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.
Garmin FR 920xt. It’ll better track my trainings than my Nokia e72.
I would like to get the Garmin Fenix 3 because it would be a really nice choice for any trail runnner and triathlete.
I’d like a Garmin 520 because I like the Garmin 520 but don’t want to pay for one.
I would probably get a power meter because its probably one of the few things missing from my tri-gadget collection :)
Probably a trainer so I can train and watch TV at the same time :)
Need a new cycling computer (probably a Garmin 520) because the battery life on my current one has really started to suck.
Hi, a new Forerunner 920XT would be fantastic if the random number generator falls my way…
Power meter!! The challenge would be figuring out which one.
I’d probably get an Edge 520. I think the battery on my Edge 500 is on its last legs.
A gps running watch, probably the fenix3!
I would probably splurge on a Fenix 3. It is priced a bit beyond my reach.
I would get a five-pack of running shoes ;-)
Probably a GoPro. I want to record some of my football moments of glory!
I would buy the new garmin FR235 to take my run tracking and training to the next level
Fenix 3. Not only is it a great running/hiking watch, but It LOOKS like a real watch. Something I can wear with a dress shirt. Probably the only Garmin watch you can say this about.
For me it would be a new 4iiii power meter for my TT bike to complement the one on my road bike.
Anything for running – perhaps a Fenix?
I’d love to get my hands on a Wahoo KICKR or something similar to check out Zwift!
Garmin fenix 3, want to get into a more multisport environment
I’d definitely get the 4iiii Precision power meter, as I have a power meter-less bike on the way!
I think i would get a Gopro Session :)
Maybe a Fenix as an early birthday present!
A Forerunner 630 with HRM. I have been having issues with a seemingly random knee pain which occurs once or twice per long run and then goes away with 20 to 30 more steps. I’d be curious to know if there are indicators in my cadence or any of the new running dynamics which could help me to nail down the issue.
Hi Ran, thanks for the giveaway!!!
Would probably look into a power meter for my bike but would need to go back to the 2015 recommendations to figure out the right model. By elimination, I’d first mark off Limits!!!!
The Wahoo KICKR please. My PowerBeam Pro is giving out.
I’d put it towards Powertap P1’s
Tough choice! A Garmin 520, a Garmin HR monitor, since mine died a long time ago, and a bunch of other accessories and stuff I could use to train for my first 100 miler this year.
I would purchase a Garmin 520 and hand down my Garmin 200 to my wife.
Fenix 3 because I am a little bit disappointed with my Fenix 2
I’d get the Fenix3 which was released 2 weeks after I had bought the FR920… I miss the Navigation features so much :-(
Happy New Year everyone!
Either the 230 or Fenix 3. Both look like awesome watches!
BSX Insight. Always been a gadget nut and numbers guy this would fill both obsessions.
I would like a garmin forerunner 630. I have a 310 and the plastic hokding the watchband was deteriorated so i need a new watch
Power meter is what i am after – santa left me short this year
New bike without powermeter?! So this is a reason why I would like a 4iii powermeter:)
I’d love a power meter!! Undecided on the make/model but there no better online reviews than on DC Rainmaker’s site.
I’d get a GPS watch for running now that I’ve crossed over from biking to the “dark side”…
Ambit 3 peak sapphire , to run faster and longer in the darkest forests of Belgium
need a fenix 3 to track my sleep metrics along with runs
Powertap P1 because I’m so fed up with the issues I have with my Vectors!
I would probably get a Fenix 3 for both me and my wife.
I’d go for the 4iiii Precision power meter. Need to get reliable numbers while out on the road.
Garmin Fenix3 is my choice and that’s because I miss a tracker for running and also a super-uber-cool day to day watch.
Probably some fancy new cycling computer!
A Garmin 520 would be awesome for those days you don’t want to wear a watch.
Garmin Vivosmart HR, cause I finally caved and wanted a fitness tracker.
I would love to be able to nip away at the cost of a powermeter!..I feel as though that’s the next step in helping to improve my training!
Fenix 3 – because.. why not?
Wahoo Kickr. Its getting cold in Korea and I’m woefully behind on training!
A Garmin HRM Run for myself and a FR 630 for the wife.
I would get the PowerTap P1 pedal-based power meter. Because that will make me faster this year, for sure.
:)
Power meter cause I want empirical evidence to support why I am always at the back of the pack. Seriously I not checking anybody out. I am just slow. :P
I’d go for a Garmin Edge 520 or 810. Have been using the 500 for a while now, but got a Fenix 3, which gave me a sniff of some of the latest features that would also be nice in a bike computer (phone integration!).
I just ordered an ambit 3 s from amazon yesterday (because it was only $230.00 and I had an amazon gift card)…but I’ll send that bad boy back and get a fenix 3 If I don’t have to pay out of pocket. Either way…my 2 year old ambit 2 s needs to be retired.
I’d get a Fenix 3. This watch does everything I want but it’s still too thick for the price tag. I’d love to have something less bulky and more convenient than my Oregon 550…
Greetings from the Arctic Circle ;-)
I’ll get a power meter for my bike
Tacx Vortex Smart, winter time here and right now I want to ride outside, but it is snowing and icy.
I’d get a new bike trainer so that I can be ready for spring.
For sure the Quarq Elsa R. Happy New year to everybody. Laurent
A Garmin HRM Run for my husband and a FR 630 for myself.
I would get a Fenix 3 to replace my Forerunner 620. Looks good enough to be also worn as an every day watch.
Power meter. Definitely a power meter.
I would probably get an activity tracker, maybe the vivofit, but I’m not sure.
Easy: I’d upgrade to the Forerunner 920XT from my 910XT. Can’t justify it myself, but if it was “free”… :D
I’d probably put it towards a set of Garmin Vector 2S pedals, because I’ve been considering a power meter of some sort, or just buy a bunch of shoes, because I wear out a pair almost every month.
Garmin 235 because my daughter wants one.
One of those pretty Fenix 3’s with the gold bezel and white band… mostly so I can change the watch face to something fun.
Garmin Fenix3 so I can track my cycling and use my HR chest strap without using my phone (while also sporting a sweet watch when it isn’t attached to the bike)
Garmin 225. Wan’t to try the optical HR again.
I’d take this as an excuse to invest in a trainer, probably something by cycleops…
I need a new Edge unit to up my cycling game!
I’d get the FitBit Aria scale. Just to help with the new year goals of shedding my winter weight.
I’d like a trainer for my bike because I’m sick of London drivers!
Hi
I would take a Garmin Fenix or something similar because it would help me with completing my micro-adventures.
Greetings from Vienna
Herbert
Fenix 3…. coz i just love it more than my sunnto ambit.
I’d get the Fenix 3. A GPS watch for hiking would really round out my collection nicely.
I would get the Tacx Vortex Smart because it’s smart like DCRainmaker! :D
I thought I was fine with my old 310xt…until the tri and swim HR straps came out. Now I’m really lusting after a 920xt.
Suunto Ambit3 Peak, I’ve just about had it with Garmin and would love to give Suunto a try.
4iiii power meter. The one thing I don’t buy because I don’t really need it. Would still be nice to have it.
A Kickr would be great – an upgrade to the torture chamber!
I need the Wahoo Kicker or Tacx Neo smart trainer because all my cycling buddies are on Zwift, and I am missing out. Besides, it has rained more than I care to mention in the last several months. Keep up the good work.
My husband and I are training for a triathalon in the New Forest in May so the Kickr would be amazing.
Probably would go for a go-pro. I like Wide Angle photos! Plus, my daughter has been wanting one for scuba diving.
I would love to have a sapphire fenix 3 :3
I would buy socks. I would buy ALL THE SOCKS! This would begin my plan to corner the sock market, and then become the biggest sock star of all time!
Garmin 635 to help me train for a BQ this summer!
Wahoo elemnt, finally not loading maps for every country I cycle in.
I think I’d get a garmin vector because I don’t have a power meter yet. My tri watch is getting a little old but since it works I’d rather complement it with more sensors !
A powe meter. Why? Because I don’t have one!
I’d like to get the new Garmin 235 to replace my 210 or perhaps a new Edge to replace my 500. Awesome contest as usual Ray!
My son would love one
That sweet new Wahoo KICKR Desk!
I’d probably replace my Garmin Forerunner 220 with the 630 with HRM because my Forerunner died on Christmas morning. Lately, I’ve been running with the MapMyRun app and I’m pretty happy with that, though.
I’d like a Garmin FR630, just because I’m a metrics junky when it comes to running.
Probably another 4iiii precision or maybe use it towards an aero helmet. Either way, I’m sure I’d find some clever ways to spend it :)
A Wahoo KICKR to make my indoor training a bit smarter
A Garmin Fenix 3 Sapphire, is the elite fitness tracker that is available on Earth right now and I would surely love to try it out.
Garmin forerunner 920. Will be nice to have one watch track all activities.
I have been running for years and love my Ambit3 Peak Sapphire, but I have started swimming and I need to make some serious updates to my swimming kit like some tri shorts by cw/x and the like.