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.
Forerunner 630 – for its robust features and UI looks great!
I would go for a Garmin Fenix3 so I can finally lose my Polar V800. I am simply not impressed with the Polar side of things.. And while the V800 was/is miles better than my old and trusted Garmin FR610 in most respect, I neither like the Polar app nor the Flow site…:-o
I would put it towards a new trainer because my 5+ year old trainer just bit the dust. Happy Holidays!
Garmin Forerunner 235. I’ve recently got into cycling and bought a cyclocross bike to get fit, both on the road and on the gravel. As a beginner I have been really impressed with the features available on the Forerunner 235, lots of helpful features without being too advanced (like the Fenix range). The quick load Garmin GPS means I won’t have to wait forever to record my ride for Strava. Although the Garmin Elevate HRM hasn’t had the best reviews, for me it doesn’t need to be perfect. As long as I can get a general idea of my performance I can use zone training to help improve my fitness. At the same time the daily fitness and sleep tracking features allow me to monitor my fitness when i’m off the bike. Thanks
Garmin Fenix 3 would be my choice :)
I’d get a Garmin FR 630; so far that’s the only running watch with all the features built in, I need
Powertap P1 pedals would be amazing as Santa never brings me what i really want. I know they would clash with the hawaiian shirt but man they’d take me to a higher level.
I would love to get a Fenix3. I have tried the Microsoft Band 2 and the Apple Watch and neither of them are great for runners. So, I would like to get an actual running watch, that looks nice enough to wear to a dinner party. Smart, right?
I’d finally upgrade my Garmin to a 920XT…that or get 50 sticks of Body Glide for the heck of it.
a set of great multi-purpose bike lights for biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing!
Most likely some extra support stuff that I could do with, so a Garmin Foot Pod, Swim HR straps. Wouldn’t mind getting a new Garmin Edge as well, as now I have the Fenix 3, I find having to plugin to upload a real PITA
Garmin Edge 520 bundle with out front mount.
I’d like to get a garmin 920xt to replace my 910. I’d really like to use my mobile instead of my computer to sync! (I don’t find the St uploader good enough due to problems with the ant+ connection! )
The Garmin 230!!!
GoPro to record my upcoming trip to GFNY.
I really wanted a power meter this year, but ended up spending money on the wife and kiddos. Would love to get into that aspect of training.
Fenix 3 – To train like the pros ;)
Garmin Forerunner 235 to get rid of my heart rate strap
A Fenix 3 would be great, thanks!
I would go for the fenix 3 to log my swims
Garmin Edge 520. Because it’s so darn cool!
Would love a Garmin 920XT so I can record my runs/hikes as well as bike rides. My Edge 200 won’t record position once per second so doesn’t work for hiking at all. Thanks!
I think I’d go with the Fenix 3 because I’m thinking of upgrading from a Forerunner in order to start training for my first tri at some point.
I would love to get some money to upgrade to the Forerunner 630~!
Trainer for sure. Getting nasty around here this time of the year.
I think I’d like to get the GoPro 4+ Silver to replace my original GoPro HD.
I’d have to go for a Fenix 3! Or anything would be awesome!
4iiii power meter. Got a new crankset and need power for it. Thanks
I think I would choose an FR230 since the wrist band on my current FR210 is broken.
Would love to get a power meter for my new bike!
50 units of BodyGlide! The chafing – it hurts!
A trainer so that I can ditch the gym membership and train at home.
I’d get a 4iiiis power meter as my stocking was empty this year…my wife tells me ‘we don’t do that gift thing anymore, now we have kids’. Haha, the Christmas Grinch.
I’d replace my current Garmin vivoactive with the bigger badder fenix 3 or maybe an epix.
Garmin Fenix 4 :)
What I’d really like to purchase is tech assistance for my Mom (we bought her a garmin vivo product and I just spent the last hour on the phone providing setup support). Is this something I can buy from Clever Training?
If not, second choice would be a more stylish sport/tracker watch. My epix is dreadfully ugly.
deffo a home trainer, since i twisted my ankle pretty bad, and thus, no running in the foreseeable future!
I’ve been dreaming about a Garmin Fenix 3…it would be great to get one for free!!!
I would buy a Garmin 920xt for the wife
For me it would be a choice of either a Garmin 230 & Garmin index scale or a Tacx Vortex smart turbo trainer. I have recently started running so the Garmins would be great and I am training for a Sportive next summer so the trainer would also be great!
I’d get an indoor trainer, although it is hot enough to ride out now, it should be freezing…
A Garmin Edge 520 to replace my old 500! Then some stuff that helps me to recover from injury and/or some GoPro accessories.
I would to have an activity tracker like the Polar A360 or any activity tracker like the Polar. So I can get accurate measurements of my workouts, so I can get some motivational steps toward getting my health back.
Socks. Lots of socks. So that I can givethem away as Christmas presents.
Cookies if they have them, and that does not need a motivation.
If no cookies I would get a power meter, I would still get cookies from somewhere tho!
I will go for Either the Suunto Ambit 3 or Garmin Fenix 3. My old Ambit 1 is not quite cutting it any longer – starting to venture towards the need for a Multisport watch as well
Some kind of trainer, because running in the dark is fine, cycling not so much.
Suunto Ambit 3 in order to have a barometric altimeter with HR and GPS stuff
I would get the Fenix 3 Sapphire as it sounds like the best GPS watch for a wide variety of activities. Thanks for all your great reviews!
I would like to buy a Fenix 3 to finally discard my Ambit 3, otherwise I would also get a Power meeter
A new trainer would be cool! Wahoo Kickr is much better than my shitty trainer!
Garmin 520 bundle. My current computer’s screen is a little opaque from various crashes.
I’d get one of the new go pro action cams to replace ald garmin virb.
I think I would want the Garmin 630, but there are so many great choices!
Garmin Fenix 3. Need a watch with good batterylife for ultra trails.
Fenix3 cos I have a Magellan Switch-up – nuff said…
I read the blog so much (and tend to buy too much) that it is hard to say what’s next on my list! I would probably learn towards a set of C1 chainrings from PowerTap though… I’ve just been itching for a new power meter and the price is right.
I think i will wait for the next generation of triathlon watches. Or it will be a powermeter…we will see
Garmin Forerunner 630. I need a reward to look forward to when I get over this broken leg and start my long rehab back to running.
I’d go for a new Fenix 3, I need a upgraded watch
A forerunner 235 would suit me very well
A Fenix3 would be brilliant. Aiming for a first triathlon next year and it would come in so handy.
I would have liked to get a Forerunner 230
I’d put it towards a tacx neo as I really want one.. and they are just too expensive to justify without the credit.
PowerTap G3 Hub!
Edge 520 or powermeter
garmin fenix 3 because it seems to be the best garmin watch out there right now.
Garmin Epix. Will use it for trail running instead of v800.
I think two Garmin 235s, one for me and one for my wife.
A power meter, because I’m a data geek and I want to quantify my progress!
I would get a Garmin Fenix 3 or power meter.
An edge 810 for the bike to upgrade the FR410 I’m currently using. And a Vivo HR for the wife.
I would love the BSX insights, always had trouble with running and this tool can help get better with precise feedback.
HNY
Definitely a power meter. Not sure which one.
I’m torn between a Tacx Neo or a Quarq Riken to go on my newly-built race bike.
Fenix 3 because apparently when you reach your 40s your eyesight starts to go and I can’t see my Fenix 2 screen anymore. Also, just started back running (7 months off stinks) after knee surgery and it will provide extra motivation to have a new gadget.
Garmin Fenix 3 – Really want to get a Stryd but currently rolling with a M400 and don’t want to give up any data to get power.
Hi. I would wait for the fenix 4 as the third has so many issues….
Oh boy, I’d go for accessorizing the …. out of my gear closet. 110% knickers for recovery, SLAB flasks and of course a new Petzl Nao..just the gifts I have had on my wishlist for a number of years now..and have never gotten. Centre piece could be the Salomon SLAB Sense Ultra Racing shoe..size 10 please!
I would likely pick up the 920xt from garmin. Love that it has the whole smash
Either PowerTap P1’s or Garmin Vectors. Just started training with power on a trainer, and want to be able to continue on the road come spring.
I’m thinking of finally switching finally to Garmin (Polar CS600 – at the end with parallel testing of o-snyce navi2coach and then Garmin Edge 810 – Polar V800). The Edge 520 with a Vivoactive seems to be the right choice for biking and activity tracking.
As a Nokia-user from Symbian to Windows Phone and Polar-user from CS600 to V800, I’ve maybe too much sympathies for finnish ex-market leader on the downgrade. But while universal apps will narrow the gap, as you can see with the Garmin Connect app for Win10, I’m not sure if Polar will catch up.
Upgrade to the Fenix3
To upgrade to Garmin 920xy
I would like a Garmin fenix 3 for open water swimming. Love this site!
santa.. you have a new chance.. dont screw it this time ;) bring me that shiny fenix3
I’d go for a powermeter, since I do not own one.
It’d be great to have an indoor trainer. Winter is coming and I’d like to keep fit when it’s dark and cold out!
I need a Fenix 3. To do trail running!
I would get the Fenix 3. The Fenix 3 I asked Santa for never came. *tear*
Wahoo Kickr….. Gotta train hard this winter!!
I would love to get a Fenix 3. Who wouldn’t !?!
I could really use some new socks.
Hi,
Were I to win I’d get the Fenix 3 :-)
Cheers and thanks for all the good work
Jérôme
A new edge 520 for the live Strava segments
Upgrade to Garmin 920xt bundle, other little items to fill the rest of $500
That would go towards a kickr snap
I would like to have the Fenix 3 but a power meter would be great too. More numbers to look at when I’m bored.
Would put it towards a power meter or new trainer.
A shiny new powermeter would be nice…but a Fenix 3 would also be a good start into 2016!
Fenix 3, would be awesome to start training with it for my first Marathon this summer.why not?
Ray, I’d probably use the money towards a PowerTap C1. Seems like a great, reliable and accurate power meter.