Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
Looks like nicer weather than Paris right now.
Looks great Ray.
Spotted the orange DCR branded float. Are they available to buy?
Have you ever thought about some DCR branded clothing? I would happily cycle round in a DCR jersey.
Maybe start with a DCR jersey in Zwift if that’s possible.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Phil
Doh! Meant to link to it. Someday I’ll learn…fixed.
Here’s the post on it: link to dcrainmaker.com
And here’s the direct link to purchase: link to clevertraining.com
Plus, you can save another $4 (10%) if you use the DCR Coupon Code (DCR10BTF). Also worth nothing if you want to avoid shipping costs, you can basically spend another $10 (to get you $49, the free shipping threshold), like a pair of socks or something.
Oops, and for DCR branded clothing stuff – yeah, it’s been on my to-do list for years. I keep meaning to try something like 99 Designs or similar (I’ve had a tab open on my browser – still – since later summer on that one), to come up with some good designs.
What about a Zwift jersey? Looks like it’s possible via promo codes.
I’ve just started on Zwift and would like to show allegiance to something via a jersey rather than the generic ones.
DCR jersey would be perfect.
Yeah, they’ve offered in the past to create a jersey of sorts. Though, at present I don’t even have a jersey design to digitize, so I suppose that’s part of it.
My only hesitancy previously was I didn’t want folks thinking I was more lenient towards Zwift, if they had a jersey for me (versus other platforms like TrainerRoad/Kinomap/Rouvy/etc…). But maybe that’s just me over-thinking it.
Is the DCR SaferSwimmer comming to CT Europe at some point? After having shared one with my wife last year, I’d want my own for the upcoming open water season.
Of course a DCR branded one would make my GPS logs 10% more accurate by default!
Hey Ray ,
We met a while back in my time at Cycliq with Andrew and kingsley :)
Long story short I now look after the operations at Pedal Mafia (based out of Subiaco / 15- 20 mins from Fremantle) and I would love to have you in store and talk about the possibility of a DCR custom cycling kit .
Hope to talk more soon.
Thanks
Anthony
I hope the cave is safe from all the water in Paris right now.
So far so good. It stopped just short of the water line from two years ago, which we were safe in then. So best we can tell we’re all good this time too.
Yum, that’s some good looking ramen!
” I kinda like behind this far ahead of the time zone game.” I think you meant beeing :)
Thanks for sharing,I enjoy these weekend posts.
I think you meant being ;)
Hey Ray – welcome to Perth!
There are heaps of cycle paths and great running routes – whether it be around the river, along the beaches or even Kings Park for you to test out. Just don’t forget the sunscreen :)
Awesome Strava link, impressive
Yes, E Shed markets are on the whole, not awesome… BUT it is also home to Kazoomies which is a cafe that served really delicious Israeli/middle eastern food and is a bit more kid friendly than the main Freo markets because it has tables and more space. Kazoomies is on the veranda, opposite the Rottnest Ferry (so towards the maritime museum).
Another kid- friendly spot is Stickybeaks in Kings Park. The toddler play area is well shaded & kings park is a great spot for a run or a ride. Best mid-week to avoid big crowds. My local go-to spot on a hot day is the Perth Zoo. There is a small water play area, lots of shade and you can walk through the kangaroo enclosure.
Oh and the Fringe Festival is on now – maybe Peanut might be amused by the Mermaids?
This is the first I’ve seen of the Coros watch, pretty neat. Can you tell us if it will connect to a running power meter, like Stryd?
Since it’s multisport, I’m assuming it will at least connect to a cycling power meter.
Thanks Ray.
It’s set to connect to various sensors, including at least power meters, cadence, HR, and speed sensors. At present, the current firmware doesn’t do any of that (not set to release till March or so). I’ll have to get clarification though on the running power meter piece.
Hey Ray,
Haven’t seen it noted anywhere — what is the GPS battery life on Coros Pace? They specifically DON’T mention it on their site (but mention the charging time) — so it’s either been poor during their beta testing and they’re hoping to improve it before announcing it… or it really is just not that competitive and they are waiting for good press first.
Also, how has it been working day to day? Accurate? Easy to use?
I saw somewhere that battery would last 30 hours in GPS mode. But now I can’t find that on their site anymore.
Found it, here you go:
link to coros.com
Awesome, thanks! Strange that their official specs page says the battery size in mAh — and total time to charge.. but doesn’t mention the 30 hours.
I wonder if that’s with any reduced polling frequency?
Doesn’t really say.
Sounds like Ray will have a “first look” or “hands on” post coming pretty soon, I’m sure he will address it then.
Anyone have a clue if Coros Pace will do 24/7 HR, or only in activity?
Eagerly awaiting a DCR first look post.
Yes, does 24×7 HR as well.
As for battery life, it’s a bit tough to tell at this point, and I don’t usually test battery life to the very end. Mostly because most companies don’t optimize battery life type gains until just before release (is what it is).
Hi, any ideas when you will be posting more pieces of information regarding the coros?
I am eager to know :)
Great escape from winter! Here in Kentucky we are expecting 16 inches of snow next week. You are officially a “snowbird”…
Did you test the new Scosche in open water? Is it made for open water and pool water (for hr), or just pool?
I’m definitely looking forward to your review on that. Seems like a great potential jack of all.
Also can it act as a running footpod for Zwift? Like can it do speed, or just cadence?
Thanks again Ray, keep up the awesome work and awesome pictures!
I didn’t test the Scosche in open water yet. It’s made for any water, so it doesn’t much matter there.
It can indeed act like a running footpod for Zwift, though I haven’t tried pairing it to Zwift yet. Might do so soon though for an unrelated post.
Wow. That’s one hell of a feature-set… especially if all of that works well. Hell, at this point even if a few things don’t it’s STILL a hell of a feature set… I hope they all do work fairly well though!
Hey Ray. Good to see you’re back in Perth.
Come and check out Sorrento beach. You can run and ride along the coast and the beach has an enclosure to swim in.
Also Fremantle only has 2 “e’s”, not 3 as you’d typed above.
Enjoy the rest of your trip down under.
Adding to the Sorrento recommendation: this Friday night there is an aquathlon event. 600m open water swim, followed by a 4km run.
Always great fun and learning experience to swim with a bit of swell as the sea breeze is usually in. Surf Life Saving is always in the water to keep everyone safe.
Registrations at 5.30pm, race at 6pm. Could combine with a hang out with the family at Hillarys Boat Harbour in the afternoon.
See: link to facebook.com
Cheers!
Ray, Have a great vacation with your family! I highly recommend learning kitesurfing. I definitely recommend that you start out by taking lessons. Buy nothing. Any decent shop worldwide will rent you all the equipment you need and it’s way better to learn on a shops kite than crash a brand new $1500 kite repeatedly. Even if you are able to get out for an afternoon while you are in Australia, you will have fun. Depending on progress, you will probably be able to kite self sufficiently after 5 lessons(10-15 hours. Let me know if you want more information. BTW, I occasionally use my Fenix 5 track sessions but there are several dedicated kitesurf tech devices to measure jumps, etc. would love some dcrainmaker kite tech reviews.
Favorite of the instagram photos is the one with The Girl and the horizon in the background. You guys look like you had good lighting. What camera was used?
An iPhone X in portrait mode using the self-facing camera. Not too shabby!
Glad to see you are loving our summer but seriously, I would not swim in that water!! Lol.
I just read this in my cold house with 29F temperatures outside, meaning Australia looks like paradise right now and I am very jealous! Hope you enjoy it!
Hi Ray
I live near where you are staying in North Coogee.
If you head North and take Robb Road, the old power station is on your left, turn left at the end of the road, you will come out at C Y O’Connor Beach (local dog beach – kids and dogs love it).
From there you will see a path that you can walk/run all the way into Freo. From my place to South Beach at South Freo and back is about 10kms and to Little Creatures and back 12km.
On Saturday nights, there is a bunch of food trucks down at South Beach – good food and pretty casual fun.
Enjoy your time in Perth (the weathers been pretty cold this year but can’t complain)
Cheers
Rob