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.
Some triathlon watch. Either the fenix 3 hr or the fr 735 because I want the 24/7 hr as well.
I’d go for the hero5 since I have an adventure coming in the near future.
Good job with the blog Ray!
Garmin 920 or 735 to replace my 310
A 735 would be nice. Or maybe a new power meter.
I’d probably put it towards a Neo, so my neighbors don’t hate me any more when I use the trainer.
Moved to Colorado and need a bike computer for my new mountain bike.
A Garmin that can track swimming! I desperately need a push to spend more time in the water!
Seeing as I don’t ride much anymore (new dad and riding just takes too much time); a Kickr would really help in the indoor training department!
Power tap pedals because they can be used easily from bike to bike.
a camera
Garmin Edge for cycling
Would love a Garmin Edge 1000. I have a Edge 520, but I am missing the touch screen I used to have on my Edge 800
I’d go for a power meter…maybe a Quarq?
I’d start with a Garmin Tri HR strap to measure heart rate while swimming. From there, I’d pick up some replacement gear, new tri shorts, tops, etc.
I would really love a Garmin Vector 2S and would pony up the difference. However, any power meter within the contest budget would be awesome!
Probably a Garmin Forerunner with a HR sensor in the watch.. maybe.. or a 920xt?
I really need a new GPS watch. I am holding my old device together with bandaids. I would get the Garmin FR 735xt.
Need a new trainer for the slick winter!
Probably a trainer as it will help when working away
Power meter to take my training to the next level! Thanks and happy holidays!
Wahoo kickr snap. I live in Portland and it rains a lot
New farming watch with hr built in or a power meter.
I’d get either the Garmin 820 or the Wahoo Elemnt. My old 510 is a bit behind the times but is still working. Who knows how long that will continue?
I’d get a Garmin Fenix 3 sapphire so I can brick in the morning but go to a wedding at 5.
Garmin virb ultra 30. Need a new camera after my one drowned at cinque terre. This one looks perfect!
Edge 820 – because my Edge 800 is on its last legs and needs retiring soon.
For myself, probably a gopro session, or perhaps a dinner, but really, if u win and could find a way, I’d love to donate the money to a charity… Either for a prader willi syndrome charity, for a deaf support charity or to support the refugees from Syria. Maybe split between all three. They need the support more than I need an action camera… :)
I would probably pick up the Fenix 3 HR. My Fenix 2 is starting to act up.
I’d probably go for the garmin’s new edge 820.
Either a power meter or action would be my choice.
Either a Garmin Forerunner 735XT or EDGE 520M decisions!!!
so much choice so little budget :)
but probably an edge for on the bike, or a power meter.
I would get a Fenix 3 GPS watch for running and backcountry pursuits.
Garmin 735xt. Would use it for training for my 1st Olympic distance triathlon
Fenix 3
A Garmin running watch would be a cool way to start the year
Would get a powermeter of some type – just not sure what type yet.
I share The original Vector pedals across two bikes. I can’t really justify purchasing the PowerTap P1 so that each bike would have its own power meter. But if I were to win a $500 discount, it would be doable!
I’d get a pair of cycling shoes and pedals. I’m getting into cycling and really enjoying it but so far I’ve only been using caged pedals and being a student I don’t have much money to spare. So if I could win some pedals and shoes It’d be quite the Christmas(late) miracle.
A power meter. P1 if I can convince the boss to let me spend the extra.
SRAM RED eTap Aero Kit – the *only* missing part of my new tri bike!
It really scares me when I type in the wrong email address and some othe dudes face pops up!
Would love an action cam to film some mountain biking and our family adventures.
Would love to purchase the Garmin edge 1000 to have maps for random excursions
I just got a trainer a week ago (bad timing on my part), so I would probably look at a GoPro or new watch.
I’d love to start training with power this year. Probably PowerTap P1 or Polar/Look units.
A Fenix 3 would be nice.
I would order a Fenix 3 HR
Definetely get the Elite Arion Digital Smart B+ Smart Roller
A Quark power meter. Time to take my training to the next level!
Garmin 735XT because I need an incentive to trading for my first triathlon
Powertap p1 to improve my training
Garmin 520!
I wanted a Garmin Edge 820, but too steep of price to ask family members to pony up for it.
I’d buy a new powermeter, to replace my Stages.
Powerpod and/or upgrade my Fenix 3 to the HR edition :)
I’d probably go for a new smart trainer as my old one is dumb as …
Fenix 3 HR. I missed the holiday sale.
A trainer (no idea which one at this point!) to help me prepare for a summer triathlon
735xt – definitely don’t need it, but then I can use one, and I don’t need the 235 and the swim
A Fenix 3 HR. Tired of having to drag the heart rate strap out all the time…
GoPro for sure. They are still the best camera for backpacking.
I’d get a Fenix 3 because you know why not go all out in the wrist based GPS deal?
Happy new year to you and your family!
Like many others have said, I’d get a power meter–PowerTap C1 to be precise. I currently don’t have one, can’t afford one, but desperately need one.
I’d go for Gopro Hero5 Black. It is awesome!
Been trying to get a fennix 3 for two christmases now……got Afib and need a great watch to keep track of that pesky heart rate!
Garmin 735XT to try out HR Strap-less running
Power meter. I’m still riding in the dark ages .
Been hoping to get a power training device for a while. Still not sure which though
A powermeter, in my case PowerTap P1 pedals. Or a new version, if it does come out soon, of Vivoactive HR.
Garmin Edge 1000, most likely.
An activity tracker watch, probably a Garmin to partner my cycling computer when not riding
Would get a Fenix hr for a training watch.
I’ll buy a oneplus 3t….
Gopro for family sport stories
A new Garmin watch
Garmin F3. Looking forward to the new SUP mode, as 50% of my workouts are spend on water.
I’d like a new fenix 3 HR
Probably a power tap p1 pedals. Would love to start training with power.
I would get the fenix watch from garmin. Because it looks so great
Maybe a fr 735 for triathlon training
garmin f3 hr – having f3 but missing the hr – happy holidaya
Powertap P1 Single Side Power Meter. Not so expensive as Dual P1, but useful gadget to improve my training.
I would love to buy a smart trainer
Something power related. A Powerpod maybe. Or just bite the bullet and go the Powertap P1’s. Something I can shift between the road and TT bikes.
Poweramp P1
Powertap C1 for my commute bike so I can run power on 2 bikes
I’d love a Powertap p1. Have always wanted a power meter!
I would probably go all in and get a tacx neo
Powertap P1 petals so I can swap them between my bikes.
Would love a Fenix 3 HR because my heart rate strap died and I don’t want to buy a new one! LOL
A Garmin 520 my old one bit the dust.
F3HR, 735XT or 920XT to replace my FR225 for better race integration (no more heart rate tcx+gps tcx merge)
Fenix 3 HR, an upgrade for my old triathlon watch
I would like to get a 4iiii precision power meter. I’ve always wanted a power meter although I know the numbers coming out from it may be a little embarrassing at the moment
For sure would get the Garmin 735xt. Its time to say goodbye to the old 910xt
I would like to get a P1 power meter pedal!
I’d probably go for the Fenix 3 HR.
probably a proper bike computer… finally got fed up using running watches for rides.
I would consider either a power meter or some component upgrades like pedals, shoes, etc. Fingers crossed.