Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are 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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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 and Equipment 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! 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 2023 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 need a new Heart Rate Monitor. Thanks
#Allflashnodash
Smart trainer … because my coach is tired of “I am freezing in SoCal” as an excuse not to ride 4 hours in the mountains.
An action cam or 735xt.
I’d get a go pro or virb as my phone is useless
Running power meter as it’s frivolous
Dunno, a powermeter probably but who knows
I’d probably go with the Power Tap C1. I’ve been using the Power Tap Power Cal for a bit and it’s great, but I would definitely like a ‘real’ power meter for my training. ? ?
I’d get a real power meter, I have the power cal by cyclops and it works well for longer steadier efforts but a direct force meter would be on the top of my list!
Not 100% sure which one yet!
Fenix 3 so I stop getting lost in the wilderness on my hikes
A Garmin power meter
I wanted a Fenix 3 hr so my son could get my fr 235. But somehow Santa forgot….
I’d put the money towards a power meter, I’m currently training without and would love to step up my game.
Happy New Year Ray! A GoPro or new Kickr would be a treat. Thanks to you and Clever Training!
A powermeter for the bike.
With the amount of stuff they have it’ll take me a couple of weeks to decide!
I wanted the F3, but to be honest I suggested to my family that I may want to wait a couple of months in case the F4 shows up, so I don’t blame them for not getting it for me. I did end up with new shoes, cleats and pedals though.
Garmin edge 820 because my current 810 stopped working
WOW! A new Garmin 920 would look great on my wrist!
Fenix 5 or the successor of Polar V800 would be great :)
I’d get an indoor trainer with power
I’d get a GoPro 5 to create beautiful memories of our skiing holidays with friends in february
Now… A new power meter for my as-yet-unbought bike :)
I would get my wife a trainer or a better watch! She’s doing her first 70.3 next year, and didn’t register until last night…I really didn’t get her much in the way of tri training!
I’d get a Garmin Vector system for my new bike.
I had hoped to get a Garmin Forerunner 630 so I can improve my running. I started last year and want to improve!
Powertap P1 pedals. Looking for a portable and easily swapable power meter.
New helmet and shoes !
I would use it for a new trainer such as the Tacx Flux beings as my kickr died a month into the winter training season.
Power meter and/or a trainer!
Some sort of smart trainer!
I’d have to get myself a new running watch. I’ve wanted one with more features than my Soleus one, and it’s literally holding together by a fishing wire, so it would be time. Thanks for the giveaway Ray, and happy holidays.
New trainers!
New trainer! I’ve been eyeing the Hammer!
I would go for suunto spartan.
Why ? Because I’m just a geek and it looks more shiny than my ambit 3 now :)
I would probably put it towards a new trainer. Mine is old and very basic.
I would pick Garmun’s Fenix 3 HR because it covers all my fitness needs.
Probably a fitness watch. My old fore runner is dying. Thanks Ray.
One of the newest sport watches because mine is too old
I would get an edge 820
I would get the PowerTap P1 pedals, training with power indoors has been a breakthrough, now I need to take that outdoors!!! Happy holidays DCR!
The new Suunto for sure.
To get my first bike trainer to replace my bike roller.
A new power meter. My old school powertap lyc is kinda tedious to manually sync with my 920xt.
A garmin fenix 3 hr would be nice
I was hoping for a new smart trainer. I didn’t get it because the fiance and I are saving our money for our wedding coming up in a year!
I would like the forreruner 735, to spoil me a little bit
I didn’t get any sports related gift and I really need to renew my GPS unit (replace my “old” edge 800 for a brand new 820). Ok, this one is not that old and is working fine, but I’m really desperate for the live strava segments feature and also the group rides meeting on the road :D
Smart trainer, all the way!
I would love to have the cyclops Hammer .
Sunnto ambit is what I would want.. or a Fenix3 hr looking really to improve my performance in 2017 one of these units would come in handy
I’d get an Edge 820, preferably the bundle, as my 800 getting a little long in the tooth now.
Quark DZero Power Meter.
Unfotunately, I have reached the age where my performance has peaked. I want to better measure what is happening and what kind of training is helping me stay on top.
Additionally, just like GPS bike computers have become the norm, I believe that in not too distant future, power meters will become the norm.
I’ll get a 920xt hr for my buddy who still trains on his fr10..
I’d get a forerunner 735
I would get a proper power meter like the p1 pedals to start the new year in a good way
Would go for a Tacx neo…
A power meter so I can take my trainer on the road
I would get some bike lights and a new jacket
A power meter or a smart trainer for indoor sessions !
Garmin Triathlon HRM + Vivosmart+ HR for when I’m not wearing my fēnix 3!
I think i would buy a power meter, but not just any power meter one that actually fits my bike. I bought a stages power meter thinking it should fit fine only to find out it doesn’t.
I would buy a 4iiii’s power meter – to keep me honest.
A gopro to to add another angle to our Mor Fit Run Stories.
I’d get a trainer. Starting to get cold in these parts.
An optical heart rate monitor to get rid of the annoying chest strap.
I would love a HRM for my Fenix 3 or a power meter
Tacx Flux
I would either replace either my Garmin 500 bike computer with a newer bluetooth enabled model (my 500 is seriously used, but rock solid), or my Garmin 110 running watch (would love one of the newer models with built-in HR)…
I want a F3HR! I need it for jogging/cycling and overall will use it as an activity tracker.
I would go for a hydration pack for longer trail runs!
The GoPro Hero5 just because I need a sport cam!
Garmin 735XT for sure!
Hmmm… I fancy a Garmin Edge 820 for my bike rides. Thanks Ray.
Start off with a fitness scale and add a bike trainer desk. Have to start off the new year right by tracking my weight
A new connected trainer – too cold to ride in Cleveland!
Smart trainer for me!
Gopro , for my introduction to extreme sports !
I really want a power meter.
I’d get the Garmin 735!
Garmin VIRB ultra 30-video and video editing adds a new fun dimension to the swim bike run life.
I would get the Tacx Flux Smart Cycling Trainer for training rides throughout the year on a great trainer!
I would like to get the GoPro Hero 5 black for the record my trainings, competition and trips
The new GoPro Black to preserve my steep fell falls for posterity!
I love my 735xt and if I won I’d get another one for a friend who still uses a 910. Lol
I’d put it toward a direct drive trainer so I don’t have to keep changing wheels!
Definitely a power meter for outdoor training sessions.
I’d get a smart trainer to help get me through these long Cleveland winters!
Garmin Vector 2 pedals!
I would like to have received a Suunto Spartan Ultra because, for a new years resolution, Im going to try and be lest frustrated with glitchy sports gadgets, and I think the SSU would be the ultimate test of my resolution.
I’d get a Garmon 735 XT as I gave it to my wife for Christmas and now I’m jealous…
Garmin 520 to replace an aging 500
I’d probably get a BSX insight to convince my coach that blood isn’t required to get accurate training zones.
I’d get a Gopro Hero5 Black to record my journey to become an iRONMAN :)
Smart trainer or power meter. Anything to make training more efficient with two kids and a third on the way.
I’d get a smarter trainer! Mine does the job but I’d love something a little better.
Go pro to mount to the bike
I’d get My wife a new heart rate watch. She is still running with her 20 year old Polar.
I’ll invest in a trainer ;)
Stryd power meter , for the data crazy
I would definitely get the gopro! I like riding with a camera!