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.
Maybe it’s time to upgrade my gps watch with a Fenix 5 plus…
Favero Assioma duo to improve my ftp in a better way
Garmin vector pedals would be nice.
Looking at the Stryd – been using power meter on my bike and I’d like to have something similar for my runs!
I would like a new bike computer either a new Garmin or Wahoo
I want to get a Garmin Forerunner 945. Time to replace my old Suunto ambit 3s
New Garmin 530 would work for me.
I’d love the new Garmin Edge 830 to help track my rides this summer…
A new bike computer would be nice.
Great time of year to get something nice for myself. Let’s say some Garmin watch.
Sram AXS groupset for my new frame set coming in.
Watch FR945 it’s cool stuff.
A power meter probably.
I want to buy something nice for my father. He loves sport watches. Garmin, suunto, coros…
Because my watch broke, that’s why!
A power meter probably.
power meter for better cycling
I was hit by a truck while riding a couple months ago, and really could have used a Cyclic Fly12 light / front camera from CT to have gotten some video evidence as it was a hit and run incident.
:-( I can empathize with Froome on how quickly things can go terribly bad.
I was hit by a truck while riding a couple months ago, and really could have used a Cyclic Fly12 light / front camera from CT to have gotten some video evidence as it was a hit and run incident.
I can empathize with Froome on how quickly things can go terribly bad.
A new polar vantage m gps watch. My Garmin 920 star died at hour 14 of 15 and half hour 100k. Thank have a good week.
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus:
Gotta have it!
FR945 or Fenix 5x (or 5 Plus) for my dad especially since he loves hiking!
Because the summer has been terrible here, I wouldn’t say no to a new smartwatch…..
I need a New gopro ;)
Dad would love a DJI Mavick Air!
A new turbo would go down a treat. Fingers crossed.
I would choose the Edge 830
Garmin stuff….whatever ?
To support my partner getting back into running after the arrival of our little girl 7 weeks ago, a Smart Watch would be of real help, Garmin Forerunner 935 or similar. Cheers.
A GoPro Hero 7
I’d like a Garmin Fenix 5 plus or FR945.
A Fenix 5 would be perfect!
Probably use it towards a FR945 and a new pair of running shoes.
A GoPro Hero 7, to replace my much older one
New GoPro. Record rides
I would like to buy a smart watch for my father
GoPro as inspired by Rays pics whilst out and about!
830 edge! Of GoPro fusion? Or….. arghh choices
Oh, I would like to expand my experience with an action camera.
I would choose Garmin Fenix 5X Plus:
I would love a favero assioma power meter so i can prove how weak iam once and for all.
I’d love a smart trainer!
You cant go wrong with the GoPro 7 right?? :D
Hi Ray, I would get the new FR945.
Need a better power meter.
I’d be tempted to get a new watch. Don’t really need one, but the new ones are nice and shiny.
Wahoo ELEMNT Roam to replace my Edge 520. Need better battery life and better mapping.
If I win, I’d like Garmin 945. Thanks for the giveaway!
Favero Assioma Dual Sided Power Meter – sounds good
This is still a fathersday thing, isn’t it?
My little son is complaining of us getting lost way to often while cycling.
So I need some help to keep me on track: Garmin Edge 530 GPS Cycling Computer.
A power meter for my girlfriend, probably some pedals. She’s been cycling for 6 years and wants to improve!
A new watch. My suunto ambit 3 died on me a few weeks avond.
Will need to think about this one. So many possibilities…
Fenix 5X Plus – I’m doing my best to strenghten my heart, so it would be wise to measure the progrees with some decent weareble.
I would get myself a nice garmin edge 530 or 830!
New to the fitness world! Would be glad to buy my first Run Watch
Probably one of the new Garmin watches.
shoes ,my current ones are too narrow and squish my footbones on longer/harder rides
Thanks for this Ray.
I’d get a Fenix 5X for all the new features it has over my VA3. Wish me luck ?.
Regards, D
I’m in the market for a new Garmin Forerunner and who doesn’t love a giveaway? I’m on the fence between a 935 and 945, and this would make it easier to choose the 945. Fingers crossed.
I will pick SUUNTO SPARTAN.
I’d get a Garmin 945 as my current watch battery is starting to give way.
Garmin 245, want music
Swim supplies
I’d get a Stages Ultegra dual-sided power meter, because my single-sided version just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Going participate in Half IM this summer, so power meter for sure.
Hello Ray,
I would like to have Assioma Pedal Based Cycling Power Meter. That would be very nice for my training practices :)
My dad still uses a FR25 – he does not want to spend money as long as his watch still works, but I know, that he is always researching the price of a Garmin fenix 5 (titanium with an orange band)
Thank you for the great opportunity!
I’ve been having my eye on the HyperSmooth GoPro HERO 7 to start documenting my fitness journey
Definitely would get a GoPro to complement my rear Cycliq Fly6 camera so when I inevitably get hit by a vehicle on my bike they’ll be able to identify whodunnit!
I would like to have a FR945 to stop counting in my head the laps in the pool, first world problem yep.
If I win, I’ll get the … garmin something or ‘nother.
I’d go for a power meter and pick one based on Ray’s reviews ?
I’d upgrade my old Garmin to a newer model
Some power pedals, not sure which ones though.
Garmin 945.
Probably a new bike computer, to replace the existing one…
I really want to get quarq dfour91 powermeter, because I want to train more efficiency.
I’ve been out of the game for 5 years due to illness then lack of motivation & recently have well & truly got the bug again for running & cycling but i feel i need some new toys & i’m obsessively reading reviews again. I think so far it would be the FR945. Good luck everyone.
I’d use tit o upgrade my dad to a newer better cycling computer, or get him a smart trainer to help him get some riding and training done easier with his hectic schedule.
An upgraded garmin with music for the hubby or power meter for myself.
Any Garmin watch would be good, but 945 is the best! It is my dream.
Some pedal-based power meters might be nice.
I would probably get my dad a fenix 5 or fr945 or something like that, for hiking and orienteering, he would love that!
It’s all about the DJI Mavick Air!
Edge 530 because I don’t currently have a dedicated cycling GPS unit.
I would love the new Garmin FR945 watch to track all my activities during the summer.
Hi Ray!
I would probably get myself a ridiculous ANT+ sensor I dont need, but is very cool like the Quarq TyreWiz Air Pressure Sensor … Its not need to have it is niche to have ;)
New Garmin Watch Please :D
a gopro 7
I’d probably go for a Garmin Edge 530. Would love to have a larger display than my Fenix 5 when cycling.
New Garmin 945 to replace old fenix3, probably. or maybe some gopro. let me win and i’ll decide
going for dji mavic air.
A bike computer for a new bike.
Oow, I’ll go for one of those top of the line garmin watches with all the James Bondiness so that if I ever decide to jump out of a plane, at least I’ll be recording metrics galore.
Given I often need to check my needs and wants at the door because of my 2 kids, Daddy would love the new Garmin 945 and all those metrics!
My father would want me to do something with my life.
A GoPro, because GoPro or go home
Dad would love a Hypervolt for Father’s Day, and whatever’s left over I would put towards a FR945!
I would like a forerunner 945 as I really want to be able to monitor myself over multi sports but have not got the funds to afford one.