If you read my two previous articles about using your smartphone to run Android Auto on your motorcycle, you know that I consider the Garmin BMW Navigator VI a poor alternative to a smartphone. I recently upgraded the smartphone that I use with my S1000XR to a Motorola G6. Continue reading How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR Updated
The Denali Dual-tone horn is a great replacement for the wimpy BMW horn. On my K1300S, I have the all-in-one version. S1000XR owners need the 2-piece version of the Denali Split Dual-tone Horn because space is tight in the S1000XR’s engine compartment. I also purchased the Denali S1000XR mounting brackets, the Denali plug and play cable, and the Denali wiring adapter for the horn. Continue reading How To: BMW S1000XR Horn Upgrade
The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of “function” and “sparkle”, hence, farkle. Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles, to customize their machine. Here are my preferred farkles for the S1000XR. Continue reading How To: BMW S1000XR Farkles
I kept reading great reviews about the BMW S1000XR. Moreover, the S1000XR is significantly more advanced than the K1300S: it has electronic instrument panel, clutch-less downshifting, ride modes, and cruise control. After my buddy Jerry bought one, he raved about its performance. So, without even riding it first, I purchased a mint condition 2016 model Continue reading 2016 BMW S1000XR Review: A New Journey Ahead
Before buying new electronics and appliances, I always research online reviews. The Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker, won high marks from The Sweet Home, CNET, Gizmodo, and Sous Vide Guy. Anova brings significant expertise: prior to making immersion circulators, Anova focussed on lab equipment. This updated cooker has a 900-watt element, an improved circulator, WiFi, and Bluetooth. It has a large dial that displays the current and target water temperature, as well as the cook time remaining. The bottom skirt can be removed for cleaning. Continue reading Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker with WiFi Review
The D7500 has the same 20.9-megapixel DX-format imaging sensor and EXPEED 5 processing engine as the D500. Therefore, the image quality should be identical between the two models. However, both the D7500 and D500 have less resolution than the D7200 and D7100 models’ 24 megapixels.Nikon has prioritized speed and low-light image capture over resolution. Continue reading Nikon D7500 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D500, D7200 & D7100
The Epiphone ES-339 P-90 PRO is a limited edition, reduced size archtop. The body is constructed from maple with a solid center block. The neck is from mahagony. The fingerboard is rosewood with mother-of-pearl dot inlays. I bought a cherry color guitar, which not coincidentally is my wife’s favorite color. Continue reading Epiphone ES-339 P-90 PRO Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar Review
Like its predecessor Ultra models, the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-III is a hybrid electric+acoustic guitar. It preserves the look of a traditional Les Paul guitar. It possesses a rosewood fingerboard and mahogany neck. The back of the neck has a satin finish. The Ultra-III has a chambered body, which makes it much lighter and gives it more acoustic overtones. Like the Ultra-II, it has Grover tuners and a Tune-o-matic bridge with a stopbar tailpiece. The Midnight Ebony version of the Epiphone Ultra-III has nickel hardware, which I prefer over the gold hardware on the Ultra-II. Continue reading Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-III Guitar Review Updated
The two most important improvements to the Fujifilm X100F over the X100T are the new sensor and focus system. The X100F is now powered by a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, the same as Fuji’s flagship interchangeable lens cameras, the X-Pro2 and X-T2. Fuji states the X100F has a faster startup time (0.5 seconds), a faster shooting interval (0.2 seconds) and faster shutter release time lag (0.01 seconds). Coupled with the new X-Trans is the new X-Processor Pro, which Fuji claims is 4x faster than the X100T. Continue reading Fujifilm X100F Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100T
The Shield TV continues to be an anomaly: it is by far the most powerful media streamer and a capable gaming platform though not as advanced as the Xbox One or Playstation 4, while costing nearly as much. While Google focuses on stripped down Chromecast devices and Chromecast-enabled TVs, Nvidia singularly showcases the advanced functionality of Android TV including DVR, media serving, gaming, and now smart home capabilities. Though Nvidia is touting the Shield TV and AI home, Google is the AI element and Nvidia is the hardware manufacturer.
Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated
The number one selling point for me is the ease of selecting different guitar tones on the Amplifi. Before the Amplifi, I owned a Line 6 Spider IV amplifier. Although my old Line 6 Spider IV amp also supported a variety of tones, it forced the guitarist to memorize obscure memory banks and read a very small LCD screen. With the Amplifi, I use my iPad as my user interface. I can quickly select over 70+ guitar amps, 100+ effects and 20+ speaker cabinets from the Amplifi Remote app. Additionally, I can layer up to eight simultaneous effects. Continue reading Line 6 Amplifi 150 Guitar Amplifier Review Updated
The improvements to the Apple iPhone 7 Plus camera make it a considerable upgrade over its predecessors. These include enhancements to its aperture, lenses, color accuracy, low light performance, image stabilization, and optical zoom. Continue reading iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review Updated
In my late thirties, I caught the motorcycling bug while exploring back roads in Pennsylvania’s horse country and neighboring farms. I dreamed of a helmet full of adventure, along with the smell of fresh-cut grass and horse manure in the summer and wood fires and woods in the fall. I noted the camaraderie among bikers, who would wave at each other as they passed on the road. Continue reading My First Motorcycle: 2008 BMW K1200S
Nikon announced the D500, along with the full frame Nikon D5, at CES 2016. Although Nikon continued to position the 2009 D300S as its premier DX series camera, their D7x00 series cameras long ago surpassed the D300S both in terms of image quality and features. When the D7000 was released in 2010, there was no reason to pay more for the D300S. I upgraded my D300 to a D7100 but I didn’t see enough value to jump from the D7100 to the D7200. Continue reading Nikon D500 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D5, D7500, D7200 & D7100 Updated
Google’s multi-room audio distribution technology is based on the success of their video casting platform, Chromecast. In its second iteration, Google upgraded the video version of Chromecast to include Wireless-AC technology. Additionally, it released a new, audio-specific Chromecast device. Like the Airport Express, it supports both optical and analog audio out. Unlike the Airport Express, it is based on Wireless-AC audio and is much more error-resilient. And, it costs as little as $25 on sale, a quarter of the price of the AE.
Continue reading Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review Updated
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