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
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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 meter for my cross bike… or maybe a new trainer!
An F3HR, perhaps?
A Garmin Fenix 3. Why? Of course, it’s $499.99.
SRAM’s new power meter or the new Garmin sport/GPS watch…? Hard choice. Maybe both; one to record the other.
Tough choice but probably towards the PowerTap P1 pedals. Merry Christmas!
A pair of powertap or bepro pedals.
Power Meter. Will help better direct my training.
I’ll split it with a charity
Hmmm. Edge 820? 820 + varia tail light? 3600 lumen nite rider light?
A new Garmin bike computer – my trusty FR305 has finally packed it in.
I would like to give my self a vívoactive® HR
For sure the Garmin vivofit hr because this Fitbit charge 2 hr tracking is garbage for zone training
Wahoo Kickr 2…what better reason for a trainer upgrade than a giveaway!
Garmin vector 2, want to install one on my specialized tarmac since my 4iiii is not compatible with specialized crank
Got to be the Garmin Fenix – been wanting one for a long time!
Garmin Fenix 3 or a new trainer
Need new base bars!
Polar v800, to replace my m400. First because I’m beginning to feel the need of especially the cycling functions, but also because it looks great with a suit!
How does a Garmin 820 and accessories sound?!
Polar 360, maybe. My first heart rate monitor.
Garmin Fenix 3 HR as an upgrade to my FR230.
I would love to get a brand new unannounced F5 – Thanks Ray and CT!
A garmin fenix chronos, because the only way I can afford it is if someone spots me $500.
I would love to get the Garmin edge 1000 so that I can get advance performance matrices to improve my ride!
I’d love to replace my dying 910xt!
A power meter for the pain cave.
I’ve been eyeing the Garmin 920XT for a long time!
I don’t even really know, but I just need some new gadgets. New gadgets always get me focused as an ancillary benefit to whatever it was supposed to do.
Powertap pedals to get more out of my basement training sessions
My trusty Ambit2 would be in danger of becoming my wife’s trusty Ambit2, which would be replaced by a newer model (the watch).
A power meter for 2017…a nice present to improve my training
GPS watch!
I have never had a GPS watch (and my phone’s gps stopped working). So a garmin 230, or 235 or 630.
I would probably also get a new pair of shoes. Runners can never have enough shoes. And yes, if enough credit is left over, how could I resist new socks.
Garmin 735 optical
I would get a new hydration system for my new bike!!
Either a new bike computer, a powertap hub or a controllable trainer, want to upgrade my approach to power training.
A Garmin Fenix 3 or a suunto ambit 3 peak or some other watch… This would force me to finally make up my mind and pull the trigger on a new one!
If I were lucky enough to win I would put the giveaway towards a new power meter for the bike. I would probably get the Quarq Dzero because they have a good reputation for just working as planned.
A Garmin bike computer with GPS/ turn by turn directions would be great! I get lost going to my living room and back. Might make long rides a lot easier! Thank you!
Hmmm tough call, likely go with a new smart trainer.
TomTom Adventurer
A new watch, because mine is old and outdated.
A new Hero action camera would be great, my old Swann Sport HD is getting long in the tooth.
I have my eyes set on the Fenix 3 HR. I am doing my first 100 Mile this summer, and this is the watch to get me to the finish.
I would like a Fenix 3. My Fenix 2s has taken a beating, I am on my 3rd one. Garmin was surprisingly supportive and replaced the first two that broke. I hope to have better luck with the Fenix 3.
Best regards,
Brad DuFur
I’d probably get a bike computer like a Garmin Edge 520. Or maybe something completely different like the Scosche Rhythm+ or a GoPro camera.
Needless to say, that $500 could be spent pretty darn quickly. :)
new GPS watch.. time for an upgrade from the 910 :)
Been eyeing the Garmin 935xt…
735 or fenix 3 (tough call ATM with rumors swirling about a new fenix) … desperately need to upgrade my watch game
Hero 5 Action camera
I would get an Edge 1000. My FR310XT is starting to show its age.
You have an impressive review about Garmin forerunner 735XT. I’m inclined to buy it but I don’t think I need to because you’ve given us a chance to own it for free through your gadget giveaway. Happy new year, Ray!
I’d get a smart trainer (would need to research which to get). I’d like to keep riding year round, but the cold and foul weather of winter make it miserable. Would be far more motivated to get rides in indoors.
I have a long wish list! A garmin 735xt, new powertap, and the cyclops hammer looks pretty nice!
735xt so I can use that race prediction connect I app for my marathon in Jan.
A new Garmin Watch!
Power meter for sure. I’m most inexperienced on the bike and would love another metric as insight for 2018.
Not sure exactly, probably a bike gps
Mayby a 4iii précision power meter for me
I would get a forerunner 735xt or cycliq rear camera? Not sure which yet…better to have video for insurance or a device to capture power readings?
I would Take a edge 520 for my boyfriend
Garmin 735xt! It would help me optimize my workouts and hit my racing goals for 2017!
Go Pro Hero 5
I’d get a Garmin Fenix 3HR or a Lezyne bike computer!
I need the PowerTap C1 power meter, to complement my training program.
I’d get the new Garmin FR235 to replace my FR220. The combination watch + HR is pretty awesome.
GoPro Hero5, as my first gen Hero Session is riddled with bugs.
A new garmin bike computer to replace my aging 305
I would get a GoPro Hero 5 Black to film my way through 2017!
I would definitely get some power pedals for trying for Ironman Canada this next July
A Fenix 3 HR Saphire would be nice. :)
I’m not sure yet what I’d get, but it’ll be awesome!!
I would get a garmin vivoactive hr!
Put it towards SRAM etap – because my new warranty replacement Felt tri frame is not compatible with my old di2 10 speed setup.
I would get the Garmin Fenix 3 sapphire edition to do all things sports, activity trscking, and regular watch stuff. Adding apps takes it to next level with customization.
GoPro hero 5 – for biking and skiing
Pretty interested in trying out Zwift and I think it would make my trainer sessions less terrible, so I’d grab a Wahoo Kickr Snap!
Garmin Vivoactive HR. I am looking for one device to cover my fitness data needs. Technology is our friend.
Looking to upgrade a number of items. Most interested in a new Garmin watch like the 735xt
Go pro
I would like a Cyclops Hammer or Magnus for a better indoor training experience. Merci!!
Fenix 3 HR because it’s a slight upgrade from my 305.
I’m lucky enough to already have a Fenix 3 HR but I think I would get a new trainer or cycling computer!
I’d get some new shoes, a new spi belt, maybe a new running vest, and some other small things. Quantity!
did not get what I wanted for xmas bc we are on a budget. I just finished law school and now studying for the California Bar so just making sure the checkbook doesn’t go crazy
I would need a Garmin 520 to control my
New taxc neon from on-device ;-)
Possibly the forerunner 235…
Garmon fenix 3 haven’t had a GPS watch before be good to start close to the top.
Fenix 3 HR to wear on those long trail runs and hiking expeditions in the mountains!
Hmmmm…would have to be a new Garmin (Fenix?!) to upgrade my 910. Thanks as always.
P1 pedals
Once I’m done being pregnant I’ll get back into biking again, so I would get a new bike computer.
Wahoo Elmnt because I did not know my garmin 500 died until the 24th….. too late for last minute gift.
I’d go for a garmin bike computer. 810 maybe.
I’m tired of dead Garmins, so I would like a new Wahoo puter
I’d get a VivoFit Jr for my daughter and VivoSmart HR+ for me
Wahoo ELEMNT is what I’d get; a nice alternative to the Garmin bike computers.
Something shiny and Garmin
I’d get a simple bike computer for sure (like an Edge 25) and maybe foot pods to get better data about my running when I’m on a treadmill during the winter.
The new Fenix HR would work quite nicely.
I’d get the Garmin 1000 bike computer as my 810 is being way too flakey.