Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products. Plus a few Suunto & Apple 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!
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/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.
I’d most likely get a smart trainer to make training indoors more fun
Fenix 5 +, I’d love the music and garmin pay!
I did get a new Edge 520+ for Christmas. Now I need a power meter to go with it.
Santa Rainmaker, please bring me a Garmin 645 and a Wahoo Tickr X Cadence. Thanks for all you do for the community!
Power meter for my bike, to help me train for my first IronMan!!
I could use a Garmin Fenix 5X Plus to last through my 100 milers!
I want a forerunner 645, I like music when I run.
Any power meter will do….
i wish santa owuld bring me new tacx neo:)
A GoPro or a Garmin watch with music.
Bike trainer so I can exercise inside with my bike and stay warm.
A Garmin Fenix 5 PLus, as I am looking to integrate power into my training. I am also considering a watch that has music support so I can ditch the iPod.
Oh i would love to get a gopro hero 7
Would swap my (very loud) Tacx Flow for a (silent) Kickr Core. With the Flow, I end up waking up (or scaring) the kid every time I get on the bike.
I would get a power meter for my gravel bike.
I’d go for a new GoPro. My Hero 3 is a bit outdated and doing strange things.
I would love to have the newest Garmin Edge for my 3 month trip in New Zealand!
Definitely a Fenix….
I am in need of a bime computer. Considering a garmin edge 820.
I think I’d go for the Fenix 5 Plus, the 3 HR is starting to show its age.
Hey Ray! Thanks for the great reviews. I’d like to get a series 4 apple watch for my wife. I’d been looking at it for some time but I ended switching over to an Android phone and think she’d like it. Thanks!
I’d go for the Harmon fenix. I like the multi sport tracking and rugged look.
Hoping for a new bike trainer, old one doesn’t provide enough resistance
Maybe a new Garmin Fenix or a new trainer.
Oh wow, I got a pair of socks…. well I need some, but what I really, really, REALLY wishwd is a Genix 5s plus :-)
To get my first indoor trainer so that I can keep up the fitness during winter
Garmin 5 plus, time for an upgrade from the 235 on my wrist.
Well… Whatever floats my boat!
I had my heart set on some compression sleaves for my legs!
A garmin 520 Bundle … ???? Happy New Year
New helmet and new saddle
I would put it towards a kickr core. Would be awesome for taking the indoor training up a notch.
Garmin varia rearview radar. To helpe be safer when those cars sneak up on me when enjoying the scenery and forget to check my helment mirror
I’d get a Quarq power meter for my Trek.
I’d get a Garmin Edge 820 bundle: high time to upgrade to a GPS computer!
A Fenix 5 to support the post Christmas binge weight loss would be awesome!
I would likely get a Humon Hex because I am a data junky. Or a Fenix series watch because they hold music now.
I’d love something towards some power meter pedals to measure my outside power
I’d put a Garmin 520 plus under my own (belated) christmas tree.
I would get an update to the Garmin Fenix
Fenix 5+ :-)
I’d like a wahoo element. I’d give it to my husband.
Garmin forerunner 935… or maybe the elite zuma (pending review of course)
Favero Assioma (to rhyme with Levios-sa) pedals.
To show me how much I currently suck, and help me suck that little bit less.
A new footpod. Lost mine in the snow a few weeks ago
Fenix 5 plus please (ffpp)
I would like to upgrade my Garmin watch to 935 or get power meter
I would love to get my hands/feet on a power meter. That would for sure keep me accountable to my training objectives in 2019 :)
I’ll probably get the fenix 5 plus. Thanks
I need a bike computer!
I’d love to get a trainer so I can start riding in my basement that I just refinished.
I want a Pedal Power Meter. I don’t care what kind, I just need to start training with power.
Some sort of bike computer. Don’t yet know which one
Would love a power meter!
Would love a Wahoo KICKR CORE Smart Power Trainer
Def a GoPro Hero 7 Black…still operating the 3 so perfect time to catch up!
Need to make all my family videos more epic obviously.
I’d get a GoPro Hero 7. One of those, won’t buy it for myself items, but if I got a gift card would!
Either a garmin remix 5 or a power meter (decisions decisions)!
Make me suffer with a trainer.
Having that credit, I would go for a Garmin Vector3 dual pedals.
A new pair of power meter pedals so I don’t have to keep switching between road and tri bike.
I would get a Tacx Neo gen 1. So it would cover all the expense but just enough for me to get it. Thanks for doing this!
New bike trainer would be perfect for upcoming cold winter evenings
I’d get a 4iiii viiiiva HR monitor so I can finally use Zwift on my Apple TV without linking using the companion app ?
I would like to get the Polar Vantage V, because Santa is real :)
GoPro Hero 7!
Would get a new trainer that Santa forgot to bring.
A new garmin because wife wanted a dishwasher instead.
I would get a Fenix 5 plus. My Fenix 3 is old and not compatible with any of the new apps on Connect IQ and my new Edge 520 plus.
I’d pick up a new crank based power meter as mine has gone on the fritz.
I would get a 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor to use with my Apple TV 4K based trainer setup. I don’t have a heart-rate solution yet for indoor rides and it’s a bummer. Don’t want to spend more money right now, so this win would be nice!
I would get GoPro hero 7 Black because I would like to record my rides an dives
A fenix 5, please Santa! It’s what I would love to have. I have PRs to make, heights to climb and things to achieve that are rad. I hope I win, I really do. Merry Christmas to Clever Training and Merry Christmas to you………
probably some cycling sunglasses would be the first thing in my cart as i broke my old ones
Not sure if they’re back in stock in my size but a pair of world tour legs would be great, tks.
I’d probably get a Tacx Neo to get me through the dark winter days…
I’d want for sure wahoo rpm speed and cadence, because it died on me last week.
Probably a wahoo kickr – my old computrainer needs an update
Garmin bike computer since mine is about 10 years old and I am pretty sure it is lost someone in my basement. .
oh so many great choices… one of each!
I would put the money towards a smart trainer for sure. Core or Hammer2
I’d get a new watch, Fenix 5+ is on top of my shortlist but we’ll see. My current Polar is showing its age and I guess I haven’t been nice enough to get the upgrade from Santa…
Frohe Weihnachten!
I thought immediately of a FR935 Tri-Bundle but a Kickr Core would have more effect. My Ambit3 should be fine for some time. Thx.
I think I’d have to add a power meter to the bike.
I would get a power meter. Because power meters are awesome.
Indoor trainer accessories
I’d get a Kickr Climb to complete my kickr core setup!
There isn’t much I really want at this point but a GoPro Hero 7 would be a pretty cool upgrade over my Hero 5.
I would like a new smart watch to track all my bike rides without carrying a phone.
I did not get cycling shoes and pedals. I would really love to take my cycling to the next level.
I’d finally get a power meter. Specifically, I’d get the Favero Assioma duo! I’ve put off getting a power meter for years, just waiting for better/newer/cheaper tech to come along but it’s time and this giveaway would be the PERFECT excuse! Thanks for yet another giveaway!!
SRAM eTap, to keep up with ,y training friends?
I’d get vector 3 pedals
I have been holding off – but I think by now they are out of beta and “market ready”
I would also like a fenix 5+ as my vivoactive is dying
I’d get a smart trainer for zwift!
Forerunner 935, because my significant other would like me to use LiveTrack.
I wish you all good holidays, I would get a new Edge device for my bike because my old 820 has more and more oddities.
Thank you !
a power meter for my bike training in spring ! :-)
I would order the Favero Assioma Duo power meter pedals. I’m beginning to wonder if IQ will deliver and even though I’m in the list to get one, it is feeling less likely with each update.
I’d get a smart trainer