Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals on Amazon Prime Days 2025! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $459, and the Fenix 8 for $100 off. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 Titanium for $645, the GoPro Hero 13 Black for $329, smart trainers, drones, action cams, and plenty more! Go check out the full list 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!
5
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 2024 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 get a FR945 to help me stop getting lost on new unknown trails!
I would go for a FR945
Garmin FR945 – because I’ll probably buy it sooner or later anyway… :)
FR945 for me, because it’s a FR945. And it’s FRiday.
My choice would be a Garmin inReach Mini, because sometimes would be nice to have a safety line where there are no phones.
A powermeter has always been on my bucketlist for things.
My choice would be a Garmin Forerunner 945, which would be a huge upgrade from the old but reliable 910xt that gets alot of use. The 945 could not only replace the 910xt, but also serve to fill the gap left when my Vivoactive HR quit working due to water damage after following Garmin’s support instructions to soak it in a small amount of warm water with a bit of mild soap to clean the elevation sensor port. Could really use something to put on my wrist as a daily device!
Garmin 945 because I want to get back into tris. Also, there were many digs at Australia in this post. $500usd maybe more and that’s great, but we have national healthcare
Probably a GoPro as I’m now getting into mountain biking and would love to capture my rides.
I would probably use it towards a bike trainer (not sure which) or a Garmin Edge. Thanks for the chance!
Garmin Forerunner 945 to replace my Fenix 5. Always wanted the lighter one..
New Garmin Edge,
Want to update to Garmin Fenix 5 Plus. Want the updated pulse meter and music!!
I’d buy a wahoo kickr.. next winter is coming ;-)
For my fathers day, Polar Vantage V.
I’d get a heart rate monitor and some type running power/cadence/metrics device.
Forerunner 945 for sure. Interested to try out the mapping.
Likely a pair of Favero Assioma pedals!
DJI Osmo!
Power meter to help train for the hills!
That would likely be a new running watch, probably a FR945.
I’d probably get a crank based power meter. It’s not nearly as convenient to switch from bike to bike as pedals would be, but since there aren’t any mountain SPD pedals yet, they’re likely my best option if I only switch then occasionally.
It would be hard to decide, but a much needed update to my HR watch.. Maybe a new Garmin Forerunner 945.
I’d buy a Cycleops M2 so I can ride on Zwift more accurately.
A watch would be very nice.
Time to upgrade to a new running watch.
I would get a FR945.
I would probably get a Garmin Fenix 5!
Favero pedals or Quarq spider to round out the bike tech
A Fly12 to go with my Fly6.
Good question – Either a multisport watch (FR945?), a update to my Edge500 (Wahoo perhaps?), or a trainer for when winter comes around!
The paddleboard, because boats float my boat
Edge 530 to replace my 8 year old bike computer
FR945, as otherwise I’ll end up buying it, and be in trouble for buying another watch I don’t need.
A new power meter so I can train more effectively!
I would go for a powermeter or the new fr945
Forerunner 945! Finally would be able to upgrade. :)
I would give some serious consideration to the Edge 830 or possibly 1030.
I would get the Edge 530 and Edge Explore for our tandem. Our current Garmin 500 and Touring are getting long in the tooth.
Garmin 945 because I want the newest features.
This will be my first “Father’s Day” as a father so…a new Garmin would be great!
Oh let me think, what would I get? I need a new action camera to replace the one that died on my last SCUBA adventure, my original Fly6 is losing battery power, a Fly12 on the front would be nice, my Garmin 810 is getting old. I would probably get a buffet of lower cost items.
A smart Trainer would be a nice Thing to buy :)
FR945 to motivate me to get back out on those trails.
Edge 830
Probably a new Garmin Edge 530, as I like a lot of the new features. That and even $500 doesn’t make AXS any more affordable ?
I would get a Garmin 945 watch as an update to the 920 I currently have. I would like that the newer models look less geeky and more like a regular watch
Varia, for my daughter, to go with her 520+. Dang girl bikes alone more than I would like. What better Father’s day gift then to feel a little safer for your kids?
Id love a Garmin Edge 530 for the hills please.
I’ll probably get a GoPro because they’re cool and you can’t just buy the camera, you need all the neat accessories too.
I’d blow it all on chamois cream!
Ok, let me have a chance of have a new watch. A F945 would be nice!
Please one time!
I’ll get my self a new Garmin. Currently bien VA3M. Plies new HRM. :-)
Garmin 945, my dream device !
Probably a 945. My 735xt is getting a little long in the tooth.
Our Dad’s both said “no presents,” but my husband could use a 945. The 920xt is still working fine, but a round faced watch will look nicer day to day.
I would get a go pro or some other cycling camera because i’m getting really tired of assholes and want to start prosecuting and have evidence.
I would like a Tacx Neo!
It would introduce me to Matrix cycling!
I would like to have a powermeter to improve my cycling training. For 500 bucks maybe a 4iiii, Stages or Favero. Good luck to all!
I’d likely pick up one of the new stages dash units – just because I kinda sorta want a new head unit
A running GPS, for me and my wife. Not sure which one though
Hi. Send I Fenix 5 to Brazil!!!
I’ll go for some sort of power meter, I think, so I can use it outside like I do inside. Thanks, as always, Ray!
I’d probably treat myself with a Polar Vantage V or a Garmin 530. Both are a nice motivation to run and bike better than I did so far.
Aging requires the best technology you can afford; lesson learned from a wealthy Japanese triathlete back in 1994, when I was almost 40 and he considerably older than me.
I would love to win and upgrade my gear for running or biking!
I need a bike computer, Garmin preferable.
Thinking of Winter, I’d like a fresh Kickrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Core!
I’d like to buy a new Garmin edge 830/530 and a power meter. After 10 years training by sensations, it’s time to embrace modernity.
$500 definitely looking at a new watch, although $500 worth of running socks might be worthwhile
I might get a GoPro or powermeter, or an Edge 830. Or, if I can find a good pair, I might get some new sneakers.
It has to be a new edge 530, if I’m buying for myself! Or maybe I should get my wife an FR245 music. She gets on fine with her FR35 but needs something with Spotify really.
A new fr945 would be sweet!
I would love to get the Garmin 945 in blue.
I’d like to get the Garmin Vector 3 power meter/pedals.
My forerunner needs an upgrade. Just trying to decide between the 945 or 645.
GoPro Hero 7 Black for some slow mo video action!
Nice! I would get a Garmin 645 music. My vivoactive 3 is on its last legs…
I would get a new GPS watch to replace my current one that might be failing.
I would go for the wahoo roam… ;-)
I’d put it towards smart trainer I believe. Thanks you!
Garmin 945 or a refurbished Garmin Marq Athlete
I’d take a shot at the Hero 4.
I’d get my long-standing dream – Fenix 5 plus, some sapphire variant definitely. My Ambit 2 seems indestructible and I just got tired of them.
I’d lean towards getting a GoPro Hero 7 Black as I don’t have any action cam right now
I’d have to go with something from the Fenix 5 series. Still probably the best out there overall. Way more than I need, but when (not if) I win, it will be nice.
I would go for a Garmin FR945.
I’d pick up a new Fenix watch – my existing one is getting a little old & longer battery life would be nice.
I would love a powermeter with L – R measurment to evaluate my leg lenght discrepancy and the resulting forces. Thanks!
I could use an upgrade from my Suunto Ambit 2S, and the FR945 looks great.
I think I’d get a Fenix 5s plus. Music with it a phone seems good.
I would get a garmin edge 530. My edge 500 is losing its power.
I’d get a Fenix 5+ or a FR 945! Both would be a significant upgrade, and the battery of my Epix doesn’t last very long anymore
Tough one. I think I’d probably go with a new Forerunner for my dad and a pair of new shoes for me!
Probably the FR945
A pedal-based power meter for sure :D
I am so ready to get a power meter so I can have all the data regarding my cycling mediocrity.
I’ve been eyeing the latest Garmin Fenix for a while now, still rocking the 3 HR.
Well, I would likely get a new Go Pro!… or maybe a power meter!… or a Fenix 5s! Damn, it’s hard to choose :)
This weekend is also national “My youngest kid is turning double digits, does that mean I’m getting old???” weekend. As for what I would get, if I were allowed to wait a while, I’d probably be waiting to see the successor to the FR645, e.g. would it have maps like the 945, but without all the extra baggage I don’t really need.
A Hero 7 Black gopro camera.