Heads up!!! Here’s your massive Cyber Monday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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.
1. Garmin Fenix 3.
2. 154 513
1 – vivoactive
2 – 168,374
1) Fenix 3, wraps everything up in a nice looking package
2) 143, 337 steps
1. Loving the fenix 3! I cannot wait until it releases!
2. I am thinking 151,493 steps
1.) continuous BT HR monitoring so that I can truly track my resting HR.
2.)186,773
1. I have been looking for a power meter to sometime for the 4iiii power meter is of great interest.
2. 96,000 steps I would say.
4iiii powermeter for sure.
167,884
1. Fenix 3!
2. 197,000
1. Fenix 3 and Connect IQ
2. 128,888 steps
1. Garmin Vivoactive
2. 234,567 steps
1. 4iiii powermeter
2. 177,884
1. TomTom Multisport Cardio. GPS + Optical HR looks great.
2. 388,800
DC Rainmaker. I am curious if you tested the GPS and HR monitor? I have had three Surges and not one would track a run or walk under clear skies where even my oldest Garmins work great and my phones track fine. The first two did OK with heart rate while running, but the third one wouldnt go over 110 BPM unless I was standing or sitting.
During a 2 mile Run or an 3 hours of road biking it would average 104BPM even on a hill.
The Fenix 3 of course!!!
How does 202,841 steps sound?
1. The Zero Runner because it helped me PR!
2. 263,630
1: Garmin fenix3 contains a great set of features…wait, did they ditch the jump master mode? :/
2: 171,107 (+/-16,000 steps for height)
1) The Vivofit Active as I’m in the market for an activity monitor, it also doesn’t hurt it has access to some of the upgrades I would like access to after seeing my husband’s 920xt.
2) 189,376
The Fenix 3 is looking pretty sweet, so many functions!
185,254 steps
920XT; just starting tri :)
68,700 steps
1) Fenix 3 because it looks like a pretty awesome next watch after my 910xt (which has been great).
2) 101,000
1.) The Samsung Gear S – I wouldn’t actually buy a Samsung (I had the Samsung Nexus S and had hardware issues and they have terrible customer support) but what I really want is a phone and Google maps in my Garmin running watch. I want to be able to go for a run/bike in a strange city (or just on the greenway in my own city) and be able to have a map that can be tiny but is enough to get me home and a phone I can use to call someone in case of emergencies. I’m actually still fine with using my Edge on my bike (for battery life) and potentially even bringing my Forerunner for runs. I just don’t want to have to carry a big phone (which I keep in a wallet case) around with me. I realize you seem to carry all kinds of equipment with you when you run but I want minimal stuff (but still maximal functionality).
2.) 177,777
Keen on a Fenix3, but the interest lies in the progress of the optical HRM world.
184,697 steps.
1) AmpStrip, it’d be ideal for 7×24 HR monitoring with those activity trackers don’t come with a HRM;
2) 157,500 steps
(1) (more) affordable power meters, because I’d like one but can’t justify the cost to myself at the moment!
(2) 155,781 steps
Thanks for the coverage, and great reviews!
1. Really interested about Fenix 3. It has all the features I am interested in.
2. Around 358,839 steps.
1) The Garmin Vivoactive and Garmin Connect IQ in general.
2) 104,500 steps
I’m excited about drones that can follow you
88,235 steps
1. The Garmin Epix looks epic! You can run or bike in your city (or not your city) and just get lost…. without getting lost, or you can wear it for your GPS as you travel! These Garmin guys can really make a watch from last year look like a dinosaur quickly.
2. My guess 232,678 steps
1: Polar M400: smartphone notification
2: 205 000 steps
1) I am very excited about the 4iiii Precision powermeter.
2) My Guestimate: 205,000 steps in the 6 days.
1. Still use a Garmin 405 and would be interested in Fenix 3
2. 77,800 steps
Fenix 3 sapphire – cause finally even Garmin seems to able to build cool looking watches
87.234 steps
128,230 Steps
1. Fenix 3 (functions like the 920, but with style)
2. 166661
4iiii power meter
211,111 steps
1. Garmin Vivoactive because I love my MOTOActv
2. 144’000
4iiii power meter
177,771 steps
1. Fenix 3
2. Around 150K Steps
1. The Fenix 3 and the Epic look great. The Epic would be great for been in the woods….
2. 137867 steps
1. Connect IQ because it opens up a new world for Garmin watches.
2. 164850 steps.
1. Fenix 3 and Garmin IQ looks interesting
2. 86,660 steps sounds about right.
1. Fenix 3 – looks great and have functions like 920xt.
2. 88 888 steps.
1) Garmin Connect IQ
2) 234012 steps
Excited about the all the new advances in power meters for cycling (powertap, stages, 4ii)
For steps….let’s say 67893
1) The Fenix 3 is a must have – eventhough I really don’t need it.. but must have it :)
2) 76500 steps is whay I say
1) Garmin Connect IQ because it is completely new ecosystem
2) 74421 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3 for better battery
2. 12995 steps
1) Fitbit surge for optical HR monitor
2) 32123 steps
1 Polar M400, just amazing
2 68381 steps
1) Fenix 3 – cool concept and design
2) 48392 steps
1. Optical HR technologies, that do not require any strap
2. 55555 steps
I would like to get the Garmin Fenix 3, you hands on looked very promising, so it will be a really nice addition to my training equipment!
140883 steps.
1.) garmin vivoactive would look great on my wrist
2.) 126921 steps
Fenix 3 for my wife’s birthday
212714 steps
Can’t wait to try out the AmpStrip and compare it to the Tickr and MioLink
152,472 steps
– Garmin Epix GPS
– 251251 steps
– Fenix 3 – as a programmer I look forward to customize my watch the way I like with Connect IQ
– 175316 steps
Garmin Epix
174,724 steps
1) 4iii precision
2) 301,528
1) Fenix 3. Totally excited about the enhanced features over the F2, especially Connect IQ.
2) 50,000
1) Polar V650, price & no more dull numbers to look at while riding
2) 195034
1) Fenix 3
2) 287.151
Fenix 3
147254
1) Fenix 3 – Garmin Connect IQ
2) 286 283 steps
1) Sub $400 powermeter
2) 88000 steps
1) I already have a polar m400, but I love the looks of the Fenix3 (seems like I’m not the only one)
2) steps: 402366
Garmin Vivoactive looks like the right balance of functionality, perfect!
199,998 steps
Garmin Forerunner 920XT
167,185
1) Suunto Ambit 3 line, would love to see who’s calling me from the watch while excercising
2) 185002
1) Abmit 3 as I currently use the 2 and love the design (if only Garmin would start making good looking watches)
2) 124365
1) Fitbit Surge! – has smart watch features plus from what I’ve seen its tracking abilities are very good
2) 91001
Really excited about the latest additions to the Garmin range and what can be done with Connect IQ!
I reckon you stepped 141,023 steps…!
Garmin Vivoactive with golf-features.
111 111 steps.
1.Fenix3 for all the new features and the connect IQ
2.193 756 steps
damn. wanted to enter 123455 in my previous reply…
1.) Fenix3!
2.) 192002 steps
1) Fenix 3
2) 40830 steps
garmin 910xt
175001 steps
Fenix 3 seems like a really complete product with great looks.
My guess for number of steps is exactly 172,316.
Fenix 3
274659 steps
1. Cool device for tri: 920xt
2. 111,976
Looking forward to your next reviews!!!
1. 4iii precision
2. 256,726
1 Ampstrip look very very intresting
2 213542
1. Garmin Connect IQ
2. #186542
1. Connect IQ and the Fenix 3.
2. 158,412 steps.
The Fitbit Surge (interested in how its HR monitor compares to Basis Peak)
193,586 steps
I am excited about the Garmin Connect IQ stuff as I am hoping for great and useful apps. Sad that the Edge 1000 will not be supported.
135280 Steps
1) Fitbit Charge HR. Everything I want in a small discrete package
2)242,578
Garmin Vivoactive!
163,275 steps.
1) Garmin FR920XT. I’m a runner but I need a watch for triathlonists as my plan for this year is to start trainings for both swimming and cycling
2) 185,312
1. Connect iQ, it seems to transform my 920t into a smart watch
2. 214,000
1) Fitbit Surge, glad to hear an in-depth review can be expected soon :)
2) 158826 steps
1. Fenix 3 – looks great
2. 97546 steps
I’m Very excited about the Fenix 3. The upgrade makes it the one watch to have it all. Features I’m most excited about are:
1. Concurrent Bluetooth Smart/ANT+ (for live tracking and having HRM)
2. Connect IQ support (open up lots of possibility)
3. Activity Tracker
4. Strength Training Activity
As for your estimated steps during CES, my guess would be 111,397
Thank you for the great reviews
1. The motionize paddle cos this seems to be a pretty good system in terms of analysing strokes & giving real time feedback. Perhaps you could do a review of it.
2. 77,890 steps
1. Fenix 3
2. 125,001
279,435 steps
Go Pro to use when I run a marathon in Fall 2015 since I bought the Garmin 920xt and ampstrips after reading your great reviews.
1. Fenix 3 – great design with great features (just need some “older” forerunner functions)
2. 191817
PS: wrote a small tool to copy all entries to the clipboard (just press ctrl+a, ctrl+c in your browser and start the following program: link to sites.google.com)
I’m excited about the Garmin 920xt that my wonderful boyfriend got me for Christmas! Also excited about the updates!
173,462 steps
1. The Dash
2. 29,998