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…
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
1
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.
2
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!
3
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.
4
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!
5
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.
Whew! Nearly 600 entries already. Hot Item for the Hot Summer. My 3-day weekend will consist of running the Soldier Field 10 Miler (Chicago) and then relaxing in my new CEP compression socks. I will then BBQ with close family friends that night (one of whom I will run the 10 Miler with). Then it’s off to the in-laws to take care of mother-in-law who will be recovering from back surgery. Full weekend!
Have an Xterra race on Saturday, weeding the yard and planting vegatables Sat and Sunday, then taking my mum to watch my son on Monday for the first time play in the memorial day parade.
Going on a golf trip Friday and Saturday and then spending the rest of the weekend hanging out with the wife and kids. A couple runs and bike rides will be worked in there as well! Thanks for the great blog and have a great weekend!
Whew! 600 entries already! Hot Item for a Hot Summer. Here are my 3-day weekend plans. Start by running the Soldier Field 10-Miler (Chicago). Then relaxing in my new CEP compression socks. BBQ with running partner and family friends in the evening. Then out to the in-laws to take care of mother-in-law who will be recovering from back surgery. Busy weekend! Fun weekend!
Miami beach! Have guaranteed tickets to Game 6 of the NBA eastern conference finals. Hopefully the Bulls win so there will be a Game 6!!!
Oh yeah!
Working Sat/Sun, hope to spend some time on the beach Mon.
Just a quiet weekend at home. perhaps a trip to the beach if it warms up.
BBQ/Time with family and a couple long runs.
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I’ll be doing my first 1/2 Ironman of the year!
I think my plan is to work in the garden and bbq!
Just finished an Iwo Jima Memorial run. No better place to run than D.C.
My husband would love this! We are hoping to go camping!
greyluster@gmail.com
Vermont City Marathon on Sunday and back to Montréal for a BBQ !
Bolder Boulder 10K this Memorial Day.
I will be celebrating my friends bachelor party in Chicago all weekend!
Kayaking and running and biking, oh my!
Canadian but heading down to Seattle to catch the Mariners play the Yankees. Make use of some of the trails and of course celebrate 10 year anniversary with my wife.
Lee
It’s my birthday weekend, so planning on a pub lunch on Saturday, watch the Champions League final, then Sunday go for a nice bike ride in Kent, UK and a picnic!!
Doing a mini Tri instructional camp in an empty parking lot for my wife and our friend who are both doing their first Tri in two weeks.
Sunday will bring some fishing with my son.
Monday I’m cooking BBQ for a little get together at out house.
In between all that I have to get my training done as well.
Hmm… BBQ or garmin… sounds like a good KC weekend to me!
Grilling, running, swimming & cycling. Another great spring weekend.
I’ll be headed over to Queenstown, MD to do 80 miles on the bike.
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Weekend plans include watching my sister’s kids as she has gone away for the weekend. Mowing the lawn if the sun in the Northeast continues and getting my new chicken flock settled in. And if I am lucky, I will get in a run or two while dodging bird sized swarms of black flies.
While a head cold canned my climbing trip to WV this weekend, I’m resting the next few days with the hopes to do an 80-miler group ride on Sunday. Then sleep some more. Then an alumni function that involves 32oz vessels and copious beer. Swim Monday until I think I have gills.
All while remembering those who faught for our freedom.
I’ll be riding a century to Monterey and spend with family Sunday and Monday.
Probably go geo-caching with my son…
Cat 3 bike race last week-end in Canada, just to have my ass kicked and get some motivation to train on the bike. Also a stir-fried Shrimps on the BBQ… delicious!
this timing is just right. Was planning a bbq with the family this weekend as I still have a lot of rubs and bbq sauce in stock. will do ribs and chicken. Will throw in some veggies as well. I wanted to try grilling pineapples so will do that also. Then i plan on doing a long run the following day to burn those calories!
I’ll be visiting family in Fresno. Running and playing golf or tennis.
Entertaining blog. I enjoy reading it…
Absolutely love the blog and look forward to your newsletters. I am a gadget geek myself, that is addicted to the sport of triathlon. But, I still am using a old Timex IM sport watch. Very much in need of a new watch! This would be perfect! This Memorial day weekend I will be in Austin Tx for the Capital Texas Triathlon.
Hi, I will be racing on Sunday. Orienteering run. The best way I know for endurance training in summer! I hope my next race will be with FR 610! Nice weekend to you as well.
Running BBQ and reducing the length of my honey do list!
I’ll be helping a friend move on Saturday, then hopefully getting some hiking in during the rest of the weekend!
I really hope to have a shot at winning this Garmin Forerunner 610!! Thanks for all that you do!
Going to spot festival Denmark. Two days of upcoming bands. Hoping for sunshine and bbq in between acts:-)
Heading to a wedding! Also… I’d be happy to take that case of BBQ sauce if I don’t win the watch :)
Slated for Saturday is the Ride for Cardiac Kids in west Knoxville, TN. Relaxing on Sunday, maybe a run, and then a Monday wedding with the promise of some sweet BBQ!
I’ve got a big weekend of openwater swims and swim/bike/run bricks before my first A race of the season next weekend at Rev3 Quassy!!
Upcomming weekend I tend to spend as following. Tomorrow (in about 7 hours) I’ll head down to Trigg beach here in Perth to watch some surfing (Chill JuniorPro).
After I’ll run from Trigg back to Padbury (hoping around 15 K) on my Luna Sandals :D and tracking it with my Garmin Forerunner 305. After I’ll probably have some lunch.
Saturday and Sunday are still open but I’ll probably take it easy and might try to find some temp work in Perth to fund the rest of my travels here in Australia.
I have soccer matches to ref! 3 games a day, Sat, Sun, and Mon.!
First open water swim of the season Friday, daughter’s track meet Saturday, long run Sunday, swim,bike & BBQ Monday.
Great blog!
Will go biking my usual ride (25 Miles) perhaps 2 days this long weekend and run around town taking my kids to their activities.
Looking forward to a girls-day on Saturday! Otherwise will be relaxing at home.
BBQ with my family and then a nice 22 miler with my brother.
in order… first time riding Velodrome, 35 mile ride, half marathon race, 2.5 hour ride, hot yoga, 6 mile run, BBQ, then cap that all off with some single track mtb riding with my son. Mind you – that’s Friday night to Monday night.
Getting home from my almost around the world trip on Friday. recovering from jet-lag in the quite cold baltic sea doing endurance on saturday (and testing my new wetsute). Long bike ride sunday followed by short run preparing for next weekends sprint. Monday back at office
Great blog!
I plan on not training this weekend and having a big ol’ cook-out replete with tasty grilled chicken, pasta salad and caprese salad, and maybe even some grilled turkey burgers.
But none of that will compare to spending Memorial Day honoring and reminiscing on memories of my recently deceased step-father who was a retired Army Major, who was also crazy enough to test fly recently repaired airplanes and helicopters. There’ll be some Taps and a flag hung in his honor.
I think I’m headed to Tahoe to finish out the ski season in between bike rides and runs at home in San Francisco. I am so ready for summer to arrive!
My Memorial Day weekend plans: finish sanding and painting drywall and then start installing the kitchen cabinets. No BBQ for this guy.
I’m up north, so our long weekend was last week. I started by taking Friday off to make it an extra-long weekend. Managed to check all the todo’s and errands from the list on Friday, so I had 3 days left for enjoying the weekend. Friend’s bachelor party on Saturday, biking and bbq’ing on Sunday (I got to try my new Garmin Edge 800, purchased thanks to your review). Monday I spent the day babysitting the big hunk of pork for what became awesome pulled pork for dinner!
I have no fun plans :-(
since, I’m working over the weekend.
Going over to friends on the Severn River and having a waterfront BBQ. Whole pig and trimmings. Should be great. The rest of the weekend will be spent burning off calories of said BBQ. Hope everyone enjoys some friends, family and food.
Spent my time doing yardwork. very boring.
Great review. Thanks.
My whole family is headed to my house for Memorial Day weekend. We’re all gathering to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday. Yes, absolutely there will be barbeque involved. There will also be low country boil and homemade beer. Now THAT’S a weekend!
I could use that in my non existent arsenal of gagets
Visiting relatives (party), bike ride on Saturday and run on Sunday!
I’ll be working. Unfortunately for me, airlines never take a day off.
Love your give-a-ways, and your blog. I’ll be climbing with my son in the beautiful Wasatch mountains this weekend.
Great site. Spending Sat and Sun working around the house. I will probably squeeze in a brick workout as well. Going to relax by the pool on Monday with the family.
Thanks,
KC
kennedy_c@verizon.net
Unfortunately, I have to work. Stupid April fiscal year end.
In Portland for an extra long weekend doing some mountain biking for a change from road biking!
sat – eat, sleep, ride.
sun – eat, sleep, swim.
mon – eat, sleep, run, and bbq.
Celebrating my birthday and riding the nountain bike leg of the Ski to Sea!
Will do some biking this weekend, if weather permits.
Monday probably some racing at PIR in Portland.
I hope you allow this recomment as I entered before I read the rules – I will be spending the three day weekend coaching my daughter’s 12 & under ASA team (hopefully to victory) in Moline, Illinois – GO MUDD DAWGS!!
Hey. I’ll start off Saturday with a 5 mile run then later a family get together. Sunday will begin with church then a cookout and finally a 5K run/walk. Monday will begin with a 10 mile run then off to visit the grave sites of some of my family that have already passed on. Should be a great weekend!
The weekend will be spend with the in-laws, not much bbq-ing going on. Maybe some running on sunday morning, but it’s a pretty standard kind of weekend in these parts.
Thanks for the give aways that you do.
I’ll be flying to Iowa for my daughters graduation ceremony. I’m planning to get in a couple of run workouts around campus; alas, I fear most of the co-eds have left for the summer.
I’ve to improve my 5k run for the upcoming 10k race. No BBQ for me as I’ve to watch my diet ;(
Plan on spending it at CapTexTri in Austin, TX
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I’m training for the Marine Corps Marathon, and a month ago, my HR monitor fell apart – literally. This would be extremely useful to me! And if I don’t win, I guess there’s always the second choice of BUYING one?! Your review was great, which solidified my mind as to which watch I wanted. Thanks!
You. ROCK!
I’m heading out to Cape Cod for a relaxing weekend with friends.
A 50 mile ride on Saturday, followed by a century ride on Monday. No BBQ in the plans at this time!
have a great weekend planned.
Saturday – interval run in the morning, swim with the kids (local pool opens saturday), bbq for my birthday in the evening
Sunday – Jim McDonnell swim in Reston, kids soccer games @ 1 and bbq/pool party at friends, afternoon bike ride in the hills
Monday – bike/run brick, bbq at local pool in the afternoon.
Promise to do 1 mile of backward running with it ;)
Long run on Saturday, followed by some crab eating and socializing! Biking on Sunday and the rest is yet unplanned.
The weekend will be spent fixing a classic bike for the wife, riding on Sunday and a long run on Monday.
I continue to enjoy the blog.
–Richard
No BBQ. My sister in law gives a high tea for her birthday.
hmm.. theres a run, a bike ride and a swim in the plans plus celebrating my cousin graduating from Cornell….
Thbanks for the Great reviews! Long bike/run brick on Saturday and then I’m doing a half mary on Monday as a training run.
thanks again
This three day weekend will be spent doing some runs, some yard work, and maybe watching some boat races down at the local river.
Trading in the running shoes for golf spikes and hitting the links on Saturday.
Then plenty of BBQ, beer, and friends if there’s time…..
Ride, run, ribs.
We are moving back to the States after 5 years in Brazil. So I’ll be going for my long run while my wife packs. (just kidding, the kids will help her pack.)
Beginning a summer of nonstop adventure… flying out to Madrid and spending 12 days lounging around Spain before another 12 days in Argentina and Chile.
I have a trail marathon scheduled for Saturday! and then a garage sale on Sunday and Monday to get rid of all the stuff I’ve collected in preparation for a move in the fall.
I had BBQ yesterday ;) Training for 100Km ultra marathon in Brasilia over the weekend!!!
I’m running the trails at Oak Mountain State Park where I plan on utilizing the two new things about trail runner I recently learned. One, snakes DO sun on the rocks in the middle of a trail, and, two, ticks like me more than they like deer!
Still recovering from my first 50k trail run, bit of a knee problem that I want gone once and for all:( It would be great to have such an upgrade to my Garmin Foretrex 401 though, though I kind of like the geeky pill box on my wrist, but having start and stop functions, readings in minute miles vs. mph would be great, and a million other features I’m sure.
Heading up to the lakes in Michigan for some family time. Hoping for good weather so we can bbq.
We’re going to Michigan – hopefully to spend some time at the beach!