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
One Tiny Little Random Thing This Weekend
Normally on my ‘5 Random Things’ posts after each weekend I highlight a blend of tech gadgets that may have gotten unboxed, initial trials with new gizmos, and just random life things. These things are generally about living in Paris, … Read More Here
Huge Fall Sale: 20% off All Trainers & Most Power Meters, $100 off Fenix 5, GoPro Hero6 deal!
It’s that time of year again! The now annual 20% off sale. Now technically, it’s semi-annual since it happens now and in the spring. But I don’t think anyone’s complaining about the chance to buy a brand new just released … Read More Here
The Power Meters Buyer’s Guide–2017 Edition
Once again, it’s time for the annual power meter buyer’s guide! It’s where I round-up every cycling power meter on the market, and talk through what’s happened in the last year. I give my opinions of every single power meter … Read More Here
Apple Watch Series 3: Sport & Fitness In-Depth Review
Over the last 6 weeks I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Series 3 Cellular edition to see how well it works not just in daily use, but more importantly sport and fitness use. This review is all about sport and … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Somehow, the weather is still fantastic here in Paris in November. It’s cooled down a bit in the last 24 hours, but overall, I can’t complain much. Lots of sun, blue skies, and still largely short sleeve workout weather. 1) … Read More Here
Week in Review–Nov 5th, 2017
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
The 4th Annual DCR Cave Open House–December 2nd, 2017
It’s that time of year again! Time for you to start planning your trek to the 4th annual DCR Cave Open House! Yup, it’s gonna be the fourth open house already – how time flies since we did all that … Read More Here
Epson’s New ProSense Running & Triathlon GPS watches: Everything you ever wanted to know
Today Epson announced a flotilla of new watches. Not just one watch, but five different GPS watches from $99 to $399. They’ve got everything from smartphone notifications to activity tracking, and most models have optical HR too. Plus, they get … Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin’s New Descent MK1 Diving Watch
Sometimes, I do sports that are actually not swim-bike-run. Be it skiing, or…ok, I guess that’s it. Actually, I scuba dive, which I suppose is still technically swimming. Or swimming done rather poorly. So poorly that you’re never-endingly sinking to … Read More Here
Polar Announces Open API for App Access to Polar Flow
Today Polar announced the ability for app developers to access data within Polar Flow, via their new ‘Polar Open AccessLink’ API. An API (Application Programming Interface) is what allows applications and platforms across the internet to communicate with each other. … Read More Here
Garmin opens up Cycling Dynamics to other companies
Sitting on the list of things I’ve been meaning to write about for about a month, is a nifty and little known tidbit: At the ANT+ Symposium this year, Garmin announced that 3rd parties could start to leverage Garmin’s previously … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Yet again, it’s Monday. This weekend was filled with both gadgets and non-gadgetry things alike, so go forth and enjoy! 1) The Eiffel Tower: To The Top Fun fact: Since moving here over 5 years ago, we’ve yet to go … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 22nd, 2017
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
Hands-on with The Sufferfest’s new 4DP Platform
Earlier this week The Sufferfest rolled out a pretty significant change to its indoor trainer app. The platform has been around for a number of years, but has really honed its focus in the last 1-2 years and reinvented itself. In … Read More Here
Moxy offers trade-in deal for BSX Insight users
A bit of backstory: This past summer BSX ceased sales of their BSX Insight monitor to focus on their LVL hydration sensor. In addition to discontinuing the Insight product line, they also laid off the sales and marketing staff associated … Read More Here
Garmin Vivoactive 3 In-Depth Review
It’s been about 6 weeks since Garmin first announced the new Vivoactive 3 GPS watch. This watch builds upon the Vivoactive HR by adding in more features including things like contactless payments with Garmin Pay, as well as structured workouts. … Read More Here
Wiral LITE Cable Cam for Action Sports: How it all works
Over the last month or so you’ve probably seen a few action clips of mine using a funky length of 50 meters of cable and a doohicky zip across it like something out of crazy ziplining video. That is Wiral, … Read More Here
Suunto Announces Slew of Spartan Firmware Updates, New Custom Watch Builder
Just under a month ago, when Suunto announced the new barometric altimeter equipped Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro (yes, that’s really the name), it also hinted at some upcoming firmware updates. Some of these were casually referenced within the … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
An amazing weekend of perfect weather here in Paris, more like summer than fall. Here’s all the goodness that went down this weekend! 1) Friday Evening Delivery and Visitors After a fairly busy day, I wrapped up things with a … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 15th, 2017
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
Kona Bike Count 2017 Power Meter Analysis
For those in the triathlon world, today’s the big day: Kona. Or more accurately called – the Ironman World Championships. It’s when the fastest long-course triathletes in the world gather on a small island to collectively consume a hundred-thousand gel packets. … Read More Here
Annual Winter 2017-2018 Bike Trainer Recommendations
And just like that, it’s already fall. The summer season is past us (well, unless you’re in Australia), and it’s time to pick out that trainer for the weekend. Sure, the weather in much of the US and Europe right … Read More Here
BSX LVL Hydration Sensor: Does it actually exist? Oh, and BSX Insight is dead.
A year ago when BSX announced they were launching a new product – LVL – it seemed like the company might have shifted from a relatively niche market of muscle oxygen sensors, to what would have been a far more … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend in Île de Ré
We’ve long had on the docket plans to head out to a smallish island off the French coast with friends. But finding time to do so over the busy summer schedule was tricky. So we squished it in this weekend, … Read More Here
Week In Review–Oct 9th, 2017
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