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!
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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.
Most likely a new Go Pro :)
A Favero Assioma for my wife!
A newer garmin edge model probably
A Fenix 6 pro. My older Fenix 3 is getting tired.
Time for a proper bike computer
A home trainer sounds very interesting.
I’d use the money towards Assioma pedals.
Fénix 6S because I like new features
Kind of got what I wanted, so might have to go with running shoes and a certain water bottle. Maybe a Polar Vantage M for Tri’s. That should about spend it all.
I’d love a Vivomove. And some other things like a HR strap and a foamroller water bottle. Gotta have a foamroller water bottle.
Fenix 6
A new Garmin Edge 530, to record my new Assioma power meter metrics :)
I’d love to finally get a power meter, I haven’t been able to convince my family how much I need it yet ?
A new garmin fenix series watch :)
Probably the Garmin Edge 1030 if only because I would like an upgrade. And a Garmin Venu as the OLED looks so crisp.
I’d love to win as my Christmas swag included some beer soap, kitchen utensils, a towel, handkerchiefs and beer jenga…literally the complete list
If I won I’d pickup a power meter, probably a crank arm based so a 4iiii PRECISION Power Meter Shimano Ultegra to match the groupset (and is $500!).
As for why, mostly so my mate Henry stops sending me links to buy one!
New Fenix for me, and this time I’d get the scratch resistant glass, my current one looks all beat up!
Tacx Neo 2T to train for the winter and whenever. That will probably last for a few years as a solid trainer!
I’ll probably get a home trainer! Thanks!
I’d get the Garmin jacquard weave strap for my Fenix as the strap looks great but there is no way at all I could justify spending that much out of my own pocket
As winter drags on even though it just started, and distracted driver season continues, I am dreaming of a new trainer. Perhaps that Wahoo Kickr Climb would be the one
Ooooh. Probably the new 360 gopro.. There are times when it will come in handy while I am plogging
A GoPro Hero 8, because the footage from my Hero 3 is so shaky!
A Fenix 6s because it’s finally affordable at $500 less :)
Either a power meter of new garmin edge …
I would checkout a new Headunit, probably Wahoo Elemnt Roam or a new Smart Trainer
A massive pallet of nutrition gels!
I would get a forerunner 945 so that I can listen to ASOT 2019 mix while running.
probably a bike gps
a power meter to double the value of my roadbike
I’d put it towards a new smart trainer!
My old HR strap is broken therefore with pleasure I will got some new strap (maybe MRH-PRO?).
I started trail running last fall and have my eye on some mountain races next summer…. it would be awesome to have gear to match my new hobby needs (say, a Garmin Fenix 6?) :)
Thanks for doing this, Ray!
A power meter in order to improve my training.
I would get a Garmin 830 bike computer or perhaps a fenix6?
Smart Trainer finally!!
A power meter in order to see how weak I still am.
I’d like a bike computer as I need one
New Fenix watch or Garmin 530 computer
Probably a GoPro upgrade…my old Hero3 has seen it’s days
I would like a shiny new Garmin Edge to help get me though the cold dark wet winter rides to come!
A Garmin FR945 or F6 to replace my Fenix 3
A fenix 6 for a long event planned for this spring, or a ton of energy gels.
ZoomX vaporfly next% or a power meter probably
A new sports watch or maybe a drone.
Wahoo Desk and Fan to complete the winter setup.
The latest Edge
My idea is to buy a new favero assioma 2 or vector 3 in order to use to measure my watts in my rides :-)
A quieter smart trainer for my NYC apartment
I would get a new bike computer to replace my trusty edge 800.
Kickr Core, as my kicker v1 is on its last legs
Would be a garmin fenix for me (to finally replace my forerunner 235)
Any toy from Garmin. I mean: Fenix or FR9xx or FR7xx. Even FR6xx would be good.
Thanks!
A favero assioma
A new trainer or power meter to help me when I recover from my hip replacement operation in Feb
A trainer of some type to get some winter miles in.
SRM X power pedals when available and pending a good review from Ray
Favero pedals, because they look like the best option right now.
Favero Assioma Duo
A Stand up paddle board or a bike trainer for my new huge basement.
Maybe a new Garmin?
Assioma Power meter for me to add to my gravel bike with GP Llama’s pedal hack!
Garmin 945, my 920xt is already 5 year old.
New Garmin Edge please
A new Garmin Forerunner 645! My 230 is getting long in the tooth :)
I’d put it towards a power meter or smart trainer :)
The FORM Swim to see my stats during training !
Would love to join the trainer game with the Kickr Climb!
Fenix 6X pro ! no doubt !
A Forerunner with all the features the Fenix 5+ never got…
I would like a power meter or a smart trainer.
Garmin Edge 830 GPS Cycling Computer Bundle, for 499.99 almost 500$ !!!
I would get a Fenix watch. My AW series 3 is getting a bit long in the tooth an I dislike the daily charging.
I need a new bike computer…
Thanks for the giveaway Ray! I’d probably get a new running watch like the Garmin Fenix for trail running.
Well… maybe a Fenix 6?
a garmin edge 530 to dangerous riding a bike and looking at my watch all the time
Power meter pedals…probably Garmin Vector
I would go for Favero Assioma Upgrade Kit.
Garmin vector pedals for me
More gadgets! Just what I need
A powermeter would be great!
Upgrade to the newest Fenix
Kicker climb, nah, not really but it’s a good placeholder …
I would choose Wahoo Kickr Climb.
A Wahoo Kickr trainer would give my January just what it needs!
Need a new indoor trainer
Since my trusty Powertap C1 on my commuter bike just died, I’ll get a Quarq DZero 11R-110 power meter to replace it. I miss my data. :(
I think I’d take the plunge and get a trainer. I have to study the buyer guide first, though.
I’ll get a Fenix 6S Pro for it’s features and moderate size.
A new watch
A replacement for my Garmin 705… Still does the job but syncing with USB is really a pain in the *ss
Still hoping for that Fenix 6 that Santa forgot in the bottom of his big gift bag!
Garmin Venu, because screen.
Would like to grab a Fenix for backpacking
Would get the latest Garmin Venu or Triathlon watch.
I‘d get a set of assiomas
A new vivoactive for my son so he can track runs with his old man!
Probably an Apple Watch or Fenix 6 to try out the competition.
The Garmin edge 1030 – because I need a bigger screen for seeing the trail map!!