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
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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.
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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!
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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 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.
Author Archives: Ray Maker
DJI Mini 3 Pro Accessories Tested: New Bike Mount for ActiveTrack
I figured I’d add a quick post here to mention a video I posted a few days ago on YouTube, covering a slate of DJI Mini 3 Pro Accessories I’ve been using this summer. Most of these were more general … Read More Here
10 Years Ago Today–Wahoo Announced the KICKR: Here’s a Blast From The Past
It wasn’t always like this. That is to say, just over a decade ago, there was no such thing as 3rd party trainer apps like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Or for that matter, even 3rd party trainers. Nor were there communication … Read More Here
TrainerRoad Starts To Tackle Running Support
Back a few weeks ago, TrainerRoad staff posted to their forums that they were opening up a public beta toggle to get initial running metrics within the TrainerRoad platform. Up till now, it’s only been cycling focused in terms of … Read More Here
DJI Avata In-Depth Review: Everything you need to know
For those that aren’t following along on YouTube, I figured I’d just drop a quick note here that I posted my DJI Avata In-Depth Review up on YouTube last week on announcement day. This drone isn’t quite like most of … Read More Here
Whoop Has Creatively Painful Discount Promotion This Week
Promotions on products are hardly new, especially in the fitness landscape – and especially over the past 6-8 months as some companies have struggled with a glut of inventory. But the promotion that Whoop sent out to members over the … Read More Here
Technogym Ride Smart Indoor Bike In-Depth Review
There are smart bikes, and then there are smart bikes. The indoor smart bike market over the last few years has exploded with options. Up until about three years ago, most indoor bikes were less smart, and more industrial-gym focused. … Read More Here
Most Smartwatch Companies Aren’t Truthful in Size Specs
I didn’t intend on going down a rabbit hole this morning. Or at least, not this rabbit hole. I thought I was starting my day down a much narrower hole, to quickly and efficiently demonstrate that the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 … Read More Here
Week in Review–August 14th, 2022
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Apple Adds Manual Triathlon Transitions to Latest WatchOS 9 Beta
Hot on the heals of my full Apple WatchOS 9 triathlon beta test earlier this week, Apple has added manual transitions to the latest beta preview build, which went live on Wednesday. Obviously, this was in the works for considerably … Read More Here
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro: Early Sports Review
With the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro, the company joins the ranks of other entities stamping products with the ‘Pro’ moniker. Sometimes that designation is deserved, and other times it’s little more than marketing. This time around, Samsung appears … Read More Here
Garmin Enduro 2 GPS Watch In-Depth Review: Tested to the Limit!
When Garmin first announced the original Garmin Enduro about 1.5 years ago, it was met with mostly confusion. How could an ultra-running focused watch not have maps? Sure, it had amazing battery life, and even a nifty nylon strap. But … Read More Here
Tri Amsterdam Race Report (Testing Apple Watch Triathlon Mode!)
Earlier this summer, Apple announced WatchOS 9, which is by far the company’s most ambitious push into endurance sports to date for their Apple Watch platform. It includes customizable interval support, running power, and a multisport mode, among many other … Read More Here
Garmin Watches Now Wish You Happy Birthday
(Yes, it’s been a bit quiet around here the last 10 days or so, more details on on that epic adventure down below.) Last Friday when I woke in my little tent, the Garmin Forerunner 955 wished me Happy Birthday. … Read More Here
Women’s Tour de France 2022: The Bike Computers, Trainers, and Power Meters
This past Sunday kicked off the first 8-stage Women’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This year the race started in Paris, where the women completed loops of the same main Parisian circuit as the men, similar to what the … Read More Here
The Bike Computers & Power Meters of the Tour de France
As with smart trainers, bike computers and power meters are theoretically fully sponsored on almost every team. However, in reality, that doesn’t mean that’s actually what those riders are using – something that came true this year in both categories. … Read More Here
TrueKinetix TrueTrainer Announced: First Look
This year at Eurobike, TrueKinetix announced their first smart trainer, which takes many of the features found in their higher-end smart bike, the TrueBike. This trainer has a slate of things we simply haven’t seen before on other smart trainers. … Read More Here
A Look at MyWhoosh Indoor Cycling App: A First Ride Explainer
This year at Eurobike, the MyWhoosh stand was the largest indoor training stand app at Eurobike. Granted, it was also kinda the only one, given that Zwift didn’t show up, and others like TrainerRoad have never shown at Eurobike. Nonetheless, … Read More Here
Garmin Previews HRV Status on the Fenix 6 Series Watches
In an unexpected twist, Garmin has added HRV Status to the Fenix 6 series watches in last night’s Public Alpha firmware update. HRV Status is a feature Garmin launched on their Forerunner 955 & Forerunner 255 series watches last month, … Read More Here
Eurobike 2022 Tech Tidbits: Bryton Trainer, New Stages & Rotor Power Meters
I’ve got a few minor tech tidbits from Eurobike still to sprinkle out in some posts. While this wasn’t a big show for indoor trainers/bikes from the bigger brands, there were a surprising number of smaller brands showing off new … Read More Here
Knog Scout with built-in Apple Find My (AirTag network) and Bike Alarm: Hands-On
Knog has announced and shown their new Knog Scout device at Eurobike, which is a small pod that fits underneath a water bottle cage, and has Apple’s Find My network built into it. Meaning, it’s effectively got an AirTag built … Read More Here
Bryton Gardia R300 & Magene L508 Cycling Radar Sensors Announced at Eurobike
This week at Eurobike, both Magene and Bryton announced competitors to Garmin’s Varia cycling radar units, becoming the first non-Garmin company to make such an accessory. While many companies (including Wahoo, Stages, Hammerhead, and more) have made their bike computers … Read More Here
Garmin Edge Explore 2 In-Depth Review
This week at Eurobike 2022, Garmin announced the new Edge Explore 2, which is a product line that’s historically been targeted at bike touring and navigation/routing. That continues with the Edge Explore 2, though I think the reality is that … Read More Here
Elite’s New Aria Smart Trainer Fan: First Look
Today at Eurobike, Elite was showing off their new Elite Aria smart trainer fan. Or, maybe it’s trainer smart fan. Or, fan for smart trainers. I don’t know the proper phrasing, but, it’s a fan that integrates with your smart … Read More Here
Garmin HRM-PRO Plus Heart Rate Strap In-Depth Review
Garmin has just released a slightly revamped version of their HRM-PRO chest strap, now the HRM-PRO Plus. Like most Garmin ‘Plus’-enabled things, this is a modest upgrade from their existing high-end chest strap, the HRM-PRO that came out two … Read More Here
Sports Tech Huge Amazon Prime Day 2022 Roundup & Tracker!
It’s back again – Amazon Prime Day…err…Days. That means that most (all?) Amazon country properties are doing pretty substantial deals across the board on all sorts of products, and that definitely includes sports tech gear. This event is held each … Read More Here