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 would get a Favero assioma duo power meter!
KickR climb would be nice, thanks
Edge 830 bundle to make cycling more appealing ?
Garmin seems to have forgotten that they made the 645, so maybe the 245 or 945. (Side note: the Edge 830 is awesome).
tacx neo, to kickstart the pain cave build!
Mmmn power meter or pedals probably please
Power meter – the pedal kind would be awesome.
A bike trainer to take with me as I travel a lot for work with the Military.
Forerunner 945 please!
Wahoo headwind and Wahoo desk!
Kickr Climb. To add to my zwifting experience.
Garmin 530
I would like a powermeter for my gravel bike?
A half of a Fenix 6!
A new garmin!!!
I would like a new direct drive trainer so tt I can retire my old wheel on dumb trainer and stop waking up my housemates.
I’d use it for a Go Pro!
Garmin Edge 830, b/c my 800 is so old
KICKR Climb because it looks fun? I’m sure my choice will change…
New Fenix Watch
I would get a smart trainer of some type or a power meter.
GoPro Hero 8 Black so I can stay safe out there on the road.
I’d love to get a new smartwatch to help train for my first half Ironman
wahoo kickr to climb my way into 2020. thanks dcrainmaker and clevertraining.
Assioma pedals for me, would like to start training with power again.
I would love to get finally a bike trainer
I didn’t get what I wanted! :)
Kickr Climb it is!
I am a bit torn between a new Garmin Edge as my old one has issues connecting with the computer and a Fenix 6 because I have a 5 which my family members are wanting.
There’s of course a lot of nice indoor trainers too.
New HR sensor and some running shoes!
I’d get a Forerunner 245 to replace my 220. Time to upgrade!
Thanks Ray!
I’d really like to get a Fenix 6 for (late) Christmas :-)
A down payment on that Saris rocker plate (MP1 ?)
I would love to upgrade to a newer Fenix or Forerunner with music storage to carry one less device.
Just got a KICKR so a climb would be sweet.
Vivoactive 4s, i have the hr and it’s painful on my small wrists plus I just committed to my first adventure race in the fall.
Camera and lights for safety
I’d like a Garmin Fenix 5 because of some of the cool and useful new features.
Maybe a new Garmin watch? A Venu!
I’m waffling between a Garmin Varia and a kickr climb. I’d probably use the climb more often, but I might ride the roads more if I had the radar.
One of the lastest forerunner. 945 or 645 music
Would love a fenix 6! Gotta try and get the latest and greatest.
There’s so many things it’s hard to say, probably a PM for the bike I’m trying to build or a kickr headwind.
I’d like to upgrade my GPS watch. Either the Suunto 9 or the Coros.
My current fenix 3 is ready to be replaced by a brand new one!
Hey
I would like to finally get an Assioma power meter. Can’t justify spending the cash on it, but would sure be ok if it was a gift!
Cheers and happy new year!
I do most of my training indoors on a dumb trainer using estimated power. A power meter would be a huge upgrade for me
Forerunner 945 would be perfect! Rest of my gear is already up to date (almost ;-))
With $500 I’d get a Garmin Forerunner AND a set of saris rollers
I’d like to change my garmin 935 to a new 945.
Thanks
A good chunk on a new trainer, or a new GPS to replace my seemingly 30 year old one.
Rather than another gadget, i would love a donation made to the National MS Society (Bike MS). I have been raising $ for the MS Society for 13+ years! Link is here: link to main.nationalmssociety.org
Cheers and RideOn
I’d love a garmin Fenix
Use it for a drone to get awesome running footage.
A Garmin Forerunner 45s for my wife. She deserves it.
I’d get something for my kickr core)
SRM power meter to accurately gauge my biking fitness
Saris H3 smart trainer to replace my Magnus trainer.
I’m torn between a Fenix and the 935 or 945. Why? Because I’m planning on a huge comeback in 2020, and so I need something with longer battery life!
A new Kickr to replace my first gen Kickr.
A pedal based power meter…putting a PM on each of my 8 bikes seems impractical…
A power meter would make this the best Christmas present ever!
Probably upgrade my Fenix watch
Wahoo Bike because it just looks like a beast. Thank you Ray!
Definitely a GoPro Hero 8 Black for recording my rides! Thanks Ray
I’d love to step up my GoPro game with a Hero8. I’m still using my 5 year old Hero3 but would love the new HyperSmooth 2.0 and media mods. Great review by of the light mod yesterday!
A Garmin 655 ;). Or a Garmin 245 + a nice pair of running shoes, with gel packs to cover any remaining.
I would really like the srm mountain bike power meter pedals.
Holding my breath: now…
Garmin 530 or a new trainer.
Thank you
I’d probably get more lights and a couple pairs of new shoes.
I would like to get a new Garmin GPS running watch. I have been using a Garmin for a while, but would like one with new features – especially heart rate monitoring and music.
A new Garmin, F6?
I would love to upgrade to the Garmin Fenix 6 from my FR 935! Excited for the giveaway!
I would love a smart trainer from wahoo or a favero power meter!
A Kickr Climb would be amazing. Or maybe a new Fenix? I can’t decide!!
An elemnt ROAM? Or a power meter? So many decisions.
Would love a 830 + a loot of those gels you mentioned :)
I want my power meter…
Would really love to get a Fenix watch from Garmin…. need a big boy watch for once
I’d go go pro 8 as I have a big bike trip to Bend, Or this coming summer and need to document it!
Would love to upgrade to a smart trainer- have been using a KICKR in group workouts and really appreciate the extra accountability – and not having to change out a tire for indoor versus outdoor rides
Santa didn’t bring me one, so I still want the Garmin Fenix 6
New Fenix 6 Pro
I would love a Wahoo Kickr Climb!
GoPro Hero 8 black
I need this to feel better about the stock tanking the last couple of years.
I would upgrade my fenix 3 to get the maps and music functions. Thanks Ray!!
Favero pedals and then convert the body for my CX bike.
I love my fenix 3 but I would love to try out the new Garmin fenix 6!
That Garmin 530 sure looks nice. Or a new power meter.
Got to be a new fenix, though getting onto the trainer would be good.
I could definitely use a varia radar. Or a GoPro.
Always wanted to have a boat…
Fenix 6x
I’d really like a Garmin Fenix
Literally anything!!!
I would love the power meter or the Garmin fenix! I think it will be the next step in my journey to weight loss.
My trusty 920xt is starting to show its age, so I’m looking at getting a Forerunner 945.
Garmin 830
I need a new trainer!
Hard to pass on the Fenix 6, but the 945 is in contention. Then again, I like Tim’s answer, a boat.