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.
Fenix 6
Massive pallet of nutrition hell ya! Then I can give that one guy on the group ride who always forgets. Ya, we all have that guy!!!
I’d take this opportunity to update my wife’s failing bike computer to one of the new Garmin Edge models.
A watch upgrade would be nice. I’d definitely use the Spotify feature.
We do not have much sun here on the west coast of Norway, so I need something to remind me of it. The Fenix 6X Pro Solar would have been sweet!
Apple Watch
I would get a smart trainer for my wife!
Since my suunto is struggling to get a accurate gps fix nowadays it would be a replacement watch, not sure whether it is going to be another suunto or a Garmin. Must check the 2019 sports recommendation Section before deciding.
Wouldn’t mind upgrading to the Garmin 945. Although with training for an Ironman right now a pallet full of gels wouldn’t be a bad idea either!
I would get the newest Garmin Fenix or GoPro camera. I want an upgrade for my Fenix 3 but I also want to have option capture some nice action moments
Drone me up just because
This is so nice. An Fenix 6X Pro Solar would nicely fit to my wrist, but not being too picky any 6 Pro series would fit the game :-)
Thanks
Would definitely get the Kickr Climb to increase the realisim of training on Zwift
Tough decision. I’d love the kickr climb this time of year. But a new Edge 830 would be great as well. Decisions, decisions.
I think I’d get a power meter, it’ll be nice to find out how underpowered I am
Upgrade my Garmin Edge 500!!
Veni, vidi, vici. A new Fenix forma meee!!!
A new Fenix 6 would be great.
An Apple Watch has been on my list for a few years.
It’s time to upgrade my 735xt!
I didnt get my fenix 5 im using a 3 and its lacking some usefull features
A Garmin Edge 830 or 1030 to replace my 2006 Garmin Gpsmap 60csx. I only use it for maps/navigation and have a Fenix 3hr for connecting to cycle sensors and record the rides. But thinking it is about time to upgrade to a bicycle God with navigation
I would probably choose the WAHOO KICKR Climb, in order to, finally, get the winter training done.
Miam would be perfect to get a home trainer for winter :)
Thanks
I was gifted nothing at all for Christmas! ☹️?I was good … I am an open water swimmer wishing for a GoPro!
OK OK, if you REALLY have to get rid of the Favero Assioma power meter, then I say I will register for my first Ironman for it :)
A Fenix 6 so that my spouse can properly train for a marathon.
I would probably get that wahoo trainer so I can go along with the old ‘winter miles summer smiles!’
I would get the Garmin 945. My Apple Watch is nice, but I’d like to transition to a real running watch.
Would love some magic power for a power meter!
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. My iPod and my Garmin 920XT are both on their last legs, so a Garmin Forerunner 245 Music will let me have both, and will mean I just have to run with 1 device, not 2.
Fenix 6
I was hoping to get a free limited edition of Heineken dry pack this AM and came up empty. Maybe I could score a neat power meter to measure my power so that I know exactly how hard to ride to burn off all the real beer I will now drink in January because Heineken’s dry pack promotion was an epic fail!
I would have to go with the Garmin Fenix 6. It’s just hard to justify dropping that much on watch at the moment.
I would get a new watch.
I would love to upgrade my Favero Assioma single side power meter to a dual side power meter!
I think I gotta go for a power meter!
Maybe a Kickr to replace my aging Magnus.
Yay!!!
I would get Garmin Vector pedals because I never tried any power meter!
A fancy new running watch!
Time for a Garmin watch. The Fenix of course. I’ll track everything!
Fenix 6S for my wife would be awesome!
Sadly I didn’t receive a new FR245. Need one as the HR on my trusty FR235 is starting to give occasional odd readings.
I’d for sure go with the GoPro Hero 8! I’ve somehow not gotten a GoPro yet, so this would be awesome to catch everything from snowboarding and paddle boarding adventures, to timelapses of tiny house and other project builds. Cheers!
Garmin watch will do
GoPro!
After 4 years I would like a new watch to replace my forerunner 235
I’d put the award toward a Kickr Snap so I could gift it to my friend Paula. We’d love to have her join us on our Zwift rides.
Would love to get a Fenix 5s pro
Maybe a set of smart rollers like the elite Nero or similar. Love riding rollers, but also love my smart trainer.
Have not gone the Go Pro route yet but would like to give it a go.
I’d love a new Garmin to replace my Forerunner 35 that looks a little worse for wear after three years. Maybe a viviomove 3S!
Garmin 945 fantastic watch and training for an Ironman
Carbon wheel set or cycling computer
Since I’m in Canada and can’t get a trainer through Clever Training, I’d like a Garmin Edge 530 to finally have a bike computer and not just use my watch for everything.
Living in the DC area with bipolar weather that trainer sure would be nice.
Asking Assioma’s for a while now, but they’re still on my wish list :-)
I just bought the Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire so I have all the data I want. I would like a GoPro Hero 8 to record all the skiing stuff!
I’ve had the Garmin Forerunner 235 since it first came out but now it’s starting to play up.. Would love to upgrade to the Fenix 6.. My first Garmin was the Forerunner 305 and I have been a fan boy since…
Garmin Fenix 5x plus – great for the longer runs I am planning.
Wahoo smart trainer for me
Would love a power meter.
Favero Assioma pedals would be my choice.
Garmin Fenix 6, because my old Fenix is ready for replacement.
All I wanted for x-mas was a Garmin Edge 530 and Santa did not deliver! I’d even throw in a new head/tail light as well.
Coros apex pro comes to my mind nowadays when I think about my first ultra.
I didn’t get a smart trainer this year but was hoping for one to make the winter season a bit more enjoyable.
Go pro 8! To start my own vlog next year!
Oh my. A Mavic MIni to take my photography up a few levels :D
Power meter time! Serious training this year!!
The 500$ credit would definitely go to a Fliiiight trainer ! Living in Paris, you’d understand 100% silent is crucial!
Wahoo or Garmin bike computer. Would definitely help on those long exploring bike rides.
Favero assioma would be nice.
I need the power! Power meter that is.
Dual sided power meter for my new Tri bike
I’d put it towards a Kickr core and climb, to try and reduce the increasing Christmas circumference!
A new smart trainer would be great to keep off the winter weight
A GoPro Hero 8 Black, because it`s the only gadget thats missing
I would love a Wahoo Roam bundle for my wife and I’d upcoming Tandem 340 mile adventure! Sure would help keep me from having to ask for directions!
I would love a Ultraspire Lumen 800 Waist Light!
A Garmin 945 For my wife she just started biking ❤️
Happy Holidays Ray!
I’d like a crank based power meter because I’m a Speedplay user.
Wahoo Kickr Climb. To climb or not to climb?
Wahoo Kickr Climb would be awesome
Either a garmin 935 or 945 – i don’t know which one yet. My husband needs a tri watch, which means I get a new watch and he gets my trusty 920 :)
A GoPro 8 BLACK
I need the stages ultegra power meter to have more focused training and save time.
Fenix 6…moving up from the 5!
Garmin fenix 6 would fit my arm and wishes merry xmas
Water heater went out so I had to be an adult and purchase that. So I would be happy with that 1/2 eaten gu packet about now!
A GoPro Hero 8 Black, Garmin Fenix 6X or a second QuickFit 26 watch band are good options :)
Favero’s so I can convert them like Shane for my gravel bike.
Favero assioma power meter, to train more targeted with zones
I’d love to get my hands on a Garmin Edge 830. It would be so much more convenient than using the watch.
I’d like a GoPro Hero 8 Black because how else would I make an epic video?
Gopro Max for horizon leveling of my motorcycle track day videos!
Hey those stand up paddle boards sound pretty sweet!
I’d buy a Fenix 6 and give it to my amazing partner and training buddy to say thanks for everything he does for me!
Edge 830 or Varia Vision would be nice for my wife’s new Varia Radar.
Wahoo Kickr climb would be nice :)
Favero Assimo Duo would be nice