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.
4
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!
5
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.
Hi Ray,
I would get a GoPro Hero7 Black to start recording my road and off-road bike adventures.
Thanks
My Edge computer battery doesn’t last so long these days. I’d like a 360 camera, but might wait out one more generation.
Pretty with my current setup but I suppose you never have enough gadgets, maybe a new watch ? Thanks !
Garmin 1030 so I can have navigation on my rides, and compatibility for rear Varia radar/light.
Pedal based power meter – to step up my training
Fenix 5s plus or FR935: need swimming heart rate.
I think the Assiomas for me, or maybe a trainer upgrade… ?
I would put it towards a Kickr climb as, like all great gadgets, it’s completely unnecessary :-)
GoPro Hero 7 Black for the Vegan Cyclist’s Yosemite Bike Camp in May
Since we “only” got a baby as present I stolp want a (part) of a Wahoo Kicks.
Fenix 5+ sapphire so my husband will stop bugging me.
I would get a nice power meter, like a quarq
I was really hoping for a wagon kickr or some sort of smart trainer!
A new forerunner would be a nice upgrade
Go pro hero 7, to record all my adventures. Thanks
Well, I totally _need_ A climb, but didnt get one ?
Still waiting on my Favero Assioma pedals. Sigh.
I’d probably update to a hero7black for the stabilization
Fenix 5 plus to help up my training game.
I’d pick out a new bike trainer or sportwatch :)
Garmin Fenix 5S Plus for running and cycling after my old 220 died.
I just got Powertap P1S pedals, but I still want a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Tickr to complete my setup without having to resort to my Apple phone and watch.
Sunnto 9 to use on my 1st ironman in june
Garmin Vector 3 pedals. Just bought a 935 and paired it to my Tacx. Now I need still something to pair it outside with :-)
Fenix 5s best watch around…
I would either get a smart trainer or a power meter. Just got back to cycling after a running for a bit. But with 2 kiddo’s at home it is difficult to get descent amount of ride time in.
Forerunner 645 music. I just signed up for a half marathon and need all the help I can get!
I would get a KICKR CORE.
An apple watch series 4 just to play around with.
I would get a Fenix5, because it looks better than my 920XT
A Fenix 5 as need to lose weight and get fit again after a period of ill health. There’s an ultra with my name on it if I can get where I need to be.
I would get a pair of Altra Paradign 4, women’s, in size 11.
I really need a new pair of running shoes :-)
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus for better city running
Need a new GoPro but we’ll see…
GoPro Hero 7 Black
Garmin bike computer / radar for safety. I got the NoxGear running vest so have 1 sport taken care of!
I plan to get a new Edge or Wahoo Element, gotta upgrade from an Edge 800
I need another power meter!
A new forerunner.
A new indoor trainer or an DJI Pocket would be nice
Fenix 5 would do nicely ?
A polar vantage v please!!
Some sort of power meter!
GoPro Hero 7 to shoot videos for fulgaz
Suunto 9….
Fenix 5s as I would like a constant check on my heart rate
I could use a new watch
I would love to get the Fenix 5X Plus. Merry Christmas.
A new forerunner
Fenix 5 Plus because my Fenix 3 randomly thinks I’ve climed several hundred thousand feet on my runs. Living in Houston I can guarantee that isn’t accurate!
I probably would get a smartwatch. I was wishing a Garmin but might as well get the upgrade with this gift and take a 5S.
My girlfriend moved to a new city so a bike computer with true mapping capabilities like the 520 plus would be amazing so I can learn the new roads and get pleasantly (and safely) lost
Put it toward a power meter for my second bike, would be nice to train with power all the time.
New kinetic R1 trainer!
Hmm, my pick World be the new Polar Vantage V. Seems to have everything i need in a lightweight package. And it looks like a watch now :)
Polar Vantage V – because I would so much like to see that 30+ hours of working time. And it looks nice, too.
I’d like to try out the wahoo bolt after reading a lot of reviews. I’ve used the garmin edge series before but just have a fénix right now.
A Garmin 935 for my spouse who needs an upgrade that works with a smartphone.
Would love to get a bike trainer
Favero Assioma PM because my old bePro ones are getting old.
need a new bike computer
Power meter, though I’m not yet sure which one
Wahoo climb. New dad = more climbing indoors, less climbing outdoors, let’s make the experience more interesting!
A Garmin 520 and a pair of nuclear powered compression socks. That would help my run, right?
Maybe some GoPro toys or a new Garmin 1030.
I’d probably get a Garmin Forerunner 935 to replace my 235 :)
I would like a Garmin tri HR strap!
A nice GPS watch for my girlfriend :-)
Here’s to a new Suunto or Garmin watch.
A Garmin 735 would help me take my running to the next level
Ohhh. the Wahoo Elemnt bundle – I’ve been itching to get this product for ages! The reviews keep pushing me to make bit the bullet and order one but the bank account says ‘no dice’ and I’d love to have some solid data numbers for my rides once I get a power meter. That or the Hero 7 black, that’s just a drool worthy item that might just replace the ‘need’ of the Elemnt for a ‘want’.
Looking for a daily watch – not sure if it would be a Fenix or a vivoactive 3 music
My first power meter! First full ironman training this year!
Maybe Fenix 5. Can’t decide.
A Garmin Edge 1030. I bought a lesser model and now wish I’d just didn’t more money on the one I really wanted.
I want to power up… anything that will give me a power read will do!
Tacx NEO 2, why? Gen 1 KICKr be gettn’ old.
I would get a smart trainer.
Still not sure if I would prefer a power meter or the last Fenix!
Probably a new watch from Garmin
Garmin Fenix 5X please :)
Really in need of a new cycling computer. My garmin 520 wont event last 60 miles on a full charge. ?
Smart trainer to get myself motivated
Tacx Neo 2 to train for a redemption IM Louisville.
GoPro for skiing and roadbiking
Garmin 1030 since my battery doesn’t last so long these days
Hmmmm, I need a power meter for my cross bike. Not sure the exact model, but pedals and wheel based are out. Probably just go with stages but in that case I have to replace my crank…yuck. Not a good option but about it.
I want to get a Garmin Fenix, I’d never spend that much on myself. Would be an amazing replacement for my 60 dollar Amazfit Bip
garmin instinct
Would love a smart trainer to make my indoor sessions not so boring!
A Forerunner® 645 Music
Black with Slate HardwarE Would be a wonderful Xmas gift ;)
Garmin Edge 130 … as my Edge 500 has earned a well-deserved rest
Probably a Wahoo Tickr X and some other bits and bobs – not one big gadget! If I can :-/
My pre-pregnancy form ofcourse!
A FR 935. Multi-Sport and navigation, what do you need more?
I would get me the newest Garmin Forerunner with HRM strap!
Go Pro Fusion. Perfect for mountain biking with its voice control function.
A Garmin Vector 3/3S or Varia UT800, nothing too flashy, just basic functions….
A garmin for my gravel bike that can show maps and upload direction files.
I’d have me a power meter. Not sure which one, but beggars can’t be choosers!