Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!
Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
maybe I’ll give another try for Suunto.
Would love one. Although then I’d have to make a tough choice between the altimeter in my Ambit 3 or the wrist based HRM of the Spartan Sport.
Win win win run run run thanks mr dc
Garmin or Sunnto?
I’m in, thanks for the site DC!
Yes please!
Would make a nice change from Garmin
Would love to give this device a workout
Is it better then a Polar?
Nice upgrade from my current one!
In for the WIN!
Great gift for my wife
Nice watch :)
Yes pls!
Prefer Garmin, but maybe it would made change my mind:)
Ohhh, a pretty watch! Me wanty!
Thanks for this!!!
Neeeedddd it !!!
This is SPARTAAAA!!
Love the color.
Wow. Yes please
Never tried a Suunto before..this would be a very good chance! finger crossed
Yet an another comment.
Putting in a comment, hope for the best !
giveaway
Suunto rules !
This is uber exciting
in.
Would love to test that against my fenix 5x ;-)
I’m in
Ticktock
I wouldn’t mind winning
Yes, please!
How did I forget this was happening today!
Bring it on.
RNG God please let me win!
Uhhh, lost the 1st two items – this is mine! :)
This would look good on my wrist.
Awesome
I wouldn’t run faster, but I would be able to quantify that slowness!
What did the traffic light say to the other traffic light?
Don’t look, I’m changing.
Oops my reminder didn’t go off on my phone so I’ve missed the first 3 hours
DCRainMaker – my wife gets worried about the bank balance when I start reading reviews :-)
No signs of tiredness 8-)
Would love a new Suunto!
Please!
Would a great gift for the wife
Yes please :-)
Suunto is awesome – gotta have this!
Why not this one?
Suunto FTW!
Would be nice to explore the trails with this watch!
Nice watch!
Would be nice upgrade from ambit1
Yes Please
please
Pick me!
I’ll take it!
Definately in need for one of these
yep, i know its mine
Win!
Because I’m worth it
If I put a nice comment here, does it mean that I’m more likely to win?
Yep
Tick tack
Leaving a comment
Let’s go for this one!
Not bad…
Oooh lovely! Just looking for a training watch with wrist based HR!
Ooo, one more lovely watch.
we’re onto Giveaway #4. -> That is #3 !
Need to replace my watch so a great item :)
Suunto why not
Legen..wesome!
Another shot
Suunto!
Would love to compare it to my garmin.
Yes please!
this is sparta…
Cool.
Nice watch !
Bring the Rain!
Would love to test a Suunto :D
I would love one!
Thanks for all you do! My Aussie friend loves her Suunto watch and it would be awesome to get to try it out.
I would love to be more Spartan!
Great stuff
I need moar watches, this one would do just fine as well !!!!! #kthxbye
Thanks for your awesome giveaways, Ray! :D
Wow, it would be nice…fingers crossed!
Nice watch!!
Please pick me
SPARTA!!
Wasn’t sure if I wanted one (I’ve been a Garmin user for a decade now), but the part about aliens convinced me to test this one…
This would be nice!
Thank you!
Getting in to sports with this.
Yes, I would like to win this watch!
Love what you do!
Suunto me up!
Nice one !
This is my comment ;) Loving this page.
I’d love to switch away from Garmin about now.