Motorcycles

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. I loved the smell of fresh-cut grass and even horse manure in the summer, as well as the wood fires and woods in the fall. And I admired the camaraderie among bikers – it was amazing to see how everyone would wave at each other as they passed on the road. Continue reading My First Motorcycle: 2008 BMW K1200S

Mike Connelly
Photography

Nikon D500 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D5, D7500, D7200 & D7100 Updated

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

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review 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

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Since its first release in May 2015, the Nvidia Shield Android TV has been billed as the world’s best Android TV settop box. That continues to be the case as of December 2016. The Shield Android TV is also more powerful, technology-wise, than the Apple TV Gen 4, Amazon FireTV 2, or latest Roku. That said, the Apple TV is undeniably a better solution for Apple ecosystem users like my parents. Amazon’s ecosystem is a cost-effective solution, especially for Amazon Prime members; and the FireTV is also bolstered by Amazon’s investment in exclusive content. Meanwhile, the Android gaming ecosystem isn’t advanced enough to sway hard-core gamers from their Xbox One or PS4 game consoles. Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Photography

Nikon D7200 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7100

The Nikon D7200 was released in April 2015. It is nearly identical to my old D7100 . Both have weather-sealed, magnesium alloy bodies. Both have 100%, 0.94x magnification viewfinders. They both have dual memory slots. Neither have anti-aliasing filters. Both have a max shutter speed of 1/8000s. Finally, both have a continuous burst of 6fps. Continue reading Nikon D7200 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7100

Mike Connelly
Photography

Fujifilm X100T Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100S

The X100T has the same processor, sensor, and sharp lens as its predecessor, the X100S. The biggest change was to the viewfinder, which now has a dual-mode that can superimpose EVF information while using the optical viewfinder. Parallax is automatically corrected in real-time. Additionally, the rear LCD was upgraded from the X100S’ 460k 2.8in LCD to a 3in 1.04m dot display. Continue reading Fujifilm X100T Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100S

Mike Connelly
Photography

Nikon D7100 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7000 and D300 Updated

The Nikon D7100 was released in 2013 as the flagship of the DX series. It possesses a new 24MP sensor v the D7000’s 16MP sensor that leverages the EXPEED3 processor. Nikon also removed the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), which results in a higher effective resolution than filtered 24MP sensors. The D7100 increases the number of auto-focus points to 51 with 15 cross-type v the D7000’s 39 points with 9 cross-type. Continue reading Nikon D7100 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7000 and D300 Updated

Mike Connelly
Guitars

Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Guitar Review Updated

The Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II is a hybrid electric+acoustic guitar. It preserves the look of a traditional Les Paul guitar. It possesses the traditional Les Paul sound, captured by a pair of Alnico Classic humbucker pickups. But, it can also generate a clean, shimmering, “acoustic-like” tone. The acoustic sound is captured by the Nanomag pickup, designed by German acoustic pickup maker Shadow. The Nanomag is embedded in the fingerboard after the 22nd fret. The inside of the Ulltra-II is chambered both to reduce weight and enhance the acoustic overtones. Continue reading Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Guitar Review Updated

Mike Connelly