Category Archives: Gadgets/Gear - Page 3

Gadget Time!!

Posted by Steve on February 16, 2012 No comments

It’s been a while since I have posted about some interesting gadgets, and I happen to have come across a few that are post worthy! So here goes.

Having driven the MINI around for the last few months, and being a part of the DC Metro MINI club, I REALLY enjoy my car. Many of the club owners like to make videos of their drives using the GoPro brand cameras. Being a camera type guy, I thought I would check one out and have some fun. So here is my pro/con list

Pro:

Light weight – Very small for just the camera and easy to pocket.
TONS of attachments (I got the Motor-sport version)
Easy to use – Menus are quick and easy
Cool Wide Angle – Gets everything in the shot
Good Quality (Not great, but good) – Auto adjustment of speed and ISO does oddly in low light

Con:

Over Simplified – It would be great if there were a few more options and configurations.
Low light sucks – In low light it ramps up the ISO a lot so there is some significant grain. But it’s not really meant for low light so….
Ball Joint mount would rock. – All of the mounts are pivot one way, you can add pivot points in, but it increases vibration.

Overall, I like it. It is currently mounted behind my rear view mirror and is nearly invisible to my FOV while driving.

This ties into another gadget I picked up. The OBDII adapter for Blue-Tooth. This is a chip that plugs into the data-port on my MINI (and any car after 1996) and provides all sorts of information on real time data from the engine to fault codes. I connect to it using my Android phone and an app Called Torque.

Now I just need to know what all that data actually means! (I am still learning).

Now, how does this all come together? Well, there is another android app called aLapRecorder HD. This connects to the OBDII chip and then can record all of that data for a specific drive. I can then output that data into a format that can be overlayed on to the GoPro video.

I will be using this for future drives out with the MINI to record the results. Especially the upcoming MINI’s on The Dragon event. If you have any questions about the above gadgets, please feel free to ask!

Scarfs are cool.

Posted by Steve on February 1, 2012 No comments

I have been a very long time reader of a web comic called Real Life Comics. I found the series back in probably around 2002, went back and read all past strips and then have been reading ever since. Needless to say, I have been a big fan. Unfortunately, I never really got into posting on some of the forums and fan groups because I just didn’t need yet another social site to try and keep up with. None the less, I love the strip and the work that Greg does. Every now and then he would throw up a strip that nearly mirrors conversations that Sarah and I have had! (Some of them almost verbatim).

Well yesterday Greg posted about a charity auction that he was helping out with by donating his hand made 4th Doctor Who scarf! Now, Sarah already owns a 4th Doctor scarf and loves it. I have always been jealous of her massive warmth in who-dom. So I got pretty excited about the potential to have my own that 1: Was hand made by someone who I am a big fan of, 2: helps out a great charity!

So Last night I sat and watched the timer tick down on the auction waiting for the price to skyrocket out of my range and was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t! For just over $200 I am now the proud owner of Greg Dean’s Hand Made Doctor Who Scarf!

Big thanks go out to Greg for making laugh on a (nearly) daily basis!

Malware sucks!

Posted by Steve on January 10, 2012 No comments

Well, not sure if anyone noticed, (given that I probably only have like 3 people that read this) but my main site came under attack recently. Apparently there was a wordpress exploit that someone got a hold of and it set up all kind of weird re-directs in my site and in Sarah’s food blog. This cause some posts/pages to browse to some Russian malware site. So, yea, huge apologies for that screw up. BlueHost (my hosting company) help me clean out the junk and get things updated and fixed.

I took this opportunity to clean things up around the site and try out a new theme/look. This only affects the main site, not my Tumblr site (which usually has the same posts).

As per usual, I am going to try and do some more posting with the new year. So far 2012 looks like it’s going to be a busy/crazy year. That is, if I can get off my butt and not play Star Wars: The Old Republic so much. I’ll see if I can get a post up about that in the coming few days.

As per usual, Stay Tuned! (and sorry for that Malware thing, really….you may want to see a Doctor and get checked out)

Snow!!!

Posted by Steve on January 9, 2012 No comments

We had a very small snow storm take the area by surprise today. This was the first time I got to drive the MINI in the snow. Not too much to report there, traffic still sucked.

When I got home I realized that after cleaning out the cooler this weekend, I forgot all the drinks out on the deck. Then this happened:

Well, at least they are still cold right?

New Years 2012

Posted by Steve on January 3, 2012 No comments

Woah, I think someone has been tampering with my time machine. I don’t remember how the heck we got here but it’s 2012 already! Sarah and I rang in the new year with our friends Caleb and Diz at the Kennedy Center. They do a special evening event for New Years and any engagement at the center gets you access. We did it up right too. I bought a Tux and Sarah got all dolled up. The whole night was a blur, but I guess that means we did t right. Enjoy the Pics and lets get 2012 started!

Select pictures below, the rest can be found at: https://www.wizzersworld.com/zen/Special%20Events/New%20Years%202012/

Happy Holidays!!!

Posted by Steve on December 10, 2011 No comments

Happy Holidays!!!

Photos, Games, and Cars

Posted by Steve on November 8, 2011 No comments

Here is a fun mix of photography, gaming, and cars all bundled into one post! Now, as you all know I picked up my new MINI just over a week ago and couldn’t help but get out and take come cool shots of it. I have some ideas of some other shots but those will come along soon.

On kind of a whim I picked up the Forza 4 game for Xbox 360. (ok not so much whim but I learned that there is a MINI in the game). On top of it being a great racing game, I learned it has a cool photo mode that allows you to take great shots of the cars in the game. Of course, I couldn’t resist.

Lastly, wanted to post that my work travel plans have changed and this means I will be able to join in on the MINI’s take the Beltway charity drive!! The money all goes to the Wounded Warrior project and it’s 50+ MINI’s gathered to do a Lap on the beltway! It’s this Sunday so if you are in the DC area and want to see a ton of MINI’s check it out!

My new Ride

Posted by Steve on October 28, 2011 1 comment

We have been toying with the idea of buying a new car, but not a car of necessity, a fun car to take on quick trips.

Well after much research and hemming and hawing, here is the new toy:

It’s super nice and fully loaded. We got a great price on it and I am very happy.

Here are the stats on the internals:

Exterior

Fully automatic electro-hydraulic black convertible softtop-inc: stepless sliding-roof function, remote open/close feature, easy-load function
Front apron w/enlarged cooling air inlet
Body-color air inlet integrated into engine compartment lid
Body-color sport bumpers
Chrome-plated side air inlets
Black exterior trim-inc: side sills, bumper edges, wheel housing
Integrated mudguards
Chrome bezels-inc: rear lights, headlights
Chrome-plated window trim
Body-color grille
Integrated low/high beam auto-leveling headlights w/follow-me-home function
Rear center fog light
Body-color pwr mirrors
Heat insulated green glass
Speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers
Tailgate w/low loading sill
Chrome-plated door handles
Anti-corrosion protection system-inc: partial galvanization, phosphate treatment & cathodic dip bath, cavity sealing underfloor protection
The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Interior

Leatherette front sport bucket seats-inc: manual seat adjustment, fore/aft adjustment, driver seat height adjustment, backrest rake, seatback easy-entry, manually adjustable headrests
50/50 split-folding rear seat w/fixed headrests integrated into roll-over bar
Center console-inc: (2) front & (1) rear cupholders, central locking switch, switches for pwr windows
Driver-side storage compartment underneath steering column
Brushed stainless-steel door sills
Sports leather-wrapped steering wheel w/column height adjustment
Aluminum alloy driver footrest & pedals
Instrumentation-inc: tachometer, outside temp gauge, speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, fuel/engine temp gauge, warning lights
Service interval indicator
Check control vehicle monitor with pictogram display
Bezels around instrumentation
Flat tire monitor
Pwr front windows-inc: open/close feature, automatic window lowering when door is opened
Remote keyless entry-inc: central locking open/close, tailgate unlock feature, open softtop
Central locking system-inc: open/close feature, softtop open, convenient open, tailgate/fuel filler cap release
Pre-wiring for alarm system
Engine immobilizer
Air conditioning-inc: pollen micro-filter, air recirculation button
Rear window defogger
AM/FM stereo w/CD player
Pre-wiring for CD changer
Digital clock
Lockable climate controlled glove box
Smokers pkg
Storage compartments in front door trim panels
Alloy patina interior surface
Mechanical anti-dazzle rearview mirror
Front sun visors w/illuminated vanity mirrors
Side sun visor
Lighting-inc: map/reading, front footwell, theater dimming, luggage compartmen
Leather-wrapped shift knob
12V auxiliary pwr outlet in luggage compartment
The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Mechanical

1.6L supercharged SOHC 16-valve 4-cyl engine
6-speed manual Getrag transmission
Drive-by-wire electronic throttle control
Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
Front wheel drive
55 amp/hr battery in luggage compartment w/safety terminal clamp
105-amp alternator
MacPherson front sport suspension w/single-joint spring-strut front axle
Multi-link rear sport suspension w/multiple-control-arm rear axle
Front/rear anti-roll bars
P195/55VR16 all-season run-flat tires
16” x 6.5” 7-fin spoke alloy wheels
Electro-hydraulic pwr steering
Ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) control
Rear park distance control
Corner brake control (CBC)
4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
13.2 gallon fuel tank
Body-color fuel filler cap
Twin-pipe exhaust system-inc: intermediate silencer, (2) rear silencers, chrome covers
Steel car jack
The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Safety

4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Corner brake control (CBC)
Driver/front passenger airbags w/sensor to prevent unnecessary deployment of passenger airbag
Driver/front passenger side-curtain airbags
Driver/front passenger side-impact airbags
Front/rear automatic seatbelts w/front pyrotechnic belt buckle tensioners
Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
Side-impact door beams
ISOFIX child seat attachments w/(2) rear anchorages
Crash sensor (fuel cutoff, activate hazard lights, interior lights-on, doors unlock)
Front/rear crumple zones
Roll-over protection system
Twin horns

Featured Equipment

Power convertible roof
6 Speakers
AM/FM radio
AM/FM Stereo w/CD Player
CD player
MP3 decoder
Radio data system
Air conditioning
Automatic Air Conditioning
Rear window defroster
Power steering
Power windows
Remote keyless entry
Four wheel independent suspension
Speed-sensing steering
Traction control
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
ABS brakes
Dual front impact airbags
Dual front side impact airbags
Front anti-roll bar
Integrated roll-over protection
Low tire pressure warning
Occupant sensing airbag
Rear anti-roll bar
Reverse sensing system
Auto Headlights
Delay-off headlights
Driving Lamps
Front Fog Lamps
Cruise Control
Black Bonnet Stripes
Bumpers: body-color
Power door mirrors
Driver door bin
Driver vanity mirror
Front Cupholders
Front reading lights
Illuminated entry
Leather Shift Knob
Multifunction Steering Wheel Controls
On-Board Computer
Outside temperature display
Passenger vanity mirror
Sport steering wheel
Tachometer
Tilt steering wheel
Center Arm Rest
Front Bucket Seats
Leather Seat Upholstery
Split folding rear seat
Sport Seats
Passenger door bin
Alloy wheels
Glass rear window
Speed-Sensitive Wipers
Variably intermittent wipers

Self Reflection

Posted by Steve on October 21, 2011 No comments

Decided to play around a little with a different subject…Myself. Well, myself and my son. I picked up a set of extension tubes to play with macro photography a bit and was frustrated when I found that the AF-S lenses auto close up their aperture when you remove the lens from the camera. Without the electronics to “make it go” the $8 extension tubes were rendered useless because the view was too dark to accomplish anything. I found a neat trick to get around that though. Over at Nikon Rumors this article got posted about using a bit-o-plastic to jam the aperture open. Worked like a charm! Also took a few portrait shots to practice. here are the results:

Harvest Time!

Posted by Steve on October 17, 2011 No comments

This weekend we got to visit our favorite place to pick out pumpkins, Hollin Farms in Delaplane VA. It’s not the shortest drive for gourd gathering but the trip out there is beautiful with all the trees changing color, and the chance to visit a farm and pull pumpkins right off the vine is something everyone should do. They have a full corn maze, and lots of stuff for little ones as well as a pick your own section to gather fresh vegetables and herbs. The main reason to go is for the pumpkins. With 10 acres of pumpkin vines, even the huge influx of people at the farm couldn’t gather up all the awesome pumpkins that were available. We took home 6 pumpkins (5 to carve and 1 for pie.)

The other great reason to head up there is for the view. The scenery is amazing. The trees in the area are all changing, the weather was perfect, and I was able to get a few really good shots.

I did discover a new area I need to work on though, Landscape shots. I know that a lot of Landscape shots are better taken in the golden hour simply because of the haze, but I found that anything I was shooting in a distance to get a wide area just didn’t come off that great. Well, there is always room for improvement right?