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.
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.
How about a Garmin Edge 500!
Spartan ultra – need more choice in this space
A Cycliq Fly6 and Fly12.
Would be torn between a power meter and various add-ons for my 920xt (quick release, HRM, cadence monitor)
Garmin Fenix 3 HR – really want this watch after trying a friends but can’t quite afford it myself.
Garmin 520. Need a cycling computer and these sound pretty nice
Hi,
I wish I can get Garmin Fenix 3, it doesn’t matter the HRM bundle only or the Sapphire.
So far, I’ve been try some on sportwatch by borrow it from my friend but never had my own. After reading all the review and asking some friends, Garmin Fenix 3 was the best and what I need so far. Since I want to expand my running experience and want try the triathlon too.
So best wishes for me :)
power meter: for ‘controlled’ training…
Latest multisport Garmin.
I’d probably get a power meter of some sort. I have no idea which one because I’ve never actually shopped for power meters because they’re so insanely expensive it just seemed like a waste of time since I don’t make 6 figures and light my cigars with $100 bills. I hope I win!
I’d get the Garmin Fenix 3 hr, no doubt!
Suunto Ambit 3 Vertical – because I don’t have a GPS watch and training with my phone become really inconvenient at some point. Plus, tracking a 6 hour trail run with the phone is hit and miss. Actually mostly miss ?
Would take a Gopro Hero 5. Was on my wish list but got a kitchen machine
One can’t have too many power meters right?
a fenix 3 to keep track of my paddling some days stop me getting lost in the bush other days…
Probably a Fenix 3 HR. I’ve got a different Garmin but I really want one with a barometric altimeter. Or maybe an Ambit3 and some socks.
Blood pressure monitor would be nice!
I would get a Garmin Fenix 3 HR to replace my current running watch.
Go Pro Hero 5 black so I can do underwater video taping to better help coach my triathletes and swimmers that I coach.
Stryd power sensor, to start training in a new way.
I need a power meter for my training. I’m thinking about Stages one
And upgrade to my faltering 910xt. Probably the F3HR.
Thanks for offering this giveaway! I’d either get a bike trainer or a new Garmin.
I really want a power meter :)
I would buy a Tacx Flux.
Go Pro Hero 5 black, I’ve been wanting to snag a go pro for a few years now. This is the iteration that’s had finally tipped me into seriously looking at getting one.
Probably an action cam like Hero 5 Black.
I sold my 910xt for the Fenix 2 at release.. big mistake. It died a month ago so I’m running with my phone for now. I don’t know what is the latest and greatest of the moment but I would probably get that.
If I had $500 to smack around I’d probably get the wife a 735 and steal her 230. Who cares if it’s purple ?
power meter for sure
A gopro would be so nice. ?
Garmin Fenix 3 for skiing!
Waiting for the Fenix 5?
A Garmin 520 because I need a new one
Smart trainer, almost done with PT and time to hop back on.
I Love the GoPro Hero5
I would get a new trainer to replace my old cycleops…
An Edge 820 because my 510 is dying on me.
Probably would get a new trainer! The old one is getting a bit long in the tooth.
The Fenix 2017 to run with Stryd
I think I’d like to get the new Garmin Edge 820. Don’t know why. I’m happy with the 520, and I don’t think the touchscreen will be as good as an “iPhone”. Or perhaps the Fenxi 3 replacement. Maybe I just need to be content and train more. The odds of me winning the prize are astronomical. Thanks anyway! :-)
I would also go for Powertap PM…becouse my gf forgot about this one. Who needs sooo many so socks as i got this year:)
Some kind of bike computer, Garmin likely, since the cold weather zaps the life out of my iPhone battery while riding.
A quark dzero for the tri bike! Swapping the existing crank between roadie and tri bike a few times a week is getting suuuuuper old.
a trainer, probably…
GoPro Hero5 Black record my TT races in awesome quality!
A Garmin 520 my old one just gave up the other Day.
I’d order the new Go Pro and accessories.
Ah, it would be a Suunto Spartan for sure!
DJI Mavik not available yet
I would get some kind of power meter(not decided exact model yet).
Why – to get the best out of my tiny volume of training.
I would go for the Garmin Edge 820 because my Edge 1000 has seen better days.
A Garmin 735xt! I would love to have a triathlon watch that I can wear all day as well.
A bike computer. Or a GPS watch with an optical HRM.
garmin 735xt cayse my 910xt has seen better days!
new sporttester Polar m400 or v800, because my old Polar S710 is too old :D, but still function
I would love to have a tacx flux. Now using a tacx smart trainer which is not compatible with anything. Have to manually match power curves to other trainers to get it to work with trainerroad and zwift. Is killing part of the fun.
Fenix 3, so I could be a baller.
A Fenix 3 HR, no heart rate strap :)
Stages power meter. To see what a useless cyclist I am.
Probably a bike trainer and the new podium trainer desk you just wrote about. That was very cool!
Tacx Flux Smart Cycling Trainer for winter
I’d get a Garmin Virb. Then I could while away the hours fiddling with my ride videos…
I’d get a powerful c1 cranks, thanks
a smart trainer or the new virb ultra
garmin vivoactive hr, would give it to my wife, she wanted to try something like this
Didn’t get a power metre cause I couldn’t afford to gift one to myself.
Probably a 820
Always wanted to know my running style… thus – RunScribe!
It would be awesome to get a new trainer, as my old bkool pro just went under, and died, sort of. So I’m thinking about getting a new tacx roller, that holds my wheel in place, not like the bkool. Or maybe a power meter. Im not really sure.
i could use a new gps watch. garmin 920xt is still looking good. or possibly the forerunner 630? i don’t like the optical heart rate sensors and most of the new watches have those.
I would get a GPS watch to track all my activity, not only the ones I do on the bike!
what i need most is a bike computer, and id have to go Wahoo.
but what i want (but dont need) is a Fenix 3 to replace my tri watch
I’d get a New Kickr beacause I’d like a trainer I can use my Trek mountain bike on.
✌?
I would like to get a power meter, like the P1.
Greetz
Put it toward a Garmin Chonos. Why? Because why not.
Some trainer would be nice.
Tacx Neo. I would love to be able to train indoors.
The Tacx Flux Trainer!
Power tap p1s, I want to train with power!
Mmm, I think I’d get a new bike computer – to replace my fairly ancient Edge 500. Probably the 520. And more socks is always nice!
Didn’t get the bike computer I wanted. Definitly need one for my 5-6 hour training sessions!
A smart trainer for me. A quiet one to use in my flat.
A Fenix 3…920 just so d*rn ugly…
i would like a Garmin Fenix or a powermeter
An aero wheelset as mine is defect.
A trainer for my bike, so I can work on my cycling technique at any time. :)
I want to be like Ray and have multiple bike smart trainers so the wife and I can enjoy a stroll through Watopia or enjoy a friendly Zwift Race!
Wahoo kickr- because you asked :-)
My long awaited Garmin edge 820 didn’t arrive :(
It’s time to change my old 910xt to the 735xt
Looking for a powemeter like the 4iiiis and a simple ant+by speed/cadence rig
And a new strap for my fenix 3 since it broke within the 1 year, but isn’t covered under warranty
I’d choose Garmin fenix 3 because it seems to be pretty much the best GPS watch at the moment in 500USD category..
I would like to get the Garmin 820 als New bike computer or tacx flux biketrainer for indoor training for getting ready to Climb my first mountain in 2017 :-)
Fenix watch or something equivalent to kick off 2017 training year.
A bike computer, pretty please!
A new power meter for my new bike
I would probably get the varia just to see what it is all about. Or some running clothes. Probably need that more.
The Fenix rises soon again…
Garmin Edge 820 is on top of my list right now, the 735xt is a bit to small for my likening as a bike computer.
A 4iiii power meter sure would put a smile on my face!