Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. 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.
favero assioma duo . best bang for you buck dual powermeter
I would put it towards a power meter. But it may take a long time deciding which one, so many to chose from.
A new bike computer like the Garmin Edge. Starting to bike to work and it will be useful!
Fenix 5. The old watch is slowly dying…
I would buy a new GoPro to replace my hero3!
It’s about time to replace the FR235. So maybe the Fenix 5S plus.
I’d pick up a pair of Vector 3 pedals to kick start the New Year with some good structured bike training on the road!
I’d put it towards a shiny new smart trainer! – Thanks Ray
Probably hook up with a smart trainer!
I’d get the Garmin Vector pedals for better fitness training.
Wouldn’t a new fenix 5s plus be a great present
I’d buy a bike trainer for my wife
A Rhythm24, so that i can do hr zone training.
Was really hoping for a Garmin Fenix 5X series this year. Frowny Face :(
A power meter!!! :)
A kickr headwind or climb to go with my new wahoo trainer!!
Hey from Pontiac county Quebec Canada, I would get the Garmin Varia RTL510 rear-view radar, my 25km commute (50km round trip) is on a secondary highway without paved shoulders, the rear view mirror just does not do the trick.
I’d love the Forerunner 935. I want to start training with running power and my current watch can’t handle it.
Would be fun to have a Garmin Fenix with mapping capabilities, just for fun and also as a safety factor when hiking or kayaking without a proper map. The inReach Mini seems really cool too, for that purpose and others.
I’d like a new head unit (edge 1030?) to replace my thrashed and bashed (but still mostly functional) Edge 810
I will buy… hummm… maybe a GoPro :-)
I want a new smartwatch!!!
It would be a toss up between a power meter and a Fenix 5P
Some new sunglasses, I lost mine a few weeks ago…
Hmmm. Probably a new forerunner 935. Need to replace some outdated tech! Fa la-la-la la.
I’d like to get a new direct drive trainer. My old one is getting to be too old.
Since we really don’t do expensive gift in our family it wouldd be really awesome to get a supplement to a wahoo trainer. Merry Christmas and happy new year
I would spent 500$ credit on watch upgrade :)
Power meter please – P1 or Vectors :-)
A power meter so I can learn how powerful (weak) I am.
Oooh. A Garmin 645 music!! Running bug bit hard 12 months ago and need something to help with more structured training. Merry Christmas!
Need an upgrade on my original vivoactive. Something that samples GPS every second preferably.
My road bike is in need of some work. A new bike computer or power better would be a wonderful addition!
I’d love a new multi sport watch to replace my aging one.
I would get a power meter for gravel and cross riding.
I’m thinking I could use a new lightsaber.
I’d get a Fenix 5, having power readings on the commute without the need to bring the Edge for a short ride to work would be awesome!
Smart trainer like Wahoo Kickr Snap, in order to level up my indoor bike training.
I would purchase a Garmin wearable.
Garmin Vector because it’s time to train with power
I’d get a power meter so my coach stops yelling at me about getting one! And also train with power, of course. ?
I’d definitely get a new GPS watch, exact model tbd … mine is 3 years old at this point and the HR monitor has stopped working … and I’d also really just like a shiny new one :) thanks!!
Garmin Fenix 5. Cause why not. Don’t bike enough anymore to need a power meter…
Tacx Neo 2 for a pain cave upgrade.
Would get the wife the Garmin Run HRM to compliment her new 645 Music seeing as they don’t bundle them anywhere!
I would like to get a pair of vector 3 to keep me motivated where riding indoor.
Garmin Fenix it would have to be :-)
I’d love a Wahoo Climbr please. I live in Florida. ‘Nuf said. Thank you.
I’d pick up the Edge 520+ for myself (the Captain) and the Edge Explore for my wife (aka Stoker, aka Navigator, aka Rear Admiral) for our tandem.
Power meter for my mtn bike for sure…Leadville is coming!!!
Garmin Fenix 5+ – does everything I need (and a lot more) with a decent battery to be doing it for longer ;-)
I’d love a new Garmin Fenix 5s so I can train as well as see my heart rate spike during airline turbulence!
I think Garmin Edge for my bike
I got a bluetooth helmet. Just need the rest of the bike now.
A power meter or a new GPS watch, can’t decide :)
Maybe a new Fenix with fancy mapping!
I would like to get a Garmin Edge 520 to get rid of the no touch display of my 820
Hmm….$500 at Clever Training? Probably a trainer or new bike computer. Or socks.
A new Garmin, probably a Fenix version
Sram 1x for road bike
Garmin 935 pls :)
I would love an upgrade to my garmin edge 510 to get mo’ data.
Garmin Edge 1030 or similar
Probably a Garmin 520 bike computer, since I’ve never owned one, and have used my GPS watches on my bikes since forever. Time for an upgrade?
Easy … it will be toward a bike trainer … probably the Wahoo KICKR Core.
GoPro to start recording local race night and various events.
Garmin diving watch
Merry Christmas to the Rainmaker household from snowy Ottawa :-) … well 500$ would go a long way in pimping my wife’s Cervelo with all types of cool sensing and tracking technologies (Garmin 520)
I’d get a nice Garmin running watch.
Fenix 5+ because that’s what all the cool kids want.
Garmin Edge
I really like the new Tacx Neo Smart Bike.
I would get a new pedal-based power meter, my original Vectors no longer work.
Probably hero 7!
Probably a new Garmin…. :)
I would get the Tax Flux S to improve my indoor training.
If I won, I would select the Go Pro Hero 7 Black. I would like this for trail running and road running. Hope I win!
I’d get a GroPro Hero Black
My next gadget will definitely be a power meter. Unless my Garmin running watch dies before then.
I’ll get a Wahoo KICKR!
Garmin dice watch! Or iBubble underwater drone ?
Apple Watch 4 because the OHR blows everything on the market right now
I’m after a new Garmin Fenix! I love my original Fenix but it’s time to upgrade.
Doubting between the garmin Forerunner 935 or a Suunto watch. Happy holidays!
I would like a Polar Vintage M, pleaaase !
Happy holidays !
JC
Being a Polar fanboy, i would probably waste them on the Vantage V instead of getting a proper “smart” watch like, you know, a Fenix. Let’s hope at least Santa makes a late delivery of smartphone notifications, that one is a feature I couldn’t live without anymore in any watch.
GoPro Hero 7 would make for good cycling videos on Route 9W
I’d love to get a Garmin Fenix 5S as Santa didn’t bring me one despite some very heavy pre-Xmas hinting ;)
I’d put it towards a Forerunner 935, Fenix 5s Music, or KICKR CORE for my Mom to help her get back into doing tri’s with me. Love ya Mom <3
I’m looking for a Wahoo KICKR!
A Wahoo Kickr Climb to go with my Kickr.
I would put it towards a Garmin edge 1030 so I can so i can figure out where I am supposed to be going.
Upgrade to Suunto 9
Garmin Heartrate Monitor…mine smells really really really bad.
With an offer like this, might as well try a Favero Assioma power meter. Thanks!
Garmin Fenix 5 for what it is capable of, but also because it is beautiful!
I would get a smart trainer, the 4-6 months of winter are depressing and I need some more realistic cycling in my training.
Fenix 5 Plus please! I would love to upgrade from a FR 620. Hoping to break a 3 hour marathon in 2019!
Garmin 935! Would love a more serious sport watch after my Apple Watch.
I would get the favero assignation pedals because they seem like a great value.