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!
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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.
Martti
I like Garmin Forerunner 630
I would go for a polar v650 with cadence and speed sensors
Garmin Virb 30 – because ½ dozen action cams aren’t enough & there are new features in the 30 that I don’t have in my first gen Virb Elites, namely voice control & higher resolution, especially in slo-mo range.
I will probably upgrade my aging Garmin for a newer model.
Probably one of the newer action cams.
I would get an action cam for my bike to track all the cycling events i do for the new year!
New trainer or new watch
Replace my husband’s a garmin 235 watch that was destroyed in bike accident…! Merry Christmas Ray.
A 735 to replace my 920
new bike trainer for me…
Wish i’d get a power meter.. It’d be crazy
I would like to get a Fenix 3 HR to get my running metrics :)
A watch or something
A smart trainer- definitely! Probably the BKool, Tacx or Kickr Snap
I’m on the verge of purchasing a Garmin Index Smart Scale anyway (and via one of your links so you get credit for it), so I’d love to win one and save the $$.
A garmin 520 or a Tacx Vortex
Hi, I would probably use it for a hero 5 session to complement or hero 4 while skiing!
Been wanting a power meter for years. They’re finally cheap enough!
A new power meter!
If I win it’s time to upgrade my watch. Probably a fenix 3.
Well a new trainer might be the thing, maybe an Edge, so I am lost a bit less.
i would go for a tacx neo. to ramp up that winter training as prep for a century ride in june.
A new Garmin Fenix watch.
Need a new Garmin!
I got what I wanted but 500$ would go a ways in equipping the wife!
I’d probably go for a Garmin 735.
I’d go for a Tacx Vortex to avoid those rainy and dark days in the Netherlands
Living in a big and chaotic city makes it too difficult and dangerous for practicing my favorite hobby, cycling, and I really really miss it.
So I’d definitely pick up a smart trainer to finally solve this problem of mine and have some fun again ?
i’d go for one of the fancy trainers to help build a pain cave.
Fenix 3! No need to state the obvious :D
Maybe put a dent in a nice power meter
Garman 735 just because you can never gather too much data
I’d go with the Garmin 1000 (the 820 has too many issues). I want notifications on my bike computer!
I want a Garmin Virb ultra 30. Need it for all my mountain bike adventures.
I would love to upgrade my watch– something Suunto probably! Good luck everyone!
P1 pedals for sure!
Probably a Garmin 820 maybe!
Want Garmin 820
I would get 200 gel packs. And maybe some gloves.
I’d love an Edge 520. As I get more in to cycling it would be awesome to have Strava live segment support. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would Love a new trainer, or a power meter, any of those will help me to improve:)
My 305 is getting very long in the tooth, a new training watch would be great.
Power meter definitely as my Stages (V2) is quite a disappointment.
Fenix3 would be awesome. maybe with HR, kind of tired of m400 with separate HR strap
I would like a fr720 for my first Triathlon!
I would like the best Go Pro I can get. I would love it for running.
I’d buy the garmin fenix Chronos! Very fancy!
Powermeter!!!!!!!!
Powermeter for the new TT bike
I’d put it toward a Tacx Flux smart trainer because I HATE winter!
Pioneer power meter
I would get the Garmin Forerunner 735XT multisport watch to help training for my first marathon but still get ready for future possible triathlon adventures.
Just bought a Vivoactive HR over black Friday, so I’d probably buy a Garmin 820 for my bike
Power meter, probably a powertap!
Garmin Watch
I’d get… NOTHING. I’d give the credit away to my amazing sister Lizzie Tench who is a para triathlete so she could get something she needs to keep competing.
A new Garmin 630 to have that fancy new race app.
I would get a garmin Fenix 3 HR so I don’t have to wear my old Fenix and my vivismart hr when I am running or hiking.
I would get a Garmin 735XT to encourage my recent running revival (and get me back to cycling and swimming more).
I’m looking to either get a new GoPro or maybe finally get that trainer…
I’d put it toward a Smart Trainer
Oh the choices.. Certainly a heart rate monitor, some compression gear and running/cycling sunglasses…
I would get a head lamp and a pair of runners– you can never have too many runners!
I’d love a Fenix 3 for training to run with my brother!
New Fenix watch for trail running.
Would get a bike trainer to do some more cycling while waiting for the snow to thaw!
I would buy a Garmin Fenix 3 to replace my aging 310xt.
Probably a Garmin Fenix HR, so I can get my HR on!
I’d love to have a bike trainer for this winter
I’d put the money towards the Powertap P1 pedals. I need to prove to myself that I could go harder!
Definitely a Garmin Fenix 3! It does everything!
If I were to win, I’d probably buy a new Fenix watch. I’ve been eyeing the white/rose gold combo for awhile.
I’d be putting it towards a power meter. Or a Fenix 3
I would buy the Garmin VIRB Ultra 30.
I would really like a Garmin Fenix 3. I’m suffering from Leukemia and it’s time to take charge of my workouts and track my progress.
Fenix 3 for training and notifications!
Not sure what I’d get exactly but I’m sure ai could find something to buy
Id’d purchase a bike computer, ready for the Spring. I’ve been using a Garmin 235 watch up till now, so i’d probably go for a Garmin 520 or 820 computer.
Would like to get Wahoo Elemnt
My guess is that I would look into a new Garmin watch.
I’d probably be looking at a smart trainer. I’m moving to Minnesota and will need something to ride during the long cold winter.
That would be a Garmin 735xt as my first equipment since focussing on triathlon (I already had a bike, running shoes, a swimsuit and a phone)…..
Probably get a Fenix 3 HR so I don’t have to deal with heart rate straps any more.
I’d probably get a power meter or HRM swim trap. Since I already got the $199 Gramin 920 as the holiday gift, these two are the missing pieces.
probably a trainer for cold european winter :-)
I would like a new trainer or an assortment of cycling goodies to motivate me through the cold winter months.
I’d take a Fenix 3, doesn’t even need to be the Fenix 3 HR. But I’ve got a 50 miler coming up in April and my ancient 310 XT just isn’t cutting it anymore.
I would probably get powermeter for my bike!
I am planing to by a Garmin Multisports Watch, maybe the Fenix 3 or the 735.
Rotor Powermeter
I would love to have GoPro camera to video activities as well as the family and kids doing crazy stuff.
New running watch with optical heart rate monitor so that I don’t have to run with my heavy Tri watch in order to get splits.
I would love a new Garmin running watch.
I would love to have a powermeter
A gps watch that has longer battery life than my current one – would like to not have to use multiple watches in a race.
Well my wife sure could use a power meter
Garmin 520 because I don’t have a bike computer. And I want a bike computer.
Crossing my fingers. I would grab a Garmin Edge 520!
The Garmin Fenix 3 HR bundle
I would put it towards PowerTap P1 pedals
I would get a fenix 3 fore my wife? Because she deserves it