Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-III Guitar Review Updated
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
Fujifilm X100F Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100T
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
How To: Optimizing Your Multiple Access Point, Wireless-AC WiFi Network (Part 1)
Mesh-network based, multi-unit WiFi access point solutions from Google, Eero, Luma, and other vendors are popular now. Compared to typical networking gear, they look unobtrusive, so you won’t mind placing the access points out in the open for maximum wireless reception. Mesh WiFi systems connect multiple units (nodes) to move data from the client to the router. If your goal is to fill in wireless dead zones with the minimal amount of installation effort (meaning no wire pulling), then this approach will give you the largest coverage but at the expense of throughput. Continue reading How To: Optimizing Your Multiple Access Point, Wireless-AC WiFi Network (Part 1)
Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated
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
How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated
So you just bought an expensive new 4K (UHD) television set. The issue is that most live and recorded video distributed today is less than 4K (2160p) resolution. Blu-rays are 1080p format while DVDs are only 480i/p. TV broadcasters use either 1080i or 720p. Some cable and satellite companies are downscaling 1080i to 720p format. Although some over-the-top video service providers like Amazon and Netflix have select content in 4K, most of their content is in 1080 resolution. To solve this, UHD TVs include upscalers for lower resolution content originating from cable/satellite settop boxes, Blu-ray and DVD players and gaming consoles. Continue reading How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated
Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated
Thus far, Logitech has partnered with Amazon. By connecting the Harmony Hub with Alexa, you can start or stop Harmony activities such as “Watch TV”, “Play a Game” or “Listen to some Music”. You can also power on or off your TV, change your stereo settings, or trigger connected home activities that are controlled by the Harmony Hub. For any Harmony Hub activity, you can create a friendly name that’s easier to say. You can also tune specific channels on your cable/satellite with voice commands such as “Alexa, turn on sports”. Continue reading Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated
Line 6 Amplifi 150 Guitar Amplifier 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
How To: Listening to your iTunes Music Collection in Lossless Format in Your Car Updated
Export for iTunes does a great job of exporting your iTunes collection to a USB stick but it assumes either (1) that you wish to transcode your music collection to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC, or (2) that your music player can play Apple Lossless format. Continue reading How To: Listening to your iTunes Music Collection in Lossless Format in Your Car Updated
iPhone 7 Plus Camera 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
How To: Using Android Auto v2.0 on a Motorcycle Updated
At the 2016 I/O conference, Google announced that Android Auto would expand from a headend unit-centric solution to a mobile phone-centric solution. This will let drivers whose cars do not support Android Auto to have a similar experience directly on their mobile phone. For motorcyclists, there’s a similar benefit because Android Auto now can be used on the motorcycle. Continue reading How To: Using Android Auto v2.0 on a Motorcycle Updated
How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling
Yes, it’s possible to import all your iTunes collection into Google Play and then stream those songs on your Android phone. But since I use my motorcycle on back country roads and 128GB SD cards are ridiculously cheap, I just copied my entire collection to the local SD card. 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
First, let’s acknowledge up front that all motorcycle-specific GPS units are both obsolete technologically and horribly overpriced. For years, I had a Garmin Zumo 650. The screen was dull and slow to respond to touch. The processor was very slow to process that input or to recalculate routes. The Bluetooth audio pairing was always flaky, particularly for phone integration. The software was antiquated even compared to cheap Garmin car units. Online trip planning integration tools were primitive. Exporting routes from Google Maps required a hack to GPX waypoints that never routed the same way in the Garmin. The included audio app is near useless. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles
How To: LED Lighting on the BMW K1300S Motorcycle
On my old K1200S, I upgraded the halogen lights to HID lights by DDM Tuning. These were relatively expensive at the time and required that we create a custom bracket to hold the three ballasts. The light output on the DDM HIDs was impressive though the lamps threw the occasional LAMPF error, particularly when I used the high beams. (This was due to the difference between the resistance of the halogen v the HID lamps). Given the advancement in LED technology in the past eight years, I wanted to install LED and not HID lighting on my K1300S. The advantages of the LED lights include: longer life, lower cost, lower energy consumption, immediate full light output, and smaller ballasts. 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 the K1200S before it, is a big bike. The seat is a bit higher off the ground than other sports bikes. By sports bike standards, it is a heavy bike overall, at 569 lb. So, it naturally attracts taller riders. However, the ergonomics aren’t best suited for a tall rider. The handlebars require the rider to lean forward, potentially creating back and neck cramps. The default position of the foot pegs may be uncomfortable for longer legged riders. Fortunately, these can all be addressed with some minor modifications to the handlebars, foot pegs, gear shift lever, and brake lever. Continue reading How To: Modifying the BMW K1300S Motorcycle for a Tall Rider
My Motorcycle Riding Gear
One of the first things that Jerry taught me about motorcycle riding is to always wear protective gear. It doesn’t matter how hot the weather is. Always wear not only a helmet but also a high visibility jacket, pants, boots and gloves. After riding for almost seven years, I still follow his advice. It is better to sweat while riding than potentially deal with avoidable medical bills later. Continue reading My Motorcycle Riding Gear
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