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.
This would be about the only way I could justify getting myself an Aeropod :)
Garmin Forerunner 645 music
I’d get a Garmin Edge 130 with all the bundles! Time to upgrade from the Edge 25 I’m rocking now. Cheers Ray!
I would buy a Powertap P1 power meter.
December 28 just happens to be my 66th birthday!
Nice move. A new watch would be nice……
I want new Garmin bike computer. Not sure yet which one.
I’d get some Assioma power meter pedals and up my training game!
Either a trainer for my bike or a GoPro for my stepson (and me, because I like to play)
I’d get a new trainer.
The smartest of trainers will do!!
Would like to get a new bike computer
I would buy a ViewSonic m1 projector,or a nebula projector because I am lazy and want to watch movies on my ceiling in my bed
It’ll be a toss up between a Garmin InReach mini (so my husband doesn’t worry about me while riding) or a new Garmin computer with attached Varia. Who knows, with $500 credit, I might find all kinds of neat riding gadgetry that I haven’t been brave enough to think about!
I’d probably upgrade to a Fenix 5, why not? :)
I’d probably upgrade to a KICKR trainer for the winter workout!
Time to bring training with power to the outdoors! I’ve started the slippery slope of new bike accessories and this one is next on the list. Happy holidays!
A new power meter ?
I would get a Garmin Edge 1030 Cycling Computer for a bike packing trip I am planning.
I would get a Fenix 5 so I can track my progress towards my 2019 fitness goals.
Because I’m sick of being blind in the dark and don’t want to get run over, I’d get a Fly12 and Fly6. Or at least then I’d know who ran me over…
smart trainer
A Wahoo Bolt would be fine …,my current gps computer is getter older day by day…
A trainer for the bre year!
Bunch of stuff: new saddle, new garmin edge, etc.
I’m looking to step up my trainer game with a Kickr CORE, please :)
I would get a GoPro Hero7 Black.
I want a smart trainer!! Using a dumb trainer with my Stages Powermeter is getting old when I would like to try and use Erg mode for The Sufferfest
Garmin Edge 1030
New Fenix watch – mine is verrrrrry old now… Tks!
I need new swim gear. My old stuff is wornout.
Hi, I would get a pair of Garmin Vector power meter’s. I have long since hoped to improve my training on the bike and from everything I read on DCR I reckon these would be ideal for my level. Thanks for all the reviews.
I would get a Garmin Edge 1030 because my 1000 has lost the rubber button on the side and I need longer battery life.
A new power meter! The current Vectors are starting to eat batteries and are well out of warranty
I would definitely get a power meter! This has been on my wish list for a while now, but other things take precedent! (Darn kids!) Thanks for all that you do!
Something fun for sure!
I would put it towards a Fenix 5x plus. That way whether its mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, I will always know where I am!
I would purchase a hero and film do a puppy cam with our new puppy
F5, gotta upgrade from the F3hr.
Power meter would be nice for the bike!
I would get a new smart trainer so I can ride indoors this winter
I think a power meter or new smart trainer would be tops
No doubt, I’m ready for a new tri watch
I would love to get the Garmin 935!
I’d like a Fenix 5 plus to be able to ditch the iPod or a Garmin descent so that I could have 1 device to rule them!
Assioma Pedal Power Meter because I’ve always wanted to get power on my outdoor rides.
I’d purchase two Versa smart watches, one for each of my daughters. Why? Well, my daughters always enjoy walking and running on the trails with or without me, so why not let them get some awesome data while running.
I’m getting into longer distance biking, so I’d love to get a large saddle bag, frame bag, as well as tools. :)
I new power meter would be the bees’ knees!
A power meter to get me stronger and pacing right for an epic sportive!
Garmin Edge 520 Plus
I need a cycling trainer!!!
GoPro Hero 7
Easy, I’d get a Wahoo Kickr Core. I’ve been using the same old mag trainer for the last 10 years but I’ve decided its time to get a bit more serious over the winter.
I’d kill for a FR935 with pulse oximiter. Maybe that’ll come in early January :)
I’d like to upgrade my single sided 4iiii Precision power meter to a dual sided power meter.
power meter to train more efficiently
Apple Watch Series 4 would be on my list to start with.
Wahoo KickR to train when the weather is bad
Thanks for the chance to win! I’d definitely get a new GPS running watch, either a Garmin or maybe a Suunto. My ancient Forerunner has trouble connecting to the satellites and is basically like wearing an old Ipod on my wrist! :)
I would go for the suunto 9 baro!
My old Quarq power meter isn’t able to be fixed so it needs replacing. I miss being able to train with power but don’t have the money for a new power meter at the moment.
If I happened to be lucky enough to win the “The Didn’t Get What You Wanted $500 Gadget Giveaway”, I would love to be able to use it to buy a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus as a once in a lifetime gift to me, because my priorities every Christmas since I am a dad have been my kids. But to be honest, I would probably end up buying something cheaper for me, and use the rest to buy something else for my kids soccer or swimming training anyway :-)
I’d get me a sweet sweet Forerunner 935 because I broke mine and it’s still the greatest Tri watch.
Fenix 5, start the new year training off right
I would like to get a power meter for my road bike next season
The latest and greatest fenix to replace my v old one would be great!
Time to uprgrade my garmin, ooor maybe another PM!
A new Wahoo Kickr trainer would be just the thing for Christmas!
A power meter—L&R—so I can improve my pedaling form, and this performance.
A Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, the battery life of my current Edge 520 is about 4 hours in winter. Simply a No-Go
A Garmin Edge 1030 because you can never have too many toys. So what if I exceeded the $500 credit!
Mmh a tough decision, upgrading my road bike to be more aero or new watch
I would probably get a power meter. Take my training to the next level.
Garmin Forerunner 645 to give a boost to my winter training!
Garmin fenix 5 because I’m tired of correcting my elevation on fenix 3HR
Hmmm. I’m thinking a new Garmin? Or if I was super nice, some sort of bike computer for the husband.
Garmin edge 1030
I’d get a multi sport GPS watch. Maybe Suunto Ambit or Spartan.
I would love to get a Polar Vantage V to provide me with renewed motivation in the new year!
Hi Ray,
Possibly looking to upgrade my 920XT to Fenix Series
Thanks for all you do
Ritchie
Hmm.. trainer upgrade? (that tacx neo 2 looks pretty sweet)
or maybe a power pod.
Definitely need a new cycling GPS and computer… went from 310XT to 920 but a true computer would be easier.
Happy New Year!
Garmin Edge 520 Plus – so I don’t get lost on routes
Hey, Ray!
I’d get the Sunnto 9, cause I hate charging my Apple Watch 3. And since the screen cracked mysteriously from over night charging. Thanks
This has Fenix written all over it.
Hmm, a new Hero would be wonderful!
I’ll most probably opt for a Suunto 9, having in mind I want to build up to ultra distances.
I would get a Garmin 935 or Fenix 5, so that next year I can track exactly how little I do over the Christmas period.
If we win, we would get a pedal based power meter because we have multiple bikes with different speeds, so it’s easier to move pedals from one bike to the next as opposed to modifying the cogs and hub size to move to a different bike.
I would get a new Garmin Computer and give my old one to my daughter.
John
Would love the GoPro 7. My two littles move so much I could use the built in image stabilization.
The Hyperice Hypervolt is on my wish-upon-a-star list to keep my body in tip-top shape for marathon season.
Garmin Edge 520 plus as my 520 has given up the ghost I think.
Hmm a power meter to get the most out of outdoor training and be able to mesure progress. It could also be a new silent indoor trainer…
I’d like to get a Garmin Edge 1030 because my 810 is always out of juice before the end of my ride.
My good old Garmin Forerunner 910XT broke right before Christmas, so I desperately need a new GPS watch – and a Polar Vantage V looks pretty good to me…
As tempting as a random pair of socks sounds, I’ll probably go with a new Garmin watch. Or maybe, to stay in the spirit of the season, finally spring for a wifi-enabled scale?
Thanks for doing this, Ray!
I think I’d likely as not get some breakfast cereal, orbas CT lijelyvdoesnr carry that, maybe some new kit.
a new heart rate strap from garmin with stride length/vertical osc. , and the rest towards a smart trainer
a new trainer for next year’s fondo!