – I vote for a Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera. I need a new Action Camera, an upgrade from my GoPro Hero3+.
Then again, a Garmin Fenix 3 HR, hiking, wouldn’t be a bad upgrade from my Vivoactive HR, sports and fitness.
I would grab Fenix 3 because mine 910xt is already leaking water during the swim
i’d get Garmin 235 to replace my Garmin 220
I would like to buy a Garmin Virb Ultra 30, so that I can start recording all of my favorite runs next year with the GPS data attached.
I would like Garmin Fenix 3!
It would have been great to get a Garmin ForeRunner 735XT or Fenix 3 HR to replace my ForeRunner 230.
The perfect match for me would be a FE-C capable trainer,
I would like one of everything because I never can make up my mind. Then when I use it I’ll decide which I like best.
Easy! Garmin Edge 820 so I can find Santa and ask him why he didn’t put one in my Christmas stocking.
A new trainer! Looking for something to replace my old CompuTrainer.
I would love the 735xt
I want a Varia radar and tail light or a Fenix HR.
A Garmin Edge so I don’t have to keep stopping to look at my handwritten directions!
Fenix 3 HR or something equally shiny
A SMART Trainer. It would be great to get in shape and get smarter at the same time!
I would get a fenix 3 hr or other garmin with hr to give to the lady.
Hmmm I think I’d like a new trainer to help fight away the winter blues.
I really want to get a power meter for my road bike. $500 would be enough to boost my budget enough to get one. Happy holidays!!!
I’d like to get a Garmin Edge 25, to help me track my routine without carrying the phone. :D
Go Pro because I’ve always wanted it and could never justify it!!!
Probably garmin 920xt, this summer i plan some serious triatlhon action, love to get a new watch for that
I would like a Garmin 735xt
I used to be an avid triathlete but then two kids got on the way of training. ;-) I started to run (or walk when too tired) again this year and I’d like to step it up in the new year. I’d likely select a sportwatch (currently using an activity tracket – thanks for the rec!).
New trainer , wife always complaining mine is loud
Wahoo kickr for those early hours in my garage