Heads up! Here’s your massive Black Friday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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!
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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.
My Garmin fenix 3 is getting rather tired so fenix 5 , here I come!
The Garmin 945. Newer software seems interesting. Or the newer GoPro. No hard answer yet.
I would like to get a GoPro camera to be able to film my kids and my family :-)
as a dad, i want two garmin vivo jr for my kids.
gopro 7 black yes
New GoPro for my 11yr old to start his YouTube channel!
ch ch ch ch, oh hang on, it’s stages, not changes, I want
I want that funky Garmin Forerunner 645 with Music , because running with an external mp3 is so 1990s
Garmin FR945!! That would be awesome….or even a a new smart-trainer!!! I’ll have a hard decision if I win….lol.
Definitely get a Denis 5plus to replace my battered 3
Would probably get a 945 to replace my 935.
I would like one of those new garmin cycling computers to help get my cadence up to a reasonable count.
I would replace my smart trainer.
Plenty of choice. Gives me something to do over the weekend!
Edge 530 because my battery on the 520 is lacking. And well…. shiny new stuff too.
A new GoPro Hero7, because my Hero4 has had it’s last day.
I swim, I bike, and I run…ish… It would be nice to have a Garmin Forerunner 945.
I need to replace my old fenix2 for a fenix 5X (plus or not)… On the other hand, the power meters look so tempting.
BTW, Clever Training has an awesome customer service…
I would love a Garmin 1030
Assioma DUO power meter pedals for my hubby for Father’s Day
It would be nice for my daughter to get FR45S for swimming because her dad already wears FR245.
I would get a new Edge 530, really would like to have an extended display from my 945
I’d go for the GoPro Hero 7 Black, partly to document my gnarly awesome adventure on the bike, but also to use like a dash-cam on my even scarier daily bike commute.
GARMIN 530 because I want to know about the upcoming mountain
I’d probably go for the Garmin Forerunner 245 to replace my Vivosport. It’s time for a bigger screen…
I would get some commuting gear to make that easier. Not sure what, but I could use anything.
Either a Garmin 530 – losing love for my Wahoo or upgrade my Garmin Vector to dual sided!!
A Garmin Edge 530 as I’d like to start exploring my city more as I’ve started to get more into road cycling (while leaving the world of long distance running/injuries behind!)
I’d get a Garmin 645 and would promise to start run training again. :)
That Garmin FR 945 is really calling my name!
I would get the 945 running watch to replace existing Garmin.
I already have a Garmin Fenix 5X plus which is awesome… I just purchased the Garmin Edge 530, awesome as well… I would get the action camera GoPro Hero 7 Black or maybe…….
Polar vantage V, to see if the GPS is as bad as everyone says
This is tough – likely a cycleops trainer to get me started indoors and a Garmin 245 so I can get my sanity back by running outdoors with MUSIC!
I think I’d buy a new Powertap G3 hub power meter (I have a custom crankset on my bike) or maybe new Garmin Edge cycling computer. I am still undecided what I “need” most! Thanks Ray!!
The FR945 would definitely beat the current Fenix 5s Plus battery life. I would swap the Fenix for the FR945 without any issues.
My Kickr has me spoiled doing power based training. I need those Watts outdoors now as well. Garmin Vector pedals here I come.
One of those gamin units, so I can see how bad I really am
Many appealing ones! But ton complete Paris triathlon at end of the month FR945 To replace my old 920X sound be Perfect . As Airways cd est initiative Ray
New Garmin 945 in order to compare with Polar Vantage V ??
Garmin 945. I hate carrying my full phone on my tri training runs and apple stopped making the iPod nano. The music feature would be a welcome addition. Also the heat acclimation feature would be interesting since I live/train in a hot climate.
FR935 and a 4iiii crank and maybe some of those skull headphone things. Why? Because I need a new watch, can only train with power on my trainer and the headphones look funky :)
Garmin bike computer because my daughter is having a baby and all my extra money is going towards child transportation stuff…car seat, stroller or some new type of combo deal! Our first grandchild, so I’m thinking all my stuff money is gone forever! ????? ps good thing my bike is titanium…suppose to last forever ?✅
I would buy a power meter. Assioma pedal based or Garmin. It’s time to level up my cycling
I’ll be looking to upgrade(?) my Fenix 3 HR. Not too sure what to. A 5 or 5x + probably. But not entirely sure.
My husband would really enjoy a upgraded GoPro
I’d get a new GoPro to film adventures with dog in his sidecar ?
I’d get a fenix 5+ or a 945, still not decided. Have a F3HR, but would love a watch with Maps.
Power meter (may be Quarq DZero) for gravel bike
I’d probably upgrade to the latest Fenix line, or maybe the new 945. So many options!
I’d like to get a bike computer because I don’t have one.
I’d get a Garmin Edge 530. Or maybe a new Kickr…
Garmin Fenix 5S…white band. Because I’m training for my first marathon (Chicago) and would love to upgrade my Vivoactive 3 to get even more data to analyze and have fun with!
Garmin 945 for sure…been wanting to improve my swim game up from the 235.
Cheers
I’d love to take my training to the next level with a new smart bike trainer. Grandma cyclist FTW!
Fenix 5 plus would be a really nice! Fenix 3 is getting old.
I just bought a Garmin 945 this week. Guess I need a new power meter!
A wahoo roam bike computer to get maps!
Probably a Garmin running watch because I need some new HR data!
I would choose a Garmin 945 since my current 910 is getting so old ..
I would put the credit towards a 945 because my 620 is just barely hanging in there.
I’d probably get Fenix 5 Plus, because my Fenix 5 is full of bugs. Would I be better off?
I would love to have a Garmin Edge 530 because I don’t have a bike computer, I use my Forerunner 645 for tracking bike rides which is not ideal.
Fenix 5X Plus or Edge 530…
And thanks for the giveaway!
Somewhere out there I am hoping there is a Garmin Fenix with my name on it
I’d get a Garmin running watch to help me with my run/walk timer training program!
Some sort of action camera
I would go for a power meter as i think this would be the tool to take my ironman training to the next level but the one i would never be able to justify the spend on :-)
Hey, a F5+ sounds like a WINNER or $500 toward a power meter. Either way, I’ll be stoked.
I would like a power meter or 945
645 music looks nice. Or 945 ! Surely something there…
Definitely would use the prize to get a Garmin Fenix+ or 945 as I get ready for my first 100 miler at the end of the year.
A nice Yeti cooler and a pair of new Oakley sunglasses!
Thanks!
I would get a Stages Power LR Dura Ace crankset or a Fenix 5.
I would get/put it towards a power meter for my newly purchased crossbike.
Some kind of bike computer.
Definitely the boat! Because it floats…
A power meter for the hike of some description, well a contribution towards one anyway ?
I own zero gadgets. I literally train with nothing and have for years even though I am a competitive short-distance triathlete.
As much as I like just going ‘hard’, it would be really great to have a Garmin Forerunner 945 (or anything remotely close) to get better during the times I’m not racing to really dial in and improve. Thank you for the consideration.
Would love to get a wahoo elemnt!
I would go for a 945, enough of my 735XT with gps and HR issues. Thx ray ;)
A dedicated bike computer would realy sweet
I would definitely get a Garmin Fenix + or Garmin 945!
Hey Ray man, I would get a garmin 945 watch for my wife!
Cheers,
P.
Not exactly a gadget, but I need a new sleeping bag for my next long distance bicycle tour, and I’m liking the looks of the Big Agnes Deer Park 30 sleeping bag to keep me warm at high altitudes / in cold weather. I’d probably use the remaining amount to nab a back-up pair of Adidas Adizero Adios running shoes for when my current pair runs out.
Here’s to hoping the almighty Random Number Generator looks favorably upon me for once. ;)
I’m still eyeing a power meter for my bike so that $500 would definitely go towards getting that added to the bike.
A Garmin Edge 830, using my 920xt as a bike computer at the moment, screen is way too small!
If I win the credit, I would get two pairs of Sidi Genius 7 women’s cycling shoes. Why two pairs? Because I have one foot that’s a half size smaller than the other, so when I buy a single pair of shoes, one foot is perfect while the other is slightly squashed.
I’d get a GoPro Hero 7 as my GoPro 3 just doesn’t cut it anymore.
I would like to get Garmin FR945 because who wants to run with old Polar watch in 2019? ;)
I’d like an FR945. No, Edge 830. No no, FR945. Or maybe an Edge 830. Can’t choose, let’s win first :)
It would be a new forerunner 945 for me. My current F235 is getting old!
I would like to get a new bike computer for my Epic
I think I would upgrade to the FR945.
trainer!
A new cycling computer for my dad (I take the new one, he gets my old one)
I would get a brand new FR245 for my dad. he still has a Nike Triax watch. The foot pod is like a phone clipped on his shoe and the watch looks like a controller in a bad sci-fi movie.
Upgrade my trainer
An Edge 1030, I have to bring a Powerbank to Vätternrundan because I don’t know if my 820 will last long enough…
Some sort of running watch, or maybe a new (non Garmin) bike computer.