Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. 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.
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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!
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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.
Power tap p1 power metre would be the top of my list. I’ve been training hard on the bike and to bring it to the next level I need to be able to race with power that I train with on my tacx flow
a watch!
I will get the Fenix3 HR to replace my veteran FR310XT.
I’d get a power meter.
I would like a new Garmin 735xt. Thanks!
Probably the edge 820 for my brother. Making sure that he doesn’t get lost after i move abroad.
Hmmm… probably a power meter. I seem to be collecting too many bikes, which means I have too many bikes without power meters.
I would get a garmin edge 820 as my current bike computer is on its last legs.
I’d get the garmin forerunner235 so I can give it to my girlfriend for her birthday.
Fenix 3HR because I want a training watch that I can recharge on the fly.
A sapphire Fenix, I’m not gentle enough for plain glass!
Garmin Virb Ultra action camera
Some new gear for the swimrun event I’m trying this year.
I’m interesred in Powertap p1 pedals – seem to be easily portable from bike to bike.
I would like to get the new version the Fenix HR, hopefully announced at CBS.
If I win, then I will probably will go with Garmin 735xt, it’s such a great tri watch, and I have the 230 already.
A power meter!
I’d pick up a new polar watch. Either the M600 or V800.
I need to replace some of the small stuff – foot pod and HR strap. After that…hmm…
I got a bike this summer and I had (overambitious) dreams of a trainer to ride through the winter. The KICKR has me drooling!
A new turbo trainer that can be used with Zwift. My current trainer is not compatible.
Didn’t get any gadgets for xmas because vacationing in nz!
power meter to measure my efforts
A GPS watch iof uncertain make, but maybe the Fenix 4 if it’s smaller than the Fenix 3 to replace the wife’s Forerunner 205 that I am borrowing.
If get the new 735xt
A power meter for my Ritchey Logic!
I’d so love to get a Tacx Neo. Going away for a bit with no access to my bike, so I’ll be horrendously unfit when I return to the UK in January, and the Neo would be amazing for getting up to speed ready for Summer!
February I mean, not January ?
An Ambit 3 Peak Saphire.
I need a tacx smart trainer from your trainer review list.
A power meter or a snazzy new watch
Kickr snap me up please!
A power meter. My training feels powerless without it ;)
Garmin Chronos. Love to have one, but can’t swallow the price.
I think I’d put it towards a power meter.
Hi Ray! Power meter, for sure. Need to get my FTP up! ?
Cheers and thanks for a great site!
I would love a BSXinsight 2.0 Lactate Threshold Sensor Multisport Edition, which would take my obsessive tracking of data to the next level, and possibly help me get faster.
It would have to be a power meter. Why? Well because everybody keeps saying if you waana improve on the bike get a power meter.
A Forerunner 235 to replace my 220 and get continuous heart rate tracking. Or an Edge 820 to replace my scratched 800…
I have now had a Fenix 3 for over a year and every single day its bulk is getting a bit more on my nerves. Really looking forward to relieving my frustration with a shiny new FR 735XT so I can finally put on a jacket without my watch getting caught in its sleeve. After this year I can confidently say that I won’t miss the barometric altimeter at all.
Fitbit Aria, it will be awesome too keep track of the lose and gain to help with weight control
I would probably get a Garmin 630 or a 235 and some accessories.
Garmin Fenix 3. Or 920xt. Or 735xt. I haven’t decided, but my 910xt is over 5 years old, no Bluetooth, has a scratch on the screen and a broken strap. I run trails so probably the Fenix. Oh wait-the Epix looks nice.
A Garmin Edge 820 please.
Etap upgrade is what I would put it towards, or else something new that they announce at CES.
New cycling gear is in order.
Has to be the Fr735…love my VAHR but would be great to have outdoor swimming and tri mode!
Fenix 3 hR, I would love to try the updated model with optical heart rate monitoring. I hate chest straps.
A Forerunner 735xt.
After 5 years of being a loyal partner on all my runs, my 310xt is now really starting to suffer from old age. Randomly switching off mid run and short battery life…
Probably the Garmin vivoactive hr, as I don’t have an activity tracker and I’d like to monitor my sleep too
Most likely a garmin watch
F3. Or F3 HR. Or something that would replace it
Fenix 3 HR – because it rocks, and I love the look of it :D.
Happy Holidays!
A Garmin 735XT as my 920XT just bit the dust. :-(
A go pro hero for the next ski trip!!!
I’d like to get a power meter, but I’m not sure which one.
FEnix 3 for hiking and triathlon!
kickr (perhaps)
I would probably get a Garmin Edge 820 to replace my Powertap Joule.
I wanted the Stryd power meter. Curious if a change in running form improves my power numbers and want to see how much power I put out on roads vs trails.
I definitely need a power meter, maybe a Stages?
I’m thinking maybe it’s time for a bike computer!
Probably a second smart trainer so both my wife and I can workout at the same time. Plus I really want to see how well PerfPro works driving multiple trainers.
I would get the Suunto Ambit3. I love Suunto watches but I was never able to afford one.
I would save it for the new Fenix 5 watch.
I’d get a new Garmin watch. The battery on my 310XT is finally dying.
Probably a power meter for my second bike. Changing vectors over gets old fast.
Power meter for the beautiful bride.
I’d get a Garmin 735xt and send my friend my 920xt!
GoPro Hero5 Black to take vids of my three grandchildren!
I would put the winnings towards the powertap power meter. I want to be able to better focus my training, and expensive bike parts are hard to purchase once you have little ones.
Thanks!
MJ
I’d get a new watch to replace my 310xt. Looking at you Fenix3!
I ‘need’ a smart trainer!
I’d get a new GPS watch, probably a Forerunner 735XT. It’s really more than I need, but if it’s your treat…
A new Garmin and a random pair of socks…
A new PM to replace my dying quarq
Would love to get my hands on a new Garmin Edge 820. My current 510 is acting up.
Suunto spartan
Definitely the GoPro hero 5 black. I need to record what I won’t probably remember in a few years and must do it with the best quality possible.
Need a power meter… not sure which one yet.
A new agarmin watch to get hopefully more IQ fields.
735xt for the swimming metrics.
Maybe a power meter for my road bike.
I would get a Garmin 735XT. I have set a goal for myself to run a personal best half marathon now that I am over 40. Swimming and cross training will be a big part of my training.
Anything that will help me loose the weight I gained over Christmas will do :)
In the market for a new action camera, but leaning more towards the garmin virb ultra 30 than the hero 5.
I’d love a new Garmin Edge!
The gopro hero 5 black shall float my boat. Thanks for the giveaway, Ray.
Updated Garmin HR monitor. To take advantage of all the apps
I’d like to get a forerunner 735 to train for my next marathon.
I’d get a garmin edge 820. My current bike computer is pretty crappy and I’d like to have the navigation features.
I’d love to apply this to a Powertap C1, but they still don’t seem to support the Shimano 11-sp asymmetric bolt rings. Maybe I’ll apply this to a Stages instead.
Fenix 3 for me
a tacx néo would float my power train… thx!
I would love to document my long rides with a GoPro Hero 5!!
Stages or another Bluetooth capable power meter to work with my v650
I’d be gunning for either a new Fenix or the Oakley Radar pace.
A sapphire Fenix3 HR. Running w/o a strap would be awesome!
a just in time Fenix 4
Powertap P1 pedals in order to improve my bike training
A smart trainer