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.
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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.
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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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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.
Hi Ray!
I would get a Garmin 5X… with some extra money of course!!
I would be upgrading my old watch to a Garmin Fenix 5… woohoo!
Garmin 520 to accurately track my performances
Garmin 935 for triathlons!
I’d go with Assioma Pedal Based Cycling Power Meter…
Stages Ultegra power meter to be able to measure power to train more effectively.
I’d love to get some pedal based power meters
Time to upgrade the old Vivoactive HR to something newer and more better-er!
Garmin Vector pedals to improve my training :)
I’d buy a Garmin 935 to replace my older watch, which is dying
Fenix 3 or 5, tough because it’s all good. The old 310 xt is showing some signs of age and doesn’t look that hot in day to day life.
random pair of socks sounds great
Forerunner 645 (non-music) please : )
Garmin 735xt tri bundle or a single-sided power meter, because I doubt I could convince my wife to let me get either otherwise.
I’d choose a stages power meter to take my training with power outside this summer after a winter on the smart trainer
Fitbit Ionic for the win.
To keep using my bike this winter, I’d love a Kickr Snap
Definitely a Tacx Neo!
Definitely would love to subsidize the Garmin Vector 3 pedals with this!
Would love a new trainer!
Wahoo KICKR!
oh its got to be the garmin watch!!
Garmin Vector power meter
Tacx neo please :)
Garmin 935 because why not
A carbon Stages power meter for SRAM BB30, since i need power and it will go with what I have.
Yes! Garmin Vector 3 please! Same reason as everyone else – a measuring stick for progress!
I would get a Garmin 645. I do need an upgrade.
I would use the suunto-spartan-ultra to test myself during my running backwards and forewords after my 9 year old getting fit and healthy ??
I wanna get myself a Fenix 5, this should cover a big part!
I’d love to get a new garmin FR. I’ve been running with the 610 for 3 years now, It’s still going strong even though I have to fiddle with the adapter to get it charging again.
Garmin fenix Sapphire….my heart beats not for my iwatch but for a Garmin
Looking for a power meter or a bike-GPS….
Garmin 935 or Fenix 5x Can’t make up my mind to replace my Fenix 3 non HR. Would enjoy wrist based HR for simple things like walks and easy rides with the family.
Garmin Edge (although undecided on exact model).
I would love a garmin Fenix 5 or Suunto Spartan Wrist Hr to help me build on my two stone weight loss. Still got 4 more stone to go. Want to build back my health through running and cycling.
I’d go with power meter because I’m missing one :D
Garmin Felix 5s. Sprint triathlon, & Spartan races. Or Forerunner music.
I want the Garmin 645 music, cause I hate working out with my phone.
I would get a smart interactive bike trainer! After riding indoors to youtube videos I think it is time to take the plunge into zwift!
I’d like a Garmin 645 please!
I would like to buy Garmin Forerunner 935 because according to your reviews is more accurate than Fenix 5 not to mention ant connectivity issues!
A new watch to replace my dead fenix 2.
I would get the polar m430 running watch, fantastic review on that product and the no frills style is perfect for me.
Also some CEP Men’s Progressive+ Outdoor Merino Socks for keeping my feet warm in this chilly alaskan weather
I’d like to get Favero Assioma UNO as it’s planned to be my first power meter.
Maybe an indoor trainer so I don’t have the excuse of not wanting to go out in the rain.
I’d love a new head unit to replace my lezyne which is rubbish.
Was thinking about getting a trainer to avoid the rain but still get a workout.
Garmin 935 would be beast! I currently use a Suunto Ambit 3 vertical primarily for running. My major issue is that my wireless headphones conflict with my watches heart rate monitor, both chest and my now defunct schoche. So I figured I would give something with a different heart rate setup a try.
I’d love to get a new Garmin watch, such as the Forerunner 935, after having used the 310XT for many years now.
I would have to read up on the latest Garmin watch, but I would probably try that one on for size (I currently have a Polar M400 that’s getting a little long in the tooth).
Ultegra pedals. Using MTB pedals on my first road bike.
Probably a Gopro Hero 6 or a new bike trainer for these chilly months
The GoPro6! Cheers!
I’d get a running power meter and some updated running gear. Or maybe a bike computer.
Gopro Hero 6 to go with the Hero 6 my wife got and wont share…
A Garmin 935 or Fenix 5s. It’s be good to upgrade to a watch with a barometric altimeter!
A fr935 to replace my half-broken 910xt!
Garmin Vector 3. I need a power meter on my bike.
The garmin vector 3 power meter so that I can train to power.
I would get a garmin edge because I don’t have a good cycling computer and some other odds and ends.
New bike computer?
Vector 3’s! No more pods.
Garmin Vector 3 because I like the form faclor.
I need a new activity tracking watch – my current one is on “life support”
Fenix 5 because 8 could use a good tri watch.
A shiny new Sunnto Spartan :) My kids broke my last watch :(
Garmin 935
Vector 3, for sure…
I’d love a new Bluetooth hr monitor
go pro, because I’ve never had one :)
Id get the Fenix 5s for the wife as she needs a new hiking watch
New Garmin Fenix would be great. Old one is starting to fade.
Thanks.
I’d get myself a power meter or a GPS computer
I think I’d go with a Garmin Fenix. That watch looks So nice
I’d really like one of the new GoPro 360 cameras. Or a Hero 6. Or a Garmin 935.
I would love the Garmin Vectors so that I can test the accuracy of the Peloton power algorithm
Garmin Vector 3 for me because they did away with the pods.
Fenix 5
What: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Why: Retired from the military 2 years ago. Just walked my son (HS senior) across the football field and someone took a picture. Realized how much I let myself go. Can’t run anymore, but this is a way to get back in the game!
A new watch! or a wetsuit! or both!!
Garmin Watch… track it or it didn’t happen no matter how sweaty I look.
GoPro Hero6 for my best friend & tri training partner to use with his drone!
Need a proper watch – garmin 935 should do the job after gimping along trying make the AW2 work
Power pedals!
A power meter of any kind. Love the Garmin vector set up. Just bought a used smart trainer so now saving up for garmin pedals to kill it this year!
I’d probably go with some kind of trainer to upgrade my old one and hopefully add a little spark to the MN winter doldrums training.
Vector 3. Love the blog Ray!
Probably a 935 – I’m on the original Fenix 3 and it’s taken a beating. I’d also like to see how the newer Firstbeat tech works out.
Probably a new Garmin Fenix. Why? Because I can!
Definitely a Elite Direto Trainer. Need to start getting on the bike more
Garmin Vector 3. Because apparently if I move my skinny pale legs “Watts” will come out of my feet.
I would get the élite arion smart rollers ! Why ? People on my group rides keep telling me I don’t ride straight ! Plus I love zwift :)
Pedal power meter.
I would love to get my hands on the Suunto Spartan Ultra. My Garmin Fenix 3 broke 3 months ago and I haven’t been able to replace it.
I’m always a fan of the Fenix 5. Gotta love the crisp display and switching the band makes it perfect for work and training!
I would go with the Suunto, I used to run with one and the HR strap but have been using the Apple Watch fo the past year or so.
Garmin 935 to replace my 910xt. That would give me there does I need ;)
I’d get a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. Ive been using a Garmin Forerunner 735 and I’m ready for a bike computer. After getting a Kickr this winter I’ve fallen in love with everything Wahoo is doing!
Definitely would get Vector 3 pedals – or maybe a Kickr! who knows.