I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Here’s how to save!
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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 2023 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.
Tag Archives: CES2017
An Update on the Mio SLICE: How to get your slice of PAI
When Ray asked what readers wanted to see from CES this year, several of you commented about the Mio SLICE and the current status of its availability. I had the chance to sit down with the folks at Mio 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
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
First Look: The Casio Pro Trek Smart Android Wear GPS Watch
Earlier this week, Casio officially unveiled their all new smart outdoor watch, the Pro Trek Smart WSD-F20. This is their second GPS watch aimed squarely at the outdoor market, following last year’s announcement with a relatively similar model. This year … 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
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
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
Roundup from CES Day 2: Pepcom Event
We wrapped up Day 2 at CES 2017 last night. Ray spent the morning meeting with several sports technology companies while I worked on a few other posts in anticipation of the show officially opening tomorrow. While during the evening … 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
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
Roundup from CES Day 1: Unveiled Event
In the lead up to CES officially starting there are a number of press events for companies to showcase their newest products to media before the showroom floor actually opens. Last night I had the chance to attend one of … 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