Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too! 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.
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!
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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.
A Fénix 5 plus. I think is the most complete and versatile watch on the market right now and will sure come in handy when training
most likely the Garmin Vector 3 pedals
Favero Assioma a italian powermeter for a DCRainmaker italian fan
The new Hero 7 Black is definitely on my dream list. Hyper smooth is perfect for cycling, especially cyclocross! I have a Session 5, but without a gimbal… it’s just too jittery(even for warp stabilization in Premier). Thanks for the fantastic content!
I’d put it towards a Fenix 5+. I love my FR645, but would like the more ruggedness from the fenix series. Plus, I could give my 645 to my wife.
a power meter, not sure which brand
Probably money towards a new trainer. Direct drive would be nice.
a powermeter, i badly need one. thanks
Garmin 935, because I need a new watch!
Using old tech; Garmin Edge 1030 or Fenix 5.
Fenix 5X Plus – it would be nice to listen the “music from a wrist” ;)
A handheld GPS, one of the Garmin etrex series. I’ve got a couple of ultras coming up this year where backup navigation would be useful.
A new Garmin for sure
A drone to film my rides
I need some new socks!
A new suunto watch because my garmin 5s just can’t keep up on the longer runs.
Fenix 5 maybe.
Fenix5. This is the only way to get one without risking a divorce. ?
I’d buy the assioma power meter(s), so I could upsmart my dumb trainer :)
Any kind of running watch
Been eyeing the Edge 1030 for a while…
I would like a new Garmin Edge 1030 as my old Garmin Edge is dying, and the battery doesn’t last anymore.
fenix 5xplus – i simply NEED maps and oxygen saturation measurements ;-)
Power meter to train for HIM
Time to upgrade my watch from 735xt to 935xt :)
Suunto 9 will be nice.
Power meter
I missed out on a promotion for the new Hero 7, can’t believe I hesitated, so now that’s on the top of my list. Here’s hoping I’m successful, but at least I haven’t hesitated in getting my entry in!
A new turbo trainer. Need to join the Zwift revolution with a smart trainer
Probably power pedals because going by hr is even more difficult in winter.
I would get a Garmin Descent MK1, because it seem like the most convenient watch for free diving/spearfishing (and unloading the data from the watch) in addition to other sports activities.
BTW, if you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
I’d love to get a new watch
The Coros Apex GPS watch, reviews so far have been positive and I’m all for supporting the new kid on the block.
I would go for Fenix 5 plus.
I would go with a Garmin Edge 1030, even though I absolutely do not need it. New and shiny, I guess.
A decent bike computer with mapping and ability to indicate turns, which will mean I can download routes whenever I travel.
Starting the new year with a new trainer… That would be awesome.
Moar power meter to see moar power! :)
Garmin watch
A smart trainer so I can take my training to a new level as I only have a basic turbo trainer. Thank you
A new Garmin as my 810’s battery does not last as long as my legs do
Going with a pair of Faveros, time to stop training with HF and start with watts.
I could use Fenix watch to replace aging watch 910 garmin!!
Suunto 9 has a better battery life than my current watch..
Dear Santa DCRainmaker (Ray),
I would like to get a power-meter (maybe the Pioneer Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 Crankset Power Meter) to satisfy my deep lust for data, and data driven results. I’m never going to win a race, but it’d be nice to know I personally did better than my last result, or how I compare in indoor training on zwift over outdoor riding.
I would like a Polar Vantage V
I would like one of them fancy new wristwatches I keep hearing so much about, much more convenient than this sundial.
I would get some garmin swag to go with my fr935.
GARMIN Denis 5x plus
I’d get a Garmin Vector 3s because I’d really like a power meter that I can move to a new bike that might arrive sometime this year?!
Fenix 5 Plus will be superb replacement of 910XT!
I would like a Garmin Instict, because I just love that watch and would like something to last.
I would get a power meeter for my tri bike. Not sure which one – I like the simplicity of pedals, but as I don’t care about L/R power, I may go with a crank based one instead.
I received several random pairs of socks, so unwillingly i have to choose something else. cycling powermeter is too much for my cycling skills, so latest GoPro will do.
fingers crossed
thanks Ray and CT
I could definitely use a power meter to help with my winter training!
GARMIN 5x plus
Polar Vantage V would be nice after my knee surgery as a way to get back to running :)
Merry Christmas Ray and family! I would go for either a pedal based power meter or a new Edge head unit (probably 520)…
a new garmin for my bike. the old one is getting a bit worn.
I would like to get a Quark power meter for my wife, so she can train with power.
Assioma uno’s , finally wantt o start training with power
I would REALLY like a power meter. Thanks
Would probably go for some new cycling shoes!
I would like a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt bike computer so that I can go on longer rides – I currently use my old iPhone 6 with a cracked screen for this purpose.
I would get a Garmin 645. My wife would use it for her running.
GARMIN fenix 5X plus
A powermeter to improve my bike training. Thanks a lot
Would like to upgrade my TomTom to a Garmin FR 935
A garmin 935 having progressed from a runner to cyclist to full on triathlete I think it’s time to upgrade the forerunner!
A new Polar Vantage V or a Garmin 935, I can’t make up my mind.
Wahoo Kickr- because the pain cave needs to be upgraded!
A Garmin Edge 1030. I have several sensors and lights and so on, but no proper head unit to pull them all together.
I’d love a new Garmin 5X Plus
The Forerunner 945 (when it comes out). ;-)
A drone to replace the one I lost in Gatwick!
Happy New Year DC and family.
A nice new triathlon watch (f.e. Garmin 735) that can track my training including pool workouts would be nice!
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the giveaway! If I won, I’d probably use it on new running / hiking shoes.
Tim
Garmin Fenix 5! My Vivoactive Hr is ready for an upgrade/
I would probably upgrade my Fenix 5 to a Fenix 5 Plus. I want the Spotify capability, but not enough to upgrade at the moment.
A smart watch as a gift to my girlfriend
Fenix 5 for my wife
direct drive trainer so I can train indoors in the winter and the rain.
If love a power metre!
A new Garmin Fenix 5 would be just fantastic…Santa wanted me to have one but I think he forgot it when he left the North Pole.
I would get a Garmin 520plus or a smart trainer to get fitter in the evenings training on my new (to me) bike.
Oh my, so hard to choose. A Favero Assioma or a trainer? Hopefully I have to choose. Thanks and happy holidays!
Oh hi! Please can you pick me Mr Maker thank you.
Garmin 935!
A Garmin Edge 520 plus so I have at least some idea where on earth I am instead being permanently lost on the little back roads around my new house.
I got an Amazon Alexa for Christmas but I asked for a Garmin Fenix 5 sapphire.
I’d like to upgrade my trainer, so I think it’d go toward a KICKR Core.
A new treadmill
A new Tacx, the silent type!
I’d love an action camera or perhaps to update my running watch? Thanks for an awesome competition!
A new Polar Vantage V would be nice.
I would like to get a tacx neo 2.
The new Garmin Fenix. My F2 is getting a wee bit long in the tooth and needs an upgrade.
Got everything I wanted, but i’m sure I could figure out something!
A pedal power meter: Powertap, Garmin or Favero. Or maybe the Edge 810. Great training tools!
fenix 5 plus for mapping and music