Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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 2023 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 was waiting for this video…
Thank You!!
Is there a trick to these batteries. I have the fly more kit and if I charge overnight and place the battery right into the drone I get a full charge, but if I let them sit in the case for a few days the best I get out of any of the 3 is 3/4.
DJI Mini batteries (and similar for larger drones) discharge INTENTIONALLY to 96% after idle one day and to approximately 60% within 9 days to protect the battery life, evidently holding a full charge for a length period of time can damage the batteries.
Do you think it is worth going for this over the Mini 3 pro?
Generally yes, if for no other reason that you’re less likely to kill it, given the obstacle avoidance sensors.
How much would you discount? The mini 3 pro is discounted to 699 EUR in France (with the fancy remote with the screen) which is a lot less than mini pro 4. (I think around 999 EUR with the screen although the fly more option comes to “only 1149”.
Not really expecting an answer. Love the blog. Long time reader (10+years back to forerunner610 days) first time commenting.
Are you talking Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro? For $300, and if you only have a passing interest in drones, the Mini 3 Pro is fantastic. But I wouldn’t save $300 for the Mini 3 (which lacks much of the Mini 3 Pro’s best features).
@DC Rainmaker
Hey Ray!
Thanks for the guide! I got a final question and you may be one of the only persons to know this:
Can the drone follow me (active track?) me when I ride uphill on my MTB/Roadbike?
On the one hand I suggest no, because with the C0 classification it only can reach 120m above my starting point (so filming a 3.5k, 300m of elevation gain uphill) will not work? On the other hand I found 2 posts on the DJI Forum that said with active track the drone will follow me uphill and keep a certain height over ground….
Thanks
Bastian
So it’s funny, DJI has tweaked things a bit (a few times now), when it comes to the 120m above the starting point situation.
When the limitation was first introduced, it was a legit problem. Then they changed it. And then I believe they changed it again. I haven’t tried it again since October (when I was in Spain, and did indeed run into the issues then, but that was in the midst of the see-saw changes).
I’ll have to do some digging the next time I’m somewhere with hills (sadly, I don’t have any hill that I can gain the required 120m of elevation anywhere within many hours of driving from Amsterdam).
Sorry!
Thx for the quick reply.
I could test it : will fly to the Algarve next week (that’s a really nice alternative to Spain! I really can recommend!)
Sadly I don’t have the drone and I don’t wanna buy one too test.
So I’ll have to wait for your test then :D
Thank you for the video! Just to double check, can the mini 4 pro follow me downwards in altitude during a decsent when skiing? Given that speed and obstacles are fine. I understand that upwards during an ascend is now fine to 500m, correct? Many thanks for clarifying. /Pontus
What a great, easy to follow guide. Being a new drone user, I would have struggled for a long long time without this.
Thank you.
A fantastic, easy to follow site.
As a new drone user I would have struggled without it.
Thank you.
Dear DCR.
I am very grateful for your beginners guide to the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Thank you!
I have watched the youtube video, in full and parts, a number of times to learn how to do things with my drone.
I would definitely have struggled without your tutorial because it was much easier to follow and understand than most other on-line content, particularly when you are closer to 80 than 70.
Furthermore, members of my family have joined in with watching aspects of your video such as the “drone run-over incident with the bike”. Everyone thinks you handled it brilliantly, and we were all very impressed that you remained so calm when half of your expensive gear rolled towards the canal!
We also respected your approach to making sure that the drone did not interfere with the privacy of other people such as the boat skipper.
I wish I could say that I have watched the videos attached to your youtube but that’s the power of DuckDuckGo – it strips out the adverts!
Also, I’m very unlikely to buy anything via Amazon with the link from your video because I’m actually about three times older than you, if not more, and there’s not much more that I need in life!
However, your kind efforts cannot go without some form of reciprocal arrangement, otherwise I’m likely to feel a bit guilty!
So quid pro quo, here’s what I can offer in exchange for your kind efforts on the Mini 4 Pro:
1. My wife makes a very mean celery soup. The recipe is yours for the asking.
2. I know you’re a bit physical but if you are in any way interested in music I can provide a really easy transposition chart.
3. I know a lot about motorhomes/campingcars/campers and would be delighted to sare my experience.
In the meantime, thank you so much for your information and entertainment.
Keep up the good work!
T
Hey Ray – great video clip as always, thanks for all the hard work. What’s your current micro-sd card of choice? I think you said you’d post this, but couldn’t see a reference. Many thanks