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.
Would love a power meter
Probably at Power meter
You can never have enough socks!
A power meter please
The Fenix 5 would be awesome for the training
A 945 would be a nice replacement for my current fenix
A Velocomp AeroPod Aerodynamic Drag (CdA) Power Meter would be nice
A powermeter would be nice, thinking of Favero Assioma or Garmin Vector 3.
And always thanks for your amazing work.
I’m looking for a trainer to beat the Eastern NC heat!
Very much in need of a new trainer, as our really old one isn’t compatible with our new bikes ??
I would like to get my dad a wahoo kickr core so he doesn’t have to ride in the rain and cold.
Garmin FR945 for maps use.
One of the new forerunners would be very nice, with music on the go!
A FR945 for the father of my daughter, who is very geek
I’ll get a power meter like some assioma pedals
Hmmm, maybe a powermeter or change my old heart rate monitor
Would likely go for the GoPro Hero 7. Thanks
A bike trailer so I can take my kids on rides on the paved trails in the Washington DC area!
garmin forerunner 945, for running and stuff
I would get my lovely husband the Fenix 5s plus for an extra fathers day prezzie from our son!
Definitely a Wahoo ELEMNT Roam. Time to replace the 820.
I’d probably get a Stages power meter for my CX bike.
I’d get a smart trainer so I can ket some much needed milage in while my daughter is having nap time.
I need a 945. To train better and harder.
Hello, I would probably buy a new GoPro to replace my old HERO 4.
Well I’ll probably be looking at a pedal based power meter – not sure which. Why? Because I’m slow (like really slow) and would love to get faster.
A nice bike computer with maps would be great, possible the edge 830.
Love a GoPro Hero 7 Black to replace my well loved Hero 3 Black
530 for bike rides.
Suunto 9 Baro chopper version – please
I want to win 945 Garmin to qualify Boston Marathon again.
A present for my father, GoPro Hero 7.
I love your giveaways! Definitely FR945 – powerfull, light, with maps, great battery life, sits good on my wrist, simply has everything I could possibly need from sport/smart watches.
Daddy needs a power meter!
I’d probably get a power meter. Thanks!
I would explore getting new SRAM etap components. Thanks DCR!
I’d go with Garmin 945. Need to replace the aging Fenix.
A kickr core because as a father you don’t have the time to train outside as much as you want too.
I’d like a new bike computer. But now that you mention it, I’ll have to get a random pair of socks as well.
I would love a pair of Assioma Pedal Based Cycling Power Meter Duo they may make me faster certainly won’t make me slower
Finally that elusive power meter that was simply out of my price range so far
Probably a new watch for me to replace my still sturdy 920xt so I could give that one to my wife!
I’d probably get a new gps bike computer. My cateye strada is older then my kid (9).
I would buy a power meter, even if I don’t know which one yet….but for choosing it DCR have the solution :-)
A GoPro Hero 7 Black would be great. If I had one yesterday I might have been able to film the black bear I saw while out riding.
Probably a Varia Radar for some evening bike rides outdoors after work, giving the trainer a well deserved break.
Hmmm most likely a Fenix 5s Plus to replace my aging Fenix 3 non hr
a new powermeter for sure
I’ll shop til I drop! Not sure what I’d come up with.
I’d probably get the Forerunner 945 as I’ve been looking at a sports watch for quite some time now. :)
I would like a power meter for my new bike.
A new bike trainer kickr or sth.
I’ve been wanting to upgrade to the Vivoactive 3 with music.
I’d buy a new pedal based power meter, I think, as I’m getting sick of swapping wheels (and cassettes) between bikes!
Forerunner 245 music to enjoy my long run with my favorite tunes.
Torn between a power meter and garmin head unit
I would get a Garmin edge 830 because I just want one.
I’d Love a new gopro so my vídeos will be smooth!
A Garmin Forerunner 245 MUSIC, To be able to read more data on my wrist while running!
A bike computer that costs more than my road bike would be a great conversion starter.
A new Garmin 530 computer would be nice!
Garmin 945 for running
Garmin 830 :-)
I would go for the Garmin 945. Looks like my next watch.
I’d use it towards the Garmin fenix 5X Plus because it’s the very best multi sport watch money can buy.
I’d complete my left only 4iiii power meter to a two-sided power meter.
Living in the heavily populated city of Bombay, I have to frequently deal with traffic and bad drivers. Quite a few of my cycle club members have faced close calls on the road.
Would want to have a set of Cycliq Fly 12 & Cycliq Fly 6 front & rear lights with a camera, so that in the worse scenario I have the required evidence to take action.
A new Garmin Fenix 5plus to replace my old fenix 3!
Do they sell a Nintendo switch? A new Edge would do fine otherwise ;)
In the market for a new bike computer so a Garmin Edge 830 would do nicely!
I wish CleverTraning sell cranksets. Desperately need one for my old Cervelo. Well, if not, replacing a broken Forerunner 935 with shiny new 945 isn’t too bad either.
A Power meter would be nice to take my training up a level or three.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! If I were to win, I’d like to get a FR945!
Assioma Pedal Based Cycling Power Meter Duo. By the way the shop is full of great gadgets!
I would buy a Garmin fenix 5X Plus for my various outdoor activities!
Best regards
Manfred
I think a GoPro would be nice thing to try. I have never had one before.
Probably FR945 to replace Fenix 3HR.
Tough choice between a new Garmin Fenix 5 or maybe even a GoPro?
Would go for the GoPro Hero 7
Forerunner 945 to match my husband’s! ?
If I’d entered this 24 hours ago I would’ve said a Forerunner 945, either for myself or my dad (the latter of which could do with the health and fitness motivation it would provide). However that was before my Edge 520 decided to expectedly drop dead pre-ride last night and now longer feels like turning on. So unless I can fix its issue it would have to go towards a replacement head unit, probably the Edge 530.
A bike computer out front guiding our touring this summer. An Edge 830 or less should do the trick =)
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a dad’s dream
I would get the garmin forerunner 945 to replace my forerunner 910xt, which I bought used 5 years ago and is standing on its last leg!
A Wahoo KICKR 2018 Smart Power Trainer for cross training on rainy days.
i would love the new plastic Fenix: the FR945!!
Garmin forerunner 945. For running and tri.
FR245, so I can give my beloved VA3 to a friend of mine who started running.
I believe I would use the credit for something I wouldn’t normally purchase… a Mavic Air (I know I’d have to pay the difference.) Believe it or not I have a Mavic 2 Pro that I love but I’d love to “justify” the purchase of a second drone that I would use specifically for packing as a very, very small travel drone when I did NOT anticipate the need to use a drone but came across a surprising situation where I suddenly wanted to use one.
Thanks Ray!
Looking for the Garmin Edge 830 :)
I would love to get a Garmin Edge or a new Forerunner!
Hm, maybe a Garmin 945 as a Fater’s Day gift for my husband
Would be nice to have 945
Kickr Climb to spice up my training for Hincapie Gran Fondo – Greensville, SC in October.
Free gear for the holidays
Garmin Edge 530
A new GoPro to replace the one I recently lost.
I’d probably get a garmin fenix 5 plus or a garmin 945, to replace my (very very old) forerunner 310xt :)
GoPro 7 black
A new sport watch for my wife would be a great gift for our anniversary. Suunto 5 our something like that.