DC Rainmaker

DC Rainmaker is a blog created by Ray Maker that focuses on reviewing gadgets and technology for runners, cyclists, and triathletes. The blog has been around since September 2007.

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SRAM AXS/eTAP USB-C Dual Battery Charger: A Very Short Review

2 weeks ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

After my Wahoo TRACKR RADAR post/video a few weeks ago, where I noted that Garmin’s RTL-515 is the very last micro-USB device in my house, a bunch of you jested: “What about SRAM AXS batteries?!?!”. That’s because, indeed, SRAM does still distribute a micro-USB charger with all AXS-equipped bikes. That’s the same battery type as eTAP, they are fully interchangeable.
Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical vs Instinct 3 Hands-on: Everything You Need to Know!

2 weeks ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Garmin has announced the new Instinct 3 Tactical edition, which comes in two flavors: AMOLED & SOLAR (to match the two flavors of the main Instinct 3 lineup that launched a few months ago). Garmin’s tactical-themed watches have been around a number of years now, first starting with the Tactix in 2013 (essentially a variant of the Fenix), and then in the last few years spread to the Instinct lineup.
Garmin Expands ECG to UK & Switzerland

3 weeks ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Garmin has started rolling out ECG app availability to users in both the United Kingdom and Switzerland, joining the US, European Union, Canada, Australia, and numerous other countries. The UK had really been the last remaining ‘big’ western market hole in Garmin’s ECG strategy. Thankfully, this time they made it available for all Garmin watches that contain the right Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor in it.
Week in Review - December 15th, 2024

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

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 what to do with all of the coolness that people write, and while I share a lot of it on Twitter/X and BlueSky, this is a better forum for sending it on to y’all.
Wahoo TRACKR RADAR Hands-On: All The Details

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Wahoo has announced their first cycling radar, aptly called TRACKR Radar. This new radar does pretty much all the usual cycling radar bits, and integrates with everyone else, and costs about the same as everyone else. It has has a handful of new features though, and better battery life – which may give it the edge. Plus, it’s got USB-C. I’ve been riding with it for the past week or so, putting it through its paces.
Wahoo BOLT 3 & ROAM 3 Hands-On: What You Need to Know!

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Wahoo has announced their new Wahoo BOLT 3 and Wahoo ROAM 3 bike computers, which essentially moving the BOLT & ROAM-sized devices onto the ACE software and display platform. The goal here being that Wahoo’s three bike computers going forward (ACE, ROAM, BOLT), all share the same software platform and screen technologies – in much the same way that Wahoo has done so in the past on the previous generation units.
Garmin Varia Vue Front Camera/Light In-Depth Review: Worth the Price?

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Garmin has just announced the Garmin Varia Vue, which combines a 600 lumen front light with a safety camera capable of recording in 4K. This essentially becomes the logical pairing to the Garmin Varia RCT-715 rear camera/radar combo. Of course, given it’s Garmin the price isn’t cheap: $549. And of course, there’s also a secondary subscription option as well, to store your footage in the Garmin Vault cloud platform (a service that’s been on their vehicular dash cams for years.
Zwift Now Does Outdoor Ride Tracking, Zwift Ride Gets More Crank Lengths

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Zwift’s first-ever, and hopefully annual, Zwift Community Live (ZCL) began yesterday in Mallorca. This event aims to bring together the Zwift community with a paid four-day event packed full of outside riding. At first glance that might seem weird for an indoor cycling company, but as you’ll see, that’s about to change starting next week.
FIT File: Garmin Connect+ FALLOUT // Did Garmin Get Cancelled?

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we chat the Komoot acquisition and what it’s likely to mean, as well as of course, the beginnings of the Garmin Connect+ fallout. An iceberg we’re likely only at the tip of. 0:00 Intro3:08 Komoot Acquisition14:54 Garmin Connect+ FireThanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration, where you can get 15% off your first order.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 Hands-On: Everything You Need to Know!

1 month ago | dcrainmaker.com | Ray Maker

Garmin has just announced the new Vivoacitve 6, which brings it even closer to their mainstream consumer watch, the Venu 3. This new version adds in some 50 sport profile modes, a ton of running features including running dynamics, running power, running PacePro, course following, and on-watch workout animations. Meanwhile on the hardware side it doubles the music storage, and increases GPS connectivity.