Product Reviews

Over the course of the past few years, I’ve reviewed a number of products. Most of them, it’s simply because I went out and bought the product and gave it a whirl. In some cases, it’s because a company sent me their product to review. I differentiate within each review how I came about the product. I tend to be super-detailed in my reviews – some might even say over the top. That’s just my style, leave no stone unturned! If you have any questions about any of my reviews, feel free to leave a comment at the end of each post.

Not sure which watch to get? Start with my product comparison tool, which will help you narrow it down and compare features.

Other Reviews

The Massive Cyber Monday Sports Tech Deals List!

Here’s your complete guide to sports tech deals, sorted by category and updated constantly throughout the day, often hourly with new deals. Most links here help support the site – which I greatly appreciate! These four DC Rainmaker partner sites … Read More Here

Amazon Early Access Sports Tech Deals Round-Up

As you may have heard, Amazon is running a so-called “Early Access Sale” with Black Friday-like sale prices on October 11th and 12th. I’ve rounded up the best sports technology-related sales, or just sales on things that I like/use a … Read More Here

Fitbit Charge 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 5: A Ridiculously Detailed Comparison

Here’s every last detail between the Fitbit Charge 5 and the Garmin Vivosport 5, from health features to sports details, and everything in between. Read More Here

The Girl’s 2021 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List

Hey there, this is The Girl, Ray’s other half. After Ray’s latest Gear I Use post, some of you commented that you wanted an updated Gear List from me as well. So I sat down at the laptop and several … Read More Here

Huge List of Spring 2021 Sports Tech Deals (US)

It’s that time of the year again, where we see a slate of sports tech deals out there. This typically happens each May, just ahead of Memorial Day in the US, and then carries through to Father’s Day. However, most … Read More Here

Week in Review–August 17th, 2020

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

TreadTracker Treadmill In-Depth Review (And a Treadmill Accuracy Rabbit Hole)

We’re starting off the New Year with something from the old year. I bought the TreadTracker a year ago, and I’m finally getting around to posting about it. Fear not, what’s old is new again. And, for many of you … Read More Here

Sports Technology Buyers Guide & Recommendations: Winter 2018-2019

(Before we start note that obviously Black Friday is around the corner and as such we tend to see good deals on gadgets. As well as the big sales, some of which end this Saturday night. I’ve tried to note … Read More Here

The Girl’s 2018 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List

Hey there, this is The Girl writing to you today. As promised, I have put together an updated Gear I Use Post for you. So, if you are interested, take a moment to scan the lists of all of the … Read More Here

Bontrager Flare RT & Ion 200 RT Connected Bike Lights In-Depth Review

Bontrager has introduced a new far smaller and much cheaper variant of their popular Flare RT connected bike lights.  These $59 individual front and rear lights connect via ANT+ to supported head units to automatically turn on when you start … Read More Here

Week in Review – May 6th, 2018

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

Quad Lock Cycling Phone Mount In-Depth Review

There is no category of gadgetry that I get more manufacturer e-mails on than phone accessory junk. Which is somewhat ironic considering I can’t even remember the last time I reviewed a phone-specific thing. Still, once you get on some … Read More Here

PowerTap Significantly Drops Prices, Plus Detailed Power Meter Pricing Trends (2018 Edition)

It seems like it’s that time of year again – when we start to see shifts in power meter pricing and companies tweak their strategy for the year ahead.  The first to move this year was actually Pioneer, back in … Read More Here

Hammerhead Karoo Cycling GPS In-Depth Review

After an elongated delivery timeframe, the Hammerhead Karoo is finally shipping.  If the various engagement metrics I track tell me anything, it’s one of the most awaited bike computers of the last year. It could be the fast touchscreen display … Read More Here

Hands-on: The AIRhub Pro Resistance Wheel

Last year about this time I tried out the original AIRhub while down at the Tour Down Under.  That product is essentially a front wheel that provides resistance that you can control from your smartphone via Bluetooth Smart.  It has … Read More Here

Garmin Running Power App: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Today, Garmin released their running power app that they announced back in October.  The functionality requires a Garmin RD-POD, Garmin HRM-TRI, or HRM-RUN strap.  It also requires the latest Garmin watches, specifically either a Fenix 5, Chronos or a FR935. While … Read More Here

Hands-on: The COROS Omni Smart Helmet

It’s been one year since COROS burst onto the scene with their COROS Linx Smart helmet.  The main appeal of the helmet was that it had not only jawbone conduction speakers built into the straps (which don’t block outside noise), … Read More Here

Winter 2017-2018 Sports Technology Recommendations

(Before we start, you can find my massive Black Friday 2017 deals post here, expect a massive churn on that post over the next 5 days, as we go through both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  This guide attempts as … Read More Here

Strava in Augmented Reality: Here’s how it works

As Interbike kicks off you’ll see a slew of both mainstream as well as smaller companies try and get your attention with new products.  Some of these will be products that you genuinely find useful and plan to buy, and … Read More Here

DCR Facebook Live Q&A Tomorrow –July 28th!

It’s time. Again. Because, well, it’s been a long time since the last time.  Plus, The Girl will be joining me this time! Tomorrow (aka this Friday) I’ll get be hosting a Facebook Live Q&A session for anything you’ve got … Read More Here

Stages Dash L10 Bike Computer In-Depth Review

Update Nov 2020: Note that Stages effectively renamed the original Stages Dash to the Stages Dash L10, when they announced the new L50 and M50 models. As such, to make it clear for folks, I’ve updated the title of this … Read More Here

The Xplova X5 Bike Computer Review: What I Love and Hate

When the Acer Xplova X5 was announced last year, it got a lot of attention for its headline-grabbing features: An integrated action camera, cellular connectivity, full color touchscreen with maps, and integrated nacho cheese dispenser.  Well, maybe not the dispenser.  … Read More Here

Garmin launches its first inReach products: the inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+

Back in February of 2016 Garmin purchased U.S. based GPS device and map maker DeLorme.  In the press release of that acquisition Garmin specifically called out Delorme’s inReach two-way satellite communication devices.  Those devices packed a unique capability that allowed the … Read More Here

Garmin launches Uber ETA and other Connect IQ Apps

Caught up in the announcement of the all new Garmin Fenix 5 series this morning was the release of a host of new Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.  Garmin is making available for download apps from Uber, … Read More Here

My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment I Use Daily

Update – in case you find this old/stinky page, my updated page with all the gear recommendation is here! One of the most common questions I see in blog posts that’s not specifically which GPS watch to get, is what … Read More Here