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.
I will be looking at a trainer.
I would go for the 735XT or some shiny new CES gadget….
I will get a Garmin edge 820, it is the best cycling computer today!
I would probably get a power meter.
I would definitely get a wahoo kickr snap or CycleOps Magnus. My husband and I are in the market for a smart trainer.
I’d get a GoPro Hero 5 Black for our upcoming trip to Normandy in June!
I already got a Garmin 735XT from Santa..so the main thing missing to my gear now is a power meter. Which will help me train better for the upcoming triathlons.
A smart trainer!
Not sure what I would choose, but I’m sure I will be able to decide among all the great choices if I win.
I am ready for a WIFI scale.
I’d probably go for a Polar M600 or V800 watch. I am a big polar fan, and my current original loop is fast approaching three years old and has taken a beating.
I would get a smart watch–not sure what kind.
I’d go with one of the new GoPro’s cameras :)
I’d love the new GoPro Hero5 Black
735xt! Seems like that is the multi sport watch to beat right now
I’d like to get Elite Arion Digital Smart B+ Smart Rollers.
Thanks!
I think I’d like A GoPro. Start documenting my ultras
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR or put it toward a trainer.
Merry Christmas!
A new power meter so I don’t have to switch cranks between bikes.
I would go for the new garmin 800 series bike computer. My computer just died and I am moving to a different state. So the mapping feature would be wonderful while I learn the area.
I would go for a fitness watch.
Velocomp Powerpod
A Garmin watch will be a nice present
I didn’t get the Fenix 3 because I wanted to wait to see what Garmin has at CES.
I got a Tickr and a WF S/C sensor but I’d really needed some new shorts and jerseys.
Hi Ray,
I’d use it towards buying a powermeter. Ironman training has started, and it’d help me big time!
Edwin
A new gps watch
I’d go for one of the garmin watches, but smaller than F3 for my girl, so I can check who’s got more steps :)
I’d get Fenix 3 HR for sure
A power meter perhaps
Either a Fenix 3 or a smart trainer. Happy holidays! Thanks for another year of great content.
A new smart trainer is on my mind – winter is here.
Oh!. A power meter, oh please! Happy New Year everyone!
I’d probably buy a new Garmin for my racing bike.
I would go a pair of GPS watch
I’d probably treat my partner to a belated Christmas present, a Garmin Vivoactive HR to replace her aging TomTom cardio run…
With this gift, I’m putting in a swimming pool! And if there’s enough left over, I’m gonna fly you all down here to help me dedicate it.
Power meter. To add some power to my ride.
After the Zwift review I would definitely put it towards a smart trainer. Probably the Wahoo Kickr Snap.
I’d get the PowerTap C1 because I have been wanting a power meter for a long time.
A new Garmin Edge to start. The 500 is coming towards the end and is randomly losing signal.
A new trainer.
Maybe the M600. It could never be my do-it-all running watch, but I’d use it for the music from time to time.
GoPro…because the ocean now owns my last one! I will also be buying the flotation case this time.
I would get PowerTap P1 pedals!
I would get a Data geeks Dream: A Powermeter
I’d give the gift of (near) silence to my wife with a Tacx Neo
I would get a Garmin 735XT
Likely the Garmin 735xt
I would get the Garmin Edge 820 to replace the one I currently have that is going on 7 years old.
I would love a powermeter, so that I wouldn’t need to struggle to read my perceive effort whilegasping for breath all in the midst of avoiding trucks and cars on my training rides! Haha!
I’d grab a Garmin Edge 520 for my girl !
I’d love a Tacx Neo for some winter training
id score a power meter!
Likely a Garmin edge – 520 perhaps
definitely a bike trainer! feeling very cooped but by this winter weather
I would get a go pro hero5 just because I like movie making and I only own a big DSLR
A trainer because it simply seems cool to have!
I would probably go for a new trainer. I have a dumb trainer right now, so a smart trainer would be just what I need.
GoPro Hero5 Black. Wanna make some amazing underwater shoots!
I’d get a Tacx Neo Smart home trainer. I live in Poland and the weather is not “optimal” for outdoor training and this way I hope to keep my condition at least at par.
New trainer so I can train this winter.
Fenix 3 as I start to bring myself back to running.
I’d prefer Garmin Forerunner 735XT for my challenges in 2017
Garmin 735xt because I need a multi sports watch
I could use a new trainer. As much as I love my 8 year old no-name, I wouldnt mind feeling a bit more secure as I ride.
i want another fr25 with hrm. just bought one before christmas, ill give the other to my brother and keep the hrm.
I probably would wait for the next generation Garmin watches and snag what comes after the FR 235.
A 4iiii Precision power meter would have been nice, but a new HR KickR was under the Christmast tree ☺
I don’t really need anything, but I wouldn’t say no to a new 920XT….
Power Meter for sure.
Would love to get the Garmin 520
I’d get a Garmin Fenix 3, as an upgrade to my Fenix 2.
Definitely get a new Garmin, probably a Fenix 3.
I’d use the money to put a big dent into the cost of a Quarq
Definitely a power meter. Riding on my trainer in the cold winter months has me spoiled- I need to have power when I ride outdoors too!
I’d love to invest in a new trainer, so the son and I could train together.
I would get a Powertap P1 or a Tacx Vortex Smart
I wanted to get a Fenix 3 HR Sapphire, but couldn’t stretch to it.
It would be handy for everything I don’t use my Garmin 810 for.
I am thinking a Fenix3 would work well for my 2017 season of marathons and ultras.
I’d get a drone – the new mavic would be awesome.
Probably get a new watch. New year goals.
A power meter, probably because it’s too expensive.
4iiii power meter for my gravel bike. Can’t have too many power meters!
Garmin fenix 5. Need a new watch
A Garmin vector pedal so I can train with power, then my friends will leave me alone about training harder :)
I would get a new headunit for the bike. im thinking a garmin or lyzene
Indoor bike trainer to get me through a Minnesota winter.
I’d get the Gopro Hero5, for filming anything from my bike holidays at lake Garda, to via ferratas in the Dolomites.
I would totally spend that on a 4iiii Power Meter crank arm for my wife’s bike!
Garmin Fenix3. Need an upgrade.
Probably a Fenix 3 Or an additional Virb Ultra
I’m hoping to get a new GPS with wrist based HRM or even a Scosche rhythm plus. I’m totally over the chest strap scars.
I would probably get the new Fitbit Charge 2 to replace my old and beat up Charge HR
I would love a Fenix Chronos
I’d get a Garmin Edge (520 or 820) because, I was hoping to get it as a present this year but got something else.
A fenix 3 to replace my “old school” fenix 1.
GoPro Hero Session to get more frequent swim analysis from the ol’ coach.
I’d have to say, the new Garmin VIRB Ultra looks pretty nice! It’d be fun to document some of the great places to run around my neck of the woods.
I can’t decide. I want a running/multi-sport watch (with HR – not the chest strap kind), but at the same time, I’ve been thinking about giving rollers a try (I’ve tried the trainer thing, and I hate how rigid it is, I’m hoping rollers are better).