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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 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.
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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 2024 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.
7 reviews – – who’s got ideas?
FR945
FR245
FR45
……..?
3 already done last tuesday…..so the 3 watches you suggest + AN Other :)
Wahoo Roam is one of them I’d imagine. Wahoo Rival is still MIA and seemingly given up on at this point. A Suunto 5 which is replacing the Spartan Trainer.
And the 3 Garmin watches you mentioned.
The question is whether Ray considers the sensors to be an in depth device review. I’m going to guess at 530, 830, 945, 45, Roam, 5 plus one other but I’m definitely not confident on that other. There is evidence for a 245 but I just don’t see the point in such a device, in the same way as a new 7xx seems pointless at this stage.
Looking forward to seeing the reviews and announcements though.
As of November Wahoo’s was still saying they’d enter the tri watch market soon; though agree with ur conclusion.
I would think that Nor West money is better deployed to KICKR quality and customer support at this point.
Give me a calibration-less ala Tacx that works.
There’s a great big 235 sized hole in the line up right now and a 245 would be very welcome. The Vivoactive 3 doesn’t fill that gap, I know because I bought one to replace my 235. The touchscreen is great when I’m sitting at my desk but is horrible while running.
The 645 is a much better running watch than the VA 3 but is more expensive and has a lot of features that your existing 235 user isn’t going to use and isn’t willing to pay for.
I agree though that there will probably never be an update to the 735. Which of course means that one will be announced tomorrow. ;)
I can’t see Wahoo launching the same day as Garmin (assuming one of them does do a watch launch tomorrow!))
@RTellis I hadn’t considered the lack of buttons, that clears it up a bit for me. I’m not sure what they’d leave out of the 645 to make it cheaper though – pretty much everything in there is standard these days.
Fenix 5 plus is on sale in USA. Maybe Fenix 6 is coming?
Ray,
The whole sports tech community appreciates the time you put into your reviews. There are others out there, but you are the gold standard.
I try to support you when ever I can.
Thanks
Is that you Ray using a different surname?
Sneaky ;)
Haha
Totally agree with this
Gold standard and massively appreciated
Thanks
Suggestion for a second in reviews. While it would only be applicable for things with moving parts it would give very valuable information – cost to repair.
Example Powertap P1s. Bearing repair has to be done by Powertap and costs €250
Favero Assimos – €80 and you can do it yourself.
Would influence sales a good bit and maybe make manufacturers think more.
Yeah, it’s tricky – mostly because in most cases companies don’t disclose that. :-/
No prizes for predicting what the reviews will be covering!! But 7 – that more than have leaked so far. Going to be lots of reading and commenting done this week I predict! :)
how looks the structured workout in Garmin Connect Phone App, i couldn’t see the details, they are completly missing, only in the Connect Web i can see for aexample my target pace for running?
cheers
fl33tStA
Post-workout I don’t see anything in GC that aligns what I was supposed to do, to what I did. But in GC I can see under Training the specifics of what I created. Is that what you’re asking?
didn’t know if we mean the same, but got confirmation, that Garmin will fix it true next GCM update :D
Many thanks for the Amsterdam insider tips! We visited the city two weeks ago when picking up a new bike (N+1, you know), did the Ronde Hoep and finished the day with some crazy pancake action at Meerzicht Farm.
Please keep these great inspirations coming, so I can convince my wife of more trips to the Netherlands!
Awesome – that’s perfect!!! We’re at both locales often.
Happy to keep the Amsterdam goodness drip feed alive!
Your automated slider looks cool. I guessed you got one of these when I saw the intro of one of the Garmin Edge 530 video review. Very nice! Did you watch the MKBHB gear tour? link to youtube.com
Indeed, his gear tour is amazing. So much gear there I want (but the ‘Accountant’ overrides). But there’s also lots of elements of things that he and I do somewhat similiar. Him with $75,000 cameras and me with $1,500 cameras.
I’ve had the slider a long time (maybe 6-7 years ago from a Kickstarter), but rarely used it as it was frankly a pain in the butt. With their Gen2 products they’ve released an app and such, and once I bought some of the smaller units to pair to my main Syrp, it could leverage those. And then finally more recently their firmware updates have made it super easy to use. Previously it would take me 10-30 minutes to get a shot fully setup, before I pressed record for 15-20 seconds. Now I’m down to about 60-90 seconds for full shot setup.
Hi Ray,
I have seen your activities, so a few related questions:
How it is possible, that your running pace on track is slower than urban or any other trail/track pace?
BB posted a comment, that she was chasing you, but usually, lightweight girls are running faster than tall guys. So where is the truth?
I like that Urban Arrow cargo/children bike. The one on your post is own or rented?
Thx
I presume you’re looking at Strava? The challenge with that is that Strava will summarize my pace, so it isn’t showing my actual intervals. I was doing faster work on the track than on the trail.
Generally speaking, the height and weight of athletic doesn’t have much to do with their top speed on the track.
In the case of the Urban Arrow – we rent it.
Hey Ray,
I’m sure that you’re busy finishing reviews.
Would it be possible for you to post a timeline for when embargoes will be lifted? Without revealing any product info, of course.
Hi Ray,
Simple question – I’m interested on what type of headphones you were wearing on the structured run?
Thanks!
It’s a 1st gen PowerBeats headphone (like 5+ years old). Works great though. Here’s the current version: link to amzn.to
I also some some Gen2 versions too for about half that price.
No cow or bunny photos??!
That oeverlanden sign is on my usual running route, and if you had read the small sign below it, it is not only the big cows you have to dodge, although the other wildlife is pretty friendly as long as don’t go into the bushes on the right side of the running path.
Wondering when you will issue your review of the Garmin Marq Athlete watch. Garmin says they will begin shipping in 7-10 days on their web site. Would like to see how you compare the HR monitor on that watch to the Fenix 5x Plus which is not great at all. Also want your take on whether it is a significant upgrade from the Fenix 5x Plus in features. Thanks much as I love your site, YouTube videos and your Podcasts with the LLama.
Great Writings.
Have you ever looked int the WHOOP Recover Monitor?
keep up the Great WorK – Awesome
T MO
I think it’s Fenix 6
How did the Garmin navigation handle the cyclocross both pre and post running out of tarmac?
Hi Ray,
Seeing you riding in the sunshine reminded me of when you mentioned the potential DCR Summer Open House / Ride / BBQ / getting drunk in Vondelpark. Is this still a possibility?
Cheers.
…no… is that guy on the back really doing what I think he’s doing? haha! Nicest shot of the day ;-)
Yes he is, but he is a statue so that is all he does all day.
Ray, I see you mention the D500 and its focus. I don’t know how many DX lenses you have, but I recommend you look at the Nikon Z6 for video; compared to all Nikon DSLRs that I’ve used, this one actually does _very good_ video. And it’s still a Nikon, so transition should be rather trivial (modulo the lens question, of course).
Yeah, I’m super tempted by the Z6, especially with the upcoming ATOMOS support for ProRes RAW.
My only hesitation though is I really want 4K/60, as it gives me way more slowing down options than the 4K/30 I (or the Z6/Z7) have today. :-/
Hmm, a quick internet search says that right now, in full-frame, only the Panasonic S1(R) cameras have 4K/60fps. Have no idea how well that system (lenses, etc.) works. Seems that 4k/60 is much more easily available in smaller sensors.
All I’m saying, a Z6 is reasonably priced (especially with the very recent drops in price), and compared with a D500 it feels years ahead in video. I mean, focus actually works :)
Ray I’m curious if this routeplanner makes the same mistake that made the 2 of you having to push your bike: link to en.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl
It’s made by the Fietsersbond (cyclists’ union). You should become donor (is that the word?), they are important as the voice of all cyclists… advising authorities, signalling shortcomings etc. They were instrumental in changing the plan to close the Rijksmuseum underpass for bikes.