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.
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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!
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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.
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5
I stopped running and gave my watch to my husband, i’m now running again and need a new watch. I’d love to see what the Garmin Vivomove HR can do!
kickr 2018 – because it’s awesome!
I really wanted the Favero pedals. Really need to get with the times and use power, just continues to be out of reach for me
I got the gift I wanted, because I bought it for myself, so maybe I shouldn’t enter…? Let’s be real, there after plenty of other things I would love to have!
-Guillermo
Go Pro! Happy New Year!
Wahoo kicker because it kicks butt!
Polar Vantage V
Garmin watch or bike computer.
I would like Vector 3 so I can finally get some real power data
A GoPro Hero 7 for sure.
I would be over the moon for a direct drive smart trainer to find its way to me. It would elevate my Zwift game and training for my first full Ironman. It would also help get the most bang for my buck when trying to get in rides after working long shifts as a registered nurse.
I live so far North I thought Santa would understand how hard it is to keep your cycling spirits up through the cold dark months. I think the smart trainer would do just that!
I’d go for a Garmin 645 to replace my rather old 610.
I would get a garmin watch or bike computer.
Favero Assiomas, no question!
A smart trainer! Thank you
Since the altimeter went out on my 920xt, I would probably go for the 935.
I‘d get a Tax Neo 2, since my old trainer broke and the Kickr Core doesn‘t support my 10 mm thru axles. :/
Probably some kind of new watch
Probably the favero assiomas.
Maybe a new vivoactive with music.
I’d probably get a Wahoo Kickr Snap
I’d get some kind of fitness watch or heart rate monitor ❤️ for my workouts this year. That’s one thing I couldn’t really justify spending money on this year.
I’d love to get a nice optical sensor GPS watch!
No idea, but it would be fun to have
I’d like to get a smart trainer, if I will ever win (never won anything on such thing).
I’d be super excited to have a GoPro or Garmin Varia heads up system….
Lookin’ to get some Vectors for swappability.
Polar Vantage to inrease the analytics I can leverage in my journey toward my FIRST half Ironman this year! Triathlons have saved my life.
Is love a Garmin Fenix 5 so that I can’t get lost when running
A Garmin 520 plus for the mapping, or maybe a smart trainer of some sort
I’d like to get an M2 trainer for my wife so we can ride interactive courses together in the basement.
I’m moving to Colorado, where it’s COLD. I could use a new trainer
Would love to get a smart trainer. The new Tacx seems pretty sweet.
So many things that I could use! But top of my list is a new bike trainer.
Kickr climb
wahoo kickr core because I used my 20% off VIP sale for a Powermeter.
I honestly got everything I needed but could give my wife a new garmin edge for her bike ;-)
I would buy a Tacx Neo2!!
It would have to be a new running watch. Thinking the forerunner 645, but I could change my mind at any time.
A wahoo trainer
Favero Assioma to improve my cycling training
I want any mid-range smart bike trainer from TACX, Wahoo or Elite which can mount a bike with Thru Axle.
Why? It’s been on my shopping list for the last 2 years and only few trainers has Thru Axle support and it looks like the latest 2018 models support the thru axle and even comes with the accessories.
I would either get an Edge 520 Plus or an Edge 820. Not sure which I prefer.
Fenix 5x for me
I’d like one of those drones that follow you around as you run – so I can see what I look like and such while running!
I will buy a new computer for my bike, maybe a Garmin 520????
I’d get a pedal based power meter. Probably the assioma or the vector 3
I would like a new Garmin 820 to replace the old 510.
A trainer to keep up my conditioning in the winter
Favero Assioma will be good to use for my 2nd bike.
Some new socks, for my feets.
Garmin smart scale… not sure why!
A Quarq DZero for my gravel bike.
I would probably treat friends to encourage them to exercize .
Assioma pedals to have dual sided power
Power meter pedals!
Need a new tri watch, so maybe the 935. Otherwise the Hero 7 Black.
Socks, lots of socks … and maybe a power meter
I’d get myself a pair of headphones and sunglasses for running, maybe a GoPro – stuff that’s “nice to have” but that I haven’t wanted to spend money on for myself. :)
Would’ve loved to get the Garmin Forerunner 935.
Got some socks and a bike light but still missed out on that wahoo elemnt bolt!
Still didn’t get a wheel off smart trainer!
Power meter for outside-vector 3 pedals so i can use real TSS to train instead of heart rate!
Fenix 5S plus to record my first marathon.
Powermeter…..
I’d love a new Garmin forerunner to use running!
I would get the Garmin 935 to help me better track my training.
I’d love a set of assiomas for the commuter bike!
A whole lot of garmin fenix bands to go with my new fenix 5 plus. and maybe a power meter
I didn’t get a GoPro ?
I would like to win Garmin fenix 5x Multisport Training. Why? Because I NEED TO KNOW the hours for dinner, if not I will stay running for hours.
I am in dire need of some new running shoes along with some cold weather gear to wear while training for the rock and roll half and cherry blossom 10 miler!
Maybe swap out my current Vivoactive 3 for Fenix 5S plus or Fenix 5 Plus. Depends on how big it looks on me. Or maybe, a MIPS helmet with some sort of tech attachment? :)
fenix 5x plus, coz it’s upgrading time !
Id go for the Fenix 5s plus. Ive got the 235 but looking for an upgrade. Any idea on when the 245 is gonna arrive?
The 5X Plus! Is there anything this watch can’t do?? It really is a watch for all occasions, and not just in the sporting world. It’s improvements made on the fenix5 just adds to the versatility on this great watch!
I would get a Kickr core smart trainer. I think my current trainer has limited life now
I would buy an assioma power meter
Garmin 935 to do some comparison tests with my suunto
I’d love a new GoPro so I can capture my mtb rides!!!
Put it towards some power pedals.
Wahoo kickr
I’d use it to pay for part of a new power meter.
Feniz 5 plus fotos the mountains!!
A new running watch for myself and my wife
Garmin Edge 820 – because I don’t have one.
A power meter, any power meter!
? The new Quarq power meter with direct mount chainrings that SRAM will be announcing next month! ??♂️
I’d love to get a new GoPro
A gopro has been on my list of wants for years…
Favero Assimo pedals, because the previous pair of powertap p1 pedals I bought from clever training (on the recommendation of dcrainmaker) 3 years ago started to have bearing issues!
Vector 3s.
A Garmin watch newer than my 230
Power meter please!!
Another fabulous give Away! A great opportunity to keep motivated!
Fenix 5 as my outdated Fenix 2 doesn’t cut it for long trail runs
Garmin Fenix w/HRM To train for the Chicago Marathon 2019
Gift card or credit to let my elementary and middle school cross country team get some sport watches.
Kickr headwind fan because my husband just started indoor training and stole all my good fans!