Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
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? 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.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?
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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/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!
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.
Hoping to win that awesome watch! I wonder what the statistics are regarding winning one of your contests…how many does one enter, average number of participants, etc.
I will of course get a run in on Saturday, but this weekend main focus is the BBQ. Will do some grilling and enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.
Oh, that Forerunner 610 sure would look nice on my little arm. I’m just saying.
A bit of creative cooking, a bit of running, & just a bit of riding my bike for fun instead of commuting for a change!
4th attempt to post a comment – OpenID is just not cutting it for this today.
I’ll be running in a 5k on Sunday and have fun the rest of the weekend!
I’ll be running.
I’ll be running in a 5k on Sunday and having fun the rest of the weekend!
Hey man, raced with you @ EFFDT. You and about 7 others smoked by me on my terrible run, well done. Down in VB beach now getting some family time and training for Memorial Day and then back home to CT and REV3 Half next weekend. Good luck in Boise!
I’ll be spending the weekend doing insanity workouts and recovering from the Hawaii vacation. Thanks for the great reviews.
Run!Run!Run! Thanks!
Nice way to stress the Blogger comment engine…. }B^)
Sat: Swim/bike brick, and BBQ Beef!
Sun: Rest day and BBQ Chicken!
Mon: Bike/run brick, and BBQ Pork!
‘Nuff said. And, of course, through in a couple of brics and hikes.
Just got back to Oahu… Plan on taking the kid to the beach and park as well as getting in some running and swimming since I was a turd and didn’t work out for the two weeks I was in San Diego. Oh, yeah… And I’ll catch up on some of your posts from the past two weeks. Thanks, Ray.
Watching/relaxing with the kids Saturday and Sunday, then Captex Tri Olympic on Monday.
Laid up with mouth surgery… No training this weekend. Booo
I will be spending the weekend getting the rest of my garden put in, i am glad i kind of put it off as we had frost again last night.
I’ll be relaxing after a particularly stressful trip to your neck of the woods. Got in a good run in Dumbarton Oaks Park, though!
Eric
Planning to run a marathon on saturday night and crash through sunday. Back to work on monday so hopefully I can walk properly
Camping in Vermont. Swimming in the local quarry, biking on my single speed and running on a quite country road.
Off to a local fun run on Sunday maybe a BBQ afterwards
Hoping to get some solid time in the saddle!! Wind or no wind…here I come.
Run. Bike. Parent a 3 week old and 2 year old. The latter will use 97% percent of my energy!
Great blog and the most helpful information on the interwebs!
Thank you for doing another giveaway.
I will mostly going to take it easy over the long weekend.
Tomorrow, I will do a 11K trail race, but other than that not much going on… Perfect in my opinion! ;-)
Just finished a 7.6 mile long hilly run and get to sit down and read your latest. Lovin’ the reviews and have passed on the 411 to my brother in law who is now getting into tri’s. Keep up the good work.
Daddy needs a new Garmin!
I started my 2 day weekend by baking a batch of pizzas for my family, reading to my older daughter, then doing a quick 8K run around the Reykjavik airport area.
Tomorrow I will be watching the same 4 year old daughter performing at her gymnastics class Spring Festival, then scoping out a potential new home with my family. Plans for going to the country to observe some lambs being born sadly had to be postponed. Probably have to BBQ some instead.
Finishing up on Sunday I will be playing Shakespeare’s ghost in a monologue I wrote myself, and singing the part of the Wall in a short opera based on the Bard’s play-within-a-play “Piramus and Thisbe”. Hope to get in a few K of running that evening as well.
Pretty busy weekend all in all!
Siggi,
Reykjavik, Iceland
I’m planning on spending as much time as the weather will allow on the deck, and the grillin’ plans are for a half-day-long smoking of a pork loin wrapped in a weave of bacon strips.
Thanks you so very much for the chance to win this awesome prize! (It’s for my daughter if I win!)
Well it’s Saturday now. But on Friday, I spent all day polishing my literature review for my thesis. By the time I finished, it was dark and freezing cold outside. Not feeling like braving the cold, I setup the trainer in front of the Tv and went for a 2.5 hour spin.
Today is my first day off in a few weeks, so time to catch up on some reading and do some shopping and cooking.
Sunday, I will get back into the study, followed by a 2 hour run.
Dylan M,
5K walk with my family on Sunday. Recovering from a tibia stress fracture and am not yet cleared to run it.
My 3-day weekend will actually be two; Monday is a bad weather makeup day for the school district where I teach. Rather than sit & sulk, I plan to MTB or road ride Saturday morning before making the rounds to the local shops tha helped outfit me for last weekend’s run & PR at Ironman Texas. On Sunday, the wife & I are heading to Austin with our pups for the Doggie Du. Monday, sadly, is a work day, so I’ll likely commute in after a short run with the dogs.
20 mile run tomorrow. Century ride on Sunday, and a swim/bike brick on Monday.
long run saturday, soccer sunday, biking and beach monday.
Saturday long run, Sunday weights, Monday BBQ to undo all the good work I’ve done the past two days.
We are at Bear Lake Utah/Idaho at the cabin for some spring cleaning. I brought the bike and wetsuit with hopes to ride and maybe swim, but unfortunately there is a forecast of snow for the next few days. I do have the winter riding gear, but it would be so much nicer if the sun and warmth came out – here’s for hoping. Have a great weekend!
Spending it doing some bricks! 40km/10km
Saturday I’m going to a local 5K race (which is hosted by Bones Steak & Chophouse…hmmm…maybe there will be BBQ!).
Sunday I’m going to a friends for a birthday bash & game session. They have a Traeger BBQ. My bet is that we might have some BBQ!!!
Monday there will be no BBQ (bummer). I am planning on a nice 20 mile bike ride, though! :)
Tina Holmes
Touch me, Hold me play with my screen.
Love your work.
I’m going to spend tomorrow at a BBQ and I’m racing on Monday. It’s going to be a great weekend. Enjoy yours!
Great blog!!!!!!
Great blog!!!!!!
very nice giveaway, count me in please
Just got back from a work trip. So hope to chill and get some training in. A movie would be nice too.
Basketball on Saturday and Sunday morning, and the spending time with family for the rest of the weekend.
Hey Ray, thanks again for doing these giveaways. its awfully generous of you. anyway, down here at Melbourne Australia, its gonna be cold and wet so no BBQ for me, probably gonna be hanging out somewhere with nice coffee. all the best with ur trainings and have a gd weekend!
Just catching up around the house this weekend and spending time with family and friends – especially after being gone and busy much over the past few weeks.
I’d love to win your Garmin giveaway. And even if I don’t I’ll keep following your blog. Keep up the good work.
Biking and running along the lake in Zurich with my broken 310 xt.
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Ah, si seulement …. :-)
It’s an international reading blog …
We’re having BBQ chicken. After a long ride, of course.
Long ride followed by BBQ chicken
5 mile run on Saturday followed by our 5 years old birthday party. Sunday night on call for our designated driver program on base. Monday with the family and remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
I like the garmin 410 but i´m more curious on the new garmin, because I have had som trouble with the 410.
keep up your good blogg
Doing my first open water swim of the season on Sunday. Otherwise relaxing with the family.
Would be nice with one of those for my comeback in orienteering…
Great site and some fantastic reviews of products.
Hope I will be the one to win the watch!
Im out to play soccer now and am planning to watching the Champions league finals tonight – and coming closer to the decision of doing my first half ironman. The watch will certainly get me closer to a positive decision! ;-)
Great site and some fantastic reviews of products.
Hope I will be the one to win the watch!
bbq or watch depends when you ask.
Working, alas!
I plan on rocking a 5K while wearing my sling (shoulder surgery) and hanging out with my kids.
Hey Ray — First open water this weekend, followed by National Capital Marathon, here in Ottawa.
Yard work. The grass and weeds grow fast enough on our property that I can’t keep up. This looong weekend will be spent with those type of chores.
I’m running the Druridge Bay 10k in the North East of England.
Hey Ray! Hoping to get in 10 mile run and 30 mile ride in amongst a BBQ and other lazy and fun activities!
My plan for the weekend: ride my new bike, which I’m picking up tonight!
Been a little tough getting all my workouts in with my PCS to Fort Rucker, but having a 50m lap pool 3 miles away has made swimming way easier.
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Three day weekend… I wish! Just one day off this weekend for me. A run on Saturday and time with the family. Sunday and Monday, I’ll be working to rid our city of sewage leaks (yep poo!!!). I wish I was having BBQ or testing my new Garmin Forerunner 610.
On the York River with some swim/bike/run in around Yorktown.
Hopefully some swimming, biking, and running.
Mountain biking in London, taking it easy as I am coming out of knee injury
Let’s hope we win this time :D
Their Mom is on a short trip this weekend – so I´ll spend a lot of time with the kids…
I’ll be having a picnic by be beach, relaxing after a 5K i just ran two days ago.
I’m going to get in 2 training runs and then spend the rest of my time with the family! Weather’s looking perfect!
This weekend I’ll be getting up early to fit in a 90km ride before I get all spiffed up for a girlfriends wedding. That way I’ll feel good and all that yummy food and drinks will be guilt free.
I really enjoy reading your reviews. Nice work!
Alice (Australia)
Swimming and biking here.
Spending time with friends in NYC!
I plan on… relaxing. Oh and maybe go for a run Sunday morning. That’s it!
The swimming pool opens at the apartment in 10 minutes! I’m sure the kids will drag me off in 11 minutes. Maybe some workout clothes shopping (on sale) after that?
Relaxing after 60 miles of hiking in Zion and Bryce National Parks the past week. BBQ on Monday! All the best
Lots of family time this weekend. I’ll be helping watch my sister-in-law’s 14 month old son while she and her husband go to a wedding in NY. It will be nice to have a little one around the house again…Cheers!
David.Mumford@comcast.net
I’ll be watching my sister-in-law’s 14 month old son for the weekend. It will be nice to have a baby around the house again — temporarily :-)
Also, visiting lots of other family. Looking forward to it!
I spend the weekend reading. I’m having an exam monday morning. It’s raining, no BBQ today.
I’ll be taking it easy this weekend for a change (recovering from a sprained ankle/fractured fibula injured on a trail run a few weeks ago). I’ll be cooking bbq chicken today and smoked pork tenderloin for Monday. Thanks for the informative site and great giveaways!
Attending the Run for the Berries event in Starlight, IN and then relaxing with family and friends for the rest of the weekend!
My wife and I are going up to Philly to yes, run through the sprinkler, at her parents house.it was either a kiddie pool(bleh!), a slip and slide (potential injuries would have hurt us in our racing season), or head to a community pool with 1000 of our not closest friend.. and with typical Memorial Day weekend beverages it seemed the safest to run through a sprinkler.
this weekend i expect to win a 9 Km race in my old highscool!
Moving house Friday, unpacking and getting sorted Saturday, painting Sunday, hopefully nothing on Monday, back to work Tuesday!
Kalahari! Nations largest indoor waterpark!
This weekend will be my first long run since I cut my miles from a bout of runner’s knee. I can’t wait to see how things hold up! I’m going to try and get some BBQ and pool time in as well just to round things out.
Snowboarding and Beer festival at A-Basin! Does it get any better?
I’m going to be jumping the gun and doing Fat Cyclist’s 100 miles to nowhere on my bike trainer… Actually that’s just Monday. I’ll spent the rest of the time worrying about it. :)
On Monday, I’ll be jumping the gun and doing Fat Cyclist’s 100 miles to nowhere. I plan on spending the rest of the weekend worrying about Monday.
10 Mile race on Saturday, BBQ and chilling the remainder
I’ll be testing my swimming, er, legs to see if I’m ready for my first olympic length tri.
Naturally a nose-breathing, stiff-legged sinker.
Will find some alternate routes this weekend :D
A GF610 would be nice partner on my future runs!
– Dennis
I’ll be training for a race on June 4th.
Well, I’ve just broken the glass of my 310XT. So, a 610 would be … welcome :))