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.
Power meter would go down a treat.
Garmin Fenix 5. I was diagnosed with a form of Multiple Sclerosis this year (Relapsing Remitting MS) and my focus in 2019 is to get active again (already registered for a half and swim lessons) and stay as healthy as possible.
A Kickr Core. Vive la Resistance!!
A new Garmin bike computer (maybe 520 edge).
OMG SANTA!!!!
Wow, I’dd get a new powermeter for my bike since my Zimanox broke for the second tine allready. Not going to do the kickstarter route again anytime soon that’s for sure.
I would get the wahoo kicker core, I know more than $500 but I would put the $500 towards it. I got involved with zwift and now I’m hooked on indoor training (live in AK).
Kickr Climb or powermeter
Garmin Vector 3 pedals for my wife. She really wants power to train for her next tri. Thanks for everything you do here, Ray!
I would definitely use this towards a Fenix 5X Plus! Been saving for it for awhile now but just haven’t gotten there. Happy holidays everyone!
Fenix 5+, of course, need some music! Thanks
Dear Santa Ray,
I’d like a Fenix 5 or FR 935.
Thanks!
Garmin 935+. Music please
GoPro 7 to record my cycling adventures
Garmin Fenix
A smart trainer!
I would really like a pedal based power meter
Really looking forward to get the assiomas
Cheers
A bike trainer! I really need to choose one and be done with it, but if push comes to shove the Elite Nero rollers as I live in Central London and need to hmmm… properly learn how to bike (seriously I bought a tri bike without knowing how to ride, and I am really BAD at it).
I’d get a GoPro
I’d probably use it to justify a Tacx Neo 2 :-)
I’d get the Favero Assioma power meter pedals! Those are fantastic!
fenix 5s plus for my wife to replace her vivoactive 3 (mostly for battery life and to get rid of that annoying touch screen)
Garmin Vector 3!
The Fenix5 Plus mainly because I’d like to upgrade from my Fenix 3..:-).
I’d probably get a new Garmin Fenix 5 plus!
Vivoactive 3 or Fenix 5
A running watch to catch more data.
I’d love to get a pair of Garmin vector so I can up my cycling game. I can’t seem to progress at the moment and training by power may help
probably a new bike computer or an upgrade to my elite direto!
A Garmin 735, or Garmin 935
TIA!
I’d like to get an aero sensor to get on the road feedback and data to improve aerodynamics
Hi Ray, Santa skipped my region this year. A direct trainer with all the bells and whistles are all I need. Happy New Year!
Garmin Fenix! Oh yeah!
Stryd running power meter
Thanks!
I’d love to have a trainer at home again.
I would like the Forerunner 645 so I can connect Spotify to my wrist.
Hi Ray I’d love to have a pedal based power system. All the best for 2019!!
I’d get a Quarq DFour power meter, because I really want to see how my indoor training translates to outside rides.
I’d get a couple of pairs of shoes…Brooks Ghosts for road running, then probably something else for trails.
Yeah, gotta be the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus. Didn’t get it. Definitely want it.
Garmin Vector 3 because I just bought a new Felt and my old PT only supports a 10 sp cassette…..and because I want to go fast…..If you ain’t first you’re last!!!!
I did not get a Cycliq Fly12, likely because Santa did not think I worked out enough in 2018 to earn it. I promise Santa I will do better in 2019!
I’d probably get a wahoo kickr climb. It’s one of those things I can’t REALLY justify buying, but that I’d really like to have.
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5, looking to amp up the running next year!
Is love a Stryd power meter!
Would love to try the new Kurt R1…. I have always heard good things about the original KK trainer.
Garmin Index Scale and marathon racing shoes!
happy holidays!!
Garmin forerunner 935 because a couple of my 920 buttons have fallen off
I wanted a Garmin fénix but I ended up with a normal watch. Lol
A Garmin Fenix 5. Time to take my workouts up a few notches.
Thanks.
A Garmin Instinct would be great. I want something with longer battery life for ultrarunning, and looks nice as an everyday watch.
power meter, been wanting one for a couple of years now.
love the give away’s you do hope I win one day
rob
Kickr core and a multimeter. Does that count.??
Garmin 935. At Vermont 100 I had to charge my 235 during the race, even though I broke 16:00. I need the extra battery life for Western States 100! I didn’t get one because it’s stupid expensive!!!
I’d have to go with a power meter. Probably pedal-based.
Suunto Spartan 9
I need a new gps unity to ride my bike!
A smart trainer to keep going strong through the rest of winter!
Garmin 935 or Fenix 5 for me
Oh wow – a new Garmin fenix 5S Plus 42mm Multisport GPS Fitness Watch would have been sweet to find under my Christmas tree…
Pair of Garmin Vector 3 pedals.
Hope to receive belated Xmas present of that Nike Zoom 4% Vaporfly, 1 for training and 1 for racing for myself and Matthias. i need that bit to break my own personal achievement.
Dual side power meter. Santa went on strike at the mention of more bike stuff ?
Any powermeter would have been the perfect gift!
looking forward to anything, even it’s a simple bike that will be my stepping stone to biking. i am looking forward to the feeling on wind blowing against my face
I want to win a pair of Nike Vapor 4% so as to do well in my races next season.
MTB shoes with Boa laces and carbon soles, because the ones I can afford don’t have both at the same time
Action camera
Garmin fenix
A new pair of socks would be nice.
Vector 3 so I can finally get some real power data
I could use a new Garmin bike computer to replace my Edge 520!
Power meter to train for a week-long ride!
Would love to have garmin 645 music watch. Please, Santa!
I could use a new fenix 5+, my old 2 is getting old
Garmin HR belt, mine is showing its age and falling apart
I’d put the CLever Training credit towards a smart bike trainer…. mine is not so smart, and the weather is getting too warm to train outside
I would love a Fenix 5 plus. No pressure
Fenix 5, living in the past with a Fenix 3
Garmin bike computer.
The item I need most is the wahoo trainer desk.
For now.
An updated bike computer, reason is I’m still rocking the edge 520
A MTB power meter for marathon mountain biking.
All I want for Xmas is a new garmin watch…
I’m hesitating between the F5X or the Assioma. I’m currently using an F2… And I don’t have a powermeter. Probably I’ll get the F5X as I’m more of a runner
I’d get a Fenix 5, planning on a multi-sport 2019!
Got the tech I wanted, but need some cold weather gear.
A Kickr 2018, because it’s quieter then my first gen Kickr and won’t bother the neighbours in the apartment below me.
Probably a Fenix 5, as I’ve been feeling the new watch itch.
I would spring for an Elite Zumo, so I can cut down on noise and be training indoors in the evening.
Maybe a camera, maybe something else. I’d have to think on it.
Fenix 5 baby!!
I’d probably get a forerunner 935 to replace my older forerunner which seems to be less accurate these days with a much shortened battery life.
Kickr 2018 to replace my original kickr so I don’t annoy my downstairs neighbor
A new trainer would be great.
I would get a cycleops H2, pedal to the power, power to the pedal!
Gopro or Fenix or timemachine…
Tacx Neo 2 for the cold winter months of training. Or a vacation home in Taos. Either one…
New garmin bike computer!