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’d get a Vivoactive HR. I’ve been researching fitness trackers for over a month and have read a ton of your posts, thanks! I’ve had a FitBit for years but after countless defects and my warranty being up I need a new one but have been holding out because of cost. One of these days but Vivoactive HR seems to be the best all around.
I would buy either a Tacx NEO Smart or some Powertap C1 pedals. In either case, it would help me get my cycling game going properly again, and train through the searing Aussie summer heat (100+F for days and sometimes weeks on end) and heavy winter downpours.
Man, I wish I had gotten one of them trainers. The nice ones. Wahoo or what have you.
Forerunner 920xt…I’m still using the 310 and could use an update!
Hey Ray. Merry Xmas to you and your family.
Garmin FR 735. I want to give it to my girlfriend who has been eyeing it for months.
A new Garmin Edge or a new trainer.
I’d purchase a Garmin Edge 520, because my current Edge 500 is starting to loose connection to my speed / cadence and heart rate quite often when I’m on the trainer. Data dropouts are quite annoying.
Happy Christmas in Paris to you, the girl and the wee tot.
A Garmin 230 with Hrm would be a perfect partner in my nordic ski training
Didn’t get a Virb. Nor a new piece of equipment to my wrist.
Hi Ray-Santa,
I’d love a chance to have a power meter… Please ?
In any case, all the best for the new year!
I’m still waiting for Garmin’s smaller fitness trackers to support ant+ accessories so that I can truly use it 24/7!
Power meter. I need pone.
I feel very fortunate, have all the gear I need, including the new Stryd. If I win, I would donate to a local charity.
A powermeter so I can be ready for the spring and summer seasons
Power tap P1 pedals bc they’re awesome!
kickr!
It’s time for a new trainer or Garmin 735xt. My gadgets are getting old and who can train with old gadgets right?
I’d use it towards a set of the new Elite Arion Digital Smart B+ Smart Rollers!
Love to get a power meter to improve my training experience
I would buy some Garmin trackers for me and my son.
Love my Fenix 3 but the heart rate strap I use causes chafing in the winter, so I’d upgrade to the Fenix 3 HR.
I’d love the Suunto Ambit3 Peak hr
Hey Ray! I would love love LOVE to purchase the Garmin 735 for myself OR the new Fenix depending on if they end up making the 4 a little slimmer for ladies. I’ve been getting more into biking, hiking, snowboarding, etc. and want a multi-sport watch that can tracking other things besides running. It drives me nuts that my hikes register on Strava as runs. :)
I’d probably get a fenix 5, but it will depend on how it looks when announced around CES :)
I’d love a forerunner 735xt!
Bike computer
I’d get Garmin Fenix 3 HR. Why? Why not…
I’d go for Garmin Fenix HR
Anything ☺
Felix 3 HR. Really need an upgrade to my running watch since my old watch may not be supported much longer.
New trainer!
Tack Flux – because I am just fed up of tyre slippage of my old iMagic
To train with power the power tap c1 would be a choice of mine
I’d get some kind if a trainer, since, you know, winter is here.
Something like an Edge 520 would be awesome :)
I’d like to get a direct drive trainer due to the lower noise generation :-)
I am in need of a new garmin so it will be towards the Garmin Forerunner 735XT triathlon bundle.
I would get a power meter. It will be my 2nd year of riding road bike – and – after winter on trainer with power meter – would be awesome to have one also on bike.
A Garmin 920xt and a Powerpod. Doing my first full iron this fall on the cheap (15 year old road bike with clipons, old wetsuit, borrowed aero helmet) but would love some data and gadgets!
My mates finally got me to start running, so now I NEED one of those fancy Garmin watches!
I would get the PowerPod power meter, and then read my watts on my rides!
I would get a trainer, probably a Wahoo, to make the most of my training time.
I would get a Garmin 735XT, as the battery of my Garmin 305 is not really useful anymore and following routes on the Apple Watch Series 2 is still not fully resolved yet.
A Garmin FR735 , I am looking to get into thriatlon and ir would be a great start
DJI Mavic Pro!
I would love to be able to have a GoPro Session 5. Voice activation sound interesting.
I’d get the Fenix 3 because Garmin is a jerk and updated the 225 almost immediately after I bought it.
Would like to give the Garmin Fenix 3 a try.
I would put it towards a new trainer and enjoying zwift
I’d really love to get my hands on the Garmin Edge 820 or a Garmin Fenix watch.
I’d probably put it towards a DJI Mavic Pro. 500€ is a nice way to getting a drone to capture awesome sports footage of myself.
a new edge 820, or a gopro session, or some powertap pedals
Power tap P1 pedals would be a nice addition
Either a Garmin 735 XT or Fenix 3. My watch is 5 years old and needs replacing.
Oooh, maybe a Garmin 735?
Thanks Ray.
Garmin Fenix Chronos! Need to take my running up a notch and this is a beautiful piece of kit that you can wear 24×7!
I would get a Fenix 3 HR with HRM-Run, because i replace my 920XT.
I would use the $500 towards a power meter.
I’ve been wanting to try out the power meter pod thing for a while now. I wonder how it’d work on a fatbike
I’d use it towards getting the Tacx Flux trainer. I recently got back into riding again after a few too many running injuries but after the long days of the summer just can’t seem to get out on the bike before dark. I’d love to give Zwift a try.
Some type of action cam – never too late to get on board
This Christmas all I want is buy my Garmin stuff at CleverTraining.com with DC Rainmaker approval!
I would go for a Garmin 735 xt just to Test a Garmin GPS Watch
Having a powermeter would be great! I still find them too expensive nowadays, but still quite crucial for serious trainings.
Definitely a Garmin running watch — just got my fiancé started on Couch to 5K and we’ve been recording workouts on my 910xt, but it would be super helpful for him to start learning about the world of sports technology!
I would get a dual power tap since one can never have too much data :)
Garmin Viro Ultra 30. Need to upgrade my Virb elite cam..;)
I’d like to replace my FR10 with something else. Maybe a 235!? :)
I would het a vivosmart HR+ of would trade up to a chronos titanium.
I would love to pick up a power meter for this winters off season training!
Would love to spend that money on a power meter
A new power meter.
Power tap P1, it would be super valuable for my training and preparation for the coming season.
Garmin Edge 820 please Ray….my 800 is on it’s last legs!
I’d probably put this toward a direct drive trainer!
New running watch
I would get Suunto Spartan Ultra or Suunto Spartan Sport HR.
a stryd footpod and/or a powerpod
I would update my Garman 910xt to a newer Garman watch. I’ve had the 910 a few years now, along with a 500 bike computer, and I’m guessing one of them will go toes up this season (hopefully, not both!)
the gopro hero 5 black because its a must have
A wahoo KICKR 2. Because my wahoo KICKR 1 wakes the kids at 4 am.
I would order sleep. Lots of sleep.
Two children under 3…
Trek Speed Concept 9.9 with Garmin Vector!
i’d get a fenix 3 HR, why?
I never ever want to have my HR strap sliding down during intervals again! ;)
A Garmin Fenix Saphir 3 HR or Fenix, if it will be released on CES
I’d get a garmin edge 820 or a wahoo element to get some navigation and ride away!!
Most definitely a smart trainer.
I’d love to pick up a Tacx Bushido Smart or some other smart trainer so I can join my father in law for some proper Zwift sessions instead of being stuck with estimated power :-(
Hi, I would like to have a Edge 820. My old 510 is used up… thanks.
I’d go for a Fenix 3 or perhaps try holding out for the Fenix 4?!
I would go for a new running or multisport watch :)
I’d love to get a Garmin Fenix 3 to have a go at my first ultra this coming year :)
Probably a Fenix 3 to replace my current running watch.
I would get my husband a new Garmin to match the one he got me last year!
An action cam of sorts
I would like a Garmin Fenix to help me in my training this year!
I will put it toward an Elite Drivo :)
A Garmin Edge so I can stop using my phone for rides, and a Garmin watch for the wife :)
A Wahoo KICKR. Marathon training is almost done, time to get serious about the bike!
I’d get a garmin 520!!