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.
Could definitely use new shoes, and lights. Maybe go fancy with a variable radar.
A garmin 735. I’m still rocking the 910
But probably not for long! :)
I want running power
I didn’t get a Garmin FR935 (AKA Felix 5-P) because I bought new textbooks for my son for the spring semester.
Favero Assioma for me, because I know I suck, I just want to know how much I suck :)
I would get a bike helmet for road safety and water bottle cages.
Fenix 5x plus. Just because my Fenix 3 doesn’t do heart rate.
I would get a GoPro Hero 7 to film all the the exciting things in 2019!
Would totally love Assioma Power Pedals. Thanks!
Suunto 9 baro. Because the one I already have is great, so 2 must be better!! Always need spares of good things!
A new running watch!
I think I would get an updated smart trainer or a dedicated cycling computer.
If I won i’d probably upgrade to a Fenix 5 or 935. Big if! I’m using a 920XT currently and its great, but if it was free I’d probably upgrade there
Some form of bike computer
Kickr core, preparing for the new season
Pioneer CA-600 computer. Because it has Pioneer metrics, BT and Strava live segments.
I’d buy a new helmet!
Maybe I’d get some kind of fancy watch. Thanks DC Rainmaker!
Power meter!
The winters here are very long, so it’s definitely time for a smart trainer.
I’d like to get a Gps for my rambles in the woods!
I would put the money towards a Fenix 5 plus since those watches are so over priced.
I’d love a GPS computer. Hopefully will be put to use at this year’s DK 200!
Garmin Vivoactive 3… because my HR died a sad death by drowning earlier this year.
So many potential gadgets to buy. Maybe something to upgrade the zwift den. Stryd sensor or new HR strap
i would get a power meter so I can continue with structured training when I’m not hooked up to my indoor trainer.
I would get my wife a new watch. She never wants to spend the money and I have to make these things magically appear.
I’d buy s rear light for my new Surly and get some gear for my daughter to enjoy bicycling and training with me! (im gonna get her all that stuff anyway, but why not give this a shot!! Thanks DCR!)
Garmin or GoPro Hero
I would want a bike computer. Maybe a Garmin or Wahoo bolt!
I’d update my trainer from the fluid one I’ve been using for the past two years to a newer smart one to help with training for a full distance race.
I would love some power meter pedals for my bike.
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5 plus. I ‘NEED’ it so I can tell what time it is, and where I am, when I am, how I am, what I am and what I am.
All I really wanted was a Kickr Climb – $500 would be great!
I would get a Garmin Vivoactive 3 with Music with a pair of bluetooth headphones.
I would definetely buy a power meter. Don’t know which one as it was never affordable for me. So I never had a closer look.
A Garmin 935 or possibly Garmin vector 3!!!
Fave Rho Assioma pedals
I’d get a Garmim 645 music
I wanted a new suunto Watch to prepare for my first Marathon attempt
I’d love to get a bike trainer. My bike training in Eastern NC stops in mid November due to daylight/temperature issues and stays dormant until mid March or early April. I do manage to get a few warmer Saturday or Sunday morning rides in here and there but it just isn’t the same ride when you aren’t in shape for it, is it?
I would like favero assioma pedals, since I don’t have power meters yet.
Favero assioma pedals. Have ordered iq2 but have little faith they will work once they eventually do ship.
I would buy my first Power Meter! Thinking of the Garmin Vector 3s.
Thanks!
A Forerunner 935
I’d get a Garmin 645 music
Powermeter pedals.
Sold my old Rotor powermeter this summer and started a new build of a bike this november. But I am missing a powermeter and a pedalbased powermeter should complete my new bike nicely.
I’d love to buy some fitness stuff for those I love.
Nah, I’ll just spend it on myself. :P
Thank you Ray and CT for this. Good luck to all who enter.
4iiii power meter! Log those watts, baby – wooh!
A Chrissy Garmin edge – anyone would be better than my current poverty pack solution…..
I’d grab a Kickr Climb. Thanks Ray!
I would buy a power meter for the upcoming outdoor season.
//Kristian
Tacx Neo. Because a Star Wars piece always looks nice!
kickr core!
I would love to get a smart trainer (Kickr Core??) and really upgrade my winter training!
I would get the Garmin Vector 3 pedals.
In just in time! Favero Assioma power pedals sound good to me!
Garmin inReach Mini – to ensure safe offroad motorcycling experience
I would love a Garmin F935 – my current setup includes using a chest strap HRM (Wahoo) coupled to my oversized phone (to get access to a GPS) for running, a separate step counter on my wrist (Vivofit 3) and a dedicated HRM (Scosche) for 24/7 heart rate tracking (particularly for sleep tracking). Using this setup is somewhat cumbersome (particularly running with a phone strapped to my body) and having a single device that does everything I want would be a dream come true.
Garmin Varia RTL510.
I’d love a Kickr climb!! Need to get my fat ass in shape.
I’d love to get a Kickr Core Trainer and heck maybe even throw in a Climb as I need to really step up the fitness a notch this year – my 2018 Strava stats sucked!
I would love to get a Garmin 935 watch to up my training tech
I’d get a kickr snap!
new fenix 5x +
I would like to get a power meter to my bike because i want to train smarter for my next Ironman and smash a new record ?
I would get a Garmin Edge 1030!
new scosche HR
running watch!
Garmin 935 – need a “real” watch for training
more Christmas gifts :) Probably going to get me a power meter :)
I would definitely go for some Favero Assioma Duo pedals. My powertap p1s just died (What a Christmas present!!), and don’t have the cash at the moment to replace.
A trainer like a TacX
I would go for a Garmin fenix 5s plus
I need a new trainer but also a power meter for my bike would be great!
I would get a Garmin Vivoactive 3 with Music with a pair of bluetooth headphones.
I’d enjoy a set of Varia lights, should be fancy to match my 1030 and do the complete set
All things nice to deck out the pain cave, starting with a new KickR18.
A Wahoo Kickr trainer or Powermeter for my bike
I would like a Polar Vantage V because I’m wrapped up in their ecosystem and although I don’t need a fraction of the features it has, it’s a device that will have all the features I want. Someday. After all the updates. Hopefully.
Sorry everyone else, but I think it’s my turn to win :)
A fancy indoor trainer might help with the wet winter blues.
I’d get a Garmin Edge Explore as the battery in my Garmin 520 is failing (and I’m getting frustrated by the lack of space for large or multiple maps and the ability to actually navigate as opposed to just following a preplanned route)
Zipp cheese sandwich toaster. Because who wants to wait another 3s for the toastie?
A Garmin Edge 1030 would be nice. A watch for cycling is not optimal…
All I wanted for Christmas was Garmin Vector 3s pedals – but I’d happily settle for a $500 contribution!
I’d go for a GoPro Hero7
I would have a forerunner 935. Give it to my twin who I am encouraging to get fit. He has started cycling but it would be great to complete a triathlon with him.
I would have a forerunner 935. Give it to my twin who I am encouraging to get fit. He has started cycling but it would be great to complete a triathlon with him.
Corrected email.
I would get a nice trainer like the Elite Direto II to get some miles with friends on Zwift!
I would love an indoor training as my baby girl has rendered my days of cycling outdoors a thing of the past (and hopefully the future!).
Running watch
Assioma Favero pedals, because I’m a data geek.
I’d pick the Favero Assioma power meter, I need to switch from HR based riding outside due to challenges I have with being accurate on my exertion levels. Want to ride more but need to be smart about my health.
Love the newsletter. (all the content :)
Definitely the year for a power meter! Assioma DUO or maybe the new Pioneer?
I’d like the Scribe Labs Runscribe Plus pods.
Most probably a Polart Vantage V
Already have Powermeters and a trainer :)
I would love a set of Favero Assioma power pedals so that I can train with power
It has to be a new trainer Kickr or Tacx who knows
Hi, I would like to have Garmin 635 (Music), I think this is great watch that will help me achieve my fitness goals!
I’d like to pick up a new Garmim…probably a Fenix 5. ??on this one…we kept Christmas simple this year and only did gifts for the kids.