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!
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Here’s how to save!
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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.
The old Wide World of Sports coverage. Always thought it was cool, but now I realize I how little I understood about what it took to do what they were doing.
I did live streaming last year for the first time. It was exciting to watch it live.
Like many others: Julie Moss’ famous finish, most likely on youtube (or some other video hosting service).
Watching Wide World of Sports. Had to be early 80’s.
I believe I saw an ABC Wild World of Sports re-broadcast a few decades ago. It probably was on the Main Island of Oahu still.
Watching Dave Scott talk about how he ran through the lava fields in 93′ (something about an Indian warrior) thought wow that is something I wod love to do. Then realized no way I would be able to qualify.
Every year’s report of Kona from my son
The first bit of Kona I saw was part of those moticational videos, of the age grouper who collapsed 10 miles from the end of the marathon and the medics checked him over and let him get on his way and he finished! That’s my kind of motivational vid!!
First memory of Kona was in 2011…watching Craig Alexander, since then I’ve been racing myself
Watching the showdown and handshake between Macca and Raelert in 2010. Billiant!
I am a late Tri bloomer. So I just watched the The world championships a few years ago (online). So inspiring. Hope to make it there some day!!
First memory: 97 Ironman where Chris Legh collapased.
My best/funniest memory of Kona was when they were interviewing Sister Mary age 72 at the time and she was telling the story of how she was about to rip the goggles off the young man swimming next to her if he didn’t stop bother her. What a great lady!!!
Watching the “iron war” documentary.
Can’t remember how long ago it was, but I remember watching TV with my brother, and while flipping through the channels, we stopped on a replay of that year’s original airing. Couldn’t stop watching! I have since that time watched as many years as I could find on youtube. We still find a common couch each year to watch the coverage… great tradition.
Watching one of my friends, who didn’t have his best day, finish with a smile on his face. That was 2010 I believe
It was about 5 years ago when I watched the show on TV. Since then I watch it live every year!
My first memory is when I watched a documentary about the Hawaiian Ironman, awesome
Watching the midnight cutoff live the first year they broadcasted over the internet.
I watched my men for the first time…in Kona !!!
First time I followed the whole race was last year because of the believe I had in Fré who lives not far from where I live. I believe he will be strong again this year, so looking forward for saterday again!
My first memory was watching and wondering why?…Now my thoughts tend more to when..as in when can I go do that! More recently I enjoyed watching Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward finish.
once watched a cool documentary about Chrissie Wellington
In the office of our IT guy, he showed me this incredible Kona 2011 video with the song Infinity : a freak like me, just needs infinity
Last year when Frederik won! An amazing achievement which I hope to see again this weekend.
Watched live last year for the first time and couldn’t get enough! So awesome, from the pros to midnight!
Watching the live stream a few years ago and tracking for any and all updates for one of my co-workers who was in the pack. it wasn’t her first IM by far but she was in awe when she got back
I can’t remember the year, but remember being amazed by the competitors over the very hot, open bike and run legs the first time I saw a recap on TV.
I watched a TV doc about the Hawaiian Ironman. At that time I was very impressed by the participants. I was 9 years old.
thanks.
Luc Van Lierde winning, first time ever watching triathlon. Was all over the news.
2007, watching online in UK & trying to stay awake at 2am.
Hard to actually pick a best moment to be honest. Each year it is definitely great to be able to see the professionals do so, so well but I do believe that the real stories are those of the first time folks who just leave it all on the course and accomplish something truly spectacular that they will never forget. Just something great to see and experience. If I had to pick one moment, it had to be the first time I saw a recap done on television where there was interest story done on a amputee who just gave it their all to accomplish the feat in the allotted window and the STILL very large number of folks who were there to cheer them on and congratulate them. Still a wonderful memory.
I watched live a few years ago when I first got into triathlon. I remember obsessively tracking athletes via Twitter all day.
Watching Frederik win last year!
We watch it every year and it continues to be amazing motivation to stay active.
Watching it as a kid seeing some dude have crazy blisters on his feet and keep running and realizing it was a legendary feat.
Macca’s first win!
I remember always stumbling on November NBC broadcast in the 90’s. At the time I thought that was the craziest thing you could ever do. Now after doing IMCHOO I realize you can always find something crazier…
I watched it last 2 years ago on YouTube , and I always remember it when it going tuff on training for me to keep me going on ….
Crowie win the first time …
Every time I watch, I think about how each and every person there is a total bad a$$!!!
Caught it on TV flicking through the channels two years ago. Been SBRing ever since.
Watching the finishers around midnight, and thinking I can’t wait to get that a try!!!
Can’t remember my first viewing, but it was great to see Rinny jump into the arms of TO at the finish line last year.
I purchased the complete set a few years back so I could watch them all. One of my best purchases.
Certainly a long time ago and likely a major network race summary (not live). I just could not imagine how someone could complete the distance – I initially thought that it was a three day event, one day per sport! I do remember being in awe when I finally figured it out – all in one day!
Two years ago I started looking up older programs on the interwebs
Watching he stream of age groupers flow out of the water, into transition, and onto the bike… Love transitions!
Tim DeBoom winning his first of two back-to-back in 2001.
Watching Dave Scott and Mark Allen battle it out!
I’ve loved watching for years. I remember watching as a kid and being amazed as people literally fell across the finish line.
First memory: watching the race on ABC Wide World of Sports, many years ago.
Hearing Mike Rielly say “You Are An Ironman!”
I was only vaguely aware of ‘Kona’ until I did my first sprint tri in 2010, I think it was 2011 when I stayed up very, very late to follow the race on the internet. I think I made it to the start of the elite men’s run before falling asleep. :) I do plan to do the same this year!
Watched a few bits On the live Stream and it was surprisingly boring during the bike.
As much as I hate to admit it my favorite watch is the NBC coverage after-the-fact (even though by then the winner is clearly known). They generally edit together a good show.
Catching a glimpse of “What it Takes” on a TV in a lobby and sitting down and not being able to leave until it was over.
My first memory was watching with the local Tri club, enjoying the event, And thinking no way would I ever want to do that.
I’m new to triathlon this year so I’m looking forward watching my first Kona race this coming week! I’m sure the inspiration is what will stick with me.
Seeing the event replayed on TV when I was a teenager, and being utterly amazed at the strength and determination of the competitors. Inspired by the events at Kona every year, I finished my first 70.3 this year, and fully intend on doing a 140.6 in the near future!
I remember my phys ed teacher showing snippets of video from Kona back when I was in 6th grade. His motivational speech around those videos got me started in running. I’ve never tried to qualify, but I still hold those pioneers in high regard.
Always like watching the ride and associated landscape
We don’t get a lot of TV coverage here in the UK, but I read about Chrissy’s win back in 2007 and wondered what all the fuss was about. I tracked down some footage on the web and got intrigued by this crazy sport. I took it up for myself in 2012 and have gone from sprint to Olympic. Next stop, half-ironman! Chrissy, you’ve been an inspiration.
The only footage of Kona I saw are from a Triathlon Motivation video on youtube! I look at that video everytime I need to get pumped to go on a tough training!
Online, was actually first time.
Watching Craig Alexander’s jawline take it home in ’09.
Two years ago I watched it on YouTube for a first time, it was Kona 2012 highlights. Since then I watched tones of Ironman races reviews :)
Watching coverage as an overweight teen thinking, “Those people are crazy/I would never do that/I wish I could do that.” Now relatively new to the sport with a couple of sprints under my belt and I’m starting to think, “Maybe…”
I haven’t really watched much Kona coverage but will try to watch this year, since a friend of mine is actually competing!
Chrissie Wellington wrapping up her career as the Kona Queen in 2011
Watching Frederik dominate on the run in ’13 and come out on top.
Last year we had 3 people racing from our local triathlon club, and all 3 of them were spotted during the television broadcast, including one that was the center of a shot as she crossed the finish line, wearing our club jersey. Very cool. :-)
The 1982 race on NBC with Julie Moss crawling to the finish line.
Watched my first one 10 years ago and I was shocked anyone would do that to themselves
First time was a snippet I found on YouTube. It was only a few minutes of a years back event but got me home to sell out and watch all other past events.
Watching Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham in 1997.
The best memory I have is of talking to our teammate Chris (known by us as Grand Master Chris) while watching his record-breaking win at Kona last year in his age group!
Video of Julie Moss 1982 that I saw about right years ago.
As a wee youngster I recall catching video on ABC Wide World of Sports. It seemed like an exotic sport to me. Still kinda does, especially when watching elites.
Carpet tacks in ironman VII
The best memory is when I watched the replay of Kona, and then heard teammates Chris and Amanda talk about their experiences with training, family, and the race.
I followed it about 5 years ago for the first time, as had a friend who managed to get in. Not sure about competing in it, but will definitely keep following.
Remember watching the specials they put together in the early 2000’s on tv and thinking to myself it would be great to finish an Ironman one day. Finally did it in 2005!
I live in Switzerland and one of the most famous sports-legends here is Natascha Badmann.
She won the women’s race 6 times (1998, 2000-02, 2004-05), was second twice (1996, 2003) and qualified for this year’s race! She’s 47yr now!
This great sports woman is my link to Kona!
Logged on to the interwebs last year to look for the owner and employee of the local running store in Carlisle, PA who were competing in Kona to see how they were doing and did.
When Luc Van Lierde had won, It started me thinking after I graduated, as I had gained a few kilos during my study years.
My first Kona memories are from a time in 7th or 8th grade when an Ironman Triathlete came to visit my school. It was one of those motivational speeches to get us all interested in working out and being healthy. I wish I could remember who the athlete was. Not long after that I watched Kona on ABC’s Wide World of Sports with my dad and I have wanted to be at that race and compete ever since. Maybe someday I will make it.
Two years ago watching on YouTube while training for my first triathlon, a sprint. Pretty inspiring
Flipping through the channels one day, I stumbled on it. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but for some reason it caught my eye, and I thought, “Wow this is pretty cool!”
First took note when fellow German Norman Stadler’s win in 2004 was in the news in Germany and I remember watching a broadcast of his finish.
Those are the memories and the motivation you need to be endurance athlete albeit not an Ironman.
920XT would come in very handy for my own training.
Seeing videos of macca on the interwebs is a special occation every time.
2011 Kona Ironman – swim race start – youtube
First time was the start of the race in 2011 on Youtube, impressive for anyone, especially me not used with this magnitude at that time
Inspired by watching the story of chris mcdonnell and in 2013 racing despite losing his daughter in the sandy hook shootings.
I’ve never watched a full event, but tons of clips online.
Kona 2013 was the first one I ever watched. It was a blast. I watched live stream from ironman.com casted to my livingroom big screen. Too bad no Finns made it to the top positions…
I’ll be tuning in for the first time this weekend.
Watching Normann Stadler’s breakdown in 2005 in 10 minute chunks when YouTube had a maximum video length :)
Best memory – Seeing the age groupers that finish just under the wire to become an Ironman.
Watching on-line a couple of years ago when my friend was participating. During the morning interviews of some of the pros my friend happened to walk by behind them on the camera, so I got to see her!
I remember watching Kona as a kid on TV. For some reason I always remember it being on around the Holiday’s as we all gathered around the TV. Everyone in the family seemed to get into it. My mother and sister loved the human interest stories my dad and I would try to guess who would win. Even today, although I follow it closely on the internet live; I still love watching the well produced show with my family.
Remember that when the trasmisions ended I felt strong and motivated and went for a 42km run! Only manage 5k, but it was the start of a new life for me!