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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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.
Several apps in the App Store claim to do the same kind of HRM using the camera for iOS. Haven’t tried any of them.
I’ve used Azumio’s iOS Heart Rate app and it works pretty well.
Yeah, I’ve seen various apps over the years. I think it’s mainly notable to see en entity the size of Google getting into it.
I have used the android version of Azumio’s Instant HR on my old Android 2.3.4 phone back in the day. I was very surprised at how accurate it was when I compared it to my Garmin chest strap. My experience was it would pass the DCR accuracy test. It is interesting to see Google brining it to their fitness app.
Another Azumio user here (not much as I used to though). Bought a pulse oximeter several years back and the app (on android) was pretty much spot on with it. I wouldn’t use it for exercising but for checking resting HR in the mornings or evenings, it will do the job greatly.
There are a few apps for checking HRV. Fibricheck and HRV camera for example. It is for those who have a heart rhythm disorder, like me since a year (too much exercise according my cardiologist; especially a risk for men in their fifties who have done lots of ultra’s, biathlon, cyclists and triathlon, read the Haywire heart about it)
Have I missed something? What has happened to the newsletter?
I’m ordering popcorn now for the Lama review of Peloton.
Suunto updated their app last week, and you can now (finally!) create and sync POI’s to the Spartans, 5s, and 9s.
Interesting – VacMaster will do you the standard fan for 69.99 with a 5 year guarantee – bang a remote on it, charge 30 more and they’ll only promise it’ll work for two years – not a great look!
I agree. To make it more bike specific I’d look to give it 5 power levels rather than 3.
But still, it’s half the price of the Wahoo fan!
The golf shots look like GGI.
Great content as always. Little off topic but… I just bought some new tech, based on your reviews, and am wondering if you have recommendations for using hrm pro, edge 830, vector 3, kickr core, and zwift on imac? I’ve tried a few options and not sure of best setup. Any advice much appreciated!
NB some issues: want indoor rides to be included in training effect; am concerned that edge’s sync with kickr might be interfering with zwift erg(?), and finally rides that I haven’t actually done in zwift are being sent to strava…
Lastly, referring back to your last summer I think post about Garmin’s acquisition of first beat, will garmin eventually allow training effect to be computed from zwift recorded workouts (so I could leave edge out of indoor)?
Interestingly…. Garmin Australia have a sale right now with A$400 off the entire Fenix 6 range
Thanks to this deal I now own a 6x pro. $849 AUD ($650 USD). Used gift voucher deals to get an extra 5% off
Vacmaster claims to ship to Switzerland for £15, but when you click through to complete the order it gives an error saying that they don‘t deliver (and gives the same for Germany). Also doesn‘t appear to deduct the UK VAT even if they do deliver. Disappointed!