Heads up! 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…
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. Most excited about the Garmin Vivoactive
2. 200,333 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3
2. 241,800 steps
I’ve done CES a few times. You’ll be over 300k. I’ll go 300,156
1. 4iiii Power Meter. Can’t wait to see see how well it performs compared to more expensive products.
2. 144582
1. Fenix 3by far. The Dash in terms of the future of sensor capability.
2. 216,555
(1) ConnectIQ and Garmin opening the platform to custom development
(2) 314,159 steps. I like π.
1. Garmin Fenix 3
2. 110,500 Steps
1. The Garmin 920xt just because it is the most complete watch for a triathlete
2. A very (un)educated guess of 206.236 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3. Looks like a sleek upgrade from the Fenix 2 and it has color :O
2. 499,999 steps
1. Garmin VivoActive
2. 180,000
easy…232,000
1) Garmin Fenix 3 is a very nice watch.
2) 343433 steps.
1. I am really excited to for both the AmpStrip and Bragi Dash earphones. Looking forward to a non chest strap HRM that can accurately measure intense workouts without drops.
2. 147,325
1. AmpStrip, as I would like an easy and unobtrusive way to track heart rate 24×7.
2. 170,038 (and kudos to you for doing that!)
1. Garmin Epix: feature set + elegance = winner
2. 10, 281 steps
1) Fenix 3 for sure
2) 182,573
1. Fenix 3
2. 141,573
1) Definitely 4iiii precision, I will finally be able to justify getting a power meter!
2) 198,375
Precision
142565
Fenix 3. Looks like it will do everything I want (eun, bike, swim), plus has the long battery life I need for my new genius idea–ultras, does activity tracking, allows for apps. Looks great!
202,567
I’m most excited about how Garmin will do in carving out a space in the smartwatch market in the coming year. The integration and support around smartphone connectivity having matured combined with their expertise in developing wearables will give them a huge leg up I think.
132579
Tech would probably be the Fenix3
Steps #214,717steps
1. Garmin Epix
2. 305,000
Most excited about power meters and the watteam power meter.
Steps: 60,000
I’m really looking forward to ConnectIQ, since it’ll bring a whole bunch of new functionality to the 920xt and the other garmin watches.
My guess: 178463
The Dash looks to be very interesting
Steps # 173,986
1) Very exited about the fenix3, as I have a fenix1 and I miss the multisport mode on it.
2) Exactly 150000 steps
1) Garmin Epix looks like a great watch for trail running, mtn biking and triathlon. Although the Vivoactive might be sign of things to come.
2) 160,000 steps
1- Wearable technology
2- 210.000 steps
1 – I’m psyched about the Fenix 3
2 – 191,232 steps
Garmin Epix.
125,001 steps.
Garmin Vivoactive last Monday, then now the Polar M400 after the footpod support. Still trying to decide and will be wating for your in-depth reviews.
234567 steps
1.) New Joule head unit
2.) 218,523 steps
I am guessing it’s more in the crazy realm and you never disappoint! thanks for the great coverage on CES tech
1) – I am most excited about the 4iiii Precision Powermeter
2) 172,563
1. Fenix3, i have the 910xt and want a more everyday watch with all the additional functions of alti, baro and time.
2.121,524
Epix and AmpStrip!
168,420
The Epix with full mapping sounds like it is pretty close to my perfect running watch.
185001
1. Far and away the Fenix 3 OR the 920xt. The Fenix just looks better!
2. 121,524 steps
1) Fenix 3
2) 137,823
Fenix 3. It will be mine…
143.542
I love my Garmin 920 XT, so I am pretending I didn’t see the Fenix 3.
210,777 steps.
1. Definitely the 4iiii Precision Power Meter. I need cheap power!
2. 347,291 steps
1. Pretty excited about some none exercise related stuff, such as drones and car technology.
2. 171,050 steps
1) AMPStrip – would love to have something that tracks all my data like that!
2) 202,768
I’m really interested in action cams.
274,344 steps.
1. Garmin Connect IQ (I just bought the 920)
2. 163,487
1) Withings Activite Pop – like the style and simplicity – just need a phone that is compatible!
2) 199,999 steps?
I’m purchasing a vivosmart now that they’ve fixed the bluetooth LE bugs related to Android devices not on their “supported” list. Looking forward to it!
88,991 steps
Garmin Fenix. How about 174,235 steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3 looks awesome.
2. 93430 Steps
Very interested in the Withings Activite Pop! I didn’t get my hands on one of the limited released quantities. Have to wait until March 2015 now. :-(
Steps walked: 144,053
1) Excited about the Garmin Forerunner 920XT, just because it’s so complete and can be used every single day (… or every single time you train!)
2) 163,734 steps!
1) fennix 3 looks great
2)186,130
Interested in the smart yoga mat.
Steps 167,890
1. Fenix3 – If it has all the features of the Garmin 920 and acts as a daily wearable
1a. ConnectIQ, I’ve been playing with the SDK already
2. 368,501
4iiii power meter
180000 steps
1) fenix 3 seems great
2) 123456 steps
1. Any of the GPS watches, currently using Soleus 3.0 (which I have no complaints about), but all the additional data these other watches provide would be wonderful
1. I would go for the Garmin Fenix 3. Less ugly GPS watch around.
2. 123,456
1. Fitbit Surge HR. Of all the new smart watch activity trackers it has caught my eye the most.
2. 157,884
1-Garmin Epix is what I’m eyeing!!
2-256,987
Fenix 3- Everything I want in a GPS watch.
112,000 steps
1)Just ordered the M400 though would have liked something with a built in heart rate monitor. The Surge looks promising if the monitor works well. The A300 with GPS would have been great though!
2)165,462 steps
1. I’m loving my Mio Fuse – just waiting to see what software features come down the pipe as the android app is really limited at the moment.
2. 222,222 steps
1) Fenix 3 although a Fenix 4 with built in HRM would be incredible.
2) 183586 steps
Fenix 3… I’m so bummed I pulled the trigger so quickly on the 920xt…
185633 steps
Fenix 3… so my husband can get out of my hair and go out training.
201367
1. Fenix 3
2. 226,320
1) I am most excited about the 4iiii power meter. At that price, maybe my wife will let me buy one?
2) I think Ray walked 68,253 steps over CES.
1. Fenix
2. 126,075
1. Garmin 920XT
2. 151,999
I am very interested in the Fenix 3. Perfect combo for me.
173211 steps.
1. The 4iiii precision powermeter
2. 132,258 steps
4iii Power meter
73,927 steps.
1) Garmin Vivoactive
2) 199,998 steps
Looking for a new Garmin watch this year, so Garmin Fenix 3
Steps: 250,001
The Ampstrip!
144,245 steps
1) A short description of what technology or product you’re most excited about, and why.
Fenix 3
2) Your step # guesstimate.
122,419 steps
1) the fenix 3 because it seem to finally be very complete
2) 109723 steps
A) Fenix 3 – I am in need to replace my tri watch, and this seems to be exactly what I’m looking for.
B) 85000 steps
1. Echo H2
2. 226,501 steps
1. Fenix 3. It would be the perfect 1st Tri watch. :-)
2. 137,845 steps
1. Garmin Vivoactive. Just waiting for Ray’s in-depth review.
2. Steps: 216,000
Great information on products from CES. I am really excited for the Fenix 3, though having a Fenix 2 I am not sure if it would be worthwhile. Also think the Ampstrip is really a cool idea.
Guesstimate – 165,000
1. Fenix 3 – definitely going to get one I think.
2. Steps: 196425
1. Polar M800
2. 240,050
1) Garmin Vivoactive (because Suunto has been letting me down lately and I’m excited to get the right running/cycling/swim watch)
2) 98,000
1) I am looking forward to the fenix 3.
2) 164.820
Fenix 3; does everything I will need from running, swimming and biking to backpacking.
260,000
Fitbit Surge or Garmin Vivoactive. Mixture between sport watch and active tracker.
123.450,00 steps.
Regards from Portugal!
1. Fenix for sure
2. 162.500 it’s my score
1.) Fenix 3
Epix – Everything to one device.
122.500 Steps
1. Garmin Fenix 3
2. Steps 213,638
1. Garmin Vivoactive. Its a daily wearable smart watch with multisport tech and it looks so much better than the Fitbit Surge.
2. 155,621
1) I’m most excited about the Garmin VivoActive. It looks like it will come the closest to Motoactv functionality with proper waterproofing.
2) 187,512
1. I’m still excited about the Polar M400. I mostly run and have some goals in mind, though I could also use it for a bit of cross-training.
2. Steps: 175,587
Likely a power meter, but then my 910XT could use an upgrade
124,501 steps
1. Garmin Fenix – because it’s sexy!
2. 144,789
162,113 steps
I’m really interested in the various heart rate monitoring units that you’ve uncovered. I especially like the sticker one, very cool idea.