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.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
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.
-
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?
-
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.
a triathlon, probably a FR945
I’d get the gopro hero 7 black for my cycling touring holiday
Fenix 5 plus for running
Polar vantage v for power running
I would love to update my bike computer to get accurate navigation so I don’t spend my time cursing at my phone, stopping at dodgy roundabouts and generally making a mess.
Wahoo elemnt roam and a powermeter
need a crank spider power meter, my new tri bike will love it :D
Fenix 5 for running, cause my Fenix 1 spoilt
A power meter would be nice
Not sure what the formula is to say the right thing to get picked but I’d really like to pick up a Garmin Fenix or 945. Had a terrible year dealing with injuries and am working my way back into shape. A new watch would be fantastic!
FR 945 would be awesome
I just finished my first sprint triathlon and had a blast: it took me out of my comfort zone back to exercising, lost weight, had tons of fun and I’m actually doing sports on an ongoing basis (not only for the triathlon I signed up for). Reason why I want the new Garmin FR945 to help me train better.
I am prepping for my first full marathon and I am 40 :)
A wahoo headwind … cuz this would be the only circumstances in which I’d afford it :)
Why? I need some new gadgets to play around with
I’d opt for the Garmin Fenix 5, to use while kayaking and having something to work with my new Garmin 830 on the bike! Thanks
A brand new gopro
A Garmin FR945
I’d get new garmin fenix watch!
Garmin Forerunner 945, I been using the Suunto Ambit 3Peak for for almost 10 years now. It’s time to make a change brand.
right now I would say a new running watch … but I might change my opinion
I would love to use that credit for the GoPro Hero 7 Black, epsecially if it’s $70 off.
Suunto 9 baro should be TOP !
I would get a Garmin 945 to make an 935 upgrade
A bike computer, can’t decide between an Edge530 or 830. Can’t they make a 530 with touch when using the maps?
A Triathlete’s dream … Garmin 945XT
Powermeter for my MTB
Upgrading my fr 645 to another Garmin perhaps
I’d use it to get a new power meter
Some kind of swim watch, actually nah – a triathlon watch, who am I trying to kid!
It would have to be Favero pedals for me
I’ll need to loose weight and want to replace my old FR235+smartphone with a FR245+music to shave 150 grams of my running weight
have my eyes on the new Sunnto watches :-)
I’d get a Garmin edge, so I don’t get lost (again).
A new power meter with shorter crank arms, to improve my bike position and achieve my racing goals!
I would get a new Garmin 930. My 1000 is getting old.
Garmin Forerunner 945 for walking and having fun
Arrggghh! Choices! Despite your recent article on the buggy nature of Garmins it’d have to be a new 530 or 830 since my Edge 1000 has decided to randomly bleed LCD across the screen for no discernable reason effectively bricking it :( . Classically it’s only just over 2 years old….
I would get a FR245 Music as I hoped to get one for Father’s Day but didn’t.
I’d get the Tacx Flux 2 or the Garmin Fenix 5. Too many choices..
Who does not want a goPro 7.
would be a great compatator for the Virb.
Hello I probably would like a new action cam or a new Fenix ….
I would love a power meter, probably the assioma pedals
Is have to get a power meter for the bike. Probably the Assioma Duo…
I’d get the Garmin Vector 3/3S Pedal-Based Power Meters to take my training up a notch
Please forerunner 630.
use it towards a power meter so I can be more effective riding outside
I woud get a Polar OH1 Plus, because my HR chest straps don’t give correct registrations any longer, probably because of surgery.
DC Rain Maker best giveaway
I’d get the gopro hero 7 black for my cycling touring
Power meter that would be good for mountain biking
A GoPro Hero 7 black because with that discount it seems less frivolous.
I think that credit would have to go toward a trainer, or 38 pairs of socks…..
Too late? If not then an all singing all dancing running watch would be grand ?
I think it will be time for an action cam like a GoPro or a Stryd
FR945 pretty please. Or a tri-suit … !
I’d buy my wife a new garmin 530.
I would get a Garmin Edge 830 for my ride across Europe
Fenix 5x + to raplace my Fenix 3
Garmin Fenix 5 plus Titanium
Why? Because I love to hike and this watch would give everything that I need and more in a watch! Plus I love the look of this watch!
Garmin FR945 to replace my beloved FR920XT
Power meter is one of the things on my list I would love to have, so I might start thinking about pulling the trigger for that
FR945, or a power meter, or… too many choices :). For my tris later this summer.
For my marathon PB – fr945 :)
I would buy a FR945 in a heartbeat. Cant wait to try the triathlon functions. Doeing it with an old FR235 is difficult and time consuming.
Most likely Assioma power pedals
I always love more gear, so a Cycling GPS would navigate me better towards new challenges!
The battery of my old Garmin Forruner 235 watch is only 6 h with gps now. This summer I will do my first longer trails in the Alps (Lavaredo, Eiger and OCC) and my watch will not cover the entire trail. The chances to get so fast in the next 2 weeks that I can finish before 6 hours are very slim so it will be more realistic to buy a new watch. Maybe a Furrunner 245 music or maybe something higher if I have the budget.
The GoPro Black – why? swimming stroke analysis! And when not swimming perhaps on the bike to get footage if / when another kangaroo takes me out at 60kph ;-0
A Fenix 5 Plus would be welcomed as an upgrade to my current Fenix 3.
The FR925 since I’d like to check out running with power
An FR245 and a Garmin Varia to be safe on the road!
Hello, Fenix 5 plus to replace my vivo.
An indoor trainer such as the Wahoo Kickr, so that I can train indoors in my flat come winter!
I would pick up a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus to track those laps in the pool. link to clevertraining.com Thanks for the opportunity.
Garmin F945
Cycling computer or powermeter :)
I would get the Fenix 5 plus for running and exploring!
a 945 would be nice
Thnaks RAy for doing this!
I would update my watch from a Fenix 3 to the 945. I really miss running with music without a phone.
A Ultegra R8000 based powermeter, probably the pioneer one
My folks have just got into fitness tracking, so a Vivoactive 3 would be a great starting point for them!
Been thinking of getting a GoPro for a long time. Might get one finally.
A new smart trainer since my current one stopped working last week after 5 years of use
I would definitely buy at least ten random pairs of socks. I buy GPS watches more often than I buy socks. And I need new socks.
I am looking to buy a powermeter, some friends used the favero bepro and said they`re pretty good so maybe going for the favero assioma but ugh, expensive though
Please a powermeter or Fenix 5
A power meter, maybe some new HR straps and some other goodies to go with my new fr945!
New GoPro
I would get a Garmin 945 to upgrade my 910XT! I want to lose weight and to run a half-marathon under 1h40!
Almost sure I’d be splashing out on a Wahoo Kickr…
FR945 because cyclocross is coming
Powermeter!
Garmin 530
A FR945 would be nice.
A Garmin Vector 3 Pedals would be nice to improve as cyclist
A Powermeter would be nice
A go pro hero 7 would be perfect to film my next gravel trips
I’d pick up a new Garmin FR935, as I just found out I’m about to be a dad for the first time and need to get back in shape for their arrival!