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’d get a Garmin520 Plus with longer battery life than my 520 [which needs a powerbank connection for long rides]
Didn’t get ANY sports tech – was told I could buy it myself (maybe that’s permission for a Fenix 5 Plus?)
New Garmin to replac the old.
I would get favero power meter pedals.
Cycleops Hammer 2 would come join me.
Assioma Duo!
would get some smart bike lights
A new edge, using my watch for bike rides is getting old, i gotta be fancy
Quarq Dzero Power Meter Spider for my new bike build!
Probably a power meter for my new bike. Thanks, Ray!
Power meter for my new bike, but I can’t decide which one.
Garmin vector 3 pedals! So I can track my power outdoors as well as indoors!
A powere meter might be a new addition to the MTB
~Happy New Years
Fenix 5S plus for everything other than cycling
I would love a gopro or some nice bluetooth headphone
I would get a power meter. Assuming I can finally decide which one I want
A Fenix of some sort – much nicer looking then my 235.
A drone. Because I bought my brother one for Christmas and I’m jealous that I don’t have one.
Garmin Vector 3..I need to get in better shape!
Wifey needs a Garmin Vivosmart 3 Music for her half marathon!
I wanted some technical clothing to get through the MN winter as I train for Boston.
Garmin 935 please!
Some new running gadgets to make winter training tolerable.
A new direct drive indoor bike trainer to replace my on-wheel trainer
Probably some Garmin Fenix schweetness!
A set of power meter pedals to crush my 70.3 PR next season
Fancy new aerobars
Still waiting on my power meter!
A sweet new Garmin!
Power meter for my cyclocross bike… that way I can use Christmas money on an extra set of wheels for the cx bike!
Fenix5S because why not?!
I think it’s time to upgrade from a smartphone computer to an actual Garmin 520 or maybe a Wahoo Element?. So, pick me! Pick me!
It would be great to get a Suunto 9 to see how bad my running pace has gotten over the years.
a fenix 5s! thank you, ray
A Garmin Fenix 5 plus or money toward a kick snap.
Though it might appear ‘dated’ soon, I would get a Garmin 935.
Nothing better to reenergize my tri training than a new toy!
I’d probably get a neo 2
Yes please! Probably a GoPro!
A GoPro would be a fantastic gift to myself
The 2019 bucket list calls for SCUBA in Bonaire and would Love the Garmin Descent.
I would’ve loved to have gotten a power meter.
Garmin 645 running watch
Bike case/bag so I can travel on a plane with my bike
Garmin 935. Long battery life to get back into Ironman!
Bike trainer for thru-axel. 3t driving me nuts.
Power meter please.
A power meter. No a spark drone. No a smart trainer. Aaaaargg. Too many choices. Ok, final choice – Forerunner !
A new Elite DRIVO Interactive trainer would be nice, Thanks Ray.
Fenix 5 probably…
Power Meter, cause all my mates have one?
4iiii powermeter for my CX bike so that I don’t need to keep switching it between bikes all the time!
Apple Watch Series 4. I need a new activity tracker and running watch and want one that integrates both functions and syncs to my phone.
New Garmin. Still running an old 205 and its battery life is really dwindling
I was hoping for Sram eTap under the tree. Sadly I got only bar tape. Bar tape with polka dots, but nonetheless not eTap.
New Smart trainer so I can start using zwift.
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus for sure!
I would definitely use it to help get a Wahoo Kickr. Then Kickr climb.
I’d get myself a 735xt triathlon bundle. Why? I need a new watch and I need to focus on my otherwise terrible swimming.
Power meter for my wife
I’d go with the little edge and then consider the 500 as well
I would get a pair of Favero Assioma because I want to know I’m pedalling strong enough IRL!
Smart trainer ? Happy Holidays!
Give me the POWER to a METER
Power meter
Either a smart trainer or a power meter. This won’t buy it all but will surely get me to a price point I can handle. Win or not, thanks as always for the chance. Love dcrainmaker!
Maybe a power meter. Maybe some cycliq lights for safey.
New fenix to replace my old Garmin
Wahoo Kickr. I really want to add indoor training and fill ou the rest of the calendar.
Probably a GoPro Black
I’d probably pick up a GoPro hero 7 to take some sweet running and skiing selfies
Hi Ray, would love to upgrade to a cycliq front and rear set after 1 too many close calls on Sydney roads. Sadly, Santa wasn’t feeling that generous this year.
The new Fenix 5x plus. Because it’s an epic watch and I’d like one to summit Kilimanjaro!
Power meter
New working power meter to replace my wattteam one which i got from Clever Training =D
A Quarq power meter is on my wishlist.
Cavern Assioma power meter duo pedals.
A power meter please! Why are all decent power meters so expensive?
I’d get a some kind of indoor trainer.
A new Fenix will be great!
Garmin…Fenix…not picky. ?
A new GPS computer! Not decided yet between an Element Bolt, an Edge 820 or a 1030. Because my Edge 800 is getting old…
WANT! :)
That is a lot of comments!! Santa forgot my Wahoo Kickr. Time to upgrade my training to a smart trainer from the lemond revolution!
I’d get a Wahoo KICKR Climb to complete my Wahoo setup so I can Zwift all the Zwift there is.
Socks. Or a new Garmin Fenix 5 Plus.
Power meter to take my cycling to the next level.
A Garmin radar light. I’ve just been biking on narrow country roads and this would have made me feel a lot safer
Fenix 5. Love my 3 but time to move on.
Garmin Edge 820 Cycling Computer- it’s time for an upgrade!
I would like the Apple Watch 4 although I’m very tempted by a fenix. Thank you!
I’d get a new Garmin Edge 5xx
Ceramic Speed OSPW. I think they sell that…
I like Forerunner 645 music as replacement for my ancient 210
Garmin 1030 so that I can actually read the maps. The 820 is too small for my aging eyes, plus it has the dreaded halo effect.
I think my new Tacx Neo 2 didn’t fit under the x-mas tree ?
New Kickr because I’m having issues with my Gen 1!
I’d buy a Garmin watch. Fenix 5 or FR935, perhaps.
I really want a Hero 7. Hyper smooth is the truth. Or a Fenix 5+.
Could have asked for one… but I know my wife’s budget….so I didn’t.
I’d like a power meter for my road bike, so those Assioma pedals look the goods. But if I can’t get those I’ll take a can of SPAM. Thanks Ray!
I have yet to dip my toe into the Power Meter arena, but an extra $500 and I’d definitely take the plunge!