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 power meter for my tri-bike for improved TT pacing.
wahoo kicker to get in some winter training on zwift
A Garmin Edge 520 to make the most of quicker satellite acquisition (a pain when commuting with the 500) and Strava integration.
I would really like the Forerunner 630. Now with the extended battery time it is usable for shorter ultras as well. It would really be a good companion for my longer exercises.
I would buy a Garmin TRI-HRM to complete my FR 920XT.
I’d really like a new multi-sport watch to replace my aging 910xt, so I’d probably buy the 920xt
Tacx NEO – let’s see how quiet this really is.
Put it towards a dual sided power meter. Ruptured quads, need to know how much difference there is between L and R legs.
A Polar M450 as I want to move to bluetooth system and away from my Bryton 30.
A GoPro Silver edition – for the outdoors in the New Year
I would buy a Garmin Edge 1000 because my old Edge 500 definitley needs an upgrade including mapping and routing capabilities.
I’d get the Edge 520. It’s time for to treat myself!
I wanted one of the new Garmin watches and a Scosche HRM – so I can stop carrying my ipHone with me during workouts.
Fenix 3! Have a FR 220 and Edge 705, but looking for that one-wearable-to-rule-them-all.
Maybe towards a new trainer, so i can make full use of Zwift while this UK weather stays biblical. Better to be in the cave rather than cycling down a new river that was once a road!….or maybe towards some Powertap Pedals….too much bike stuff needed!
Garmin 235 to ditch the chest strap.
A Garmin 235 or a Vivosmart HR + 230 combo depending how good the hr sensor is .
I’d choose Fenix 3, because I’m tired of running with my Edge 510
I’d love a new Fenix 3. The days of running with my iPhone in an armband need to end.
I would like Garmin Fenix 3, the best multi-sport watch in the market at this moment.
Garmin Fenix 3 for ski touring. Finger X
a power meter would be nice. for better bike ride ☺️
a fenix3 to retire the 310xt with something more elegant
Polar V800! My M400 dies before I do out on the run…
I would love to go for the Suunto Ambit3 Peak Black
FR920XT w/HR monitor to help kick me into gear.
it’s time for a new trainer!
A Concept2 Rower or a Ski Erg! Nothing gets more intense than these things.
I’d look to purchase the Garmin Varia Radar. Can never have enough safety equipment to help protect cyclists from drivers suffering road rage!
I would get a new watch for running (likely Garmin FR630) and an activity monitor (hmm, perhaps Fitbit Surge).
Happy New Year everyone!
who knows what I would buy. probably just a spur of the moment “click, and its added to my shopping cart” when I see it :)
I wanted a HRM but get a pair of gloves. :-(
I would get an interactive trainer. I have been window shopping for months! I signed up for my first full ironman, IMLOU but I live in super flat South Florida! I need some help with the hills!!!!
Fenix 3 – Santa must have lost my letter … :-)
Garmin Fenix 3, because my Garmin Forerunner 310XT starts to look outdated, and I live in the mountains (altimeter).
Cheers and happy New Year!
GoPro Hero 4 to start documenting my crazy life and adventures!
Fenix3: I have the Fenix2, but it continues to have issues that are hard to overlook.
Hi ray
Happy new year to all!
As I already have to Ambit3, so I would love to get the Mio LINK – for a day by day tracking, some good socks and the FitBall Body Therapy Ball – because we all need to recover.
Cheers,
Itamar
I would like a Garmin Index. I am slowly loosing the excess baggage and want to see the differences in body make up as I lose it. A few other things are of interest but it is hard to prioritise.
Garmin 520!
I would get a trainer form my bike and probably a vivoactive.
Garmin edge 1000 to tell me in immense detail just how much work I have got to do.
A Garmin 920 would be great, because my wife is getting in the triathlon crazyness and I want her to have my used (in mint condition) Garmin 910…
This gift would go to my fiancé who lost her run watch.
I know she’d appreciate it
I would love to win so I can help fund my Wahoo Kickr piggy bank.
Definitely a trainer! As a college student money for a trainer can be hard to come by.
I recently bought the Garmin Vivosmart HR but if I had the chance (and cash) then I would upgrade to the Forerunner 235 or go the whole way for 630, mainly to track my small runs and longer hikes. Would be a great help for my 2016 training for long hikes/walks (considering some Ultra walks).
Garmin Forerunner 920XT Multisport Fitness Watch!!! because my training has improved beyond my Tomtom which I also got from Clever Training!! Hats off to an awesome year! Its MINE! ;-)
I would go for the Garmin Forerunner 235, to help me train for my first half marathon and to use as a HR montior when i cycle with my Garmin 810.
I’d get a 920xt fot the convenience: One device ro rule them all!
I didn’t get a new trainer, mine is rigged currently with a steel pipe!
I would get me a Garmin Fenix 3 tri bundle to kick of the Best season ever ?
I definitely need Running Apparel. It´s getting cold here, and I only have one running outfit for cold weather use.
I’ll get a garmin 630. I have an old running watch and i’d really like to upgrade.
Cheers
I love the idea of these giveaways, might be nice to win one too. I’d get a power meter or a smart trainer
I would go with a Garmin 520xt. I always wanted a bike specific computer to make triathlon training and racing more convenient. it gets annoying to check my wrist every few minutes!
The Feinx 3 is calling my name. My old MotoACTV finally bit the dust. It was a great watch even though the battery life wasn’t the best and it wasn’t water proof. The only thing I see that would up my watch game and give me a greater level of awesomeness and more metric tracking insanity is that Fenix 3. I want it. It will be mine. Oh yes; it will be mine.
I’m really hoping for a new GPS watch announced at CES that combines the ruggedness, battery life, waterproofing of a Fenix 3 with music and audio feedback like most smartphone apps. Adidas and Motoactv were so close. Hopefully we’ll see how the Moto 360 Sport turns out soon.
D2 Bravo…getting my pilot license in 2016 :D
Suunto Ambit3 Peak Black. First i started running. Then i found myself, that running in forest is much funner, that on road. And then I added hills. I hate hills. I love hills. Like a carousel just on your feets.
And i want to archive new records in distance. Vertical distance!
I want a new Garmin watch to start training for my first 70.3 this year!
4iiii power meter please! would be nice to train based on power as opposed to heart rate&speed….. definitely now it’s windy all the time here in the Netherlands…
I would get another Garmin….:)
I would buy the new Garmin Forerunner 235 :-)
I’d get the new Suunto Ambit 3S. I’ve been a ultrarunner for a long time relying on a Forerunner 410 that’s slowly losing it’s capability and connectivity. Now I’ve made the jump into triathlons and will be racing to support the Cancer Research Institute this year. A robust multisport watch would be very helpful in tracking my training this year.
I’d go for a Garmin 520.
Got my eye on a Tacx smart trainer, probably the Vortex given the excellent review!
I would buy the Forerunner 630 or 235. As a high school coach I would use it to help my team.
An edge 1000…… just not to get lost anymore
A new set of rollers! Mine are over 30 years old…
I would love a Stages power meter…need to prep for a half iron in the fall!
I would buy Garmin 520 bundle, this would be great addition to my road bike.
Garmin HRM-Tri and Swim Accessory Bundle (heart rate monitors)… I’ve been inspired by all of the features of the new Fenix3 watch and I’d like to see heart rate performance when swimming laps and my first triathlon. :)
Either a Fenix 3 or a power meter. Really need a power meter but really want the Fenix 3. I’ve had the 2 for a couple of years now and it has worked great but is getting close to upgrade time.
Decisions, decisions…I would probably commit to a 920XT, but a Fenix 3 would be more useful…a connected trainer…
I want the P1 pedals. I need a power meter
I’d love to win the Garmin 235 to replace the wife’s inherited Garmin 310xt she’s currently using.
I could also go for the Garmin scale since my fitbit aria decided to give up the ghost…
I’d probably get a trainer…Michigan winters. Happy New Year, cheers!
Garmin Edge 520 – to replace my old beaten Garmin Edge 500.
An Edge 520 or one of the cheaper power meters. Either would be nice.
I’d like to get the BSX insight gen 2
I would probably buy a new set of carbon fiber 50mm wheels as I am still using the bontrager wheels that came with my bike 7 years ago.
Both Edge 520 and FR 235 – this will make for an awesome 2016.
Garmin 810 or Garmin 520
I wanted to get a real cycling device (using fenix1 now), that I started to love cycling instead of running.
Happy holidays
A GoPro since it didn’t show up under the Xmas tree!
I think I’d get on of the new running watches from Garmin. I’ve been using a FR220 but the addition of cycling to the new 230 is tempting. Not tempting enough to spend my own money, but if Ray’s paying….
Garmin FR630 because I am kind of geeky and my 305 is getting a little old
A power meter.
Garmin fenix 3, because I’d like to track my activities and location and on really interesting days in the mountains, my phone can’t be trusted to leave the safety of a Pelican case.
Powertap C1 52-36 chain ring set to replace my heavily used SL 2.4 hub!!
Please enter me in the “The Didn’t Get What You Wanted $500 Gadget Giveaway”. If i win, I will get the 4iiii Precision Power Meter b/c I want to utilize power metrics and I begin my 2016 training.
Thank you,
Dwayne Hellard
A garmin fenix3 as my friend has one and am very jealous!
let s try to get the garmin fenix 3!!!
The Garmin 630….need all that running dynamics data!
A Fenix 3 because it has a lot functionality.
Fenix 3. Based on the reviews is the next great thing for my Ironman 2016 campaign.
Hi Ray,
it would be awesome to win a Garmin 920XT Gray Tri-bundle.
Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Richard
Polar A360 would be a good 24/7 toy for me.
Garmin 810 for our new bike escapades.