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…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!
Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Hmmm.. I am not really sure. The wife and I kinda have everything we need and the kids are too young for sport gear. Maybe I’ll throw it at a GoPro camera just for kicks.
I would probably get a cycling helmet. Why? To put it on my head, obviously.
I’m not sure if I can enter since I live in Europe but I’ll give it a shot anyway. I’d go for whatever my lovely partner needs.
Thanks ray, happy holidays to you and the whole family
I’d get me a Garmin Edge 1030. The old and trusty 520 has such lags
Kickr Climb – just got the kickr 2018 and I guess it would go very well alongside
Something shiny and gpsable for my bike or something for my wife…
New shiny Quarq crankset. I’m tired of my old P1s.
Any indoor smart trainer. Getting colder these days…
The latest and greatest Garmin watch probably.
I’m obsessed with power metersso… A power meter please
I would go for a kickr core, or possibly a set of power meter pedals
Forerunner 640! I want to replace my VHR+
For me that should be a running watch I guess. But I would need to decide on which one then …
the kickr climb looks like a great choice
A nice bike computer!
Kickr!
A smartwatch or a major discount on a smarttrainer? #stress
I’d put the money towards a new trainer like wahoo kick or something similar.
The Favero Assioma power meter – after three seasons blighted by overtraining injuries, a power meter might help me to stay disciplined in my trading efforts and most importantly keep me fit.
Fenix!
Running gear!
A Kickr Climb – our son has taken over the original Kickr and there is nothing else to Zwift on!
A Garmin Forerunner 935 since I want to start doing triathlons in the coming year!
I would definitely get a Garmin edge 520 plus, after ‘investing’ in an aeropod but having nothing to display it on!
I’d probably get a Garmin Fenix 5, my Forerunner 230’s soldiering on for now but could use a buddy or a (whispering: replacement).
I’d like a new watch!
Put towards a new turbo…it’s time I entered the proper world of smart trainers to maximise my TR experience!
Fenix 5 as an upgrade to current Vivoactive 3.
Definitely a Wahoo Kickr as I don’t have a trainer for the winter months!
A new sport watch for running and hiking.
Cheers mic
Fenix 5, because i need all the possible data i can :)
I would love to own a power meter but unfortunately out of range right now, i’d buy a pair of garmin vector 3 pedals!
I would get a Fenix 5s Plus for my wife;) or garmin Virb 360 for myself ;0
Why? She could use a good sport watch on our expeditions and filming in 360 looks like awesome thing to be able to share ;)
Looking for a new watch. Keen what Garmin will Annonce at Ces 2019
Vector 3 because my powertap pro needs to be replaced soon!
Vector 3 Would be cool
Just one? POWERMETER, TRAINER…fenix 5 plus
Garmin 920xt!
A new Power Meter to get Rid of the bepro
My Garmin 820 has the weird ‘halo’ screen effect and the battery life seems to be shortening in the cold weather.
I’m thinking of upgrading to a Edge 1030 … fingers crossed. ?
It would be nice to have a first powermeter.
A go pro hero 7 black for sure. Nobody will ever give this as a present to me because nobody believes in my taste for pictures and video but all I need is a good camera
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, it can do more than I need, a FR645 would work as well, but the Fenix looks way better
A bike computer for tracking my commutes.
Garmin Edge 520 Plus to go with my new bike
It will be going towards the Tacx Neo Smart :) Or some winter cycling gear, to go out in real life instead of on Zwift :p
I’d get some power pedals, to get better at cycling, merry X-mas!
something to soup up my home gym setup! Thanks Ray!
I would get the assioma PM, great product
A decent bike-specific video camera to record some amazing scenery I ride through so I can re-live it at leisure and share with others!
Fenix F5x Plus
I would purchase a power meter for my bike!
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus. I need a fitness tracker to help me stay focused on my training after losing my leg three years ago. Just now getting back into the swing of things and need more data!
Some nice new rollers for the winter.
A Fenix5s plus to upgrade from my Polar M600. Thanks for all of your good work!
A new smart trainer
I would upgrade my GoPro Session to a GoPro Hero7 Black!
I would love to receive a pair of Favero Assioma or Garmin Vector 3, thanks
power meter for the perfect training
I would buy a GoPro Hero 7 Black.
Put it towards a power meter for my tri bike to take my training to the next level
I’d go for the Garmin Vector 3/3S Pedal-Based Power Meters. As I haven’t been tracking any watt levels on my bike(s) so far, this would definitely be the next level in my triathlon and training efforts :-) And thx for the Great Giveaway!
Grab a Quarq Dzero for a new bike build…
dying for power meter for better training
A new smart trainer
I’d get a Tacx Neo as a motivation to start using Zwift again. My old Vortex just doesn’t do the trick anymore.
I would buy a Garmin Fenix 5s plus. My Forerunner 230 is on its last legs
Hopefully a polar vantage!
A Fenix 5s Plus as an upgrade to enjoy phone-free music from Spotify on my runs. :-)
GoPro for filming my upcoming Maratona dles Dolomites
Garmin Fenix 5X for my husband! So he can’t get lost!
Dear Santa,
I’d like a new Suunto 9 so I can track the best way my route to work and don’t get lost many times.
MANY THANKS…
A new Garmin smartwatch for recording my Haspa Marathon
A smart trainer to train for my first ever triathlon!
A shiny Garmin Fenix 5s to upgrade from a big plastic FR935!
Need a new garmin to replace the one that was destroyed in a recent crash :( (yes I hadn’t activated the strava Sundays insurance until after the crash)
Would love the new go-pro 7. My Garmin virb elite met an early end after the mount snapped on a decent at 70kph.
I didn’t get the wahoo trainer I wanted to kickstart my Ironman return, even though I already have a mag and a fluid trainer :D
I’d love to snag a Tacx Flux 2 (provided it gets the DCR ‘seal of approval’, of course)
I would get a years supply of running shoes!
I’d like to get the power meter! :)
I Wish for the Kicker climber
I would get a power meter! I have been eyeing the Garmin vector 3 dual sided for a while now but I can’t justify the price.
A new kicker core and climb would be simply lovely
New running watch with music! Thanks!
I need to step up my bike training so a power meter is my choice.
A GPS watch that’s smaller than my Fenix 2.
$500 towards a smart trainer. A go pro 7. Upgrade the bike computer. Decisions decisions…..
I’d love a Garmin watch w hr to help me better keep track for training… or a Garmin bike computer as mine died after being well loved!
Garmin Vector 3. Just to show friends with problems that it can actually be made to work after changing batteries
Garmin 935 update for my 920 to access all the new stuff
A Garmin Edge 1000 series so I can see where my partners are located when biking
The New Polar Vantage V, replacing my old Watch
A Polar Vantage V as a replacement for my 5 year old V800.
GoPro7 –> record my swimming…
A gopro hero 7 to make nicer and smoother video… but I may change my mind! ;)
I would get Suunto 9 G1 Baro to upgrade from my old Suunto Ambit3 Run :)
Thank you for your effort and I hope you will make a nice tacx neo bike smart when it is available.
Have a nice day.
Some new running shoes and trail shoes. They just keep wearing out too fast!
Indoor trainer for easier winter training
Would like to get new Fenix 5 plus.