JediDefender.com Forums
Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Morgbug on December 21, 2004, 11:58 AM
-
I don't mean commercially, I mean personally. As in are there any technologies that you've been pleasantly surprised by or anything that worked in just the manner you expected that you'd recommend?
I bought my last winter jacket off ebay, a nice Summit Series North Face Gore Tex shell with a fleece jacket inside. When I got it in the mail, it pretty much fit as expected and I knew Gore-Tex was a good product - breathable and water repellant as expected. But when I tried on the jacket, the fleece inside was pretty damn thin. No damn way that would keep me warmn in a Canadian winter.
In the past, I've worn fleece jackets as a layer - they are typically available in 100, 200, 300 weights - the higher the number, the heavier and warmer the fleece is. The North Face fleece is probably about a 100 weight fleece. BUT... it has a layer of Gore Windstopper fabric in it. And that's the product I've found a new respect for. It is not, as I expected, warm enough for winter up here, so I added a 200 weight fleece vest (thanks MEC) underneath and now I'm as cozy as some dumbass Californian thinking it's cold at 60 F. The windstopper layer does an amazing job of blocking the wind, much better than any conventional fleece jacket. I first figured this out in Hawaii on top of Haleakala crater, where it was a little cooler and the wind was blowing pretty good, yet I was plenty warm.
Gore-tex and Gore's Windstopper fabric get my nod of approval. The former is no surprise, but the latter was to me.
So, anything you folks would stand behind as a quality product?
-
I read about that Windstopper stuff in an article here about winter weather gear a few months ago. Used in gloves and coats I guess its amazing how light they can make stuff now
I tried my damndest to get a job at Gore out of college. The inventor of GoreTex (Bob Gore) was a grad student of the Prof I worked for in college (U of Minn) and I was really hoping that connection would at least get me an interview. No dice :-[ Fascinating stuff though, GoreTex. Its expanded Teflon and if you ever get a chunk of it, you could play with it for hours (I know I'm a nerd). It also sort of ticks me off because Gore is a great company to work for I guess...oh well
Here is something I did work on and have bought and it works great! :)
(http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/woeimages/00003121.jpg)
No ugly silver tape. Lasts 6x longer than the silver stuff and I worked on it, so...use it!
-
I'd buy another Hyundai product in a heartbeat.
I've had my 2000 Elantra since well, 2000, and the only thing I've had to do is regular maintenance. I did have to replace plugs and wires once, but that's pretty minor IMO.
Just had to change oil, tires, belts, and filters. I'd definately recommend these cars, if you can't spend a lot of money on a car, like me.
-
Apple Macintosh
Honda
Vasque Sundowner (Hiking Boots)
Dana Design packs
Room & Board Vermont Heartwood furniture
-
I've had nothing but good products with Toshiba and Honda...
-
Well way back when, about ten years ago, my mom bought me a Sanyo 4 Head non hi fi VCR and that guy is still going stong. Never has it given me problems at all. And this is the VCR that would play the Star Wars movies every night as I was going to sleep. The tapes themselves are fubared, but that lil ol VCR is top knotch. Later on I bought a VCR that was Hi Fi, from Wal Mart and that thing tore up and ate my tapes, until one got stuck for good. Piece of s***, I should have never t tried to movie up, that lil guy is with me now and forever!!! ;)
-
I'll second the notion on Honda for sure, but I'm no longer convinced the price premium is worth it. Back when I was looking for my current car, I was looking at buying a 1998. It came down to between a Nissan Altima and an Accord. The price difference on the used cars? $4000. Honda would not budge. Took a shot and bought the Nissan. It's at 203000 kms or about 120000 miles. The only thing it's needed done is a replacement of the catalytic converter. Pain in the ass environmental, non-essential piece of crap :P but the car won't run without it.
If I have a knock on Honda, it's the brakes. My Accord, Civic and CRX chomped through them like no tomorrow. Exhaust systems were a little more prone to early wear as well. Still, a great car at Honda, but I'm pleased as punch with Nissan.
We don't see much of the clear duct tape up here Scott. Not sure why, but Canada is duct tape central (Red Green anyone?). Love the stuff and some of my poor trading partners have seen it used in a pinch. How does the clear stuff hold up in the cold? That seems to be the big failing of grey duct tape - outdoor use in cold weather. If this stuff is better, then I'm happy to buy it. Indoors though the grey stuff has a special visual appeal :D
-
(http://www.condomdepot.com/condoms/dur-herpleas-lrg.jpg)
That seems to be the big failing of grey duct tape - outdoor use in cold weather.
That's because it's not meant for outdoor use. It's original use, surprise, was to tape HVAC ducts. People have seemed to find a million other uses for it, myself included. But it's original function is still it's most common use today.
-
I'm fond of Adobe, Macromedia, Propellerhead, and Steinberg software products.
-
Doc Martin shoes and boots. Been wearing "exclusively" them for years.
-
Oh and Mikey points out one thing I will NOT endorse
(http://store1.yimg.com/I/theaccessgroup_1819_23816892)
Uh...they break :-X
-
Well I'm gonna go with Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars (Save for Neons or their deviations)... I've owned/driven several, all well beyond 100k. Currently drive a Le Baron and love it to death... Hell, my original Caravelle is running strong as ever, at pushing really close to 200k.
For pick-ups I think Fords are unbeatable IMO. My father insisted on a Dodge, and may I humbly say NO to endorsing those... overpriced and sketchy quality IMO.
Uhm... I get custom PC's so I can't comment really other than the dude that built mine did a smashing job.
I endorse 21st Century Toys and BBI's 1:18 military toy lines as some of the highest quality, benchmark setting toys... Few misses with vastly more hits.
I endorse several restaurants in Pittsburgh, including Pittsburgh Rare, Sesame Inn, Pittsburgh Steak Co., Buffalo Blues, etc.
I endorse Joe Boxer underwear... Though I dunno how things are shaking now that they're at K-Mart. ???
I endorse Rue 21 Clothing... Cheap, and stylish.
I also endorse the Pittsburgh Steelers... Here we go!
Oh, I endorse Craftsman Rotary/"Dremel" tool. NOT Dremel. Why? Because it's the same damn tool but the Craftsman one is cheaper. Inside the casing, the Craftsman atually has dremel labeled parts. Don't be snookered folks!
I highly endorse nicely articulated, neutrally posed, decently made Star Wars figures. :)
I endorse supporting www.FFURG.com for all your customizing needs.
And of course, I endorse www.JediDefender.com as the greatest little Star Wars site on the net.
I'm sure if I could think of more I would... I just can't off-hand.
-
JJ have you no shame!? ;D Great shill job man!
I, much like LJ, endorse Sanyo consumer products, I have a TV and VCR from Sanyo that are each well over 10 years old and neither have had a problem one bit. They've been going strong longer than my friend's Sony's or Philips or Samsungs.
I also endorse Coca-Cola, there is not a finer cola beverage in the world that a good old Coke! Too bad I can't drink as much as I once did. :-[
I also endorse the continued survival of the Torrents P2P method of file-sharing. Long live the torrents!
-
I, much like LJ, endorse Sanyo consumer products, I have a TV and VCR from Sanyo that are each well over 10 years old and neither have had a problem one bit. They've been going strong longer than my friend's Sony's or Philips or Samsungs.
Hey Corran if you like Sanyo products, you have got to check out their home page and see thier spectacular strides in solar techonology!!!! Impressive!!!!
Sanyo (http://www.sanyo.com/home.cfm)
-
Long-live torrents eh? I agree... Too bad single files are fubar.
-
I also endorse the continued survival of the Torrents P2P method of file-sharing. Long live the torrents!
Hells yes. I've downloaded assloads of PJ shows lately, and most of my memory is sucked up by them. But it's so great.
They'll be the next thing the RIAA cracks down on.
-
I also endorse the continued survival of the Torrents P2P method of file-sharing. Long live the torrents!
Hells yes. I've downloaded assloads of PJ shows lately, and most of my memory is sucked up by them. But it's so great.
They'll be the next thing the RIAA cracks down on.
Unfortunately, the MPAA beat the RIAA to the punch as they announced last week several lawsuits against websites which host torrent files. This caused the best of those sites Suprnova.org to close down, albeit prematurely since they were based in some forsaken eastern-european bloc country that no one can name.
-
I got this computer from my brother, and it's got about 40 gigs worth of stolen movies on it. It wouldn't be so bad if the movies didn't totally suck.
So I guess the MPAA has a right to be pissed off. :(
-
I want to throw an endorsement towards Diet Dr Pepper. Best Diet Pop on the planet
-
Immediately to mind: Freeman's "Peace of Heaven" ultra thick and rich body butter in Sunflower & Vanilla Sugar. This stuff is wonderful... I've actually told friends about it and let them try it and they have gone and bought their own.
It makes your skin really soft, but not greasy, and smells good, but not overwhelming.
-
I got this computer from my brother, and it's got about 40 gigs worth of stolen movies on it. It wouldn't be so bad if the movies didn't totally suck.
So I guess the MPAA has a right to be pissed off. :(
only if those movies are good ones, not like the dribble that makes up 95% of modern day cinema! ;D
-
Let me list some of the flicks still on this computer, because I want to see if the MPAA has my number.
10 Things I Hate About You
50 First Dates
Dodgeball
Enemy At The Gates
School of Rock
The Butterfly Effect
The Rock
Varsity Blues
Wild Things 2
Zoolander
Save the Last Dance
Reign of Fire
Remember the Titans
Old School
Phone Booth
Harold and Kumar Kill Puppies and Club Seals
Exit Wounds
Bad Boys 2
American Wedding
and....
GARFIELD! Shittiest movie ever. Bill Murray, what have ye wrought?
Sorry to derail the thread, just had to let the MPAA know of my sibling's ****** taste in filmed entertainment.
-
I think you're ok there are only legitimately only 2 or 3 good movies on that list. Though I am curious to know about... Harold and Kumar Kill Puppies and Club Seals. Is that prior to or after the White Castle flick? That was a stupid movie, but so funny to watch drunk :)
-
I just wanted to see if anyone would read the list. :)
And every time I type or utter the words 'White Castle' I get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach and bowels, reminding me of the first and last time I ate there. Ugh.
-
Let's see.....
As far as SW related... protecto packs vs. Star cases (trust me on this one) www.adkinsstore.com They are just superb.
I'm a SONY guy..complete stereo, widescreen TV, DVD recorder, etc. love the stuff, can;t buy enough.
Restuarants... too many in Pgh to mention.
New Orleans...Drago's chargrilled oysters
Memphis...Corky's and Rendezvous for ribs/pork
Cars...hate Chevy, love the Hyndai for a cheap ride. I grabbed a new one for puttin miles on, 40,000 miles, zero problems, and a 10yr. 100,000 miles warranty. (compnay pretty much paid for it) It's MORE than served it's purpose.
Craftsman tools.
Salt & Vinegar chips-eat waay to many.
Oh yeah, and the Steelers (pronounced stillers around here) will always be a part of the Stiller nation!
-
I'd say that Old School is the only one that anyone should show shame for stealing. That movie deserves every dime it earns.
Beyond that the people who made those other ones should be thankful anyone wanted them enough to take in the first place and that they still have careers after making them.
Someone's a Stiller fan by the way...
-
I've gone and deleted them all, since they're just sucking up space and I'd never watch them.
I liked Old School the first time I watched it. It just didn't have the same punch the second time, which is probably the same with any comedy movie.
-
Let's see.....
Craftsman tools.
Sockets, wrenches, etc. - Yes. Power tools - No. Craftsman power tools bite the big one. I'll endorse Dewalt. Yellow kicks ass.
-
Also addicted to yellow. Used to be a mix of Black and Decker and Craftsman. No more - recip, cordless and corded drill. Tried to buy a cut out tool, but the wife pointed out that between the Dremel and the other saws we own, we don't really need one, so back to the store it went :-\ I don't think I'd buy anything but DeWalt, though the Milwaukee stuff looks pretty heavy duty too.
-
If given the opportunity, there are a number of pieces of musical equipment I would endorse. They include instruments, strings, amplifiers and speakers.
-
Michelin X-Ice Winter Tires. Incredible, absolutely incredible. Last year, my wife and I bought our 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT in August - the 6 speed standard is very fun to drive in the summer. But when the winter came, I absolutely hated the car. The peppy engine loved to rotate those tires and I could never get any traction, whether trying to move or stop.
But this year? It's a totally new car. I put these on about a month ago, and I'm enjoying the car again. Granted, the tires will still spin, but they'll grab a lot sooner, and I havent slid through an intersection yet since putting them on. Stopping is good! 8)
-
Been looking at the Hyundai SUVs-- the Santa Fe and the Tuscon. I've come to the conclusion that my Elantra is not good for winter, these last two being particularly brutal. Hopefully the used ones won't kill me price-wise.
If JoshEEE reads this he'll be off on his SUV-hating tangent again.
-
Michelin X-Ice Winter Tires. Incredible, absolutely incredible. Last year, my wife and I bought our 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT in August - the 6 speed standard is very fun to drive in the summer. But when the winter came, I absolutely hated the car. The peppy engine loved to rotate those tires and I could never get any traction, whether trying to move or stop.
I've been driving (in winter) on Arctic Alpin's now for six years. The difference with winter tires is pretty remarkable. I expect they're not too sensible in places that don't have continuous snow, but up here I don't know how I used to drive without them.
-
I've been driving (in winter) on Arctic Alpin's now for six years. The difference with winter tires is pretty remarkable. I expect they're not too sensible in places that don't have continuous snow, but up here I don't know how I used to drive without them.
Agreed. They're worth every penny, even if those pennies did add up to $900. :) -> ::)
What I don't like? Being forced to buy the lug nuts from the GM dealer. I bought steel rims from Canadian Tire to use just with my winter tires, but of course they wouldn't work with the lug nuts from the mags that my car came with. So my only option was to spend $150 on bloody new ones that, of course, only GM makes. Somebody at GM is making some money. >:(
-
Hmmm, I've yet to buy a second set of rims (I know, dumb) but I wonder if my Nissan will run into those problems. That's a lot of money on lugs, I guess you need 20-25 of them, but still? ::)
Is that the price for the tires, rims and lugs? Or are the Ice-X tires that much more now?
-
Is that the price for the tires, rims and lugs? Or are the Ice-X tires that much more now?
Thankfully, that was the final price for eveything: tires, rims, lugs, balancing, taxes. The actual tires were $140 a piece for the 195-65R15's. The Vibe came with 205-55R16's, but I read that stepping down to a smaller rim with a narrower tire is a smart way to go. I think they call it "minus sizing" (http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/sizing.jsp)
-
Been looking at the Hyundai SUVs-- the Santa Fe and the Tuscon. I've come to the conclusion that my Elantra is not good for winter, these last two being particularly brutal. Hopefully the used ones won't kill me price-wise.
If JoshEEE reads this he'll be off on his SUV-hating tangent again.
If you're looking for an endorsement of a smaller SUV, try out the Ford Escape. That's what my wife usually drives (even though it's registered in my name :P), and we both absolutely love it.
The AWD is really incredible in all weather conditions and the 200HP V6 is very responsive. On the highway at 100clicks (60mph), it'll drop all the way into 1st gear if you want it to when passing traffic. Despite that, the mileage is very decent. As well, it's got lots of room for hauling people and cargo (of course, not as much as the full size SUVs, but it does the job for our shopping trips to the city :)).
Pricewise, it was likely in the middle of the road. We bought the Limited Edition, so we ended up paying for luxuries like leather seats (very handy for cleaning up spilled milk in the back seat (http://www.cheesebuerger.net/images/smilie/froehlich/g030.gif)). This domestic vehicle is actually shared with the Mazda tribute platform, so it has the benefits of longer term resale value that the imports often have.
Would I buy one again? Absolutely.
-
Those ARE big tires for that car :o part of the look, I suppose.
Balancing, tire tax, environmental levy, PST, GST, shop fees, acetylene charges (what, they're tires!). Yeah, it makes sense now ::)
If JoshEEE reads this he'll be off on his SUV-hating tangent again.
No worse than a minivan in most cases. Our Pathfinder (V6) gets pretty much the same mileage as any minivan out there.
-
If I read the tags right, these Hyundai SUVs get better MPG than some minivans. I was checking out ebay Motors for these, and the used ones seem to go between $12-14,000 range, which is pretty good.
JesseVader, I would consider the Ford, but I'd rather stick with Hyundai. I've had my Elantra for five years now, and haven't had a single problem with it, and I'd like to keep up customer loyalty. :)
-
Been looking at the Hyundai SUVs-- the Santa Fe and the Tuscon. I've come to the conclusion that my Elantra is not good for winter, these last two being particularly brutal. Hopefully the used ones won't kill me price-wise.
If JoshEEE reads this he'll be off on his SUV-hating tangent again.
I'll limit it to a small tangent. It's recently become really icy/slightly snowy in Seattle, and the morning traffic reports are filled with stories of accidents. The hilarious thing is that most of the cars they show off in ditches on the side of the highway are SUVs. It's just more proof for me that these glorified station wagons (as well as the people who drive them around here) aren't exactly winners.
I've posted my disclaimers several times in the past about SUVs. If you live in an area where you need the off road capabilities, or you plan to haul large amounts of cargo in them on a regular basis.....hey, go get one. It sounds like you actually need one H.M.I, so more power to you (pun intended).
The only BIG problem I have with them, is 98% of the people that drive them in my area (and most other major metros) don't need them. They buy them to use as their commuter, and replace the family compact car.
I can't wait until the fad is over and the morons driving alone in these things wake up one morning and realize how stupid they were. It'll be like that morning they woke up and realized their Vanilla Ice CD was lame, or that it was time to stop wearing the flourescent socks. It's coming....it's just taking a lot longer than I hoped.
As for products I endorse, I suppose I should mention fuel efficient cars. My VW Bug for one. The Mini (which is probably going to be my fiancee's next car). A Prius, which my dad really wants. ;)
I endorse Papa Murphy's pizza, because for less than the price of Domino's, you can drive your ass down to the store and cook up something when you want it that tastes a lot better.
I endorse the following two video games above all others right now:
Halo 2 on Xbox Live. It's the best online console game I've ever played.
Dance Dance Revolution. 6 months ago, I would have laughed if you'd said I'd be hooked on this game, but it's great at parties, it's incredibly challenging and it's a good little bit of exercise.
I endorse Netflix. Aside from the long wait for new releases, they are the best rental service I've ever used. It's nice not to have to drive anywhere and always have movies lying around you don't have to worry about returning. It's more expensive than blockbuster....but you can make it cheaper if you watch just 5 movies a month.
That is all for now.