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.
A power meter – possibly vector pedals.
Taking my biking up a notch, would have loved to have got a power meter!
Hm a fenix 5 Sure would be nice
Tacx vortex in order to train through the cold winter months
I would get a running watch. My current watch is a hand-me-down from my husband and it’s really big on my wrist.
I’d get me a set of Garmin Vector Pedals.
Garmin 645
Power meter – virtual power only takes you so far indoors.
A Polar Vantage V as I prefer the Polar ecosystem to current Garmin.
A Waterproof gps device… Because I just dropped my phone in the lake.
A fenix 5x because I’m too cheap to buy it myself!
I wish for a bike computer with mapping ??
A Forerunner 935. Need to replace my aging 620.
I did’nt get any gadgets at all, ans i SO wanted the Polar Vantage. Crossing my fingerns.
New power meter! Mine died yesterday!
Garmin 1000. Never get lost ?
Socks, lots of socks.
Would love a smart trainer. I have basic wind one but limited on power and not that good with Zwift. If not that, then the new Variable radar unit – I have old one and love it but battery life is limited. Thank you
Oh, I’d love a Garmin Virb! That would be sooo sweet!
GPS Watch. Because running with Garmin Edge 520 not very awesome.
I would choose a new sportswatch as my old one is breaking to pieces.
I’d get a Garmin mapping GPS head unit for my bike so I can stop getting lost!
I’d really like an Edge 1030. Or maybe a powermeter for a new bike.
I’d like to get a new running watch.
GoPro is what i didnt get, i would love to take more pictures on my ride without fear that my phone is going to fall and break! TheGoPro pictures are incredible!
I’d probably upgrade to the Edge 1030.
I need a power meter please!!
I’d probably get Garmin Edge 520 Plus along with new Garmin Varia. I enjoy long rides and new bike computer along with radar would really come in handy.
How about Fenix5, my forerunner 620 is dying now.
A Wahoo Element, my Garmin 500 is on its last legs
Wahoo bolt or element.
I’d go for a favero assioma uno power meter – a pedal based system, is so much easier than cranks
I would love a Garmin 935!
I would purchase the right side of my 4iiii precision,
Probably the Tacx Neo 2 trainer….because it’s cold outside. Thanks Ray…hope you and your family are enjoying the holidays!
A Fenix 5, which I would like for running metrics, but which Santa didn’t bring because I was naughty.
Oh jeez. Probably a new bike computer that. Maybe the start of a new trainer
I’d get a Forerunner 935, because my 910xt is rather dated.
I got a GoPro Hero 7 Silver and would like to upgrade to the Black :)
Need some new biking gear – Wahoo Element to start with. Thanks.
I would like a Wahoo trainer.
Power meter, to take my training up a notch!
I’d get a fancy Garmin bike computer. :-)
I’d love the DJI Spark!
Power meter for better training
a new Fenix watch to replace my Fenix 2
Actually, I need some clothing, shoes to run in. :)
The on thing missing from my game is a power meter…..
A Garmin watch, since my old watch is, well, old…
A Kickr Core because because all those Christmas cookies are sure to be slowing me down this week.
I would love to be able to get myself a new trainer.
I need to renew my old Fenix 2 buddy. Probably its Polar’s time.
Would love a direct drive trainer for indoor workouts!
I would get myself the gopro hero 7. I have the old session and it fails all the time… Thanks Ray!
I didn’t get my SRAM XX1 EAGLE QUARQ DUB POWER METER this year but my birthday is just around the corner.
If I turn lucky, I will go with FORERUNNER 645/POLAR M600, a worthy upgrade for my FORERUNNER 620
Already bought two sets of Favero Assiomo pedals from Clever so don’t need those anymore. So… something else!
A new Fenix 5S plus. My current watch (vivosmart HR+) strap broke a couple of weeks ago and I now need to think about a replacement. As I’m now getting into running properly I want a good watch that will last. Just now to save for it!
An Smart trainer like the Kickr to get some training when weather is miserable.
Maybe some rollers, but I am not really sure. Thanks Ray!
My road bike still needs power-meter-pedals come spring…
A new bike computer… Since my edge 1000 died?
935 for my wife to upgrade her old watch.
I’d love a GoPro Hero7 Black. Those things never go on sale…
The GoPro hero 7
I’ll get the favero assioma. Long time on my list
I’ve always wanted a power meter to help take my training to the next level, but they’re so expensive. I like the idea of pedal based power meters to use on different bikes, so I’d use the credit for the Favero Assioma power meter pedals! Thanks!
Favero Assioma would be very nice!!
Ooooh. Would love to put the money towards a drone. I love taking a photo of each day I am running or biking and that will really help
Probably the FA power meter pedals, since this is the only way I would be able to get them.
Most likely a new trainer, but I am not sure yet.
Garmin 1030 because it’s awesome.
My wife deserves an upgrade from her 735 as she has found running to her main sport. So I would get her brand new Garmin Fenix 5-series smartwatch.
Suunto 9 Non baro :)
Favero Assioma pedals!
I’d like to get a fenix 5 as it looks fantastic
I was really hoping for a Garmin 935xt, but I guess Santa thought a half-eaten gel was what I needed!
I’d spend it on a new running watch, to help with triathlon training
Garmin Fenix 5. Wanted one for a while, but can’t quite justify the money for it.
so many options, a kicr core and climb would be awesome, if not a pair of assioma pedals would be good enough
A power meter for sure, to step up my training in ‘19
direct-drive trainer because the rollers are not enough
I would LOVE a smart trainer; I really need to get properly hooked up to Zwift.
Probably a Garmin Fenix 5 or a new direct drive turbo trainer.
I really wanted the new Apple Watch!!
A Garmin 935 because my 910 refuses to die, and I can’t justify replacing it until it does ..
PowerTap Pedals
Would love to upgrade to the Fenix 5+or /5X+
A new Garmin bike computer and varia radar to stay safe on busy roads.
I would get a Wahoo Kickr. I have a stationery bike now that is Frankenstein together to get cadence and speed. ?
a smart trainer
I would like to get some bone conduction headphones, to make the slow haul back into running again more pleasant
I’d like a Wahoo tickr HRM or a ANT+/BLE foot pod so I can use zwift running.
With four hours of battery life in my v800 I would get the Vantage V if Wahoo doesn’t launch the Rival soon
New Trainer, old one is much to loud and does not have enough power..! Thanks :)
There are so many good options:
Something less intractable than my Edge 820.
A POC Tectal…great fit and protection for mtbing.
Assioma power pedals. Great accuracy, and price, easily swapable between bikes, and I’m already a KEO user.
Need to add power to my bike! so a pedal based power meter…
A power meter as I would love to do more structured outdoor training when the weather is better rather than just blasting around and relying on heart rate.
A Garmin Edge 1030 :-(
A smart wind trainer
I’m thinking a pedal based power meter, probably the vector 3. Summer time over here so some outside power based training will go the trick nicely