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.
Watching the documentary about kona on nbc sports
I heard a podcast with one of the competitors in the original race; pretty amazing hearing the history and the approach they took — look what’s evolved!
My first attempt at surfing at Waimea. I slipped while trying to stand up and smashed my face on the board. Surfboards are not as soft as they look.
My best Kona memory is actually a Kona fantasy. I have yet to work up to the long course, but when I am on a long swim/bike/run I try to imagine getting into a perfect pace and form during “the race.” Sometimes I swear I just saw some tropical fish in the pool or lava fields to my left as I head south on my bike…
Checking out the tri bikes
Macca FTW
Discovering Kona Brewing, Koko Brown Nut Brown Ale, mmmmmm!
Watching the swim start the first time I ever watched Kona. Beautiful and amazing!
Back in my PhD days, my advisor complained about his travel to a congress on Hawaii… I’d have gladly taken his place! (on the beach? :) But one day I’ll get there, be it for science or, better even, for running.
Watching the Macca – Ralert run battle live was a great memory!
Maybe in a few years I can do the Triathlon!
Sian Welch – The Crawl in 1997
I’ve never been in Kona, so I hope I win this watch to track my workout when I have the chance to go there!!!
Just watching on TV and wishing I was there.
I liked it when those two chicks were crawling to the finish line. I watched a recording since I’m not old.
A friend of mine raced the XTerra Worlds in Maui a couple of years ago… He said it was a lifetime worth trip!
I am obsessed with the Kona broadcast. I have the last 8 years saved on my DVR and I watch them over and over. I even still cry when people get pulled off the course or anytime they talk about John Blaze. Kona nerd up in the house.
Macca and Raelert in 2010 was exhilarating to watch.
Fire Rock Pale Ale at the finish!
Macca v. Crowie over the last few years.
I haven’t had my favorite Kona memory yet. But I will make it one day, even it if it’s just to go to the expo and watch the race.
Hawai, the place where foreign people are bathing in the sun, while the residents make food recepies out of mud because they’re starving to dead.
Watching the races on TV (and over and over again on youtube) inspired my own ironman journey – IMOO 2012!
Favorite memory was being glued to twitter on my phone eagerly checking is Crowie was going to set the record last year.
Pineapples
Watching the pro women run sub-3 hour marathons at the end… wishing I could do that on its own.
I am not a triathlete, but I love watching Kona and seeing Dick and Rick Hoyt. They are an inspiration, for sure.
My favorite Hawaii memory: visiting Pearl Harbor and then climbing up inside Diamond Head.
Pineapples
I got to bike to Hawi once. Riding on the road of legends…
KONA WC memory: the 2010 finish excitement between MACCA and Raelert!
Hawaii memory: 2007 trip on Ohau, noth shore. The largest and most beautiful beach for all but ourselves (off season)…
No kona memory yet since its a dream for me to get there and compete just once. Waiting for that dream to come true
My favorite moment will be tomorrow when Rasmus Henning wins at Kona for the first time !
Watching the last hour of the live feed online and seeing someone cross the line with less than a minute before the cut off. Truly inspiring.
Watched on TV as a female age grouper missed the swim cutoff by seconds and sat there crying her heart out when they told her she was DQ’ed.
Never been to Hawaiiiiiii
My favorite Hawaii memories are through my grandparents who used to go to Hawaii every winter for vacation and would bring us back grass skirts, coconuts, macadamia nuts, and fresh pineapples.
Watching on TV as a female age grouper missed the swim cutoff by seconds and was DQ’ed…sat there crying her heart out…
Tracking friends online while watching Chrissie Wellington run down her competition.
Crowie breaking the course record last year.
thank you, man
milan@designfarma.com
wasabi macadamia nuts for me personally.
Love your blog, 910XT would look good on me!
Best memories hopefully to come with future participation. Haakon Norway
TV intro to last yrats event!!! Gave me goosebumps!
/Johan
Love your blog, 910XT would look good on me :)
Having never been to Kona, yet, my favorite memory so far was reading a race report about a guy racing Kona for his father. It was such a touching writing of that course and the emotions of it, that it made it special! I hope to make it there one day!
Watching Normannator throw his bike and cry because he couldn’t change a flat!
Watching Chrissie smash it up
Have not visited Hawaii. Maybe someday. A co-worker, on impulse, tried to grab an octopus while there on vacation, it grabbed him instead. He said it took 2 bystanders to get it off of him.
TV intro to last years event!
When the last age groupers arrive before cutoff.
Natascha Badman’s smile.
Love watching all the regulars trying to finish before the time cut off. It’s inspiring to watch their determination.
Carfrae always destroying the run, really awesome to watch the fluidity she has
watching Cameron Brown and Terrenzo Bozzone competing (my fellow kiwis)
The ocean….
Aloha, keep up the goog work!
Poi
Getting ready for a honeymoon on the Island with a stop at Huggo’s!
I was stoked to survive Honu last year. The wind on the bike course was intense. It’s so hot right now that if it stays that way it could really impact the race.
Tracking Macca as he executed a great strategy for the 2nd championship.
I’m old school, so I preferred the ongoing rivalry between Dave Scott and Mark Allen when the sport was still relatively young. It brought alot of attention to the sport.
Banzai Pipeline
yay
Being amazed with the finish times of some old timers
Being amazed with the finish times of some old timers
I’d like to be there some day, It’s beautiful!
Beautiful sunsets seen from the beach.
Don’t have any memories from Hawaii but hopefully in three weeks I’ll have some good memories from beach-runs in Hawaii since I’m going there for the first time!
I’m currently reading “The Iron War” about Mark Allan’s epic win at Kona!
Watching the livestream from Kona and suddenly recognizing one of our local athletes cross the finish line in 73rd place overall.
Walking to Hawaii – Tom McRae
I’ve never watch the IM in Kona nor anyone else the one I finished.
The closest I’ve gotten to Kona is reading Frayed Laces’ race reports. :)
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Looking forward to cheering for someone I know this year! Good Luck!
Best place on earth…easily
I love watching Kona! I’m going with Steffan and Crowie for the win(s)!
Hawaiian french toast and kahlua pork hash at the Waimea Cafe!
A close game between following Colting during last year’s Ultraman World Championship on Hawaii and watching Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. That blue creature (in the movie) gives me nightmares so I guess ultraman WC is my number one memory then..
I’m sure I’d completely under-use such a powerful watch, but if I win I’ll more than gladly take it. I’ve been reading a lot lately in books where Kona has been mentioned frequently, Waterlogged by Tim Noakes, which was quite dense but also extremely interesting, and Maffetone, Mark Allen’s coach on low HR based training, something I’ve considered trying over my winter training to see what results it might bear for me.
Thank you for your generosity,
Troy
Kona coffee!!
crowie’s 3rd win
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crowie’s 3rd win
Looks good from Seattle this time of year.
Unfortunately I’ve never been to Hawaii… but one day I will :)
firefly 123
Hours in the basement on the trainer watching Macca crack Raelert.
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I remember watching Kona from my recovery couch after knee surgery. That inspired me to get into triathlon.
kona = coffee!! (and that athletic thing i guess…)
I was running in Kona, but then I woke up. It was only a dream. Well, maybe someday…
My brother had a football coconut from Hawaii.
seeing how everything was done in the past made that free sample of Kona coffee all the more delicious at the end
Jorge
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Swimming with sea turtles on Christmas day.
Ladies at the underpants run… Yum!
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My favorite series was filmed in Hawaii: Lost.
patriciagarridolopez@yahoo.com
Crossing my fingers. Reviewing Timex global trainer now. Would be great to get my hands on new Garmin!