Sunday, February 27, 2011

Double Vision


For the last several years I've run two GPS units on Moose. I picked up a Garmin zumo 550 when it was first released and it's my primary navigation tool. A Garmin V also resides on the shelf primarily because it has the best Trip Computer page in the business. During the Run What Ya Brung rally in 2008, the zumo began shutting down intermittently, leading me to believe I might have to finish the rally the old fashion way; with a paper map. Since zumo also provides XM radio and cell phone communications, having it fail mid-rally is a significant event. Having a backup is prudent.

This year a 2820 is replacing the Garmin V. It has all the same capabilities as zumo (navigation, mp3 player, XM ready and bluetooth) in a different form-factor with some enhanced navigational features. And while the Trip Computer page isn't quite as complete as that of the V, it's a compromise I'm making to remain competitive.

A side note about safety and distracted driving. Some question the ability to monitor all this electronic equipment and still pay attention to what's happening on the road. So far I have to say having two GPS on the dash might actually be safer than one. With the 2820 set on the Trip Computer page, I'm actually operating the GPS less, scrolling through less pages than with one GPS.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Music to my ears.


For the last several years, I've been using custom in-the-ear speakers from Bob Weiss at earplugco.com. These little gems provide 25-27 db attenuation while piping sound directly to the ear drum. This makes it possible to listen to music or GPS directions while protecting your hearing from the ravages of hour after hour of wind noise. This is important for a guy who already suffers from tinnitus and has significant loss of hearing in at least a couple of frequency ranges. Recently the left mini-transducer, contained directly in the ear mold, has been intermittently failing. While I've been happy with Challengers, I'd heard from a couple of well-respected LD riders about another custom ear monitor from Al Schibi of Meza, Arizona.

The difference between Al's plugs and the Challengers is the driver location. Al's larger drivers are located in a small box in between the electrical wire and the air tubes connected to the ear mold. Al's design allows for larger drivers that move more air, resulting in deeper base and a significant improvement in sound. At least, that's the company line. Hesitantly, I decided to give them a try. Al was as nice as could be and had a set delivered to my place about two weeks after he got the impressions of my ears.

I'm happy to report the claims are true. Al's plugs produce significantly better bass which means better sound, at least to my ears. While Al's plugs cost about 50% more than the Challengers, the alternative rock of XM's Lithium channel has never sounded so good. Al's a bit old school (no website), but he can be reached at customearplugs@cox.net .

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Whoa, baby!


Poor Moose was in pretty bad shape. I've had some serious pulsing coming through the front brake lever since summer and the once sharp handling of my Ohlins/GP Suspension had been been deteriorating. Dave confirmed the problem; the Ohlins had a slight leak and I'd been slowing loosing fluid over the autumn months. No doubt the seal failed on while negotiating boulders on my way to the Spiral Getty during SPANK. George Z finds some pretty pathetic excuses for roads. With the suspension rebuilt and repaired, I took the opportunity to upgrade my front discs to some Braking Wave rotors. Spring is looking good.