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…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
-
5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Hey! Just wanted to thank you so much for all the work you’ve put into your reviews – they’re all so informative and I’ve benefited a lot from them!
Also wondering if there’ll be a Garmin FR35 review?
I’d venture a guess that he was wearing it when he wrote this post or on his latest run, and it should be out soon
Hey Jeff! I’m hoping as much too, especially since he used it against the Fitbit Charge 2
Yup, it’ll be my next In-Depth Review released, sometime this week.
Thanks for the update! FYI … the Vivoactive jr discount is not registering on CT? It’s still listed at $79.
Weird. Though, just wait till Friday. It drops in price further to $49.
(Part of my updates I’ll be adding in today when I land)
Thank you for the clarification on the TrainingPeaks Workout Builder.
What is the point if it does not transfer to indoor trainer? Doesn’t that just mean I have to build the workout twice?
“However, it doesn’t appear to let you transfer these workouts to devices such as your Garmin unit.”
Coming soon according to TrainingPeaks comments on Facebook
Sweet!
I have a Apple Watch Series 2 as well, and it will not map with GPS if I am using my Garmin Edge 820. It will log a workout with HR and time data, but no speed or route data(map). If I use the 820 without pairing to my iPhone 7, (no LiveTrack) and upload after my ride, the Apple Watch works fine and logs everything just fine. Is this a Bluetooth issue??
Dang it, meant to put in the 5 random things blog. Sorry!!!!
Regarding the TP workout builder:
This would be the perfect opportunity for Wahoo to implement structured workouts into the Elemnt,considering their history of 3rd party collaboration.
Btw:the new routing features of the Elemnt are great!i’m curious what you think of them…
Enjoy your time in zurich, the second-best city in Schweizerland. In case you want to have some good schweizer croissants, the best place to go to is called “Gnädinger” and located at “Schaffhauserplatz”.Feel free to give me a note in case you’d be so close to my home :)
Will Amazon Italy deliver the cars with drones?? :-P
Any chance you will be reviewing the Whoop Band or Lifetrak Zoom HRV? They both offering continuous HRV monitoring. I have not been able to find reviews for either product.
i think scam or fraud company because (by the moment and after one week) they only know collect from credit card when you place the order. They dont answer any email or tweeks about order or any info.
I may try out the Whoop. Seen a growing number of requests in the last few weeks.
ZOOM HRV is no scam. Lifetrak developed it and those guys have been design HR longer than anyone. Continuous HR and HRV off the wrist, HR and cadence from the ankle and HR underwater. I have one and had no issues buying or from customer service……
The ZOOM work’s great for me at 60% less than the price of WHOOP. The HR is spot on! The HRV reading is very help for rest and recovery insights
I’m interested to hear more about your experience with the Zoom HRV. Especially the accuracy of the HR readings in and out of the pool. Mainly pool swimming , biking, walking and runnning
I’d appreciate a Whoop review.
I’m interested in the whoop and the lifetrak reviews as well. I’m getting older, and the Army life is starting to take a toll. Adding in biking to my running and I’ve become zombie like! I’m hoping to see something on the puulse (fitpal) as I was very interested in the ampstrip before they sent our money back. Did the buyer ever get revealed on them?
I’ve also been interested in the WHOOP now that the 2.0 version is out.
8 days ago I contacted them with a presales question from their web site. Still haven’t heard ANYTHING from them. If that’s there idea of customer service I’d be concerned. I’m super curious about this device, but super skeptical too …
I’d also be interested in a Whoop and Lifetrak review.
Also would like to see a Whoop review
Another person here who would appreciate a WHOOP in-depth.
Yup. I bought one in late July, and it was set to ship out around now-ish (they’re a bit backordered). Because of the type of device requires a much longer review cycle (to assess recovery/etc…), I’d imagine the soonest a review would be out would be late-Sept or early Oct.
Add my name to the list… although I already ordered a Whoop sans DCR review…
Nothing against the lady who has done every Ironman brand race worldwide, because that is a real achievement – but an even larger achievement is that of Susan Haag of Jacksonville, FL. Earlier this month at Ironman Florida, Susan finished her 100th iron distance race (a world record, BTW).
See an article here (link to jacksonville.com) though any Google search will find a bunch more.
That takes bad-ass to the next level!
The woman, Elizabeth Model, who has done every Ironman is married to the guy who has done more Ironmans then anyone, John Wragg, now over 200. She also has run over 75 marathons. Amazing stuff.
What? No more podcast?
So Ben really couldn’t be bothered…for months.
Ray, Thanks for all your work on reviewing products. I can’t imagine how you get it all accomplished.
Any chance you will be looking at the Whoop HRV system? link to whoop.com
They have a new pricing scheme that looks attractive. I’ve never had a coach and this looks like it might provide some guidance to hit the “sweet spot” in training volume and intensity.