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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
Sports Technology
The Garmin ANT+ Footpod Calibration Tool
A bit ago I stumbled upon a really cool tool that allows you to determine your Garmin ANT+ footpod calibration factor based on existing run data that you might have already run with your footpod. For example, if you’re like … Read More Here
2011 Sport Device GPS Accuracy In Depth: Part II
(Note: If you’re just joining me in Part II, be sure to read Part I, which covers the first half of the tests. Also of note: A few weeks after the test was published Garmin released a new firmware update … Read More Here
2011 Sport Device GPS Accuracy In Depth: Part I
(Also note: A few weeks after the test was published Garmin released a new firmware update that fixes the FR610 issues, and I redid some of the tests here). Last fall to the request of many I put together a … Read More Here
An inside look at downloading FR310XT workouts to the web without a computer
You may remember quite a while back I showed off the Wahoo Fitness iPhone dongle. This handy dandy little white pod the size of a quarter plugs into the bottom of your iPhone/iPod and allows connections to ANT+ devices such … Read More Here
Tip of the day: Avoid Doing The GPS Dance
Given it’s Friday and if you’re like me by this time of the week you’re probably just looking for a quick read. So I’m offering you a quick tip that I use to ensure I spend less time waiting around, … Read More Here
So you just gotta Garmin Fitness watch? Start here.
A whole lot of ya just got new Garmin Forerunner’s and Edge devices over the last few days, so I figured what better way to get you all kick-started into the world of GPS running devices than a consolidated post … Read More Here
How calorie measurement works on Garmin fitness devices
There are few topics that cause more confusion, intrigue and general ‘Huh?’ in the sports world than calorie burn. While many runners or cyclists often estimate calorie burn (and thus cookie allocation metrics) using borderline sketchy back of the napkin … Read More Here
Sport Device GPS Accuracy In Depth: Part II
(Note: If you’re just joining me in Part II, be sure to read Part I, which covers the first half of the tests) As we left off in Part I, the tests thus far had been largely easy. By that … Read More Here
Sport Device GPS Accuracy In Depth: Part I
Newcomers to GPS sport devices like the Garmin Forerunner or Timex Global Trainer often wonder exactly how accurate the devices are. And seasoned users occasionally notice small oddities when comparing their run totals between training partners on the same run. … Read More Here
How to fix cold/dry weather erratic heart rate readings
It’s that time of year again. No, not that time of year. Nor that time of year. But rather, the time of year when your heart rate readings start to resemble a seismic monitor more than a representation of your … Read More Here
A solution to heart rate dropouts/spikes with Garmin HR Soft Straps
You may remember back a few months ago when I published my Top Tips to reduce HR strap issues. That’s since become a pretty popular posts, especially amongst Garmin Premium Soft Strap HR users. And for the vast majority of … Read More Here
The quick release kit–solving one of life’s great problems
When you first get your Garmin Forerunner 305 or Forerunner 310XT – you’re abound with happy. Snugly tied to your wrist, life is grand. You can run with it on your wrist, bike with it on your wrist, and even … Read More Here
7 New Sports Technology Companies I’m Watching
If you follow the blog, you know I tend to be pretty interested in what a whole slew of sports technology companies are doing out there. I often include links to companies I’m watching, or occasionally mention their products or … Read More Here
Understanding Sport Device GPS Elevation Issues
You’ve just completed your out and back bike ride out on the flatlands of Florida, yet your GPS device is telling you that you went out and climbed the rocky mountains. Why is that you ask? Well, the answer is…it … Read More Here
Understanding the importance of Garmin firmware updates
One of the more common questions/comments that I answer on many of my review posts are technical in nature – and often times covering specific issues or problems a person is running into. As a result I end up doing … Read More Here
Choosing your Garmin device data fields
When you first get your new fangled Garmin Forerunner or Edge device you’ll probably be using the default data field views that show commonly used metrics like pace and distance. After all, these are some of the key benefits of … Read More Here
Troubleshooting your heart rate monitor/strap HR spikes
For those who train with heart rate monitors often, you probably know all too well know the tell-tale sign that your little device is lying to you about your heart rate. It starts off fairly innocently with a gentle rise … Read More Here
How to create maps/courses for your Garmin Forerunner
One of the most common questions I get is how you can create routes and maps that you can follow on your Garmin device. Many of the most popular devices support this feature – including the 305/310XT/500/705 – however most … Read More Here
How to train indoors with your Garmin device
This time a year it can be hard to find motivation to go out in the cold (assuming you don’t live or train in Hawaii), so it’s understandable you may be stuck training indoors. While a lot of you out … Read More Here
Sports Tracks in depth – ten little tidbits
Most of you folks know I love Sports Tracks – I think it’s hands down the best and most comprehensive sports activity management application out there today. (The above uses the Power Analysis Plug-in) Of course, making it better is … Read More Here
How to download workouts/race plans into your Garmin Forerunner/Edge
Just for the fun of it back a little while ago I decided to input my Nation’s Tri bike race plan into my Garmin device. It was a super-simple two step plan, so I didn’t have to worry about a … Read More Here
Garmin Tip: How to clean the contacts on your GPS
Have you noticed that your Garmin 305 (or similar) takes longer and longer to first initiate a data dump to the computer? My guess is it’s probably that your contacts that are dirty. No, not the ones in your eyes … Read More Here
Ten Random Tips for your Garmin Forerunner 305
I wrote up some of these a while back in a comment after a friend got her new Garmin 305 GPS late last year. But figured I’d clean them up, add a few and put them here for all the … Read More Here