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’d get the Garmin Virb Ultra 30, amazing looking piece of kit
Garmin vivoactive HR watch.
Awesome giveaway! I’d really like to get a garmin fenix 3 hr to step up my running game and pursue my goal of finishing my first triathlon. this watch would help me a lot and boost my motivation. i’m lacking this a bit at the moment. greetings from germany :)
I’d get some kind of power meter to start more focused bike training.
A 735xt would do me….
A new HR watch as my current one just gave up on me. Thx!
I would love to try one of Garmin cycling GPS for my MTB rides
Would love a 735XT
I would like a new Garmin 820 to replace my 500.
I’d probably get a power smart trainer so I can start doing zwift.
I would buy the Garmin 920XT for the Triathlon season. Need something more reliable for training than what I have at the moment.
A garmin Edge 820 to go with my brand new fastroad bike Santa got down the chimney.
indoor trainer. $500 isn’t enough, but good start!
Would love to try a fitness smart watch different from Apple Watch.
A powermeter would be nice
I would get the new GoPro5 for my next diving trip!
A bike computer to go on my first road bike
new bike computer or power meter (pedals) or action cameras (front and rear)
Been injured and out of it so long, I don’t even know what I need any more. Wouldn’t mind having to decide though.
Garmin FENIX – latest version – just to up my game on my wrist!
I would get the Garmin action camera to replace the GoPro I never had !
I’m dreaming of a Fenix 3 HR…which beats the headphones I got for Xmas!
I’d get some new sunnies because it’s summer here and I’m tired of squinting when I run. And then who knows what else?! So many choices!
Really wanted a new Garmin watch but apparently what i have already is good enough…
A nice Fenix would be great ! Thanks
A new trainer for my husband and I to use to get ready for next season!
I want a second bike camera so either a Cycliq Fly6 or Gopro Hero 5 Session please?
I would use the $500 credit towards a fenix 3 watch. I love the look and all the functionality. Doing triathlons makes this the prefect watch to get.
I would like to buy a Power meter so next Xmas holidays I can tell ALL family members about my huge FTP
I’d get a scale to connect my apps because I don’t have a cheapo crappy one and I want it to enter all my info. Of course I’d have to use DC Rainmaker to research one first!
Fenixxxxxx si longtemps attendue !!!
GoPro hero 5black. Would be great for cycling adventures and family holidays
I would get the Garmin Fenix HR because it has optical HR
I would go for the gopro hero 5, so I can make movies of my kayakpolo tournaments
Fenix 3 HR. Would be great to replace my Fenix 2.
Surely gopro hero 5 black. I will be a father soon and i want to record every min of her life
I’d use it to get a new trainer to stay on track during cold Korea winters.
Any fitness item. I am a school teacher in NC (used to be in SC) . Like to show my students the importance of being healthy!
I will get a Garmin camera
Hey Ray
I’d probably get a new GoPro since mine is broken now :-(
Fenix 3 to cover the Engadin Swimrun race next summer. Amazing combination.
Fenix HR
I’d probably get a powermeter to go with the new fatbike that should be ready any day now :-). Happy Holidays and all the best in 2017!!
Any roller that can help to recover from my last injury. TACX or Cycleops would be good candidates.
I’d get a Garmin 630 with HRM package because I ❤love❤ data!!!
Fenix 3 HR to help me get back into running
A Garmin Edge 820 to help me find my way across the USA!
A power tap c1 to move between bikes.
Ooh, I’d upgrade my Garmin running watch, definitely!!
The Gopro Hero 5 is on top of my list for making the best sports movies.
Best sound and video quality in a small package
I’d get the other side for my garmin vector 2 S pedals which I got because Sue at work persuaded me that I only needed one side but now I’m not sure and I’m craving all the extra data I could be collecting if I had both of them.
Would love to get over Santa’s rejection of my number one coveted item this season by winning the Garmin 735XT. I expect it will meet all my multi-sport needs, and replace my aging Suunto that’s woefully dated at this point. Thanks for the chance!
the 4iiii power meter and at $499.99 the prize would be perfect!
I’d like to get the Wahoo KICKR SNAP for indoor workouts when the weather’s too wet, windy, or cold. Thank you! And happy New Year!
Fenix 3 – for running, swimming, biking and triathlon … but also for hiking in the Alpes
I’d get a KICKR SNAP to be able to train my climbing for Rad am Ring next year!
I would get the GoPro Karma gimble to smooth out the video on my Hero 4 Black.
Fenix 3 HR so I would only need one watch to cover all my needs
Running watch, cause don’t have one yet …
I would have the new GoPro5 black for my bike riding.
A power meter so I can work on getting my watts up while training for IMMT
Garmin 800! The incident detection would be ideal for my wife checking up on me :)
I’d use it for the new Fenix 4!!!
Hmmm. A Fenix 3. So that i can see how fast i really am while chasing my 7 year when he is on his bike.
Fenix 3 HR – my Fenix 2 is starting to feel it’s age!
A power meter for my wife so she can work on getting here watts up
I would go for one of Garmin Edge devices.
I would like to get GoPro5 just because I lost mine a week ego
I would pick a shiny new Garmin Forerunner 630 just to see if I run faster using a Russian GPS system versus a US one. And if it didn’t prove to show I was actually a faster runner than I thought, I would simply use it to read Tweets all day long as well as the DC Rainmaker Newsletter.
Garmin 820
Definately a Garmin Fenix 3 HR. It will for sure help me to reach some of my fitness goals for 2017.
I would save it to buy the new STRYD power meter for running. It would be interesting to see that as a metric for running.
Garmin 735 or maybe a Fenix 3 HR
Power meter for sure!
I would get a new controllable bike trainer.
I would love to get a set of P1 Pedals. Needs some interchangeable power for both bikes.
sadly missing a decent turbo trainer.
I would definitely be getting a Fenix 3 – gots to track and measure things.
pioneer power meter with that will fit on my caad 12.
I would definitely go for the GoPro Hero5 Black, but I’ve also been eyeing a Smart Trainer cos I’ve been hearing about Zwift from my friends and deffo have a case of the FOMO! lol
I fenix 3 and a Yeti Hopper for some cold, post race recovery adult sodas.
Fenix 3 HR, just because I have used a F2 for more than two years and … don’t know a new brand gadget will be wellcome.
I treated myself to a Tacx Vortex last month, but I’d really like a Vivoactive HR and a fancy schmancy trainer table/desk because I will be stuck indoors for a loooong time – at least until I finish making this tiny human who is due in August.
I’d put it toward a power meter
Decisions, decisions … but I think it would have to be the Garmin Forerunner 235 to motivate my running during these darkest and coldest of months … along with the Fitbit Aria WiFi Scale to remind me not to eat as if I need to hibernate!
Without a doubt I’d get an indoor trainer. It’s so cold here in Canada that training in the garage is our only option. Love the Girl version of the newsletter BTW. Happy holidays
David
Oh my goodness… I’d get a new headlamp. Or maybe a new watch. Or maybe some new fancy gadgets for my bike. Or maybe a new pair of trail shoes. Or maybe all of it!
A new GPS head unit, maybe.
I’d get a Power Meter, just cannot decide which. Hmm…
I would buy a smart trainer.
Garmin 735 XT would be pretty sweet.
Some kind of bike computer.
If I won, I would be sporting a new set of PowerTap P1 pedals
Garmin Vivoactive HR.
Fingers crossed ! Happy end ?
I ws hoping to get a new trainer, something a little more portable than the one I have now.
I’d use the credit towards a Wahoo Kickr
I’d buy a smart trainer so I can stay off the roads.
Suunto spartan trainer serait parfaite :-)
If I won, I’d buy so many CEP socks.