Heads up – Massive Sports Tech Holiday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…

I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.

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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.
While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!

Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!

Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!

Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!

Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!

Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.














Something good for sure
I would like to get Garmin 245 for my wife. I feel that it ticks all the right boxes at a reasonable price.
Given the chance, I would likely go for a brand new Garmin Forerunner. Awesome giveaway Ray, love your detailed content! Really hope this also applies for Clever Training Europe
A new GoPro 7 woohoo
A watch other than a garmin…..
I would love one of the new Stages units or a new Garmin watch to replace my old Fitbit.
Go Pro Hero 7
Garmin Fenix 5 plus. Time to change 910xt :)
Needing a new smart trainer!
I’d get the garmin edge 530. My fitness loads are tracked on my fenix 5 but it won’t pick up the sensors on my outdoor bike. I use the edge 510 outdoors but it doesn’t have the “training effect” feature that I want to be able to use across my activities.
A new Garmin watch like Fenix series.
I’d like an edge 830 to pace IM Wales hills
Power meter for me.
I never win anything but I really really would like a power meter so here’s hoping my luck changes!!
Garmin 830 – my 520 is starting to get a bit tired.
I’d get a fr945, Mt fenix 2 is starting to feel reeeeally old.
Looking to upgrade my garmin 1000 to 1030. Hopefully with a better battery life.
I’d love the right hand side for my left 4iiii precision power meter. I’ve recently bought new wheels and am running out of things to upgrade!
GoPro 7 would be the next thing…
Oh my gosh. So many choices. But probably I’d go for a connected bike trainer, though I’d have to read more of this site to decide which one :)
Garmin Forerunner 945 for my first Ironman in Bolton.
New watch, like FR945. My old 910XT died while the last pool training.
Probably a new Garmin with music, FR646 or a Fenix 5s Plus.
A new trainer!
I’d get a new Garmin watch.
I would get the new Stages L50 cycling computer because the company appears to be more interested in producing a product that has most essential features that the average cyclist wants and needs and having the device work reliably versus being loaded with features that the average cyclist won’t even use in a product that is full of software bugs and hence, works unreliably. I based my choice on two of DC’s recent posts on Garmin and the new Stages devices and the fact that the comments about poor Garmin reliability was overwhelming with no response from Garmin, while Stages gave immediate and honest answers to every inquiry and suggestion. I also would purchase another pair of the new DCRM bibs of which I already own a pair and which I find very comfortable with excellent padding.
It would be so nice to update my old Garmin Edge. Thank you for the opportunity!
With warm wishes from Finland with polar bears,
Marko
The new Garmin Edge 530 or FR would be really nice replacements for the ones currently in use.
I’d probably upgrade my Garmin Vector S pedals and get the right pedal upgrade.
The new Garmin FR945. My Fenix 3 is getting old
I’ll probably wait for the next Fenix update. My 5+ should still have some life left!
Def a new Garmin Fenix 5 plus. It’ll be my third one. I am ready to upgrade and ditch the hr strap
Vector 3 pedals!
I would choose the Garmin Edge 830.
Hmm … I’d probably go for a FR 945. I’d love to see if the current gen optical HR does a better job with my hairy, freckled arms.
A Garmin Fenix 5 plus. I think its a great overall multisport watch. I´ve been a garmin user for several years now and can´t complain of every watch that I´ve have owned.
I would buy a new cycling computer for my dad or maybe buy one for myself and give my Lezyne super gps to my dad ?.
My old fr910 is already die so will be nice to exchange it to new model.
A new trainer M2 or Snap to get me motivated to bike
Definitely need more power in my legs, starting with Powerpedals to get my training a level up!
I would get the fenix 5 plus…or maybe the new fr945. I don’t know but love both.
This would be my chance to grab a pair of Assioma DUOs I want so badly!
I like to get a Fenix 5, because I want to start doing triathlon again.
One of the new forerunners… tbd!
Please and thank yoU!
I’d definitely go for a fenix 5 plus! ?
Garmin watch would be awesome!
Time to upgrade my GoPro!
An action-cam of some sort for my commuting bike.
a new garmin for my husband
I want to update my powermeter
A new garmin Fenix5
Wahoo element bolt or Harmon 520. I think I would go with the wahoo since I have the kickr snap.
I think I’m pretty set for gear but I’d really love to get my dad a Garmin Fenix 5x+ Or one of the new Shinto watches. I wish he would start exercising more as he gets older. Maybe that would spur him on.
I’d love to try out the new FR945 please !
The New stages computer….love the color and maps function my current one lacks.
I would probably get a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus to replace my current Forerunner 735XT
Garmin 520 plus to substitute my phone as a biking device!
I’d get a new FR935 to upgrade my FR235 from – it’s overkill for sure – but I still want it!
I’d go for a new PM.
Something to get me back on the bike.
A Garmin Edge 530 so I can gift my 520 to my bro.
I really want a Big Green Egg but would be just as happy with a set of favero pedals.
Time to update my years old GoPro I gues.
Forerunner 945 would be a sweet upgrade from the 235
I would love the new Garmin 945 or some Garmin Vector pedals, tough choice!
I would put it toward a bike to replace my 30 year old mountain bike that weighs like 50 lbs.
Without need to pay I would dare to try fenix 5 plus titan even though still worried about open water swim accuracy..
I’d get a fenix 5 plus or a 945 music, still undecided
A Garmin Edge 530 since my current Edge is so old it has grown a beard :O
A new Garmin 5S+ to replace a (very) aging 910xt
Strawberry shortcake sounds good! ?
I’m pretty sure my dad would want me to have a Hero 7 or possibly a FR 945!
It might be time to update my Garmin 735xt, so a 945 Looks very interesting:)
I love everything Clever has. It’s going to be hard to decide.
My dad would love to get a actual bike computer, not something that only records speed
I started with Triathlon – with that in mind, i need a whole bunch of Tech stuff.. i do not have an watch, no Powermeter, nothing. I am lost :-)
I would love to get the go pro 7 so we can record my daughters cross country road trip
HI, I wish I can take the $500 for the wahoo trainer because in now in condo and my old tacx is very noisy.
Thanks!
Fenix 5 Plus! Time to upgrade my 3HR. My wife just got the Vivoactive 3 and all the new features they’ve been rolling out look really cool.
Multi-sport watch, because I intend to start dabbling in triathlon.
Bike Computer. I’ve been living off my original Fenix 3 for too long.
Garmin edge 530.
My Garmin 935 works great but what about 945? Ok, I could trust your review but why not find out by myself?
I could use a Fenix, my Vivoactive is getting old.
I think a Garmin, 945 or a 530… mmmmm… which one?
One of the power pedal models- starting with a smart trainer and wanting to see power out riding now.
Oooh, sweet! I’d definitely go for a new gopro! Have a great weekend.
New Garmin watch probably with music.
Get out and run.
Garmin Edge 1030 with Varia radar
Garmin can always use a new watch
I‘d love to upgrade my Forerunner to the latest model! Gimme gimme gimme!
Mmmmm so many tempting things, probably the FR 945 though…
So many things to choose from, but a new GoPro would top the list. Maybe I can wait for the Hero 8 Black :p
A super fancy new watch! My dad couldn’t be arsed about gadgets…
Forerunner 945 undoubtedly!
A power eter would be awesome, or new wheels, or a watch
Would love to win! Can never have too much gear!!
I’d like the Wahoo trainer because you’ve convinced me to buy pretty much everything else there.
A 945 will sure be a noce upgrade, would be awesome to listen to some tunes during training.
I’d get the GoPro Hero 7 Black!