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 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: Garmin Varia
Sports Tech Tidbits: Whoop Adds Strength Training, Garmin eBike Varia eRTL615 Radar, Wahoo’s RGT Elite Sterzo Support
We’ve got three tidbits of sports tech coming in today, from three very different realms. First up is the oft-rumored, and finally here, addition of Strength Training to the Whoop platform. Then there’s Garmin launching a wired version of their … Read More Here
Cannondale SmartSense System Long-Term Review: Synapse 1 RLE
After nearly a year of usage, I’ve got a pretty good handle on the Cannondale SmartSense system. The idea with the SmartSense platform is that a bike can be equipped with cycling rearview radar, lights (front and back), speed sensors, … Read More Here
Bryton Gardia R300 & Magene L508 Cycling Radar Sensors Announced at Eurobike
This week at Eurobike, both Magene and Bryton announced competitors to Garmin’s Varia cycling radar units, becoming the first non-Garmin company to make such an accessory. While many companies (including Wahoo, Stages, Hammerhead, and more) have made their bike computers … Read More Here
Garmin Varia RCT715 Camera + Radar In-Depth Review
It’s been 7 years since Garmin introduced their Varia radar. Similarly, it’s been 8 years since Cycliq first introduced their Fly6 bike-focused rear safety camera. For years, people have been begging for a hybrid blend of those two products … Read More Here
How To: See Map Overlays of Varia Radar Data, with Vehicle Counts
As part of my Garmin Varia RTL515 & RVR315 radar review last week, a few eagle-eyed readers spotted a unique data field within my Garmin Edge device: The ‘Vehicle Count’ field. Except, more meets the eye here than just a … Read More Here
Garmin Varia RTL515 and RVR315 Cycling Radar In-Depth Review
Like clock-work, two years after releasing the last version of the Garmin Varia radar, the company has released its now third generation version. While this new version looks identical from the outside, it’s not internally – sporting new features and … Read More Here
Hands-on: Wahoo Adds Radar Support for ELEMNT/BOLT/ROAM, confirms TrainerRoad Connectivity
Today Wahoo has rolled out support for ANT+ radar units to their entire lineup of GPS bike computers, including the original Wahoo ELEMNT, the BOLT, and the new ROAM. For the 7 people still rockin’ the old school RFLKT, you’re … Read More Here
Garmin Varia RTL510 Radar/Cycling Light In-Depth Review
[FYI May 2020: A newer version of this product has been released – the RTL515 – you can find that in-depth review here.] Yes, it’s a bike radar. But no, it’s not the first bike radar Garmin has made. And … Read More Here
First Ride: Garmin Varia Vision–Heads Up Display
Today Garmin introduced their first heads up display, the Varia Vision. The $399 heads up display takes data such as speed, power, and even approaching cars from the Varia Radar – and plops it up on a small screen at … 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
Eurobike Connected Bike Lights, Locks, and Lube
There’s always been talk and demonstrations of the ‘connected bike’ at Eurobike. After all, it’s a buzz phrase. You can stick ‘Connected’ or ‘Smart’ in front of anything and it makes your product instantly marketable. Sorta like when people put … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Here’s what I was up to over the last few days as summer slowly starts to wind down (and finally cool down!). 1) A bit of playing with the Garmin Varia radar & Edge 1000 update Sometimes I have all … Read More Here
Hands on with Garmin’s new Varia bike radar and smart light system
Today Garmin has introduced their Varia lineup of what they call ‘smart cycling devices’. This marketing terminology basically translates to connected bike lights and a bike radar system. These two products connect to Garmin Edge cycling computers for additional functionality. … Read More Here