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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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 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!
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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 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.
Garmin Reviews
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music GPS Watch In-Depth Review
Here’s everything you could ever want to know about the Forerunner 245/245 Music, from loading Spotify, to Running Dynamics, to GPS accuracy and plenty more. Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 45/45S GPS Watch In-Depth Review
Trying to decide on the best sub-$200 sport and running watch? This review dives into all the details you need to know to nail your next running race. Read More Here
Garmin Speed & Cadence Sensors V2 with ANT+/Bluetooth Smart: In-Depth Review
In the highly unlikely event that you didn’t get enough Garmin news today with the announcement of two brand new head units (the Edge 530 and Edge 830, see reviews at those links), you’ve also got yourself some new sensors … Read More Here
Garmin Edge 530 Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
Your complete rundown and review on the new Garmin Edge 530 and all the new features, from ClimbPro to mountain bike metrics, and how it compares to the Edge 830. Read More Here
Garmin Edge 830 Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Edge 830 after a month of usage. Plus, how it compares to the Edge 530 and other Garmin cycling units. Read More Here
Garmin MARQ Series Hands-On: Everything you ever wanted to know
Today Garmin raised the stakes and announced their most expensive watch to date – the Garmin MARQ, at upwards of $2,500. Actually, it’s five watches. Five different units that mirror Garmin’s existing product lines across all of the company’s divisions. … Read More Here
Garmin HRM-DUAL Heart Rate Strap In-Depth Review
Garmin’s finally released a dual-capable ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart heart rate strap – but is it worth buying? I dive in with plenty of data to see if it does the job. Read More Here
First Look: Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music Cellular/LTE (for Verizon)
Today Garmin begins their journey with cellular enabled wearables, announcing the first such device, the Vivoactive 3 Music Cellular/LTE. Actually, technically it’s called the Garmin Vivoactive 3 connected by Verizon, leaving zero doubts about who exactly it’s available for. And … Read More Here
Garmin Instinct GPS Watch In-Depth Review
When it comes to looks, you’re either going to love or hate the new Garmin Instinct watch. There’s not likely to be much middle ground. If you like the looks of Casio watches, you’ll probably be pretty excited about this … Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin Vivosmart 4, now with Pulse Ox and Body Battery
The Vivosmart 4 is Garmin’s first device to introduce the new Body Battery, as well with the Pulse Ox (Sp02). How well does it work? I dig in. Read More Here
The Bontrager Edge 1030: A Swanky Black Edge 1030 with Deeper Integration (Hands-on)
**Update: Garmin has since announced the 1030 Plus, check out the most recent information here for the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus In-Depth Review** Today Bontrager announced the Edge 1030. Wait, Bontrager? Don’t you mean Garmin? Nope, I mean that company … Read More Here
Garmin’s New $249 Edge Explore Full Mapping & Navigation Bike GPS: Everything you ever wanted to know
The Edge Explore is quite possibly the best deal in a bike computer that Garmin has ever made. The question is: Can you live with the features cut from i? Read More Here
Garmin Fenix 5/5S/5X Plus In-Depth Review (with Maps, Music, Payments)
Everything you could ever want to know about the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus lineup, which includes the 5/5S/5X, and maps, music, contactless payment and PulseOx. Read More Here
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music: Everything you ever wanted to know
Here’s all the details on the new Vivoactive 3 Music, complete with how the music transfer and usage works, as well as GPS and heart rate accuracy. Read More Here
Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator In-Depth Review
For those that have been around the DCR block long enough, you’ll know that I’m always looking for tracking solutions for my worldly activities. Especially ones that don’t depend on having a mobile phone nearby, and even more so for … Read More Here
Garmin Edge 130 In-Depth Review
The Edge 130 aims to blend a mid-range GPS bike computer with the size of a more typical budget GPS computer. Does it pull that off though? I dig into all the details on this simplistic but feature filled unit. Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin Edge 520 Plus with Mapping
Today’s multi-pronged release of cycling gear by Garmin is probably the company’s most decisive yet at fending off competitors to its lucrative head unit business. And in some ways, they’re probably even undercutting their own high-end head units to stave … Read More Here
Garmin Varia RTL510 Radar/Cycling Light In-Depth Review
[FYI May 2020: A newer version of this product has been released – the RTL515 – you can find that in-depth review here.] Yes, it’s a bike radar. But no, it’s not the first bike radar Garmin has made. And … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music GPS Running Watch In-Depth Review
It’s been almost two months since Garmin announced the FR645 and FR645 Music (aka FR645M), its first wearable with music onboard. Past Garmin watches could control music on your phone, but none could have music loaded on it and play … Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin’s Forerunner 645 Music GPS Watch
(Update – March 5th, 2018 – My Full FR645 Music In-Depth Review is now available, head over to the link to check it all out!) Finally, Garmin now makes a wearable that plays music. In some ways, that’s sorta all … Read More Here
Garmin Vector 3 Power Meter In-Depth Review
Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about Garmin Vector 3, from sizing and weight, to cornering capabilities, plus accuracy aspects and more! Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin’s New Descent MK1 Diving Watch
Sometimes, I do sports that are actually not swim-bike-run. Be it skiing, or…ok, I guess that’s it. Actually, I scuba dive, which I suppose is still technically swimming. Or swimming done rather poorly. So poorly that you’re never-endingly sinking to … Read More Here
Garmin Vivoactive 3 In-Depth Review
It’s been about 6 weeks since Garmin first announced the new Vivoactive 3 GPS watch. This watch builds upon the Vivoactive HR by adding in more features including things like contactless payments with Garmin Pay, as well as structured workouts. … Read More Here
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2: Everything you ever wanted to know
Today Garmin announced the Vivofit Jr. 2, which takes their surprisingly successful Vivofit Jr. kids-focused product line and adds in a few features. But most importantly it cements a Disney partnership for branded variants of the activity trackers covering Star … Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin’s New Forerunner 30 Running GPS Watch
Hold on, I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t the Forerunner 30 come out last year? Nope, that was the Forerunner 35. At which point you’re wondering how we’re going back in numbers – but that’s just how the cards fell … Read More Here
