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
First look at the new Garmin Vivosmart HR with optical sensor
Update! See my in-depth review of the Vivosmart HR – now located just one click away here! Today Garmin rolled out their latest wearable, the Vivosmart HR. This new wrist-bound device takes the Vivosmart band that they announced slightly over … Read More Here
Zwift’s New Workout Mode: First workout overview
This weekend Zwift rolled out the first iteration of their new workout mode. This is a bit of a departure from their past claim to fame, which is the 3D world known as Zwift Island (or more recently, the Richmond … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
A nice pleasant weekend at home – here’s what we were up to! 1) A Michelin Starred Lunch Living in Paris we’re surrounded by incredible food. I think as a tourist you can easily get trapped into crappy spots that … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 24th, 2015
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 See.Sense ICON Smart Bike Lights
(Before we begin, I should note upfront that the Kickstarter campaign for this project ends in about 2 days. So, if you’re thinking of reading this post this weekend, you’ll have missed the boat. That delay in posting is totally … Read More Here
Everything you ever wanted to know: Garmin’s new Forerunner 230, 235, and 630 watches
Here’s Garmin’s fall running lineup! From new metrics like Lactate Threshold, to app support, and even optical HR built-in, tons of new features. Read More Here
A few quick thoughts on Polar’s new A360 with optical HR sensor
Heads up! I’ve now posted my full A360 In-Depth Review, which can be viewed here! Enjoy! Earlier today Polar announced their latest wearable, the A360. More notably – it marks the first Polar product to include an optical heart rate … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Here’s what I was up to in the very short amount of time I had home this weekend (after I got back from Mexico mid-week, I turned around the next day for a two-day trip to Amsterdam). 1) New Gadget … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 19th, 2015
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
Garmin Varia Bike Radar System In-Depth Review
This past summer Garmin announced their foray into the cycling lights and cycling radar world. Yes, radar. They released their Varia cycling lights product line, which includes the Varia bike radar system that allows you to see approaching cars directly … Read More Here
Because it’s October: Garmin Edge 520 Giveaway Winner Selected!
Well then…it appears some of you really want an Edge 520. More specifically, some 6,109 of you. That being the total number of valid entries into the giveaway last weekend. I had asked what you were up to for the … Read More Here
AmpStrip decides not to do fitness, refunds everyone
In probably the weirdest move of the year, Indiegogo project AmpStrip has decided that it doesn’t like being popular – and has exited the fitness business. Instead, it’ll pursue bringing the device to market within the medical industry. You’ll remember … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Past Week in Mexico
I’ve just arrived back from spending a week in Mexico, within the resort area of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. I was there, along with The Girl, for her sister’s destination wedding. Here’s what we were up to during our … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 10th, 2015
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
4iiii Dual Sided Power Meter: A Short Test Ride
Last Friday while on the way to the airport from Kananaskis (in the mountains for the ANT+ Symposium) to Calgary I swung by the 4iiii headquarters in Cochrane. The time I had was rather limited, as I was super time-boxed … Read More Here
Because it’s October: Garmin Edge 520 Giveaway
It’s somehow October already, and it’s been months since the Giveaway Extravaganza, and far too many months since a standalone extravaganza. I really need to have more of these. Partly because I love giving away stuff. And partly because if … Read More Here
The Power Meters Buyer’s Guide–2015 Edition
[Please see my 2016 Edition of the Power Meter Buyers Guide Located here.] Once again, it’s time for the annual power meter buyer’s guide. It’s mind-boggling how quickly a year has come and gone, and just how many more entrants … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Just a very short 40ish hours back at home this weekend in between trips – but I made the most of it. Here’s what I was up to! 1) Flew back from Canada I started off my weekend with a … Read More Here
A Week of Mountain Workouts in Kananaskis (Canada)
Well that was a busy week. Phew! I left Paris early Monday morning for the annual ANT+ Symposium, located about 75 minutes outside of Calgary (Alberta, Canada), in the Kananaskis Country area. Basically, the mountains. The Symposium is where the … Read More Here
Garmin rolls out Connect IQ to Edge series devices, announces new updates
It’s been precisely one year since Connect IQ was unveiled at the ANT+ Symposium. This morning (at this year’s edition of the conference), Garmin unveiled their next phase of the platform. Since that unveiling last year, Garmin has rolled out four … Read More Here
GoPro Hero4 Session In-Depth Review
Please note: My Full In-Depth Review is now published and available. Please click on over to that post to get my final impressions of the unit. Enjoy! It’s been about almost three months since GoPro announced their Hero4 Session action cam. … Read More Here
Interbike Power Meter Tidbits Roundup: Pioneer, Xpedo, WatTeam, PowerTap
As seems to be more and more the trend, the majority of power meter news came from Eurobike this year – with only smaller tidbits coming out of Interbike this year. Things such as pricing changes and slight model adjustments. … Read More Here
The New TomTom Spark: First Runs & Impressions
Earlier yesterday I had the opportunity to test out the new TomTom Spark GPS watch. This unit is unique in that it includes not only a new optical HR sensor, but also adds in music playback via Bluetooth headphones. Further, … Read More Here
LOOK’s new dual ANT+/BLE Power Meter Pedals: A bit more information
Back at Eurobike, LOOK quietly showed off their new dual ANT+ and BLE pedals, which effectively upstage long-time partner Polar in what used to be a dual venture between the two companies. These new pedals are physically similar to the ones that … Read More Here
Hands on with the Dyno Velo power meter
At Interbike this past week a startup company was showing off a new entrant into the crank spindle power meter world. The Dyno Velo power meter is currently planned to hit production next year, for a target price of $399. … Read More Here