Search found 791 matches

by Fletch
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Faucets for Bathroom Sinks?
Replies: 19
Views: 1778

Re: Best Faucets for Bathroom Sinks?

MangoManiac wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:42 am Moen's seem to be popular with the trades. It seems like they have a no questions asked policy when it comes to parts replacements.
Agree. I've made use of that policy a couple times on 40 year old fixtures. They sent new cartridges without any questions.
by Fletch
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SNOW blower Toro Vs Arien (24")
Replies: 21
Views: 2066

Re: SNOW blower Toro Vs Arien (24")

I have an Ariens Sno-Thro ST8524LE purchased new 9Sep2003. Still runs great. I turn off the gas and run until the engine quits after every time I run it. During the "no snow" time I will run it about every two months for 15 minutes or so until the engine and crankcase are quite hot. The shop where I bought it said the most frequent problem they see with the Ariens (and other makes) is from frozen piston rings that resulted from non-operation for months. They suggested the bi-monthly operation to keep all the engine internal parts lubricated properly. That practice has worked quite well for me and my 21 year old Ariens.
by Fletch
Sun Jan 28, 2024 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41951

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Fletch wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 5:26 am [Off-topic comment removed by admin LadyGeek]

Not feeling the need to 'cancel culture' when others have viewpoints different from what I believe.

Getting married to a wonderful woman.

Having two great children.

Having good friends.

:sharebeer
by Fletch
Wed Jan 24, 2024 5:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41951

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

[Off-topic comment removed by admin LadyGeek]

Getting married to a wonderful woman.

Having two great children.

Having good friends.

:sharebeer
by Fletch
Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware
Replies: 37
Views: 3173

Re: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware

Baltimore: crab cakes, Camden yards for an Os game, visionary arts museum, creative alliance of highland town. Any corner bar. Baltimore museum of art. Maryland: eastern shore is beautiful. Chincateague/Assateague is pretty special. Annapolis is fun and pretty. Watch the sailboats in the bay. Do you like to sail? Walk around the naval academy. Western Maryland for day hikes. Catochtin mountain is nice it’s near camp David. Harper’s Ferry is pretty and historic again with day hikes in the area. Virginia: Shenandoah valley and national park is great. If you’re fit, hike old rag. Drive the blue ridge parkway. Billy goat trail along the Potomac is fun. Do you like civil war history? Lots of it in NOVA. Southwest VA: Grayson highlands is great ...
by Fletch
Sat Jan 20, 2024 4:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ad blocker for Macbook
Replies: 11
Views: 1444

Re: 1Blocker

PottedPlant wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:26 pm
corduroysuit wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:43 am 1Blocker is nice
Quite happy with 1Blocker.
Use it on iPad and iMac.
I use 1Blocker on MacBook and iPhone. Also Wipr on MacBook. I mainly use Safari on both iPhone and MacBook, sometimes DuckDuckGo browser. All seem to work fine together.
by Fletch
Tue Jan 16, 2024 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Using Gmail with native Apple mail app?
Replies: 12
Views: 1714

Re: Using Gmail with native Apple mail app?

I just have my all Gmail forwarded to Apple Mail (a setting in Gmail lets you forward it). I do the same for a couple other mail services. Simple. Works without any issues for me.
by Fletch
Tue Jan 09, 2024 5:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice caring for new black car?
Replies: 76
Views: 9500

Re: Advice caring for new black car?

I have a 12 year old black Volvo. I've washed it by hand a few times and in a car wash a few times; last was a couple years ago. Mainly it's rain washed. I think I've waxed it a couple times in the 12 years I've had it since new. Still looks great. Not like the black Mercedes that someone posted a picture of above, but still quite good. I've probably saved hundreds of hours and dollars to use for other things. To each his own! :sharebeer
by Fletch
Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: T5 engineering school or in-state T35 with full-ride?
Replies: 285
Views: 40098

Re: T5 engineering school or in-state T35 with full-ride?

I am a retired engineer that had a variety of technical, supervisory and management roles in a major company and was involved with recruiting engineers many years ago. At that time, it did not make much difference whether the prospective hire was from a major engineering school (e.g. Purdue, GT, MIT, etc.) or a much lesser reputation school such as West Virginia Tech. What made the most difference in whether to hire, and starting salary, was the person's high school and college grades, high school and college class standings, summer experience/jobs, ability to respectfully interact with the interviewing team members and represent how one could make the hiring company more successful, and to a lesser degree extra curricular activities. I do ...
by Fletch
Fri Oct 20, 2023 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quality men's leather belt?
Replies: 44
Views: 3693

Re: Quality men's leather belt?

oldlongbeard wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 7:20 am Hank's Belts
Agree!
by Fletch
Fri Sep 08, 2023 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater Replacement Costs
Replies: 113
Views: 11523

Re: Water Heater Replacement Costs

Old info but may be helpful:

February 2013 - Bradford-White 75 gal, 70,000 BTU input, natural gas heated, 6 year warranty - $1506 installed in basement; had to haul down a set of inside stairs - still is working flawlessly and no leaks. Old 50 gal heater removal included in price; it was a natural gas Bradford-White 40,000 BTU input that lasted about 9 years.

FWIW, the upgrade to a 75 gal heater was worth every cent. We NEVER run out of hot water; we can run clothes washer, dishwasher and two showers at the same time; could not do that with previous 50 gal heater. We did not notice any significant increase in gas cost, perhaps the new heater is better insulated.
by Fletch
Wed Sep 06, 2023 5:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best tips for shaving
Replies: 62
Views: 10622

Re: best tips for shaving

I started shaving with various blade razors and stayed with them for decades. Last one was a Gillette Fusion, best of the bunch, close shaves. The downside of all the blade razors for me was the inevitable skin irritation. A couple decades ago I tried a Norelco rotary head. Worse skin irritation for me than the blade razors. Stopped using the Norelco after a year or so and returned to blade razor. About 6 or 7 years ago I decided to try a Braun Series 7. Success!!!!!! No more skin irritation and the shave was close enough, but not as close as a blade as others have said. I have a rather heavy beard. My routine is to shave in the morning before washing my face or showering. I do not regularly use any type of shave cream or pre-shave lubrican...
by Fletch
Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do you have your HVAC ducts cleaned?
Replies: 42
Views: 4256

Re: When do you have you HVAC ducts cleaned?

livesoft wrote: Wed Aug 30, 2023 3:50 pm To answer the thread title question: Never.
Agree.
by Fletch
Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fuel: is "top tier" really better, and who checks this stuff?
Replies: 139
Views: 15435

Re: Fuel: is "top tier" really better, and who checks this stuff?

OCDinvestor wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 7:35 am People spend an extra $0.20/gallon to pump the finest of fuel into their automobile then proceed to fuel their bodies with overly processed, chemical filled foods. The irony.
Shocking fact: The human body is composed of 100% chemicals. :sharebeer
by Fletch
Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If retired early, what do you tell people you do?
Replies: 338
Views: 29775

Re: If retired early, what do you tell people you do?

If anyone asks me that question, I usually respond something like this: I'm so busy now doing whatever I want and when I want that I don't know how I ever had time for work (with a big smile on my face). If the question asker wants more details, I respond with something like this (while thinking 'what are you going to do with that information'): My day is typically some combination of house repair, maintaining the lawn and plants, reading, travel, cooking, conversation with family and friends, helping my wife with what ever she needs done, piddling in the garage, church and related activities, volunteering, relaxing, enjoying restaurants, trying to learn something new every day, etc. I rarely watch TV. Most of the time my wife and I do not ...
by Fletch
Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VPN and password managers
Replies: 21
Views: 1430

Re: VPN and password managers

Proton VPN has a free option. I think it is supposed to be quite secure.
by Fletch
Sat Jun 17, 2023 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need for routine HVAC maintenance?
Replies: 53
Views: 5650

Re: Need for routine HVAC maintenance?

I view the HVAC preventative maintenance service sort of like I view fire insurance, life insurance, health insurance and vehicle insurance. I hope my premiums stay reasonable and I never have to collect on a fire or death or major illness or vehicle crash.
by Fletch
Sun Nov 20, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideal Laptop for a Senior that loves surfing the web/reading the news?
Replies: 44
Views: 3956

Re: Ideal Laptop for a Senior that loves surfing the web/reading the news?

I use my older iPhone 11ProMax about 2/3 of the time for reading, messaging, email, surfing the internet, and a few other things. I use a 5 year old 15” MacBook Pro the other 1/3 if I need to type a lot or see big pictures, or work on a spreadsheet. I had an iPad for a while but rarely used it; the big “phone“ (iPad) wasn’t nearly as convenient to use as my iPhone or laptop.
by Fletch
Sat Aug 27, 2022 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tire replacement
Replies: 50
Views: 3991

Re: Tire replacement

TireRack or Costco. Definitely not the dealership unless it’s under warranty, which might be the case in your situation if it’s a 2 year old car and the tires have worn out. The last two times I've bought tires I got them at the dealer - dealer price matched Costco, installed tires promptly, but road hazzard warranty was only for two years (not a big deal since I've never had a road hazzard warranty claim in over 60 years of driving - hope I haven't jinxed myself! ). Prior to these last two, I usually bought at Costco but they dinged one of my rims the last time I was there. Advantage to dealer - tire rotation and balance and alignment if necessary is done when I have the car in for service, no long waits at Costco. Disadvantage to dealer ...
by Fletch
Sat Jul 30, 2022 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing tires on car - when?
Replies: 30
Views: 2744

Re: Replacing tires on car - when?

I hydroplaned ONCE, never again. I replace tires at 6 years or 5/32” remaining tread. Best wishes.
by Fletch
Sat Jul 16, 2022 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years
Replies: 99
Views: 13980

Re: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years

Thanks all. I definitely plan to contact the warranty folks before proceeding, but mostly wondered if anyone had advice/experience with this to ensure the smoothest transaction possible and the highest likelihood for reimbursement. As far as doing this once before with my dryer, that was just getting reimbursed for a repair, and getting reimbursed for an entire appliance seems different. But perhaps it won’t be. Just had a recent experience with the Citi/Costco Visa extended warranty for a dishwasher repair. The Costco warranty was 2 years, and the Citi/Costco Visa extended warranty is an additional two years. The dishwasher failed after 2 1/2 years, so the Citi Visa warranty applied. They said to find an authorized repair company, get a r...
by Fletch
Fri Jul 15, 2022 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years
Replies: 99
Views: 13980

Re: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years

Thanks all. I definitely plan to contact the warranty folks before proceeding, but mostly wondered if anyone had advice/experience with this to ensure the smoothest transaction possible and the highest likelihood for reimbursement. As far as doing this once before with my dryer, that was just getting reimbursed for a repair, and getting reimbursed for an entire appliance seems different. But perhaps it won’t be. Just had a recent experience with the Citi/Costco Visa extended warranty for a dishwasher repair. The Costco warranty was 2 years, and the Citi/Costco Visa extended warranty is an additional two years. The dishwasher failed after 2 1/2 years, so the Citi Visa warranty applied. They said to find an authorized repair company, get a r...
by Fletch
Thu Jul 07, 2022 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years
Replies: 99
Views: 13980

Re: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years

Regarding dishwasher recommendations- Our $579 KitchenAid KUDR24SE dishwasher is 25 years old and going strong. Only issues: had to replace the racks several years ago when the coatings degraded/rust, and the detergent door latch broke after many years. Are KitchenAid dishwashers still high quality and a good buy? Obviously happy with this one, but wondering if KitchenAid quality/value still merits staying with the brand when the time comes. No! Government energy and water use standards are mostly to blame for almost all kitchen/laundry appliances not lasting more than 7 years or so per the repair technicians I’ve had fixing my refrigerator, dishwasher and dryer in the past year. Their advice is to pick the style you like and determine how...
by Fletch
Thu Jul 07, 2022 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years
Replies: 99
Views: 13980

Re: Need a new dishwasher after just 2.5 years

Regarding dishwasher recommendations- Our $579 KitchenAid KUDR24SE dishwasher is 25 years old and going strong. Only issues: had to replace the racks several years ago when the coatings degraded/rust, and the detergent door latch broke after many years. Are KitchenAid dishwashers still high quality and a good buy? Obviously happy with this one, but wondering if KitchenAid quality/value still merits staying with the brand when the time comes. No! Government energy and water use standards are mostly to blame for almost all kitchen/laundry appliances not lasting more than 7 years or so per the repair technicians I’ve had fixing my refrigerator, dishwasher and dryer in the past year. Their advice is to pick the style you like and determine how...
by Fletch
Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712646

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Our Final Invention - James Barrat.
AI and the end of the human era.
by Fletch
Tue May 17, 2022 6:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free in-home Covid test Kits
Replies: 360
Views: 41940

Re: Free in-home Covid test Kits

quantAndHold wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 9:02 pm Round 3 is now open. https://special.usps.com/testkits
Thank you!
by Fletch
Wed May 11, 2022 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tire change at a Lexus dealership: are these costs reasonable?
Replies: 54
Views: 7066

Re: Tire change at a Lexus dealership: are these costs reasonable?

I recently purchased 4 Pirelli Scorpion Verde all season tires (255/45/20) (same as the original tires which I really liked) and a 4 wheel alignment for an Audi Q5 (similar in size to the RX350). I was surprised the cost at the local Audi dealer was almost identical to the cost if I had purchased the tires at Tire Rack and paid locally for mounting, balancing, tire disposal, and a 4 wheel alignment. The Audi dealer was also very close to the Costco installed price. I went with the Audi dealer installation. For what it's worth, I had the same experience last year at the local Volvo dealer; installed cost of 4 tires and 4 wheel alignment was actually a bit cheaper than for identical tires at Costco plus an alignment that I would have to get a...
by Fletch
Fri May 06, 2022 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First home - tips/tricks for maintenance / upkeep?
Replies: 32
Views: 4347

Re: First home - tips/tricks for maintenance / upkeep?

I was told many years ago to set aside 3 to 4% of home replacement value every year for repairs and improvements. Wise advice, or as a Boy Scout would say: be prepared! Useful for roof replacement, HVAC replacement and repairs, water heater replacement, painting, window replacements, appliances replacement, new patio, carpet and floors, landscaping, etc, etc, etc.
by Fletch
Sat Apr 30, 2022 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your #1 tip for dealing with retirement anxiety?
Replies: 56
Views: 7418

Re: Your #1 tip for dealing with retirement anxiety?

I too had a very busy job before retiring - much time on airplanes, much time working after I came home from work. I wondered if I could go from full throttle to idle when I retired. My primary goal when I retired was to learn how to do "nothing" and be comfortable doing so if I wished. Difficult but achievable for me. That was 20 years ago. I've learned to enjoy and very much appreciate the simple things: no alarm clock, no fixed schedules, quiet time with my wife, interactions with family and friends, focusing on helping others as much as I can rather than focus on self. I have a few friends that are in the "must be busy at every waking moment or they feel like a failure" mode; they seem to be in the focus on self mode...
by Fletch
Sat Apr 09, 2022 5:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Marvin vs. Andersen Windows: The Eternal Struggle
Replies: 64
Views: 119480

Re: Marvin vs. Andersen Windows: The Eternal Struggle

Based on my experience, here is something to consider as you make your decision. About 8 years ago we decided to replace our 20 windows including a large bay window and a glass sliding door with "top of the line Schuco triple pane and e-coated" windows after much research (internet and talking with people and interviewing several contractors and window sellers). We selected a great contractor. The windows had a lifetime guarantee and the contractor provided the same lifetime warranty dealing with any installation problems that would come up. Total cost was about $20k. As a side note, be sure to select an excellent contractor that knows how to install the windows as the weather proofness and energy effectiveness is heavily influen...
by Fletch
Sat Mar 12, 2022 5:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do with old car that is probably not worth repairing.
Replies: 70
Views: 6088

Re: What to do with old car that is probably not worth repairing.

Rdytoretire wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 8:52 am Turns out the vehicle needs a new master cylinder and couple of rear brake rotors. $970 installed. I understand I could have saved a lot by installing it myself but that is water under the bridge at this point. This substantial repair expense is what lead to to my initial post. I agree with the general sentiment that it is still worth repairing this vehicle especially with the current situation of the new and used car market.
Consider it a win-win. You spent only a few months worth of car payments (if you had replaced the vehicle).
by Fletch
Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free in-home Covid test Kits
Replies: 360
Views: 41940

Re: Free in-home Covid test Kits

Ordered via USPS January 18. Not yet delivered. However, our county is giving out free test kits at local library; picked up one for each adult ih household yesterday - expiration date is May 2022, same expiration date as 2 kits I ordered via Amazon prior to January 18. Also, local Rite Aid drug store is giving away free N-95 masks, three for each household adult; picked up today.
by Fletch
Fri Jan 28, 2022 5:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where should we move (east coast)
Replies: 48
Views: 5535

Re: Where should we move (east coast)

Delaware, reasonable tax situation, year around weather that usually is not extreme one way or the other. State and local government is not wacko to the left or right. Northern part of the state is busier, more things to do, and more expensive. Southern is less expensive and slower. Depends on what your priorities are.
by Fletch
Mon Jan 24, 2022 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audi Q5 - Any experiences?
Replies: 62
Views: 7529

Re: Audi Q5 - Any experiences?

From this past June:
viewtopic.php?p=6050736#p6050736

Not much has changed with the cars or my opinion of them since last June. Q5 is now about 4 1/3 years old and about 21,000 miles. Basically have only needed oil/filter changes at the dealer. Still love it. Still reliable, as is my Volvo XC60 at the tender age of 9 1/2 and 75,000 miles.

Best wishes for whatever you end up doing.
by Fletch
Wed Jan 05, 2022 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! I'm considering buying a timeshare
Replies: 188
Views: 18283

Re: Help! I'm considering buying a timeshare

AllMostThere wrote: Wed Jan 05, 2022 3:08 pm I'm not familiar with this particular timeshare, but IMO most timeshares will ultimately become a large sucking sound to your wallet. Parents had one in Orlando that could not be sold and parents became too frail to use plus they lost interest in the area. My DM ultimately found a company that would take ownership for a $1K fee. While the fees seem okay today, this does not include any special assessment that will come in a future timeframe. Not really worth it. Run, Run far away.
This is also the experience of a good friend and my daughter. Agree with AllMostThere - RUN, RUN far away and fast!

YMMV
by Fletch
Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charities did you give to in 2021?
Replies: 134
Views: 8658

Re: What charities did you give to in 2021?

Our church (time, talent, treasure)
Issues, Etc. (treasure)
1517 (treasure)
Local volunteer fire department (treasure)
LCMS disaster relief (treasure)
Local food distribution organizations (time, talent, treasure)
Orphan Grain Train (goods, treasure)
Local eye glasses collection center (goods)
by Fletch
Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying prescription glasses online
Replies: 46
Views: 8415

Re: Buying prescription glasses online

I have very mixed feelings. I bought two pairs, one progressive transitions, and one single vision sunglasses. I was extremely happy with the Goggles4U price, about $50 for each pair after a 70% discount. The downside: the progressives don't seem to be right for reading and transitions do not get much darker in the sun, nothing at all like the ones I've gotten from Costco or my eye doctor's optical shop. Also, one lens on both pair just isn't "right". Don't know if they screwed up or if I need a new prescription. I did submit a prescription that had the PD as measured by the optician at my eye doctor's offce. The frames on both needed quite a bit of tweaking for them to fit. Bottom line: I will buy from Costco (probably) or eye do...
by Fletch
Tue Dec 14, 2021 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066431

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Finch with Tom Hanks on Apple TV+. Starts a little slow then gets engaging.
by Fletch
Tue Nov 23, 2021 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car windshield fogging up
Replies: 29
Views: 2780

Re: Car windshield fogging up

Fordguy88 wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:42 am Not trying to insult your intelligence, but is the system set to recirculate air internally versus pulling in fresh air from the outside? Figured it was a thought no one has mentioned before here.

I've noticed before when going from summer (when I set air to recirc in the car when using AC to get coldest air possible) to winter (when you can't recirc air with heater on because the humidity will slowly build) and fog the windows.
My thought as well. I've had it happen.
by Fletch
Fri Oct 29, 2021 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to obtain required Covid vaccine QR code for travel when vaccinated in FL (or any state not issuing QR codes)?
Replies: 56
Views: 6426

Re: How to obtain required Covid vaccine QR code for travel when vaccinated in FL (or any state not issuing QR codes)?

If you have an iPhone, VAXYES might be useful. It verifies the vaccine info and lets you add your Vaccination Card info to the Wallet App. It does show up with a QR code in the Wallet but I don't know about the international acceptance.

https://gogetdoc.com/vaxyes
by Fletch
Fri Jul 02, 2021 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High-end phone cameras vs Mirrorless/DSLR for internet use
Replies: 44
Views: 3485

Re: High-end phone cameras vs Mirrorless/DSLR for internet use

squirm wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 1:20 pm The phone is good enough. I had all the fancy camera equipment too, years ago. But the phone camera is way way more convenient and therefore got used much more often. Photography isn't about having top of the line equipment, it's about skill and art.
Agreed. Haven’t used my “regular” cameras for a few years. I always have my phone with me - iPhone 11 Pro Max for almost 2 years. Awesome camera IMHO.
by Fletch
Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Riding mower
Replies: 64
Views: 5993

Re: Riding mower

Deere here, from a Deere dealer who will service as you wish. Had an LT155 for about 17 years, now an XT350 for over four, both with 42 inch mulching decks. Very happy.
by Fletch
Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How is Volvo comparing German car brands?
Replies: 33
Views: 4595

Re: How is Volvo comparing German car brands?

Maintenance costs have been reasonable but probably not as low as the Japanese brands. I also think it is extremely important to find a place to service vehicles that does high quality work and is honest - can be hard to find. I have found dealer service departments to overall be the best, especially with our current rather high-tech with lots of bells and whistles vehicles. Standard 10k miles maintenance (oil change, filters, brake fluid flush) on Volvos cost $500 at the dealer. The first three are included but starting at 40k miles that’s the cost. https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/sticker-shock-on-scheduled-maintenance-cost-at-40-000-miles.591941/ I like Volvos but they’re not cheap to own. XC60: 56,218 miles - Castrol Full Synthetic, ...
by Fletch
Sun Jun 06, 2021 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How is Volvo comparing German car brands?
Replies: 33
Views: 4595

Re: How is Volvo comparing German car brands?

I have a Volvo 2012 XC60 (72k miles) at present, wife a 2018 Audi Q5 (19k), both purchased new. Prior to these, a 1995 Volvo 850 (over 200k) and a 1996 Volvo 850 (~140k). 850s also purchased new. Prior to these, we had a variety of vehicles all purchased new: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Chevy, Oldsmobile, Volkswagen. We shopped extensively and drove them prior to getting the Q5 - a couple SUV models of each brand - Acura, Honda, BMW, Lexus, Subaru, Ford, Toyota, and Audi. My overall opinion: the Audi and Volvo are way more fun to drive and more comfortable than everything else we drove including an Audi Q3; the BMWs were also great but the local dealer has a very poor reputation. So far all the Volvos and the Q5 have been very reliable. M...
by Fletch
Mon Jan 18, 2021 5:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best place to find a nimh rechargeable replacement battery.
Replies: 13
Views: 1329

Re: Best place to find a nimh rechargeable replacement battery.

https://www.batterybob.com

Might try this place. I've purchased from them before but not any NiMH.
by Fletch
Sat Jan 02, 2021 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Is VPN essential for online privacy & security?]
Replies: 62
Views: 6535

Re: [Is VPN essential for online privacy & security?]

Nord on laptop and cell phones (mainly for public WiFi) for last couple years. Easy to use, reliable, includes malware and ad blocker.
by Fletch
Sun Dec 06, 2020 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another car maintenance question
Replies: 5
Views: 842

Re: Another car maintenance question

My short answer: Follow the "severe service" schedule that is likely in your owners manual. My longer answer: Assuming you trust your Honda dealer service department, talk to them and explain your desires for your car. Lots of PM? How long do you wish to keep the car? Absolute minimum service? Etc. Ask about their reasoning for anything that they recommend that is different from the owners manual maintenance schedule. Then you can make a well informed decision. P.S. In my opinion you are overdue for a battery change if you have not already done that. My personal experience indicates a new battery is warranted every 3 to 4 years for maximum reliability of not being stranded at the worst possible time. A battery can pass a dealer &q...
by Fletch
Thu Oct 08, 2020 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tequila and Magaritas
Replies: 138
Views: 21292

Re: Tequila and Magaritas

jabberwockOG wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:22 pm Best margarita is made with just 3 primary ingredients (not counting optional salt) -

- 1.5-2 ounces tequila made from 100 percent agave, silver labeled Costco works fine for mixed drinks
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Salt for rim garnish optional - sea salt is best
Lightly stir and pour into heavy ice tumbler or rocks glass

Be careful, they are tasty but potent, as in not being able to drive, or walk home potent.
That is amost exactly my favorite recipe. The minor difference: I shake with ice, pour the whole mix/ice into the glass, and add a small slice of lime on the salt rimmed glass.