Durarara!!
Durarara!! is a Japanese animation base on a manga and is set in present day Ikebukuro, a suburb on the south western side of Tokyo, Japan. It revolves around the lives of some of the inhabitants of the area and the fate that befalls them.
There are 25 episodes in the first season and rumors about a seconds season have appeared although it looks like the writers and production house are trying to gauge the response before first committing to anything.
This review is of the Japanese dialogue version with English subtitles.
WARNING: Although I've tried my best to avoid them, there may be some spoilers below, so if you would prefer not to know before watching, please stop reading this post now.
Ryugamine Mikado travels to Ikebukuro looking to escape his mundane rural hometown life. He meets up with his old childhood friend, Masaomi Kida who shows him around and lets him know about all the important figures living in Ikebukuro. He points out Simon, a black Russian who works at a Sushi restaurant and can be found most of the time out the front handing out flyers for the restaurant, and they meet up with Kida's friends Yumasaki, Karisawa, Togusa, and Kadota, who are local otaku (geeks) that drive around together in a van checking out the various curio and manga/anime in the local stores.
Kida warns Mikado about Izaya (whom they meet with), and Heiwajima. Two people whom not to get involved in, and also about The Dollars, a recent underground gang supposedly with no identifying traits, and no known hierarchy system.
As the story unfolds, Mikado soon meets various other important people, the most bizarre of which is Celty, a motorbike rider dressed in black with a yellow helmet with little cat ears coming out the top. Her bike is fully black and seems to make horse noises when moving. Rumor has it that Celty has no head beneath her helmet.
There are also other rumors flying around the place, and there have been incidents where people have been atacked and cut by the mysterious 'Slasher', who never kills the victim but just cuts them.
Mikado also attends the local high school and becomes a class rep, and meets fellow classmate Anri as part of the job.
At the start of the series we see everything from a third person's perspective as apparently random events take place. As the series progresses though, we get to see more and more details that link the initial events and characters together, and get to see those events from the perspective of the various involved people.
It soon becomes apparent that a lot of what was previously seen and taken for granted actually has a significant impact on the bigger picture. Characters in the series are anything but one dimensional and often aren't what they appear to be at first.
The story line is complex and the vast array of characters make the show hard to wrap your head around sometimes, but the rewards at the end are well worth it.
It should also be noted that there are a few supernatural elements to the series, some of which form the crux of various plot elements.
The Good:
- Animation. The animation is really good. No the best I've seen, but still very good.
- Voice acting. The voice acting is also very good and I would say all the voices suited their chararters.
- Plot. The plot is quite simple in structure, but the fact we get pieces at a time, and the general execution means the show is highly addictive, sucking you into it's story. I ran with it and some of the twists in the show are mind boggling.
- Characters. The characters in this anime are characters in the true sense of the word. All have their own backstory and all have their secrets.
- Humour. There is a lot about this show that is funny. Some people might not think so though.
The Bad:
- Addictive. Near the end of each episode, the show always reveals something new about someone and almost every episode ends in a cliffhanger. I found myself wanting for more.
- Complexity. Some people may find that there are so many characters in the show that it's too hard to follow. Also, there are many plot elements that are just unbelievable, however, this is pure fantasy it doesn't detract. The characters are what makes this show.
- Slow start. The start of this show takes a long time and some characters aren't shown at all until after midway through the episode list.
Conclusion: As far as anime goes, this was one of favourites.
Score: 10/10
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Cobi nostalgia themed USB1.1/2.o Webcam and Spotlight
Cobi nostalgia themed USB1.1/2.o Webcam and Spotlight
The Cobi USB webcam and spotlight are USB devices that have been shaped to look like an early model movie camera and spotlight. Other than the design, there isn't much out of the ordinary about the camera or the light. The camera is a standard USB webcam and the spotlight is just an LED that is on the end of a flexible arm. Accessories include a small extendable tripod and a screen mount for the camera.
There is no software supplied in the box.
Windows 7 detects the USB camera and install the correct device driver for use with video conferencing software like Skype or Gmail video chat. The camera also works with security focused software and any program that can interface with a generic USB video input device.
The frame rate of the camera isn't known and the resolution of 640x480 can't be changed using the default windows 7 software. So far, I haven't been able to change the default resolution and haven't been able to find a frame rate control, even in the options of various software programs.
The Good:
- Design. The plastic moulding of the camera, while not designed for utility, is quite pleasing to look at and when combined with the spotlight can add to a creative mood.
- Spotlight. The spotlight has it's own hard switch and is on a separate USB plug so it can be used as a standard USB light. The flexible arm has very good articulation and can even snake between various paths to give the best vantage point. Twisting the arm in one direction can stiffen the arm, and twisting the other way can loosen it (to an extent).
- Focus. You can focus the camera. This is great as a lot of inbuilt camera's don't provide this.
- Instructions. The instruction pamphlet is concise and easy to read and has 4 languages. Even without the instruction, the entire setup is quite straight forward.
- Cheap. The whole package was really cheap.
The Bad:
- Screen mount. The screen mount is a 'C' shaped plastic thing with rubber on the ends and a standard screw-type camera mount on the mid section. The mount is supposed to sit on the top edge of the LCD screen or a laptop and the screw mount is to mount the camera. The mount is not a clip (which would have been infinitely more useful) so it won't stay still on the screen where you place it. It also won't fit on most shaped that aren't like that of a laptop lid when open. There also seems to be an issue with the screw mount and the locking system for it. If you tighten the screw on the camera, the camera faces the wrong way. If you spin the camera, the screw loosens on the mount, so the camera tends to swing left or right either way you tighten it.
- Tripod. The tripod is really cheap. You can tell as soon as you pick it up. The extendible legs don't extend much and even when they do, they don't lock so it's not really a sure thing. It can support a point and shoot though, so the webcam which is a lot lighter should strain it too much.
- Light bleed. The baffles on the LED spotlight have been modeled on the real thing, but on a real spotlight, the light source is mounted far back in the barrel. The LED on this light is mounted in front of the barrel, so light shines out the sides and into people's eyes. You can get away with it by carefully positioning the barrel, but it would have been nice if the LED was mounted further back. The actual LED and power transistor circuitry wouldn't be longer than the barrel, so this is a design flaw.
- Frame rate. I haven't been able to change the frame rate and I'm convinced that it may be at maximum of the sensor. This is a shame as the frame rate I've been able to attain is quite slow.
- Image quality. At 640x480, the image is fine for a face directly in front of the camera, but anything else is just washed out.
- Camera mount thread. The thread in the camera is part of the housing which is plastic. Too many attachments or detachments and the thread will wear out.
- Spotlight arm. The spotlight arm is too loose by default for the weight of the light, and it isn't immediately obvious that twisting will tighten it.
Conclusion:
The camera portion of the package isn't much to talk about, but the spotlight is quite useful as a generic light. The articulated arm is great for aiming and lighting up the keyboard if the screen doesn't happen to aim at the keys or the screen image is actually dark.
Coupled with the free YAWCAM software you can set the camera up to detect movement and take a picture if the movement is above a certain threshold and it also has many other useful security focused functions.
I just wish the camera was a little bit more functional or at the very least had a faster frame rate.
Score: 5.5/10
Up next: I was going to review the last item I got from CotD but it may end up being a present. So instead, I will review an Anime: Durarara!!
The Cobi USB webcam and spotlight are USB devices that have been shaped to look like an early model movie camera and spotlight. Other than the design, there isn't much out of the ordinary about the camera or the light. The camera is a standard USB webcam and the spotlight is just an LED that is on the end of a flexible arm. Accessories include a small extendable tripod and a screen mount for the camera.
There is no software supplied in the box.
Windows 7 detects the USB camera and install the correct device driver for use with video conferencing software like Skype or Gmail video chat. The camera also works with security focused software and any program that can interface with a generic USB video input device.
The frame rate of the camera isn't known and the resolution of 640x480 can't be changed using the default windows 7 software. So far, I haven't been able to change the default resolution and haven't been able to find a frame rate control, even in the options of various software programs.
The Good:
- Design. The plastic moulding of the camera, while not designed for utility, is quite pleasing to look at and when combined with the spotlight can add to a creative mood.
- Spotlight. The spotlight has it's own hard switch and is on a separate USB plug so it can be used as a standard USB light. The flexible arm has very good articulation and can even snake between various paths to give the best vantage point. Twisting the arm in one direction can stiffen the arm, and twisting the other way can loosen it (to an extent).
- Focus. You can focus the camera. This is great as a lot of inbuilt camera's don't provide this.
- Instructions. The instruction pamphlet is concise and easy to read and has 4 languages. Even without the instruction, the entire setup is quite straight forward.
- Cheap. The whole package was really cheap.
The Bad:
- Screen mount. The screen mount is a 'C' shaped plastic thing with rubber on the ends and a standard screw-type camera mount on the mid section. The mount is supposed to sit on the top edge of the LCD screen or a laptop and the screw mount is to mount the camera. The mount is not a clip (which would have been infinitely more useful) so it won't stay still on the screen where you place it. It also won't fit on most shaped that aren't like that of a laptop lid when open. There also seems to be an issue with the screw mount and the locking system for it. If you tighten the screw on the camera, the camera faces the wrong way. If you spin the camera, the screw loosens on the mount, so the camera tends to swing left or right either way you tighten it.
- Tripod. The tripod is really cheap. You can tell as soon as you pick it up. The extendible legs don't extend much and even when they do, they don't lock so it's not really a sure thing. It can support a point and shoot though, so the webcam which is a lot lighter should strain it too much.
- Light bleed. The baffles on the LED spotlight have been modeled on the real thing, but on a real spotlight, the light source is mounted far back in the barrel. The LED on this light is mounted in front of the barrel, so light shines out the sides and into people's eyes. You can get away with it by carefully positioning the barrel, but it would have been nice if the LED was mounted further back. The actual LED and power transistor circuitry wouldn't be longer than the barrel, so this is a design flaw.
- Frame rate. I haven't been able to change the frame rate and I'm convinced that it may be at maximum of the sensor. This is a shame as the frame rate I've been able to attain is quite slow.
- Image quality. At 640x480, the image is fine for a face directly in front of the camera, but anything else is just washed out.
- Camera mount thread. The thread in the camera is part of the housing which is plastic. Too many attachments or detachments and the thread will wear out.
- Spotlight arm. The spotlight arm is too loose by default for the weight of the light, and it isn't immediately obvious that twisting will tighten it.
Conclusion:
The camera portion of the package isn't much to talk about, but the spotlight is quite useful as a generic light. The articulated arm is great for aiming and lighting up the keyboard if the screen doesn't happen to aim at the keys or the screen image is actually dark.
Coupled with the free YAWCAM software you can set the camera up to detect movement and take a picture if the movement is above a certain threshold and it also has many other useful security focused functions.
I just wish the camera was a little bit more functional or at the very least had a faster frame rate.
Score: 5.5/10
Up next: I was going to review the last item I got from CotD but it may end up being a present. So instead, I will review an Anime: Durarara!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Flexi-Pod SLR camera tripod
Flexi-Pod SLR camera tripod
The SLR is the big brother of the standard Flexi-Pod camera tripod. Both have the same unique flexible ball-jointed legs that allow the camera to be positioned in almost any orientation and also attached to beams and tree branches. The SLR variant is just larger and can hold up to 1kg (although I suspect it can actually hold more in certain configurations). When straightened, the legs serve the same function as a standard small non-extendable tripod.
Each leg is made up of 8 interlocking joints that meet at the base of the main joint which is also flexible with a joint between it and the tripod head. The ball joints have a rubber ring on them which helps grip onto various sized cylindrical extrusions (poles, branches, beams, etc.).
The head itself has a further base plate that can be quickly detached and reattached with the flick of a small lever. There is also a safety ring that needs to be twisted before the plate will detach so you can lock the base plate to the tripod head securely.
The good:
- Grip. The Flexi-Pod can use its three flexible legs to wrap around many objects and this opens up many opportunities which a normal tripod or monopod would find difficult. The rubber rings mean the camera will resist slipping around smooth objects that it is wrapped around. The angle the camera sits does not have to be horizontal, which opens up creative options. The feet at the end of each leg is also rubberized so it shouldn't slip on most surfaces when in standard upright form.
- Light. The tripod itself is quite light with no extending legs and the ball joints are narrow between each connection, so there is minimal material where it is not needed.
- Versatile. By bending or straightening the legs, you can set the camera up in almost any vantage point. It also works just like a normal small tripod and you can move the legs together for a quasi-monopod form. It has a standard mount that is tightened with any small coin so you don't need to carry any special tools or keys.
- Fast. The detachable base plate is very quick to attach and reattach so you can have your camera setup for a steady shot but you can also detach the camera anytime for an impromptu shot very easily and very quickly.
- Cheap. The version from Flexi-Pod is a cheaper knock-off of another brand. It's made from cheaper parts and probably cheaper labor and as such, is much cheaper to buy than the other brand. This doesn't mean it sacrifices much in terms of functionality though. At most you may find the rubber wears a bit quicker or the joints don't stay as stiff when new, but if you look after it, it will function just as well.
The Bad:
- Ugly. The Flexi-Pod is very ugly. The design requires it to be so, so you may find your subject getting distracted by it or drawing unwanted attention to yourself.
- Limited. Unlike a traditional tripod, it cannot support large heavy lenses attached to full body SLRs. The joints are all potential failure points, so nearing the maximum load may be dangerous, and potentially costly. It also doesn't extend so it's limited in height. You will need to prop it up onto something first for something like a portrait shot.
- Wobble. The rubber and joint design allows a lot of flexing to take place, which can turn into vibrations in the camera. A useful companion to this setup would be a cable or wireless remote shutter release. Alternatively you can use the timer to give it enough time to settle down before the shot is taken.
- Packaging. The packaging is plastic. This could have easily been packaged in a cardboard box or even free standing. It seems a bit wasteful.
- Fit. The baseplate is somewhat loose after inserting into the head socket, and could have used some cushioning material. There is already some of this on top of the baseplate so I don't understand why a small amount wasn't put around the socket. It would have made the for a much snugger fit and reduced vibrations/movement of the camera.
- Colour scheme. Black and grey. It should have just stuck with black for everything. I find it hilarious that the packaging actually shows a picture of a different tripod with much better all-black looks. It almost makes me want to hunt down this better looking version.
Conclusion:
The Flexi-Pod SLR definitely has some drawbacks in both function and build quality, but it more than makes up for it with versatility. Used as a companion tripod it would fill in all the gaps where a traditional tripod falls short. I would have liked to have seen a master locking mechanism for all the legs so once you had them set up, you could trust the tripod wouldn't collapse or shift position due to weight. If you want to avoid using the camera's timer, definitely invest in a remote shutter release with this tripod. A remote release is a handy tool anyway and you will find much use for it and even away from a tripod.
Score:
8.5/10
Up next: Cobi nostalgia themed USB1.1/2.o Webcam and Spotlight.
The SLR is the big brother of the standard Flexi-Pod camera tripod. Both have the same unique flexible ball-jointed legs that allow the camera to be positioned in almost any orientation and also attached to beams and tree branches. The SLR variant is just larger and can hold up to 1kg (although I suspect it can actually hold more in certain configurations). When straightened, the legs serve the same function as a standard small non-extendable tripod.
Each leg is made up of 8 interlocking joints that meet at the base of the main joint which is also flexible with a joint between it and the tripod head. The ball joints have a rubber ring on them which helps grip onto various sized cylindrical extrusions (poles, branches, beams, etc.).
The head itself has a further base plate that can be quickly detached and reattached with the flick of a small lever. There is also a safety ring that needs to be twisted before the plate will detach so you can lock the base plate to the tripod head securely.
The good:
- Grip. The Flexi-Pod can use its three flexible legs to wrap around many objects and this opens up many opportunities which a normal tripod or monopod would find difficult. The rubber rings mean the camera will resist slipping around smooth objects that it is wrapped around. The angle the camera sits does not have to be horizontal, which opens up creative options. The feet at the end of each leg is also rubberized so it shouldn't slip on most surfaces when in standard upright form.
- Light. The tripod itself is quite light with no extending legs and the ball joints are narrow between each connection, so there is minimal material where it is not needed.
- Versatile. By bending or straightening the legs, you can set the camera up in almost any vantage point. It also works just like a normal small tripod and you can move the legs together for a quasi-monopod form. It has a standard mount that is tightened with any small coin so you don't need to carry any special tools or keys.
- Fast. The detachable base plate is very quick to attach and reattach so you can have your camera setup for a steady shot but you can also detach the camera anytime for an impromptu shot very easily and very quickly.
- Cheap. The version from Flexi-Pod is a cheaper knock-off of another brand. It's made from cheaper parts and probably cheaper labor and as such, is much cheaper to buy than the other brand. This doesn't mean it sacrifices much in terms of functionality though. At most you may find the rubber wears a bit quicker or the joints don't stay as stiff when new, but if you look after it, it will function just as well.
The Bad:
- Ugly. The Flexi-Pod is very ugly. The design requires it to be so, so you may find your subject getting distracted by it or drawing unwanted attention to yourself.
- Limited. Unlike a traditional tripod, it cannot support large heavy lenses attached to full body SLRs. The joints are all potential failure points, so nearing the maximum load may be dangerous, and potentially costly. It also doesn't extend so it's limited in height. You will need to prop it up onto something first for something like a portrait shot.
- Wobble. The rubber and joint design allows a lot of flexing to take place, which can turn into vibrations in the camera. A useful companion to this setup would be a cable or wireless remote shutter release. Alternatively you can use the timer to give it enough time to settle down before the shot is taken.
- Packaging. The packaging is plastic. This could have easily been packaged in a cardboard box or even free standing. It seems a bit wasteful.
- Fit. The baseplate is somewhat loose after inserting into the head socket, and could have used some cushioning material. There is already some of this on top of the baseplate so I don't understand why a small amount wasn't put around the socket. It would have made the for a much snugger fit and reduced vibrations/movement of the camera.
- Colour scheme. Black and grey. It should have just stuck with black for everything. I find it hilarious that the packaging actually shows a picture of a different tripod with much better all-black looks. It almost makes me want to hunt down this better looking version.
Conclusion:
The Flexi-Pod SLR definitely has some drawbacks in both function and build quality, but it more than makes up for it with versatility. Used as a companion tripod it would fill in all the gaps where a traditional tripod falls short. I would have liked to have seen a master locking mechanism for all the legs so once you had them set up, you could trust the tripod wouldn't collapse or shift position due to weight. If you want to avoid using the camera's timer, definitely invest in a remote shutter release with this tripod. A remote release is a handy tool anyway and you will find much use for it and even away from a tripod.
Score:
8.5/10
Up next: Cobi nostalgia themed USB1.1/2.o Webcam and Spotlight.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
STM 11" Netbook glove
STM 11" Netbook glove
The Netbook Glove is a neoprene cover for a netbook or small computing device of 11" dimensions. It has a zipper along the short end with a narrow length of neoprene to prevent the zipper from scratching the device.
Overall construction is excellent and the zipper feels durable and sturdy. The neoprene is soft but feels like it could take a solid hit or cut and still survive. It's quite slippery on the inside so inserting or removing a device is very smooth and easy. It has a slight memory effect so leaving it on a sharp edge will indent the surface, and any feet of protrusions on the device itself will indent the interior (which turns out to be a good thing).
The cover only weighs a few hundred grams or so it won't stop you carrying your device. The only issue you might have is if you previously carried the device in a snug pocket, and it may not fit anymore with the glove on.
The glove is specified as 11" so most 10" netbooks and tablets will find there is a bit of play when the glove is on. As the interior is so soft, you shouldn't notice any scratching due to the movement. Still, it definitely isn't a snug fit for most 10" devices. I don't have any 11" devices to test, but I assume an 11" Macbook Air would be too slim to fit properly either.
The good:
- Protective. The thickness, smoothess, and padding all combine to protect the device extremely well. The neoprene should also absorb any liquid that doesn't run off it's surface so spills don't pool and end up in the device.
- Flexible. Due to the stretch, it's able to form around most shapes and stretch to most devices within the 10"-11" class.
- Cheap. At less than AU$10, it's not the cheapest cover and probably still more than the constituent parts and labour combined, but relatively cheap compared to other covers available which can run upwards of $60.
- Colours. The glove comes in a variety of colours and if you find older models you can get access to the old colours such as blue like i did.
The Bad:
- 11". There are a lot more 10" devices than 11" and STM do not make a generic 10" cover. Most are targeted at particular device (which makes sense from a marketing perspective). As such, the cover never feels quite snug when covering any of the 10" netbooks I own, but it does fit all of them, regardless of the shape and battery size.
- Not waterproof (?). I haven't tested it, but it never says anything about being waterproof on any of the accompanying literature.
- Thick. It does add a bit of bulk to the standard size of a device when covered making it harder to fit into other carriers such as pockets and carrying satchels.
- No handle. The glove doesn't have a handle or strap so you will have to put it into another container or bag to carry it hands free. In saying that, with the cover on, I'm less likely to worry about it crashing around in my backpack with other things like cameras and power packs/plugs.
- No extra pockets. If your device has a power adapter/brick, it will not fit into the glove or anywhere else on it. It would have been nice if STM added an elastic strap or loops along one of the edges where you could hook the brick and cords of a power adapter. More loops on the outside could hold SD cards, CD's, or disks. This would help keep all the related accessories together and make the glove a lot more useful.
Conclusion:
Not the most complete implementation of a cover, and could have been made much better with a few small additions, but overall a solid performing and protective cover.
Score:
8.5/10
Update: STM have changed their webpage to target the 11" glove at a Macbook toting audience. As such they have updated their colour range and also the internal lining. Functionally, they should prove better, but the colours apart from black look gross to me and rather pretentious. Perfect for all you MBA owners. ;P
Next up: Flexi-pod SLR camera tripod.
The Netbook Glove is a neoprene cover for a netbook or small computing device of 11" dimensions. It has a zipper along the short end with a narrow length of neoprene to prevent the zipper from scratching the device.
Overall construction is excellent and the zipper feels durable and sturdy. The neoprene is soft but feels like it could take a solid hit or cut and still survive. It's quite slippery on the inside so inserting or removing a device is very smooth and easy. It has a slight memory effect so leaving it on a sharp edge will indent the surface, and any feet of protrusions on the device itself will indent the interior (which turns out to be a good thing).
The cover only weighs a few hundred grams or so it won't stop you carrying your device. The only issue you might have is if you previously carried the device in a snug pocket, and it may not fit anymore with the glove on.
The glove is specified as 11" so most 10" netbooks and tablets will find there is a bit of play when the glove is on. As the interior is so soft, you shouldn't notice any scratching due to the movement. Still, it definitely isn't a snug fit for most 10" devices. I don't have any 11" devices to test, but I assume an 11" Macbook Air would be too slim to fit properly either.
The good:
- Protective. The thickness, smoothess, and padding all combine to protect the device extremely well. The neoprene should also absorb any liquid that doesn't run off it's surface so spills don't pool and end up in the device.
- Flexible. Due to the stretch, it's able to form around most shapes and stretch to most devices within the 10"-11" class.
- Cheap. At less than AU$10, it's not the cheapest cover and probably still more than the constituent parts and labour combined, but relatively cheap compared to other covers available which can run upwards of $60.
- Colours. The glove comes in a variety of colours and if you find older models you can get access to the old colours such as blue like i did.
The Bad:
- 11". There are a lot more 10" devices than 11" and STM do not make a generic 10" cover. Most are targeted at particular device (which makes sense from a marketing perspective). As such, the cover never feels quite snug when covering any of the 10" netbooks I own, but it does fit all of them, regardless of the shape and battery size.
- Not waterproof (?). I haven't tested it, but it never says anything about being waterproof on any of the accompanying literature.
- Thick. It does add a bit of bulk to the standard size of a device when covered making it harder to fit into other carriers such as pockets and carrying satchels.
- No handle. The glove doesn't have a handle or strap so you will have to put it into another container or bag to carry it hands free. In saying that, with the cover on, I'm less likely to worry about it crashing around in my backpack with other things like cameras and power packs/plugs.
- No extra pockets. If your device has a power adapter/brick, it will not fit into the glove or anywhere else on it. It would have been nice if STM added an elastic strap or loops along one of the edges where you could hook the brick and cords of a power adapter. More loops on the outside could hold SD cards, CD's, or disks. This would help keep all the related accessories together and make the glove a lot more useful.
Conclusion:
Not the most complete implementation of a cover, and could have been made much better with a few small additions, but overall a solid performing and protective cover.
Score:
8.5/10
Update: STM have changed their webpage to target the 11" glove at a Macbook toting audience. As such they have updated their colour range and also the internal lining. Functionally, they should prove better, but the colours apart from black look gross to me and rather pretentious. Perfect for all you MBA owners. ;P
Next up: Flexi-pod SLR camera tripod.
Schwinn quick attach bicycle cargo rack
Schwinn quick attach bicycle cargo rack.
The Schwinn bicycle cargo rack is a compact flat storage shelf that attaches to the seat post of a standard push bike and supports up to 20lbs/9kgs of cargo. The flat area is probably a bit larger than one side of a 1-litre milk carton laid horizontally.
The shelf itself is made of plastic with two aluminium shafts running along it and is mounted on a square steel bar that runs about 3/4 of the length under the shelf.The steel bar attaches to the seat post via a screwed clamp with a plastic inner sleeve. The clamp uses a pair of allen key bolts with thumbscrew heads to secure it. The allen key is included.
An elastic drawstring/bungee cord wraps around shelf and allows items to be held down securely. The cord lashes around mouldings in the opposing sides of the shelf and can be quickly uncrossed to strap or release an item. There is a screw hole in the rear pointing side of the shelf to attach a reflector.
In use, the rack blends seamlessly into the outline of a standard mountain bike. On an older road racer or ladies single speed casual bike, it might stand out a little more due to the black plastic, but overall it's not too noticeable visually. It also doesn't affect ride comfort or functionality and only gets in the way when leaning the bike against a wall due to the width.
With a small carton of milk attached, it was barely noticeable when riding on bitumen, and up driveways and curb crossings.
The good:
- Unobtrusive. When not in use, the entire cargo rack barely registered in my mind. I couldn't notice any difference in ride experience on standard roads and bikepaths with and without the rack installed.
- Strong. Supports up to 20lbs/9kgs.
- Versatile. Can carry odd shapes due to the cord.
- Mud guard. Due to the design it acts as a rear mudguard when installed.
- Cheap. RRP for it is ~AU$25, but you can pick one up for around $15 at most places. CotD (see Catch of the Day post) price was <$10.
The Bad:
- Not hardcore. If you want to look cool on your bike, you don't attach a cargo device, a reflector, or a mudguard. The Schwinn cargo rack facilitates all three of these.
- Heavy. The first thing you notice about the rack when you first pick it up is the weight. The steel bar might be strong, but it's because it is thick-walled. Also, the aluminium runner shafts add weight. It's not noticeable while riding but that doesn't mean it isn't sapping precious energy with each pedal stroke.
- Wide. The shelf is wider than most, if not all, frames and wheels. When resting the bike against a wall, the shelf will be the first thing to touch the wall, meaning the resting weight is taken by the rack and hence turned into a twisting force on the seat post. This might require readjustment of the rack or seat post after time.
- Tight. While the cord on the shelf is adjustable, it is still elastic, and this tension can bite into soft items such as rubber, foam, cardboard, and to a lesser extent, twinkies. Even items such as a milk carton might not escape unscathed if the cord isn't loosened enough before strapping.
- Industrial. Personally, I think that all bike accessories should be made of carbon fiber. Since this is made of plastic, steel, and aluminium, it belongs in the last century and will make any bike it is attached to also look dated by association.
- Slow attach. The 'quick attach' in the name refers to attaching cargo items to it, not attaching it to the bike. It actually took quite a (relatively) long time to install and it isn't the most straightforward installation either. The seat post needs to be removed from the frame to fit the plastic inner sleave.
Conclusion:
I think the Schwinn cargo rack is neat. It is a good idea, with an...efficient execution, although it is definitely built to a price point. That being said, it does everything it claims to do and it does it well. If you need a cargo device that is unobtrusive and functional, I can definitely recommend the Schwinn cargo rack.
Score:
7/10
Stay tuned for the next review item: "STM netbook glove".
The Schwinn bicycle cargo rack is a compact flat storage shelf that attaches to the seat post of a standard push bike and supports up to 20lbs/9kgs of cargo. The flat area is probably a bit larger than one side of a 1-litre milk carton laid horizontally.
The shelf itself is made of plastic with two aluminium shafts running along it and is mounted on a square steel bar that runs about 3/4 of the length under the shelf.The steel bar attaches to the seat post via a screwed clamp with a plastic inner sleeve. The clamp uses a pair of allen key bolts with thumbscrew heads to secure it. The allen key is included.
An elastic drawstring/bungee cord wraps around shelf and allows items to be held down securely. The cord lashes around mouldings in the opposing sides of the shelf and can be quickly uncrossed to strap or release an item. There is a screw hole in the rear pointing side of the shelf to attach a reflector.
In use, the rack blends seamlessly into the outline of a standard mountain bike. On an older road racer or ladies single speed casual bike, it might stand out a little more due to the black plastic, but overall it's not too noticeable visually. It also doesn't affect ride comfort or functionality and only gets in the way when leaning the bike against a wall due to the width.
With a small carton of milk attached, it was barely noticeable when riding on bitumen, and up driveways and curb crossings.
The good:
- Unobtrusive. When not in use, the entire cargo rack barely registered in my mind. I couldn't notice any difference in ride experience on standard roads and bikepaths with and without the rack installed.
- Strong. Supports up to 20lbs/9kgs.
- Versatile. Can carry odd shapes due to the cord.
- Mud guard. Due to the design it acts as a rear mudguard when installed.
- Cheap. RRP for it is ~AU$25, but you can pick one up for around $15 at most places. CotD (see Catch of the Day post) price was <$10.
The Bad:
- Not hardcore. If you want to look cool on your bike, you don't attach a cargo device, a reflector, or a mudguard. The Schwinn cargo rack facilitates all three of these.
- Heavy. The first thing you notice about the rack when you first pick it up is the weight. The steel bar might be strong, but it's because it is thick-walled. Also, the aluminium runner shafts add weight. It's not noticeable while riding but that doesn't mean it isn't sapping precious energy with each pedal stroke.
- Wide. The shelf is wider than most, if not all, frames and wheels. When resting the bike against a wall, the shelf will be the first thing to touch the wall, meaning the resting weight is taken by the rack and hence turned into a twisting force on the seat post. This might require readjustment of the rack or seat post after time.
- Tight. While the cord on the shelf is adjustable, it is still elastic, and this tension can bite into soft items such as rubber, foam, cardboard, and to a lesser extent, twinkies. Even items such as a milk carton might not escape unscathed if the cord isn't loosened enough before strapping.
- Industrial. Personally, I think that all bike accessories should be made of carbon fiber. Since this is made of plastic, steel, and aluminium, it belongs in the last century and will make any bike it is attached to also look dated by association.
- Slow attach. The 'quick attach' in the name refers to attaching cargo items to it, not attaching it to the bike. It actually took quite a (relatively) long time to install and it isn't the most straightforward installation either. The seat post needs to be removed from the frame to fit the plastic inner sleave.
Conclusion:
I think the Schwinn cargo rack is neat. It is a good idea, with an...efficient execution, although it is definitely built to a price point. That being said, it does everything it claims to do and it does it well. If you need a cargo device that is unobtrusive and functional, I can definitely recommend the Schwinn cargo rack.
Score:
7/10
Stay tuned for the next review item: "STM netbook glove".
Catch of the Day (website)
Catch of the Day (CotD)
Catch of the Day (www.catchoftheday.com.au) is one of those retail websites that has a special that runs only for a day. Each day they post a new item or sale that is usually at or below the cost of any other online source (other than eBay, etc.).
The trouble with these sites is that the item for any particular day could be anything and there is no forewarning about what is going to be on sale in the upcoming days. Therefore, you need to either check the website each day or subscribe to an RSS/news/push feed to keep up to date with the current sale. Also, since there is usually only one or small selection of items, the current sale might not be attractive to everyone.
It is the equivalent of an online impulse rack at the checkout of a bricks and mortar store.
Recently, CotD had a sale of many different items all on the same day and all with a single capped shipping charge for all items purchased in the same order. My sister was buying a few things and asked me if I wanted anything as it would all be under the one shipping charge.
I couldn't resist.
Over the next few posts, you will see reviews of most of the items I bought. Some of them are quite good. Some of them are quite bad. Some of them are downright tacky.
Anyway, I'll start the list off with the first item, - Schwinn quick attach bicycle cargo rack.
Navigate to the next post to read the review.
Catch of the Day (www.catchoftheday.com.au) is one of those retail websites that has a special that runs only for a day. Each day they post a new item or sale that is usually at or below the cost of any other online source (other than eBay, etc.).
The trouble with these sites is that the item for any particular day could be anything and there is no forewarning about what is going to be on sale in the upcoming days. Therefore, you need to either check the website each day or subscribe to an RSS/news/push feed to keep up to date with the current sale. Also, since there is usually only one or small selection of items, the current sale might not be attractive to everyone.
It is the equivalent of an online impulse rack at the checkout of a bricks and mortar store.
Recently, CotD had a sale of many different items all on the same day and all with a single capped shipping charge for all items purchased in the same order. My sister was buying a few things and asked me if I wanted anything as it would all be under the one shipping charge.
I couldn't resist.
Over the next few posts, you will see reviews of most of the items I bought. Some of them are quite good. Some of them are quite bad. Some of them are downright tacky.
Anyway, I'll start the list off with the first item, - Schwinn quick attach bicycle cargo rack.
Navigate to the next post to read the review.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
VLC Media Player 1.1.10
VLC Media Player 1.1.10 (The Luggage)
VLC is a free media player program which has been made available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. The source is freeware so any platform that can compile it should be able to run it.
It's most recognisable by it's icon picture which depicts an orange traffic cone with white horizontal stripes on it.
It's biggest asset is that it is compatible with a wide variety of media formats from Audio, Video, and picture formats. It also contains various options for output, including streaming and realtime effects.
Most users will be using it for it's playback ability though.
The Good:
- Versatile. It can open and play a wide variety of video formats and most of the time it plays them flawlessly. It has many options for tweaking the output and handles subtitle formats quite well.
- Free. It doesn't require any payment to use VLC but if you find it useful, you can donate to the developer which might allow them to improve on the code.
- Skinnable. Like most media players nowadays, the interface is skinnable. These skins can be user-created so you can customise how the player looks when not in fullscreen mode.
- Lightweight. The entire package (for Windows) is around 20MB which is smaller than a number of alternate media players.
- Codec. It comes with the option of using the default codec, or you can use system codecs for decoding certain media types.
The Bad (as of 1.1.10):
- Efficiency. VLC is not the most processor efficient player and the default codecs are built for compatibility rather than speed. This is most notable on devices with limited processing power playing high bitrate/compression streams.
- Robustness. It struggles to play a number of formats well. .MKV files above 720p are one example. These files usually contain chapter information and oggvorbis audio streams which VLC has had trouble playing or keeping sync (at least on my system).
1080p/i files also exhibit strange artifacting at regular intervals when other system operations occur, even if the system isn't bottlenecked. The only good thing in this respect is that VLC can happily co-exist with other media players on the same system so you aren't locking your choices out by choosing VLC and can switch to another player such as Media Player Classic when VLC isn't able to handle the file.
- Multi-level options. The options menu has two views. Basic and Full. The Basic view shows the most popular options for quick and simple adjustments. This is fine for most people. Sometimes though, there are times when you need to access a certain option or function to let you play the media correctly, and it isn't immediately obvious where the option is in the settings. Then , once you find the option to turn on Full options, the menu structure changes and the finding settings can be difficult, even though everything is labelled appropriately.
- Update isn't an updater. The update system on VLC doesn't update your installation. All it does is initiate a download of the file from an arbitrary server and loads it in an arbitrary location. There is no control over the download and the process is manual. It also downloads the entire installer (not too much of an issue at 20MB) instead of just the parts that need updating.
- Window default size. Sometimes, the window size defaults to the size of one of the most recently played files. This isn't necessary the most recently played file, and sometimes this can get irritating at the end of a file where the window ends up being bigger than the actual viewport.
Summary:
- VLC is a great little program that is indispensable to the media enthusiast, who might have a slew of media all in different fomats. It's akin to a swiss army knife of media players. With the exceptions mentioned above, there is little it cannot play well, and with a bit of tweaking it should be able to play anything. Having this installed alongside something like Media Player Classic should cover you for all media playback need.
Score:
- 9/10
VLC is a free media player program which has been made available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. The source is freeware so any platform that can compile it should be able to run it.
It's most recognisable by it's icon picture which depicts an orange traffic cone with white horizontal stripes on it.
It's biggest asset is that it is compatible with a wide variety of media formats from Audio, Video, and picture formats. It also contains various options for output, including streaming and realtime effects.
Most users will be using it for it's playback ability though.
The Good:
- Versatile. It can open and play a wide variety of video formats and most of the time it plays them flawlessly. It has many options for tweaking the output and handles subtitle formats quite well.
- Free. It doesn't require any payment to use VLC but if you find it useful, you can donate to the developer which might allow them to improve on the code.
- Skinnable. Like most media players nowadays, the interface is skinnable. These skins can be user-created so you can customise how the player looks when not in fullscreen mode.
- Lightweight. The entire package (for Windows) is around 20MB which is smaller than a number of alternate media players.
- Codec. It comes with the option of using the default codec, or you can use system codecs for decoding certain media types.
The Bad (as of 1.1.10):
- Efficiency. VLC is not the most processor efficient player and the default codecs are built for compatibility rather than speed. This is most notable on devices with limited processing power playing high bitrate/compression streams.
- Robustness. It struggles to play a number of formats well. .MKV files above 720p are one example. These files usually contain chapter information and oggvorbis audio streams which VLC has had trouble playing or keeping sync (at least on my system).
1080p/i files also exhibit strange artifacting at regular intervals when other system operations occur, even if the system isn't bottlenecked. The only good thing in this respect is that VLC can happily co-exist with other media players on the same system so you aren't locking your choices out by choosing VLC and can switch to another player such as Media Player Classic when VLC isn't able to handle the file.
- Multi-level options. The options menu has two views. Basic and Full. The Basic view shows the most popular options for quick and simple adjustments. This is fine for most people. Sometimes though, there are times when you need to access a certain option or function to let you play the media correctly, and it isn't immediately obvious where the option is in the settings. Then , once you find the option to turn on Full options, the menu structure changes and the finding settings can be difficult, even though everything is labelled appropriately.
- Update isn't an updater. The update system on VLC doesn't update your installation. All it does is initiate a download of the file from an arbitrary server and loads it in an arbitrary location. There is no control over the download and the process is manual. It also downloads the entire installer (not too much of an issue at 20MB) instead of just the parts that need updating.
- Window default size. Sometimes, the window size defaults to the size of one of the most recently played files. This isn't necessary the most recently played file, and sometimes this can get irritating at the end of a file where the window ends up being bigger than the actual viewport.
Summary:
- VLC is a great little program that is indispensable to the media enthusiast, who might have a slew of media all in different fomats. It's akin to a swiss army knife of media players. With the exceptions mentioned above, there is little it cannot play well, and with a bit of tweaking it should be able to play anything. Having this installed alongside something like Media Player Classic should cover you for all media playback need.
Score:
- 9/10
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