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.
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.
A Garmin Forerunner 235 to compliment my Garmin Fenix 3.
I’m thinking the new garmin edge 520
I’d love to get the Garmin Edge Explore 1000, because my old cycling computer just stopped working.
Garmin Fenix 3!!
What products mmm the Forerunner® 920XT but i would prefer the on hand heart meter. Please garmin put it there quickly :)
Definitely the Fenix 3. Covers all my metrics needs!
I’d get my wife a new Garmin running watch. I’m happy with my 920XT but she is slowly driving me batty about her old 220.
I have been biking for years, but have recently started training for triathlon.
A Fenix 3 for tracking my progress on swimming and running is high on my wish-list.
4iii power meter for the upcoming road season.
I would get Garmin Forerunner 920XT Multisport Fitness Watch since my old suunto ambit 2 is just not up for it in triathlon training. :)
I’d like to get a Hero Session for my helmet since the VIRB keeps falling off my bike :(
4iii power meter. to keep me from blowing up on big climbs.
Garmin Fenix 3 for me!
I want a F3 a bit tired of my unepical Epix
I would get a FitBit Surge Watch and a FitBit Aria WiFi Scale to start with because I am using Lose It! and would like to automatically track my numbers on their system.
Garmin 520 and a power meter
I would love the new shiney Fenix3!!!
a pair of Garmin Vector S 2 would be useful because it would greatly help me with my training. I have never owned one because it’s so expensive in my country.
Some form of left right power meter to help with physio/rehab
I’ve got the garmin fenix 3 but I want the garmin xt920 with the swimming HR belts!!!!!
I would use it towards a Tacx Neo
This is tuff — the credit would probably go into a Vivoactive and a trainer, or some other hardware for the bike.
I would love to get Garmin FR225 with optical HR sensor. Not having to put on a cold HR monitor every day would be soooo amazing.
Suunto Ambit 3 Peak because I’d like accurate elevation data.
I would love to own a Garmin Edge 520 bundle.
I currently own an Edge 500 and it is the best thing I have ever bought second hand. Seeing posts from people all over using other Garmin Edge products makes me feel like I am missing out on a lot. On Strava, when I see cadence results, heart-rate results, I am always like, “I would love to see results like that after a ride”. I want to own a new Garmin Edge 520 with all its accessories!
The Kenyan Fan in Kenya.
I’d put it towards getting myself a Wahoo Elemnt. I’ve wanted a GPS cyclocomputer for the longest time, and haven’t been riding with any metrics whatsoever for 1.5 years now. That includes that most basic of metrics, speed. Now that I have a bit more time to train, I’d like to make better use of my training time.
Garmin 520
Got flashy new bar tape and some ski goggles, but don’t know where I’m going or where I’ve been when I ride my bike.
Garmin forerunner 235. I need to get serious with my runs!
I’d love a fenix3 for my skiing sessions!
Garmin 520 would be nice to have on the bike.
The latest Suunto Ambit, because my old one is way too old.
I would really like to have a bike computer on my road bike (like a Garmin 520). Keep up the good work Ray!
would probably use the credit to get myself a Garmin Vector 2s because training and doing endurance (randoneur type) events with power is most probably a game changer
Garmin Fenix 3 for ski touring
i would go for Forerunner 630 to replace my old 210 that is worn out already. Most probably need some new trainers and compression socks for new year marathons :D
A few FR25s for my family so they don’t knick mine.
Would buy a Garmin fenix 3 watch.
Would use it towards a pair of PowerTap P1’s! Definitely could use a power meter :)
I would give myself a GoPro HERO4 as a present.
I’d get an Edge 1000 b/c of the big screen – my phone is not waterproof.
Garmin Edge 520 for my bike
I am looking to purchase the 4iiii power meter so I can learn to train with power and improve my performance. Happy New Years Everyone!
P1 pedals for my winter indoor bike training
A V650 cycling computer from Polar.
I’d like to upgrade my running watch to FR630.
I’d like a 4iiii’s Precision Power Meter for training
TomTom Cardio Multisport
A power meter that works – I was one of the suckers who backed Limits :(
Garmin Vector 2 Powermeter… have had my eye on them since last year already, but not made a decision due to the price.
The jury is still out: a Go Pro Hero 4 Silver for recording my adventures and analyzing swimming or a DC Rainmaker water bottle for impressing my friends.
Quarq ELSA R 110BCD Power Meter Crankset, so that I can move up to power based training.
I’d get a Fenix 3 – my old Garmin has just died!
I’d like to get the garmin edge 520 cause I don’t have a bike computer at all. Using the watch on the bike is not really convenient.
Something to load routes to navigate by. My tri clubs Saturday rides in the New Forest often become 6 hour marathons due to my poor sense of direction.
I’d like one of those Withings scales to help me monitor my weight to meet my goals
I had my heart set on the Fenix 3. Love to buy one but the budget didn’t stretch that far this Christmas…
Mostly likely a fenix3
Garmin 630… or a 520 ….
I’d like to get edge 520 for my bike ride next year! (Or fenix 3?)
I would like a fenix3 because it is nice and it does so many things as I am running, swimming, riding and skiing…
I would get a wifi scale, a model with weight only due to an acquired (supposed) incompatibility with bioimpedance analysis coming from an internal activity tracker that doesn’t transmit over Bluetooth nor ANT+, but whose battery lasts a hellofalot longer than a Fitbit. And I would use the rest of the credit on a long list of gadgets for girlfriend and friends
Garmin balance!
Garmin FR235 : there are 2 reasons, 1) I could change my FR225 to a version that is supported by Garmin and 2) I could give my old watch to my wife….
I would like the Garmin 920xt, after a period of injuries i just started training for triathlon again. so a new triathlon watch would be great!
I would get a Garmin FR920XT to go to the next level with my Tri training. I’ve just come out of recovery for a SLAP band tear that was surgically repaired, I’m really looking forward to getting back into the action in 2016 :)
Smidge x
I’d go for a power meter, 4iiii or power2max.
I’d get a forerunner watch, just to see it ticking.
Forerunner 235 would be a welcome addition
I’m always running with my phone and an old sigma for my heartrate. i’ve been thinking about getting a gps watch. The forerunner 230 looks like everything I need but my shoes need to be replaced so the budget just isn’t there. (studentlife :D)
Garmin Forerunner 920XT or Fenix 3. It should be way easier to track my rides on the MTB with this as compared to my current GPS which is the Oregon.
Santa gave me a Polar M400, now i want a foot pod !
A Garmin Fenix 3 because I can’t afford to buy one myself
I’d get a pedal based power meter so I can use it between bikes and therefore only buy one. Given my computer (Mio) can’t cope with dual power data it’d be a single pedal system. Sadlly (booooo) Powertap only do dual pedals (they are beauuutiful) so that leaves Garmin or BePro and I think the BePro is a better looking system (don’t like the pod things on Garmins).
So…BePro pedal power meter it is. Please!!!
i’d go for a forerunner 920xt tri !
Ufff… I would like to bring my cycling to a higher level. Thats why I would like to buy myself Garmin Edge 520 Combo :))).
Ray I wish you and your girl a Happy New year 2016. And thanks for all useful stuff that you posted in 2015.
Byee,
Miha
New 920xt to replace my old and soon to be retired 910xt
Fenix 3, for sure. Done quite a bit of hiking this past year and will do more in 2016.
I would like to get Garmin Fenix 3 or forunner 235
I have my fair share of gadgets so would be great to give my wife Grace a new Fenix 3 to replace her Vivofit. :-)
I would like to buy some new winter shoes and winter gear! But also some extra goodies for my Fenix 3!!
A Garmin 920xt since the accuracy of the GPS on my Fenix 3 really sucks.
I could get 50 race belts or maybe a 920xt.
Fenix 3. Combines ski-mode with descent looks.
The Fenix 3! I have been drooling over this watch since I’ve read your review.
A power meter or possibly a Polar V800.
Garmin Fenix3, because Garmin products keep on getting better.
I’d like to get the Garmin 920xt tri package, because my old Polar is broken. With the Garmin I want to start into a healthier 2016 :)
A nice multisport watch like the Fenix3 or the V800 for my girl!
Happy New Year!
I would love to put the $500 credit towards a new turbo trainer as I have now had enough of riding in the rain doing the Festive 500..
Would choose fr920xt or fenix3 . It would help me a lot since i am using my phone for running and have nothing for swimming or biking.
I’d like a Garmin FR235 to replace the 225 I bought, but I don’t want Garmin getting any more of my money after that debacle…
Garmin 920xt. My wife and I recently moved to Germany for work (also excellent for triathlon) this summer and just had a baby. I was FAR too scared to even ask for something that expensive. I’m a bit of a data geek, and this would get me swim stats (I don’t have a swim device) and let me combine functions for racing!
I would love to have the BSX Gen2 insight because i think it is a revolutionary product and i think it will be the key of succes in my future running training ( and hope Triathlon)
I would take a Garmin 630 because it has everything in the running world and you can still use it as a daily clock.
Probably the FR235. I’ve been looking for an activity tracker with OHRM to get some more meaningful data on my daily activities and workouts. Been eyeing the FR235 for a while, but it’s out of my price range for now.
It’s got to be a power meter. Fingers crossed!
I really want the Powertap P1 pedals since I currently only have a powermeter on my indoor trainer.
Garmin fenix 3; because I love the idea of using the same device for the all the different sport activities that I do.
I’d very much love to get one of Garmin’s xx5 series watches! I train/race by HR primarily so it’d be nice to not have to wear the “bra-strap” anymore.
Garmin Fenix …or the 4iiis Power meter …wil help me with my training…..my old polar is down