Heads up – Massive Sports Tech Holiday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech 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 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 — a watch I can wear to work and not be embarrassed about.
2. 217,437 steps
1. Fenix 3 for features and looks
2. 177,360 steps
1. Garmin Epix
2. 160,000 Steps
1. Im excited for connectIQ, and am planning to write my own app of some sort!
2. 320,001 steps
1) Fenix 3 because it is spectacular
2) 195,500
Fenix 3, Getting my first Tri Watch
185199
1) Fenix 3, whilst the features of the 920 are awesome it looks like a 10 $ watch
2) 112.560 steps
EPIX, TRAIL RUNNING
155,000 STEPS
Fenix 3
200,300
Garmin fenix 3, it’s a nice wereable watch that permits a day to day use without highlight the attention as 920.
I suppose approximately 170,000 steps
1) 4iiii precision power meter
2) 155,000
1. Fenix 3, all in one.
2. 165,532
I’m most excited by 920 XT watch.
575 000 steps
1.) Smart Yoga mat so I can watch my wife do yoga
2.) 164,153 steps
Fenix 3, because has all is missing in FX2…
180 000 steps!
148,642 steps in those six days. have fun.
1) I’m very excited with the Epix Garmin watch and also the Fenix 3!
2) I would say 234.128 steps
I am waiting on the full review of the surge, I like the idea of no strap plus an activity tracker.
My guesstimate is 117370.
1) Garmin Vivoactive. Looking for a new running GPS watch, and love the idea of a fulltime watch with cool features…including the golf
2) 278,642
1) A power meter!! I’m still looking at the Garmin Vector. And then of course I’d need the new Garmin 920… :)
2) 190,982 steps.
37,375 steps. The BLU cellphone lineup…
1) 4ii
2) 210,371 steps
211,023 steps
the garmin 920xt because I just bought it!!!
A) I’m most excited about Fenix3 as it fulfills all the needs I have for a watch and it looks normal enough to wear it everyday.
B) 138139 steps
1) Mostly excited about 4iiii’s Precision power meter, but the Dash earbuds/HRM also looks cool!
2) 87,654
1) 4iiii Precision Power Meter
2) 543,210 Steps
1) Vivoactive looks like the perfect watch to me
2) 138551 steps
All the smartwatches! Love thinking about how connected all the different pieces of technology can be!
Steps: 128195
Garmin Vivoactive
147,113 including some running
1.) 4iii’s power meter is what I need, but the Fenix 3 sapphire is sexy.
2.) 327,458 steps
1) Garmin Fenix3 – I recently lost my 910xt (left it on a table after eating post 70.3), and need something spiffy nifty to replace it.
2) 200,002 steps
1) Fenix 3 Sapphire
2) 180,000 steps
153,754
Precision and possibly a vivoactive, both depending on any spare cash I can save given my soon to arrive first child :)
I like the cost of the Precision if it can deliver the reliability of, say, the tried and true PowerTap. Vivoactive is interesting but wish it had more swim options to properly replace my Garmin Swim.
I’m pretty excited for the Dash. I’d love to lose the wires and my (albeit trusty) iPod shuffle during workouts.
With that…184,367 steps.
Most excited about the Vivoactive because it’s simple, small and connected.
Steps: 148,253
1. 4iiii
2. 209,017
1) fênix 3, color display, wifi connectivity, all in one!
2) 141511 steps
1.) Garmin Fenix3
2.) 224,651 steps
1) I’m most excited about the 4iiii power
2) 209,999 steps
The fenix3 of course now that it tracks activity as well.
Step guess 136 256
1) The Garmin Vivoactive GPS smartwatch! Looks like it might have everything I need in one small package.
2) 100,960 steps
1) Fitbit Surge GPS
2) 188,187
1) Fitness watches and action cams
2) 235,000 steps
1.) Fenix 3, looks like a normal watch and has more features than the 920XT!
2.) 201,523 steps
1.) Definitely the Fenix 3.
2.) 200,051
AmpStrip is what I want to take my data geekness to the next level or 4iii’s power meter so I can have power on the winter bike!!!
161,826 Steps for the win!!
1) Fenix 3, because triathlon
2) 156,143 steps
1) Fitbit Surge, because GPS integration is necessary for my fitness tracking.
2) 205,753 steps.
1) Looking forward to the Fenix 3. I’ve been wanting a nice looking all in 1 watch, and I think it might just be it.
2) 231734 steps
1) Garmin F3 b/c F2 is great but concurrent live tracking and connection to HRM & pod plus possibility of HRM during swim
2) 186,102 (because someone else already went with speed of light and I’m sure Ray is doing his best to approach that)
1. I’m most excited about the AMP strip, it appears to be a stupid dope concept!
2. 121,314
1) Fenix 3
2) 279,243
1. Fenix 3, hands-down
2. 210,123 steps
1. Fenix 3
2. 224,641
1) Dash – could be an added plus in my workouts.
2) Steps – 184,620
1. I’m going to need some waterproof headphones for pool training, so I would start with some Finis Neptunes.
2. My guess for step total: 193,257
1) Fenix 3 has my interest, but also anxious to see the AmpStrip in action
2) 146,303 steps
1) fenix 3
2) 189,238
I’m very interested in how well a developer community grows around the Connect IQ as well as how cooperative and fostering Garmin is to that community.
138,765 steps
1. Garmin Epix
2. My guess for steps : 93,990
1. Fenix 3
2. 222,222
Most excited about Fenix 3 because my FR610 is about to bite the dust and I want something that can keep track of swims.
Exactly 185243 steps.
1) Dash
Looking to see the price reduce in the power meter market over the next year
Steps : 119804
I’m most excited about finally getting a Garmin. I’m about to move to Malaysia and plan on getting lost (with the help of the Garmin) riding around a new country.
my guess 205,000 steps
1. I’m looking forward to hearing about the new Fitbit Surge.
2. 225,179 steps
1) Fenix 3 is what I need! =]
2) 153990
1) Garmin Fenix 3, it looks so much better than the old multi-sport watch line from Garmin.
2) 177,817
1) Most excited for the Fenix3/epix at the moment.
2) 190,224 steps
1) The new Garmin Watches with Connect I. (Probably most interested in buying the VivoActive, but maybe will splurge on the Fenix 3.)
2)132,500
1. Fenix 3
2. 207365
1) 4iiii power meter. I’m not sure if it’s something I’d want to buy, however, I am very excited about the power meter becoming more competitive in pricing.
2) 181,122 (i counted each one)
1. 4iiii Precision update
2. 134,523
1. Fenix 3
2. 228397 steps
1) Garmin sports equipment for cycling, running and other multi sports activities (EPIX, ForeRunner 920xt, Edge)
2) 134500 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3 – everything you could want in a device
2. 162480
1) Fenix 3 – Connect IQ in a nice looking watch.
2) 193,575
Having done CES before (the year before and the year after it was expanded), I know the fun of walking the floors. I don’t evny that part of CES – the gadgets though, totally cool.
1. Bragi – The Dash – in ear, dang near mini-PC, and doesn’t need a mobile/app. Am looking forward to this.
2. 264K steps – thinking basic walking day * the size of the conference areas + a possible workout or two in there
a. Fenix 3 – great looking and all those features
b. 184,328
It’s the Epix for me or the 4iii Precision
118,888
POlar V800, because thats what I got on Christmas!
232.450 steps
1. That F3 is the most beautiful watch ever…
2. 166745 steps
1. The Withings Activité Pop mostly for the looks, I have a vivofit right now but the look of this is very attractive.
2. 345,213 steps
AmpStrip.
160,101 steps
1. 4iiii Precision Power Meter – affordable power for the masses.
2. 150 000 steps.
fenix 3, obv’s
182600
The AmpStrip holds some promise if they can update with Ant+. Data geeks the world over would enjoy 24/7 monitoring.
172,154 steps. For sure that many.
1) Waterproof hr monitoring headphones. Amazing what you can achieve with so little space.
2) 159000 steps
1) Whichever device is the first to have gps, 24×7 optical HR that also works when exercising and has accurate, detailed, automatic sleep tracking. Would love to have an all-in-one device (wishful thinking?).
2) 156,321
1. Like the look of the Garmin Vivosmart, i think that might come in useful for me.
2. #139750 steps
1. I have and love the Fenix 2, the Fenix 3 looks way better!
2. 193,423 steps
1) I guess this time the fitbit Surge and the Kickstarter funded Bragi Dash earphones have something interesting to offer. The minimalistic design seems pretty cool.
2) My guess – You walked about 119999 steps ;)
1. Slim 920xt
2. 172 785 steps !
Fenix 3 looks nice, but really the ihealth section looks nice
149000 steps
1. Fitbit Surge!
2. 333,333 steps!
1. easy one: Fenix 3 for sure (but I love also the Fenix 2 SE)
2. 70.000
1. The Fenix 3 as it combines a round watch form factor with every high end feature of any other Garmin sports product combined (Edge, Forerunner, and more).
2. 102,958 steps.
It would be pretty cool to have a power meter, not needed but cool. Also the vivoactive does look neat
335, 345
GoPro Hero Black – I want it to record archaeologists doing archaeology – get it to do lots of different things
159,511
1. Most excited about Bragi “Dash” headphones.
2. 290,000 steps