Heads up – Big Garmin sales are out!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off, the Forerunner 965 is $150, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, and a ton of other Garmin gear has substantial discounts! 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 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.
After your critic garmin comment this week, I am not so sure anymore. I would go for a forerunner 945 without bugs with a scratch signature from dcrainmaker on the bottom and sensor free surfaces…
I would get a Fenix 5 plus for running, hiking, sailing and biking. cheers
I would probably look for Garmin Vector 3 or similar for my bike.
Or a drone… could be so much fun!
Well, I’d go for a FR945, would suit with my Edge 830!
I would get a new GoPro to film my summer adventures.
I would love to try out the Vector 3 for my second bike. I also worry that my PowerTap P1 will fall apart soonish.
I’m ready for a tacx smart trainer and get some winter Ironman training done for a spring 2020 race! Let’s do this – and thanks Ray!
This would really put a dent in my “running gear I want to buy list”: Including a new pair of headphones, a new hydration system. And also, In my (seemingly everlasting) quest to find a good pair of running shoes this would allow me to try out newer models, specifically the Torin 4.0.
I would love 500$ in strawberry shortcake… ;-)
My dad would like to get a… lawn mower but I’m a dad also and for me a cycling power meter is a nicer thing ;)
Some sort of drone for some aerial video fun!
I’d love to have the power meter pedals, so I could pace myself instead of of going over the edge on the bike and blowing up on the run.
FR945, cause my FR915xt wants to retire. :)
A Mavic Air, I can’t justify one ordinarily but I want one nonetheless
New Garmin. I’m still rocking a 910xt!
I’m due a power meter replacement for the old Vectors, ..Vector 3 maybe.
Hi,
Would love to get me some Favera assioma goodies as this will boost my training!
Thanks!
I’d get the vectors or some other sort of power meter for my bike . Time for watt based training
I’d get some assioma pedals to go with my new edge 530!
I’d go for a Garmin 245 music….love listening to podcasts, hate having to carry the phone with me!
GoPro for the summer!
I’d use the money to upgrade to a Tacx Flux S Direct Drive Smart Trainer, from my old fluid trainer.
I would probably get a forerunner 945 or maybe put it toward a new power meter.
I would get met the latest Garmin Forerunner!
I would take the Garmin 945
Definitely Garmin 945. I’m dreaming about possibility going for a run walletless and phoneless, run til ice cream station listening to my favorite tunes, buy a cone and run back with happy smile.
I would buy Garmin Edge 530 and Garmin Varia radar. Safety first! :)
I need a new Suunto, with built in HR. That would be awesome.
I would put the $500 towards a trainer. Given that I’m in Australia I’m glad the $500 is in USD.
Don’t know exactla, where to put my money, but “running gear” is always a good bet… ;-)
I neeeeed a Theragun in my life… because “active recovery”
I would get my wife a new fenix watch, as she’s just getting back to racing again after injury..
For Father’s Day I’d get something travel related, after retiring he’s developing into areal travel bug.
I’d get a Gopro as my old Contour GPS is running out of its lifecylce.
a new bike computer would rock…
I would buy a new Garmin Forerunner.
Yeah it’s Friday again ;-)
I would for sure buy a new, quieter trainer! My wife, kids and neighbours will be happy!
I would get another KICKR so I can set my wife’s bike up, right next to mine, so we could Zwift together, at her pace on those days where the weather does not cooperate or life gets in the way of enjoying an hour out on the open road.
Or anything else she really wants really.
A new turbo (wahoo kickr) as mine is now leaking!
There’s so many good products out at the moment that it’s a difficult decision to make, but the FR945 is high on the list as well as the E830.
I’ll go for the FR945.
A new turbo so i can go more interactive on zwift!
A couple of Varia radars for the wife and I seems like would be a good safe purchase.. Also need to ocasionally buy gadgets for the better half.
As a runner, I just need to run more, sometimes slower, sometimes faster, but for an odd reason, I can’t help but think the current Fenix would somehow make a different.
I would get either a pair of Assiomas or put it toward a new smart trainer to take with me overseas. That way, my wife could keep our old Kickr with her while I am gone.
i would get the fr945 because the onboard maps.
I would definitely like the new FR945. My old Fenix is really big for my small wrist…
Vector 3!
Garmin Edge 530 would be top of my list. Or maybe a Garmin watch as Edge 500 just works fine and still supports new Trainer Road outside workouts feature?
Probably a 945 ?
I’d probably go for a FR945 to replace my aging 235.
My Garmin Fenix 3 is getting on in years. I’m looking at the FR945 and would happily spend the winnings at CleverTraining.com.
A Garmin Forerunner 945 would be nice…
Another smart trainer…my wife wants one to use while watching tv…
Most likely a down payment for Garmin Vector 3 pedals
Something for my wife. Maybe a Garmin watch. It’s been a while since she has had any tech upgrades. After just giving birth to #3 she is now eager to get back in the game.
I would like to give my Dad a Garmin Varia Rear View Radar and Bike Light, He often travels on heavily trafficked roads and was impressed with your review last year.
Well…. i would pick strawberry cake. Alternatively, new garmin pedals wouldn’t hurt.
kinda funny that after your Garmin post the other day, most people seem to want garmin products :)
I’d love to get a music device that doesn’t require my phone! But I’d probably be happier with a nice head unit for the bike.
What else but the 945!
Favero Assioma Duos, time to train with power. Do they also send them with some strawberry shortcake?
I would likely grab a Garmin 530 for my wife. She needs a head unit for her bike and isn’t so good with the navigation, so that mapping would be helpful.
a new watch
Definitely FR945, my dream watch!!! To upgrade my vivoactive 3, which i’ll give to my girlfriend!
An Edge 530. Why? Because it’s really hard reading power numbers off my Fenix 3 when I’m riding! ;)
Garmin Forerunner 945! Cos it’s everything I want in a watch.
Upgrading to disc brakes and e-shifting! Probably shimano
I’ll buy my dad a Vivoactive 3 as an additional Father’s day gift and buy a hydration vest for myself.
Would love to upgrade to a Garmin 945
Shooting for that direct drive trainer
Maybe a power meter
I will take a Apple Watch or Forerunner 945
Cycliq Fly6 and Fly12 would be great for the winter commute here in Australia
I need a Forerunner 945 because the 935 is *so* yesteryear. And its wrist band has a defect. Never repair stuff, replace all the things! ;-)
Have to be a new wahoo element bolt my edge 200 is getting old!
I’d definitely put the credit toward the new FR945. Happy Fathers Day to me!!
I’d get some type of forerunner with a brick option. It’s been about 3 years or so since i’ve upgraded last. I just need to get the brick badge!!
ooooohhhhh decisions, decisions – I’d probably put aside my irritation and plump for a Garmin Edge 830 now I know it has the processor that my 1 year old 820 should have had or perhaps I should just ‘live with it’ and put it towards a crank side 4iii power meter to match the non drive side one I just bought
I just started training by power meter. Would love to get a Stages power meter for my CycloCross bike.
Garmin Edge 530
I’d probably new FR945 so i can give my current watch to my father and enjoy a new one :)
FR945, because my tomtom is for ……………..
I would take the Garmin 945 or EDGE 830.
Probably get a new Garmin watch for hubby. He’s in need of an upgrade. (Plus I should return the favor as he got me one for my bday!)
GoPro Hero 7 Black, thank you!
I might just upgrade my watch and get one of the newest Garmins.
I’m torn between a Gopro 7 and a new power meter….. Probably the gopro, it’s more fun.
Something to replace my ageing Ambit 3S – although probably not Suunto given their recent website changes!
Would be great to get GoPro for upcoming summer vacation.
I’d get a new cycling computer to replace my forerunner 920xt.
I would be torn between a Forerunner 645 and a Go-Pro Hero 7.
Upgrade my Forerunner 235 to a new 245.
POWERRR METERRRRR !!!!!
I’d probably get a Garmin Forerunner 945 and give my old Suunto Trainer Wrist HR to my son…
I’d love to have the new Mavic!
I would get the Assioma power meter
wahoo kickr. need a smart trainer that is easy to use!
Definitely I’ll get power meter , probably an Assioma Uno.
garmin fenix would be nice
A new GoPro Hero 7 Black, because my ‘old’ one is currently sitting somewhere on the ocean floor in the Maldives!