Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. 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.
4
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!
5
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 get a Garmin Fenix 5 for the extra battery life.
I’d love a power meter.
Torn between the new polar or the suunto… Guessing with $500 the fenix becomes more tempting…
I would really like the new Apple watch 4 for my training for the Rotterdam marathon!
Aftershockz Trekz headphones, as I got my wife a pair for Christmas and am jealous about how cool they are now and want a pair myself too!
Wahoo Kickr!
Fenix 5S for me; my well-travelled Fenix 3 is starting to show its age
I really wanted a Fenix 5 – not even the plus, just a black Fenix 5. Didn’t get it. :( So that’s what I would get!!
I would look for a new trainer!
Upgrade my 910 garmin and my Vortex
It’d be the Garmin Vector 3 pedals for me, just so I can confirm how little power I have.
A Garmin Edge 520 to replace my Sigma bike computer.
I would like a power meter, garmin probably
Ho Ho Ho, I would get a power meter that’s for sure!
Man that would be great! I’d look at getting those Garmin vector 3 pedals
I’d love to love to get Garmin 935 as my Vivoactive is getting quite old and more advanced would help me getting to next level :)
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5 because I don’t have a running watch.
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus just to replace my oid watch.
Pedal based power meter. I have the PowerTap wheel and when my wife finally signs off on that new bike the disc wheel isn’t going to work with what I have.
Smart trainer to replace my rollers.
I’m thinking either a drone or action cam. Maybe a new watch, but I still kind of love my 920xt.
I’d probably get a powermeter or a climb to brighten indoor training
Merry Christmas
The new Garmin VivoActive with music because my Tomtom Spark don’t want to work after the last up date
I would get either an apple watch (for wist based turn by turn navigation) or a new trainer that is zwift compatible for the winter months!
A Fenix 5 Plus would be nice…
There are so many things I need and so many things the site has. Where does one start? I would maybe go for Powertap P1 Single Side Power Meter. I need pedals for the new bike anyway and I would like to have a power meter to help with my training both inside and outside, and this product would cover both of my needs. you know, kill two birds with one stone approach.
Good luck to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I’d get a multisports watch with optical hrm, probably a Garmin.
I would get a new bike trainer
Definitely a new watch, probably a Fenix.
A Fenix 5.
I would get a 4iiii precision power meter since I don’t train outdoors with power, and either a Scosche or Wahoo heart rate strap so I can train using HRV.
I really wish I had gotten Favero Assioma pedals.
I’d get a smart trainer because I have spent 3 weeks recovering from foot surgery and have another 3 weeks of recovery to go. So, I will definitely need to get training when I’m recovered!
I would buy the new FR with music…
I would get a Wahoo Tickr fit to see how high my HR gets before I’m about to puke.
I would get a Fenix.
Something Garmin, maybe a Vivoactive 3 with music, so I don’t need to take my phone on the bike.
I think I would get a new GoPro!
Hi Ray, a vector 3 power meter would fit nicely. Merry Christmas !
Thank you Santa!
Definitely an aeropod! Need to go as fast as possible even after the mince pies.
I would probably buy a new Garmin FR935 AS my cuurent watch is falling apart
I would get a Tacx Neo as my current trainer sounds like it is about to die.
Towards a PM, or a drone. Can’t decide. Probably a power meter – assioma duo most likely.
Definitely a power meter because i am too cheap to buy one for myself. Probably a Quarq for my Sram build.
Santa seems to have forgotten the GoPro I asked for….so it’s the Hero 7 Black for me. Merry Christmas everyone!
I would buy my teenage daughter a new tri watch as she has just moved her run and swim training to bike too and wishes to go into cycling now also. She has an old Garmin run watch only.
Gopro Hero 7!
I really need a smart trainer, this rubbish weather is ruining me!
I’m still just trying to find the right headphones! My ear canals are apparently grossly misshapen and actively reject all in ear headphones I’ve tried… But I continue to find one that doesn’t.
I’ve been eyeing up a new Garmin to help with the long runs while I train for London’19, something with music like the 645 would have made my Christmas.
I would like to change my 3 years old Fenix 3 to a Fenix 5x Plus, not because is not usable, but to have a 24h HR monitoring mainly.
A new smart trainer!
I’d get an Edge 1030 since my 1000 is on its last legs.
Pioneer SGX-CA600 head unit that’s not out yet.
I’d love to get a Garmin 520 Plus! Or a lifetime Strava subscription.
I would get a Fenix5
The 2018 Kickr model. Everyone else on my team has one, so might as well get on the bandwagon!
Go pro or Apple Watch
I think it’s time for a power meter. Then I can prove I’m not sandbagging… I’m just out of shape.
An upgrade for my Edge 1000 would be nice, probably a 1030.
I have offered a smartwatch for my gf, but now I can’t buy one for me :D.
A Polar Vantage V would be an awesome gift !!
Thanks Ray !
I could really use a new watch!
I would get a Kickr Core. Something less noisy to make the people around me complain less while I’m training.
I would definitely grab the latest forerunner 645…(and then shameless brag of being a 2-time giveaway winner)
Upgrade my watch so I can have music without my phone
I would probably purchase one of those newfangled ‘digital’ time pieces I’ve been hearing so much about
A Garmin Fenix 5+ thanks Ray
Garmin 1030
I’d get some Assioma power meter pedals for sure!
Garmin Instinct in 2 different colors
still in doubt I need either an action cam or a powermeter to complete my roadbike setup.
THE fenix 5x plus is what I really would want to have.
Tacx Neo 2 for my girlfriend (now we share one)
I’d get a Garmin Fenix 5 or Polar Vantage V.
Wahoo Kickr climb
I would like a bike computer to train more efficiently
As CT doesn’t seem to stock aluminum poles, I’d have to think some more about what to get.
A fenix 5+ or a gopro 7.
i would get a tacx neo 2 for my wife
I’d like to get some power meter pedals
I would probably get the Fenix 5 plus. Or maybe the suunto Baro 9. Or.
Love the fenix 5, to go on outdoor adventures
I would love a new smart trainer, probably a kick core, or a fitbit, or some vector pedals, or…. So many new fun gadgets to test out. Why? Just because!
I would buy the cycliq cameras. Good for more than catching disrespectful motorists!
I would get a Fenix 5s plus, my old 920 xt battery capacity is just getting poor.
Not sure what I would get, but probably a trainer. Or a power meter. Or a new GoPro. Not sure…
Pedals G V3 for my bike training
A new and quieter Kickr.
TACX Neo trainer, because apparently I have too much stuff already :)
I would select a Fitbit Versa Smartwatch to help me with my New Year resolution of becoming more fit.
Probably a Kickr 2018 to replace my gen1 Kickr. But on the other hand, I could go in a completely different direction. Only winning would tell.
I would pick Favero Assioma powermeter, dual:)
I would get a Wahoo Kickr, Or Tac X bike trainer. I have an old dumb trainer that I don’t like riding, but I think a direct drive smart trainer and zwift would make it a more enjoyable experience.
Probably a fancy indoor smart trainer or power meter
I would really love a Fenix 5 plus. Thanks Ray!
Would like to upgrade from a vector 2S to the 2!
I wish I could’ve gotten a Wahoo KICKR or Neo Tacx trainer (or really any direct drive trainer) so that I can ride indoors on my bike rather than on those crappy gym spinner setups.
I would get the Garmin fenix 5 Multisport Training Watch to accompany me on my daily jogs.
A Wahoo Kickr to help with my heart attack recovery.