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!
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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 would definitely get a go pro for great action videos!
Would love a Fenix 5!
A Garmin Fenix as I need a new triathlon watch
A new watch- fenix 5
Fenix 5
A power meter to help me train more efficiently
I would probably get a Fenix 5s for my wife or some favero Assioma for the selfish hiding somewhere inside my head…
Always could use another power meter
Kickr Climb or power meter pedals
I would like a Garmin Instinct watch because my Polar M400 is becoming increasingly hard to read.
I would buy a new bike trainer because the one I bought secondhand was never delivered…
Favero Assioma FTW – pedal based power meter to change my Stages Gen2 Left only PM!
LukeJ
Would like to get a drone….
A fenix 5…because…my fr235 needs a backup
I will probably apply it towards a power meter for the bike.
Can’t quite decide between a pair of Favero Assioma pedals and a GoPro hero 7. It’d be nice to have to make a choice on it!!
Fenix 5 please to help with my snail like running?
I would go for a garmin fenix even though my trusty fr230 is still going strong.
Edge 130.
I just want basic information and a long battery life.
Forerunner 935, because Fenix 5 is too heavy :)
Most probably I would go for Hyperice Hypervolt since recovery is also important for PBs :-)))
Possibly a trainer, power meter of some sort or maybe some headphones and swim hrm for the pool? Got zero gadgets for Christmas this year.
I’d love a Garmin Fenix 5S plus because I really want the wrist HR monitor (rather than wearing an annoying chest strap)!
I would go for a Suunto 9 because of it‘s awesome battery life.
I would love to get a newer smart watch with tracking features and GPS built-in. I am trying to decide between the Garmin Vivoactive 3 or Apple Watch. Winning would be awesome. Thanks!
Fenix 5 for the battery life and power meter support.
I wouldn’t mind getting a Wahoo Kickr Trainer for my Festivus aluminium pole ?… it’d complement my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Wahoo Tickr perfectly. Thanks Clever training and DCR ?
A smart trainer so I can train every day!
I would get a Garmin edge 520! I’ve been wanting one forever!
I’d love a power meter, help gauge power loss against new year weight loss :)
Garmin 520+ because my 800 is a bit dodgy
I would love it get a gps watch for my wife who just became a runner.
Would love an indoor trainer (Wahoo Kickr?) to train year round!
Thanks, Ray for this great opportunity to get the Fenix 5 plus. Really excited to try surfing with i5+ and listening to the music simultaneously.
Stryd runnning Power meter. Looking to take it up a notch. That or a direct drive trainer.
Probably something like a Fitbit Ionic. I like the features especially the sleep tracking, and it looks cooler than the versa.
Oops, should have checked first, no DJI Osmo, how bout a GoPro Hero 7 then?
Would love to try out fenix or 935
I would get a GoPro 7 to replace my older camera, which has started to act up and work intermittently. I always ride with a camera in case I need evidence of others behaving badly.
Fenix 5 Plus because my 910xt is showing it’s age. Really would appreciate a watch that can utilize Bluetooth for uploads/downloads, play music, and be great for backpacking.
Stages power meter as my current one just died on me!
A new F5 to replace my tired F3 which now only lasts 3 days between charges…
Power meter pedals, between Garmin Vector 3 and Favero Assioma?!
I’m thinking that a FR 645 would look pretty swish on me while I run, with the touch of green from the running pod, I’d be the envy of runners everywhere.
I will have a new Garmin Fenix 5+ because of the music storage. I really hope there will be a Garmin 945 soon
I’d really like a smart trainer like so I can do $trava or 4ouvy.
Already subscribed so wont do it again.
A new hiking pack… mine’s in need of replacement.
I would upgrade to a family sized tent for camping like the Bigagnes tents on the CleverTraining website.
Just want to get a power meter… Ideally Garmin Vector 3!
Thanks Ray!
Wahoo Kickr or Taxc Flux
$500 worth of socks, of course!
Wahoo Kickr for me please
Santa is late but more than welcome :)
Cycliq cameras or a GoPro. Record all the awesome adventures on the bike
I would get at Forerunner 935 because my 910Xt is getting old and worn and can’t be use as an every day watch.
Probably a Garmin Fenix 5S for my wife, just probably… hahaha
Want me an Insta 360 one x to get some sick cycling and running content. Mostly interested in filing me and squad on rides. Love me some dcrainmaker! Happy holidays big boy!
Assioma Power Meter, to train better
That new fenix 5+ maybe
I would get a new power meter
I was looking for a new GoPro. I like to use the video and the stills for super wide shots.
Some kind of fenix 5+ to replace my asking 230
I’d get tacx neo 2 because it looks cool enough to be decorative while I’m finding excuses not to ride it!
I will get a tacx neo 2 because it is quiet and won’t disturb my kids from sleeping…
Power meter (not sure which one) for me!
PowerTap P1 pedals for the road bike.
I would have loved to get a Garmin 5s. Not plus, as trail running should not need music.
Fenix 5 plus……cuz my Fenix 3 is getting old!
A bike trainer to get rid of the calories.
I would go with a new smart trainer.
Polar Vantage V or the Garmin Fenix 5 plus titanium
A Garmin Edge 1030 to go with my Stages power cranks.
Favero asioma pm. So i can step up my training next spring.
I’d like to get the Assioma favero duo for consistent training.
500 GUs nom nom nom
Fenix 5 plus and some trekz air headphones. Looking forward to the new year now.
If I win, I’ll get a power meter. I’m not sure which one yet because I never read the power meter throw down since I couldn’t afford one before.
Power meter single sided pedals
Something with power – indoor (tacx?) or outdoor (stages?)…
Kickr Core. Have entered my first half iron man for 2019 and really need to lock in my trainerroad workouts :)
Garmin Edge 520. I do need a bike computer finally.
Favero pedals to take my training to the next level
Yes! That Go Pro 7 will be mine!
A power meter or a trainer?
Suunto 9 Baro and stay out in the wild for a long time
A Fenix 5+ or some power meter peddles to train more smart.
GoPro Hero7 Black for cool videos
Power meter pedals would be a splendid thing. Or a new bike computer.
A Power meter or trainer…
Fenix 5 Plus – the battery life would be useful in these longer races I can’t seem to stop doing.
Either a multisport Garmin watch or a silent trainer…
power meter – any reliable one – as I need it for my training!
I’d get a Garmin Edge 1030 because my Edge 520 is continually having battery issues.
I would go for a fenix5s for my girl :-) cause she gave me my fenix3 as a gift in 2016
I think it would be time to get a cycling computer.
Erm, Fenix or Quarq probably…
A GoPro Hero 7 Black
Maybe a running watch to replace my 230 (good watch so I’m still mostly happy with it)
Probably an edge, dunno which one though. I’ll have to read up on the newer versions.
Of course the new Garmin watch/wearable of ces 2019 :)
I’d like to buy a power meter for my training, not sure which one though! Thanks