Jan 27th Heads Up! The just-announced Garmin Instinct 3 is on sale today for $50 off, down to $450. Barely 3 weeks old, and the 50mm AMOLED edition is seeing it’s first (very unusually early) sale by Uncle Amazon.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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 would update my long-serving Forerunner 910xt to the current version of that watch, or perhaps the comparable Fenix model.
I’d use a GoPro Hero 8 to video Whale Sharks when I dive in Roatan in April ’20.
Definately a new trainer. Was aiming for the fliiiight, but seen as it will benefit from (/needs) further updates to perform as desired, I’ll choose another one.
I’m in dire need of a new cycle computer (either Wahoo elemnt or Garmin edge) because I lost my old one 2 summers ago and have used my watch since!
Fenix 6
Garmin 945 ? am a mom of 2 staring down 40 and finally signed up for 3 Trail races in 2020. Would love to finally get something for me instead of putting it off for the kids
I would get a new smart trainer. Wahoo kickr most likely.
A silent trainer, is essential
I have a Vivoactive 3, but I wouldn’t mind to exchange it to Venu. Seems a lot more options and better display from what I got from your review. thanks!
Power meter for sure
I would love a new Fenix 6 to upgrade to from my 5!
Well, a Garmin 945. A serious upgrade to the 935 and I do prefer the looks and lightness over a Fenix.
I would like a forunner 945 for the body battery and heat acclimation features
Almost certainly a kickr climb.
I would get the Garmin Instinct Tactical Outdoor GPS Watch so I could monitor my heart rate.
The Garmin 945 Tri bundle to get back in the marathon game in 2020 Would be really nice!
I’d get a pair of HOKA Rincon and Clifton shoes so I can replace my current sad stock as the road km’s start increasing in the New Year.
GARMIN 945 would be really nice post christmas present :)
A new Edge 520 would be awesome!
A Wahoo KICKR/CORE.
Because I guess my Minoura MagTurbo Trainer from the late ’80’s attaching to the bike (2003 Trek 5200) by the fork’s quick release and clamping chainstays behind the bottom bracket area is getting old.
Being very poor and loving cycling is not a crime.
And don’t think I’m not appreciative of what I’ve got.
Free Rollers for the Velodrome!
A trainer or a powermeter idk.
A new power meter would be nice.
New Garmin Edge – I need something to give me an edge.
The Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM will be nice addition to my cycling passion.
New power meter to power me to finish my first ironman in over 10 years!
I would love Aftershokz bone conduction headphones and the left over money to help buy the Phoenix 6 for my husband. Thanks!!
I’d put the money towards a new trainer. Got to stay in shape over the winter! And maybe some gels
As a mountain biker who does not navigate well in the off-road, I think the Garmin edge 830 computer would be most helpful. Map features from trailforks with live turn prompts is a great function n
A new, reliable , continuous health/activity tracker to replace the all over the place Vivoactive 3
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. Tired of cycling with just a Suunto watch… I am missing a big screen showing me turn by turn navigation, now that I am in explorer mode!
Fenix 6x pro, maps…..
945 to replace my 4 year old garmin
I’d love a smart trainer. Trying to get out for rides in the wi terminal having small kids, it just doesn’t happen
Yes please, something shiny and new!
Fenix 6S to kick start 2020 in turbo mode
Turbo trainer, without a doubt :-)
I’d finally get some comfortable, non-cheap cycling shoes and maybe a spare helmet. Gotta protect the noggin, if it ain’t too late.
I’d love an Assioma power meter because I don’t have one and use power on my Kickr.
This is a placeholder; should I win then I will give a thought of what to choose. Thank you for running this giveaway.
Wahoo elemnt roam
Garmin Forerunner 645 music for-a-runner who I support the most – my wife.
A power meter, cause Santa clearly didn’t get my letter this year.
I would get the Favero Assioma Du. My old power meter is broken and I miss riding with powerdata.
A new power meter would be awesome
I would love to have a Garmin Forerunner 945 – the best sports watch and even more motivation for training next year!
I would definitely like a new smart Garmin. Venu or Fenix 6.
I really need an upgrade to my GoPro Hero 3
Would like to get a drone to analyze my running
Fenix 6? To upgrade my 5+… I just don’t know which one to get.
A new garmin edge bike computer as mine was destroyed in a bike crash during the hincapie gran fondo when a guy in front of me dropped his iphone. I avoided his iphone but hit him and did a front flip when he stopped and turned sideways suddenly. I didn’t realize it at the time but the power button on my garmin was smashed in during the crash and allowed water intrusion during the rest of the ride. I had a case covering it so I did know until it began acting up later.
Fenix 6X Pro! Need one now that I have two marathons and three mountain runs to train for in 2020 ???
Probably a Garmin Venu since it looks really slick!
Favero assioma duo – time to go dual side for power measurement!
I would get the 4iii trainer, so I could get back into shape in the next door to our newborn.
New wheel set!
A silent trainer, so my neighbors can have a conversation while I’m sweating my ass off
New garmin 5s cause my fenix 3 is playing dead
I will go for a dji Mavic mini or some winter bike shoes.
So much to choose from, I’m guessing it’s time to replace my watch, so a fenix 6
Giro rumble VR dirt shoe. I need some gravel gear and that seems like the first thing so thought of. Or maybe a power meter for the gravel bike. Unclear.
Quarq pm would be my choice.
A garmin fenix 6 instead office the aliexpress socks i received
Would love to be able to give something new to my wife!
An edge 830 to replace my aging 1000
Garmin Fenix 6 – my old 245 is held together by layers of tape at this point.
for me a nice umbrella ;-)
want to concentrate GPS signal and block out trees and buildings with an umbrella
should work nicely
GoPro Hero 8 Black, my current GoPro Hero 3 Black desperately needs an upgrade.
Garmin 830 bundle
I would like the Favio Assimo Duo power pedals, because I have four kids and need to train more efficiently.
A Fenix 6s to replace my Fenix 5
Edge 530 for me :-)
I’d be upgrading the first Fenix 3 to a Garmin 945.
Garmin Fenix 6 would fit me.
I’d really like a Garmin 830 to replace my edge 25….
I would take a Garmin Forerunner 945
Fenix 6, to replace my old Suunto ambit2. Or go pro? hmmm. Garmin Fénix 6 it is!
Go pro8,please. To document my runs
Garmin Forerunner 945
Fenix 6 to replace my 920XT.
GoPro Hero 8! for all the group runs!
Large TV to put directly in front of trainer.
I would get a Garmin Venu, because my TomTom Runner is getting old and the Venu looks like a really good watch.
Fenix 6
I’d get the assiamo pedals to try out the TrainerRoad outdoor workouts. Way better at making me faster than the essential oils I got from secret Santa
I’d get something from Garmin.
I would be looking at a kickr climb or a Quarq for my wife.
The 945 would be my upgrade.
I’m a numbers guy. I want all the numbers. I often enjoy analyzing the numbers more than the actual activity. The one number I’ve been missing due to the high cost is power. I need power. A power meter is definitely in my future.
I would love to get Assioma power pedals. why? don’t have a power meter!
The Ghost of present Christmas got me and I was almost loosing this giveaway!!
Vivoactive 4 to replace my garmin vivoactive 3
I’d put it towards bike upgrades, maybe wheels or a power metre
A Garmin edge830 for my wife
Garmin Varia taillight and Edge 830
Hero 8 for the win!!!
Garmin Edge 530
Fenix 6
Wahoo Elemnt Roam. Original Elemnt is going strong but would love that backlight and better turn by turn support!
I think a Neo 2 could follow my current Direto.