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 Upgrade from Fenix 5X to 5X Plus
No question, time to upgrade to a direct-drive trainer.
Hello I will be happy with a garmin forerunner 935
I’m very overdue for a trainer upgrade. Fingers crossed!
Stages dual side powermeter because, well, I’m totally awesome!
Is christmas about presents? All I got was a lot of food ^^. I will buy a powermeter or upgrade my watch. Also need an extensioncord for my ANT+ dongle to prevent dropouts
a garmin f5 plus!
Assiomas! Gotta jump on the power train.
Probably the Fenix 5, or maybe a FR935.
A Garmin 645 music for my wife, as she starts her 2019 off right. Thanks!!!
Fenix 5x plus sapphire coz its cool :)
That Wahoo fan looks interesting.
I’d like probably get a Polar Vantage watch
Garmin Fenix/935 because I am in need of a new Tri watch!
935xt to replace my ageing fenix 3.
Hi!
I’d get something to help me swim training… started back in the pool and want to plan and improve.
Thanks for the giveaway :)
Pedro
Power meter because mine broke a few months ago.
vivoactive 3 music!
Socks for Christmas!
Seriously. I need new socks. And shoes.
Always wanted a GoPro Hero Black 7 but couldn’t muster the coinage to justify.
I’m pretty sure I’d get a Garmin forerunner. Would be sweet.
I would love a Garmin Fenix 5 to replace my old Apple Watch.
KICKR Core. A silent trainer would keep everyone happy!
Garmin Inreach Mini for the long backcountry adventures next summer!
I’d get a Fenix 5 Plus, would love to have a device with music!
I got socks, but would like a power meter.
A Garmin 935, don’t know why someone didn’t buy one for me.
I would probably get the nicest Garmin unit with the best battery life that I could. I’m sick of devices that have awesome features, but that barely last one day on a charge.
Put towards a pedal based power meter
Hmm… Probably an Apple Watch or fenix 5x. Apple Watch because it would pair nicely with my phone, fenix 5x because it’s a beast.
A power meter or trainer for my wife.
I would get a Go Pro camera.
A Garmin Edge 1030 would be perfect to log my bike tours
I would go for either a Garmin F5X Plus or the 935. My current one has seen better days.
Any power meter. Had to give up my gym membership because of costs and no longer have access to a WattBike…
Waterproof GoPro for my next trip to Hawaii.
Fundamentally I want Tony Starks Ironman parts. Currently I have a corked left thigh for boring and incompetent reasons. So I want a new left thigh versa ambit plus which will let me run and bike etc. A wearable (unless it’s a wearable left thigh) will only tell me how I can’t run. New spine would be good. At least a Garmin Fenix 5 plus lets me pay for stuff whilst showing how my HR goes up whilst I am paying for stuff so I will go for that.
A new trainer would be awesome
I would get Favero Assioma Uno and maybe the Polar OH1. Got the Polar V650 on sale for christmas now I need to get data to feed it ;)
For $500 I’d buy multiple things.. such as new chain, cassette, running shoes, and if any leftovers a new GoPro camera
Fenix 5 plus, because it’s a beauty
A Wahoo KICKR 2018 + CLIMB would make for an awesome winter training season
A Kickr Core. Would like to upgrade to a (silent) direct-drive trainer and stop bothering my neighbours.
Either a garmin 935 or a fenix 5s plus would be my choice
I would go for a fenix 5, its time to retire my forerunner 25 :p
It’s a big step, i know
Coros Apex
$500 is probably not enough, but it makes for a nice start:
Smart trainer
Garmin Vario radar light
Wheelset with slightly wider rims than I have now
Powermeter
That’s a really good question? A new bike to take my boy cycling with me? A car rack for the roof?
Stages power for a new gravel bike!!
I would like to get a smart trainer, probably a Wahoo Kickr to replace my old Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, given that I still have a few months of indoor riding ahead of me this new year.
Treadmill would be awesome.
Really need a new pair of shoes for running!
I think I would go with a new bike computer. The forerunner 910 in the quick release mount is getting a bit tired.
Please a new trainer would be nice!
I would get a new power meter! Thanks for hosting!
I would get the power meter pedals, as I would like to get more data for my training. II’ll do my first triathlon this year.
Looking forward to some new tech! A new head unit is next on my list!
I would get a gopro to capture bike rides
I’d get a wahoo trainer.
A Garmin Fenix 5S Sapphire, because my Vivoactive HR doesn’t support power meters.
I would get a new garmin running/multi-sport watch to replace my 910xt that just broke :(
Fenix 5s plus. Love the all Black Model
I would have to go with a Fenix 5 or a new GoPro. My old Session is due for retirement.
A smart trainer would have been a great present!
Hi,
I would get a boat. No a submarine. No – a Garmin 935.
Power Metre… or a running watch with Power.
Basically need to reignite motivation!
The Kickr Climb to go with my Core
Fenix 5 plus, as my iPod died, I need a new watch and I hate running with my phone.
Power meter peddles. Probably
A Forerunner 645 music would be excellent. Upgrade from 235, with music and contactless! No need to carry my phone in runs if I have that.
I’d treat myself a power meter. :)
Would love a fenix 5 plus!
A running watch for my wife
Garmin Vector power meters. Hope they improve my training, or at least feed my inner/outer geek. O
I hope I win this time
I would get pedals power meter to perfect my training
I really wanted some power based pedals!
Favero duo would compliment my kickr core outside.
I have two choices either (1) the Wahoo Tailwind to go with the Core and the Climb; or (2) one of the DJI drones. Just need to figure out if I can legally use them in the area of NYC, New York State, and New Jersey that I typically use for cycling.
I would power meter to improve my training! Merry Christmas!
Tacx neo 2
Garmin fenix 5S Sapphire, keeping track of my heart rate is important, I had an ablation but I still get little irregular sessions now and again so I like to keep track
Wow, I want a Fenix, bring it on Ray :)
Would love a Fenix 5 plus!
Definitely a direct drive trainer to upgrade my vortex!
Merry Christmas. I’d like to buy a new bike computer or maybe the new Varia lights. Cheers.
I would love to buy a Garmin 1030 with the prize.
Hyperice Hypervolt, to loosen up tight muscles after training
Favero Assioma duo
Kickr Core cause my wheel on trainer wakes everyone up when I workout esrly in the morning.
Hyperice Hypervolt, to loosen up tight muscles
Garmon Vector pedal power meter, it’s the one thing left I would love to have.
Hmm, new gadgets always help with motivation, otherwise you don’t get to play with them! Maybe one of the high end Garmin units or new vector pedals!
Vector 3 would be nice
A Stryd Power Meter… to up my running metrics game.
Kickr core for my wife to ride next to me.
Hi Ray,
Merry Christmas! I hope you and your family are well? You should definitely come back to Australia for our summer, it’s the best! If I win, I would buy a Tacx Flux as I’ve entered IMWA and need the hours in the saddle. I work shift and can’t always get out on road.
Cheers!
A tacx flux, because after trying one at my friends home i’ll probably buy a new trainer anyway in the next few days…
Wahoo Elemnt, as my Garmin crashes too often :-(
I guess I would choose à Polar Vantage V, out of curiosity mostly, but also because I trust Polar to enfance the featured.