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.
Chrissie’s first win.
Julie Moss crawling.
Sitting on the couch, 12 vodkas in and pack and half of smokes down at 5’6″ and 251lbs. Happy as can be thinking WTH is wrong with those people. 10 years later 9 x 70.3 and 3 x IM finisher. Now the thought is WTH is wrong with me?.?.
Watching last year while on the turbo. Felt like I knew their pain!
Watched Chris McCormack win the 2010 gold! Awesome!
In YouTube only!!!!
2011. Craig Alexander reclaiming his title and the course record. I like Macca too. But Craig Alexander was always a role model for me when I took up triathlon a few years ago to regain my health. I had rarely in my life cheered on athletes. I understood that day that I had developed a deep emotional connection with the sport and lifestyle of triathlon. Thanks.
The breakdown in a Gatorade (I think) commercial. Painful just to watch.
Watching videos on youtube of the 2007 and 2008 Kona races.
Seein fvl win last year with my gf sleeping next to me
It was three years ago, I was getting married on the island and on the way to the wedding I seen a lot of tanned, determined, skinny people on bikes flying past us. I had no idea what was going on until the cab driver filled me in that it was Ironman Hawaii!! My enduring image is of my Wife bursting out of the car, in her wedding dress, past me and my family and into a blue portaloo with ironman warriors zooming past in the background!!!! It was a long drive seemingly!!!! Anyway, three years later we utterly hooked on triathlon and looking at doing our first half next next year :)
One of the employees at the local running shop is a pretty serious competitor at Kona – they host a party to cheer him on. Always great times.
First time watching last year. No idea how it’s possible to complete, no desire to put myself through it, a 5k race is more than enough for me!
3 or 4 years ago, about the time I started doing triathlons myself.
Julie Moss 1982, Youtube
Next year is my time. I love the fight they’re going through.
Knowing the history behind the very first Ironman of who is better a swimmer, biker, or runner – now we have to do all 3 to feel legit ;-) 920XT Please
I first watched it I think in the 80’s on Wide World of Sports. Seemed crazy!
Hard to pick a favorite, they all have pretty inspirational stories.
Kona – a dream… still working on the swimming to go to my first full triathlon.
The emotion of the winners at the end. This is what amazed me and made me want to do it.
My wife’s dad finished the race two times in the late 70s and early 80s. I wasn’t alive yet to see it.
My friend Eric competing in it for a few years and then he mistakenly moved back to Maine.
Julie Moss crawl
I first watched Kona in 2010. Went out and immediately signed up for IM Cozumel without ever having done a tri before. Now it’s a way of life.
last year watching Van Lierde win!
Best moment was seeing Carfrae reclaim her title last year. Previously, she was always the winner because Chrissie was out sick. Now she ate the pack from behind and smashed the course record to boot. What an awe-inspiring performance.
Watched live via ironman.com despite 12 time zones apart, it is night time here in Denmark when the race is on.
All have been so inspirational.
First was 2010.
Stadler puncturing and throwing his bike away on the side of the road
Seeing Chrissy Wellington come back from her crash and still having enough for another victory.
The year Inception came out and the NBC broadcast used most of the soundtrack to make it super dramatic.
My favorite is Crowie’s last win… don’t know why, it just is
First memory is from watching first satellite channel we had, Sky Channel. I had never been out of snowy Finland and was first and foremost amazed over the palm trees :-) But I also realized these athletes was performing something fully inhuman and impossible for us deadly. Although a spark lit inside me and now 30 years later I’m competing in Ironman myself! Feels like the circle is closed.
Chrissie in 2011!
My earliest memory of Kona events features participants stumbling toward the finish line in a state of total exhaustion/dehydration.
Being utterly dumbfounded by how hard it was – how can people do this?!
Watching my friend and coach Marni Sumbal complete her first IM World Championship in 2007
First time watched in 2009 I had no exp with triathlon back than. So Ive googled everything about Ironman competion and was hooked since than. More triathlons I finish more I admire everyone who is able to finish Kona and keep dreaming that once Ill be able to cross it from my bucket list :)
Macca in 2010. Started watching Pete Jocobs with interest after his swim and run split that year. Was great to follow his journey to the win in 2012.
In late ’80 i saw mi first Kona…i was just impressed, don’ t remember the details.
Listening, while running, to the Radiolab interview of Julie Moss.
First memory: channel surfing in high school, happen upon aerial view of the swim (had to be right at the start), remember thinking, ‘why is a school of fish on TV’. I figured out it was people moments later. Had never heard of the ironman or triathlons prior to seeing it this first time.
When Raelert catched McCormack in 2010, I had already spent most of my family credit with 4+ hours of live streaming! But still managed to negotiate with the lady a pass to watch the thing up to the finish line… Inspiring handshake BTW!
Watching when I was 12 years old or so and telling my mom how someday that would be me… After college graduation she took me to the island where I took photos with all of the Ironman signs and once again said it would someday be me racing as I balled my eyes out haha. Someday I will be there racing!
Randomly watching videos on Youtube and finding the story of the Hoyt Family.
Another fan of Chrissie wellington
Watching with my wife a few years back. Seeing Chrissie Wellington crushing it on the bike, getting a flat and still winning by 15 minutes. I was awestruck by the brutality and sportsmanship in this wonderful event.
My 1st Kona memory is just LAST YEAR. Watching my friend and occasional group rider Lucas McCullom competing!
I probably stumbled onto the Ironman coverage on cable TV by accident, and stayed to marvel at how anyone could endure such punishment.
Craig Alexander crazy run leg to win the race and break course record
Erin Baker smashing it way back in the 90s
2012 Kona Hawaii on Youtube.
Watching highlights on YouTube — the most memorable part, clearly highlighted by the video editors, was the combination of the great scenery with the athletes that were so clearly giving it their all.
Staying up late to watch the Crowie vs Macca battle and falling asleep as they were on the bike…
Iron War on YouTube.
Last year watching a 5 minute recap on internet… and wishing I would have just a fraction of these athletes’ determination.
Watching the epic breakdowns and human perseverance highlights a coue years ago.
Watching Chrissie Wellington win for the first time, or any time for that matter!
College friend finished it. Progressed to reading up more on it, and learning about other’s experiences… figure one day, I’d finish it myself
Back in 1993, I was holding the line to enter a post race party the night after. Several pros were attending. Right behind me, was “Wingnut” Ingraham together with Emilio De Soto.
She was all dressed in pink with, of course, a small plastic flamingo on her head :-)
When looking into the Polar V800 I came to know about Van Lierde. Saw him finish the race online and read about his expedience doing Kona in a running magazine.
The one and only Iron War
I vaguely remember watching Kona as a kid in the early 90s and thinking how cool it would be todo a triathlon with my friends.
Watching Wide World of Sports as a kid with my dad. Always seemed impossible. Now I know it is quite doable with the right training..
Fino alla fine del mondo, deejay tv on italian television
watching Macca crack at the beginning of he’s Kona years. not the best moment, but at least I got an idea of how hard the sport is.
Carfrae 2013 …that run! Got to be watching “Rinny” carve through the field demolishing her opposition and obtaining bragging rights in her house by out running TOD, oh and posting the third quickest run split of the day…utterly inspiring, more so to me cuz I’m a pint-sized athlete too :-)
Stadler’s glue!
It’s gotta be Julie Moss finishing in 1982. What a display of courage.
Watching Julie Moss crawling to the finish
I think it was the year Luc van Lierde won. Al Tradewinds was announcing then they flashed to Dick and Rick Hoyt. I started running and haven’t looked back.
Wayching my brother in law finish first IM sub 10
Last year on tv online very late at home!
Following mates and training partners online… Hoping that someday I’ll drop an AG time good enough to see me qualify too :)
After some chemotherapy i needed i was getting really fat and i decided i should do something, i was biking and running so a Tri got my attention. I youtubed and first result was kona, the first win of chrissy wellington, i got so hooked, i keep training, my health is not the best but getting better every day
I remember starting following this in the early 2000 after I heard about the Kona from a German friend, since then it’s a date i will not miss !
Favorite, Kona 2008, Chrissie Wellington’s flat fiasco. Watching her lose 10 minutes as men rode by her and wouldn’t help and then Rebekkah Keat throws her the CO2 and it’s game on. Winning and then staying to hug Rebekkah, was everything great and inspirational about triathlon and sportsmanship. Chrissie’s smile is a huge miss in Kona. Come back!
TV in the late 1980s … had no idea what is was … and why it was not being shown live, until I realized how long that would be
Julie crossing the line, the determination to finish even on your hands and knees
I watched Kona last year live on the internet with my wife, that was the good part. The terrible part was doing this while packing for a three week business trip where the wife would not be joining. Loved watching Ironman live, hated leaving my beautiful bride the next morning. This year will be better!!!
seen Crowie win!
My first time watching the Ironman Championship was 1989’s “Ironwar” between Dave Scott and Mark Allen. At the time, I couldn’t even fathom anyone racing for that long, let alone in the brutal conditions at Kona. It took me a while to regain interest after that, but 20 years later in 2009, I did my first triathlon.
KONA hmm gotta google. Found some youtube snippets …
But that does’nt mean that i won’t enjoy testing a 920 and compare it to my old trusty 910 – why not wear one on each arm.
Last year I whatched it from the website and I got impressed with the marathon of Ivan Raña. I hope he will be the champion this year. Vamos ivan eres el mejor!!!
A few years ago, when I first got into tris, watching people struggle past the finish line in a Youtube compilation video, including some who crawled over the line, and just being inspired.
I have never watched any Kona event… But I know at least what that is!
I watched a video from the 2010 championships on youtube when I was trying to figure out if I wanted to join my university’s club team or not.
I joined.
was first bike which made me say “this bike is ugly” … true story
I remember watching live on the web last year and dreaming of competing there someday!
Watched 2007 for first time all the way through, amazing seeing Chrissie win and no one having any clue who she was…definitely started my love affair with Crowie too…
Not the real race, but Magnum PI in 1981.
Watching Dave Scott and Mark Allen battle it out in 1989. Then last year seeing the clips that 78 year-old woman crossing the line with about 2 minutes to the cut off time. Both inspiring.
chrissie wellington’s victory in 2011
First I remember is watching Julie Moss’ incredible finish.
The first Ironman Kona finish I watched was Jon Blais’ barrel roll in 2005. Still gets me now years after watching it.
Kona 2012, running down Ali’i drive to the finish line.
The crawl across the finish line for the women’s championship in 1997.
I remember watching Ironman Kona, probably in the late 80’s. Amazed that someone could combine three endurance events and finish them.
Well I’ve never seen the event but one day I’d like my first experience with it to be me competing in it
Have been watching on TV for years, and heard about it from friends that have had the chance to compete there.
Kona, My dream stage. Best race was 1997 and Thomas Hellriegel. Hell on wheels