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.
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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.
Fenix 5 plus!
gopro hero 7 black in ordre to capture the beautiful winter riding in the desert and savor it later…
Not sure what I’d choose. Perhaps a watch upgrade?
Garmin vector pedals
I’d like to get my hands on a powermeter for one of my bikes.
I would get myself a Garmin Forerunner 935. Finally time to upgrade from a 310 and have HR on board.
I would by the awesome Wahoo Kickr bike trainer so pick me please
I don’t rightly know what I want. I’ll figure it out later when I win.
Favero power meter cause I need more power on the bike
A Trainer would be grea.
Fenix 5x plus. I got enough ties.
Oddly enough, I didn’t get anything, because my mom had a heart attack, and she’s recovering very slowly. So, no shopping this year for her. I did manage to get her a FitBit, after reading your reviews, so now she can monitor her heart beat. As for myself, that new GoPro looks amazing. When I bicycle, I have an old GoPro Session, and take some photos on that, then I share those with my mom. So, a new GoPro 7, means I could share more of the outdoors with her.
Garmin vivoactive 3 music because my vivoactive 3 was scuffed up in a crash!
garmin 1030
I would like a polar vantage v please.
I like the orange color of the strap. Dutch corner ?
id get a 935 as a replacement for my 220.
It’s time to get a power meter!
DJI OSMO Pocket with accompanying accessories please ;)
I’d likely get a new GoPro to replace the older version I have. Like most electronic gadgets, the newer models are smaller, lighter & have new features.
I’d grab a stryd run pod so I could try our zwift running!
I would love a new trainer for Christmas!
Though my wife would disagree I think i could
Use a new watch!
I would get a Garmin Forerunner 935 to help me kickstart my return to fitness and half ironmans when I turn 50!
I’d love to get into the action camera market with a GoPro Hero 7 Black.
A Wahoo sensor and cadence bud/pod for my 6 year old who just started e-training on xmas 2018. Then I can get back my own sensors and hit the Zwift courses again.
I need silent trainer because of noise trouble with my neighbors.
A nice shiny kickr
Garmin Instinct, love to hike
A smart trainer. It’s hard to get out of the house these days, to fight the battle of the bulge.
A nice Garmin 520 with all of the sensors, but not for me. My wife has decided she would like to be a little.more high tech in her training this year.
I would like a garmin. My fitness tracker is falling apart and I would love to try a garmin.
Garmin Edge 1030 because I’ve never had a bike computer before!
I’d get a Garmin 935. I’ve been wanting one for a by time!
I could use a Garmin bike computer so I don’t get lost next summer. Thanks Ray!
The Garmin 935 looks really useful and move for the coming year of training.
A Garmin Edge to track my rides.
I was hoping for a power meter for the bike, but didn’t end up getting anything sports related.
Hello my name is Stuart and I have a Zwift addiction. I would get a smart trainer to fully experience the features of Zwift that I currently miss out on with my dumb trainer.
I would get a gift cert for physical therapy since I continue to hurt myself doing everything I love to do
I would probably pick up the Cycliq fly 6 and 12 so there is proof the next time I need it…
wahoo headwind and desk to complete my pain cave
I want a Fenix 5 plus. I need It to compare GPS accuracy with DC Rainmaker here in Spain and invite him to enjoy the famous spanish tapas after comparison
A new running watch. Either the 935 or the fenix 5
A Garmin 935, it’ll be a very nice upgrade!
I’d get one of the new TacX wheel-on trainers. Probably the Flux 2. I’ve been riding the trainer a lot and silent would allow me to get out of the basement.
Fenix 5. The long battery life is necessary for my long runs.
I’d like a Garmin edge 1030 since my 1000 is on its last legs now.
I’d get a new element bolt. My 520 is nearing the end of its life!
Garmin Fenix 5 with a schosche rhythm 24 to get that VO2max up again!
I’d love a bike trainer please!
Fenix 5
“Without data you’ re just another person with an opinion”
W.Edwards Demings
I would love the chance to get a new triathlon watch. My last (and current) watch have broken so I can’t track elevation anymore, and it would be a helpful feature to have as I train for the hills of Boston!
A new direct drive Trainer!
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus
I’d get Assioma power meter pedals. I’ve got Bepros, but have now got Qrings on my TT Bike.
I would put it towards a power meter don’t know which one yet.
I’d love a pair of power cranks…any brand the meets DCRM specs
A Fenix 5!!! And leave all other gadgets behind!!!
I could use a power meter. I have a kickr but it would be nice to use the power meter for pacing during races
I would like a new helmet, or two for riding… Didn’t get one from santa.
P1 or P2 pedals so I can measure my stupendous power output.
Polar vantage
I would like a Fenix 5X, I think, though the 935 sort of speaks to me as well.
I would buy a stages power meter.
I’d upgrade to the new Kickr Core, which would be a big step up from my current wheel-on trainer!
I’d like a power meter
Garmin 1030!
Thanks!
Really want the Fenix 5x for music!
Fenix 5 Plus
I would get a kickr climb. Been looking at one for a couple of months.
Garmin Fenix 5
Santa forgot to bring a Fenix 5 plus, to prep me for next season. So if I should be the lucky winner I’ll finally upgrade my F3.
Garmin Vivoactive. Thanks.
Ideally a bionic body as I’m bored of sitting out the season injured.
Garmin 645 Music to help me improve my running
A power meter. For metering the power.
A pair of Garmin Vector pedals. Cos we all need power.
A new smart trainer to link up with Zwift and give me some structure to my indoor training
I got what I wanted: a kickr core.
What would I buy? I want a Garmin 935 music. Now, I know what you’d say, that these don’t yet exist. But I figure if anyone can make Garmin start producing them, it would be Ray.
I need that Garmin 935, to make all my dreams come true. I need that HR on my wrist at all times. Then get the run pod and power my way through runs!
A KICKR Core. Santa got lost.
A smart trainer!!
Garmin 1030 or Explore to go with my new Cannondale road bike.
garmin 645!
I need Garmin Forerunner 935 for my 1st duathlon in 3 weeks time.
I would grab a fenix 5s. Oddly “fenix” auto corrects as “denim”. I also need a new pair of jeans.
I’d put it towards a Tax Neo for my wife!
Gadzooks! A Garmin 520 plus would go great with all of my leftover fruitcake.
Probably a Garmin Felix. I want to do a trail marathon. Seems like a good watch for that.
Stryd running power meter
Wahoo Kickr Climb
Would love to get new power pedals since my crankbased meter has *30w constant offset.
Garmin Vector 3S – Looking to get more from my outdoor training.
I wanted a garmin varia, but I didn’t get it
A new trainer would be amazing. Coming back from a car accident and not read to get out on the road.
A Fenix 5!
I would get a Garmin 935. This way I could pass the 735 down to my son.
A Garmin edge, trying to navigate using a wrist mounted watch is a pain…
Asioma for sure. But if I can’t part with the extra cash, I can always find something else that needs replacing.
I’m waiting for some improvements in the Fenix product line before I commit, but with the $500, I would take the plunge now.