Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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.
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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/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!
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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.
Why is the pool shot blurred out? :)
Do you have to be online to win at each of the times the drawings are held??? Off to find the complete rules…
Just happened to be some water droplet on the lens. It was the least water-dropletted photo I had of my pool time. :(
Mmm…Katz’s Deli…Good Choice.
Ray,
Is that as close as you got to the ocean? I don’t blame you if you didn’t go in.
I’ll tell you what, if I was almost killed by a stingray last time I was in Florida, I would have started doing the “Stingray Shuffle” as soon as I arrived at the airport.
Fear not, I’ve been shuffling my way all over the sandy ocean bottom. No stingrays there. Though, ironically on the deck behind the place here that looks over the intercoastal, one of the guys caught a stingray last night while I was there.
Quite the jet setter… Looking forward to tomorrow.
OOh your pool suggestion looks like a great one! Might jump in the pool after one of these hot runs after work!
Ray there is a triathlon on Siesta Key at the public beach on Saturday am… Were you planning on racing?
Unfortunately, I leave Friday as we’ve gotta be back in Paris Saturday for an event.
Hi Ray, I am from NY and have lived in FL since I retired from the Army–too many years ago(27). Question:I hope you aren’t using the Garmin Vivofit to measure miles covered. I find it way off. I run with both the 620 and VVF. I find it is pretty consistent for me as far as running is concerned. An 8 mile run at about 10:30 pace per mile gets close to 1,800 steps a mile. Sadly the distance reflects close to 12+miles. Just taking a shower can register over 400+ steps. My dog walking 3-4x a day measures more than the actual distance.
I am in the Garmin Challenge- 150,000 steps per week. I run 40-50 miles a week + 7days a week walking our dog and rarely surpass 150,000 steps a week. Some of the folks get over 200,000 steps. They must take a lot of showers.:)
Nah, in this case I was using a slew of GPS devices – all of which agreed.
I don’t see as far a variance of steppage in the shower though (usually I’m only 60-100 steps total in there). Sounds like your showers must be much more exciting.
Soon to be 71, wish that was the case.):
There is an easy fix for the showet thing, just leave the Vivofit on the sink while in shower, that’s what I do.
As for distance accuracy I find it remarkably accurate if I run at a steady pace on smooth surfaces like tar and gravel roads. Other than that it’s just in the ballpark or worse.
Hey Ray, Thanks for the detailed reviews. I happen to be a runner who loves tech. Thanks to your review I made a good choice with the FR220 for my wife last month. I cycle as well and considering triathlons. I need a watch and wonder if the Fenix 2 is the right one. I want a decent day to day watch that also has the best running functions. I am considering the FR620 as well, but I’m wowed by the excess of functionality of the Fenix but I only want to do this once for the next several years(drop $500 on a sports watch) any thoughts appreciated.
Hi Ciber Jim-
Definitely check out my 2014 Recommendations Post from this past Friday, it might help you narrow down things a bit. Given you’re a triathlete, I’d focus more on the Fenix2/FR910XT than the FR620.
Congrats on your blog Ray.
As for wifi access and TV on board, you should try Norwegian, they offer it throughout most of their fleet.
When in Brazil check Azul, they offer this feature too.
Enjoy!