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!
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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
I find it puzzling, insulting even, that Garmin has sales on its gps watches on the US site, and nothing in Europe. Why are european customers treated with higher prices to begin with, and then no sale?
Shame on you, Garmin.
We’ve seen Garmin and its retailers run sales over Black Friday in the past, in Europe.
Additionally, and far more importantly, retailers in Europe actually can run sales whenever the heck they want on Garmin products. Whereas in the US that’s ‘controlled’ by Garmin. They are only approved at certain times and usually for all retailers. No different than GoPro, etc…
Sure hope so…. I really want to get a 920XT, hope this Black Friday will be it.
I googled 920xt from the UK site and was presented with prices as low as £238.94 – certainly in the ballpark of this US sale price. There is one at 249.48 from a UK based vendor as well. Can’t vouch for any of these retailers but clearly you can get the 920 at a decent price in the UK right now.
Not sure this is true.
$369 is £244, add vat makes around £290. Amazon uk at selling the 920xt at £275, so cheaper.
Remember the $369 will not include sales tax which, although not as high as uk vat, can still add around 10%.
Fwiw, Tax in the us is state dependent. So some states have none, others have some, and others have a lot more (more in line with VAT). Totally variable.
Just checked – the £249.48 includes VAT
Thanks for the great info Ray — as usual.
Really looking forward to your review of the BSX Insight 2.0. Any chance you’ll get to it in the next couple weeks?
I’m hoping so. I’ve gotten everything done data-collection and photo wise, just a case of putting keyboard to paper and knocking it out.
How much to ship the wahoo snap to ontario, canada ?
Just a heads up – I ordered the Wahoo KICKR on the REI website this afternoon and it appears to be back ordered. I wasn’t given any notification prior to check out but the confirmation email said the item “should ship within a month.” Still a great deal but don’t count on it by Christmas.
I’m glad that REI is honoring the price. The 20% discount fine print says that it is only valid for items in stock, not valid for back-ordered merchandise.
Costco currently has the Fenix 2 for $199. I know you have said that this is a “dead end” watch, but at $200 bucks that’s a lot of watch: swim, bike, run, triathlon, training plans, workouts, power meters, running dynamics, and viewable downloadable maps for navigation. Do you know if all the early problems it had have been fixed?
Also altimeter, barometer, compass and temperature.
When does the Coscto deal end? My opinion would be to wait and see what happens over Black Friday, if possible.
Through 11/30. No activity tracking. No Connect IQ. So Ithink I’m going with the fr235. But still, that is a lot of watch for $200. However if they aren’t moving them, maybe we will see that price for a while. The regular Costco price is only $250.
I’m a bit torn. I have a 910xt that is a year old and I’m debating if I should buy the 920xt on this deal. Is it worth the upgrade? Mostly running and biking with some swimming thrown in.
I had the exact same issue, but I went on a spree and got the 920XT with HRM-RUN. I use it as an everyday watch and at least one training session per day. Best watch I’ve had so far, I’m not even remotely disappointed! So I say go for it, you won’t regret it :D
The FR910XT is a bit of a dead-end watch in terms of new updates, whereas the FR920XT continues to receive new updates. It also supports Connect IQ, which is useful in that you can get features you wouldn’t otherwise have if Garmin didn’t create them.
Dear rainmaker :
More relation to brands, less reliable.
Too much in favour of garmin, tacx and wahoo.
I’m not sure what you’re asking/saying (I don’t understand). It’s a sale, it’s of interest to a massive number of people. There are no other sales as of yet, those companies simply haven’t put anything on sale (yet). I don’t decide sales – companies do. I just pick out the ones that are most interesting to highlight.
As for those brands, they’re the biggest ones out there, so they’re of the most interest to people. I cover a ton of brands, based primarily on consumer interest. For example, my most recent review was the TomTom Spark, my next will be the Verve Infocrank.
I don’t cover every brand, but generally if a brand is making a solid product I’ll consider it. If they’re just making a knock-off product that nobody is interested in, I don’t tend to spend time writing on it. Finally, you may want to read this post on how I choose: link to dcrainmaker.com
Just look at the amount of comments when a new Garmin, Tacx or Wahoo device comes out. Clearly that’s what people here want to know about. (I’m dying here waiting for your FR235 review?)
20% off Wahoo Kickrs. The sceptic in me sees a new release kickr 2 coming out soon!
You may be right. However the 20% off is really a store wide promotion at REI rather than a sale on Wahoo KICKR
Correct, it’s a store-wide coupon. But, for the purposes here, it’s not really valid on anything else (i.e. no GPS watches allowed, no GoPro’s allowed, etc…). So, that basically leaves the KICKR. :)
KICKR is out of stock at REI now. Just tried to order…
Yeah, indeed, looks like they converted to some sort of no-sale thing. Funny, something must have gone down behind the scenes there…
I had the same issue. I called REI the day after the sale and order KICKR ;)
When might we see a Garmin FR630 in-depth review? Thanks Ray.
We’ll see. I suspect if not later this week (seems optimistic), then early next week. Right now my focus is mostly on getting the FR230/235 review out the door on Wednesday, plus another power meter review for tomorrow, as well as the 2015-2016 device recommendations. Plus a bunch of the BF type stuff (that tends to be super-tedious to put together, even if it appears short).
It’s a good thing you quit your “day job”. Although I doubt Microsoft thinks so. We, here, are pleased.
Hi Europe people,
The best deal I found today is at Decarhlon Portugal. 920XT HRM at €399.
Price valid through December 31st, as stock lasts.
link to decathlon.pt
Rodrigo Valle
Wahoo Kickr on REI is listed as “This product is no longer available, but don’t go just yet.”
That’s what I get from waiting to the last moment :/
Yeah, me too! So bummed I even had one in my cart then took a call!!!
Garmin confirms 920XT for new running dynamics:
link to twitter.com
Heads up, I just checked and the Wahoo Kickr is no longer available on the REI site.
And thanks for all the awesome reviews and information on your site.
For the Wahoo SNAP, it appears you can go ahead and order one on back order with the code. I just did it, and it gave me the discount — also saying I won’t be charged until they’re back in stock, but, as I said, the receipt as it stands now reflects the discount.
I may die. Waited too long to order the Kickr…im crying in the corner. I am dyyyyying….ugh.
*many expletives*
*dead*
no longer available at REI
With reference to the Wahoo SNAP, I just called the number on the REI coupon code (
800-426-4840) and was able to place an order for the SNAP with the discount. He said there were only a few left.
Good hunting and happy holidays
Michael
Remember that all REI member purchases get a 10% dividend credit at the end of the year, making a permanent 10% discount on the KICKR.
Wahoo announded at 6:05 EST the following:
The sale starts November 27th at midnight EST, ends
$150 off the KICKR SNAP while suppplies last
50% off RFLKT ends 11/30/15 11:15 EST
20% off everything else except KICKR and KICKR SNAP, ELEMNT AND RFLKT — use code TURKEY ends 11/29/15 11:59 EST
Free shipping on orders over $20
The deals are also valid at UK, EU and AU .
See
link to e.wahoofitness.com..AysqRg.b..s.Aidf.b.VlTsng.VlTtMQ.5B2pLQ
Hi Ray,
Is it a bad time to buy a Wahoo Kickr? It has been out now for a few years and I’m worried that a new version might be coming out next year and if there is I’d probably rather wait.
What do you think?
Thanks,
Rob
It was a great time until Monday…now with that sale gone, it’s not such an awesome time. :(
That said, the KICKR is a great trainer, and I’d expect no new Wahoo Trainers until next Eurobike/Interbike (Aug/Sept), that’s the industry standard time for new releases of trainers.
Thanks Ray.
Next August would be good, I could wait until then if they are probably going to update the Kickr this year.
Cheers,
Rob.
Just a heads up. I paid $345.58 for a TACX Vortex smart (T2180) shipping included at Starbike. Looks like they are currently running 402.90 Euro. So after backing out VAT of 76.55 Euro and adding shipping of $15, your at $357.59.
-M
Will there be a deal for canadian residents on the wahoo snap? Also is this discount right from wahoo or rei etc… ?????
Good GoPro4 Silver deal at B and H $319. Other versions also on good sales.
link to bhphotovideo.com
Are they going to update the KICKR next year?? No point in spending a bunch of money on a trainer just so its already obsolete within the year?
The earliest you’d likely see a replacement would be next Aug/Sept for Eurobike/Interbike. It’s a bit hard to say it’d be a waste now, since you’d have an entire year to use it. Plus, realistically the trainer world doesn’t move too quickly – it’s almost more about the tech these days (FE-C, broadcasting, etc…) – aside from noise aspects.
Not sure if anyone is following this still but Performance Bike has the Kicker Snap for $699 and, today only, another 20% off. After tax it was just over $600. Had to order but will be delivered to the store. Sweet deal.
Seems that Wahoo has listened to your price proposal. Seems that they have the Snap now lowered to 699. REI has it for 700 and got me even my 20% on this (as they cancelled my original order). So I guess I made a good deal.
Clicked on the link above and this appears to be for the 2015 Wahoo Kickr
That’s because this post is from 2015. ;)