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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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 would love a home trainer (any home trainer)! Winter in Romania lasts for at least 3 months and this is my only option. :)
Garmin Vector 3 – I want to get a power meter to step up my game!
I would like a Fenix 5 as the battery of my Fenix 3 has only little capacity left.
I’d get a new Garmin running watch…just have to decide which. (Currently own 920xt, ready for upgrade)
Some type of trainer. Will have to go through the buyers guide one more time though.
Powermeter (Garmin?) for the next season. For powerful training in 2019.
I’d biy myself a Garmin 1030, because I don’t have a decent bike computer. Thx!
I would get the Fenix 5 plus
A Fenix 5S would be nice to start the year!
I’d probably go with a Wahoo Element Bolt but I leave my options entirely open!
Both new powermeter and pulley wheels ?
The remix 5, for sure. Thanks for your awesomeness .
Probs go for a power meter a trainer for the bike that syncs with zwift.
Garmin or Polar: anything newer than a FR610 and works for nordic skiing and pool workouts.
side note: what’s wrong with a Spam sandwich?
The Polar Vantage V will become the best sports-watch out threre – once the necessary firmware-updates have been finalized …
F935 to start the new year with motivation
Favero Assioma power meter
Favor assioma, because I’ve never owned a power meter and I’d rather support a smaller European company then Garmin.
4iiii power meter for Praxis crank. New gravel bike was delivered for Christmas!
I guess I’d take a power meter, most probably the Garmin Vector.
A new smart trainer, probably the Tacx Neo 2 , as my old turbomuin is not so smart…
Probably a Forerunner 935 to replace my aging F3HR. Or maybe a 645 and money toward a bike computer instead. I’m sure I can figure it out, given the chance.
Garmin 520+, time for an upgrade.
Some Tacx Neo 2 to train away my Christmas fat belly!
I always wanted a silent trainer. This could be a good chance to build a zwift setup.
An GarminEdge (520 plus or 1030) product to use on my trainings.
I think I would upgrade from GoPro Hero 3!
I think I’d get myself a Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag, probably all in with the Terralite, which is rated to -4 degrees C. One of my bigger issues during all of my bicycle touring through 2018 (I spent most of the year cycling around Europe between doing Workaway in various places), especially as it got into autumn and towards winter, was not having a good sleeping bag to keep warm on cooler to cold nights.
If I went for one if the other options, like the Megalite or Highlite, then I’d spend the remaining credit on various little gear like cycling gloves and stuff.
Fingers crossed.
Power meter
That Favero pedal is a great idea. Thanks DC Santa :)
Some of the Fenix 5 Plus range would be perfect
Light, to be able to start biking earlier.
A trainer for my bike that can simulate routes…?
I keep thinking about the g-shock looking Garmin Instinct. I love it’s relative simplicity and think it would make the perfect partner for ski season!
I’d get a GoPro Hero7
A decent smart trainer for me please. What do you recommend? A kikr? Oh and will you shop to the UK?
I would probably buy a new bike trainer to get me through the cold winter months!
I’ll have an edge 1030 please because of the battery.
I would go for a Garmin Fenix, probably a 2019 version when it hits.
A forerunner 645 music to start training for spring 21k competitions.
Yes, please! I would like a Garmin 935 to use for training this year. Santa please come back again!
I’d love a smart trainer because I’m stuck inside with an old dumb turbo and I’m bored.
I’d choose a Garmin Fenix 5s Plus for the maps and music!
Merry Christmas! Maybe I’d splurge on a Go Pro or cycling computer.
Assioma Pedals
The Elite Direto II, so i can train during the winter time with Zweit.
Whatever the latest Garmin multi sport watch is.
I’ll take a new Vantage V. ‘Cause for some reason I still trust Polar can make a quality device.
I would upgrade my bling game with a new Fenix 5 plus
I’d get a GPS or a smart trainer, so I can work on my game indoors and out
I would get a nice GPS unit for my girlfriend, she does not have one on her bike yet.
A new gopro, or a drone, or a fenix 5x plus, or …
I would like to upgrade my 920xt but it’s still going strong! Except the watch straps.. 3rd set now
Fenix 5s plus
A GoPro Hero7 Black to use on my bike. Merry Christmas!
In case I am lucky enough, I would go for an edge 130 and some bike lights, to be safer on the road. Or maybe try out the varia vision.
In any case – thanks for organizing the gadget giveaway. Happy holidays to you and you loved ones!
Vector 3 to check my left-reight imbalance :D
Suunto 9 G1 GPS Watch would look rather nice on my wrist
I’d put a littlenextra cash with it an get a Tacx Flux trainer.
Either the new Garmin or Suunto, I’ve always been a Garmin girl, but I might want to switch things up with a Suunto.
Maybe a polar vantage v, I would like to run with a powermeter
At the moment, no qlue but Clever Training got a lot of good things…
I would love to be able to get a Fenix 5. I would love to be more efficient with my workouts, so I can spend more time with my family.
I’d put it toward SRAM etap. My Ultegra 6700 feels so yesterday ;)
I would want a Garmin 935 for my running sessions.
Wahoo kickr core would be fantastic
Tough call. I am torn between the assioma pedals and a new trainer.
Garmin Varia!
A Fenix to replace my aging Vivoactive
I want a GoPro Hero 7 Black to increase the quality of our vlog!
A power meter and trainer
Tough call, I am torn between the assioma pedals and a new trainer. The why. I sold my old trainer, and power just seems cool.
The garmin fenix 5 plus
I would have loved a new Kickr Headwind to go with new Kickr Core.
Assiomo power pedals because “power”… and n + 1 ride needs it!
I’d ,over to get a new bike computer. Relying on my phone for mapping means regularly stopping to pull phone out of pocket.
I would like the cycliq fly12/6 combo.
I would get a GoPro or a new bike Gps. Trying to make my triathlon watch work on my crit bike is not optimal.
Fenix 5, cuz I love my Bolt but want some of the connectIQ features.
If I would win I would go for Giro Prolight Techlace shoes.
KICKR core was on the wish list, but got socks instead.
Maybe a Kickr Snap, or bike computer
The absolutely beautiful garmin 935. Family couldn’t afford it.
A new fenix watch since my fenix 2 is getting real old!
Looking for that smart trainer since indoor riding is all that I’ll have for the next few months with my 1st child on the way. Those Tacx Flux trainer look pretty choice.
My 920xt barometer is broke, so a new watch
The Garmin Fenix 5 plus to get mapping on the trail :)
I would use it towards a Tacx Flux S so my Wife and myself can train indoors together. Currently, we only have one Tacx Neo.
Thanks!
I’d love to get a Garmin 645 music. The music and the NFC payments, aside all the sport feautures, just make it perfect, or almost. Thanks.
I’d probably get a stages power meter because I don’t have a power meter currently and that’s the one I think I want.
New Power meter Thx
Garmin fenix 5 plus… for sure!
A new trainer, maybe a Neo. Would be a nice upgrade from my Road Machine.
I will use the credit for a Gopro Hero 7 Black.
I didn’t get the Garmin Forerunner 935 tri bundle I hoped for. It’s time to replace my old V800.
I’d personally get a turbo trainer.
Fenix 5 because of the long battery life
Would like to win GoPro Hero 7 for my son, he is obsessed with making videos :)
Maybe a new Garmin or something else :-)
I’d use the credit towards a Tacx Neo or Wahoo Kickr trainer.