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.
I did not get a new Garmin watch, the Fenix 5 Plus!
A Cycliq Fly12 CE to go with my Fly6 CE so I can see battery status and control the lights on my Garmin head unit.
Powermeter Cranks! Dual!
I’d like to get a power meter for my bike
I would get the FR935 because my Fenix 3 is getting a little old.
An update for my old Garmin 920XT. Perhaps the 735 or 935!
I’d love to put some $$ down on a new bike. Or maybe just a bike computer.
Probably a new watch since my 920xt is starting to struggle
I would really like a smart trainer to exercise during winter.
I would use it for 500 pairs of $1 socks ???
I was really hoping to get (or to get money for) a pair of power meter pedals…or a new Stages power meter for my TT bike. I have a stages on my road bike and love it, so I was hoping to get one that fits my tri bike and is the same length as my crank so I don’t have to do this swapping with mismatched crank arms thing for the 2019 season. I think I need a 172.5..and all I have is a 170. So that’s what I’d use the money for.
Favero Assioma please!
I would by the Garmin Fenix 5 plus
Garmin FR 935 for my running, please and thank you!
I would take a fenix 5 because my forerunner 235 is being old
I think I need something new from Wahoo. Maybe a Bolt. Maybe a KICKR
Kickr Climb Time!!!
A Garmin Varia radar, or Assioma power meter would be great for a year end/start ?
A cheap smart trainer? Or maybe a power meter for my new MTB.
I would get aFR645 music to replace my current 235.
Probably a new smart trainer to take advantage of the cool new apps out now with great videos.
Fenix 5s plus to listen to music!
I think I would like a bike trainer if I were to win.
Definitely a Sapphire edition of the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus.
Why? Because apparently I made the naughty list yet once again.
A new cycle computer, Garmin of course
Elite Direto because I need to replace my old wheel-on trainer
Again there was no power meter underneath the Christmas tree this year, so maybe more luck this way :)
It would go towards a new trainer. The resistance floor on our current one is starting to drive me nuts.
I want a new Fenix watch!
I would love to get a Fenix 5 to motivate me to get off my duff! Thanks.
Sean
Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 and / or Garmin Scale
Favero Assioma would be very helpful…
I’d love a new smart trainer to up the precision and motivation of winter indoor training. Vätternrundan 300km road race in June is the goal next season.
As my old M430 is failing I’d fancy an upgrade. Fenix 5+ or Vantage, can’t quite decide yet.
I’ve got my eye on a Suunto 9 to upgrade my Ambit 3
A GoPro to film my little “Peanut” starting to crawl :)
I’d buy Garmin 935 watch for my upcoming triathlon.
I’d like to get the Garmin Vivoactive 3 because I want a new GPS watch and I’m interested in the multi-sport tracking.
Wanted an Edge 520 Plus with GPS and mapping, instead got a generic tiny “bike computer” that doesn’t do anything. Help!
A Go Pro of some sort to record some adventures
Give-A-Garmin!
Other brands are available…
GoPro Hero7. Thanks for the newsletter and your in depth reviews
Garmin Fenix 5 for my wife.
Garmin Fenix 5S Plus – I need a new motivation after a looong running injury.
I would love a Garmin 935.
Would be great way to make the new Neo or Kickr trainer more palatable to my better half!
Need a new wheel set. Old trusty Dura-Ace is now too old, with 50000 km accumulated.
First off – Ray, Thank you for all the work that you put into this so we can keep informed.I would get that great triathlon ugly sweater! My grade 6 students will love it and they will have 100 questions about all of the cool little triathlon images that are included in the design. Thank you again Ray.
Got my eye on the Garmin Edge Explore, love the color touchscreen!
Go Pro Hero 7 black, having a bucket list trip to Norway for the lights.
I’d buy a Garmin 520+ to replace my aging 810.
New wheels, the old needs replacement by now
Need that GoPro 7 absolutely for my upcoming new vlog about what cycling means in the busy big city centres of the Netherlands
Still wanting me a power meter!
Garmin 935 tri bundle because my current v800 battery is tired and the new Vantage V is a massive disappointment.
I would go with favero assioma pedals. Thanks for doing the giveaway!!
a replacement for my ageing suunto ambit 3 peak, so probably a suunto 9.
I would put the funds towards a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus!
Wahoo climb or fan
As I need more clever training for sure… comes down to a hard decision for a new power meter. Maybe the Vector 3 as it easily can switch bikes
Merry Christmas!
I’d get a running watch :-)
Thanks
I’d get Garmin Fenix 5X, to replace my Fenix 3.
I would love to get new brakes and hydration system for my handlebars. And new shoes please.
If im lucky enough to win I’ll be getting Favero Assioma power meter pedals. My Watteam sensor for one crank has come unglued and I’m now without power ?
I would almost certainly get a power meter!
I will probably buy Suunto 9 Baro for those over 35-40 hours trail running ultras
Garmin 935 or 735xt, because I’m still rocking the 910xt as a modest income dad with mouths to feed!
An interactive trainer for the wifey or a heart rate monitor like the powertap powercal
I would get a gopro to record my training ;-)
I want a new Wahoo direct trainer because the old Wahoo I had sucks
I’d like the garmin Fenix 5 plus. The why, I’d want a watch that will keep me connected and get me through an Ironman. Thanks for the site Ray!
A tri-watch would be nice, maybe the Vantage V!
I’d like a new Garmin sports watch or a Garmin Smart Watch. Didn’t decide which one yet.
Thanks!
JP
Likely Polar Vantage V. I am hooked to Polar products.
Petr
I want a pair of power meter pedals. Garmin or powertap would be fine!
Wahoo elemnt bolt, beats fenix 3 on navigation
I would like a new Garmin bike computer.
I’m still looking for a Power2max powermeter which suits my wallet :D .
A Kicker clim!b
Hi Ray. I’d go for a new powermeter as my BePro died mid summer. Pedal based and not needing a crowfoot whatnot to fit!
Hi Ray, I think I would go for a Wahoo Core trainer. It would give my training a much needed boost.
Many thanks, Chris
Christmas extravaganza, thanks Ray & CT!
Still cant decide Bolt or 520. The only thing holding me back from elemnt is subscribtion-only way to get planned workouts done. Its just simply impossible to upload workouts schedule to wahoo computer without using todaysplan or premium trainingpeaks.
Favero Assioma Pedals – unfortunately that was just way out of reach for the family. – Did get an Edge 130 though to replace my completely worn down 910XT, that i could no longer use outdoors since it was missing 3 rubber buttons and definately not “waterproof” anymore.
I’d really like a KICKR Core.
Favero pedals, power pedals are still very expensive :-(
a crank of pedal-base power meter because that’s the only only expensive gadget left to get that otherwise would would annoy my wife if i were purchase it.
Gopro, I think
I’d like a kickr climb for my zwift rides!
New set of wheels would be fantastic! After an off last year they aren’t running as true as they did and my confidence is suffering!
I’d get a new smart bike trainer.
A GoPro Hero 7 Black would be just the thing to catch me ice skating. On the bike, that is.
I would love a Wahoo Fitness Kickr Smart smart power trainer. All my crazy tri friends rave about it during their Zwift rides.
I’m in need of a smart trainer (Tacx Neo), now that I live in the Middle East and the scorching summer will be approaching soon!
I would love a Kickr Climb to go with the new Kickr and the new DC Rainmaker jersey that both just arrived.
I would love to put it towards a new trainer that is compatible with Zwift. Happy New Year
GoPro is on my list so I can document my adventures. A phone just doesn’t cut it, especially when the battery dies on longer adventures. I ran the grand canyon this year and really wished I had a better set up. A Fenix 5S Plus would be nice, too ;)
Would love to get a garmin edge 1030. Need a replacement for my very much aged oregon 200 and a easy control for my new smart trainer.
Love my Ambit3 Peak but its getting a bit long in the tooth now and an upgrade to a Suunto9 or Fenix 5 would be great.
I would get the vivosport because it has GPS, VO2, and it’s a little smaller than my vivosmart HR+.
With a $500 credit to CleverTraining.com, I would 100% buy a Garmin 935 watch. My current (and old and dying) 910XT watch may not make it to the new year. A new 935 would be the perfect replacement to keep me training and tracking my runs as I prepare for the Tokyo Marathon in March.