Last Day – Today Friday! Deals end today, here’s your massive list of sports tech deals on Amazon Prime Days 2025! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $459, and the Fenix 8 for $100 off. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 Titanium for $645, the GoPro Hero 13 Black for $329, smart trainers, drones, action cams, and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
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Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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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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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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 2024 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.
1) Fenix 3
2) 211,832 steps
1) A new TT bike
2) 72,184
“Fenix 3 sapphire”, sapphire lens and looks good.
step:121,524
1) Garmin 920xt because its so awesome and looks much prettier than the quite bulky 310 xt I have now
2) 190653 steps
Fenix 3 looks great!
187,475 steps
1. Fenix 3, looking forward to all the Connect IQ possibilities
2. 63,360
V800
121385
125,002
Most excited about the apple watch thing. Not because it’s going to be any good, nor will I ever buy one, but because it will force garmin et al to up their game, just by being around.
The open platform concept, non-propriatary, customizable sports/fitness/health/training sensor(s) fusion, interoperability and analysis capabilities because I have multiple sources of data that I want to see a complete picture. My iPhone is the main collection point today, with one watch I wear 24/7, and various sensors.
Put that all in one place and make it work every time and then I’ll get excited. Otherwise, the fenix3 and the Zano drone are the items that I’ll follow more closely to see if they are worth buying after I see the full reviews. Also very interested in WKO4 from Training Peaks!
Thanks Ray for putting in 108,407 steps to cover CES 2014.
SteveT
1. 4iiii precision – because it’s so light and versatile
2. 147.385
Fenix3 / / / mixing Tri’s into my race calendar.
189,654 steps of goodness.
1. Basis peak
2. 237,342
1. the new garmin items because they provide more accurate metrics and more capabilities for tri sports.
2. 354,555
1. Withings Pop and Fenix 3 – Pop because it`s elegant and not looking like a smart watch; fenix cause its so much technologie in one smart device.
2. 132.158 steps based on my calculations
4iiii Precision because I want power and I want it cheap
241,333 steps
1. Polar V800, like the Polar quality
2. 145 678 steps
1, Garmin Connect IQ … hoping for many developers
2, 147124 steps
1. Misfit Bolt Bulb! Just preordered one – I’ve been looking for a go-to-sleep/wake-up smart bulb that doesn’t break the bank and this looks about right.
2. 164996 steps
I like the new features on the Garmin 810. 173,500 steps.
I’m really interested in the 4iiii precision power meter.
200001 steps
The fenix 3 is all I’m waiting for :)
137512 steps
Can’t wait to get the surge and start tracking my activities.
I say 157982 steps.
1. Garmin Connect IQ
2. 147,832
1) Still excited about the 920XT and would like to see a Bluetooth version soon.
2) 189694
1) I’m disappointed that nobody of the big guys did an ultimate watch ( optical hart rate monitor included)
2) 209111
1) the vivoactive :)
2) 118500 steps
1. Fenix 3 that’s the watch for me.
2. 139,652 steps
1) vivoactive. Wondering what the downsides of it are..
2) 95,300 steps
1. Fitbit to start tracking steps.
2. 136,254
1. fenix 3
2. 153000 steps
I’m interested in technology that will make ice cream cheaper!
165,507
1. Garmin Fenix 3
2. 156,235 steps
fenix 3
145000
Anything power meter related
210,500 steps!
No doubt, fenix 3. Thanks for all the great reviews
174,743 steps, exactly
1. Fenix 3, Nice looking with all those features
2. 214622 steps
1. I think I am most excited about the $400 dollar consistent power meter, mostly as a signal that the price of power meters is continuing to decrease, and hopefully will be within my budgeted grasp soon!
2. My guess at number of steps : 221146
1) Fenix 3 intrigued with a great watch for all outdoor sport activities
2) 215,678
1. A GPS watch combined with an optical heart rate monitor
2. 314,159 steps
Fenix 3
123321
It has to be the 4iiii power meter, which is something I can afford.
Steps: 142,648
157567 Garmin Fenix 3 because it woud be an awsome upgrade from my Fenix 1, I can’t wait to make an app for the largely unknown but terriffic sport of kickbiking and because my husband would really like to have my Fenix 1!
1. Bragi’s Dash! I’m looking for a heart rate monitor that doesn’t get in the way of a sports bra (static), climbing (very dynamic and unpredictable movement), sweat (inaccurate readings), or kettlebell work (a watch gets in the way). Plus, the music, on-demand feedback and touch/movement controls are such a bonus!
2. My guesstimate is 172,845 steps. Thanks for this fun contest giveaway! Hope you had fun. =]
1. Polar V800, I really like the watch and just hope that it can continue to be updated into something that gets it no.1 on the recommended list!
2. 128,546 steps.
1. Truly “wireless” headphones.
2. 215,749
Jawbone UP3
412000
1. Garmin Connect IQ for all the possibilities to develop custom apps.
2. 271,832
1) Fenix 3 – A sports watch with a look that I’d be happy to wear all day that includes activity tracking
2) Steps – 225,549
1) Garmin vivofit: it is light and has smart watch capabilities.
2) 253,689 steps
1. Garmin Connect IQ because I’m a developer.
2. 299,143
1. Vivoactive (even though it’s going to make me regret buying my Mom an FR15)
2. 312524 steps
1. Anything Garmin….hopes of Nike to do the improbable and update their watch & fuelband and Polar stuff
2. 194,300
1. Fit bit Surge as I like the idea of 24/7 HR monitoring contributing to calorie and sleep metrics.
2. 202,567 steps
4iiii precision power meter.
328,913 steps.
1. 4iiiis precision PM; I’m doing my best to mot get sucked in on the Garmin Fenix 3
2. 208,383
1) Leading up to CES I was very excited to see how the Fitbit Surge would hold up after seeing some reviews, especially yours. Garmin made me quickly forget about the Surge with the upcoming Vivoactive. I plan on making room on my wrist for the day the Vivoactive makes itself available.
2) 224,378
1) Garmin 920XT & Fenix 3
2) 217,983
1. Vivoactive
2. 169834
Fenix 3
252873
1) Garmin Vivoactive – as my 1st GPS watch, light and thin for women’s wrists.
Plus Scosche Rhythm+ so I can experience freedom from the chest strap.
Thanks for such amazing reviews.
2) 178.384 steps
My best guess is 202,404
1) Amstrip combined with the polar M400, all day activity tracking with reliable heart rate data, smartphone notifications(comming soon), the perfect package for me. And no need for to put on an unconfortable heart rate strap because it wil already be on!
2) 211,518 Steps
1.Garmin visionary for bluetooth connectivity
2.88961
1. Pebble because it looks cool
2. 223467
Im looking foreward to see the new 4k Sony action cam Review!
80123
1. Fenix 3 – seems to have all the features I am looking for as well as a look that doesn’t look half bad.
2. 155,255
really curious to see the progress of connect iq
468,329 Steps
Garmin Vivoactive – looks to be most promising mid range watch.
188,888 steps.
1. I may be the only person interested in the Microsoft Band to get activity tracking on a Windows phone.
2. 109, 952 steps
Safe travels!
1) Self driving cars – because awesome! and the 920xt because it looks like a great product.
2) 172,871
1) fenix 3 / Connect IQ
2) 255,000 steps
really creative.
Thx Ray
1. Vivoactive
2. 139,129
1) Garmin Fenix 3 – Looks like an excellent product that I would love to have, but I can’t decide if the 920xt has a better screen size.
2) 92287 steps
1) Jawbone UP3 or Inbody Band because of the use of Bioimpendence sensors
2) 323,146
hard to stalk without a public profile on the tracking websites…
1) Apps that help with sleeping as I need to sleep better
2) 182,000
1) All day optical heart rate monitoring
2) 210,987 steps
I am most excited but also very surprised about the Fenix 3.
I estimate 93,456 steps.
1. Garmin Fenix3 to replace vivofit and FR110 combo.
2. 112,362
1. Definitely Fenix 3. It does everything I ever wanted for this kind of gadget.
2. 18,753
1. Garmin VivoActive. This is the smart watch I have been waiting for
2. 190,645
1. Fenix 3 for sure! Want one!!
2. 205000 steps
1) 4iiii precision for the fact that it will make power measuring more affordable.
2) 143327
After the recent purchase of the 920 and loving it, I would be really interested in the Fenix or Epix…maybe some accessories.
191,236
Most excited about the Audi and the LG Webos smartwatch.
As far as fitness tech… epix
Total steps: 198,456
most interested in the recon jet glasses
204,754
1 Fenix 3
2. 143628 steps
1. most excited about the future potential of accurate optical HR monitoring and for smaller and slimmer watches.
2. 160,507 total steps
18053 (jan 4) + 170*60min (canyon) + 20254 (jan 9) + 28000*4 :)
1) Fenix 3 as looking at replacing 410 with 920 or Fenix 2, but this now tops them both (apart from the price!).
2) 165,178
1) new Garmin Fenix3, perfect for multisport
2) 180255
1) fenix 3 – has the brains and the looks
2) 384,782 steps
1. Fenix 3 it has all the features of the 920 (which is also cool) and then some
2. 175,490 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3
2. 127879
1. Fenix 3 – Very capable and good cool looking watch
2. 156,897 steps
1) garmin fenix3
2) 121.326
1. Garmin’s new Fenix3 multisport GPS watch
2. 197821 steps total
so The fenix 3 seems very very nice especially with the analog dailers seems like a really nice day to day sports watch. as the owner of a fenix 1 I can say I’m really going to like the update.
my guestimate is: 111795 steps
1. Cheap power meters
2. I am going to be an outlier: 400,000 steps.
Steps: 105437
Tech: measuring lactic threshold outside the lab is going to revolutionize the world.
1) Garmin FR920
2) 232,176
1) Garmin vivoactive
2) 213,213
1. Fenix 3 – A multisport watch that looks relatively normal with all the bells and whistles
2. 177,295