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? Use Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
And both Backcountry & Competitive Cyclist offer free 2-day shipping!In the UK/EU/Australia/New Zealand? Then hit up Wiggle at the link below!
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.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 GPLAMA, 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 and Equipment 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! 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 2021 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.
Search results for: 'watch'
Apple Watch Series 9 In-Depth Review: A Sports Focus
Apple’s latest mainstream watch, the Apple Watch Series 9, has arrived. And with it bring minor incremental hardware updates, but a slate of software updates focused on sports and fitness. The hardware upgrades are entirely internal, focused on faster … Read More Here
Apple Watch Ultra 2 In-Depth Review: Focused Sports Progress
With the launch of the 2nd edition of the Apple Watch Ultra series, Apple has set the tone for an annual release cycle. As they’ve done with the existing/regular Apple Watch lineup, that cadence has focused on incremental updates … Read More Here
Apple Watch Ultra 2: Hands-on and What's New
In addition to the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple has also refreshed its regular Apple Watch lineup with the new Series 9. These units share a ton of new features, both from a hardware standpoint, but also a … Read More Here
Apple Watch Ultra 2: Hands-on and What's New
Apple has just announced the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, alongside the also-new Apple Watch Series 9. Both of these units see largely hardware upgrades, mostly focused on performance and the display, while also adding one notable new feature that … Read More Here
‘Name That Watch’ Gameshow with DesFit, Chase the Summit, and Matt Legrand
(Spoiler Avoidance: If you want to first try the game yourself, hit the short unlisted video here first, which is exactly what we’re seeing. Write down your answers, then enjoy the hilarity above.) Just wanted to drop a super quick … Read More Here
Garmin Vivoactive 5 In-Depth Review: Now With An AMOLED Display!
To the surprise of many, Garmin has just announced the Vivoactive 5 – which is essentially a mini-Venu 3 (both in price and features). Garmin has killed off the MIP-based display of the previous Vivoactive series, instead adopting a more … Read More Here
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic In-Depth Review: Is it Finally Accurate?
Like clockwork each summer, Samsung has released their latest wearables, this time the Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic. This release offers two different form factors, including notably bringing back the physical rotating bezel on the Watch6 Classic edition. Samsung has … Read More Here
Notable Watch Updates: Polar’s Skin Temperature Sensing, Pixel Watch Updates, Garmin’s Connect IQ Update
Over the last week there’s been a few notable updates that are worth mentioning, even if briefly. Thus, this will be the post for it. It’s like the ‘Tidbits’ posts I usually do, except being all watches. Less random, and … Read More Here
Here's All The New Apple WatchOS 10 Features!
Here’s everything new for the Apple Watch in WatchOS 10! Read More Here
Apple Watch Power Meter Support: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
Last month at Apple’s annual developer conference the company outlined the future of Apple Watch, at least in terms of software, for the next year. One item that seemed to surprise many was the announcement that Apple would be adding … Read More Here
Apple WatchOS 10 Topographic Maps: Hands-on with the Public Beta
Last month Apple announced WatchOS 10, and with it a slate of new features focused on the fitness/sports realm. This included cycling power meter support, a new structured workouts API for all sport types – allowing 3rd party apps like … Read More Here
Garmin Venu 3 In-Depth Review: More Sleep Analytics, Power Meters, and More!
Garmin has just launched the new Venu 3 series, which goes back to having two separate sizes, while adding in a slate of features – some of which are the first time we’ve seen them on a Garmin wearable. … Read More Here
Samsung Outlines Galaxy Watch4: First New Google WearOS Watch–Full Details
Today, Samsung announced their Galaxy Watch 4, which is the first watch to utilize the new Google + Samsung variant of Wear OS. This new operating system (or, slightly rebranded one) allows access to the Google Play store, while Samsung … Read More Here
Apple Watch Running Track Mode Expands To More Countries
A quick post for today as Apple has expanded their Apple Watch running track mode to more countries. This mode will automatically detect the running track as you step onto the track, offering to enter/trigger track mode (assuming you’re in … Read More Here
COROS VERTIX Adventure GPS Watch: Hands-on with their new premium watch
The COROX Vertix might look like a Garmin Fenix 5 watch, but are the features the same? I dig in to find out how well it stacks up. Read More Here
Oura Ring & Apple Watch Integrations: A Closer Look
Late last week Oura launched a new integration with the Apple Watch, adding both an app to display data as well as data fields that can be used in watch faces. While other display-less companies like Whoop have resisted integrations … Read More Here
MWC 2017 New Watches Hands-on: Huawei Watch 2 & LG Watch Sport
Over the last week or so two new sport-focused watches from non-sport focused companies have been announced. First up was last week’s announcement of the LG Watch Sport (and LG Watch Style), which was then followed by Sunday’s announcement from … Read More Here
Amazfit Cheetah Pro GPS Watch Quick Review: Thoughts After Using It For A Week
Amazfit has just announced their new Cheetah Pro GPS watch, which is aimed to compete in the lightweight but still packed-with-features category of endurance sports watches. Coming in at just 43g and just $299, it slots in well competitively against … Read More Here
Hands-on with the new Garmin Vivomove watch
Garmin’s first classy looking wearable is out! Time to dive into all the details, and compare it against the competition. Read More Here
Apple Watch–Fitness Focused
Yes, I am indeed working towards a fitness/sport-focused Apple Watch review. It’s still likely a few weeks away. In the mean-time, here’s a spot to see a few pics and ask questions. Also, see my Apple Watch YouTube videos here!
In the Queue: The Leikr GPS Multisport Watch
The Leikr project was crowd-funded via Kickstarter a number of months ago and has now reached beta stage. The unit features mapping, GPS support, ANT+ compatibility, and Bluetooth compatibility. I’ll be testing it until final release, but keep in mind … Read More Here
Soleus FIT GPS Watch
I’ve reviewed both the Soleus 1.0 and 2.0 GPS watches, and while the basic watch functionality is good, I found the 2.0 software horrible. Thus, I only agreed to review the new downloable Soleus FIT watch if they addressed the … Read More Here
Garmin Swim watch In-Depth Review
The Garmin Swim is Garmin’s first attempt at a swimming-only product. It builds on the FR910XT’s swimming functionality within the triathlon world, but can it do it all? Read More Here
The Next Garmin Forerunner Multisport Watch
Without doubt, one of the most frequent questions I get around these parts is: “When will the next version of ____ be released?” – which is typically “When will the next Garmin Forerunner be released?”. I should first say – … Read More Here