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.

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Other Reviews

2012 Tour de France–Stage 1/Day 2

We left off yesterday in Liege, Belgium, where the prologue stage both started and ended.  Today, (err…Sunday), we moved…well…just a few yards down the road.  Stage 1 would also start in Liege, but would finish in a town just a … Read More Here

2012 Tour de France–Prologue/Day 1

Yesterday we woke up around 7AM to catch our 8AM train from Paris to Liege (in Belgium).  That’s the beauty of high speed trains – quick and efficient transport while relaxing at roughly 200 MPH (or about 300MPH).  Oh, and … Read More Here

In-Depth Review of the Quad Lock iPhone Bike Mount Case

There are numerous iPhone and cell phone bike mounting kits out there on the market today.  They range in price from under $10 to nearly $1,000 (yup, really).  Their capabilities, functionality an easy of use have just as extreme of … Read More Here

A&D Medical Lifesource UC-324 ANT+ enabled Weight Scale Review

I’ve reviewed a number of scales in the past, but only two of those are still used within the household on a daily basis.  I say two, simply because one is in one bathroom, and the other in the other … Read More Here

Help me creatively spend $800 on a new bike!

We’re gonna play a bit of a ‘what-if’ game today, primarily, because I need some real-world assistance in deciding a conundrum.  One of the job benefits for the company I work for is that we get a fitness credit each … Read More Here

The 2012 SRAM RED Quarq (and bike!) arrives into the DC Rainmaker test lab

Yup, while I’ve gotten all assortment of trainers (including some rather expensive ones) sent to me to try out, I’ve finally made it to the big leagues – a fully loaded bike has arrived in the house.  One that I … Read More Here

The Sports and Fitness History exhibit at the Patent and Trademark Museum

Washington DC is full of fascinating monuments, memorials and museums.  There are of course the many famous places that those outside of the region hear about on a potentially daily basis (i.e., the White House), some that you might hear … Read More Here

Bontrager ANT+ Bike Speed/Cadence Sensor that requires no zipties or tools!

(Update/Note: If you’re looking at this unit, it’s marketed under both Bontrager and Motorola brands. Same identical unit, just different shell.) It’s funny when you think about it, as much innovation that goes on in cycling computers – there’s been … Read More Here

What I wear: Cold weather running

Back a bit ago I got a question as to what my cold weather running gear looks like – after all, I do pretty much run outside no matter how cold it is. “Searched your blog but couldn’t see much … Read More Here

Behind the scenes: The DCRainmaker Gadget Cave

Back a while ago I had shown a photo of the heart rate strap collection I have, where I stash the massive number of heart rate straps that I seem to have obtained (usually just because they came with various … Read More Here

A review of the SportyPal Sony Ericsson Xperia Active Bike Mount

It’s not that often that I write reviews for items that actually include no electronics whatsoever.  Nor is it that often that I write a review for a single piece of plastic not much bigger than a deck of cards.  … Read More Here

Hands on look at the Magellan Switch and Switch Up GPS Multisport watches

Last week at CES I got the chance to sit down with the product development leads behind the newest multisport watch in the market – the Magellan Switch (or Switch Up depending on the model).  This unit will be available … Read More Here

Pushing the envelope: Ultra-long time tests on Timex Run Trainer andFR910XT

Earlier last month someone on one of the various Internet Forums had asked how long the Garmin FR910XT and Timex Run Trainer would last if you turned off GPS, and instead let it just rely on ANT+ data (heart rate, … Read More Here

At look at InsideTracker’s Nutrition Testing Service

About a month ago I was contacted by the folks from InsideTracker to do a run through of their newly unveiled nutrition testing service.  The goal of this service was to allow athletes and non-athletes alike the ability to quickly … Read More Here

Behind the scenes: LeMond Fitness

The guys at LeMond Fitness offered a tour of their facility over a year ago, when I first met the at the 2010 ANT+ Symposium.  Given I’m often in Seattle to visit family, it was just a matter of time … Read More Here

App Review: SwimRadar–Finding pools while travelling

(I’ve long been asked to do app reviews.  And I have done a few here and there, as well as written about them for various publications.  At the moment the number of developers asking for my app reviews far exceeds … Read More Here

My Totally Awesome New Shark Blimp

Remember back a week or two ago when I noted all the new products that came in to review?  Well, in addition to those, there was one little item that I just ordered myself…a remote controlled shark blimp. Yes, seriously. … Read More Here

Interbike 2011 Day 2 Overview (Sports Technology)

(First Note: This post is meant to compliment the non-sports technology Day 2 overview that The Girl posted a bit earlier here.) (Secondary Note: Yesterday I took all the questions everyone asked in the comments section of the Garmin Vector … Read More Here

Hands on review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active ANT+ enabled waterproof phone

When Sony Ericsson added ANT+ capabilities to some of their Android phones last year, it was a pretty cool milestone.  But with ANT+ comes the outdoors – and with the outdoors comes things that are generally considered ‘unhappy’ to electronic … Read More Here

In-Depth Review of the HeadsUp System Roof Rack Protection System

Back a few months ago I offered my views on how I avoid decapitation of my bikes when I pull into my garage after riding.  Like most, my method is simplistic and functional.  But it’s also tied to the reality … Read More Here

Review of 1BandID Sports & GPS watch ID bands

You’re likely very familiar with emergency contact ID tags – typically small bands that you wear on your shoe or person that identify who you are, and your emergency contacts.  These are invaluable in case you get into trouble and … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part III (The In Depth Statistical Analysis)

(Note from Ray: Two weeks ago when I published the results of the Bod Pod and body fat scale testing, a reader who happens to be a PhD Candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Nathaniel Page – made an offer to … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part II (The Results)

Yesterday we left off with nine folks getting weighed in on five different consumer body fat scales – all in the quest to compare it against the generally accepted more accurate method of using a Bod Pod.  Some of you … Read More Here

Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part I

I’ve always wanted to do some sort of comparison test between many of the consumer scales that are out there today that measure both weight as well as body fat against one of the more expensive options such as the … Read More Here

Converting a $99 Target Schwinn beach cruiser into my Wedding Bike

When we were planning our wedding that happened back in July, one detail that kept creeping up was our ‘departure vehicle’ – that is, how exactly we’d be departing the ceremony and arriving at the reception.  Often times the bride … Read More Here