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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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.While I don't partner with many companies, there's a few that I love, and support the site. Full details!
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 DesFit, 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?
Amazon Prime Days Sports Tech Deals Round-Up!
Today is Amazon Prime Day. Well, actually, tomorrow is too. It’s a two-day festivus where we drown our 2020 sorrows away by purchasing gadgets we may or may not need. And this year there are some incredible deals already. … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 12th, 2020
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Fitbit Versa 3 In-Depth Review
The Fitbit Versa 3 is the first Fitbit Versa series watch to include GPS built-in, along with a slate of new health metrics. But are these metrics accurate, or even useful at all? It’s time to dig in. Read More Here
Polar Vantage V2 In-Depth Review
Today Polar has announced the Vantage V2, a touch bit over two years since they announced the initial Polar Vantage V & M series watches. Since that time those units have gotten numerous firmware updates (and even a Titanium version). … Read More Here
Strava Rolls out StatMaps to Subscribers: Here’s how it works
Yes, you have to have the hashtag. Else, it’s just StatMaps, and as you’ll soon find out, that’ll get you a big nothing burger. For this Friday post we’ll keep things nice and quick. So, you can either press the … Read More Here
GoPro Display Mod Accessory In-Depth Review (Hero 8 & Hero 9 Compatible)
Exactly one year ago today GoPro announced the Display Mod, as part of the larger Hero 8 suite. At the time, a year before the Hero 9 would come out, it promised a way to see yourself from the front … Read More Here
Wahoo Rolls Out KICKR Bike ANT+ Power Broadcasting Firmware Update
This post is gonna be a quickie, mostly cause in the grand scheme of things it’s probably not going to be of relevance to that many people since there’s not that many people with KICKR Bike’s out there. But, for … Read More Here
Suunto Announces Final Steps for Movescount Transition, Not All Bad News
In many ways, the Suunto Movescount closure saga is kinda like of those class action lawsuits you signed up for hoping for a big payout, but that goes on for so long and through so many courts that by the … Read More Here
Indoor Cycling Trainer Desk: For when you just can’t justify the Wahoo KICKR Desk Price
Want the Wahoo KICKR Desk (which work with any brand trainer), but can’t exactly justify spending $250 on an indoor trainer desk? No problem, there’s an alternative – the RAD Cycling Desk, also branded as the Lifeline Cycling Trainer Desk, … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It’s no longer summer. But hey, things are heating up in the watch realm instead – so I’ve got that for ya! Here’s what I was up to this past weekend as the leaves start to change, and the weather … Read More Here
Week in Review–Sept 26th, 2020
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
It’s Coming Back! Strava Begins Bluetooth Sensor Beta Test
A year ago Strava killed off sensor support, earning the ire of millions…perhaps even if they rarely used the feature. As users, our collective annoyance was more about principle than anything else. It also didn’t help that Strava’s reasoning at … Read More Here
How to Get Fitbit Non-GPS Activities to Strava
This post is going to be incredibly niche. And I’m OK with that. Heck, this post might just be more for me remembering this site than you. Sometimes I use this blog as a personal notepad. Like when I take … Read More Here
Garmin Venu SQ In-Depth Review
Roughly a year after Garmin introduced their first AMOLED display unit, the Garmin Venu, the company is back at it with a stripped-down rectangular version – the Venu SQ. This less expensive variant still packs the vast majority of the … Read More Here
Fitbit Sense In-Depth Review: All the Data Without the Clarity
The Fitbit Sense is both a departure from the norm and not, for Fitbit. On one hand, it’s vastly more expensive than any recent Fitbit smartwatch with vastly more sensors. Yet on the other end, the interface and day to … Read More Here
Apple Watch Series SE: A Fitness First Impressions Untangled
Trying to detangle exactly how the Apple Watch SE stacks up against the Apple Watch Series 6 from a sports and fitness standpoint? This dives into all the details and nuances, from GPS accuracy to HR accuracy, features and more. Read More Here
Apple Watch Series 6: First Run Accuracy & SpO2 Sensor Data
While I already posted earlier this week on the new features of the Apple Watch Series 6, I figured I’d share some quick first run Friday data for ya. As well as some initial thoughts on the handful of other … Read More Here
Garmin HRM-PRO In-Depth Review
The HRM-PRO brings together everything a Garmin user could want in a chest strap, from higher accuracy to offloading of workouts when in the water, plus daily activity data when a watch can’t be worn. Read More Here
GoPro Hero 9 Black: Every New Feature Detailed & Tested Video
Today GoPro announced the new GoPro Hero 9, which adds a front-facing screen and 5K resolution, though also slightly increases the price. Sorta, kinda, not really…it depends. It’s complicated. While I’m still a few days away from a final written … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 745 In-Depth Review
Garmin has announced the new Forerunner 745, a successor to the now four-year-old FR735XT. This multisport watch essentially takes just about everything from the FR945, except leaves the maps by the side of the road, saving you $100. Also, it’s … Read More Here
Apple Watch Series 6/SE, and Apple Fitness+ Service Launched: Complete Details
Today Apple has launched the new Apple Watch Series 6 with some modest fitness/health focused upgrades, while also launching a new fitness subscription service, Apple Fitness+. In addition to the Apple Watch 6, Apple also launched a new variant, the … Read More Here
Peloton’s New Bike+ (Plus): Everything you ever wanted to know
Here’s everything you could possibly ever want to know about the Peloton Bike+, detailed on every new feature and change, and how well it performs in real life. Read More Here
Suunto 7 and New Routes Features: Hands-on Details & Explainer
Over the coming days Suunto will roll-out a new update for the Suunto 7 which adds the ability to follow a course/route on the Suunto 7 app. Of course, with the watch being Wear OS based, there were other apps … Read More Here
Suunto Rolls Out Pile of New SuuntoPlus Widgets to Suunto 3/5/9 Watches
Good things come in threes, and today is the second in a line of updates Suunto is making. You’ll remember back last month they started with the app side of the house, adding in a bunch of popularity routing type … Read More Here
Week in Review–September 6th, 2020
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here