Road trip prep

13 09 2009

The last few weekends have been about accessorizing my motorcycle for longer distance travel. I now have a “topbox” (trunk), a throttle lock (cheap cruise control), highway footpegs so my legs aren’t stuck in the same position all the time, a permanently mounted locking GPS holder, and I’ve put in a shelf above the dash to hold my radar detector, camera, and a cup holder.

I’ve also picked up a new netbook since the 17″ and 15.4″ MacBook Pros are kinda big for motorcycle travel, and my brother broke the screen on the old netbook. A tire repair kit and compressor. And there’s the new camera with 32GB memory card.

It has been an ordeal getting all of this stuff ordered, delivered, and installed, but now it is finally finished and I can relax for the couple of days remaining until my journey begins…





Flip > Nano

13 09 2009

NewTeeVee has a side-by-side video comparison of new iPod Nano against an old Flip. In short, the Nano muddies the details while the Flip has quite good video quality. I don’t think this generation of the Nano poses much of a threat to Flip’s business…

But, I don’t really understand why people like Flip so much. A Canon SD780IS is about $215, shoots 720p video, has optical image stabilization, an optical viewfinder, larger LCD, takes still pictures, uses removable memory cards, and is very comparable in weight and volume to the Mino (and much smaller / lighter than the Ultra).

I’ve owned several models from the Canon SD IS and Panasonic DMC-FX lines that shot fantastic 480p video. They were so good that when my Mini DV camcorder died I felt no need to replace it. My new Panasonic DMC-ZS3 is a bit larger, and more like $325, but in exchange I get a 25-300mm equivalent lens and AVCHD 720p recording. I can’t wait to put the video to the test during my vacation!








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