Tag: Photography

Gear Review 2021 Part 2

by adventuresoftheaveragejoe, posted in Gear Review

Gear Reviewed: IPad, Woruija Hard drive couldn’t afford a good one after iPad but fucked up with this, and a werner surge paddle.

I didn’t purchase that much gear this year and what I am reviewing in this post was used at the end of year and not for very long.

m1 iPad Pro 12.9 500GB

I got the new iPad Pro 12.9 500GB, I was really stoked because it came with the M1 chip. My not so old laptop started struggling processing photos and videos. So, far the only limitations I am running into with the iPad is when I am away from Wi-Fi for an extended period of time. The cloud keeps updating my photos and it eventually uses all my data. This hasn’t happened a lot and has nothing to do with the iPad, just my data plan.

Below is Amazon’s description.

Description 

iPad Pro features the powerful Apple M1 chip for next-level performance and all-day battery life. An immersive 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display for viewing and editing HDR photos and videos. 5G cellular models for blazing speeds away from Wi-Fi. And a front camera with Center Stage keeps you in frame automatically during video calls. iPad Pro has pro cameras and a LiDAR Scanner for stunning photos, videos, and immersive AR. Thunderbolt for connecting to high-performance accessories. And you can add Apple Pencil for note-taking, drawing, and marking up documents, and the Magic Keyboard for a responsive typing experience and trackpad.

Features & details 

  • Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
  • Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
  • TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
  • 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
  • Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi
  • Go further with all-day battery life
  • Thunderbolt port for connecting to fast external storage, displays, and docks
  • Face ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
  • Four speaker audio and five studio-quality microphones
  • Support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio

I am really stoked on this item; it ranks number 1 for the gear I have used this year. I would definitely purchase it again. I am not sure on the 500 GB yet. I haven’t had it long enough to know if that is the right amount. I feel like that is enough to work on multiple photos. I haven’t worked on any video project to verify that that’s enough. I feel like it is more than I need for my usage, but time will tell. Again, really stoked on it. I know it comes with a hefty price tag compared to my computer, but the amount of time I am saving processing media is totally worth it. I would 100% purchase this again! Best early Christmas present yet.

Woruijia 1 TB hard drive

I purchased a 1 TB external hard drive made by Woruijia for way less than a SanDisk because the iPad cost so much I couldn’t justify the SanDisk at the time. I mean it sounded like a winner: ultra slim, shock proof, and anti-drop external hard drive for $50. Well, it was too good to be true; the disk became corrupted within the first few minutes of trying to download stuff. I spent the next week trying to fix it at about 2.75 days to get to almost the end then nothing….. could not finish action. Boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong about not spending the money on a SanDisk.

Below is Amazon’s description.

Product information

Product Dimensions ‎11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches; 3.15 Pounds Item Weight ‎3.15 pounds Manufacturer ‎Apple Computer ASIN ‎B0932DZPW2 Country of Origin ‎China Item model number ‎MHNJ3LL/A Batteries ‎1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) Date First Available ‎April 30, 2021

Digital Storage Capacity1000 GB
Compatible DevicesLaptop
BrandWORUIJIA
Connectivity TechnologyUSB
Hard Disk Size1 TB
Form FactorPortable
Cache Size1 TB
ColorBlack-C
Hard Disk DescriptionPortable

About this item

  • Ultra Slim & Large Capability. This external hard drive has the large capability of 1TB or 2TB and the energy-saving feature which is your perfect movable database.
  • Super Fast External Hard Drive. This external hard drive with super high transmission , 5 times as fast as usual hard drive when reading and more than 1 time faster when writing, sure to boost your work efficiency largely!
  • Quality Metal Shell & Excellent Performance. This portable hard drive external is shockproof and anti-drop, the quality aluminum alloy shell offers great heat dissipation for durability and safety. Add matte texture to bring you comfort touch while preventing fingerprint.
  • Smart Design & Super Strong Compatibility. This external hard drive is readily compatible with mac, WIN7/8/8.1/10, Android and more, nearly workable with 99% of PC systems. Smart enough for auto sleep with no operation for 10min, able to prevent body heat and increase data security.
  • Portable Pocket Design External Hard Drive. Ultra compact and slim to lie in your palm and travel the portable hard drive everywhere in your pocket.

It sounds good after reading the above description, right? Well don’t be fooled, I would not purchase this product again! It was useless within minutes of using it. Then I wasted so much time trying to format it. Luckly, I got refunded almost immediately.

Werner Surge Straight Shaft Paddle

Luckly, I had purchased this as a backup last year because there were none in stock when I needed it. I normally keep one on hand just in case I leave one lay at the takeout, lose it out of the truck bed or another way one loses their paddle. I was boating with my well used Powerhouse when I noticed it lying beside someone else’s and realized right away it was time for a new paddle. My power face was significantly smaller than the newer paddle.

According to NRS the Surge, maximizes the vertical phase through the water, giving you a smoother catch and release. This enhanced power phase gives you scope to get the most out of every paddle stroke, where it really matters.

Product information

Blade size: 112 sq. in. / 725 sq. cm
Blade measurements: 19 x 8 in. / 48.25 x 20 cm
Blade material: fiberglass

One piece straight shaft
Lengths: 194 cm / 197 cm / 200 cm / 203 cm / 206 cm
Weight: 35.25 oz. / 999 g
Feather angles: 30° right-handed / 45° right-handed

One piece bent shaft
Lengths: 194 cm / 197 cm / 200 cm / 203 cm
Weight: 37.75 oz. / 1070 g
Feather angles: 30° right-handed / 45° right-handed

I purchased the 30° feather and 200 cm length paddle. I would like to try the 203cm or 206 cm but they were not available where I purchased the paddle. I am 6’1″ and am an intermediate kayaker. I like the paddle; it is the first fiberglass paddle with a forward bend in the blade which is supposed to give you a smoother catch and release and generate more power. It definitely produced more power than my old paddle which was severely used. I can’t speak as to if it produced more than my Powerhouse when it was new. I immediately noted a difference with the number of strokes I need to get from point a to b and rolling was easier.

I would buy the Surge again, but I would also buy the Powerhouse again. I have had fiberglass straight shaft paddles for the last 3 paddles due to the reduced cost. My favorite paddle so far was the carbon fiber bent shaft Powerhouse. I think my next paddle will be the bent shaft version of the Surge because, to date, it is the only forward bend fiberglass Werner has available.

Gear Review 2021 Part 1

by adventuresoftheaveragejoe, posted in Gear Review

Gear reviewed: Big Agnes Tigerwall 2 Platinum, Slackers Slack Rack W/Slackline, Ride Lasso Snowboarding Boots.

I didn’t really use that much new gear this year, 2021. This was mostly due to the fact that it was the most time I spent in the van to date. I spent just shy of a month traveling to Jackson, WY. In that time, Ally and I stayed in the van almost the entire time with the exception of a few nights in  friends’ houses in Eagle, Buena Vista, and Breckenridge. I lived in the van full time from when she left in the beginning May until July excluding a few nights I stayed in a hotel while exploring Yellowstone and the Tetons with my parents. Then, in the beginning of July she came back and we stayed at The Virginian Lodge in Jackson for 2 weeks before I drove back to WV. Those 2 months of living in he van were horrible……

Anyway back to the gear: since I was in the van for a little over a quarter of the year I really did’t purchase that much gear this year; it was also hard to find somethings due to supply issues. I broke the gear out by function in previous reviews (2020 Gear Review Part 1 and 2020 Gear Review Part 2).  Since I bought random stuff this year mostly for different types of activities and I didn’t have any big expeditions planned, I will not break them out by use this year but list them randomly.

Big Agnes Tigerwall 2 Platinum

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I used the Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 Platinum on the PCT and loved it. The reason I got the Tiger wall was because it had two doors, which I like in a two person tent. Both tents are very similar with the exception of the dimensions and the two doors. They were both quick and easy to setup. The Tiger Wall has more storage pockets. The one above the head also has a slot to run headphones through when storing your phone above. The tent is about 2 pounds so that’s a pound a person. That’s amazing. There isn’t much storage space inside but vestibules on each side make for ample storage. Since the material is so light it needs to be taken care of. I opted for the ground cloth which puts it over 2 lbs but protects the bottom of the tent. Care should be taken in placement when setting it up so nothing pokes through the fabric. I haven’t had any damage to the Tigerwall yet. The Big Agnes Fly Creek accumulated some holes when I thru hiked the PCT, but they were easily patched with tape. Just to give you an idea, the stuff sack for the tent stakes wore through the most from the pressure of them on the sack. Not gonna lie it weighed more when I was done hiking from the tape, but most of the tape was on the stuff sack.

I would definitely buy any platinum tent from Big Agnes I had nothing but great experiences and they are really light weight! This was probably my favorite purchase in this review.

Slackers Slack Rack W/Slackline

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I got this to keep occupied with COVID still happening. I already have a Gibbon 1 inch line but wanted something for the kids to mess with also. The Pittsburgh house where I was spending most of my time doesn’t have trees so I though I would try this rack out. The rack doesn’t come with anything to keep the line taught. To accomplish this one needs to purchase a 4’x4′ beam. It accommodates a 6′- 12′ beam I chose a 8′ 4’x4′ because that’s what I had laying around. I am probably going to purchase a 12′ beam because would like to utilize as much of the 13′ line as possible. As I mentioned before I wanted something for kids so I thought the 2′ diameter line would be more stable underfoot for them. I think it is, but the rack it’s self seems to wobble in conjunction with the line movement. This just helps develop ones balance. The ratchet seems cheaply made. It now needs tools and two people to let the tension go. I am nervous during this process because I would like to keep my fingers.

I don’t think I would buy this particular system again. It’s nice and I’m glad I had it but in the future I think I would just build two small platforms dig some holes and run a slack line from an anchor point over the boxes to the opposite anchor point in the holes. (See diagram below)

Ride Lasso Snowboarding Boots

img_3295

I normally get a softer flex boot since I spend a majority of my days on snow teaching snowboarding lessons. The softer flex boot I like unfortunately was not available due to supply chain issues, so I chose this one randomly out of the the few available with my pro deal. The lasso ended up feeling really light oh my feet and I’d say it was a medium flex just slightly stiffer than what I have normally been using. I really noticed it at first but after three hours I got used to it. I think my favorite part about the boot is the side BOA that adjusts the inside of the boot. It really tightens up that heel and locks it in place. It’s the first boot I’ve had where my heel does not move up and down when I pressure the boot to turn the board.

I would definitely buy this boot again! Its mid range price is not a hindrance and well worth the extra cash for that perfect fit! I go through boots like crazy due to the consistency of my gear getting ran over by students while teaching. Even with that abuse I expect these boots to hold up for 2 years. I live in the Mid Atlantic and average three months on snow most of which is teaching plus another few weeks riding out west in the shoulder seasons. This brings me to a  yearly median of just over 550,000 vertical. The only downside is the extra stiffness makes them a little more difficult to drive in. Still safer than driving in ski boots though!

Next up for review

IPad Pro 12.9 500 GB

Woruijia External Hard Drive 1 TB

Werner Surge Paddle