Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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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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.
I’d love to get the Garmin 945 because my old Garmin’s battery barely holds a charge anymore, and with a new baby our money is really tight and I can’t justify dropping a bunch of money on a new gps watch.
Garmin Forerunner 945… boy, that would be a nice gift!
Assioma duo pedals! I’d love to upgrade from a single-side powermeter.
I would love to get the GroPro Hero 7 Black. Why? Because I know my family would really enjoy watching hours of footage as I ride my bike round the countryside! ?
A new Garmin FR245
A GoPro would be a really nice way to spend this Giveaway.
I’d direct it all towards the ol’ horse of steel (well…actually carbon/aluminum I guess) to up the cycling game! Ride on.
I can always do with a new better faster smarter watch :)
I’d use it to offset the cost of a new Pioneer powermeter for a buddy of mine. I’ve got everything I want/need, so I’d share the wealth with one of the nicest guys anyone could possibly know.
Stages Cycling Ultegra R8000 Dual Sided Power Meter so that way I can train with power outdoors!
Quark power meter
I’d buy Garmin Edge 530 or 830, it’s the only thing missing on my new Cannondale ;-)
I would buy a smart indoor trainer in order to keep my weight down over winter.
A FR945 would come in handy, as my beloved FR910XT is slowly but inevitably giving up on me.
Garmin Forerunner 945 would be awesome for my training :)
Varia Radar, because you gotta watch your back.
Garmin Varia, bought for my wife, and i believe its a must have for any cyclist.
That paddleboard looks pretty sweet, might go for that!
I’d get a GoPro or Garmin Virb to record our almost two year old son, and second son one coming up in a few weeks, in their early life adventures!
I’d put the credit towards a new di2 or eTap groupset. My mechanical setup is nearing end of life.
Im really hoping to get a smart trainer so I can get in on the Zwift thing.
Or…
just a bunch or accessories because its time to bling up my bike!
I’d pick up a Garmin Edge 830
Socks!
garmin 530 :)
My dad would love to have the Garmin Fenix 5X.
I’d use it to buy some pretty device that sits on my counter, staring at me, guilting me into getting off the couch and actually doing something.
Looking to pick up a new Powermeter – just because that Vector 3 is looking mighty fine… Probably end up with a new edge as well, just because.
I will probably take a garmin powermeter or some accessories.
Probably a Garmin FR 245 with music!
GoPro Hero 7 Black, because I want to watch myself falling down in a loop
A new Fenix will be appreciated
I’d love to be able to get a power meter for my wife. She just got a new bike and we’re starting the training to move up to full distance.
A new Polar watch as I have now waited 6 months for Garmin to fix my Fenix 5s…
I would love to use the credit towards a power meter for my husband as a gift, such as the Stages Ultegra single leg! He is training for his first IRONMAN and this gift would help him with his training goals.
I would go with the GoPro Hero 7 Black. I’ve been looking for a small camera for awhile, and this one works.
A tri specific watch would start off my transition to Triathlon.
I’d love a GPS running watch
Larry
A FR945 to replace my FR735 running out of battery could be great !
A power meter pedal would be nice for bike training
The Vantage V Titan should be great for running :-))
The Garmin Forerunner 945 :D
A new Quarq DZero power meter would go nicely with my new bike. =)
I’d love a Garmin Edge 530 so I finally end up with a cycling computer able to save my workouts AND my maps ;)
126 x Nathan Power Shower Wipes…or a power meter…can’t decide
I would probably look to upgrade my watch from a Fenix 3 to the new Fenix 5. The other possibility is a new bike computer.
Because I always need new gear
I could use a new power meter!
I would get a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus to gauge and improve my performance, with the purpose of taking my varied training to a serious level.
I would love to get a new Garmin watch with music storage!
I would like to get a power meter to get into serious training
seasucker roof rack
A new Garmin running watch. My 910XT is on its last legs…
A GoPro Hero 7 Black would be great for me!
Recently started riding more and more road/gravel, so a power meter would be perfect for my Kona Jake the Snake!
Varia Radar & Edge 530 needed! :)
945, latest greatest!
A dual sided power meter!
Didn’t add a why the first time, so… I’d go with the Garmin Edge 830. I’m liking the idea of the faster response time over the 820 that I have now, which has the responsiveness of a device from the 90s.
I would like the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM GPS bike computer.
Time to upgrade to the Garmin Edge 830!
FR645.. Or 945, maybe.
With $500 I’d love to maximize the value with a Suunto Spartan HR Trainer and a Wahoo Element Bolt. Both would be extremely useful as I’m training for my first tri after becoming a dad as I work to keep away the dad-bod on this my second Father’s Day! Those would be my first running watch and GPS bike computer…. Upgrading from the Timex Ironman watch! ?
Tough call between the GoPro and the FR945. I’d probably pick the pulse ox over the killer stabilization, though, so we’ll go with 945.
garmin Fr945 to having music
I sure could use a new Garmin head unit
I’d love a Garmin 945 because my previous smart watch broke :-( Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Vector 3 pedals would be a nice way to track power across multiple bikes and share between my wife and i
It would be great to win a Garmin Edge 530.
I’d get a new bike trainer or camera.
Garmin fenix 5Plus for me
Hey Ray, I’d go for a new Garmin 850 and a Scosche Rhythm 24 HR monitor with the change. My old 800 is on its last legs and I’d really like to know what my HR is when swimming – also, I find standard HR chest straps a bit uncomfortable
I’d get a Fenix 5 Plus
A power matter will be nice
A new GoPro would be the perfect way to spend this money.
Hello,
I would like a power meter, most likely the Quarq.
Cheers
Recovering from a knee injury, so I would love to get a true dual-sided power meter.
I’d go for some kind of power meter.
This would definitely help after ripping off my 9070 FD on the weekend!
$ for a new Fenix 5 for our hiking adventures this summer would be awesome!
I’d order a Garmin Edge 530. I’ve been meaning to get a cycling computer for some time, as using a watch during training and racing is inconvenient. I love the functionality and the form factor of it.
Would like a crank based powermeter to replace my PT hib
powermeter please! :)
The Garmin Forerunner 945. Got unbelievable milage out of my 220 and I feel it’s time to upgrade :)
New indoor trainer or gopro
Old garmin touring ends early, old battery. TI ME To upgrade.
I’d love a Fenix 5s as a wear everyday watch
I think it’s time for a Polar Vantage M! Plus some sundry bikey things. Or ditch all of that and spring for the 945
Garmin Vector pedals to spruce up my old bike!
So many great options… And one can never have too many gps watches so something like the FR945 would be awesome.
Yes, please!! Great giveaway!
Wouldn’t mind trying out the new Stages M50
I’d Love to get the New Garmin Edge 530 or the Stages power meter to help improve my Training! Would be Awesome!!
Thanks for running the contest!
I have been eying the Go pro Hero 7 for a while now.
A Garmin Vector 3 Pedals would be nice
Fathers day was yesterday, but I am sure it will also be ok next weekend !
An fr945 because my Fenix 3 is scratched up and I miss not having a built in HR sensor.
Probably a Trainer in order to prepare my first XXL triathlon …
smart trainer with Zwift support
Probably a GoPro