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.
It would have to be the Fenix 5 Plus.
Want a GPS watch for navigating in the back country.
A Scosche RHYTHM+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband…because otherwise I just don’t have enough data on my bike rides!
I would get a Tacx Neo 2. If only there were 298 days in December ;)
I didn’t get a Fenix 5x plus sapphire because;
1, the name is stupidly long
2, it’s ridiculously expensive
3, the chance of a fenix 6 popping up once I buy one will be 100%..
Probably a new running Garmin for my wife.
Garmin Edge 1030 would be nice.
A new Garmin watch; you can never go wrong with a new watch
Power pedals. Not sure which brand but likely the Powertap or Garmin ones. I only have one bike. But I feel they’re the most transitional if I get another one :)
Will get either Fenix 5 to replace the 920XT or Headwind to complement my indoor setup
Would put it towards a Kickr 18!
i would like a garmin insticnt
A smart trainer please to get me through winter
Some kind of smart trainer!
Merry Xmas, Fenix 5+ i high om my want to get list.
Garmin edge 1030 bundel. Still stuck with the garmin 500 and getting lost all the time!
No Garmin 5X plus under the tree. ?
I would like to get my daughter, who’s 12, a trainer so she join me on Zwift.
I’d get a power meter or a Kickr Climb if I can pay the difference.
Hoped for some favero assioma pedals so I could pay more attention to my power…
A Garmin 935 would be amazing
I would get a Fenix 5 plus to replace my old F3!
Fenix 5+ so I will stop bugging my wife (but she’s not Holly ;) )
I would buy either the new PowerTap pedals, or perhaps the Feedback Sports trainer to take places for pre-race warmups.
Assimilate. Definitely need a pedal based power meter for 2019
Not sure what I’d want, maybe a new trainer or some rollers to try out.
A GPS watch for running! Thanks
Most likely put it towards a smart trainer. Need to step up the pain cave game
would swap socks against a powermeter
New bike trainer or a bike computer for me!
I hope this includes UK/Europe, in which case will definitely go towards a Kickr Core. Need a peaceful trainer in my life.
Power trainer would be awesome please??
I would get a new trainer.
Newest and Best Garmin FR935.
Need to step up my training and I think a 935 will be the perfect motivation and help to make the next step in my Triathlon ventures.
Would love to get a Garmin fenix 5.
A Garmin Fenix 5 for training for Olympic triathlons with Friends!
G NINE THREE FIVE :)
Time for a new Garmin Fenix for my first Ultra in 2019.
Something new for the bike–maybe a power meter or something sweet!
I would get the Favero Assioma powermeter pedals (the both side measuring version)
The Garmin 645 Music accompanied by some suitable Bluetooth headphones would be nice!
Garmin 935…Multisport with Swim trackability! Trying to beat the Shark!
Edge 1030 – need a bigger screen!
I would get a Wahoo kicker! And then treat myself to a subscription of trainer road or Zwift to get make myself a better cyclist.
I would get a FR-935 because my trusty 920XT is finally crapping out!
A Garmin VIRB 360 would be great. I am a paddler, and having the ability to pan the camera to a forward facing view (to observe water conditions) and panning backward toward the paddler to evaluate technique is an great asset.
I’d get a Kickr Climb, cuz I want my indoor suffering to be as much like outdoor suffering as possible.
Hammerhead Karoo please. Happy holidays!
Garmin Fenix 5Plus, to replace my aging Garmin Fenix 3…
GoPro Hero7 so I can watch my runs replayed at a faster speed – and convince myself I’m faster than I am…
If I am lucky I would buy a Garmin for my bike. Not sure about model but one that will do turn by turn navigation to replace my old gpsmap60
I would get the latest Garmin Fenix watch. Garmin does not provide updates for my watch anymore.
I have definitely been eyeing some Garmin Vectors…… Sure would be nice to have gotten those this season…
A long lasting running watch for my wife and her ultra’s
Garmin VIRB Ultra. It’s a fun and versatile training tool and interest keeper.
Initial input for neo trainer :)
Polar Vantage V. They say that each gram counts, so maybe changing V800 to Vantage V will enable me to run faster.
New Garmin triathlon watch or bike computer for me. Just because my current stuff (920 & 510) is old, but still performing. No fancy features, but rock solid.
This will be their last season if your giveaway doesn’t change things!
Can’t decide between a power meter and a new 935xt, probably will get them both with the extra 500 budget :)
A bike trainer so I can use it indoor
Forerunner 935 to train for my first ironman!
I would like to get the new Polar Vantage, as my old M400 is giving up life…
A Tacx Flux for sure!
I’d buy a new heart rate monitor!
graag een Gopro 5 Black
A GPS watch for cyclocross. My Wahoo elemnt bolt has been taking a beating with all the muddy races this season.
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt because I need a better option for mapping/directions for touring.
a F5plus would be most appreciated ;)
A brand new Garmin!
I would like to win cause I didn’t get any gadgets for Christmas.
Thank you for offering this giveaway! I’d get a new Garmin multisport watch (but would need to reread your latest reviews to figure out which one). Happy holidays!
I would get powertap pedals to replace my ancient powertap hub.
A good GSP watch w/ navigation, for running trails and exploring new places!
Would love a bike trainer for the cold winter
I need New gadgets ;-)
I’d get a Garmin Edge as my last one seems to be lost to the universe
I would get a Garmin 935 because it’s time for an upgrade and my wife hates the big red block of the 920 on my wrist now.
Assioma power meter pedals. I must have been a bold boy this year, Santy forgot to stop ☹️
A Tacx Neo would do my Swifting good.
Garmin Vector pedals would be amazing! Cheers. Good luck all ?
I’m torn between the Garmin Fénix 5 or the Suunto 9. Either one would be amazing!
Smart trainer of some sorts so I can start to work through my backlog of mince pies and trifle (round my waist) even when it’s too cold and miserable to go outside on the bike.
I’d probably get a small drone, like a DJI Spark.
I’d get a smart trainer for better Zwifting this winter
I’d get an FR935 to replace my stolen 220 and broken Edge 500.
Not quite sure: I’m considering an upgrade of my 920, either to 935 or Fenix 5 / 5 plus. Or some Favero Assiomas, as I’m tired of the dropouts on my StagesPower!
Definetly a new watch, thinking the polar vantage.
A GoPro Hero 7 Black Bundle
I would like a GoPro Hero Black 7 – that super stabilization looks too good to resist. I’d hate to have to wait until next year when they let it trickle down to the lower models…
I would get some power meter pedals. Have had my eyes on a power meter for a long time.
A Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, need an upgrade for my logging
Garmin Fenix 5 plus for hr and activity tracking
I’d get a smart trainer so I don’t come out of winter all flabby.
Garmin 1030–longer lasting battery life is in my future!
I’d love to win so I could buy a new GPS watch, one I’ve got now is getting old so an upgrade would be amazing.
Longing for power meter pedals, still deciding which one.
More than likely a farming for my bike.
new trainer for winter riding
I would upgrade my watch it’s been a while
I still need hydration system for my tri bike. Looking at The Speed Fill for my Aerobars and also a seat mount system. I also need some triathlon cycling shoes and would like some zoom Pegasus 35 turbo. And I am out of nutrition could use some goos. Hook me up dc rainmaker!