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.
Favorite Kona memory…Macca & Raelert shaking hands in the final miles of the 2010 race. It was just before they both ‘put the hammer down’.
My niece and her roommate from Annapolis had always planed on doing an Ironman together. After my niece passed away several years ago, her roommate was lucky enough to get a spot at Kona. Seeing her complete that race, using my niece’s Cervelo, was something I’ll never forget….
my first bike was a Kona Cinder Cone
Agh! Missing qualifying by 3 minutes in my first Ironman!
Kona wind
kona beaches!
Saw the living volcano.
Hi Ray
i remember thinking about chocolate covered macadamia nuts while i saw a video clip taken in Hawai kona beach
The garmin would be perfect for my next winter skating marathon , 200 km on natural ice in austria!
greetings and enjoy europe!
Gerard
Greetings from Austria – would be cool to win this nice toy :-)
Greetings from Austria – would be cool to win this nice toy :-)
ironwar
Tracking my Brazilian friends online!!!
watching the live wattage stream! awesome
The helicopters flying over. You know the race is the real deal.
I remember watching with my dad that race in which the leading female suddenly lost all control of her body just before the finish line. I later heard an interview with her on a podcast and learned she had entered the event on a lark with no real training!
Watching all the background stories of the AGers and seeing someone realize their dreams.
always like watching the finish
Watching as a kid on TV one of the first Kona triathlons.
The best thing about running in Kona is being last and trying to catch up to the best scenery :-)
I enjoy watching the race. It motivates me to train.
The neatest thing that I’ve heard about from over there is the floating coffee shop. to get to it you have to swim up to it. I would love to give it a try. That and swimming in that amazing water.
the neatest thing that I have heard about is a coffee shop that is on a boat and you have to swim up to it. That and that beautiful water. Maybe one day I will get to experience it.
Silly me, I thought the 2012 Kona Underpants Run was the race. You mean they race again in only a few hours? Holy cow these guys are gonna be tired after racing twice in three days!
I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I have always wanted to go. I’m sure I will get there eventually…
Running in Hawaiian shirts :)
Reading a race report of a group ager, who was escorted by dolphins last year in Kona. It was his highlight of the race and makes me want to swim there!
Watching those near the end trying to finish under 17 hours inspired me to start training for an IM after years of distance running.
Following my first kona last year. I’m a newby!
The 2009 Asia Pacific Congress on Sports Technology was held in Hawaii. Although strictly speaking the asia pac doesn’t really include Hawaii, but it was definitely a nice location for a conference and thats all that matters! :D
I like Kona coffee. :)
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My favorite Kona moment was last year – watching Chrissie coming from so far behind to win – after suffering the bike crash two weeks before the race.
Macadamia nuts and Kona coffee.
My dad and I always watched the Kona special when I was younger. It was so much fun!
Watching two friends tomorrow race KONA…so excited. Thanks for this Ray.
Eric
Appledoc23@yahoo.com
cramping across the finish line in 2006.
cramping across the finishline in 2006.
Ringing in the new millenium watching fireworks over the beach at the Ritz-Carlton on Kaui. Ah, those were the days…
I would love this prize!
My best friend winning a lottery slot, training and finishing with 2 minutes to cutoff.
Going to Hawaii before I’d even heard of the Ironman World Championship!
watching my coach compete at Kona – what an inspiration to see a fast marathon run at the end of a long, tough ride
Chris McCormack shaking Andreas Raelert’s hand (well, and of course the picutres of the Underpants run)
Kona Coffee at the beach
Sitting in the office day dreaming about the weather in Kona. This Oregon rain sucks.
All about the coffee for me!
Hiking to the lava flows!
The incredible manta…
kona marathon
Mark Allen winning the last Kona title.
Karen Smyers passing a delirious Paula Newby-Frazier who collapsed in the last 400 yards at Kona in 1995. Paula insisted on crossing the line on her own as the crowd cheers her on.
Met my wife there!
Getting inspiration from the disabled athletes that compete.
David Rombough
Mark Allen vs. Dave Scott.
I’m in!
Watching it as a kid and seeing the spaghetti legs of people at the end trying to finish no matter what.
Such an inspiration for me!
Kona Coffee… yum!
Dave Scott and Mark Allen
So excited about the giveaway! Thanks DC!
Motivated to train
Watching the race in my hawaiian shirt drinking iced coffee :)
running on the beach…
Motivation to train
I watched my first Kona last year, so THAT’s my favorite memory of the Kona Ironman.
Motivated to train
Always awesome watching Chrissie Wellington
Watching Wellington compete at Kona.
Loved watching the Hoyt’s!
Chrissie winning last year despite all the injuries/road rash.
Hanging with friends watching online and drinking beers…
Swimming with the turtles.
Go Clever Training! I just ordered my new On Cloudrunner’s from them.
Gotta love Chrissie Wellington…. she is amazing!
Hooray, it must be my lucky day
My favorite Hawaii memory? Pure cane sugar! :)
We honeymooned in Hawaii.
How’s that for a visual? Lol
saw my friend’s kona race blog entry in 2010. her experience inspired me to train and go for it next year
Two words: “Maui Taco”
OK, definitely not Kona, but…
Hooray, it must be my lucky day.
My girlfriend went to Kona during the world championships and had no idea it was going on.
Hooray, it must be my lucky day.
Some day I am going to go to Kona and watch (or maybe compete) in the race!
Watching on youtube over and over again. Being inspired to do my first IM.
Hooray, it must be my lucky day.
Running the honolulu marathon!!!
Would love to go, had our first Snow Flakes in Ottawa, Canada today, I love Pineapples.
Please choose me – I love your website for a long time.
Ziv Sade
Israel
Sign me up.
iScott vs Allen
My wonderful friend Kendra competing in her first Kona this weekend. The memory is about to be made
wanted to see lance armstrong vs chrissie wellington! lol!
Maccas sponges
Sister Madonna
My favourite thing about kona is that it really is a runners triathlon. You can make up so many positions on the marathon. A good friend of mine made up ~500 positions during his kona experience.
Dick & Rick Hoyt!
I was watching a special they had on TV about people who were participating in the race – they did a segment on everyday people in the race. The hard work, the determination, the will to push through, the disappointments of failing to make the cut off… The stories of those who wants to show that they are alive. These are memories I associate with the big race in Kona.
Watching the race for the first time on TV. I was hooked!
My IM Kona finish 2011
SEALs parachuting in prior to race, then completing the race.
honey coated macadamia nuts, yummm…