Search found 415 matches

by teCh0010
Sat Feb 04, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airport Security Question
Replies: 63
Views: 6758

Re: Airport Security Question

tibbitts wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 1:07 pm
txaggie wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:55 am
Leesbro63 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:37 am I'm a little concerned about taking off the watch and letting it get out of my eyesight as I go through security.
Don't take the watch off. You can wear your watch through airport security. I do that all the time.
I'm sure works with our $15 plastic watches but possibly not for every watch.
it also depends on how cranked up they have the walk through metal detector (If you have TSA pre). My Omega Seamaster won’t set it off most places, but frequently does at DCA.
by teCh0010
Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airport Security Question
Replies: 63
Views: 6758

Re: Airport Security Question

Take a backpack or carryon bag.

Put your watch and wallet in it before the scanner, take them out on the other side. Don’t send stuff through in a little bowl. You can see your carryon bag the entire time except for when it is in the machine.

They make little leather cases called “watch rolls” if you don’t have an original case (to protect from scratches in the bag.
by teCh0010
Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lowest cost of ownership car for 20k per year driver
Replies: 79
Views: 7867

Re: Lowest cost of ownership car for 20k per year driver

Even at our crazy $0.25 per kwHour. Is electric still by far a better deal? Not necessarily https://s3-prod.autonews.com/2023-01/EV%20Cost%20Analysis%202022%20Q4%20Update.pdf. In some areas of the country it is more expensive to fuel an EV than it is even something like a camry. Is that analysis supposed to be a joke? If you look at the details, they aren't just comparing gas costs to electricity costs. The reason the EV comes out as expensive to operate is that they calculate the one-time cost of a charger installation as amounting to one-third of the operating cost of an EV. That's right, they are inflating the cost of operating an EV by 50%. And if you work backwards you find that their estimated cost of installing a charger is $2,200. ...
by teCh0010
Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: washing machine replacemnt
Replies: 58
Views: 6005

Re: washing machine replacemnt

We have had LG 3700 for about 5 years. We had one issue, the triple solenoid water inlet started leaking. Our ice maker started leaking the same day, our water pressure went really high for a bit.

The part was readily available on Amazon and took 20 minutes to change. We are happy with the performance, no smell issues (our first front load).
by teCh0010
Sun Jan 22, 2023 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your Advice on Buying a Mini Van
Replies: 71
Views: 8137

Re: Your Advice on Buying a Mini Van

2004 odyssey bought used in 2008 off Craigslist ad with 40k miles. Now has 250k miles. Rebuilt transmission at about 120k miles which is apparently a very common problem for the model that includes that year. Replaced motors on doors 3 times (2 on one side, one on other). Paint peak off on edges of doors. Otherwise has worked well mechanically. We like the sienna more because of awd and smoother ride but cost was about 30% higher. We get a lot of posts extolling the virtues of Honda and Toyota, so I should probably ask whether these repairs were picked up by some kind of warranty program by the manufacturer? I've had my domestic transmission start to act up at just a little more miles than that and haven't been happy about it, but of cours...
by teCh0010
Sun Jan 22, 2023 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much are you helping your kids through college?
Replies: 144
Views: 16847

Re: How much are you helping your kids through college?

Both my kids are in high school. I’ve told them I will provide them the Tuition / Room and Board / Books cost for our state flagship university every year. That is currently $26.2k. They don’t have to go there, but that is the budget number they need to work with. I’ll pay their gas and car insurance, but spending money they need to earn.

If they want to go somewhere that costs more they will need to take student loans, and have a plan on how they are going to pay them off. (So make more than they would with a degree from someplace that costs $26.2k per year).

I’ll pay them a small spending stipend if they are on scholarship. If college costs less than 26.2k per year the remainder will be given to them when they buy their first home.
by teCh0010
Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windshield replacement $1,800. Would you use insurance?
Replies: 45
Views: 4733

Re: Windshield replacement $1,800. Would you use insurance?

1500+ is the norm for windshield replacements on modern vehicles. Acoustic glass and lane keeping camera systems drive up the price.

Our honda pilot was 1500 for new OEM glass and honda sensing calibration.
by teCh0010
Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: San Juan resort with transportation?
Replies: 3
Views: 422

Re: San Juan resort with transportation?

Check out the Caribe Hilton. You will have to organize some transport but I've stayed there carless many times.
by teCh0010
Wed Jan 11, 2023 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is there a free service for a neighborhood group roster and communication?
Replies: 15
Views: 1472

Re: Is there a free service for a neighborhood group rooster and communication?

Depends on the size. You could use any of the cross platform messengers like WhatsApp or Signal if smaller.

For larger groups you could look at BAND. It’s free and has message board, calendar, chats, etc for groups. My kids marching band uses it, as well as their scout troop.
by teCh0010
Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SUV or minivan - under $50k all in
Replies: 61
Views: 6321

Re: SUV or minivan - under $50k all in

dsmclone wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 9:19 am Literally every single SUV mentioned would not pass the purse test.
The Pilot passport center console is the same height as the seat. My wife puts her purse on top of the center console in between the two arm rests that are attached to the seat.
by teCh0010
Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SUV or minivan - under $50k all in
Replies: 61
Views: 6321

Re: SUV or minivan - under $50k all in

The third generation (2016 - 2022) Honda Pilot and Passports has arm rests attached to the front seats mini van style, and a low center console that my wife puts her purse on.

The Passport is a Pilot without a third row.
by teCh0010
Mon Dec 26, 2022 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Possible to have a nice time at DisneyWorld without the infamous Disney hassles?
Replies: 93
Views: 10399

Re: Possible to have a nice time at DisneyWorld without the infamous Disney hassles?

The best Disney World trip for adults is Epcot food and wine festival. We have been multiple times, always have a great time. Get park hopper tickets and stay at at Epcot / Hollywood area hotel with boat access to the back entrance of Epcot. You can go somewhere else during the day and keep the kids happy, then dine every night in the Epcot country pavilions which have about 4x their normal offerings during food and wine festival.
by teCh0010
Sun Dec 11, 2022 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Mexico Resort recommendations
Replies: 12
Views: 2992

Re: Costco Mexico Resort recommendations

Grand Velas Rivera Maya is fantastic. I haven’t been since Covid but before Covid it was the bast all inclusive I’ve been to. Service was head and shoulders above most of the others I’ve been to.
by teCh0010
Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cold upstairs bedroom
Replies: 13
Views: 1923

Re: Cold upstairs bedroom

Do you have dampers in your duct work near where it splits from the initial plenum?

Air will take the path of least resistance, add resistance by slightly closing the duct dampers of the branch going to the first floor.
by teCh0010
Mon Nov 28, 2022 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Office chair and sit-stand desk recommendations
Replies: 26
Views: 3415

Re: Office chair and sit-stand desk recommendations

When the pandemic started I ordered a refurbished steelcase Leap v2 from Crandall office. It’s the chair that I had in my office at work, so I know it works for me.

Most of my direct reports also ordered Leap v2 refurbs from Crandall (authorized $1k home office stipend when we were sent home) and no one had any issues. Basically everything on the chair is new.
by teCh0010
Sat Nov 26, 2022 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What $1K Windows laptop should I buy: Focus on productivity and battery
Replies: 21
Views: 1533

Re: What $1K Windows laptop should I buy: Focus on productivity and battery

Carbon X1 and XPS 13 are the best mass market windows laptops.

If you want 10 hours real world battery you are going to have to get a M series MacBook.
by teCh0010
Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Check refrigerated items on a 30 hour intl airplane trip?
Replies: 53
Views: 6011

Re: Check refrigerated items on a 30 hour intl airplane trip?

bob60014 wrote: Mon Nov 14, 2022 4:10 pm I'll ask the obvious. What's your destination? If not a third world country or having special dietary needs, most if not all items should be able to be purchased upon arrival. It may eliminate some hassle and spoilage. ;)
You don’t understand how pissed off toddlers can get about change.
by teCh0010
Sun Nov 20, 2022 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LL Bean winter jackets
Replies: 17
Views: 3217

Re: LL Bean winter jackets

I've pretty much decided I need 3 jackets. And assorted head gear. And hand gear. One jacket for warmth. One jacket for wind and water protection. That I can layer with the above as needed. One jacket that is warm, wind, and water resistant. That is the one I use for a quick trip outside. There is no easy answer. Some people say I should move to where it is warm. But there is a limit to how many cloths you can take off. This is pretty much what I have. I have a thin fleece shirt that I use as a base layer. I have a patagonia torrent shell for a waterproof outer layer. I have a a couple of options I can use as a mid warmth layer. Montbell down jacket, patagonia micro puff, thicker old patagonia fleece. Then I have an older Columbia jacket m...
by teCh0010
Sun Nov 06, 2022 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rain pants?
Replies: 17
Views: 2019

Re: Rain pants?

For backpacking and hiking check out a rain skirt / kilt / wrap. Three names for the same thing, a light and easy to put on rain protection for your lower half. If I already have my shell on I can put the rain kilt on without taking my pack off.
by teCh0010
Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to rent 4x4 SUV SFO airport
Replies: 7
Views: 682

Re: how to rent 4x4 SUV SFO airport

You can rent a Q7 AWD SUV from Audi through silvercar. You would need to Uber to the Burlingame dealership which is very near SFO, or they will deliver to your hotel.
by teCh0010
Tue Nov 01, 2022 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audio, Smart Speakers, Home Theater
Replies: 11
Views: 1286

Re: Audio, Smart Speakers, Home Theater

Use AV receivers and traditional speakers for home theater. If you are going to build a dedicated room for HT wire for 7.4.2 while the walls are open. Go ahead and install 4 ceiling speakers for Atmos. Run hard conduit from the AV receiver location to at least the ceiling for a projector. Needs to be big enough to run an HDMI through. Should probably put an electrical box up there as well. Then whenever you upgrade your receiver you are ready for 5.4.1/2, 5.4.1/2, 7.2.1/2. Really whatever atmos combination you want to buy processing and amplification channels for. If you go whole hog look into drywall clips and green glue. Use Sonos for ambient audio around the house, soundbars on TV, etc. It's a bit confusing. You should stick to the conv...
by teCh0010
Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audio, Smart Speakers, Home Theater
Replies: 11
Views: 1286

Re: Audio, Smart Speakers, Home Theater

Use AV receivers and traditional speakers for home theater. If you are going to build a dedicated room for HT wire for 7.4.2 while the walls are open. Go ahead and install 4 ceiling speakers for Atmos. Run hard conduit from the AV receiver location to at least the ceiling for a projector. Needs to be big enough to run an HDMI through. Should probably put an electrical box up there as well. Then whenever you upgrade your receiver you are ready for 5.2.2, 5.2.4, 7.2.2. Really whatever atmos combination you want to buy processing and amplification channels for.

If you go whole hog look into drywall clips and green glue.

Use Sonos for ambient audio around the house, soundbars on TV, etc.
by teCh0010
Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade
Replies: 36
Views: 5864

Re: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade

I don't have an especially informed opinion but I do wonder how relevant a lot of the opinions about different brands are to cars being produced today. Reputations tend to be sticky; nobody rings a bell that announces when the facts may change. Certainly most of us remember when "made in Japan" was synonymous with cheap, copycat, low-quality products. That didn't change overnight, even when the products improved. It’s not like the issue brought up are years old. This picture is 5 months ago with 50 engine crates lined up behind a Hyundai dealer. Engines are blowing faster than the shop can have people replace them. https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/v6kdw7/just_rolled_into_my_dealership_is_it_normal_for/ The ...
by teCh0010
Tue Nov 01, 2022 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade
Replies: 36
Views: 5864

Re: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade

You can start the telluride with a USB key or a screwdriver, leading to rashes of Kia and Hyundai thefts.

The SUVs have a different engine series, but the incredible number of blown Theta series 4 cylinder engines is another issue that keeps me away from both brands. Months long waits for new engines under warranty, and in many cases warranty denied.
by teCh0010
Tue Nov 01, 2022 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Great Smokey Mountains questions
Replies: 29
Views: 3807

Re: Great Smokey Mountains questions

There are two “less traveled” gravel roads leading away from Cades Cove if you are driving an SUV. Parsons branch connects Cades Cove to Tail of the Dragon and is a very nice scenic slow drive through the woods.
by teCh0010
Mon Oct 31, 2022 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade
Replies: 36
Views: 5864

Re: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade

Re: the Accord for your son. A 2007 might have some of the safety features of a newer car. If it does not have side impact air bags for example I'd probably sell it. I also think backup cameras are pretty important. There's other you'd have to decide on like lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring if the Accord doesn't have those. Not sure if a modern infotainment system with CarPlay in a newer car is a positive or a negative for a 16 year old male driver. You could tell him he has to drive the old Honda at least until he proves himself to be a safe driver (maybe there's a sibling a few years behind him to take over the Accord). I'm sure that line has been used before. The 2007 has side impact airbags and a good frontal offset crash ...
by teCh0010
Mon Oct 31, 2022 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade
Replies: 36
Views: 5864

Re: Pilot vs. Telluride vs. Highlander vs. Palisade

2023 Pilot will be announced any day, I would at least take a look and see what the 4th gen Pilot looks like.

We have a 2017 and it has been good. Not quite as well loved by my wife as her 2007, but there is more cargo space and the third row is more usable. We cross shopped the Highlander, MDX, and Volvo XC90 and ended up with the Pilot. Due to the more usable cargo space and third row, and passed on the XC90 due to uncertainty of a brand new power plant that year.
by teCh0010
Thu Sep 29, 2022 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water heater replacement, etc
Replies: 66
Views: 6439

Re: Water heater replacement, etc

Harry Livermore wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:19 pm
Chuckles960 wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:58 am
Harry Livermore wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:14 am The price sounds just a little fat (I had been looking at an AO Smith short 40-gal unit for our rental and it lists under $800 retail at Lowes)
Manufacturers make a cheaper version for HD/Lowes/etc., and a supposedly more rugged (and more expensive) version of the same brand sold to professionals.
I have certainly heard that, and won't dispute it.
Also, many tradespeople won't install equipment that they don't supply.
So, as I said, the price seems a bit "fat", but within a reasonable range.
Cheers
The box store tanks generally come off of the same assembly line, the main difference is that they are outfitted with plastic drain valves and cheaper pressure valves to meet the box store price point.
by teCh0010
Tue Sep 27, 2022 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Front Door Renewal
Replies: 22
Views: 1618

Re: Front Door Renewal

We replaced our door and sidelights with double doors from Tuscan Iron Entries. Was around 7k to 7.5k.

We got the eskridge flat top:
https://www.tuscanironentries.com/tuscan-elite/eskridge

Super happy with it.
by teCh0010
Sun Sep 11, 2022 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: smoke detectors
Replies: 35
Views: 2741

Re: smoke detectors

Mine all go off (9) but they talk and tell you which one set them off.
by teCh0010
Sun Sep 11, 2022 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?
Replies: 16
Views: 1409

Re: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?

Decided to test drive copper debit card and will see how it goes. Signed up for the app and ordered his card.
by teCh0010
Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?
Replies: 16
Views: 1409

Re: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?

delamer wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 7:44 pm What is “visibility to use?”

We set up checking accounts for our kids at our bank, and they used debit cards. We (but not the kids) could transfer money between accounts as needed. No fees involved.
App notification of use, or at least an app on my phone where you can check their spending.

Greenlight let’s you set restrictions on specific merchant categories or earmark a pool of money to a specific merchant, but ai don’t think an need that level of control so don’t really want to pay the fee.

Looked at opening them bank accounts, but my bank wants $10 a month fee unless they have $1k average balance.
by teCh0010
Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?
Replies: 16
Views: 1409

Re: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?

If they are at least 15, a Blue Cash or Blue Cash Preferred AMEX with them as an authorized user is an excellent option. You can set a credit limit for their specific card, but unlike prepaid, you can shut it down and not lose money if the card is lost or stolen. When my kid was in high school, we had it set at $150-200. Now she is in college and I set it at $600. It is very easy for me to raise/lower her limit as needed. Plus, her spending qualifies for rewards and cash back. My plan is once they start driving places outside of my suburb (still 14 so will be a while) to get them an authorized user in my Amex with a low limit I can raise if they need it. Looking for something they can use as a bank account for spending money. Looking at co...
by teCh0010
Sat Sep 10, 2022 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?
Replies: 16
Views: 1409

Anyone using prepaid debit for kids?

Looking to get a prepaid debit for my teen that I can keep loading with money and get some visibility to use.

I’ve seen cards like Greenlight and Copper recommended, not really keen on the Greenlight monthly fee as I don’t think I need the level of control.
by teCh0010
Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vegas strip hotel with nice pool?
Replies: 25
Views: 3304

Re: Vegas strip hotel with nice pool?

Mandalay Bay has an awesome pool, although at the end of the strip.

The Four Seasons is in the mandalay tower, if you want to spend on a hotel it is nice. You get a very nice hotel experience that is calm and “un-Vegas” then you can step right out into the bustle of Mandaly Bay.
by teCh0010
Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which is the best (most secure) home internet router for the money?
Replies: 23
Views: 4446

Re: Which is the best (most secure) home internet router for the money?

I run OPNsense and Unifi AP Lites at my house, but when my parents needed new wifi I bought them a tri-band (dedicated backhaul radio) Orbi kit because it does everything they need and is simple to operate. Speeds are fast all over their house after some planning on satellite placement.

The TP Link above is a single router/ap and not a mesh setup like orbi. Originally you needed mesh for coverage in large (3000 - 5000 square foot) homes, but as internet speeds have gone up you many times need wired backhaul or dedicated backhaul radio satellites do deliver full speed across even a modest sized 2000 square foot house.
by teCh0010
Sun May 08, 2022 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sun hoodies for hiking?
Replies: 52
Views: 6331

Re: Sun hoodies for hiking?

zag00 wrote: Wed May 04, 2022 10:25 am i'd look into some fishing apparel from Columbia, Simms, Aftco, etc. Light weight, SPF-50 material with hood and face shield. Cheaper knock off options are available on Amazon that i've had good luck with as well.
These won't help in the cooler temps but could be layered.
Second, I have a couple of SPF-50 fishing hoodies from Drake Waterfowl that are great
by teCh0010
Thu May 05, 2022 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Delta Changing Policy for Sky Club Access on 6/1/22
Replies: 7
Views: 1913

Re: Delta Changing Policy for Sky Club Access on 6/1/22

PCPilot wrote: Wed May 04, 2022 9:34 pm This is a bit of a threadjack, but can anyone answer from experience whether additional Delta Reserve cardholders can enter a SkyClub without paying a fee? The cardholder agreement suggests that they can, but I want to be sure.
Depends on how you add the authorized user. You can add them for free, and they get a plat delta card and no lounge access (they can pay to get in). You can add them for $175 and they get lounge access.
by teCh0010
Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Safe
Replies: 20
Views: 2248

Re: Home Safe

crazygrow wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:20 pm Was in the store today and tried this. I lift weights a good amount and weigh 200lbs and there is no way the safe I’m looking at could “easily” be pulled over - door open or not. Couldn’t find any videos either. Maybe if it was a thin and tall safe?
The store attaches safes to the floor, wall, or a pallet that is larger than the safe base. They don’t want to be liable when you tip one over on yourself.
by teCh0010
Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All Inclusive Caribbean Resort With Kids
Replies: 25
Views: 4239

Re: All Inclusive Caribbean Resort With Kids

We stayed at Bahia Principe Tulum about 1hr20min south of Cancun last month and it was great. Not sure how people justify $1000-$1500 per night for some of the places being recommended. Guess I just don't earn enough to be comfortable at that price point. Although even if my income was 2x what it is now it still seems painful to shell out that kind of money for 1 day anywhere, regardless of how much food and drinks you can get. Are those places really THAT much better than options (like Bahia Tulum) that cost me around $300 a night? I’ve stayed 300 a night places and 1000 a night places (Grand Velas). The food and service were at another level. If it was 300 vs 600 I would pay it gladly, but it’s harder to pay the 1k+ per night. Some depen...
by teCh0010
Mon Apr 25, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All Inclusive Caribbean Resort With Kids
Replies: 25
Views: 4239

Re: All Inclusive Caribbean Resort With Kids

We're wolves wrote: Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:56 am Depending on the ages of your kids, Atlantis in the Bahamas is an excellent choice. A huge water park and an incredible array of things to do. A large array of decent restaurants as well. We've gone there several times and have always enjoyed it. Keep in mind that this is an absolutely giant resort, so if you are looking for an intimate cozy retreat, this is not it. It can also be pricy depending on where you choose to stay at the resort.
Atlantis is the opposite of All Inclusive,

You will spend more there eating and drinking than the room costs.
by teCh0010
Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Copper pipe microleaks
Replies: 51
Views: 5553

Re: Copper pipe microleaks

livesoft wrote: Mon Mar 14, 2022 4:05 pm A few houses in my neighborhood all started having pinhole leaks in their copper plumbing at the same time. You may wish to find out if any of your neighbors have had similar problems.
This happened to us in our old house. After the third slab leak we re-piped with pex over the top through the attic (between the paper face of the insulation and the drywall so it is inside the heated envelope of the house).
by teCh0010
Wed Mar 02, 2022 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SUV for family of 5
Replies: 41
Views: 4678

Re: SUV for family of 5

We have a 2017 Pilot EXL AWD and have had good luck with it. The AWD system is very robust on the Pilot / Ridgeline. Does great in the snow with decent tires. It does a great job of taking 5 people and stuff, or 7 people without stuff. Third row of the Pilot is quite comfortable.

We bought the HondaCare 8year / 120k from College Hills Honda (not where we bought the car). We looked at a couple of places for prices on Hondacare. We decided to get Hondacare not because we are worried about big stuff like the drivetrain, but because there is so much smaller expensive to fix stuff in new cars. Screens in the dash and gauge cluster, cameras for LKA, radar for cruise, etc.
by teCh0010
Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wi Fi extenders
Replies: 41
Views: 4106

Re: Wi Fi extenders

richard.h.gao wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:09 pm
TXDoc21 wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:25 pm Mesh WiFi all the way. Just pretend you’ve never even heard of a network extender and do yourself a favor. Life will just be better.
Mesh literally is an extender. It's just a new marketing term.

Mesh sucks because it halves your wireless bandwidth. Ideally you want to get wireless access points.
You weren’t using the right mesh. Several (like Orbi) use a dedicated backhaul radio.

OP - If you want to go wired backhaul and you have Coax in your house I highly recommend MoCA 2.x Ethernet over Coax adapters. They blow power line Ethernet out of the water is performance and reliability.
by teCh0010
Fri Feb 18, 2022 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replace parts of 20 year old furnace or buy new?
Replies: 28
Views: 4236

Re: Replace parts of 20 year old furnace or buy new?

MathWizard wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 7:51 am I did not see the remark about possibly giving a 1 year home warranty.

I would definitely not do that. You are then insuring something that you do not control. Sell with normal disclosures, and after that walk away from any responsibility for the property that you no longer own.
Home warranty is a purchased service, seller isn’t personally guaranteeing the equipment out of their own pocket. In many areas of the country it is pretty standard in a sales contract and costs the seller between $500 and $1500.
by teCh0010
Fri Feb 18, 2022 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multi-WAN Internet Setup
Replies: 74
Views: 9055

Re: Multi-WAN Internet Setup

If you are in a remote area, my primary concern would be that any "wired" option probably shares a failure point somewhere. For example, if a construction crew digs up the street and cuts both lines... If you were in an urban area, you might more realistically be able to find two connections that don't share a failure point. So my vote would be to stick with a wireless option for your backup. Most phones - and many phone plans - support using the phone as a mobile hotspot. If the signal is decent enough somewhere in the house, that would basically be a zero cost backup. (That's what we do.) Alternatively, you could purchase a dedicated mobile hotspot. It might have a slightly better signal. Depending on your cellular plan, it may...
by teCh0010
Mon Feb 14, 2022 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multi-WAN Internet Setup
Replies: 74
Views: 9055

Re: Multi-WAN Internet Setup

My office provides me a SDWAN box (velocloud) with a 4G sim in it that provides my VPN and dual wan router. It also does some voodoo to make zoom calls better.
by teCh0010
Sun Feb 13, 2022 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ALL-IN-ONE laser printer
Replies: 72
Views: 7548

Re: ALL-IN-ONE laser printer

I’ve used a brother all in one 2380DW with macs since at least 2014, not sure how long before that I got the printer.
by teCh0010
Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is there any reason to save ancient alarm system wiring?
Replies: 15
Views: 2976

Re: Is there any reason to save ancient alarm system wiring?

Yeah, a fire on Christmas Eve burned a house in my town killing 4. The survivors never heard a smoke alarm.

My house originally had three smoke detectors, we now have 9 with the additional ones wirelessly linked to the wired three so all 9 go off at once.