iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review
The iPhone 7 Plus is the first iPhone to carry two rear cameras: a wide-angle lens at f/1.8 and a 56mm telephoto with true 2x optical zoom. I examine what each change actually delivers in aperture, low-light performance, image stabilization, color accuracy, and optical zoom. Portrait mode is the reason most people will consider the upgrade, and this review tests it against real shooting conditions, including artificial bokeh at close range. Continue reading iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review
How To: Using Android Auto v2.0 on a Motorcycle
Google announced Android Auto’s phone-centric mode at its 2016 I/O conference, extending the platform beyond cars with compatible head units. We describe how the change works, who benefits, and what it means for motorcyclists. The motorcycle use case now gives riders a compelling alternative to dedicated GPS units.
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How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling
Streaming music over back-country roads is impractical when cell service is unreliable. This article explains how to move an iTunes library onto an Android phone’s SD card for fully offline playback while motorcycling, covering the Google Play import option and a more reliable SCP-based transfer method. Continue reading How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling
How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles
Dedicated motorcycle GPS units cost roughly twice what a capable waterproof Android phone does, yet deliver a fraction of the performance. This article covers a complete motorcycle navigation build using a budget Android phone, including custom mounting, BMW power wiring, and a head-to-head comparison of navigation apps. The performance gap between the two setups is wider than the price gap. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles
How To: LED Lighting on the BMW K1300S Motorcycle
The BMW K1300S ships from the factory with halogen headlamps. However, aftermarket LED replacements can now fit inside the original sealed enclosure without a custom bracket. This article walks through a complete LED lighting upgrade: bulb selection, resistor testing, thermal monitoring at both low and high beam, and final installation. Continue reading How To: LED Lighting on the BMW K1300S Motorcycle
How To: Modifying the BMW K1300S Motorcycle for a Tall Rider
The BMW K1300S, like my K1200S before it, is a heavy bike and sits taller than most sport bikes. Yet, its stock geometry places the handlebars low enough to strain the back and neck of the tall riders it tends to attract. This article covers specific aftermarket modifications to the handlebars, foot pegs, gear shift lever, and brake lever that correct those ergonomic conflicts. Continue reading How To: Modifying the BMW K1300S Motorcycle for a Tall Rider
My Motorcycle Riding Gear
After seven years of riding, I still suit up in full gear every time regardless of temperature, a habit my mentor Jerry instilled early on. This article covers the specific helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and eyewear I rely on, with notes on fit, visibility, and cost. The Shoei-to-Olympia tradeoffs alone illustrate how gear choices are rarely straightforward. Continue reading My Motorcycle Riding Gear
Safety First: Be Seen and Heard on Your Motorcycle
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation reports that over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and that a motorcycle’s small size makes it easy to miss in blind spots or against busy backgrounds. By using brighter and flashing lights, wearing reflective and bright clothing, and installing a louder horn, you can increase your chances of being noticed and avoiding accidents. Continue reading Safety First: Be Seen and Heard on Your Motorcycle
My First Motorcycle: 2008 BMW K1200S
I still remember the day I caught the motorcycling bug. I was exploring the back roads of horse country and neighboring farms outside of Philadelphia. There was something about the freedom and adventure of the open road that just drew me in. This article covers my experience buying and riding the K1200S as a novice, including the safety course, aftermarket modifications, and five years of touring mid-Atlantic states. Continue reading My First Motorcycle: 2008 BMW K1200S
Nikon D500 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D5, D7500, D7200 & D7100
I upgraded to the Nikon D500, which carries the D5’s 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system in an APS-C body at roughly 30 percent of the flagship’s price. This review covers image quality, burst speed, video capabilities, and comparisons to the D7100, D7200, and D5. The resolution-versus-high-ISO trade-off relative to the D7200 is where the D500 either earns its cost premium or doesn’t. Continue reading Nikon D500 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D5, D7500, D7200 & D7100
Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review
Google’s multi-room audio distribution technology is based on the success of their video casting platform, Chromecast. This article examines how it compares to the AirPort Express, focussing on signal stability, multiroom grouping, and support for both optical and analog output. The upgrade from older wireless standards enables a measurably more reliable connection under real listening conditions.
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Nvidia Shield Android TV Review
The Nvidia Shield Android TV, released in May 2015, holds the title of the best Android TV set-top box and outperforms the Apple TV Gen 4, Amazon Fire TV 2, and the latest Roku in raw processing power. This article examines how the Shield stacks up against its main competitors across ecosystems, content libraries, and gaming performance. The Shield’s hardware advantage does not translate into a clear win for every buyer, and the case of who should actually purchase it hinges on a single practical distinction.
Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV Review
Nikon D7200 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7100
The Nikon D7200 shares the D7100’s body, viewfinder, and 51-point autofocus array, while adding a threefold RAW buffer increase, 1080p video, Wi-Fi, and roughly 160 additional shots per charge. This review weighs each specification gain against the D7100’s continued strengths. The buffer improvement alone changes the D7200’s viability for continuous burst shooting in a way the resolution bump does not. Continue reading Nikon D7200 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7100
Fujifilm X100T Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100S
The Fujifilm X100T replaces the X100S’s traditional optical viewfinder with a hybrid unit that overlays electronic exposure data onto a real optical view, useful for street shooting where peripheral awareness matters. This review covers the silent electronic shutter, incremental autofocus improvements, and Classic Chrome. The central question is whether that viewfinder refinement justifies the step up for X100S shooters. Continue reading Fujifilm X100T Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100S
Recipe: Chicken Tinga Pie
Café Azul, which opened in McMinnville, Oregon built its reputation on Oaxacan cuisine including a chicken tinga pie that became a signature dish. This is my version of their recipe for that hand pie including a butter-based pastry and a chipotle chicken and tomato filling. The unusual addition of currants is what sets this version apart from a standard tinga preparation. Continue reading Recipe: Chicken Tinga Pie