Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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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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.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 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.
Hi,
Surprisingly this story/recap does not show up as a story on your frontpage.
I only found it through the RSS feed.
Impressed with your work and enjoy choosing (dreaming about) new gadgets that I read about here.
Regards, Martin
I can see it on the front page when I’m logged in, but not otherwise.
Well hmm…that’s odd indeed. I see what you mean…and have absolutely no idea how to fix it. :(
I’ll have to poke someone. Huge thanks for the heads up!
Ray – same goes for the recent comments. I am seeing only comments from Sept 23rd and it mid-afternoon here on the 24th.
Odd. Is that on desktop or mobile?
Desktop – Tried Chrome & IE. I noticed that the comments have been this way for a while.
Wait – I just refreshed and it is now okay. Local time is 15:08 (Sept 24th)
Sorry, I think it was a caching issue. Should be good to go on both now.
Thanks for the heads up!!!
Off topic, but what is the background in your Apple Watch video? Been thinking/planning to do that for my house. What product did you use?
Yeah, it’s pretty cool!
I was up visiting TrainerRoad on Friday after Interbike, and had some spare time. So I borrowed an empty room of theirs. I’ll see if I can get the product info, as they used it a few other places in their building.
Oh, I apologize; I thought it was some chamber of the Cave that I’d not noticed before. No need to go out of your way, but thanks!
So they went with another brand they couldn’t remember off-hand, but one they looked at that’s very similar is called ‘TimerberWall’. Here’s their site: link to timberwall.co
He said it’s available at Home Depot.
You’re a good man… and thorough.
I have been monitoring the all day stress on the fenix 5 againt my vivosmart 3, and the 2 read completely different – f5 is 30 to 40 points lower. Is there a learning period for the watch to get this dialed in? My vivosmart has 6 months of history.
Hmm, I don’t remember hearing anything about a settling period for that specific feature. It’d be interesting to know if your HR also shifted or not.
I saw a bit of a shift for example when I tested the Vivomove HR for a few days, then went to the Vivosport. Kinda weird.
I’ll ask someone this week though.
Thanks Ray, I was wearing them at the same time, but on different wrists. Vivosmart was on my dominant arm
Does all day stress use HRV? And if so did I miss the part when optical supported that?
Yup, HRV on optical has been possible for roughly a year now, maybe a touch less. But only at rest, not yet in workouts.
Anyone else have issues with cadence sensor connectivity (I have wahoo to be exact) to the Fenix 5 after the v6.0 firmware? My connectivity has been really poor since the update with no issues before that.
Bluetooth smart distance limits assume an omnidirectional antenna. I’m sure they have a budget to buy and paint a Pringles can
Also liked your appearance on Triathlon Tarren youtube channel.
Hi Ray, regarding the fake reviews research paper and your very short take on it: I would be very interested to read a longer article of yours on that subject if you have the time one of these days. Your position in the review world and your approach that is quite different form others would make for an amazingly insightful presentation of the pressures, in front of and behind the scenes associated with reviewing an industry with very little “safeguards” for the consumer/buyer.
Thank you for your work !
Just wondering if the podcast was still an ongoing effort. After the July return episode, I’ve just seen it mentioned here as recorded but waiting for Ben to upload…but that never happened.
Just wondering if I should keep looking for a new episode…really enjoy the site and the podcast!
Hey Ray
Slightly off topic as there’s no drones in this week but, this made me chuckle and I know you like quirky tech stuff, paper “drones” that can do acrobatics are nearly here. Cool Kickstarter: Power up Drone.
link to kickstarter.com
Cheers
Sunny
…might be stretching it a little bit on the drone front, but cool nonetheless.
Typo: Powerup Dart (not Drone) *sigh
New garmin camera? link to fccid.io
Has a mic button and record button
Likely from the automotive sector – like a Dashcam or similar. Garmin’s stated their focus for the near term is on the VIRB 360.