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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
My hubby and I fixed up our basement as a workout area for the cold, windy and rainy days. My setup would be complete with a CyclOps PowerBeam Pro Ant+. I would be able to use this with the Zwift app.
I’d buy a Fenix 3 so I could track my steps with my extreme outdoor activities!
If get a 920xt for my wife as I’m sure she would love it!
I want the CycleOps JetFluid Pro Indoor Cycling Trainer with Resistance Unit…so I can join the folks at my local bike shop on Saturday mornings for the “house of pain” training rides
Has to be the Garmin Fenix3 because they are seriously cool and I could put it to good use.
Tacx Neo trainer!!!!
I’d get the 4iiii power meter!
I would put it towards a new power meter. Most likely Precision 4iii to go on a new tri bike I got over Christmas.
I would purchase a smart trainer such as the KICKR to use in Zwift!
Wahoo Kickr, 15″ of snow tonight, and the the bike is hibernating.
Drive side 4iiii power meter once it’s released. I have the non drive side already and would like to have both to help with my training.
I’d be all over a power meter for my bike, so I can scientifically prove I’m a rubbish athlete!!
I had surgery for Xmas, so no gadgets. Would love something to help my fitness rebuild. Garmin Forerunner or Fenix would help immensely. Xx
4iiii power meter. Would love to train with power.
Garmin Fenix 3, I love my first gen but can’t wait to get my hands on the latest and greatest.
A new trainer! Because I live in a place where it’s frequently below zero for the winter months…
Garmin Fenix 3 for me
I would like to get a turbo trainer, ideally a fluid based one that has wattage capability above 500watts. I have a set of rollers and love them for aerobic/tempo/threshold sessions – but they’re useless for simulating climbing or high wattage efforts. A good turbo trainer would be a good compliment.
I would love to have received a garmin 520 to have a compact option.
I would actually use this to pay it forward to a friend who is new to triathlon and needs a trainer. It’s an expensive sport and he just bought a bike – I’d like him to enjoy winter riding!
Didn’t get a Garmin Virb XE. No chest harness riding with my old Virb, that would be harakiri if I fell, stuck with the top heavyness of the XEs predecessor on my helmet.
And I nether got the Forerunner 630, even though I donated my old 610 to charity.
Fenix 3!!!!! It can do everything.
I’d definitely get a Fenix 3. Financial priorities have been focused on much more important things this year. Food on the table and a roof over our heads trump an awesome GPS watch. So, I’d love to get that feeling of blowing it all on a really nice training device that will last. Thanks for the great opportunity.
I’d get a power meter to help with my training.
I’d love a Garmin watch – probably get the best one available for less than $500.01!
I’d take the 4iiii’s power meter, Fenix, or bsx gen2 in that order.
I’d get a new trainer, because it’s time for an upgrade.
Wahoo Kickr trainer. Put up the pack and play, throw the kids in there, and put some quality miles in this year! No excuses!
Woulda liked to get the Stages power meter or Tacx Vortex Smart trainer to use with Zwift over the winter months, but being my baby girls first Christmas, she deservedly took priority, so I’d likely put the money towards one of those products.
Fly 6 and Fly 12 because I’ve been buzzed by too many cars recently (including a cop!)
Garmin 920xt tri package, please.
I would like the Garmin 520; my 500 is starting to have problems booting up. Thanks
Powertap C1 chain ring power meter.
Been looking for at getting a power Meter for awhile.
I would like the garmin fenix 3 or polar v800.
Exposure Maaxd light. So that I can get out and train in these dark days because I’ve got an entry into the transcontinental race this year.
Wahoo kicker would be nice
Get me some Garmin Fenix 3. What a complete training tool to help me improve. I currently have the Garmin Vivosmart based on you initial review and it has served well. Maybe it is time to move up.
I would love to get a Wahoo Kickr to help get through the Canadian winters on my trainer. :)
I’d put it toward a pair of Powertap P1 pedals!
Garmin Fenix 3
I have been saving up for a Fenix 3. Every time I get close something else comes up. I would love a Fenix 3. Thanks for everything you do.
4iiii Precision. I’m in the market and it looks like a solid offering. Thanks for setting this up!
I’m still stuck between which one but 4iiii or stages power meter. I have the cyclops powercal power meter/ heart rate strap which has proven very useful and has me wanting the precision of a direct force power meter. I need to get my money out of my TrainerRoad subscription!
I want a power meter to train for my first 70.3!
4iiii Precision Power Meter because it will be a big help in achieving my aim for this year which is to improve my cycling.
Bsx gen 2, lactato is Very important piece of training on this days, have a way to measure will save time and avoid overtrain and other benefits
I’d love a trainer. Tacx or Cyclops. Because my bike leg could really use some pep :-)
4iii meter would be great
I had hoped to find a power meter under the tree. Santa aka my husband clearly did not get the message.
Garmin fenix3 for me!!
I’d love to get the Sosche optical heart rate transmitter. The Garmin swim heart rate transmitter. Maybe use the remainder toward a Wahoo Kickr.
If get a power meter to kick my IM training into the next gear :)
I would like to get a Wahoo Kickr and the $500 would give me enough to get one!
Probably a Garmin 920xt because newer is better and I’d really like a watch that can get satellites quickly. Especially now that it’s getting cold.
A garmin Vivoactive GPS so my wife and I can compare workout efforts. Pffft Toughmudders arent Ironmen.
Maybe I’d save it for a Garmin Fenix IV. I have a 2, and am sure that with a little patience, the 4 will come out, putting my watch purchases on odd years with phones.
5 Hundo to a Tacx Vortex would be oh so nice!
Edge 1000 bundle to pair with my new P1 I just received from Clever.
So many socks. Why? Silly question…
I would love the 4iii precision power meter or the garmin 1000. Time for an upgrade.
Fenix 3 – My Girlfriend has challenged me to get off my bicycle for a bit this year and do a Triathlon with her.. This means I need to also learn to run & swim as well as cycle, so I’ll be needing a new gadget to record my progression and potential triumphs :)
A Garmin 510 for my wife
I was supposed to get a new garmin forerunner for my birthday in July but I waited because I had a hunch new versions would be out soon. Things came up and that money was used for other things like buying others presents for Xmas. I was dropping hints that I wanted a FR235 since it was released. I was so sure it was gonna show up for Xmas. No dice… Got a smoker instead. While I am grateful for that gift I can’t wait to have enough spare cash to get the 325. My refurbished 610 battery dies way faster than my original and is unreliable. It freezes and I have to reboot it frequently in the middle of running. :(
If I win, I will get the Garmin Fenix 3 so my fiance will quit getting lost when she ventures out in the wilderness on climbing trips.
I’d love to try the 4iiii power meter on my road bike because it would help me train for my first half-Ironman!
Garmin! I bought a polar last year but haven’t been as happy with it as my last Garmin, so I’m anxious to go back!
Fenix 3 so I don’t have to look like a triathlete all day wearing a 920.
I would love to upgrade my PowerTap!
Power meter of course. I need to know my power.
I wanted a Fly6 and Varia radar, as I get older I find myself more safety concious.
Garmin Vector S for my road bike to match the Vector on my Tri bike.
Probably the Garmin 630 because my current 610 is having issues charging.
wahoo kicker, Garmin 500 power meter (:
I was hoping for a trainer to keep a little warmer this winter.
A new trainer!
Garmin FR235. why? because I’ve been a good girl. and it sucks to only run with your phone as your activities monitor.
A Garmin Fenix 3, would be handy for navigation on long hill runs.
I still need a power meter. It’d all go to that so I can feel out on data and see how bad I am.
I have been hoping to get a power meter for my bike but put it off due to its cost. It will be great if i can win one as part of my prep for imwa!
Garmin 620 to help train for my first marathon in March!
I would get a wahoo kickr. The snow won’t melt around here for three months, and trying to get my pain cave built!
I would like to have a GARMIN 920XT for my all my sports – bike, run and swim.
It is the watch I am eyeing for since it released. I am wearing 910 GARMIN which is three years old now.
I’d love to upgrade to the Garmin Edge 810! I’ve had the Edge 500 for 3 years now and it’s been an awesome addition to any and every bike ride. However, the competitive person in me would love to have the 810 for live segment capabilities, and for the touch screen of course. I’ve looked at the 520, but to me the 810 would be the perfect upgrade for my 2016 season!
Feb. 1st my restrictions are lifted from Achilles rupture surgery. Can’t wait to train for IM Wisconsin 2017 and lose the 18 lbs during recovery.
Either a power meter or the new Fenix3.
I would upgrade my old garmin edge 500 to the Garmin edge 520.
I want a 4iiii precision power meter because I need to train better
A power meter of course. I like to collect data from my bike rides.
Been drooling over that new Fenix 3, but kids come first at Christmas time! There is always my Birthday!
Forerunner 920xt so I can start training for a triathlon.
I would probably get a Garmin 520 or Fenix
Forerunner 630, looking for improving my marathon time by 30 minutes in 2016….I need all the help that I can get
Powertap P1. Need a power meter and that’s the one I want.
I need a power meter for my new SuperX!
Hmm, I would probably consider getting the BSX Insight. Need more data for training!!
I need a watch that can do it all…and a Garmin Fenix 3 is beyond my wildest dreams.
A new Garmin! So I can back to training for a fall half in 2016
Pick me
Most likely a power meter of some sort. Something that would go between different bikes with relative ease. I’d have to go back and listen to a few episodes and re-read your write ups. As for why, well, I had ACL replacement about 6 months back, so as I start riding again, I want to make sure I regain L/R balance.
Fenix 3 as it will make me go faster!