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 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.
Author Archives: Ray Maker
Wahoo Halts ROAM Bike GPS Shipments
We’re going to toss this post into the quick heads up post category – but Wahoo has semi-quietly announced to retailers and consumers that they’ve delayed further shipments of the just announced Wahoo ELEMENT ROAM GPS until early July. While … Read More Here
Final Surge Becomes First Platform To Enable Polar .FIT File Integration
I like highlighting things that improve interoperability for end users, and help advance the industry forward. Said differently: I like highlighting cases where companies shift towards industry standard file formats that make our lives easier. Or at the very least, … Read More Here
Garmin Live Event Sharing: Everything you ever wanted to know about it
Over the last month as part of Garmin’s new devices extravaganza, there was barely a mention of ‘live event sharing’ for certain devices. It was almost listed as fine print, right next to ‘if you do something stupid using our … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
(Preemptive note/reminder: The 20% off trainers/power meters/etc sale ends later today. While mostly targeted at the US, it’s certainly not limited there. In any case, hit up the link for all the details. Also, note that I’ve added a bunch … Read More Here
Week in Review–May 26th, 2019
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
Quick App Reviews: Footpath Route Planner (iOS)
Today we’ll continue the once in a long time series of quick app reviews. As you know, I generally dislike doing app reviews, mainly because apps change so quickly that any criticisms I make are immediately addressed in the next … Read More Here
Suunto 5: Everything You Need to Know & First Runs
The Suunto 5 takes the best endurance features of the Suunto 9, but adds in new functionality not seen on the higher end watch. Here’s all the details you need to know. Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It’s not really getting any warmer in our neck of the woods – though, it is at least getting slightly sunnier. So I’ll take what we can get. Here’s what I was up to the last few days. Sorry for … Read More Here
Week in Review–May 19th, 2019
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
Huge Spring Sale Begins: 20% off All Trainers & Most Power Meters, $150 off Fenix 5 Plus and 30% off Suunto
Like clockwork, it’s that time of year again! The now semi-annual 20% off sale. That’s because it happens now and in the fall. But I don’t think anyone’s complaining about the chance to buy a brand new trainer or power … Read More Here
DJI OSMO Action: In-Depth Review of DJI’s First Action Camera
Is the OSMO Action a GoPro Killer? I dive in with extreme detail to see how it stacks up against the Hero 7 Black, from piles of side by side footage and plenty of tests. Read More Here
COROS VERTIX Adventure GPS Watch: Hands-on with their new premium watch
The COROX Vertix might look like a Garmin Fenix 5 watch, but are the features the same? I dig in to find out how well it stacks up. Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Ahh yes, finally getting some re-warmth into the springtime weather here in Amsterdam. Not a massive amount of warmth, but I’ll take any bit I can get. Here’s what I was up to this weekend, with family in town as … Read More Here
Week in Review–May 13th, 2019
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
Zwift’s New Giro d’Italia Course Released: First Ride
Earlier this week Zwift announced that their new course would be a short time trial route mirroring the 2019 Giro d’Italia Stage 1, which starts today with the pros riding the real thing in Bologna. But it wasn’t until now … Read More Here
4iiii Acquires STAC Performance, Makers of Near-Silent Trainers (and other products)
The consolidation in the power meter and trainer industry continues this year, with 4iiii announcing today they’ve completed the acquisition of STAC Performance, which you’ll remember makes the virtually silent trainer that I rode inside our baby nursery. STAC also … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
After countless non-stop tech weekends, it was finally a little bit more relaxing on the sports tech gadget testing front. Still, I was carrying out some less critical tests over the course of the weekend which I suspect some of … Read More Here
Week in Review–May 6th, 2019
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
Sunday Tidbits: Polar’s new Vantage V Titan + Roadmap Updates, Suunto Updates, and Xert iOS App
While this was a busy week when it came to new product reviews, there was a small undercurrent of notable sports tech news this past week that my brain couldn’t quite squirt onto the page. But…now that time has come. … Read More Here
IQ2 Power Meter Changes Direction: Backers Now Getting Pedals
On the list of things coming down the pipeline this Friday, I didn’t see the day wrapping up this way. IQ2 just announced that their belated power meter project (which was essentially a small spacer in between the pedals and … Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
Sometimes, I don’t quite know how to start a product review. And unfortunately, today is one of those days. See, the thing is, when I review products – price is an important piece of the equation. Just as it is … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 945 Multisport Watch In-Depth Review
It’s the most comprehensive look at Garmin’s top multisport watch out there – the FR945 In-Depth Review. From accuracy to music, real-life usage, and more. Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 45/45S GPS Watch In-Depth Review
Trying to decide on the best sub-$200 sport and running watch? This review dives into all the details you need to know to nail your next running race. Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music GPS Watch In-Depth Review
Here’s everything you could ever want to know about the Forerunner 245/245 Music, from loading Spotify, to Running Dynamics, to GPS accuracy and plenty more. Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It’s been a crazy busy last week, and this weekend was no exception. So let’s dive right into it! 1) Cycling The Tulip Fields Friday afternoon The Girl and I grabbed our bikes and headed 1-2 hours south. To tulip … Read More Here