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
ISPO 2017 Roundup: Kuai Fit, Coros, Garmin, Salming RunLAB, Digitsole, LG, Casio, Kettler, Bonx Grip, Wiralcam
Sunday was a whirlwind day for me. As I noted previously, the annual pilgrimage to the largest sporting show on earth occurs in early February (this year anyway). And in my case, I make it a one-day trip. I leave … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
The first weekend home this year! And here’s what we were up to. 1) Some testing on the Champs-Élysées I’m just gonna leave this picture here for now. More again later this week if the weather clears and I’m able … Read More Here
Week in Review–February 6th, 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
Heads up: Stack of February Sports Tech Sales
Every once in a while the sports tech sales world syncs up. Kinda like one of those crazy synchronized spin bike performances (yes, you need to check that out if you haven’t). For whatever reason, today kicked off a wide … Read More Here
A Week On A Small Australian Tropical Island
After leaving Adelaide we headed north to Sydney. We were only there about 72 hours, and I haven’t exactly written a post about it yet. Partially because the weather was generally shiest. And partially because I’m backlogged on everything. Either … Read More Here
Headed to ISPO this weekend, got tech companies to see?
This Sunday kicks off the annual ISPO sports trade show in Munich. This show is all about the outdoors and sports, with a chunk of it dedicated to sports tech. The convention is massive – spanning the entire convention grounds … Read More Here
First Look: FeetMe Sport Insoles with Running Power
The list of companies aiming to get into running efficiency products seems to grow by the week, and this week I’m giving you a look at FeetMe. At its core, FeetMe is a connected insole that broadcasts and records everything … Read More Here
Hands-on: The AIRhub on-road cycling resistance unit
Almost every cyclist has attempted to ride on their local bike path on a weekend morning – only to become frustrated with getting a poor-quality workout, due to having to maintain low speeds for safety reasons or to avoid less … Read More Here
Week in Review–January 31st, 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
Week in Review–January 23rd, 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
Spectating the 2017 Tour Down Under
It comes to an end – The Tour Down Under (at least for me, the race finishes later this Sunday – today in Australia). I stayed for a week in Adelaide, overlapping all of the Women’s Tour Down Under, and … Read More Here
Tour Down Under 2017: A look at the Satalyst Racer Tracking System
Of the 19 men’s teams at the Tour Down Under this year, one stands apart from the rest. No, not because they’ve got superstars on the team. Nor because they’re riding the most expensive bikes in the field. In fact – … Read More Here
Tour Down Under 2017: Sports Tech Gear Of the Pro Men
After the women’s debut on Saturday, it was time for the men to make their entrance on Sunday at the People’s Choice criterium. This would be the first men’s race of the Tour Down Under, though it’s technically a separate … Read More Here
Tour Down Under 2017: Sports Tech Gear Of the Pro Women
There are many great aspects of the Santos Tour Down Under, from the fan-inclusive activities, to the stage structure. Non-locals may not realize for example that the teams all actually stay in one city (Adelaide) throughout the entire race, and … Read More Here
First Look: Suunto’s new Movesense advanced sensor platform
This past week at CES, Suunto introduced not one but two different products. Of course, it’s the Spartan Wrist HR watch that got most of the attention, complete with distracting green lights. But it was the almost not even mentioned … Read More Here
First Look: TomTom’s Newly Overhauled Sports App
As with most things in the tech realm – announcements from companies at CES usually fall into one of two camps: software or hardware. This year we saw many software focused announcements in the fitness/sports technology space. I suspect in … Read More Here
Hello Australia: I have arrived. Here’s what’s on tap!
Well then, that was most definitely one of the more roundabout ways to get to Australia – but I have arrived! Well, we finally arrived. Upon leaving CES in Las Vegas, I picked up The Girl and The Little One … Read More Here
Early Look: Zwift in VR!
Back at Eurobike this past summer there was a lonely tent outside next to the bike trial area. Under that tent was a single Wahoo KICKR, a flat-screen TV, a laptop, and a bicycle. Oh, and an Oculus Rift VR … Read More Here
Hands-on: Misfit’s Vapor GPS Watch
Here at CES, Misfit has significantly upped their activity tracker game by diving into the GPS watch realm. The company, known for their lightweight and fashionable wearables, announced a new $200 GPS sport watch set to release later this year. … Read More Here
Hands-on: Suunto’s Spartan Sport Wrist HR watch
This week at CES, Suunto has officially unveiled their first optical heart rate capable watch – the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR. You may remember back this past summer, when news first came out about Suunto’s plans for an optical … Read More Here
Polar shows off GoPro camera control, new H10 heart rate strap
While Polar started off the week with an announcement about their new wearable shirt that has integrated heart rate sensors in it, they began today announcing details on GoPro camera control and a new H10 heart rate strap. I got … Read More Here
GoPro says Karma Drone isn’t dead yet
Today GoPro announced that their Karma drone, which was recalled last year will be getting the band back together again, and re-launching sometime this year. You’ll remember that GoPro shipped 2,500 Karma drones before issuing a recall about two weeks … Read More Here
Hands-on: Garmin’s New Fenix 5 Multisport GPS Series–with mapping!
!!!Heads up – Check out the newest Fenix 6! My full Fenix 6 In-Depth Review is now available! Click on to read it all!!! Right on cue, Garmin has released their next edition of the Fenix series – the Fenix … Read More Here
Welcome to CES 2017!
And so it begins again! According to my badge, it’s at least my 5th year at CES. Perhaps it’s been more, I’m honestly not sure. I’ll trust what they say though. CES – The Consumer Electronics Show – Is the … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
The last and first weekend of the year! Just two different years that is. Here’s what I was up to as I kicked off 2017 and said goodbye to 2016! 1) There was much packing and prep This weekend was … Read More Here