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.
Sports Technology News and Reviews
Suunto 5 Peak In-Depth Review
Suunto’s just revamped their existing Suunto 5 multisport GPS watch with the new slimmer and more stylish Suunto 5 Peak. This follows in the footsteps of the Suunto 9 Peak last summer, in terms of cleaning up the external design … Read More Here
SRAM Acquires Hammerhead (maker of Karoo Bike Computers)
It’s been announced today that Hammerhead (maker of the Karoo 2) has been acquired by SRAM for an undisclosed amount. The sale was officially completed back on December 30th, 2021, though it is only being announced today. Both companies say … Read More Here
Garmin Epix (Gen 2) In-Depth Review
No, this isn’t your grandfather’s Epix from 2015, but rather, this is Garmin’s new 2nd gen Epix that effectively takes an Epix and elevates it with a full AMOLED color touchscreen display. Now, Garmin officially calls it just ‘Epix’, … Read More Here
Garmin Fenix 7 Series In-Depth Review
Today Garmin has announced not one, not two, but like 287 watches. Technically speaking they’ve announced two core product series – the Fenix 7 Series, and the Epix series. I mean, ignoring the fact that Garmin previously announced an Epix … Read More Here
Suunto Sold To New Owners (Again)
Suunto announced yesterday that they’ve been sold away from the Amer Sports group, to Liesheng, a Chinese tech-focused brand that also owns/makes the Haylou brand (audio devices). However, I say ‘again’, because Suunto has long been part of the Amer … Read More Here
Garmin Venu 2 Plus Tutorial & User Interface Guide
This is just a super-quick post to let ya know of a new long-form video I just posted. This one is a complete tutorial on using the watch. A blend between my usual ‘user interface & menu deep-dives’ and a … Read More Here
Garmin Venu 2 Plus In-Depth Review
The Venu 2 Plus is Garmin’s first watch with a microphone and speaker, as well as voice assistants. But does it still hold up in sport & fitness? I dive into everything from features to accuracy. Read More Here
Zwift Shows Off Zwift Ride Smartbike & Zwift Wheel Hardware Designs
Zwift appears to have just pre-announced their own new Zwift bike & Zwift trainer, in a hardware purchasing survey that went out to a selection of users. The survey outlined two new Zwift products – a smart bike called … Read More Here
Peloton Tread In-Depth Review
In general, I’m actually not a big treadmill-loving person – despite having way more experience running on treadmills week after week in hotels for years, than I ever want to remember. For the most part, unless it’s just above … Read More Here
DJI Mavic 3 vs Skydio 2 Active Track Review (for Cycling)
This post is a quick heads up that over on YouTube I published a review of the DJI Mavic 3 and its newly released Active Track 5.0 functionality. Additionally, within this video, I include a review of the canal water … Read More Here
The Massive 2021 Sportswatch Year in Review with DesFit
It’s up, the massive 2021 Sportswatch Year in Review video! Now going on the third year in a row, we sat down and discussed the nearly 20 different sports and fitness wearables that have been released over the course of … Read More Here
Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor: Very Long Term In-Depth Review
There’s arguably no tech product in my arsenal of products that’s been used as much as the Polar H10 chest strap, yet I never exactly got around to writing an in-depth review on it. Or, even a short review. In … Read More Here
Little Tikes Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle In-Depth Review
I never imagined there would come a product that would have me looking back at the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Smart Cycle Trainer, and drawing comparisons. But with that unit being discontinued in the world’s poorest product timing ever (just … Read More Here
Getting the Christmas Tree Home via Bike: 2021 Edition
As has been the tradition for nearly a decade of living in Europe, we’ve been bringing home the Christmas tree by bike. Seriously, all the way since 2012 in Paris using the basket of a Velib (when we apparently looked … Read More Here
Strava Publishes 2021 ‘Year in Sport’ Annual Stats Extravaganza
Strava just published their annual year in review presentation, which outlines what all of us 95 million Strava users suffer through each week. Both athletically suffering through hard workouts and long adventures. But also occasionally suffering through what others post … Read More Here
COROS Announces Training Hub Online Platform & Coaching Site
COROS has announced (yet again) a pretty significant update today, this time rolling out an online training log and analysis platform for both individual athletes and coaches. While we saw hints of some form of online site back when they … Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT Series Firmware Update Speeds Things Up
While lazily scrolling through my YouTube subscriptions this morning I caught GPLAMA’s latest (and quick) video, which in turn caught a Wahoo firmware update that came out this week, claiming: “Performance Improvements and Optimizations”. Of course, that wording is found … Read More Here
The 2021 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
I know, I know, I’m about two years behind on a refreshed ‘Gear I Use’ list. Which, is probably because, for the most part, I’m a creature of habit. While I might (ok, definitely) buy plenty of sports gadgets, the … Read More Here
GoPro Enduro Battery In-Depth Review
GoPro just released their new Enduro battery, which aims to offer better cold-weather performance, while also lasting longer in regular temperatures. In other words, it’s just all-around a better battery. This battery is compatible with the Hero 9 and Hero … Read More Here
Wahoo Adds Native Stryd Support for RIVAL Watch, Outlines Future Plans
Its been one year since the Wahoo RIVAL GPS watch was launched, and in that time Wahoo has added a number of features. From track mode to structured workouts, music control to race distance snapping, find my phone and even … Read More Here
Holiday 2021 Sports Tech Deals List!
Here’s your complete Holiday 2021 sports tech deals list, organized by category, and constantly updated. As a general rule of thumb, if you see a deal you want that seems too good to be true, grab it quick! You can … Read More Here
The Best GPS Sport Watches (2021 Recommendations Guide)
It’s that time of year again – the annual Sports Technology Buyers Guides. My goal here being to give my specific recommendations – exactly the same recommendations I’d give to my own friends and family, based on the continual usage … Read More Here
Best Cycling GPS Computers (2021 Recommendations Guide)
It’s that time of year again – the annual Sports Technology Buyer’s Guides, with this one focused specifically on the best bike computers and accessories. My goal here being to give my specific recommendations – exactly the same recommendations I’d … Read More Here
Oura Ring Generation 3 In-Depth Review
Last month Oura announced their 3rd iteration of their ring, which packs in more sensors while still looking the same. But more important than those sensors, are the new features and functions those sensors light up, which shift the company’s … Read More Here
COROS Adds GoPro Control, Komoot Route Sync, and More
Another month, another substantial COROS watch firmware update. And as usual, most watches get all these updates, no matter the age. This makes COROS the second watch company, after Amazfit (and GoPro’s own now-deprecated Apple Watch app) to add support … Read More Here