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.
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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!
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.
Garmin Fenix 3 with the optical HR option.
That includes all the features I need
I’d get the forerunner 735. I’m hoping to do a big tri this year and could use a watch that helps with the pool!
Vector 2 pedals. $500 would certainly help put those on my bike
I already support you and I am subscribed. You are my go to source for info on latest equipment.
A Garmin 820 and if the budget stretches a GoPro as well! ???
Probably a garmin 735
I would put this towards a power meter or towards a new Wahoo Kickr!
Definitely upgrade the head unit to a Garmin 820 or a GoPro! Thanks for doing these Ray!
I guess a Fenix 3 HR!
A Powertap C1 because I’m still kicking myself for not pulling the trigger on a one day deal that came up before Xmas.
Garmin 735 :) Thank you!!!
I will propably get myself a Garmin Forerunner 735 as I’m getting tired of my old 910xt.
I love GArmin, so I want a FR 735xt, to complete the collection.
I would love garmin 735
Wahoo elemnt. Jump off the Garmin bandwagon
Hi, I’d love a garmin edge 820 cycling computer so maybe I won’t keep getting lost.
I’d like to get a new trainer please
Hmmm, this is tough. Any one of the following: Tacx smart trainer–I’m moving in January and will have more space for indoor workout equipment; GoPro HERO 5 Black–my 2 was “lost” in my move 2 years ago; Suunto Ambit3 Vertical Black HR, but only if work won’t let me bring in a Garmin Vivoactive HR (I’d use the Suunto for actual training and the Garmin for a “work” watch). :D
Definitely a Wahoo Snap… or most of a Wahoo Snap. Baby just around the corner, so training on the road for a few hours no longer an option!
Probably a trainer or some other indoor stuff for when I’m too lazy to get outdoors
Decided to step things up a bit this next year; so a new Fenix 3HR would be awesome as I train for my first marathon….But a couple of Vivofit Jr’s also look fun for my two kiddos.
Probably the android wear Polar watch, the Polar M600. Or potentially switch over to the Garmin platform… would have to do some research.
Stages ultegra
I am in dire need of a new cycling GPS – so that would be the leading contender…
I would get a power meter. Been wanting power for a while now.
This would be great for an upgrade… well santa can you give me my overdue present :)
Got my eye on a Smart Trainer… CycleOps Hammer, preferably, or maybe the Wahoo KICKR. Why? Because while it’s pretty darn good riding weather MOST of the time here in Hawaii, trainer time is still good for… you guessed it, training.
an Fenix 3 as it can do everything
Fenix 3 HR. I recently discovered the site and didn’t realize the tech I was missing. Everything comes together in the Fenix to track my life. Because after all, if it isn’t on Training Peaks, it didn’t really happen, right?
I would get the Fenix 3 HR because it is frickin bad ass.
PowerTap P1 would be my first choice…
Definitely the Garmin 735xt. I’ve been eyeballing the watch for quite some time!
Definitely a footpod and garmin edge
A trainer for my wife so we can ride Zwift together and suffer at the same time.
A new garmin running watch!
Scosche Rhythm+. I’ve been having problem with my hrm strap. Waiting for Scosche Rhythm+ to drop in price.
I would get some running shoes, a Scosche RHYTHM+ Armband Heart Rate Monitor, and a Suunto Ambit3 sport sapphire watch. :-)
I want a fenix3 for running and biking.
I want the Garmin forerunner 735. I have a 610 and want the wrist based heart rate and the ability to track hiking.
A bike power meter would be nice.
Not sure exactly, but I’ve had my eye on a Gopro hero 5 as I get back into making videos.
I would pick up a power meter to take my training / racing to the next level.
Why didnt Santa bring me a muscle oxygen sensor?
Power meter for sure
I always wanted to buy a GoPro Hero5 Black which I can shoot my trail cycling video and it’s water proof!
Hmm, so many choices, but maybe a garnin 735
A new smart trainer for my wife so she can Zwift.
An Edge 820… my 510 is getting long in the tooth
I’d pick up a Garmin Edge 520 to replace the 310XT living out its last days on my road bike
A Garmin Edge would be nice
I’d love to get a trainer – CycleOps Magnus seems decent enough. I’d love to get some training in while the kids are sleeping!
Probably a power meter!
GoPro 5!
I’d get a Garmin multisport because I want to complete a half tri and full tri in 2017
well, lets be all greedy now and ask Santa for a new bike… :)
A power meter to better focus my training.
A new Garmin–I’m afraid mine is on the way out.
New fenix 3. Time to upgrade…
Could use a refresh of some of my running shoe selection. New Altras all around!
A new Garmin watch would be nice.
A Tacx Flux trainer!
A new gps watch cause my band is coming apart on my current polar watch.
PowerTap P1 pedals – because training with Watts is critical to improvement.
Fenix or Edge … tough decision.
Down payment on a drone!
Probably would put it toward a garmin edge 520 or a power meter!!
I didn’t get a Garmin action cam! Would love to capture races and bike tours with the kids.
I’d put it towards a new smart trainer
Powertap p1 pedals. I want a system that I can even use on my family bike……..
The power is my dream! A powertape c1 and i make a feast with my mates
I guess I’d go for a go pro camera. It’s about time I jumped on one of them.
I’d like a Fenix 3 HR because I’ve started winter running and my phone doesn’t like the cold. Also, I saw someone else with one and it had a cool face with the Sufferlandrian Coat of Arms.
One of the newer Garmin Tri watches
I’d get a Fenix 3 HR because I still have some unused wrist space.
A powermeter, as it’s the missing tech from my bike.
I would likely put this toward a 735xt for my wife. She never spends money on herself and she’s still using the 305 I gave her 5 years ago.
Fenix 3 HR wound be great for me!!
I’d put it toward a wahoo cycling desk or a new group set because indoor training season is here!
I would get a 4iiii power meter.
A GoPro. I run with friends often and want to capture memories of all the miles we log together.
Well … Buy the next fenix watch !
I’d put it toward a new trainer to keep pedaling through winter!
I would probably get a new GPS watch, not so happy with my TomTom.
Likely a bike trainer
A Garmin Edge 520 and a Garmin Varia Radar emit to pair with it.
A new smart trainer for sure
I cracked the screen on my Garmin 500, so I’d be upgrading that.
Having recently started running (aiming for my first half marathon in 4 months) and using only my phone to record the runs, I’d like a Garmin Forerunner 735XT so that I can get more accurate data and just get a better idea of how I’m tracking towards my goals.
I would get a Powermeter
I’d buy 735XT to upgrade my 920
Happy Holidays Ray, The Girl, The Baby and The Dog!
Thank you so much for another giveaway! I would love to get the PowerTap P1 for training and racing Ironman events.
And Best Wishes for the New Year!
Hoping for a Fenix 5x but if the rumors don’t come to pass, an action camera and/or drone would do just nicely. Anyway, looking forward to all the goodness coming out of CES real soon.
Well, maybe the GoPro session. But, if I acutually won. I may have to put more thought into it! Fingers crossed
I would like to put it toward a fenix3 HR or the new fenix 4. Since i have heart disease and like to run it would really help ease my worries about over doing it.
I’d love to use this towards a GoPro. My old camera recently died and an action cam would be a perfect replacement.
I would love to get my wife a power meter.
I’d get a Garmin 820… Or finally throw down on a smart training… because nothing is smart about the way I go about winter in Wisconsin.
SRAM E-tap because hot damn!
Garmin Fenix 3 because it has longer batter life than my FR 220
Time for a new GPS watch!
I want a garmin 1000 bc i want to be able to sync via wireless