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!
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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.
Can’t stop looking at those fancy looking Garmin Chronos watches, but holding out hope for a nice Fenix 4 at CES, keeping fingers and toes crossed!
I would probably go for the GoPro Hero5 Black to film my next enduro adventures in Ecuador !
I would take Garmin HRM tri & HRM swim and some other stuff for my bike. Thanks, Ray!
I want to upgrade my chainrings to Sram 11-speed on my Quarq Cinqo power meter, which otherwise still works fine, but I’ll need to have someone do it who knows how to calibrate the new rings, which isn’t an easy or cheap endeavor here in Germany, or at least not as cheap as it would be back home in NYC. So yeah, that’s what I’d do with $500, and if I had a little geld left over I might buy some lights, because it’s dark here in northern Europe.
A new Go Pro Hero 5 to update my original one!
I want a Suunto Spartan. Just to try.
I’d probably start with a Fitbit Charge 2 for my wife and add a powermeter for myself
Hoping to get a Vivoactive if I got the voucher.
New Garmin running watch to replace the old one.
I’d get a p1 powertap pedal power meter since I need too equip a bike with power
I’d take a Garmin 520 bike computer and some sunnies thanks DC.
Maybe the Tacx Flux (next to the Neo I already own) so my girlfriend and I can zwift together.
I would like to get the Garmin Vivomove Classic Activity Tracker with Leather Band so I can continue on with my fitness goals in 2017. Thanks for the chance! :)
Garmin 735XT or Fenix3 to replace my old 910XT
Got to be a 920xt, 2017 there’s a full ironman distance on the horizon!
I’ve lost my SJ4000 so new GoPro 5 would be a great upgrade.
A Garmin 735xt for my logging my runs
New smart trainer or activity tracker!
Probably get a Fenix 3 HR. Hopefully that will motivate me to run.
I would get a new fitness watch for my wife. Let’s go for a new Garmin Forerunner 235 :)
A Garmin 520 or 820. My 500 is about to give up the ghost.
I would upgrade to a Garmin Forerunner 630 HRM bundle for the advanced running dynamica.
Would love an upgraded V800 with good optical HR to upgrade from my M400… as that does not seem available (yet?), then I would settle for F3 HR :-)
For me Garmin 920xt
A Garmin Fenix 3 to track my montain adventures! :-D
probably the P1 pedals
I’m looking at the Garmin FR 735XT… Simply because Santa decided to keep it for himself!
For myself I’d buy a tacx vortex smart or a Garmin forerunner 735xt. The girl could get a Garmin vivoactive hr.
Definitely the GoPro Hero 5, because my last action cam has never returned after I sent it in for repair, and the supplier went broke.
For sure a power meter. I would really like to measure my rides and see (hopefully) progress.
Pioneer shimano dura ace 9100 power meter cranck arm.
So I can order a 2017 bike to get new energy to enhance my cycling
I’d get a Garmin Edge 520 for the decent mapping as my old Garmin can’t do mapping and I’m getting tired of pulling my phone out to check Google maps when cycling unfamiliar routes!
BIKND Jetpack Bike Travel Case so I can explore the world and take my bike with me.
GARMIN 735XT to kick start my tri career
I would go for a Garmin Edge 1000 or Polar V650 to get finally a GPS for the bike.
O would definitely choose Withings Body Cardio – I wanted it but… Additional shoes would be also great:)
Fenix 3, my 910 just bit the dust.
I’dget a better gps watch for running like the Garmin Fenix 3 HR
A powermeter for my racing bike. It has been sitting on my wishlist for months.
So much cool stuff, probably a nice Garmin watch of a new GoPro. Fingers crossed…
I’d get a stages power meter to save me from constantly changing batteries on my limits meter.
I’d get myself a nice Garmin Vivoactive HR so I could develop an app for it!
I would love a Garmin 735 To accompany me on my runs..
I would go for a tacx flux!
I’d get me a Garmin Fēnix 3 to go with my Stryd foot pod or the latest GoPro!
Probably a running watch…
I need to get myself a GoPro Hero5 Black, to capture all the over the bars mountain biking crashes that keep happening
I didn’t get a Spartan ultra because it is too expensive
I think I would go for a Garmin Virb….
Hey Ray,
I’d definitely go for a powermeter!
This or some new trainers as the old ones are pretty worn out..
Good look for everyone!
Holger
I will wait for a little bit until Ray reviews the Fenix 5 :)
New bike computer with navigation
I’d love to grab a power meter, still more inclined toward the bePro power meter just given the price point :)
I’ve spent last six months on researching which GPS watch to buy. I’ve read numerous articles, went through tons of forums etc. And what’s most annoying, I’ve treated all friends around with my thoughts and concerns on certain products. In the end, considering all pros, cons and price of course, I ended up with Garmin FR35, while three of my friends got the Fenix 3, saying that I was talking so much of it awesomeness that they just couldn’t let go:) So, I’d for sure grab a Fenix 3 HR Sapphire to not stand out from the pack!
I’d love a new GoPro for my drone
I would go for my first power meter
I’d get a Garmin Forerunner 735XT so I could pretend to be a real triathlete (again) :-) .
I’d buy a Powermeter or an indoor trainer …
It’s time for a new power meter
GoPro hero is what I’d pick up.
I’d get a smart trainer to put in the training, even if outside is raining cats and dogs!
for sure a garmin powermeter!
I would get a Garmin Fenix 3 HR to upgrade current watch ;)
most prob Scosche RHYTHM+ Armband Heart Rate Monitor x 2 and some other goodies.
I would love to have a watch with optical heart rate measurement.
I would like to by a nice Suunto GPS watch.
A set of PowerTap P1 pedals
I would get the GoPro Hero 5, something I’d really like.
Garmin Fenix 3 because I could use the optical heart rate sensor!
I think I’ll drop in some extra cash for a Garmin Fenix 3 HR.
For monitoring rest-HR and making sure I walk off those Xmas calories
Oh, a power meter, or a Garmin 920XT, or a Fenix 3. So much to choose from…
I’d get the Garmin 735 because of its built-in HR monitor!
I’d probably get a Garmin VIRB Ultra because of the ease of using the metrics.
So many things to choose from but I am in the market for an Index so that would be nice :)
See you in Oz
Without a doubt it would have to be a Power Meter for the bike. Recently started training with power on a Wattbike at the gym and (unlike many other training metrics) I actually feel like I’m making progress chasing power numbers.
GoPro Hero Black to capture my kids’ on the slopes!
Apple watch
I would get a power meter because I don’t want to “guess my numbers” anymore.
Some crank power meter or other, would be just the ticket.
Dear Ray, would love to replace the Vicoactive for Jane with Vivoactive HR. Liking the vertical format of the display.
I’d like the $500 gift card to buy my wife a new Garmin running watch.
I would put the credit toward a new smart trainer and then join in on some sufferfest sessions
I would get the Garmin Fenix or something better!
I definitely need a new Garmin F3 – mine has been exposed to far too much to keep it looking good into 2017
I really should get a new trainer for the winter. I don’t know which, but 500$ should be enough :)
A Fenix 3 would be nice!
Go pro hero 5
The present would be a top of the line multisportswatch so there is absolutely not one single excuses available to me why I should not be running and swimming next to my bikeriding..
So that would be it..
Easy – didnt get anything : (
An upgrade for my shimano 105 group!
I would get the Lezyne Super GPS so I can beat the sh*t out of that Strava segment…
Watch
I would use the credit towards a new Wahoo Kickr.
new Trainer would be fine : )
The GoPro Hero Black 5!
I’d get a fr 630 to upgrade my 620.
Laufuhr, Trainer
A powermeter
I would wait for the Garmin Fenix 4 (or how Garmins upcoming watch will be named)
I’d have to go with the GoPro hero 5 black since I dunked mine in the ocean with the wrong housing on it!