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.
I need a wahoo kickr ’cause baby it’s cold outside!
A Garmin Fenix, fried my Garmin Seim after replacing the battery and I need a new swim watch.
So why not replace the FR220 and have a One watch
Kickr snap please or a fenix 3
Forerunner 735. Planning on doing my first triathlon this year.
Put it towards a new road bike
Need a Garmin Edge 820 to replace a very old 500.
Tough decision, but I’d probably go for one of the running watches
I’d go for the GoPro Hero 5 Black. Despite making hints along those lines over many Christmas seasons, Santa has never seen fit to leave one in my stocking. Perhaps I’ve never been good enough?
I would love to elevate my training for upcoming 300 km sportive with 4iiii Ultegra power meter.
The Fenix watch announced at the next ces conference
Mavic Pro because it’s cool and I don’t really need it. Or a Tacx Neo because it’s cool and I need it a little bit more.
Garmin hrm swim and tri straps because I have the fenix 3 hr but want to get the rest of the metrics especially during the swim.
I would get the PowerTap C1 Power Meter because the wife and I have been training with a KICKR SNAP and now I want to know how I’m doing out on the road.
I think I would use it toward a Wahoo Fitness KICKR SNAP for Zwifting.
A simple treadmill to get running form back
I am recovering from a full Achilles rupture at the heel, putting on some weight, not training at all (especially with my twin through Zwift). I would love to be able to afford a Kickr and aid my recovery to full training again. 2 months since I rode my bike and I am forgetting my former self.
New gopro hero 5 looks nice )
I would get a smart trainer or a power meter of some sort.
Probably a trainer upgrade for me. A new Kickr would be an awesome upgrade to the training cave!
Its definitely a smart trainer for me
I got the Fenix 3 HR for Christmas so I would probably get the GoPro Hero 5.
A power meter to help with the summer training.
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR, because I’m sick of the chest strap.
Powertap power meter.
I’d kinda like a proper bike computer, so perhaps an edge 520..
I’d put it towards the tacx neo for sure.
I would spend the money on the Polar a360 , because it tracks the heart rate on the wrist, connects to my phone and has a cool design
Hi Ray,
I’d get a high-end sport watch (Garmin or Suunto).
Best wishes!
I’d buy the Fenix 3HR because of its features and design!
Hero 5 black. Need a new action CAM.
A gopro 5 session would probably top my wishlist!
Garmin VIRB, because I’d love to capture the action!
I’d probably start with one of those spin desks … hmm just generally a spree I think :)
i fancy the powermeter. why?! to make a giant leap forward this triatlonseason io a baby step… thank you!!
I’d get a new Garmin. Not sure which one.
I would like a fénix 3 hr, because is time to try Garmin.
Garmin watch for me please
It’s a toss up between an Edge 520 or a Power tap PM.
I need something new to meassure everything I can ;-)
920xt so my angel can be inspired to reach her goals!
Fenix 3 HR would be a great item
I’d go for a GoPro to film my participation at Mallorca 312 :)
Garmin Virb to post some sweet action vids
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR to replace my Fenix 3 and Vivosmart HR
I’d use the $ to buy a trainer, Tacx neo or Kickr for the times leaving the kids home alone would be frowned upon.
I got a fenix 3 hr for chistmas* but could really use an edge for the bicycles – i still use an old gpsmap 60 for navigation and it most be 10 years old by now….
* from my wife even trough i actually made the purchase myself from intersport.dk massive sale :-)
I would love a power meters for my bike. I cannot seem to push myself enough when I train and I really want to get faster and stronger. I am 53 and just had rotator cuff surgery and will be only bike trainer for months. Now would be the perfect time!!
I would like a suunto spartan because y would like to try the touch screen.
Definitely the fēnix 3 Sapphire HR because 2017 will be the year I finally do a triathlon and I need a multi sport watch. As I wear my Garmin all the time it would be nice to have something a little more classic looking too. Thanks DCR as always.
I would buy a gopro 5 to film my Transvulania Trailrun in 2017.
A powertap C1 power meter for my wife.
Power meter for my new bike!
Whatever fenix Garmin is cooking up to announce at CES!
A new Garmin wouldn’t do me any harm… would it?
I’d get a pair of Vivosmart HR and use them as a gift for a couple of friends
Garmin Fenix 3 HR would be a dream come true!
Probably a trainer!
A trainer probably due to big nights…
Some new wheels for my bike… Santa didn’t bring them :-(
I’d get a nifty indoor trainer to keep me cycling through these cold dark stormy winter months!! Got the running bits and bobs covered by now, though a new pair of shoes will always be put to good use too :-)
I’d like a Garmin 820
Definitely a running watch with an integrated heart rate monitor. I keep losing my Scosche.
I’d get a new Garmin 735 I think. Maybe wait a bit and see what new products come out for 2017. Looking for a better wrist HR monitor for swimming.
I would buy a forerunner 735xt or a polar m600 for my girlfriend who’s running a lot lately!
It would help her run better!
I have been planning to throw away my shitty Polar V650. Maybe Wahoo ELEMNT would be my choice.
A new sports watch, to go with the new year
920xt so I can have my first tri watch!
I would get the Powertap P1 pedals.
I would use it towards a power meter. Probably p1s as I want to move onto the next stage of training.
I should get a 735xt to finally take up swimming next to run/bike…
I’d get a garmin edge 520 because my current lame little cateye dw 4-something has finally started acting up and not tracking cadence and mph. It never, of course, paired with the garmin heart monitor I got last xmas which left me not getting much out of the hrm because it’s not terribly useful to see my heart rate AFTER the ride… During would be lots more useful…
Garmin Edge 520. My 510 is getting pretty long in the tooth.
Hi, Ray. For me it’d definitely be any of Garmin’s bike-focussed cycle computers as my tiny Magellan/Mio Cyclo 100 with its tiny black & white screen just isn’t up to the task anymore. Plus, my ageing eyesight means I need a bigger screen to see the numbers! Thanks.
Session 5. Maybe apply it towards the Tacx Neo.
I’d get a GoPro to take pics at some of our rides this year.
I would get a powermeter to get the most out of my training this year.
Fenix 3 HR, because Spartan would be nice, but… it`s not.
I’m thinking new power meter.
New trainer (Tacx Neo) or new Garmin running watch.
Powermeter is what I go for
Probably a Fenix 3 HR, but I really like the 235HR and I don’t need to features of the Fenix if I’m being honest.
I really like the look of the GoPro Session too…
I’d have to go for a 735xt
I would get a pair of trail shoes for the winter snow and ice, and GPS Watch!
I would like to get gopro because it would be nice to film some action with my mtb!
I’d get a go pro to record my upcoming newborn peanut and add more beautiful memories.
I’d go for the GoPro Hero5! Waterproof without the case.. yes!
Lots of adventures to capture this summer.
Hi Ray,
I would get the Garmin 735XT to get better metrics on running cadence and paddle board tracking
I’d get a new 920xt as I broke mine just before Christmas!! ?
A Stages power meter because I’m not progressing as fast as I’d like in my HR based training. I’ve read so much about how a PM can make training more specific and so on that I’d really like to give it a try.
A trainer to get ready for BCBR2017!
A smart trainer for these winter months
Hi Ray, and thanks for this offer!
I got what I wanted b/c my wife and I don’t gift to each other – we make donations instead.
BUT, since I am not one to turn down an offer, I would ask for either a Garmin Vivoactive HR or a Garmin Swim, to help my achieve my goals of becoming a solid swimmer this year and doing a workout of some sort every day of the year.
Thanks again
kikr snap for indoor bike training in the cold MN winter!
A Gopro Hero 5 Black, to film my MTB ride :-)
A Fenix 3 (or F4), so I don’t run out of battery during long hikes or have to recharge the watch during multi-day (multi-run) business trips.
I’d get a trainer, for doing some workouts indoors during this shitty period of the year. ;)
I would get a Garmin Vivoactive HR because of the GPS and the multi use options.
Fenix Chronos!!!
I’d put it towards a set of power pedals most likely powertap P1 pedals.
Trainer for the bike!