tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17095376905285232362024-03-17T10:16:40.160+10:00in my view ...things as I see themobakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.comBlogger1115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-8448495641298010392024-03-17T10:12:00.003+10:002024-03-17T10:16:08.468+10:00Checking Timing Chain Tension on my SR500<p>Sometimes things go as they should, and sometimes they don't; when they don't it can be an opportunity to learn more.</p><p>I recently did an oil change and it seemed a good opportunity to check my SR500's timing chain tension. Its actually incredibly simple to do and quite accessible right there on the right hand side of the bike.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwKP6fvAiDY8NVZuOJv4N1YgSWkkT92beSI7PLLrXvtGxfns8cv52PKqnoVGLrU-EdDPPTrGhTZGCmAZLICq5vjcDF6GvOJvAshx6m7JKc3wVOpVjjeKLrWp0pUJg1khJFHXcj-8iTd0OntXvsfShTEswjkeR6nmgBdsu3RRnl8jmLIt08DeQ9iv3LrChP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="864" data-original-width="646" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwKP6fvAiDY8NVZuOJv4N1YgSWkkT92beSI7PLLrXvtGxfns8cv52PKqnoVGLrU-EdDPPTrGhTZGCmAZLICq5vjcDF6GvOJvAshx6m7JKc3wVOpVjjeKLrWp0pUJg1khJFHXcj-8iTd0OntXvsfShTEswjkeR6nmgBdsu3RRnl8jmLIt08DeQ9iv3LrChP=w477-h640" width="477" /></a></div><br />I usually call it Cam chain and my old manual does too.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXOp9_kSgu9ATR-UK0xtCZ6ZwskPmo7hgcLcgrgdXVnseMpaBwZA3BOi4mN9YSB5sHqa5ujPtmJ6gZjpne_dFC4KCSeERl5XDxIB54u7BiUO7ZW9v-I0BZkkMeWKiTRZqJAM2R-1oaFHblx6BMay2aRMBjfGOQ4aDOU2iwDB9cWypPgbVUYtIBeFZhmsDQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1062" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXOp9_kSgu9ATR-UK0xtCZ6ZwskPmo7hgcLcgrgdXVnseMpaBwZA3BOi4mN9YSB5sHqa5ujPtmJ6gZjpne_dFC4KCSeERl5XDxIB54u7BiUO7ZW9v-I0BZkkMeWKiTRZqJAM2R-1oaFHblx6BMay2aRMBjfGOQ4aDOU2iwDB9cWypPgbVUYtIBeFZhmsDQ=w640-h334" width="640" /></a></div><br />So normally one just undoes the (27mm, and the standard toolkit has exactly the right spanner for this task - yeah \o/ ) cover cap (the thing visible here)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMq1F6pT69OLzath11qAyt9TYA2AegD3U-y6AXFqAqA7eFKVRKujG-23UsYwFMeUgesQpe56Zvlcc3aicuVxgzVMDRqWYk6xj5iLzlfmJDB6CR-QBGdVJpHvGk0fDZjqQmhVxB7rwwp-EW6jKbNLc7n9-YpXeDUN-Mc6UYfQokswey2MTWeUeDyT0mdF9/s2000/IMG20240317084530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMq1F6pT69OLzath11qAyt9TYA2AegD3U-y6AXFqAqA7eFKVRKujG-23UsYwFMeUgesQpe56Zvlcc3aicuVxgzVMDRqWYk6xj5iLzlfmJDB6CR-QBGdVJpHvGk0fDZjqQmhVxB7rwwp-EW6jKbNLc7n9-YpXeDUN-Mc6UYfQokswey2MTWeUeDyT0mdF9/w640-h480/IMG20240317084530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and access the locknut beneath:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsoejqXcaev0EtMNAMXb83pzKW6gI3jtoRiWfpRVjCDFa3kJ_2jbPTknty1RQNwsZP1nQWUbzTWJkoRrCHcy1fJ5qS-YSaX8rn2Gbivt8khliIrBn85OqFvVaw5yQ3cBan5e1IS1RMDhCE_Tc8gA1OTTaWXrKfmk0VWJsUAMaRhGbqajshFpWgg763y-a/s2000/IMG20240317084845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsoejqXcaev0EtMNAMXb83pzKW6gI3jtoRiWfpRVjCDFa3kJ_2jbPTknty1RQNwsZP1nQWUbzTWJkoRrCHcy1fJ5qS-YSaX8rn2Gbivt8khliIrBn85OqFvVaw5yQ3cBan5e1IS1RMDhCE_Tc8gA1OTTaWXrKfmk0VWJsUAMaRhGbqajshFpWgg763y-a/w640-h480/IMG20240317084845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>However in my case when I removed the cap I found this:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxHd76b7XVbiThFQ2eNJF735Ey76L-r4mUv43B6Huz2AfciuQ3GbrW2j0ZIMXD5r5glm-rMrfn1INELT0R29OpCS0jq52UJyKUUKrdtzsn37qUCfTQLPYiDOtDQDRJXhuTruTDDOVnnZQvIXfvFtiMn9FMmZAVhq6LyHf6mCKETXyROzHvSHbGutOcnE-/s2000/IMG20240316094638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxHd76b7XVbiThFQ2eNJF735Ey76L-r4mUv43B6Huz2AfciuQ3GbrW2j0ZIMXD5r5glm-rMrfn1INELT0R29OpCS0jq52UJyKUUKrdtzsn37qUCfTQLPYiDOtDQDRJXhuTruTDDOVnnZQvIXfvFtiMn9FMmZAVhq6LyHf6mCKETXyROzHvSHbGutOcnE-/w640-h480/IMG20240316094638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>which was a bit perplexing ... <b>please note rag and small amount of oil on rag. You need to take this into account when you remove this cap to reduce clean up</b>.<br /><p>However a quick look at the cap revealed the issue:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCN-Jl47w8V7cw4eATjUAo964EjjlP8xWe5k_1jouYctKEHi1aodTu_pYKlxmVFYQL7-eB-gfmhbRIbbPqEL3N6HgwRA0nUpIOvv_MtKkfd2-1Awp8beeWgzO1EPNifRFqm-aB05jOecqku9OlwomP57eKgNqjhUxt5pYJjKLYPAoxbV113L83HQiyVlh/s2000/IMG20240316095045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCN-Jl47w8V7cw4eATjUAo964EjjlP8xWe5k_1jouYctKEHi1aodTu_pYKlxmVFYQL7-eB-gfmhbRIbbPqEL3N6HgwRA0nUpIOvv_MtKkfd2-1Awp8beeWgzO1EPNifRFqm-aB05jOecqku9OlwomP57eKgNqjhUxt5pYJjKLYPAoxbV113L83HQiyVlh/w480-h640/IMG20240316095045.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>yep, the locknut had come 'loose' from the body and simply unscrewed with the cap ... (facepalm).</p><p>It undid with just my finger.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRqxmkXqL5KGyxWzrsMZML7_eGUzvl25anv9ylDKl6Na-1Z6tfqja1DVyJ_QHXfRte54tkF1f4fagzjV-WyblxtA4DSFZ7pWi4LGkJ83z3GqqWr4cTGp8Pa0hAT-zWq-oK2cNPhLYfwBSu_E10XGbNBHwePXHuJI1DTUauNWhx9UOTAOoQpkPWuXfDCZ0/s2000/IMG20240316095841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRqxmkXqL5KGyxWzrsMZML7_eGUzvl25anv9ylDKl6Na-1Z6tfqja1DVyJ_QHXfRte54tkF1f4fagzjV-WyblxtA4DSFZ7pWi4LGkJ83z3GqqWr4cTGp8Pa0hAT-zWq-oK2cNPhLYfwBSu_E10XGbNBHwePXHuJI1DTUauNWhx9UOTAOoQpkPWuXfDCZ0/w640-h480/IMG20240316095841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Note carefully that O-Ring that's in the cap ... it can fall out unnoticed and must be in there when the cap is put back on ... </p><p>So, with the adjuster bare (no need to do this yourself) its a good time to talk about what we are doing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvrIoIFojEsBOX0PlB5RswXhEir8zJwv9KTA5_-Wi9Slu2OSrWAAgxswQdW0hYglbpdQ9QtnrOUVkQyjjNc1o1wI3PsNpBdoKKnmFkdDtmYQZh4H2Lbpw3FyXDPW-WrkS1oLpoc9HB0G4_L4A5bWInmF6Ohm-HnGc3_YsXNAZxPJ5aeonN75sP3pN0zF5/s2000/IMG20240316094651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvrIoIFojEsBOX0PlB5RswXhEir8zJwv9KTA5_-Wi9Slu2OSrWAAgxswQdW0hYglbpdQ9QtnrOUVkQyjjNc1o1wI3PsNpBdoKKnmFkdDtmYQZh4H2Lbpw3FyXDPW-WrkS1oLpoc9HB0G4_L4A5bWInmF6Ohm-HnGc3_YsXNAZxPJ5aeonN75sP3pN0zF5/w640-h480/IMG20240316094651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Our goal here is to adjust that so that the inner pin is flush with the outter surface of the adnuster nut so, you need to use a 10mm spanner (also in the kit) and (probably) screw it in.</p><p>The process of determining this I used is to turn the motor over (<u>with the ignition turned off and the decompression lever pulled in</u>) using the kick starter by hand while looking at that (apparently a screw) in the center. You want to turn the motor over looking at it in various positions (perhaps starting from Top Dead Center, for which I just used the white mark visible through the window) as well as other places.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMggzUq0Nm3YocQO7kcCWSVhGJAk3rFS2gLQiH1H0vmy5k98wq8TOBuIcyQyhMufY8En6DFiuQPdaZgN-uaAcsDHAXWJyNuJ4IdlAcYWeDPfx0g-thYhLdl5hkXjJLd7RjEtVRd96ZfSaoaCeI8RWZC7Oyb3kgOw735BXv7MicLOMLFS0LrVvZgrMJsAgo/s2000/IMG20240316095537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMggzUq0Nm3YocQO7kcCWSVhGJAk3rFS2gLQiH1H0vmy5k98wq8TOBuIcyQyhMufY8En6DFiuQPdaZgN-uaAcsDHAXWJyNuJ4IdlAcYWeDPfx0g-thYhLdl5hkXjJLd7RjEtVRd96ZfSaoaCeI8RWZC7Oyb3kgOw735BXv7MicLOMLFS0LrVvZgrMJsAgo/w640-h480/IMG20240316095537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here you can see its actually lower than the outer part of the nut (and I watched it during the turn over). So in my case I adjusted that in.</p><p>Screw the nut in untill the surfaces are flush (which is actually a cast piece of a longer component that looks like this):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBUFGnS8uYDJg0PJjBVb3mtgZHlhC2PmJgRdA97bbLlBjSE9Mk4gd5G1eNftx28_2vF8yQlBWN32cPuG5_aXbxOqPdMvx4h1HPosk_ZKAzLPZ58_jA35ffHZrrCXmNHQfzhJnXLRSc0BDR49jOKLGDo13_YXwHoSikop7Y_iCVkKJtYDjbbDtr6JTANWiX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="347" data-original-width="582" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBUFGnS8uYDJg0PJjBVb3mtgZHlhC2PmJgRdA97bbLlBjSE9Mk4gd5G1eNftx28_2vF8yQlBWN32cPuG5_aXbxOqPdMvx4h1HPosk_ZKAzLPZ58_jA35ffHZrrCXmNHQfzhJnXLRSc0BDR49jOKLGDo13_YXwHoSikop7Y_iCVkKJtYDjbbDtr6JTANWiX=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></div><br />its perhaps not clear in that where the adjuster is, but careful thinking about it will reveal it all. This is from an SR400 manual btw.<p></p><p>Perhaps turn it over again observing that it moves in and out a little. So then with that done just put it all back together, tighten to specified torques (or just firm but don't try to strip threads) and you're done.</p><p>Below is the advice I got from a friend before doing this (*thanks Stu)</p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Dead simple... all I do is </span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* put the engine in TDC on compression</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* remove the spark plug</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* take it a bit past the T mark then roll it back to the T mark again</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* undo the tensioner cap (angle the cap down as you remove it to catch the oil, stick a rag under the area anyway)</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* loosen the big lock nut a bit so you can adjust the 10mm centre nut</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* carefully screw the centre adjuster in 'till the slotted plunger comes almost level with the end of the adjuster (it's not a screw and don't try to force the adjuster with the 10mm)</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* then rotate the flywheel back and forward a bit to ensure the centre plunger moves in and out slightly</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* screw the lock nut back up then holding the adjuster with a 10mm spanner lightly, tighten the big lock nut.</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">* Change the O ring if you feel so inclined, tighten the cap a bit then all done! </span></p></div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><p>I hope this demystifies the process for any "wrenching beginners".</p><p>Best of luck with what seems harder (before you've done it) than it is.</p></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-68386715222497417662024-01-25T13:03:00.008+10:002024-01-26T15:09:40.802+10:00Cheap-o regulator rectifierGiven how hard it is to get a regulator rectifier for an old bike (I'm probably going to be waiting 6 more weeks), I thought I'd add a little more to my analysis yesterday (see <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2024/01/t-max-cheapo-regulator-rectifier.html">here</a></b>) of the failure.<div><br /></div><div>The problem was clearly thermal run-away and (not yet) that of the thermal paste (which isn't used anything like properly). So lets start with what the regulator rectifier looked like on extraction from the bike.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhGXjlFRWIxbxsZ0KxZSL4VpQJCudrXttgBsXpX4konLZOwu1qN4H5oXEmeU-gYpANw3UcyvtzKZTz-pkeZ2hsZkQpLpwp7-_tK-jkSS6ZkXqGtbeSMdkeE9E3IamFQBHi0b1mgUOWgsAAeyB6qzveuHlJE7tLhm-n-MaW2g2r3DhbCUMi1hCQEu-vEd1/s1917/IMG20240117170144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="1438" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhGXjlFRWIxbxsZ0KxZSL4VpQJCudrXttgBsXpX4konLZOwu1qN4H5oXEmeU-gYpANw3UcyvtzKZTz-pkeZ2hsZkQpLpwp7-_tK-jkSS6ZkXqGtbeSMdkeE9E3IamFQBHi0b1mgUOWgsAAeyB6qzveuHlJE7tLhm-n-MaW2g2r3DhbCUMi1hCQEu-vEd1/w480-h640/IMG20240117170144.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The bulge and the spatters of metal (yes, metal) indicate high temperatures (to melt the metal).</div><div><br /></div><div>So I cut the arse of it off and chiselled it out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Y7__sRD8QaQuC61_bOodqPp62DZzW7Re0L6mN7mfjg60XArHk6MMM_yv7nojfGPduqVzIr20eC_Hl-8HL9HNCvHcvq9BtM1PFeH5-pnoguVkF9Xd1D3WkAXXCVYr7WybDesPt-vfyjIrv9mIzZy21y10SZrw9kB39fiflbPDPNg4PFNgPSiUSHoOh9i/s2000/IMG20240125103641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Y7__sRD8QaQuC61_bOodqPp62DZzW7Re0L6mN7mfjg60XArHk6MMM_yv7nojfGPduqVzIr20eC_Hl-8HL9HNCvHcvq9BtM1PFeH5-pnoguVkF9Xd1D3WkAXXCVYr7WybDesPt-vfyjIrv9mIzZy21y10SZrw9kB39fiflbPDPNg4PFNgPSiUSHoOh9i/w640-h480/IMG20240125103641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Which shows that there was still some thermal paste, but also that there was not a good physical connection to the metal of the heat sink (because its quite rough looking, ideally it should be polished smooth. So that's manufacturing failure #1</div><div><br /></div><div>Next we flip that black box over and see that its easy to split (its already fractured)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4kftrxVg4Jc6aYB3zq315zsrZKv_ecjiPEEbtVX0yyfpAS0NYDl00TbebHCW7EdQAaf0vfPMc4QVqGNHvY6EoR3kdhpoK6Z1TQXYjFbB5qfc14o0AbY7OXIB1Uqbhyphenhyphen8HhjTUQkNFNBy_3uc9Uujq1qtRcm7Gr2sctKtj20GSFfqyNelEJDIPTKED-qix/s2000/IMG20240125103435%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4kftrxVg4Jc6aYB3zq315zsrZKv_ecjiPEEbtVX0yyfpAS0NYDl00TbebHCW7EdQAaf0vfPMc4QVqGNHvY6EoR3kdhpoK6Z1TQXYjFbB5qfc14o0AbY7OXIB1Uqbhyphenhyphen8HhjTUQkNFNBy_3uc9Uujq1qtRcm7Gr2sctKtj20GSFfqyNelEJDIPTKED-qix/w640-h480/IMG20240125103435%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>and we can see the guts ... of course the board is burned down to glass fibers in places. Not only is the heat escape pathway interesting, but what the fcuk are these little chunks of white rock doing in here?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd_Go6k11Lcjk1glzZfAkmyTgYR26k3iBtemnVT_Vway9v60mSW6GICdcDzerAeikK157MlIZNzZSVuN8d_VED_rTPiqjMuU2Y9hBNW14VK-tL2jryMCKLwmw6y6o_ivVySShr4w2eFvfd0ABVIuICmlFnPOCD40XFu9E28tPH14YqRyszD8m_lADcZKW/s2000/IMG20240125103435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd_Go6k11Lcjk1glzZfAkmyTgYR26k3iBtemnVT_Vway9v60mSW6GICdcDzerAeikK157MlIZNzZSVuN8d_VED_rTPiqjMuU2Y9hBNW14VK-tL2jryMCKLwmw6y6o_ivVySShr4w2eFvfd0ABVIuICmlFnPOCD40XFu9E28tPH14YqRyszD8m_lADcZKW/w640-h480/IMG20240125103435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>you can see that the not only are the components toast, but we can see the legs of the coponents are totally gone too</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_6dvtx3tm3tEXNwj2CQNDTJdXqX9Lmm8slRVOEgB-rYdt35A_Eo_wg7QZhnw0JbcuvqhWpiLR3pZ92uB8AasYSA22vMVS_CCIi8MzTmzvBdnBofhRuCb-Hf5uHht5VMJG2lGLvWkqao-kLEVB3nYAQcKqmGbP8rsT4kw12l6dWmh9xU4ATU3E_9Tj_y1/s2000/IMG20240125104329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_6dvtx3tm3tEXNwj2CQNDTJdXqX9Lmm8slRVOEgB-rYdt35A_Eo_wg7QZhnw0JbcuvqhWpiLR3pZ92uB8AasYSA22vMVS_CCIi8MzTmzvBdnBofhRuCb-Hf5uHht5VMJG2lGLvWkqao-kLEVB3nYAQcKqmGbP8rsT4kw12l6dWmh9xU4ATU3E_9Tj_y1/w640-h480/IMG20240125104329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This would explain the tiny spatters of molten metal above.<div><br /></div><div>Lastly the thing stinks, probably due to the boiling of the organic solvents used in the (copiously applied) thermal paste.</div><div><br /></div><div>On this point I'm going to say that cheap thermal paste that uses organic solvents, when applied like a kids use of toothpaste is a recipe for disaster longer term. This is because any significant heat (say, over 50C) is likely to see the loss of this material over time; weakening the effectiveness of the transfer of heat from components to outer case.<br /><div><br /></div><div>So if I was you, as well as making sure it stays cooler (as I examined in the <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2024/01/t-max-cheapo-regulator-rectifier.html">previous post</a></b>) I'd be replacing these things pre-preemptively after every few tens of thousand hours (roughly equal to kilometers) or per few years on bikes that don't get used much. Especially if you use your bike on hot days (like Australia, California or other hot dry places).</div><div><br /></div></div><div>HTH</div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-70257997392350945302024-01-23T08:23:00.006+10:002024-01-24T18:58:51.405+10:00T-Max cheapo regulator rectifier<p>So, it happened again...</p><p>My nose identified the smell of burning insulation and electrolyte, and I noted some smoke emerging from "down there".</p><p>I quickly pulled off the road (smoke being spread by the fan) shut off the ignition, pulled the tool kit and disconnected the battery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6niuHVdNCpyllSKxy0M9MKIPvJjgPQw_MRN44iil4qOy61lmr7DEr8r22r163hD1MAobSqN7E0uncMFDuahEmwjKYo2PGIMyWYcxonB7JUsoFh3eG-mW1elMJP_yTGL6I3CeaAA7-E2q1zgTrHVd5kPAvvDsM1n0J2oMPT2stptDemefcdlaRu-JqXFl/s2048/IMG20240117135013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6niuHVdNCpyllSKxy0M9MKIPvJjgPQw_MRN44iil4qOy61lmr7DEr8r22r163hD1MAobSqN7E0uncMFDuahEmwjKYo2PGIMyWYcxonB7JUsoFh3eG-mW1elMJP_yTGL6I3CeaAA7-E2q1zgTrHVd5kPAvvDsM1n0J2oMPT2stptDemefcdlaRu-JqXFl/w640-h480/IMG20240117135013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This left me on the side of the road, so I pushed it down a lane a little ways (to keep it from attracting the wrong kind of attention), hitch hiked home (I was on the way home), got my truck and came back with a new part and tools.</p><p>It requires a bit of jiggery to organise me getting back both vehicles.</p><p>Readers of my blog will know of my previous issue (<b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2021/05/t-max-blowing-regulator-rectifiers.html" target="_blank">documented here</a></b>) and my conjecture of would it survive the hottest days ... I'm pretty sure I know the answer now ;-)</p><p>As I wrote back then when I fitted the fan unit:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">I was riding around and thinking about how close that graph got to 50C and thought that since the air temperature right now is like 20C (middle of the day) and that in summer its going to be nearly 50C (coming directly off the road) that will drive that temperature up closer to limits again. So I decided to look for power and attach a small case fan to assist cooling.</p></blockquote><p>So as I suspected on at +34C day it didn't get sufficient cooling.</p><p>I decided that I needed to do new testing (because it was still bloody hot) and so I thought test it with</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>cover on (fan cooled only)</li><li>cover off (fan still there)</li></ul><p></p><p>To test I embedded a sensor between fins to avoid air cooling of the sensor (and get the temperature of the heatsink) like this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEoUw5CzE50-GQRqvMyG8KHbJXIY8f_Xnx96QQQTRLK-TifQREVQ8xr14icvGX_KmnOeCOyYcTv-tQod_yIZLfxGXzRxrxECMl-RVdPbr1u-c_06TC7suDiiMAxBiNaslVP1qgWcUVuNq8jT-YQdIulyODI7aPfhr48EcJnNcmDU7Xd7BJG5C5XciSq2V/s2048/IMG20240119093802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEoUw5CzE50-GQRqvMyG8KHbJXIY8f_Xnx96QQQTRLK-TifQREVQ8xr14icvGX_KmnOeCOyYcTv-tQod_yIZLfxGXzRxrxECMl-RVdPbr1u-c_06TC7suDiiMAxBiNaslVP1qgWcUVuNq8jT-YQdIulyODI7aPfhr48EcJnNcmDU7Xd7BJG5C5XciSq2V/w640-h480/IMG20240119093802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>*(Note: the new cheapo part is no longer black, which is stupid)</p><p>The "cover off ride looks like this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12D2Zp4Zs7GGnSGI-wB_S4-vlDdS6nWCtcPdzYi2RMxyZRbqA01GoOHJv4lfAumWLaHez8t20lKcOwj-tiXIDHOV6mHmeQpTUxM_oeawuU7aK8MW6S21bcGGcLtu3tEJ-tsyqU5kDxq2ApkFUJgQgFsTw7TixHbctqZSqVdizP8u-jodnTW3nKkUlEv44/s2048/IMG20240119093756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12D2Zp4Zs7GGnSGI-wB_S4-vlDdS6nWCtcPdzYi2RMxyZRbqA01GoOHJv4lfAumWLaHez8t20lKcOwj-tiXIDHOV6mHmeQpTUxM_oeawuU7aK8MW6S21bcGGcLtu3tEJ-tsyqU5kDxq2ApkFUJgQgFsTw7TixHbctqZSqVdizP8u-jodnTW3nKkUlEv44/w640-h480/IMG20240119093756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>with good exposure to air for the cooling. The temperature plot (which included a length of highway at 100km/h)</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjx790HvpxlTNjjaD2MpKnjaj4FMltu6J2LtFYdQVg2wb7dupHQH9k_PyMDGmvYfVnSPQ1FTmjFQaTwBNYu-xmvxX577qI1h5onnT1YJ0j4vln0rzIyDgPK6XYMPpExv4dBYzC3E6Yuep9m2mG9GyCuRhgb-BMx8AXHzw6b0XOaZhP71ArJXOb0j2g2f9y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="510" data-original-width="911" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjx790HvpxlTNjjaD2MpKnjaj4FMltu6J2LtFYdQVg2wb7dupHQH9k_PyMDGmvYfVnSPQ1FTmjFQaTwBNYu-xmvxX577qI1h5onnT1YJ0j4vln0rzIyDgPK6XYMPpExv4dBYzC3E6Yuep9m2mG9GyCuRhgb-BMx8AXHzw6b0XOaZhP71ArJXOb0j2g2f9y=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>which is quite reasonable. You'll note that temperature rose as soon as I returned into 60km/h town region and stopped recording when I pulled into my yard.<p></p><p>I then slipped the cover on </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9YUTX1Qy1d4VlGnKWiypVpm3APcD5U31d0onxYUq1RfZZgVvYBBV8rruR5TbIvmSgTZbW21Fc05JTheyeQ8gaeGKRHDI1MV-xKwijIyrpb87rV3rvL4K-3fQPf8AqKTOwqLevBNUawvaQtxRnza1gPaT0fLByMbAxd3o0_dp-kFNztCm0uFrt5Zbo5ER/s2048/IMG20240119093646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9YUTX1Qy1d4VlGnKWiypVpm3APcD5U31d0onxYUq1RfZZgVvYBBV8rruR5TbIvmSgTZbW21Fc05JTheyeQ8gaeGKRHDI1MV-xKwijIyrpb87rV3rvL4K-3fQPf8AqKTOwqLevBNUawvaQtxRnza1gPaT0fLByMbAxd3o0_dp-kFNztCm0uFrt5Zbo5ER/w640-h480/IMG20240119093646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>note the breather which is a vent (see the earlier post) that leads to the center of the fan (and hopefully blows fresh road air in).<div><br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw1XkiAD8lFVFieqFrAqMSjsW787tA9g0yGAD6sVlEnyGGAmNsGHe3xPC23x7zs5aIeE8mT0MlpkNPoCGorWAHKtS05gHSgiMIs4sBIURYh4vGxocAbt2JbbvOmLBWwURY4aeEZGNSdCQ1PNQU2Bc8in-vAu8ANcryMYrirGiI9hmDgeZJNrfzmBD7d_2n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="495" data-original-width="643" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw1XkiAD8lFVFieqFrAqMSjsW787tA9g0yGAD6sVlEnyGGAmNsGHe3xPC23x7zs5aIeE8mT0MlpkNPoCGorWAHKtS05gHSgiMIs4sBIURYh4vGxocAbt2JbbvOmLBWwURY4aeEZGNSdCQ1PNQU2Bc8in-vAu8ANcryMYrirGiI9hmDgeZJNrfzmBD7d_2n=s16000" /></a></div><br /><br /><p>and went back out, getting this reading</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGZGkQCzXCkMHayALyQBVil4A4ccewgIIuehWEkdgnQbg-j0BETKurbcmrya8ze_IPn6TbUnuNcVZsjw-OiwDWl9JA6kmgK5Lm5BDLPDqTzBTOJhxbim3qbrVlLXlooVoKN29fQyf1usoVi_S8IksNPAJWkTffUeIMBXi1WGgeTRVrX_kdSMvGJdTNWCPY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="510" data-original-width="910" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGZGkQCzXCkMHayALyQBVil4A4ccewgIIuehWEkdgnQbg-j0BETKurbcmrya8ze_IPn6TbUnuNcVZsjw-OiwDWl9JA6kmgK5Lm5BDLPDqTzBTOJhxbim3qbrVlLXlooVoKN29fQyf1usoVi_S8IksNPAJWkTffUeIMBXi1WGgeTRVrX_kdSMvGJdTNWCPY=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div>you'll note that it got to 60 pretty soon and flattened (I was keeping an eye on the meter readout) and rose briefly when I was back in town (presumably due to lower air flows.</div><div><br /></div><div>This temperature is very close to thermal runaway temperatures and IMO far too warm for a cheap piece of shit like this. <b><a href="https://www.electronics-cooling.com/2004/02/the-temperature-ratings-of-electronic-parts/" target="_blank">This site on that subject</a></b> makes that clear.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Semiconductor parts are most often specified for use in the “commercial” 0 to 70°C and, to a lesser extent, in the “industrial” -40 to 85°C operating temperature range. These operating temperature ratings generally satisfy the demands of the dominant semiconductor customers in the computer, telecommunications, and consumer electronic industries.</span></div></blockquote><div><div><div><br /></div><div>So I've ordered a Yamaha part to test. I want to know if the part that costs $300 is worth its money. Perhaps it may run cooler?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll post more when it comes to hand. For now its not being ridden.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Addendum</h4><div>So, as promised, I took the T-Max into Warwick (37km) on a warm (but not scorching) 29 ~ 30C day (just a few days after this was first written). The results were very interesting. First the full trip</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BQ1-oqMV9YVtUoVAOLy_hvejj4KQge5VXMBRZBvfIIw_Jmz4pdRV2M1mBtZ6f_2Duv7JWpwS1XDS4l4otgXvg8DZSuZNWUmVaoeCaqjZiXivTcRtwwwrG6XRUTj2k5aojKNbyOvsmhq83Z2igMD9GK-isVj1NJwgbLsAlm72aQ4Qd6ytnSdijGrZejV/s956/full%20trip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="956" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BQ1-oqMV9YVtUoVAOLy_hvejj4KQge5VXMBRZBvfIIw_Jmz4pdRV2M1mBtZ6f_2Duv7JWpwS1XDS4l4otgXvg8DZSuZNWUmVaoeCaqjZiXivTcRtwwwrG6XRUTj2k5aojKNbyOvsmhq83Z2igMD9GK-isVj1NJwgbLsAlm72aQ4Qd6ytnSdijGrZejV/w640-h228/full%20trip.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We start off with the surface of the heatsink being 25C, and I let it sit for a little while before starting off. I did the same when I got back. I rode into town, parked at a hardware shop at about 9:40. The temperature of the heat sink started to rise after the air flow stopped (I presume as the hotter parts inside the unit transferred their heat out and it was radiated away).</div><div><br /></div><div>I then rode to another shop (quite close) which resulted in a quick air cooling and then a smaller rise. I was there until about 10:15, where I started up and rode home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, after getting home I let it sit for a bit before shutting off the data recorder.</div><div><br /></div><div>The trip in. Please note that in this graph I removed temperatures below 20 which does tend to change the actual scale of the graph, it also makes it a bit easier to see. I topped it out at 60C because I feel that's the danger zone.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4I-TQxm7HuZfOTePk6zKsgC83_NdBSJ0gLScdqofIjXTH2PgP25S2bJYRGUv3rXh-9BmTLS5U8gpXznDaSwdlUYLPtdq1K_c_0HEFZjbHWep8UJ4O4VIR04MxVlhEdmmxCHO1H58lN1I4ttBdn3tIasg8UTKQSFzTnpxdtJaUwqQE2j9KmNj8qwhOo5G/s933/trip%20in.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="933" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4I-TQxm7HuZfOTePk6zKsgC83_NdBSJ0gLScdqofIjXTH2PgP25S2bJYRGUv3rXh-9BmTLS5U8gpXznDaSwdlUYLPtdq1K_c_0HEFZjbHWep8UJ4O4VIR04MxVlhEdmmxCHO1H58lN1I4ttBdn3tIasg8UTKQSFzTnpxdtJaUwqQE2j9KmNj8qwhOo5G/w640-h236/trip%20in.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The trip home.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7915h792Aj4HiinEK4DVYhevrrzGz-J9cfM51qtDcVdEBSfbcl6tn26aXTbsPxnc7xeX-HMOcCS_jbypbGXAYAW5A91GQF-3iQv5udwLVguCSKTmeH4beMX39fvsSAGv05Cac8yQvVWnzbDwcwqn8swuXKH1k-kbuJLeDPJF5QZ_lDVbcoUTQ17O4YdF/s1012/trip%20out.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="1012" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7915h792Aj4HiinEK4DVYhevrrzGz-J9cfM51qtDcVdEBSfbcl6tn26aXTbsPxnc7xeX-HMOcCS_jbypbGXAYAW5A91GQF-3iQv5udwLVguCSKTmeH4beMX39fvsSAGv05Cac8yQvVWnzbDwcwqn8swuXKH1k-kbuJLeDPJF5QZ_lDVbcoUTQ17O4YdF/w640-h234/trip%20out.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Again we see that as soon as it is generating heat (by rectifying the AC from the alternator into DC and regulating that and dumping what the battery doesn't require as heat) its also moving, and when its moving slower things heat up faster. You can see when I come into town, slowing down and getting less air cooling.</div><div><br /></div><div>So next I'd need to test this in traffic ...</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll keep you posted</div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-30643173091125641082024-01-22T10:47:00.003+10:002024-01-25T13:09:54.878+10:00Heart Valve Choices - an update of related informationSome years back (ten years back) I wrote <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/01/heart-valve-information-for-choices.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a></b> on heart valve choices in the hope of adding a small voice into a large and noisy discussion room.<div><br /></div><div>In that post I mention a video presentation by Dr Schaff of the Mayo, which for various reasons I believe fell off the Mayo Website for no reason other than administrative.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recently found this updated presentation of his on YouTube and see that his views have remained the same (facts often don't change) and his inclusion of TAVI is a welcome addition.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Ah5zt1a8Z4z2jqBKvmHDSS01Mk_4fQii2gom7_qVbuvEi4abPoxUY4IYoRMIj8mDTxPvr4HkwhOlpyVhdpLUU9_IJvlz9b58gMCR2qFOOg9cMDineULalrObk7QndOtrJ-yQfMzPSuCsdaF4je_wj17YaJOkk2vTDTnho5Af3BYsa0mWItBECkt1yX-t" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="282" data-original-width="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Ah5zt1a8Z4z2jqBKvmHDSS01Mk_4fQii2gom7_qVbuvEi4abPoxUY4IYoRMIj8mDTxPvr4HkwhOlpyVhdpLUU9_IJvlz9b58gMCR2qFOOg9cMDineULalrObk7QndOtrJ-yQfMzPSuCsdaF4je_wj17YaJOkk2vTDTnho5Af3BYsa0mWItBECkt1yX-t=s16000" /></a></div><br /> So here is his presentation:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/09TUnwxfW54" width="469" youtube-src-id="09TUnwxfW54"></iframe></div><br /><div>It doesn't surprise me that the Mayo is using the YouTube platform, because administratively it is far easier to off load storage and server loads onto YouTube than bear it yourself. Many Universities are also doing the same thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I strongly recommend that if you're in the market for a valve and under 70 years of age you watch that and think carefully not only about what he says, but how many surgeons at his conference who are unaware of the actual data. For example stroke risks:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVYpNyNtvDzHWpz8EgulrHOE1NOCr5fAJZTrWYTs2uh3sQR3GeoacykFflYw-6U8qT46eQ3cyA316Kw3k4DtyreHjRKTahL12oZQsuzypPhX5O6HjjfvyRRnUzUebGGeJLF2VgQ5S5C7PMlawpLW2lYLJrJl1hcRMUNWW5eKMUw22fcOsWuwKZyWmItCym" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1344" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVYpNyNtvDzHWpz8EgulrHOE1NOCr5fAJZTrWYTs2uh3sQR3GeoacykFflYw-6U8qT46eQ3cyA316Kw3k4DtyreHjRKTahL12oZQsuzypPhX5O6HjjfvyRRnUzUebGGeJLF2VgQ5S5C7PMlawpLW2lYLJrJl1hcRMUNWW5eKMUw22fcOsWuwKZyWmItCym=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><br />Worth noting the graphical presentation "steps" suggests that less data exists for Bioprosthetic when you look at the last "step". I would submit that this is likely due to bioprosthesis being on average removed by that duration of time.</div><div><br /></div><div>All too often I hear "<i><b>surgeons know better</b></i>" ... the reality is "<i>maybe they do</i>" combined with "<i>it depends on the specific question</i>".</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, with any discussion of mechanical valves we must understand the other issues that come with that (and will as you'll see in the presentation may well come with bioprosthesis anyway)</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the topics introduced there is Anti-Coagulation Therapy (AKA Blood Thinners) and the misconceptions of patients about this. I've written blog posts about that for example <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/09/managing-my-inr.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>, as well as an <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/search/label/INR" target="_blank">entire series on INR related issues</a>, which of course includes that post.</div><div><br /></div><div>As well as deciding about the valve we need to decide about what we think we will want for ourselves in 10 or 15 years time ... do you just want to be still managing a medication (you'll have more of them by then anyway) or staring down your next surgery?</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly (and not unimportantly) I recommend this discussion too:</div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/838221</div><div><br /></div><div>It covers some interesting topics. You may have trouble with that page (depending) because the audio is not rendering properly on Chrome on Windows (but is ok on Linux and Android phone). You should see a media player like this:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuE4J0mx359zNVZG8P7z2zXEEYg98AVLutdPO33wpBU9K-m2DoB16Bn_uU2On-Q13-qHYym_iRNhDpLg3SjLyWGBNVSoh4P3Y4bdg4nYdRRouwUTFhnxIXKSQ6n4GKUX15bpGbU-rk_ZdYmiH7ituyUo4c1ANoimn_HnhlnxBXwlzL52p6tcQZp38Zh0Ye" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="532" data-original-width="679" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuE4J0mx359zNVZG8P7z2zXEEYg98AVLutdPO33wpBU9K-m2DoB16Bn_uU2On-Q13-qHYym_iRNhDpLg3SjLyWGBNVSoh4P3Y4bdg4nYdRRouwUTFhnxIXKSQ6n4GKUX15bpGbU-rk_ZdYmiH7ituyUo4c1ANoimn_HnhlnxBXwlzL52p6tcQZp38Zh0Ye=w640-h502" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>or perhaps a link advising you to update your Flash plugins (omg). If it doesn't work then you may be able to download the MP3 file directly using this link <a href="https://bi.medscape.com/pi/editorial/studio/audio/2015/core/838221.mp3">https://bi.medscape.com/pi/editorial/studio/audio/2015/core/838221.mp3</a> (which I took from the HTML I got).</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you find this helpful in your analysis of what's best for you in the long term.</div><div><br /></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-22400276814210290982024-01-04T21:31:00.001+10:002024-01-14T06:13:03.304+10:00Happy New Year<p>Well its just into the New Year and I'm reflecting on a busy year gone, not sure what the new year will bring, but today I went out for a nice afternoon ride (late to avoid the heat) on the SR</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJh0BDVY6Ee50i6FnbQUShup8EbVoO5aqxx5SdvXOfaewie0rUcjEJGTuhnuC1k-2oemG-lGjlc2KJdhUpODsDlDdYQUvBP_9Sy9vOUQJlpyv5ppu7l6nRlSvK5nj9lc-ZLDxP7_6ny5HvbUYQSVAsLLStPm8pDSrKqbTQzjEdxei_d5foQQgxxMKzUJs/s2048/afternoon%20ride.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJh0BDVY6Ee50i6FnbQUShup8EbVoO5aqxx5SdvXOfaewie0rUcjEJGTuhnuC1k-2oemG-lGjlc2KJdhUpODsDlDdYQUvBP_9Sy9vOUQJlpyv5ppu7l6nRlSvK5nj9lc-ZLDxP7_6ny5HvbUYQSVAsLLStPm8pDSrKqbTQzjEdxei_d5foQQgxxMKzUJs/w480-h640/afternoon%20ride.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Aside from some watch wanking, I've managed to complete or tidy up a few projects, not least of which was finally finishing off the rebuild of the front end on the T-Max</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAtzKkxCECaW0Cb8baVERIOAL-B_bO_Jn5cHWwmYgej-PVMRAiqWerRaqCclGvEn07BYe0tzHQ-IqlA2jMU6TaxQtS6agdMCP7XyfsaXQyHlITMrGFJSGH7J7DH6erQe6KH2OJziBuvdftdgMtwfCVvcU2nG9sRxqvhTJUEiuX933UZWGD27BXn5H1EJw/s2048/IMG20230416140124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAtzKkxCECaW0Cb8baVERIOAL-B_bO_Jn5cHWwmYgej-PVMRAiqWerRaqCclGvEn07BYe0tzHQ-IqlA2jMU6TaxQtS6agdMCP7XyfsaXQyHlITMrGFJSGH7J7DH6erQe6KH2OJziBuvdftdgMtwfCVvcU2nG9sRxqvhTJUEiuX933UZWGD27BXn5H1EJw/w640-h480/IMG20230416140124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>which included:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>wheel bearings</li><li>full brake caliper rebuild</li><li>fork rebuild</li><li>steering head bearings</li><li>new tyres</li></ul><div>Basically I already know how much of a PITA it is to do the steering head bearing (not least because of all the tupperware that needs to come off) but because of the length of the steering head tube. I've more or less perfected this now, as I've done it once before on my last T-Max</div><div><br /></div><div>Have also bought two other motorbikes and sold one of them (so leaving me with the T-Max and the SR500). I'm probably going to be doing some work to the SR500 soon, so now that the T-Max is back together (and riding very nicely) I can perhaps swap which bike is in the spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Solar floor heating system is now looking more modular and we'll see how well it "goes back together" come May.</div><div><br /></div><div>I consistently enjoy having my workshop and all the experimental learning that making it has brought.</div><div><br /></div><div>The INR management book was written but I've not published it formally yet due to concerns about possible liability (and a lack of liability insurance), but I'm hoping to get something happening this year with maybe some clinical trial.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sent this "cover idea" to a friend who's returned a cover based on this which I like more. But I also like this title.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEt4WQalMd3ntGuiGp8eoAGzo6elCYiZmIVy3CZgTidysyJWsN55CYTRB4G61oNmyQMMZ6aApKxVV1NxxfvwzjhMuQh_shOwVr8YNmO-mT-ssZAtv44inCqZljy8JaFwsz6c7uULCfTiNufm7M3v-jyA7_g-cp73h137FK_GoQeNnwFuOkJA9PuQ10V1d/s2560/cover%20to%20Zerina.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1652" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEt4WQalMd3ntGuiGp8eoAGzo6elCYiZmIVy3CZgTidysyJWsN55CYTRB4G61oNmyQMMZ6aApKxVV1NxxfvwzjhMuQh_shOwVr8YNmO-mT-ssZAtv44inCqZljy8JaFwsz6c7uULCfTiNufm7M3v-jyA7_g-cp73h137FK_GoQeNnwFuOkJA9PuQ10V1d/w414-h640/cover%20to%20Zerina.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div>Still, I'm told it sounds too geeky to sell well, and ... well I don't want it to sell to people who aren't just that bit geeky anyway. It is by nature "not for fools or idiots".</div><div><br /></div><div>At the very least I feel I've learned a quite few things this year, improved my skills in some areas, and perhaps most importantly found myself more adjusted to my "new life" without my wife. So, what's that, over 11 years, under 12.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking forward to what will happen in the year before me, well I just don't know. I don't actually have any plans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lets see what happens.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have a healthy, happy and enriching New Year</div><p></p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-562921783114795502023-12-12T10:49:00.001+10:002023-12-12T10:49:27.233+10:00Solar 12V Lead Acid Trickle Charger<p>I have a couple of things which have 12V (lead acid type chemistry) batteries which get used irregularly. I know well that these batteries need to be kept '<i>groomed</i>' for optimal life and to avoid disappointment when you go to use the item.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpPd2_sqAlLwwcPdXJ8Jw4psr_fzgbBLmNd3qkju3j_146fG8L50xurrO9WR2C3d-h1lPhhUOHBV3JfVyyFtk_N1_-oAKu7rCvewMTw6lFO5fotx0vngYzSSVC_kGB0gfmi-FVo67Er_iBGdeTzzuDLc3uASr1mdTLer6Rk7-NMqXrUOdZO73qlhoGldS/s2048/IMG_20231212_092346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpPd2_sqAlLwwcPdXJ8Jw4psr_fzgbBLmNd3qkju3j_146fG8L50xurrO9WR2C3d-h1lPhhUOHBV3JfVyyFtk_N1_-oAKu7rCvewMTw6lFO5fotx0vngYzSSVC_kGB0gfmi-FVo67Er_iBGdeTzzuDLc3uASr1mdTLer6Rk7-NMqXrUOdZO73qlhoGldS/w640-h480/IMG_20231212_092346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For quite a few years I've used a small 5W solar panel similar to the one above with great success. For instance my "ride on" lawn mower battery is over 6 years old and still acts like new. This is not an accident.</p><p>In the past I've gone with the "KISS" (keep it simple stupid) approach of having a 5W panel just directly (well via a diode) connected to the battery. Now I know that a "<i>12volt panel</i>" is not going to put out 12 volts, and I now that to charge a 12 volt (lead acid) battery you need to give it more than 12 volts and all that stuff you can read elsewhere (<i><a href="https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-403-charging-lead-acid">such as here</a></i>) if you don't know. A typical 5W panel will not be able to over-charge a 12V battery unless that battery is very small. Instead (probably at worst) it will hold the battery at about 15V for the peak sunlight period and that's it. Some intelligent positioning of the panel will help you to avoid this (<i>taking advantage of the movement of shade and the angle of the sun</i>).</p><p>So my last panel died (<i>no idea why, I suspect one of those fine solder joints broke or eroded</i>) and so I went to ebay and bought the one above. Having had them before I just wanted to test the outputs (to ensure it was working) and put it into service. I'll circle back to that, because that led to some discoveries.</p><p>The first discovery was that this panel is actually (totally without fanfare) incorporating a mini PWM solar controller in it:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1S0EVs7wRqonPvo2n68X7FnXylpdB7VPJJI5a043y4sXh-IUC4WONp8j9Ip-q8xXdguBJz-2huB9nLZufirYvEG3PmZfzPlAjko8kXi9g2sJNZS4QiFzI4v-VJWZE2tar11SoVOCyAMxQ99YlPsXVtTEKaMQePHsw895by4ccuqIlunVLmGWGhBkgo0I/s2048/IMG_20231212_092019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1S0EVs7wRqonPvo2n68X7FnXylpdB7VPJJI5a043y4sXh-IUC4WONp8j9Ip-q8xXdguBJz-2huB9nLZufirYvEG3PmZfzPlAjko8kXi9g2sJNZS4QiFzI4v-VJWZE2tar11SoVOCyAMxQ99YlPsXVtTEKaMQePHsw895by4ccuqIlunVLmGWGhBkgo0I/w640-h480/IMG_20231212_092019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>yes, you can see that LED blink when you initially hold it up to the light. The "Chinglish" is a bit misleading however. When one carefully cuts the back off (held by what is similar to black Sika-Flex) one finds the controller and the LED on the board.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOsrKJISEJA6TG5Chp8ix0l_L9ul4Ar1dOKRhLHbzUH9MwmL7TjxUK09N9O0x77LxIxe0qBNv76a50F7PkF0uhp6n6_FnEdSKsI0en1VtIKeNknZYgpt1k5y7DgeLl-OLOK-3-e-L8xOyWZhzhHQ0eUOpn5397HkfGLnIyLVYb3GRQW7qkKgxyM1U1ATh/s2048/IMG_20231212_092202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOsrKJISEJA6TG5Chp8ix0l_L9ul4Ar1dOKRhLHbzUH9MwmL7TjxUK09N9O0x77LxIxe0qBNv76a50F7PkF0uhp6n6_FnEdSKsI0en1VtIKeNknZYgpt1k5y7DgeLl-OLOK-3-e-L8xOyWZhzhHQ0eUOpn5397HkfGLnIyLVYb3GRQW7qkKgxyM1U1ATh/w640-h480/IMG_20231212_092202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>one can test the actual panel (hardly coinvently) of the PV+ and PV- tags (which literally solder direct to the lugs on the back of the panel).</p><p> But <u>one can not test the output of the panel directly by the battery clamps</u> because this is not a simple panel: <b>its instead a system</b>.</p><p>This is because a solar controller typically requires an "order of things" when connecting it.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>connect the controller to the battery (allowing it to know what voltage its dealing with, as many are 12/24V). This is also a "safety" thing for the electronics because an unloaded and cold panel in full sunlight may exceed the safe voltage input limits of the controller.</li><li>connect the panel to the controller (charging now begins if there is enough light)</li></ol><div>So, because this panel is always directly connected to the panel the above order of connection sequence can't happen. Thus the system shows nothing (yes 0V) on the battery clamps which may (incorrectly) lead you to think that the "bloody thing is broken". (guilty)</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly a case of "ignorance is bliss"</div><div><br /></div><div>So, once I understood this I connected it to the battery via my Amp meter and voilla!! Current flowed and as well voltage began ticking upwards on the battery (yes, I have 2 meters).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fantastic</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking on the back of the panel (if one could be bothered to look and think) we see some give-aways here.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPykhAdLQpX_fLOADkCZ1oE5lFtyqsC573h17DV1i-NZiQ05kgGeR6lRB5f9eIcoAKhHq-5N4R9o7AALjFfCEO9xDv3tX5cUMQaNDNyB7mppBta9bAIJ_ufSeorv7j7fQn83qt_xMj6_P5pLDC_utypH4IpmGqSgooDInZMVPCmQcS-DPkQQ87C1khZppL/s2048/IMG_20231212_092228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPykhAdLQpX_fLOADkCZ1oE5lFtyqsC573h17DV1i-NZiQ05kgGeR6lRB5f9eIcoAKhHq-5N4R9o7AALjFfCEO9xDv3tX5cUMQaNDNyB7mppBta9bAIJ_ufSeorv7j7fQn83qt_xMj6_P5pLDC_utypH4IpmGqSgooDInZMVPCmQcS-DPkQQ87C1khZppL/w640-h480/IMG_20231212_092228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In the Specification we see a few lines we wouldn't expect to see:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Over-charged Protection Voltage (sic) of 14.5V</li><li>Over-charged Recovery Voltage (sic) of 13V</li></ul><div>one would simply not expect to see these two on a plain panel, as this is the sort of stuff a controller provides.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>It would have been better if the seller had made it clear that this was the case (<i>because then they wouldn't have had to send me a second one because this one appeared faulty</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>So basically I can fully recommend this little guy for simplifying my life of keeping my batteries well groomed. Something my motorcycle needs because there is a little 50mA parasitic drain which needs addressing if I don't ride it every day (I don't). 50ma sounds small but after 5 days that's 6Amp Hours and the new capacity of a AGM battery for the bike is about 8Amp Hours, so in winter, a week of not using it during the week means on Saturday you've got a dead battery.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAL3zLw6eDoOMGov6VNl3R4c8D20xzgrcIXylu44w0xfmW_xd2NHdbbXqrnEYTchrniZq2_c6pO87KrZcy5TmXje-3cIRtep5YczfNvaIqP7Skl9QYkooQACmLINmglRvO5LRaZvt4JCVagJBdZmYrFqBMQqveA6NAqovGFZ5lYij3WS-Z5Mhe_tqJbGQ/s2000/IMG_20231212_091732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAL3zLw6eDoOMGov6VNl3R4c8D20xzgrcIXylu44w0xfmW_xd2NHdbbXqrnEYTchrniZq2_c6pO87KrZcy5TmXje-3cIRtep5YczfNvaIqP7Skl9QYkooQACmLINmglRvO5LRaZvt4JCVagJBdZmYrFqBMQqveA6NAqovGFZ5lYij3WS-Z5Mhe_tqJbGQ/w480-h640/IMG_20231212_091732.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So I can just hang it off the number plate and plug it in to the bike and my battery is kept "groomed". Naturally I had already made up a small DC jack plug to connect my previous (panel and controller) system to the bike.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVTLzA6I7a0MG98qycprHI7gpcSxaUJKic3ylylmdnvYzdJCvUEELn1Ew0DQbYmfOn-N7SrKDuqNF2kwwbuTroYAocB9U68X3rYpDmzjYNcY9u9tld0QnCDRn1lGyU2KXY3_wZAmxBQjkTCtNA-OunxRmw6Efh_OhKKOt3weLInn_lxJZYaQejHU9EGC3/s2048/IMG20231212104130-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVTLzA6I7a0MG98qycprHI7gpcSxaUJKic3ylylmdnvYzdJCvUEELn1Ew0DQbYmfOn-N7SrKDuqNF2kwwbuTroYAocB9U68X3rYpDmzjYNcY9u9tld0QnCDRn1lGyU2KXY3_wZAmxBQjkTCtNA-OunxRmw6Efh_OhKKOt3weLInn_lxJZYaQejHU9EGC3/w640-h480/IMG20231212104130-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This streamlines things enormously (because I don't have to connect the controller to the bike and then the panel to the controller) and instead only have one thing to plug and play.</div><div><br /></div><div>Naturally it works well on the lawnmower too</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n9ws5Xrq-n8mocZOGDdg2P6IBI8MJZqwY_bwONmUSBy986G6pai4SdIObIZNf4xZllKmGcJBErPcNoa-8vvxOEsZiN0Cdg6LBlGgN47OL4IVnofgEQNMVOK-3sflY0dPHJfr1rMoGd8i31Rm7vjOLiqOzX0KeCPsR7yhpIZoKLIo1QQEf9cpe-xSiB_c/s2000/IMG_20231212_091805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n9ws5Xrq-n8mocZOGDdg2P6IBI8MJZqwY_bwONmUSBy986G6pai4SdIObIZNf4xZllKmGcJBErPcNoa-8vvxOEsZiN0Cdg6LBlGgN47OL4IVnofgEQNMVOK-3sflY0dPHJfr1rMoGd8i31Rm7vjOLiqOzX0KeCPsR7yhpIZoKLIo1QQEf9cpe-xSiB_c/w640-h480/IMG_20231212_091805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Win Win</div><p></p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-88607516757706994332023-11-22T11:34:00.009+10:002023-11-24T12:12:44.544+10:00Militado (brother of Baltany?)<p>Some time back I bought the Baltany (because it was being hyped up on the Reddit Chinese watch sub) and found that everything that was said about how good the front crystal was, was completely correct. However there is more to a watch than the wanking about the AR on the Sapphire crystal and so I ended up selling it.</p><p>However AliExpress had already sussed out that I had a taste for Chronographs (having bought the Pagani, the Phylida and then the Baltany) and amid the suggestions I found the Militado.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtWOfG3ygrvGMaI2FotiKtW_dra6yrV6Kx9-p-aJJZB-ySFLwnNhLybpmqkbMfmPVweHNbSL3gZa_87MVoS-mEnB0gImaV6ToHiZLi8YGmf96619j8Xpgeg5Cpx9KRFzyPlXvndhWR7-t4uiH4tRjvpG84sFcdi7uVLoFB9tk1tt8VYDTpQxFKjr5kYfR/s2000/IMG_20231121_122334%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1453" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtWOfG3ygrvGMaI2FotiKtW_dra6yrV6Kx9-p-aJJZB-ySFLwnNhLybpmqkbMfmPVweHNbSL3gZa_87MVoS-mEnB0gImaV6ToHiZLi8YGmf96619j8Xpgeg5Cpx9KRFzyPlXvndhWR7-t4uiH4tRjvpG84sFcdi7uVLoFB9tk1tt8VYDTpQxFKjr5kYfR/w464-h640/IMG_20231121_122334%20(1).jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Which at first glance could be mistaken for the Baltany (see below) and so pretty much anything I've said about the Baltany (see my review <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/07/baltany-field-chronograph-notes.html">here</a></b>) goes for the Militado. Note the absence of the date complication (which I'm sure still exists below the face...). As you can guess by the position of the subdials it is a Seiko VK67 movement meaning it gives you a Chronograph that will measure up to 12 hours duration.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO7aQTst8FnKHd3RLXc0VgBCvk3CfxiQjcerbvoZt7N4Rb8S-UUINdMP1kGBg26sCKHrt71P9sN9geNsTbuTyoj0uMR1zwsST_uK4dMXehxANOytyx9W2cgUW3n99imSAL3WGRNDo95f9Rx1gv8JBFnSN2DUJRZzJsbZlbcnVN5LRnyUH41AJKHBsNh3J/s2730/IMG_20231121_164025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO7aQTst8FnKHd3RLXc0VgBCvk3CfxiQjcerbvoZt7N4Rb8S-UUINdMP1kGBg26sCKHrt71P9sN9geNsTbuTyoj0uMR1zwsST_uK4dMXehxANOytyx9W2cgUW3n99imSAL3WGRNDo95f9Rx1gv8JBFnSN2DUJRZzJsbZlbcnVN5LRnyUH41AJKHBsNh3J/w480-h640/IMG_20231121_164025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Note that the pushers are unscrewed in the Baltany shot, but are locked down (gently) on the Militado further up.<div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Bottom line first:</h4><div><b>I like the watch. I like its dial marking and hands creates a better readability and that its an improvement over the Baltany</b> ... except for the AR.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I like simple dials in, less distraction from the task at hand (identifying and reading the time). So I quickly found that the big printed minutes (with a nod to a flight navigators watch) got in the way of me "recognising" the time at a glance as my brain went "<i>ohhh numbers, lets read that</i>" and I was delayed. Further it then lacked the hours which the hour hand should point to that a Flieger has, this Farer is a perfect example of that</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR1XXFBkxc4V4PcPyH4_hJf1VF7QdgL3Wx2dTOiqrGUVetMhG6yOmclZ8AlHF8C2wQcOUWAXIJyVAk97XxEBs9GH52ERZhkuS5JZnu7j3WjGrdnK1GEFbXWG017ZbW83cRf_DWjdAOs87Mt1fiPzJK4fmk-disI4KRbbvh6pX3m0662dtMbDoqPmv3pOD8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1302" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR1XXFBkxc4V4PcPyH4_hJf1VF7QdgL3Wx2dTOiqrGUVetMhG6yOmclZ8AlHF8C2wQcOUWAXIJyVAk97XxEBs9GH52ERZhkuS5JZnu7j3WjGrdnK1GEFbXWG017ZbW83cRf_DWjdAOs87Mt1fiPzJK4fmk-disI4KRbbvh6pX3m0662dtMbDoqPmv3pOD8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />So I ditched the Baltany and waited for the AliExpress 11.11 sales and got the Militado for a good price (AU$125, or about half of the Baltany).</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been wearing the Militado for about 24 hours now and am finding it is indeed a much more visually practical watch than the Baltany, however one thing stood out as soon as I took it out of the box: the AR coating (which was actually claimed in the AliExpress item details) was either absent or just shit.</div><div><br /></div><div>This can be seen above, but let me show you in a single picture combining them.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOOxrHMOD5nGln6j-doRh4Xx9j6ByKRicG_g0B4zQ2RmE7WLFp5gaqhRcEp1yeXYR_seNlR-owxClVpWse145pw-EhOCO8D8birm0U6EA-LwA5jtPc6Ox7wVZwWgS-JKbIa6eB8xmmjXyulY0WauY7cHL_MrmvezXk_qjg1Qk27DGUd1WNsRa36OGjEiC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1260" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOOxrHMOD5nGln6j-doRh4Xx9j6ByKRicG_g0B4zQ2RmE7WLFp5gaqhRcEp1yeXYR_seNlR-owxClVpWse145pw-EhOCO8D8birm0U6EA-LwA5jtPc6Ox7wVZwWgS-JKbIa6eB8xmmjXyulY0WauY7cHL_MrmvezXk_qjg1Qk27DGUd1WNsRa36OGjEiC=w629-h640" width="629" /></a></div><br />The glass (crystal) just isn't there on the Baltany except in the bright points, and even then you can see behind it. The Militado just has nothing. This is clarified in this test with showing the reflections and at the angle you should see only a faint reflection from the front of the crystal (which isn't AR coated) but not the back, which is AR coated.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKNJrLv5dCLZx45RPPpwC2DyotrCAQB4_tveq8n_py6SLHwI_gXvrYxbU1JxOTfQM5-r79HVpgvf4Wfhf2cPCpu4djpVJfL1WKPoCn6LAtaeIxFxH3g8fy5gWMgMRr9-BFDHKRkxD_XL1b7yooi62bYn9wsVjlwLs0o-3-ZUpBDcBK7Dpshx0B3GK9qU3J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1806" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKNJrLv5dCLZx45RPPpwC2DyotrCAQB4_tveq8n_py6SLHwI_gXvrYxbU1JxOTfQM5-r79HVpgvf4Wfhf2cPCpu4djpVJfL1WKPoCn6LAtaeIxFxH3g8fy5gWMgMRr9-BFDHKRkxD_XL1b7yooi62bYn9wsVjlwLs0o-3-ZUpBDcBK7Dpshx0B3GK9qU3J=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br />So if I was the type to make a big deal out of AR (which I'm not) then I'd say "go for the Baltany".</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting back to what I like its stuff like</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>lighter weight</li><li>smaller bulk in the case yet bigger dial to see</li><li>clear legible dial and </li><li>clear easy to read polished hands that enable precision of reading the values</li><li>functionality (an actual hour accumulator which goes to 12 hours</li><li>the somehow vintage look to the hour numerals</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mNhX7HqwPzG0jcvRebgA21SKLHC22iEWhsRbERqQuO9z1ILauHupuNp0LNof-5dJPWXd4cdX3F3_A7EOwqxyxkyIUOhdUBs13fcO_DMk79gBJlR10Z0SEN6ttmukyMrwEqyPuu2K3rqi_azRMQ38WhoDXo3BG9rdWF_TF5S-VUtyVd3RhhFeQbZiY4h0/s2048/IMG_20231121_123218%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mNhX7HqwPzG0jcvRebgA21SKLHC22iEWhsRbERqQuO9z1ILauHupuNp0LNof-5dJPWXd4cdX3F3_A7EOwqxyxkyIUOhdUBs13fcO_DMk79gBJlR10Z0SEN6ttmukyMrwEqyPuu2K3rqi_azRMQ38WhoDXo3BG9rdWF_TF5S-VUtyVd3RhhFeQbZiY4h0/w640-h426/IMG_20231121_123218%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In practice, when just glancing at it, the Chronograph features don't clamour for attention, but when you are looking at them are easy to read. However its easy to see above the reflection of the ceiling and the contrast black where my (black) phone took the picture. Definitely a reminder that AR (if it even exists) isn't present on this watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly (as I observed with the Baltany case) the way that the lugs curve around helps make the watch sit nicely on the wrist. Note this isn't the case with a NATO where (like the Baltany) there really isn't much room between the spring bar and the case. So its either a flimsy crappy NATO or two part straps like this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvHY0lV2QOVbPyz2dq5NgZOZomjzCHBtLR0bPA-nbQjLtz89j5aJ8KZHL1fyTkCZrp2FoVDW_jVnxrhm6g8B9YcUwQYGG1aAiWSCHQjqc6Ja3FdAAX74c5uedaCSZUKkBmxDmMjneJ3le0hE4qwYT6hAIVMp5H3H33tCrmy_R4P5rsgKVyWnCbjiI2xGlL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1500" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvHY0lV2QOVbPyz2dq5NgZOZomjzCHBtLR0bPA-nbQjLtz89j5aJ8KZHL1fyTkCZrp2FoVDW_jVnxrhm6g8B9YcUwQYGG1aAiWSCHQjqc6Ja3FdAAX74c5uedaCSZUKkBmxDmMjneJ3le0hE4qwYT6hAIVMp5H3H33tCrmy_R4P5rsgKVyWnCbjiI2xGlL=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />Depending on your wrist I find that the extra angle of the lugs and the fact that they go below the bottom of the watch can result in the (slightly sharp) lugs being a bit "sharp" on the skin when the watch is taken off or you're doing work. Again, refer to the above Baltany post for details</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSNto-5vr6HZ3KbQg-_v2nsbcDraPJiduA0sztEttBB53ubM-fFrFR6LdvCbAqicduwM38eRC0JvsMVnb975_S1mCRVnHuZLp_LKfQGA38Zdchqi9Dwy13NkLtHjyJnj5x8RTrFPFLaqONauPmtQ6fH3gfZWVdhH1kF6PqQSuS1FYWGJVIpY8wOlJrWyo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSNto-5vr6HZ3KbQg-_v2nsbcDraPJiduA0sztEttBB53ubM-fFrFR6LdvCbAqicduwM38eRC0JvsMVnb975_S1mCRVnHuZLp_LKfQGA38Zdchqi9Dwy13NkLtHjyJnj5x8RTrFPFLaqONauPmtQ6fH3gfZWVdhH1kF6PqQSuS1FYWGJVIpY8wOlJrWyo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The intelligent choice of dome angle means that you can also see the time properly at a slight angle, something that lately people seem to eschew. So many reviews go on about the distortion and "playing with the light". Personally I suspect that some folks may want a carnival of mirrors, but I have my own opinions about that.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-v-CK7CA7yEZfiMc0f5UfS1yJ2KkGzGsZNxNPH4XOQCv5O9FjwzP-LXocptNlwhVtZVCYdAcUVwzwWs1hn6FjB7Kt1x-4YmG4-N0D8afzUdQtyVbG3Ff7m0zOkutOkEEGDQQ07skSuaZ3BSyvqoRte9g6MHvtsruQROG63p9f6t4ykoCBwcEUf9uF0fQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="783" data-original-width="900" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-v-CK7CA7yEZfiMc0f5UfS1yJ2KkGzGsZNxNPH4XOQCv5O9FjwzP-LXocptNlwhVtZVCYdAcUVwzwWs1hn6FjB7Kt1x-4YmG4-N0D8afzUdQtyVbG3Ff7m0zOkutOkEEGDQQ07skSuaZ3BSyvqoRte9g6MHvtsruQROG63p9f6t4ykoCBwcEUf9uF0fQ=w640-h557" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lastly this blog post took this amount of time to photograph and write:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV7PgEv61x2hBGFgydGVDCKZ7wEC-W7CqXkjUs9qgeouA3aI584uzFFnF1be2ggyXsFpvAuOPr4D163g6By8ARatQgHOm08DyhM6fXygpH74zl_QDIhAMtuEUNOzFXdFKapAXJalwHccYNuDRZqz7Lv1bIV_jtvOdrMdbTPJQQQwHUYBABpPXoYJY6KFqy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV7PgEv61x2hBGFgydGVDCKZ7wEC-W7CqXkjUs9qgeouA3aI584uzFFnF1be2ggyXsFpvAuOPr4D163g6By8ARatQgHOm08DyhM6fXygpH74zl_QDIhAMtuEUNOzFXdFKapAXJalwHccYNuDRZqz7Lv1bIV_jtvOdrMdbTPJQQQwHUYBABpPXoYJY6KFqy=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So just under 3 hours.</div><div><br />I posted this picture of the dial of the (stopped) chronograph so you can see clearly how hands are readable and also why the original Omega Speedmaster had narrow hands (<i>and <u>these on teh Militado are narrower than the Baltany</u></i>) which are better in the context of actually wanting to use it as a tool (a stopwatch).</div><div><br /></div><div>On the Baltany (with its wider and blunt sub dial hands) its even harder to see just where the minute pointer is pointing to and that sort of defeats the purpose of a chrono in my view. Still its only around 10:30 to 1:30 where its an issue (unless the minute hand gets in on the act too).</div><div><br /></div><div>But who buys a chrono to act like a stop watch anyway, its all about a big bulky watch with lots of markings on it that looks complex right? Something for a big handsome man ... not a tool (<i>the watch, not the man</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>So on that note, if you're after a low cost but nice tool, the Militado is good, and if you're wanting a big chunky watch to signal; then perhaps go for a Rolex (maybe copy?).</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Watching</div><div><div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-22589011354529290772023-09-22T20:08:00.011+10:002023-09-24T06:53:06.041+10:00Copy thatThis isn't the Breitling Top Time Deus Ex Machina (<i>although it looks like one</i>)<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH4SpO0w-uFuTmy-_NBCSibdrh4ccz1gastJQvO9Lyng67vjhdmmTz8yooWJE2fc6F3fDtekJ_A5weI0p_LBYCBaoClR5MXnz8ouuT1O6C13R3koL6zQH8f_mjFxpTigJJuTDkA6ZYBr6Trh2SfInZnyITCg3PxImoUo2Ni6gdiKV7yK1ZBgKhjD836Mv/s2048/isnt%20top%20time.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH4SpO0w-uFuTmy-_NBCSibdrh4ccz1gastJQvO9Lyng67vjhdmmTz8yooWJE2fc6F3fDtekJ_A5weI0p_LBYCBaoClR5MXnz8ouuT1O6C13R3koL6zQH8f_mjFxpTigJJuTDkA6ZYBr6Trh2SfInZnyITCg3PxImoUo2Ni6gdiKV7yK1ZBgKhjD836Mv/w640-h640/isnt%20top%20time.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>indeed, nor is this</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxmkGdrHeWGjagC_U-BdZhk0vGQWU9yioh2t-H79rIOAkfsvuvyaCb4yXqSAkdoyFMBtZTxsYQ58XiJ7yIlW9HAei6XocxNy0gfTAD8AOuOiNyRGzE-sxKd5MenIJEOCtVyD8sKvVJvimCs2sz8TV6qr7iFyPl901g8-mF2PAhyoJTjjK4ufiUSH1lHmp/s4608/isnt%20deus%20exmachina.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxmkGdrHeWGjagC_U-BdZhk0vGQWU9yioh2t-H79rIOAkfsvuvyaCb4yXqSAkdoyFMBtZTxsYQ58XiJ7yIlW9HAei6XocxNy0gfTAD8AOuOiNyRGzE-sxKd5MenIJEOCtVyD8sKvVJvimCs2sz8TV6qr7iFyPl901g8-mF2PAhyoJTjjK4ufiUSH1lHmp/w480-h640/isnt%20deus%20exmachina.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>although that <b>is </b>my <a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/08/sr500.html">Yamaha SR500</a> in the background</div><div><br /></div><div>and this isn't the back of a Breitling Deus</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinHYH85pNX8E1L8o_CDZ5-6CUJF65OZhqUVyfKcfCkVGlhGEvmkKGXHNkCkN2uzgdC8D3ToqgAvdwoL1_wOhq456B4GxqCXPhMu7CiFRUy2EMODyEzocPYsCOnATAu_G-9uNGfoJy-45YInTMNsAv06MN8NfXYGqNr9fDZuNAiN2e7bHjGyh_z6biTypj/s1260/isnt%20deus%20back.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinHYH85pNX8E1L8o_CDZ5-6CUJF65OZhqUVyfKcfCkVGlhGEvmkKGXHNkCkN2uzgdC8D3ToqgAvdwoL1_wOhq456B4GxqCXPhMu7CiFRUy2EMODyEzocPYsCOnATAu_G-9uNGfoJy-45YInTMNsAv06MN8NfXYGqNr9fDZuNAiN2e7bHjGyh_z6biTypj/w480-h640/isnt%20deus%20back.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The Breitling however looks like this</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCHz9kxfsaLaT6ihncsCacMiPxNxr9mDJyHKDuoK5jUJj5IEB3FJF2NzyXndKK3mxYzMwKA0lmC8_y4U6qq3xCOK54eE1dnwGTQYT37Jdbuh6GMUVS5j4hWuwrLZKyUPH9gMwVfWM5qbGqKe6PBhK0EHFmNPb8xxxL1le3mdu-hRG5XUkqhX1U-x8uy6i/s2000/top%20time.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCHz9kxfsaLaT6ihncsCacMiPxNxr9mDJyHKDuoK5jUJj5IEB3FJF2NzyXndKK3mxYzMwKA0lmC8_y4U6qq3xCOK54eE1dnwGTQYT37Jdbuh6GMUVS5j4hWuwrLZKyUPH9gMwVfWM5qbGqKe6PBhK0EHFmNPb8xxxL1le3mdu-hRG5XUkqhX1U-x8uy6i/w640-h640/top%20time.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Breitling Top Time Deus above is a rare watch now and while it was originally listed for something like $4,500 it soon sold out and we who like it now have to pay upwards of $18,000 to have one.</div><div><br /></div><div>To me this is absurd and beyond the actual reasonable cost of the watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>When makers do this I think immediately of Rolex, exclusivity (meaning excluding me or you) and <b>King Wang</b>. <b>To me this leads to people having watches which they don't actually wear in daily life, leave in a box and just pull out to go to events</b>. These people are quite often insufferable and fuss about "mind the watch" ... This is the exact antithesis of what is portrayed in the Breitling advertising.</div><div><br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r_JOf3IqEzc?si=mGcPkWdIJQHM7AGh" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, that surfer chick is going to wear her leather strap into the ocean ...</div><div><br /></div><div>However watches shouldn't just be virtue or wealth signalling for the well heeled wanker, some of us are pure enthusiasts. Heck even Swatch recognises this with their Moon Swatch range. Watches are made to wear; and if you're afraid to wear it then, frankly, you're a wanker. <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2021/10/investment-watches.html">Watches are not investment instruments</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>So, like they say in the military when they understand what's been said: "<i>Copy that</i>" this is a copy, indeed <a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/09/king-wang-likes-to-watch.html">this copy I previously blogged about</a> has arrived.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm the sort of person who doesn't mind a Chinese <i>Homage</i> (<i>because copy is apparently such a dirty word</i>) as I've previously written about <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/09/cadisen-deus-homage.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/02/pagani-design-speedmaster.html">here</a>. In particular I wrote the following in that piece about my Pagani:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: times;">People react strongly about watches which are copies (to be blunt) or homages (to be pretending its something else). Setting aside the fully hand made watch by a craftsman in his workshop, pretty much all modern watches are "reproductions". When seen from the view that; they are designed in CAD, then a machine produces the parts from a file (and in some cases does a lot of the assembly too). From this perspective a maker (say) Rolex just reproduces watches from a design.</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;">I'm looking at my PD-1701 and seeing that others have (by measurement) done a reproduction of this but at a price which can be purchased by anyone who loves the look and design. The real thing that differentiates it is the logo and copyright.</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;">While the PD-1701 is not finished to the microscopic examination of the case and the mechaquartz movement is not a hand made highly complex mechanical one. Most owners of the Omega would probably not know that you had swapped out their mechanical movement until they went to wind it, for they don't actually see the movement in daily life with the watch. Few if any owners would have taken the case back off in the 1960's to see.</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Thus these Homages or reproductions are really just enriching our lives (those of us who aren't uber wealthy or willing to make sacrifices to get the originals) with being able to enjoy the essential parts of the watch - how it looks and how it functions - at a much more affordable price. I suspect this desire to be 'exclusive' (meaning exclude you from my club) is what's really hurt in people when they find out "its a copy"</span></div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>As you can see above, I tried the Cadisen "homage" (<i>that first link</i>) but had to send the watch back due to a manufacturing defect. The experience led me to try the Sugess but when it arrived it was as lackluster as I'd expected. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglX1e-BjEL-VjfeBD0wi9a-tXBHG0NcvxlIBKUOXlVtlzUWBgWEeiIr9TPSYWEp4VpbX6729e_CHG5Gm0XTrZkh7n8muR30J6ScnlNmHPDhJcAMWTYKAEwgE5NmIQdsKjTa_ofC6_r4uMZWPWAbNfSbLAACi-pC7jZj8RMncmWDuPdfXGyksnuV1w1NRvA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="572" data-original-width="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglX1e-BjEL-VjfeBD0wi9a-tXBHG0NcvxlIBKUOXlVtlzUWBgWEeiIr9TPSYWEp4VpbX6729e_CHG5Gm0XTrZkh7n8muR30J6ScnlNmHPDhJcAMWTYKAEwgE5NmIQdsKjTa_ofC6_r4uMZWPWAbNfSbLAACi-pC7jZj8RMncmWDuPdfXGyksnuV1w1NRvA=s16000" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div>Obviously the Breitling is superior in every way (<i>visual presentation and mechanical execution</i>) neither of the <i>Homages</i> stacked up. Most of all what I like about the Breitling is the generous amount of paint applied to the hands and the almost metallic sheen of the white dial. Contrast and colour. Its beautiful. Indeed if you look again up at the copy watch its similar.</div><div><br /></div><div>However soon AliExpress discovered my penchant and as <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/09/king-wang-likes-to-watch.html">I wrote back on the 14th of Sept</a> a copy of the Breitling Deus (<i>not even pretending to be a homage</i>) was presented to me as "we think you'd like this". Not being a Quartz Snob (<i>how could I be, after so many decades with Seiko Quartz watches</i>) how could I resist? So I didn't.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">So what did I think of the copy? </h4><div><div>It looks exactly like it should, but in the AliExpress auction they omitted to describe the watch properly. For instance, the sub dials. The one which should be the elapsed minute counter of the chrono is apparently simply a stupid hour counter (which seems not to be linked in any way to the actual hour hand), and the other is functional. </div><div><br /></div><div>However amusingly the subdial coloured yellow, which should be the running seconds hand is actually the Chronograph elapsed minutes counter. The pusher buttons function nicely and the reset operation of the chrono is a lovely smooth electronic watch operation.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Well I'll put in this video round up</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FofSDWt95e4" width="218" youtube-src-id="FofSDWt95e4"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Some points:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the supplied strap was vinyl (and crap if thick) </li><li>lug width is 22mm and I had a nice burgundy red leather one lying around, so I put that on it pretty fast</li><li>the watch is light, which means despite how big it is, its not as fatiguing to wear all day (which I did today)</li><li>the box it comes in is humble, but given the $50 price surprisingly good</li><li>the watch is clearly not machined from steel (didn't claim to be either), but is metal. Probably cast brass and then plated </li></ul><div>I mentioned light, so here it is compared to my Seiko SRPE </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE8o1ghlA5ivUuMrz3uTnYCNiYTFOMOnwzAP2c_fQYjgt2dKzMNBUM2JKlgmqZdbS_oGXa6f_vIhppWw05iS5yLH11cxsmSvPX64MFgpIT4k3-PPfF7CBrYvNBwWMhTCi5tSm8vsa89NipEgYEi5O_NjKdwWN6SQVCg5VG49ZIEOPVgMnl-e3LLJ_QiVu/s1951/IMG_20230922_212603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE8o1ghlA5ivUuMrz3uTnYCNiYTFOMOnwzAP2c_fQYjgt2dKzMNBUM2JKlgmqZdbS_oGXa6f_vIhppWw05iS5yLH11cxsmSvPX64MFgpIT4k3-PPfF7CBrYvNBwWMhTCi5tSm8vsa89NipEgYEi5O_NjKdwWN6SQVCg5VG49ZIEOPVgMnl-e3LLJ_QiVu/w284-h640/IMG_20230922_212603.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Would I have bought it knowing all this?</h4><div>You bet your arse I would. The watch face, hands and the splash of colour on the tachymeter is streets better than the Sugess and the Cadisen and the watch is a much closer nod to the original Breitling. Anyone who buys the Sugess or Cadisen and doesn't think they are buying what amounts to a copy is bonkers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm laughing all the way with this watch, not least because its foibles make it funnier than I'd expected. I bet my copy gets more wrist time than most genuine Top Time Deus watches do.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm loving it.</b></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div>BTW, for those misguided or just as yet uneducated:</div><div><br /></div><div>Deus means God and is not pronounced like the word Deuce (as I hear some Americans saying). Also Machina is said more like the movie <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_Machina_(film)">Ex Machina</a></b> (<i>which I recommend if you want to hear Americans who can say Latin words correctly</i>)</div><div><br /></div><div>Win Win</div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-57403094150862697902023-09-14T09:37:00.009+10:002023-09-14T09:44:52.474+10:00King Wang Likes to Watch<p>As well as being about a purchase made and the weeks of anticipation in wait, this is a small rant about Wangers. This is perhaps a continuation of an idea I started <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/07/social-media-is-to-blame.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> about social media and people who can't think but follow; magical thinkers (<i>you know, wankers and narcissists</i>).</p><p>Its been only a week since I ordered a watch on Ali which I'm keen to get, so this leads me to wonder how Wangers who buy into the Rolex dream can wait for 2 years for a watch that costs in the tens of thousands (not just the tens).</p><p>While looking around AliExpress I ended up getting "suggested" this watch by Ali</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhjCkubcmFhkkLwapMbEKc7kgppzsH5Oo33yqOdgaOIVmpYsy-bA2iDKpUuaV7NeQPwoEE9KBCnZIjqR97b4T_Rv1a0KzAQZrTdRqPKWaTEvc-Dvvl0eqszVxNjiTwxKZ8nX0X8P8Hol_cEeKr28ShTbz7S14Ls1Q3_E-4_XTyijJMhDha4y5-encfJ6-/s831/deus%20king%20wang.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="831" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhjCkubcmFhkkLwapMbEKc7kgppzsH5Oo33yqOdgaOIVmpYsy-bA2iDKpUuaV7NeQPwoEE9KBCnZIjqR97b4T_Rv1a0KzAQZrTdRqPKWaTEvc-Dvvl0eqszVxNjiTwxKZ8nX0X8P8Hol_cEeKr28ShTbz7S14Ls1Q3_E-4_XTyijJMhDha4y5-encfJ6-/w640-h368/deus%20king%20wang.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So its a quartz (not a mechanical) and sure looks like a direct copy of the Breitling Top Time to me.</div><div><br /></div><div><div data-reddit-rtjson="{"entityMap":{},"blocks":[{"key":"a02ut","text":"which makes me wonder about how the people who buy into Rolex feel about waiting for years \"for the call\" to say \"your watch is now available.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a34uk","text":"Let me be clear here: this watch is not a homage it is a blatant knock-off and (for emphasis) I am not promoting or encouraging you to buy this; thus there is no link nor promotion in the title nor in the body. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":99,"length":3,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e2gkl","text":"I also expect this to be complete shite, but how could I resist. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"blljr","text":"However it underscores why I like Chinese Watches and why I am personally against Rolex as a brand. Now, to be clear I don't care if others buy Rolex, people can do what they want, but my point is this:","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"l2ru","text":"When does it become somehow acceptable to force people to \"prove their brand loyalty by making purchases of stuff they don't want, just so they can be put in the waiting list for what they do want. Lets forget about the fact that one has to pay tens of thousands for a watch of which the same quality could be had from a Chinese watch for one one hundredth of the price.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7tisb","text":"I can only describe this as King Wang (or the Emperors New Clothes).","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9u9ol","text":"To me the King is Dead, long live the King ... King Wang (chants go up of King Wang King Wang kingwangkingwangkingwankingwanking ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":98,"length":8,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":114,"length":7,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}}]}"><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="6aiuv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6aiuv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6aiuv-0-0">Which makes me wonder about how the people who buy into Rolex feel about waiting for years "for the call" to say "your watch is now available. I mean sure Rolex is a quality brand, but is it in any way worth that cost (and I don't just mean the money)?</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-0">Let me be clear here: this watch is <u>not a homage</u>, <b>it is a blatant knock-off </b>and (<i>for emphasis</i>) I am </span><span data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-1" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span><span data-offset-key="4fq8h-0-2"> promoting or encouraging you to buy this; thus there is no link nor promotion of this watch here. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="abh51-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="abh51-0-0"><span data-offset-key="abh51-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="abh51-0-0"><span data-offset-key="abh51-0-0">I also expect this watch to be complete shite, but even still, how could I resist. I mean if it actually presents OK and if it actually has a functioning chronograph mechanism ... I'm no calibre snob, so even though its quartz its worth examining. Not least because I don't know of any quartz movements which actually have a 30 minute sub dial counter (most have 60 minutes which makes reading the subdial vexing to say the least).</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="1a16n-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1a16n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1a16n-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1a16n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1a16n-0-0">However it underscores why I like Chinese Watches and why I am personally against Rolex as a brand. Now, to be clear I don't care if others buy Rolex, people can do what they want, but my point is this:</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0">When does it become somehow acceptable to force people to "prove their brand loyalty by making purchases of stuff they don't want, just so they can be put in the waiting list for what they do want. Lets forget about the fact that one has to pay tens of thousands for a watch of which the same quality could be had from a Chinese watch for one one hundredth of the price.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0">This video is worth watching:</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="368" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oD_Ja-Q-7Pc" width="484" youtube-src-id="oD_Ja-Q-7Pc"></iframe></div><br /><span data-offset-key="11tk7-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="9ak76-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9ak76-0-0">I can only describe this fascination with Rolex as King Wang (or the Emperors New Clothes).</div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9ak76-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9ak76-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ef8740" data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-0">To me the King is Dead, long live the King ... King Wang </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-0">...(chants go up of King Wang King Wang king</span><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">wangking</span><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-2">wangking</span><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-3" style="font-style: italic;">wanking</span><span data-offset-key="9p1kv-0-4">wanking )</span></div></div></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-29996285498654457912023-09-05T12:33:00.007+10:002023-09-06T06:19:04.809+10:00CADISEN DEUS homage<p>So, after much deliberation between the Sugess and the CADISEN versions of this watch I put my money down on the CADISEN.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUdR_8UuZcKzaC9Gss2zbrznRJcvmjXOWcrKfkLb2syn1uOXkCQQYaj0AynK55AhYvFoSgAT1WVIUMr2d2X02Kytp9r0_a3iWwWtLFWqa5YCek_dOcpqhAJZQ6wGFX6ljsCALeZPYxu_1RJ0Crq87MfgqfitB2zgXgYdacwyXms2GRp5FQuPOa6dF7p7/s2048/Cadisen_20230904_172410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUdR_8UuZcKzaC9Gss2zbrznRJcvmjXOWcrKfkLb2syn1uOXkCQQYaj0AynK55AhYvFoSgAT1WVIUMr2d2X02Kytp9r0_a3iWwWtLFWqa5YCek_dOcpqhAJZQ6wGFX6ljsCALeZPYxu_1RJ0Crq87MfgqfitB2zgXgYdacwyXms2GRp5FQuPOa6dF7p7/w640-h640/Cadisen_20230904_172410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For me the deciding factors were:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>smaller size case (51mm is actually wider than my 6.5" wrist)</li><li>the pushers</li><li>the chronograph seconds hand</li></ul><div>I was concerned about the more subdued colour scheme, but I'll get back to that.</div><p></p><p><b>Smaller size</b>, I couldn't conscion having a watch which is actually lug to lug wider than my actual wrist, its farcical. One day people will look back at the trend of watches and consider it like <i>Flairs</i> or <i>Safari Suits</i>. If I had a 9" wrist maybe.</p><p>T<b>he pushers</b>. The CADISEN has a different choice of Chronograph "stop/start" and "reset" pushers which are actually also found on a Breitling watch;</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwtDcJZN1LjwZAGF5-uEvtOUnMt2-sdhlSBURW77dzHJXyzIvfyUJpkFveRtqqvrq3gpqCm4GgX9Yu66KzeTDNCw4v2t78shiEALTATGNxU4CG-UPOdO7vC7pQvLWj6FdSv_9RLK7EJIjaNQh-YjR1WrEIYL0wnVSndCicj_lE4Yup3ZEyL8yv7LhkCJZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwtDcJZN1LjwZAGF5-uEvtOUnMt2-sdhlSBURW77dzHJXyzIvfyUJpkFveRtqqvrq3gpqCm4GgX9Yu66KzeTDNCw4v2t78shiEALTATGNxU4CG-UPOdO7vC7pQvLWj6FdSv_9RLK7EJIjaNQh-YjR1WrEIYL0wnVSndCicj_lE4Yup3ZEyL8yv7LhkCJZg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br />and frankly I find the "traditional" pushers to be like Chrome versions of Prawns Eyes.<p></p><p>Lastly I thought that the "<b>lightening bolt</b>" Chrono second hand of the Sugess was not my bag. I'll come back to that.</p><p>So with my expectations laid out I'd like to review the watch and give my The Good, The Bad and The Ugly</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIDGZ-8JZMgh29frNNtfY_Vd6jGqnwGorJdR1tEG0g0JLfNbo8jw6sXfGJCBLsTtRWAyHiwCj0jUzMPMG_GqEyNXPcwQ_LPDevICmRmQ4_IzJSGnIYDLQYt6ALYRum6_xkGDuFL5no2zeCTANW7u5DPaoQsFobZkOCcRuO4T2kDBn_tXfqQF1eC_TOjta" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="372" data-original-width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIDGZ-8JZMgh29frNNtfY_Vd6jGqnwGorJdR1tEG0g0JLfNbo8jw6sXfGJCBLsTtRWAyHiwCj0jUzMPMG_GqEyNXPcwQ_LPDevICmRmQ4_IzJSGnIYDLQYt6ALYRum6_xkGDuFL5no2zeCTANW7u5DPaoQsFobZkOCcRuO4T2kDBn_tXfqQF1eC_TOjta=s16000" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Good</h4><div>In a word the good is the specifications and component list</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>fit and size was exactly as I expected</li><li>hand alignment on the dial was perfect</li><li>colour coding of the hands (time in yellow, chrono in orange) worked as expected</li><li>the two sub dial ST1901 movement was everything I'd expected of it</li><li>it came with the Swan neck regulator (the latest adaptation on the ST19xx)</li><li>case finishing was as good as any proper commercial watch (so not like Baltany or Pagani)</li><li>Crystal and AR (inside only) was excellent</li><li>weight was good</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>You can see here that the weight of the CADISEN is very comparable to the weight of my Seiko SRPE. Note the annotations to the image of the CADISEN, I'll come back to that.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOYrNt6zkHLSEvBbn_cv4LB6zU6WrQSfAJkQiqfr6ku1mWB2naQbAJHD3EhO-rjamG7f0mR6ZF1E-UcmhcbHl7R5ArsCGyfaed9o_JmgUFZU9yBA2z07R2BmSgSJAVmsmoUlnwksqeINJecFCTMpoTkzaMFlJT1TmhBJGvM-b8f0YD2n8UAY3s8ODhIQ_/s1338/cadisen%20seiko%20weights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOYrNt6zkHLSEvBbn_cv4LB6zU6WrQSfAJkQiqfr6ku1mWB2naQbAJHD3EhO-rjamG7f0mR6ZF1E-UcmhcbHl7R5ArsCGyfaed9o_JmgUFZU9yBA2z07R2BmSgSJAVmsmoUlnwksqeINJecFCTMpoTkzaMFlJT1TmhBJGvM-b8f0YD2n8UAY3s8ODhIQ_/w618-h640/cadisen%20seiko%20weights.jpg" width="618" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now this leads me to talk about the case, and something I've not once seen mentioned (except in error) anywhere; be that Reddit or YouTube. Its almost like nobody reviewing these things has eye or knows what a watch looks like. The point is that on the lugs are protrusions that could be thought of as covers for drilled lugs or pins for attaching the strap. They are neither and are simply a feature of the case styling. You can see above how the positions of these faux lug pins are not inline with where the center of the spring bar is (see red circles and lines).</div><div><br /></div><div>Most curious</div><div><br /></div><div>The next thing about the case that I like, which is also not discussed anywhere, is the convex nature of the bezel. Its hard to be sure of that from the picture above, so this angle should make that pretty clear:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rXNT1TFpOFzZOdM0ZhfG89ST-O8bBDKYVwo_3sDLVzOTpCQEWNyNMJiRIASeqFAIqPZDBfV5HZpMjm9TgNksDrgNjFTKVrMKy1y2T_NS2uIiRHhUVtkr6ptLxMAMqqYGgUn0WYYXJ_gjLO3LGbn9vxW6bYD10f5RtfcXjYE-0vaQKa1_K5nTbGyMwsOx/s2000/IMG_20230904_172158_tmd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rXNT1TFpOFzZOdM0ZhfG89ST-O8bBDKYVwo_3sDLVzOTpCQEWNyNMJiRIASeqFAIqPZDBfV5HZpMjm9TgNksDrgNjFTKVrMKy1y2T_NS2uIiRHhUVtkr6ptLxMAMqqYGgUn0WYYXJ_gjLO3LGbn9vxW6bYD10f5RtfcXjYE-0vaQKa1_K5nTbGyMwsOx/w488-h640/IMG_20230904_172158_tmd.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><p>So both the upper and lower halves follow that same design cue. Combined with the screw down back (rather than the screw in back) it adds a really nice touch to the watch. You can again see the faux pins I mentioned on the lugs here</p><p>The crown is a good size (and needs to be for winding and feel of that) and operation is good. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Bad</h4><p></p><p>So what could possibly be bad here? Basically the problem is that a good watch is not just the list of its specifications.</p><p>I'll declare up front that I do need <i>readers</i> (reading glasses) to see fine print, but outside in daylight I don't. I can read the time on every watch I have: except the CADISEN where I have to really give it a look.</p><p><b>Why?</b> Well you can begin to see it in the picture above, and that is the hands. In an effort to put more lume area on the hands they've really taken up a lot of the width of the middle of the hand making seeing the hand (rather than the lume) difficult. </p><p>This results in the hand edge being than half a millimeter per side of the lume patch on the CADISEN and you frequently just can't see the rest of the hand. Indeed its bloody hard in some lighting (especially indoor artificial light) where the colour of the lume (which isn't glowing) blends in with the colour of the face and all you can see is two stubby hands. So telling the hour from the minute becomes something of a small study. Further in low light your ability to see colours fades off slowly into the black and white (<i>its a rods and cones thing</i>) and so the use of colour as the "tool of contrast" gradually fades.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PHxVQJEsXU3KbJhnBmVE0j4ldpRj9HY9O0oTcHWpmWXyALtsPbwnzZwUZ4vIkeTpyn92n6cyRodMOUbximMwY6p3SrNV1PcY4u12PHjbhIJpMBqykwBZnpL4PLG97K5o9p2GvyEKaEHYkvuVd4ofKwCMmAuJ8INVPKqZdpgCHwIJsBSAVfgWGoi9-KjQ/s2048/contrast%2020230905_090740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="2048" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PHxVQJEsXU3KbJhnBmVE0j4ldpRj9HY9O0oTcHWpmWXyALtsPbwnzZwUZ4vIkeTpyn92n6cyRodMOUbximMwY6p3SrNV1PcY4u12PHjbhIJpMBqykwBZnpL4PLG97K5o9p2GvyEKaEHYkvuVd4ofKwCMmAuJ8INVPKqZdpgCHwIJsBSAVfgWGoi9-KjQ/w640-h388/contrast%2020230905_090740.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>if you take a step back from the screen (or hold your phone further away) you'll see that the hour hand becomes a little harder to see. Adding in a little blur makes it worse. This massively increases the time taken to actually read the time (<i>but who uses a watch for that?</i>). For instance this shot of me just sitting on the couch. I had to actually know what time it was to verify, seeking the time would be harder, if the lights were dim then forget it.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjW7Z3YSyllquDNTOl8s3pFGlDhxq4zanuaOTvYlkYe2NU05MEq2f98LjTzbPjurCUGTkTYYnKPqEk7XMNVRZCozW4QhXj28JLW47Sp-WqJ9ujQFg5rsCV3SAUFvoSS9u0p5zxymoIfAI9mbRAOO6xlmuy69o6VevpiVqmoO_FYzzsPAGb8FhAIYcRIPn/s2000/IMG20230904160417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjW7Z3YSyllquDNTOl8s3pFGlDhxq4zanuaOTvYlkYe2NU05MEq2f98LjTzbPjurCUGTkTYYnKPqEk7XMNVRZCozW4QhXj28JLW47Sp-WqJ9ujQFg5rsCV3SAUFvoSS9u0p5zxymoIfAI9mbRAOO6xlmuy69o6VevpiVqmoO_FYzzsPAGb8FhAIYcRIPn/w480-h640/IMG20230904160417.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If looking for alternatives, then as far as I know its only the Sugess, which is a closer copy of the size of the Breitling at least. However the <b>Sugess fares only marginally better</b> and both are crap compared to the Breitling Top Time Deus when it comes to contrast.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglX1e-BjEL-VjfeBD0wi9a-tXBHG0NcvxlIBKUOXlVtlzUWBgWEeiIr9TPSYWEp4VpbX6729e_CHG5Gm0XTrZkh7n8muR30J6ScnlNmHPDhJcAMWTYKAEwgE5NmIQdsKjTa_ofC6_r4uMZWPWAbNfSbLAACi-pC7jZj8RMncmWDuPdfXGyksnuV1w1NRvA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="572" data-original-width="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglX1e-BjEL-VjfeBD0wi9a-tXBHG0NcvxlIBKUOXlVtlzUWBgWEeiIr9TPSYWEp4VpbX6729e_CHG5Gm0XTrZkh7n8muR30J6ScnlNmHPDhJcAMWTYKAEwgE5NmIQdsKjTa_ofC6_r4uMZWPWAbNfSbLAACi-pC7jZj8RMncmWDuPdfXGyksnuV1w1NRvA=s16000" /></a></div><br />Not one reviewer has ever pointed this out. Basically I've found this all but negates the readability of the CADISEN everywhere except bright outdoor light. Driving in the evening is just "forget it". Contrast is important for readability. <b>I'm sure if I ever get to hold a Breitling that it'll just pop</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly the second hand on the CADISEN is so thin as to be lost on the dial, again I'm going to call this "lack of contrast" as my Phylida is entirely legible in all situations. Here I've photographed my Phylida beside my Pagani and despite being back lit (for reducing contrast) the hands stand out.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJBkcbcVQBul_aDL3F8KDHFKPtzgID23DAUQqglvaeAmp-VCIgbSEvyAg4alK9SFzktKhnZnp78bhSDyw1zYlKPSyMlbAAKBu-a3GQdcQAWeyxFx20wXkjPITcglofbh8LlHbdCxuoDD4wmGnH3DA-QxBNozsfHFFesqRdPYQsr-B5YG9W_ZS9-_wPBZku" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="2000" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJBkcbcVQBul_aDL3F8KDHFKPtzgID23DAUQqglvaeAmp-VCIgbSEvyAg4alK9SFzktKhnZnp78bhSDyw1zYlKPSyMlbAAKBu-a3GQdcQAWeyxFx20wXkjPITcglofbh8LlHbdCxuoDD4wmGnH3DA-QxBNozsfHFFesqRdPYQsr-B5YG9W_ZS9-_wPBZku=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is reflected in daily wear where the Phylida can be easily seen with the naked eye in a dim restaurant. Were I wearing the Deus in (<i>say</i>) a conference or a cinema, I'd not have a bloody chance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile outside in daylight the Phylida (with similar polished applied markers) just pops and sparkles in the light</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg5_614-84fJpIMUSgXpWx_EdSMUfcGgSwjTEboDZePxnOwuM28xvW-uOmTLVhJoKylA0u4L-w1-fLk1zyzBy3QAWVQc5nKKGxHfFhF8IIDy55FQ5QMOalOa7PrsVdC3WNwIRly5QlLRAw9AUcbNygfG2iFobUaRVnygolFTMqihcdVK6Ug4_d3PE6sJs8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg5_614-84fJpIMUSgXpWx_EdSMUfcGgSwjTEboDZePxnOwuM28xvW-uOmTLVhJoKylA0u4L-w1-fLk1zyzBy3QAWVQc5nKKGxHfFhF8IIDy55FQ5QMOalOa7PrsVdC3WNwIRly5QlLRAw9AUcbNygfG2iFobUaRVnygolFTMqihcdVK6Ug4_d3PE6sJs8=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div><br />The CADISEN not so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you want a watch that <b>you can tell the time from at a glance</b>, and maybe don't have perfect vision or are always in perfect lighting then the CADISEN is not your bag baby.</div><div><br /></div><div>You'll notice I haven't even bothered with examining the performance of the lume ... that's because none of the watches featured here (except perhaps the Breitling) have any lume duration worth mentioning.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Ugly</h4><div>So this is where it gets bad, the mechanism for the Chronograph has problems right out of the box. Best described in this short video.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="363" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H29NkyvsmlQ" width="445" youtube-src-id="H29NkyvsmlQ"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So basically what I believe is at work here is that the pusher button is attached to a rod which slides though a tube (and I hope also a seal) and pushes on the lever that engages the chronograph.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has manufacturing problems in the following ways:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>the rod has a bullet shaped end</li><li>the rod is perhaps a little short</li><li>the rod is off axis by about half the width of the rod where it actually engages with the lever</li><li>the lever has a flat (but narrow) surface that needs to be pressed centrally while allowing for it to move laterally as part of its rocking.</li></ol><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9jVFokjmyJ_NoHQKDPMVqW17BtGI_snnhSC3GXPwII4lrE8R9R88N-ZnHqGcpNp92LsxzW_raWBhCMT-xuZqOKBAUHDXo9JykBddilGprvNT0cgRja64jSlTUGyMsd1r2UNE_28a24Fc9Cwfw6yzDgKVQIRLtqynf9hmjEmFE6aujNEDPK9sh4uRzq3Oz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9jVFokjmyJ_NoHQKDPMVqW17BtGI_snnhSC3GXPwII4lrE8R9R88N-ZnHqGcpNp92LsxzW_raWBhCMT-xuZqOKBAUHDXo9JykBddilGprvNT0cgRja64jSlTUGyMsd1r2UNE_28a24Fc9Cwfw6yzDgKVQIRLtqynf9hmjEmFE6aujNEDPK9sh4uRzq3Oz=s16000" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div>I have another Chronograph with an ST190x movement in it (my Phylida) and its rod is flat and at a slightly better angle (for the needs of the lever). So basically unless this particular watch has the wrong type of end on the actuating rod then I believe this is a problem which is going to plague the CASIDEN watch of this type.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h4><div>So there you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly. I am a bit sad that this hasn't worked out, but at the same time the discovery now (rather than a year or two later) of this issue has allowed me to dodge a bullet (so to speak).</div><div><br /></div><div>While I'd really like to have liked this watch, and really it had so much going for it, I just can't.</div><div><br /></div><div>So back it goes.</div><div><br /></div><div>HTH</div><p></p></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-63877501753770448252023-08-10T09:44:00.012+10:002023-08-11T17:12:58.512+10:00my new bike: 1985 Yamaha SR500<p>I'd ridden one of these once (belonged to a riding friend) but certainly spent more time on the later models (<i>the SR-X</i>) and indeed before buying the KTM Duke 390 was actively searching for one. Sadly everything I saw was in crap condition or done up in a way that I hated (<i>some wankers gravy stroke dream of what a cafe racer should look like</i>). Still looking, I eventually found this one:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TwAyu79nkNN3VGpmhnWTuHvO6mzb9GfA3CPNB4fmOGMC34WWhY40tVEcyHoB2Ec9ofPZ-3MxodwbbFxsr2TxOPJ0qHDJ8AiAVbFTKf6QRcowGfF7MN36JuckolUXXaOUN7RB32OJot8zmLafqoC7Rb8-wnp8ceQkgEHqoUfvGb7SOQ6-_M1cWks5LXBd/s1920/SR500-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TwAyu79nkNN3VGpmhnWTuHvO6mzb9GfA3CPNB4fmOGMC34WWhY40tVEcyHoB2Ec9ofPZ-3MxodwbbFxsr2TxOPJ0qHDJ8AiAVbFTKf6QRcowGfF7MN36JuckolUXXaOUN7RB32OJot8zmLafqoC7Rb8-wnp8ceQkgEHqoUfvGb7SOQ6-_M1cWks5LXBd/w640-h360/SR500-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was exactly what I was looking for: an honest looking version which hasn't been done up like an old slag at a nightclub to pretend she's at her prime. As well I was attracted to the fact that it has drum brakes on the front, making it both rare and easy to own. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLApdKihdLtjj4OElTX5zPvE6WuufzNNn8Qx_qjlFytPnio2XCOB1laSYGzlZ4_CpkbwRPttswrNssKe3esDuQABR9Hgn34U1_5JGYsLiwjaazWw0vuRxkMpKcTEyymiitBC3AASwoW0QyGXE7utUianZNHgVLiRl4s6iLU5sl-1jMzf7TdRg1QlRRaIlI" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="272" data-original-width="254" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLApdKihdLtjj4OElTX5zPvE6WuufzNNn8Qx_qjlFytPnio2XCOB1laSYGzlZ4_CpkbwRPttswrNssKe3esDuQABR9Hgn34U1_5JGYsLiwjaazWw0vuRxkMpKcTEyymiitBC3AASwoW0QyGXE7utUianZNHgVLiRl4s6iLU5sl-1jMzf7TdRg1QlRRaIlI=w187-h200" width="187" /></a></div>Now this last point will prove contentious, but being quite familiar with drum brakes, and being in the midst of the messy job of replacing the seals in my 2006 Yamaha brakes (<i>twin disc, hydraulic, dual piston callipers</i>), which have finally decided to stick to the pistons (<i>causing problems not least of which was parts availability</i>); the thought of needing to do that (and more) to a 1985 bike which has been sitting around for some time bothered me. So I looked for a drum brake version as a preference.<p></p><p>I already have decades of experience on bikes with drum brakes and know that 99.9% of the time the braking of drums is entirely sufficient (and I'm not making this a track bike so I don't need that 0.1% time). The small picture the the left there is me on my 80's Honda H100 2 stroke that I used to ride to Uni.</p><p>I suppose that some younger people will have mixed feelings about this, but to me the whole bike oozes genuine time traveller (who didn't short cut time).</p><p>From the tank ...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedryZF1WJdA-mj369LcLvO6qgqUGpQnDL5q3nAcyGDzfQ2dwGOi5D_Ht5-kbQ0KdIPVHNFC-pLwuyW4bNIb9-bX9NV8FU9nR8w3DCwXXq6utGyl_HC3FzD2Rwyfou2KKg7H7qmvJG0Q153NA_bM5tum7KooA5PtiZmge1EQ3P_mLBjw6wkdYBsuGUOwmS/s2048/tank%20patina.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedryZF1WJdA-mj369LcLvO6qgqUGpQnDL5q3nAcyGDzfQ2dwGOi5D_Ht5-kbQ0KdIPVHNFC-pLwuyW4bNIb9-bX9NV8FU9nR8w3DCwXXq6utGyl_HC3FzD2Rwyfou2KKg7H7qmvJG0Q153NA_bM5tum7KooA5PtiZmge1EQ3P_mLBjw6wkdYBsuGUOwmS/w640-h480/tank%20patina.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />through to the frame (with little bits of surface rust). I just love that honesty (<i>in not trying to hide anything beneath paint bog and polish</i>).<p></p><p><b>Its so relaxing to ride</b>, the low torque means also that I can avoid changing gears coming into slower corners and still pull out with just 2000rpm on the clock. With the KTM 390 Duke still in the stable here I can say that the old SR500 is more torquey, easy to ride at least as fun to ride and perhaps even a bit faster than the KTM. The specs of the two bikes make this clear too. </p><p>FWIW I rolled it onto a local weighbridge here and it weighs about 160kg (oil in the engine, fuel in the tank.</p><p>Naturally as soon as I got it I did some basic services (changed oil and filter, checked valve clearances) and found that everything (well not the oil) was in excellent condition (relieved).</p><p>However on the 3rd day it wouldn't start. Bugger. So I started with the sparkplug (<i>took it out</i>) looking for evidence of fuel (<i>on the sparkplug</i>) or spark (<i>resting it against the motor and kicking it over</i>). Found fuel no spark. Long story short <b>I found the problem under the timing cover</b>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1eZZqy58kM79aiIGZG9MC8kdpE73K2ubF8gBjQNhXF5QhVbmZPmEeyEhUGW0_xvvQCZ2-5uHwmT6isxQYdfBWkEaXJdsrHKrtQc28LKj_q2ewszl2dzmqAYsfLHM3j78yVr_O0huMULaFxURHsVMG2kM5Ue2pO1uZzqavppXZ3_PuBSpvoCrKksmuG7v/s2056/SR%20Gunky.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1eZZqy58kM79aiIGZG9MC8kdpE73K2ubF8gBjQNhXF5QhVbmZPmEeyEhUGW0_xvvQCZ2-5uHwmT6isxQYdfBWkEaXJdsrHKrtQc28LKj_q2ewszl2dzmqAYsfLHM3j78yVr_O0huMULaFxURHsVMG2kM5Ue2pO1uZzqavppXZ3_PuBSpvoCrKksmuG7v/w466-h640/SR%20Gunky.png" width="466" /></a></div><br /><p>I basically (still) have no clear idea how this mush of water and oil emulsion got there, none the less it needed cleaning out. So I took pictures, passed them around some friends who knew a few things, cleaned it up (<i>taking off the flywheel and checking the stator coils and crank seal</i>) and put it back together.</p><p><b>A couple of kicks</b>, a back fire (which encouraged me) <b>then - Started!</b> (<i>and the crowd cheered</i>). I believe that the solution is that the coil up there (red circle and arrow) was being blocked from "seeing" the rotation of the flywheel and thus it stopped sparking when the oil/water emulsion got too much.</p><p>Somehow I felt like I'd passed a test, but either way I was unaccountably happy.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Why this bike?</h4><p>As you may have guessed by now (especially if you read this blog much) a reason why I targeted the SR is not only because I like riding bikes, but also because I like doing things myself. The SR represents a point in motorcycle evolution where the owner could do everything needed for basic maintenance themselves but was sufficiently advanced that it was as fast as needed to keep up with modern traffic.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No fuel injection</li><li>Simple air cooled engine</li><li>Single over head cam</li><li>Valve maintenance by screw and lock nut adjusters</li></ul><div>You see I've run the gauntlet of having to find good mechanics and in the middle having crappy work being done to my motorcycles by idiots (as described in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) for decades. Further I've gained great personal satisfaction from the outcomes. Its really become a way of life for me now not least because of the personal satisfaction I get from it. I very much subscribe to the interpretation of Nietzsche's "Will to Power" being the exercising of my own personal power to facilitate my needs and enhance my independence. Just like any of my projects be it <b><a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/08/solar-floor-heating-house-again.html">solar floor heating</a></b> or <b><a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/03/over-paneled.html">building my shed</a></b>, the successful outcomes give me a sense of satisfaction and indeed happiness that just never comes from hedonistic pursuits (eating, fucking, and other transient pleasures), although I like them too ;-)</div><p></p><p>The supplied toolkit underscores this design philosophy is embedded in the bike by Yamaha; I've never seen a toolkit (outside of old BMW motorcycles) which comes with everything you need to keep the bike running nicely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ3U81bw9SRRgQKqzWVCwYeyktv8sa3tU1wvZ-VbUH17djBBZkdDrl-rQJIBrlfLE2P3zmqMUugr6bkQmqyCSIwPtDCKsAAfJpejAO3FeOtG8lnNz6g8ySnEh2lmIcgilDk-vfEMOyW1ewRVtiTIvkp6qcfQk9zxPuTKfRk2Er-pzwm9ewxmqItSocOyo/s1920/toolkit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ3U81bw9SRRgQKqzWVCwYeyktv8sa3tU1wvZ-VbUH17djBBZkdDrl-rQJIBrlfLE2P3zmqMUugr6bkQmqyCSIwPtDCKsAAfJpejAO3FeOtG8lnNz6g8ySnEh2lmIcgilDk-vfEMOyW1ewRVtiTIvkp6qcfQk9zxPuTKfRk2Er-pzwm9ewxmqItSocOyo/w640-h360/toolkit.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h4><p>The small problems at the beginning of owning this bike were sort of like it testing me: is my new owner a narcissist or a competent human who'll look after me. You see my focus on philosophy these last ten years or so has led me to a different understanding. A book I read some time ago by Matthew B Crawford made some points about the differences in personality type between people. Let me quote:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>A washing machine, for example, surely exists to serve our needs, but in contending with one that is broken, you have to ask what it needs. At such a moment, technology is no longer a means by which our mastery of the world is extended, but an affront to our usual self-absorption. Constantly seeking self-affirmation, the narcissist views everything as an extension of his will, and therefore has only a tenuous grasp on the world of objects as something independent. He is prone to magical thinking and delusions of omnipotence. </i></p><p><i>A repairman, on the other hand, puts himself in the service of others, and fixes the things they depend on. His relationship to objects enacts a more solid sort of command, based on real understanding. For this very reason, his work also chastens the easy fantasy of mastery that permeates modern culture</i>.</p></blockquote><p>I recommend the book, you can buy it on Amazon (<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/0143117467/">here</a></b>, <i>and note I make nothing from recommending it</i>).</p><p>The small trials I've been through at the start of this process have enabled me to see again <b>that its through the struggle that success tastes sweeter</b> and <b>its in the power you have and the ability to develop it that leads to the most salient rewards</b>.</p><p>Enjoy</p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-50987493055808332722023-07-19T16:45:00.011+10:002023-09-05T12:33:53.756+10:00Baltany field chronograph notes<p>I recently read of this watch and thought (after watching a few reviews) to see how it felt on my wrist (because that's the only way to actually know). I wasn't disappointed too much, mostly I think its excellent (and its growing on me).</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Wots good</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<p>Well for starters, I like the understated and simple pragmatic appearance. The VK67 movement is excellent, well regarded and reliable, I applaud its use here because I hate having a 3 dial chronograph where one of the dials does nothing more than show you what the hour hand is already showing you. </p><p>The AR coated Sapphire Crystal is perfect, adds nothing flashy and indeed is perfect because it makes for clear unimpeded view of the face. I frankly don't give a tinkers toss about Sapphire vs Hardlex because I don't give a toss about the occasional scratch, however that AR coating on the inner surface really just makes the watch all about the dial (the crystal that covers it just about vanishes).</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBn87enZBUfP4gyPrbWWY99jm4HsSMa9jfcudhxmP191ytbVXEyoQPWxh8aAJwMfaIGZXFh5vbM8Cf7zG0sSx9fJf3AzTE8-E_x8KyYHscFCu7kA7vtexYAQmEtjCe-NUo8g1tY1F8o3tB_QQwyyYjc1faUTav17a-WuEMh3BwnjcRn7bjvJ8In0rR7gH/s2048/IMG20230719090819-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBn87enZBUfP4gyPrbWWY99jm4HsSMa9jfcudhxmP191ytbVXEyoQPWxh8aAJwMfaIGZXFh5vbM8Cf7zG0sSx9fJf3AzTE8-E_x8KyYHscFCu7kA7vtexYAQmEtjCe-NUo8g1tY1F8o3tB_QQwyyYjc1faUTav17a-WuEMh3BwnjcRn7bjvJ8In0rR7gH/w640-h480/IMG20230719090819-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As you can see above its a 3 sub-dial chronograph with screw down crown and pushers. People like to go on about how this makes for an improvement in water resistance but actually what I am attracted to most about this design is that you don't accidentally start or stop the chrono. Wound out for use they present a nice button to press.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge_CNK18SaArdBBszaeu56rML79Gu5joEJSyIFwjjFVM6ieEESEtAsKCpU0TNyZQgGh07Spp6Fwa3e4kaHyHaCdPOfnmlugNAlRuYlklGnumNYEx842DYqZs0NUQEIxyVNhxjDfv74G_cDy6RIX4WB6InifS43Ds-moJXNjzSeR8W7QGBtpbX-s8EcAUWs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1200" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge_CNK18SaArdBBszaeu56rML79Gu5joEJSyIFwjjFVM6ieEESEtAsKCpU0TNyZQgGh07Spp6Fwa3e4kaHyHaCdPOfnmlugNAlRuYlklGnumNYEx842DYqZs0NUQEIxyVNhxjDfv74G_cDy6RIX4WB6InifS43Ds-moJXNjzSeR8W7QGBtpbX-s8EcAUWs=w640-h250" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wound back down they stop accidental movement. Unlike some other movements I've had (my Pagani comes to mind) the feel and action of the pushers is good and definite.<div><p></p><p>So while there are a couple of points which I feel are totally absent from mention in most reviews, I'll also run through the basics here too. But I won't cover stuff which is adequatly covered in most of the very positive reviews.</p><p>When unboxing I found a very nice padded case and an actual filled out, dated and stamped warranty card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFhPLbGqlAP9FJPJOYYEiUfgNz3-tPkmU7tnn-GZn5GXQ198BLE8rnsddO0q19Y4xQAK06ez7DElU5GQTuhNHq3eh9mIXZXPPxA621TlKZUwzwTmAUzYrYl4iQJUc4idZjCvzlHeIQLVbQfnQNG28fqtTSYZyeagJz5vaXgGi0leUGjWgnMQwoCu2jhs3/s1054/montage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1054" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFhPLbGqlAP9FJPJOYYEiUfgNz3-tPkmU7tnn-GZn5GXQ198BLE8rnsddO0q19Y4xQAK06ez7DElU5GQTuhNHq3eh9mIXZXPPxA621TlKZUwzwTmAUzYrYl4iQJUc4idZjCvzlHeIQLVbQfnQNG28fqtTSYZyeagJz5vaXgGi0leUGjWgnMQwoCu2jhs3/w640-h590/montage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The supplied NATO is actually what I call good</b>, meaning that its thin, flexible, soft (not coarse) and has nice hardware.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEObkof7ZZbWvJJrogqvm2F84I_tQ_YoNQb80ZqDoOQ68pkV0XOphkIsNKh_x0ARvhdjqlrlaZ_lr2MglC-1C61NBtx3npt7dtSqKO1TUeieT8EgR9igTb_Dr1GxIPcyUdbV8FSMrE6ZaMZUMJaBPQYn-vU2ap17kp3U11W2GXzky1tnzHd8o16y2Byt2i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1200" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEObkof7ZZbWvJJrogqvm2F84I_tQ_YoNQb80ZqDoOQ68pkV0XOphkIsNKh_x0ARvhdjqlrlaZ_lr2MglC-1C61NBtx3npt7dtSqKO1TUeieT8EgR9igTb_Dr1GxIPcyUdbV8FSMrE6ZaMZUMJaBPQYn-vU2ap17kp3U11W2GXzky1tnzHd8o16y2Byt2i=w640-h561" width="640" /></a></div><br />Its black, despite how it looks in the lighting here.<p></p><p>The watch is a nice and neat (but busy) dial which is helped by <b>the fantastic domed sapphire crystal which has AR coating on the back side</b>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglnM-UL6Tb7ceOIVHjVEkr301G8g_XR3QLemg82fENBW2SCg6A69nRwWtujQIFdP64H5ouOCPat3_CRFdxWVfnYOq8BvcLm6h1CWqvKOXOCFcVVSi2ZKc1Co_CkTORckA8d3MLGD-vUYi3aagfkPCFc8xmaNOoh2WpizMMEfqINDMDluP_9VUgRHzh8bHm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglnM-UL6Tb7ceOIVHjVEkr301G8g_XR3QLemg82fENBW2SCg6A69nRwWtujQIFdP64H5ouOCPat3_CRFdxWVfnYOq8BvcLm6h1CWqvKOXOCFcVVSi2ZKc1Co_CkTORckA8d3MLGD-vUYi3aagfkPCFc8xmaNOoh2WpizMMEfqINDMDluP_9VUgRHzh8bHm=w440-h640" width="440" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I happen to prefer to my watch on a leather strap (sourced from the design school of NATO straps) for "daily wear" and only put it onto a NATO (actual milspec is only nylon) when doing yard work or the like.</p><p>My wrist is about 6.5" and you can see the ends of the lugs come close to extending beyond my wrist (but don't quite). I measure the width of my wrist at a shade over 50mm and so when I wear a watch like my Seiko SRPE (with just over 44mm lug to lug) I'm more comfortable with that being the maximum size I like to wear.</p><p>The Baltany is also nicely weighted at just over 55.3g (no strap, with spring bars). This is also very close to my Seiko (which is a mechanical and an automatic so it must include a weight for the winding rotor) which weighs just over 59.6g. I'd call them near enough to equal.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Hand placement</h4><div>This is pretty good in my view, although <i>not perfect</i> on the chronograph seconds, the critical ones are entirely sufficient. Shown below is the chrono stopped at just shy 54 seconds</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvfCsc1qRLzThX4-hVVxRmWyLDs5RtPeCRYi9gEj7pOWt83miOVAmk3C9eNzmNd3Y6yfLx-JcqKmqJ9l0wB0iuy5vKrYPrkyErDcvobxne4PYmh-8C30ZVS66Mi2tSalTYxz4AUkzh1H--b46jwI9Z6fVUz9_mEbOMaMuiaBGI2x7KSiNPpM67x4cnVKL/s2730/IMG_20230724_082611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvfCsc1qRLzThX4-hVVxRmWyLDs5RtPeCRYi9gEj7pOWt83miOVAmk3C9eNzmNd3Y6yfLx-JcqKmqJ9l0wB0iuy5vKrYPrkyErDcvobxne4PYmh-8C30ZVS66Mi2tSalTYxz4AUkzh1H--b46jwI9Z6fVUz9_mEbOMaMuiaBGI2x7KSiNPpM67x4cnVKL/w480-h640/IMG_20230724_082611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Its bloody hard to read this by eye as even the non-magnified image is going to be bigger than it looks at wrist distance when you're also doing something (like driving) and can't just stare at it to be sure. I guess being myopic helps (but I'm long sighted so it doesn't).</p><p>This is where things stop being so nice.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Wots not so good</h4><p>The dial is a bit busy and the lume is shit. The large sword hands obscure the ability to read the Chrono more often than I'd anticipate. </p><p>Its not the watches fault, but why the hell did Seiko make the minute counter 60 minutes per rotation rather than 30? 30 Min would mean it would be much easier to read the chronograph minutes (having twice the space per minute). C'mon fellas ... there's a reason why Omega and Seagull did that.</p><p>Next I'm going to say finishing. Now this needs defining a bit, because to most reviewers on YouTube (<i>notice I'm not on YouTube here</i>) the term "finishing" only seems to refer to if a surface is brushed or polished. To me finishing means that edges are not sharp (meaning feeling like "that's sharper than a my cutlery knife") this is done by some amount of bevelling or chamfering. Lets take a look at what to the naked eye (meaning no macro lens) this edge (red arrows) appears as a "sharp" delineation ...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQCQeFOATO5uf8MgUOxEBoC-b4KzwjJ5Sd499rAky0TImbs0E9MwJePim1FGiMsrS97LrN1Vsywna2vD1bntH4PITcH0HDCd3tTszlKIamcyzM49vXv6k-o4weBtUxzkev0itNcpk2rhRJmPBqAMCHTA2ral_zF7UltCXetHGZoOPbWEIM5wLyyeBX2Xe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQCQeFOATO5uf8MgUOxEBoC-b4KzwjJ5Sd499rAky0TImbs0E9MwJePim1FGiMsrS97LrN1Vsywna2vD1bntH4PITcH0HDCd3tTszlKIamcyzM49vXv6k-o4weBtUxzkev0itNcpk2rhRJmPBqAMCHTA2ral_zF7UltCXetHGZoOPbWEIM5wLyyeBX2Xe=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and in the blue elipse there is some sort of chamfer making it easier to put a strap in and it not rub against the watch case (<i>damaging my leather strap, which happened</i>). Note also the complexity of the curves in making the case and the lugs? Difficult to do. Note that even my Pagani had a go (rather rough) of making a chamfer for the strap (<a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/02/pagani-design-speedmaster.html">full blog post on that here</a>)<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsdvhPbwh-8hHPzC9IeLeFoA4VqQKocveUKXan1SY0thD5ap5V4O29WZzyjRPCSm2flqtbVso8S713t7YKmAMTHc9tVYdlsg1_beN5Yal0xmzxNDDjLkIgwcG4ygzmCfYwvDX8p-z2fidq27YK8_kQHjY2bG8EFlIXL3WCX6BKcQAh3Az5iUf3bPBpg/s2048/IMG20230206100516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsdvhPbwh-8hHPzC9IeLeFoA4VqQKocveUKXan1SY0thD5ap5V4O29WZzyjRPCSm2flqtbVso8S713t7YKmAMTHc9tVYdlsg1_beN5Yal0xmzxNDDjLkIgwcG4ygzmCfYwvDX8p-z2fidq27YK8_kQHjY2bG8EFlIXL3WCX6BKcQAh3Az5iUf3bPBpg/w640-h360/IMG20230206100516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p>Now lets compare that to the case of the Baltany</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSNto-5vr6HZ3KbQg-_v2nsbcDraPJiduA0sztEttBB53ubM-fFrFR6LdvCbAqicduwM38eRC0JvsMVnb975_S1mCRVnHuZLp_LKfQGA38Zdchqi9Dwy13NkLtHjyJnj5x8RTrFPFLaqONauPmtQ6fH3gfZWVdhH1kF6PqQSuS1FYWGJVIpY8wOlJrWyo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSNto-5vr6HZ3KbQg-_v2nsbcDraPJiduA0sztEttBB53ubM-fFrFR6LdvCbAqicduwM38eRC0JvsMVnb975_S1mCRVnHuZLp_LKfQGA38Zdchqi9Dwy13NkLtHjyJnj5x8RTrFPFLaqONauPmtQ6fH3gfZWVdhH1kF6PqQSuS1FYWGJVIpY8wOlJrWyo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hard, flat and sharp, much cheaper to machine. Indeed from the side here you can see that the curve on the lugs actually lifts the watch off the table. This is both good and bad. Its good because it puts the strap attachment place more in line with the curve of the strap so that its not clamping your watch onto your arm with pressure (<i>this is more exacerbated with a smaller wrist</i>) but its bad because it brings the lugs much closer to you (<i>and can poke into you with a simple single pass strap</i>).<p></p><p>Lets look at 2 other watches I have the Seiko and the Pagani Design Speedmaster homage</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdNJYZcfz71DxDQw8stV3gp0hRC-Zyzqk_rk5xcjmDSr-yIHfXeUJYzD41VpqO_o0sHJgC7V0cOjeHTgh2KQcQVcHlId5Ex8h32EVuJ8xqDQehvxwyEyS5zQNf22rQs6WdNb4tfEDkU0OqnMh61_eIRqqpuNQN5B4K-7HlXQRBNM9eVjUtEz4iQxwiAF7a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdNJYZcfz71DxDQw8stV3gp0hRC-Zyzqk_rk5xcjmDSr-yIHfXeUJYzD41VpqO_o0sHJgC7V0cOjeHTgh2KQcQVcHlId5Ex8h32EVuJ8xqDQehvxwyEyS5zQNf22rQs6WdNb4tfEDkU0OqnMh61_eIRqqpuNQN5B4K-7HlXQRBNM9eVjUtEz4iQxwiAF7a=w600-h640" width="600" /></a></div><br />You can compare with other watches you have, but aside from wrist rolls and faffing about with words like "<i>how the light plays off the watch</i>" (and I'm like FFS, haven't you ever seen a Christmas Tree decoration ball?) I've not seen any direct mention of this issue.<p></p><p>The careful eye will observe that I've actually used a diamond file on the edge of the Pagani and put a small bevel on it, because it was about sharp enough to cut. The careful eye will also notice that my Seiko has some evidence of the (almost daily) wear its had since 2020.</p><p><b>Straps are tight</b>, due to a lack of thought about the lug drill location. Its so tight you can barely thread a NATO in. The spring bar visible here is 1.8mm in thickness ...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcbUbUwn6X7OypvE4axef3HY3fBK9vIr3VF-8ICGAgnZGvXjdAlsHAhLGx6NiGcHOaKVA9SZXs80rgHN1z9_Ly5WlACvf1wjYznGJTomltHuQ1p9nc-KblfONN-MR2M5_4-kmiKRxRVE1-s1E65N1QqVUJC-o68N44u9x-OdK6uKuDjx-pHW1ZDHxMls6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="522" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcbUbUwn6X7OypvE4axef3HY3fBK9vIr3VF-8ICGAgnZGvXjdAlsHAhLGx6NiGcHOaKVA9SZXs80rgHN1z9_Ly5WlACvf1wjYznGJTomltHuQ1p9nc-KblfONN-MR2M5_4-kmiKRxRVE1-s1E65N1QqVUJC-o68N44u9x-OdK6uKuDjx-pHW1ZDHxMls6=w640-h278" width="640" /></a></div><br />... <b>and another spring bar will not pass through between it and the case</b>, meaning its impossible to fit in a "luxury" NATO strap without removing the spring bars.</div><div><br /></div><div>Further because that edge is so sharp there it shaved the polish off my strap (and I had to remove the normal spring bar to enable me to release my strap without more damage.</div><div><p></p><p>This is the only watch I have which is like this.</p><p>Getting back to the chamfer I spoke of, <b>its present also on knobs</b>, this means its actually part of good. You can see its presence on the edges of the grip for the screw down covers on the chronograph pushers and its also present on the crown too. </p><p>More than I can say for the Pagani which was also just a straight cut without any chamfer.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZiiJ6CU3GELVM16Ke5oZxWzhqeuWL_68X_7J_20oU7HHeyOCvNERBoArJTSCfsMPBM75EcNNoU71Jr1Qp8htcPuFgVMq_M_sl5sglTPYFD1U40RZdW1vynlbgIHPmS6PQ8vKvuUo38-9_UvdXNkm5XZWzXaFdr0rdMhkUXU4FEvSAUFkdqf5beOimI7e6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZiiJ6CU3GELVM16Ke5oZxWzhqeuWL_68X_7J_20oU7HHeyOCvNERBoArJTSCfsMPBM75EcNNoU71Jr1Qp8htcPuFgVMq_M_sl5sglTPYFD1U40RZdW1vynlbgIHPmS6PQ8vKvuUo38-9_UvdXNkm5XZWzXaFdr0rdMhkUXU4FEvSAUFkdqf5beOimI7e6=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So the crown finish and the grips on the screw down locks on the pushers are good.</p><p>As you can see here on a crown there are cuts in to give grip (the red line) and then a chamfer to make it not so sharp. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB72A-H_8HcU-gXgWmNpRSV26M4vqjlnWnoIhsIeGhDsAfFRPdqAdNaCmIHV6aTUtXQrj6R9zNfa5owzc6aTFV89GAei1nzbwm1XMorx-5uOM3uiAjv7zBaigqoP_iRSEYzDVVIWI7vA59ZY069KDaj6XHl8Bmr9VagO6ie24JyyWhgNdZV82Q9YnN5L2I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="429" data-original-width="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB72A-H_8HcU-gXgWmNpRSV26M4vqjlnWnoIhsIeGhDsAfFRPdqAdNaCmIHV6aTUtXQrj6R9zNfa5owzc6aTFV89GAei1nzbwm1XMorx-5uOM3uiAjv7zBaigqoP_iRSEYzDVVIWI7vA59ZY069KDaj6XHl8Bmr9VagO6ie24JyyWhgNdZV82Q9YnN5L2I=s16000" /></a></div><br />I call that part of "finishing".<div><br /></div><div>Going back to the above macro of my watch, you may also notice a strange discolouration around the knobs, yes that's visible with the magnifying glass, but again its nothing you'd spot by eye (probably).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll update this in the morning with the view of the Lume (which I expect will be good). <div><div><p></p></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Bottom line</h4></div></div><div>If I knew this and had access to sharp eyed reviews I perhaps wouldn't have bought this watch, instead for <i>little less money</i> I'd buy a Seiko (who makes that VK67 movement BTW) or a Pulsar (a sub brand of Seiko) and probably be able to get to try it on in a shop before. </div><div><br /></div><div>Instead almost every review on YouTube spouted the same stuff (almost like a bunch of AI's copying each other).</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Still the thing which <i>really</i> stands out on this watch is the effect that the AR coated Sapphire crystal has on visibility. Its fantastic. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Would that really tip my hand if I knew all this then? Dunno.</div><div><br /></div><div>This underscores my experience of Chinese watches. You can get something you can't otherwise easily get, from China on Ali (such as an ST19xx movement in a fully mechanical watch or a cheap homage of a much more expensive watch) <b>and</b> at a good price. But if you just believe every YouTuber out there you can get suckered into thinking that quality of finish you have come to expect (even in a cheap Seiko) just isn't there..</div><div><br /></div><div>Live and Learn I say.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Still, no harm done, because the difference would be only a few bucks and all I bought was a chinese case and assembly and got a Sapphire crystal thrown in for a few bucks.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Wearing for a week</h4><div>Its interesting, the dial looks like it'll be easy to read, but in many cases isn't. For instance:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>its often the case that I can't see the chrono sub dials because the hands are so thick (interestingly the original Omega never suffers from this, nor the Phylida (<i>if only that was a proper 3 dial chrono not a 2 dial chrono with a useless hour hand added</i>) either</li><li>in lower light you need to get some reflections off that chrono seconds hand because the little red tip is nigh impossible to find fast (and when driving and timing things you don't want to stare at it)</li><li>really, who the hell thought dividing an itty bitty sub dial into 60 seconds rather than 30 seconds would be smart. You have to be TOTALLY sure that you're seeing 15 not 14 or 16 minutes</li><li>the lack of quick change on the minute counter is not just a feature its a must because at 30seconds or so then guessing the measured minutes is pretty much a coin flip (<i>not least because the hands are not placed with scientific instrument precision</i>)</li></ul><div>Watch feels nice on and the above mentioned lug design really does (IMO) make it more comfortable on the smaller wrist (mine's 6.5").</div><div><br /></div><div>Time keeping accuracy of the watch is of course everything you'd expect from a Seiko VK movement, 2 seconds a week.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-32113175823280729422023-06-12T14:58:00.008+10:002023-06-12T15:12:18.986+10:00Does Pagani have AR on the inside surface of their crystal?<p>I recently bought a couple of Chinese Speedmaster "<i>Homage</i>" watches on Aliexpress. I started out with the <b>Pagani PD-1701</b> (review <a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/02/pagani-design-speedmaster.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>) and for various reasons had a try of the (more expensive) <b>Phylida</b> (comparison and review <a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/06/phylida-chronometer.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>) because it had the desirable <a href="https://kaminskyblog.com/2017/09/12/seagull-st19-chronograph-movement-review-brief-history/" target="_blank"><b>ST1902 chronograph hand wound movement</b></a> in it. The reasons are in those reviews.</p><p>However it became obvious to me that something was different in the visual of the Phylida watch as it had a more milky looking view to the face than the much higher contrast (black is black) version on the Pagani. I considered this for a while (see that comparison) and wasn't certain. However now I'm pretty certain that its that the PD-1701 actually has AR on the back of the crystal (best place for it if you ask me).</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0E6-RtJuw5OSCYPQ41CdEKRyKqj2a4_G_SH1lwlHIXuqjNCOp7Df9LftyIm5Tt3BaKnRA1CXuSvjPmgzwjKzHsF8bvK-Vz57xYb3_4x_4NKUE7KkBiKtdT5rLmwZzLTdh-2qR-aMI2fFA7KMbgLYbE-EWersoruwOvoAL466dANDG5n4NIDnQJ55AFA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1804" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0E6-RtJuw5OSCYPQ41CdEKRyKqj2a4_G_SH1lwlHIXuqjNCOp7Df9LftyIm5Tt3BaKnRA1CXuSvjPmgzwjKzHsF8bvK-Vz57xYb3_4x_4NKUE7KkBiKtdT5rLmwZzLTdh-2qR-aMI2fFA7KMbgLYbE-EWersoruwOvoAL466dANDG5n4NIDnQJ55AFA=w640-h326" width="640" /></a></div><br />Basically AR coatings (Anti Reflective) reduce reflections from the surface and increase the transmission of light and thus increase contrast (white is whiter and black looks blacker). The source of reflections is because of the boundary (air to sapphire or indeed sapphire to air). So with an AR coating on the back side of the watch we get less reflections from our side back to us because of that other boundary being not reflective.<div><br /></div><div>I recommend that you watch this video to explain it with demonstrating it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aN_C0-cn3jA" width="602" youtube-src-id="aN_C0-cn3jA"></iframe></div><br /><div>(yes I flogged the thumbnail from it for use here).<br /><div><br /></div><div>I believe this explains why the PD-1701 only has the one reflection and the Phylida two. This would mean that the sellers of Pagani on Aliexpress don't know that whoever is making them has slipped in a change from just Sapphire to AR coated Sapphire or they don't know why they should sell this feature up.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Either way the face looks much nicer on the PD than on the Phylida. This only makes more more enthusiastic to replace the Phylida Sapphire crystal with an Acrylic (Hesalite) one and see what that looks like.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd be interested to hear alternative theories, but without taking the watch out of the case and inspecting the PD-1701 I can't really know.</div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-64154534731252408562023-06-10T11:14:00.027+10:002023-09-05T12:34:12.397+10:00Phylida and Pagani Speedmaster chronometer homages<p>Recently I bought the Pagani PD1701 Speedmaster "homage" (because copy sounds so cheap) and wrote that up <a href="http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/02/pagani-design-speedmaster.html" target="_blank"><b>over here</b></a>. I mention this because I'll be basically comparing the Phylida to the Pagani in this blog post. Now, because I bought the Pagani first it becomes the 'benchmark' against which the Phylida is compared. I don't think it matters which one came first (any more than the chicken or the egg). Others may or may not agree with my preferences, so I try not to call anything "bad".</p><p>So, first a "cell phone" picture of it on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtsnuAsi-628Cx_inX-toQv9hdJ6UtlXQcJBTw43tU0DQtukdpIfFDjT5-GOQo9GPifT1qJ8Ys3EdyMV7BDNiZU2KHdCTW-ANPw9pPV4CvGs396S6mWolb5BGUZDoh4exoFHeGWey4WCAjBy74tQJQ_uPXWmVEm_9VJmUVssVZndQXil7WqxFn6g1xw/s2048/IMG20230608101310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtsnuAsi-628Cx_inX-toQv9hdJ6UtlXQcJBTw43tU0DQtukdpIfFDjT5-GOQo9GPifT1qJ8Ys3EdyMV7BDNiZU2KHdCTW-ANPw9pPV4CvGs396S6mWolb5BGUZDoh4exoFHeGWey4WCAjBy74tQJQ_uPXWmVEm_9VJmUVssVZndQXil7WqxFn6g1xw/w640-h640/IMG20230608101310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Its important to say cell phone because they are usually a bit "wider angle" and "wide angle in close" is a recipe for background relative distortions (<i>meaning making the watch look more pronounced than it is</i>).</p><p>Up front my summary position is:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I prefer a mechanical mechanism for a "occasional wear" watch because no flat battery (well, ok the spring is the battery, but recharge is quick and fast). </li><li>the accuracy of assembly (and including the dial hand placement) is superior to the Pagani</li><li>I prefer the 30 second minute counter (even if it does reduce the maximum time of the timing run without counting) because its easier (clearer) to see which minute we are on</li><li>I really like the "quick change" of the minute counter (vs the pure simple gear mechanical method of the Seiko VK63 movement in the Pagani.</li><li>I like the hour markers on the Phylida (as long as a photocopy of the Omega isn't on your short list) </li><li>The Pagani has better dial contrast (black is blacker, has better (more legible) hands on the main dial, but crappier ones on the sub dials.</li></ul><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Arrival and unboxing</h4><div>The Phylida came in a heavy duty plastic post satchel and was wrapped nicely in a pneumatic ribbed bag. There was some sign of damage to the parcel because one of the ribs had popped.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsviZIq-lK9quBDfIYFrsiNaLxrUCtB8Sha0V_nKuxLXNPFjLQd3SFgUtXxgzsm7IS978rlKNW-aU2xlXDzLQAW0C_qQJCSa6THvrZ1TyYlXHmUmMlPKIug4SVQ5_-5I4GPk5ixjIezuXNYUllwosxlhFuFyp-U_N0Hjk0W2AaXZyjGDI4UgCSHqN-3Q/s2048/IMG_20230609_215557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsviZIq-lK9quBDfIYFrsiNaLxrUCtB8Sha0V_nKuxLXNPFjLQd3SFgUtXxgzsm7IS978rlKNW-aU2xlXDzLQAW0C_qQJCSa6THvrZ1TyYlXHmUmMlPKIug4SVQ5_-5I4GPk5ixjIezuXNYUllwosxlhFuFyp-U_N0Hjk0W2AaXZyjGDI4UgCSHqN-3Q/w640-h640/IMG_20230609_215557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This resulted in a dent along the top of the box</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AXpqcK3GoEEleOHgSp8I72BbfOJQmV0hyiP9qOQojm9Cw3LEx1IKfJ8lRVYZ9U65_eDuksC-unFzDVLgTrzzkA8w9QbHx6EpeFKDfrbmgTYZgFKfsDCK0FWfYC8FQXQ373aulJGNSApLzZgkVcWVt-qZjwJIv3F9lAa1wlZKhrCCbTbTvXeTrpv4sQ/s2048/IMG_20230609_215658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AXpqcK3GoEEleOHgSp8I72BbfOJQmV0hyiP9qOQojm9Cw3LEx1IKfJ8lRVYZ9U65_eDuksC-unFzDVLgTrzzkA8w9QbHx6EpeFKDfrbmgTYZgFKfsDCK0FWfYC8FQXQ373aulJGNSApLzZgkVcWVt-qZjwJIv3F9lAa1wlZKhrCCbTbTvXeTrpv4sQ/w640-h640/IMG_20230609_215658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Happily I don't give a shit about the box but instead care about the watch, which was of course well embedded in foam, in a fcuking box ... which is what the box is fcuking for! (Packaging and box protecting has gone too far IMO)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVHbTFLVYhD6nGFCGhsRAeaU0_P2aQfPGndqbqsmj6fXgEgej0IZpK-UCgC25JXnCaraPrWPFx7DL2NI0KnXgypYUykrkJ99NtGWtFZ_cOuRyFpfNqoPyw1NN3RFNABRyxpuQyyWwPJbsnPCh9W6LEUX3yV3PqJWe_cX1oVFgc8LahOCw1kNB1UyzHw/s2048/IMG_20230609_215733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVHbTFLVYhD6nGFCGhsRAeaU0_P2aQfPGndqbqsmj6fXgEgej0IZpK-UCgC25JXnCaraPrWPFx7DL2NI0KnXgypYUykrkJ99NtGWtFZ_cOuRyFpfNqoPyw1NN3RFNABRyxpuQyyWwPJbsnPCh9W6LEUX3yV3PqJWe_cX1oVFgc8LahOCw1kNB1UyzHw/w640-h640/IMG_20230609_215733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The watch (and bracelet) was well wrapped to prevent any "chaffing" along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU4trxKdoQP1_TiKgXjaH7iPNNTXjvw_1gesJhtGHdgPOO4AerMMFQb1D49OMJLsHYWWIDVMXsviHxwLxr7YmgIZXXdDM2wED0r7Zh5p41Vp9vxwoX3KhqQpC-NrErR6W2u8OxrchyPgE3Q_Gj9vQUYAD7D6rXP1ZdDff3B61C1zKtoYFLS4v7JMiUw/s2048/IMG_20230609_215808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU4trxKdoQP1_TiKgXjaH7iPNNTXjvw_1gesJhtGHdgPOO4AerMMFQb1D49OMJLsHYWWIDVMXsviHxwLxr7YmgIZXXdDM2wED0r7Zh5p41Vp9vxwoX3KhqQpC-NrErR6W2u8OxrchyPgE3Q_Gj9vQUYAD7D6rXP1ZdDff3B61C1zKtoYFLS4v7JMiUw/w640-h480/IMG_20230609_215808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Comparing</h4><div>So, lets look at them side by side.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRDtxbZgIpO7rMKE8fmjX_MA-ZA4ze3PQAyZgtEa_z6sM0S36c5K20nZFD3adNdInikiiKaYYLtsM269ux2XUsyCOcUWXPX2b4D25rS1ULXUeLrDVXebv18bQSW06JTghJW5i5fukFUljycsvj1rWuLSETWTkqMayQUdbdlRt5Ijx1kQqT7kHHKszvA/s2000/both%20faces%20P1130776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2000" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRDtxbZgIpO7rMKE8fmjX_MA-ZA4ze3PQAyZgtEa_z6sM0S36c5K20nZFD3adNdInikiiKaYYLtsM269ux2XUsyCOcUWXPX2b4D25rS1ULXUeLrDVXebv18bQSW06JTghJW5i5fukFUljycsvj1rWuLSETWTkqMayQUdbdlRt5Ijx1kQqT7kHHKszvA/w640-h402/both%20faces%20P1130776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Some things stand out here right away, but probably first impressions made by me is that the contrast of the Pagani dial is a better and the hands are better. The contrast is no doubt due to the crystal that Pagani has fitted. However the Tachymeter on the bezel is more contrasty and this is due to the fact that the Phylida is anodised metal and the Pagani is infilled high polished ceramic. Depending on the light you can't even read the Pagani because of reflections, but its seldom a problem when (and yes I have) actually checking speeds of things. Mainly because once the chronometer is stopped you can always just orient the watch to see it. Thus I'm going to say <b>I prefer the bezel on the Phylida</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For what its worth the Pagani gets the 225 marker in the right spot, the Phylida doesn't (<i>so when timing race vehicles or aircraft be aware of the 225 error</i> ;-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The sub dials are in a different position, with the Phylida being closer to the intention of the Omega (except that bottom pointless hour dial). The graduations of the minute counter (being 30 minutes per revolution) are clearer and easier to read in practice (<i>some more on that in the video below</i>) Some differences in the lugs are also apparent and also the shape of the crystal shows "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection" target="_blank">internal reflections</a>" show up more easily on that crystal. Further, the more milky appearance of the crystal suggests either 1) its not sapphire but acrylic (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)" target="_blank">hesalite</a>), as used in the genuine "Moon Watch", or 2) perhaps the Pagani does indeed have an AR coating on the inside of the sapphire crystal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd need to pull the movements to find out or buy a measuring tool for determining what the Phylida has.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking edge on at the lugs we can see both watches are very close (like 0.2mm) in thickness.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjle_Ird6JY2sRTqS7xMFK-ROvUOGxkY7jFOzDtboELC_MXI2AcXu8eJnJiZ_w_ZIWWye128zjiOzPrqmB0xDF-EM9VB42Q7gXJQi3qlwSay6xDKKpb9OM9FCzCJ77xCwP-9veGIOwwI8KfyFayJkC72qa0fypLnhtE1LlU4JL_zkNwhsSn0TtK4kSoQ/s2000/side%20by%20side%20P1130778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="2000" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjle_Ird6JY2sRTqS7xMFK-ROvUOGxkY7jFOzDtboELC_MXI2AcXu8eJnJiZ_w_ZIWWye128zjiOzPrqmB0xDF-EM9VB42Q7gXJQi3qlwSay6xDKKpb9OM9FCzCJ77xCwP-9veGIOwwI8KfyFayJkC72qa0fypLnhtE1LlU4JL_zkNwhsSn0TtK4kSoQ/w640-h204/side%20by%20side%20P1130778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>However the lug profile is clearly different <u>and</u> the spring bar sits about 0.5mm lower on the Phylida. Next thing that'll stand out (which basically no reviewer I've yet watched on YouTube has ever mentioned) is that the bezel is quite differently proportioned to the one on the Pagani. Where the taper down to the case starts much sooner / higher on the Phylida. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgpsftVhVXiti3SVWeXxhRxTrn71bksWbt8AsVWUYGHsMxkM7vGqdGBXannXD6pHdq0W-YmNb-0nhWvlBDG7CistdeYeS3hWUHBl8XgPAVJm-_cVLkSfSyySc9FWLTGJX4Jw5l2wp8AzOC9yOkmpa7q_VJ3bDxm5-HaGFSSSK9ceJO2JSZ-i0-sRhDQ/s1089/overlay.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1089" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgpsftVhVXiti3SVWeXxhRxTrn71bksWbt8AsVWUYGHsMxkM7vGqdGBXannXD6pHdq0W-YmNb-0nhWvlBDG7CistdeYeS3hWUHBl8XgPAVJm-_cVLkSfSyySc9FWLTGJX4Jw5l2wp8AzOC9yOkmpa7q_VJ3bDxm5-HaGFSSSK9ceJO2JSZ-i0-sRhDQ/w640-h374/overlay.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>To answer the question I used paint to select a section and copy and move it over to the other watch. This shows that the Phylida bezel is perhaps 0.3mm thicker on the bezel, but the top of the crystal is at the same peak elevation (meaning watch is the same thickness).</div><div><br /></div><div>Note also that the Phylida case does not have the (<i>poorly done, probably by hand</i>) chamfer which makes inserting a strap a nicer experience. Yes, the Phylida case puts mild but visible scrape marks on the thicker leather straps I have (careful insertion and pulling away from the watch "into the spring bar" can mitigate that). What you can't see here is that the chamfer is not even on each side of the Pagani (leading me to suspect hand done). </div><div><br /></div><div>Actually the Pagani case finishing is what I'd call "visually finished"; meaning it looks good but in the hand and on the wrist feels sharp. Looking around it carefully, you'll soon notice that if its not "obvious" then its not finished there. Corners and edges were sharp to the touch and places where you may not look (behind the pushers) are rough on the Pagani. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Weights of the watches are also different</b>, with the <b>Phylida coming in at 76.8g</b> and the <b>Pagani only 65.8g</b> (watch only). This bit over 10g makes the Phylida noticeably heavier on the wrist at the end of the day. However in some ways the Pagani feels less comfortable, and I suspect the sharp angles on the feature back (but I'm not sure).</div><div><br /></div><div>Accuracy of the Phylida is (for now) something like +3 seconds per day; which for my requirements is perfectly adequate.</div><div><br /></div><div>The accuracy is important to think about because the Pagani is a screw down crown, which I'm sure will lead to some (new?) owners ruining the threads (sure see that a lot on Reddit) by misuse. No matter what though, it will (no matter what) wear out over time. Depending if it is the the tube thread or the crown thread which fails, you may just be disposing of the watch. The Phylida (because its crown wound and not an automatic) does not have a screw down crown so this is not a problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 'reserve' of the charge (lol) on the Phylida is not bad either, the ST1902 claims 40 hours and I've exactly run it for 40 hours and it was still running. Hand winding is ok, although I might be tempted by a bigger diameter crown (although it'll need a taper because of the close fit of the case).</div><div><br /></div><div>True to the form of the watch being "celebrated" the Phylida is a manual wind no date complication Chronograph. This means that when I want to wear it, I can pull it out of the box, wind it, set the time (in either direction) and just put it on. No other fiddling with dates or whatnot.</div><div><br /></div><div>You'll notice I haven't mentioned Lume ... both are poor. The Phylida however at least has quite shinny applied markers so you can see where they are if there is any ambient light.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than just wite more, I thought I'd put together a bit of a <i>show and tell</i> together; which may hold details that I didn't intentionally photograph (but you can see) in the video.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Video</h4><div>So with all this said I think its time to do a bit more show and tell where probably 14 minutes of presentation can clarify a few more things (and maybe you'll notice more there that I might not have said here too).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6wwRhG_yO0" width="532" youtube-src-id="d6wwRhG_yO0"></iframe></div><br /><div>In the above video you may notice some niceties of the Phylida; such as the applied markers, better graduations on the sub dials, better hand on the sub dials and maybe a better fit for your needs. Actually when watching the video, keep an eye out for the cased finishing behind the pushers. Basically on the Pagani finishing is where all the corners were cut (or weren't cut and polished).</div><div><br /></div><div>On the subject of the differences I'd ask this: is anyone else going to notice?</div><div><br /></div><div>Probably not, but if my purpose is to examine them, and I notice it, then I need to report that because I noticed.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">The case</h4><div>Not having access to an Omega I have looked for angles which will help me to understand which case is closer to the Omega. I felt that there was something wrong about the lugs and the bezel. Eventually I found a good angle on a Hodinkee page (<b><a href="https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/comparing-moonwatches" target="_blank">here</a></b>) and so did some shots of my two watches from a similar angle to attempt and overlay.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Pagani then Phylida </div><div><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDqmpjTnW-XuZUhKKbLUZN-WDp4zQrFVmLlZRNDrQvo7u0L4NM5qiNJs_W1uQiFQ7bZ36oakKRq4hIqprN8Ge1QOoemy8krVhIOqda9Wil04w7_qDzwCMFiBqm_K738isAFAhM6BlebrgIEGuCxmuvM0RXDQ8r93PgGDBUnBqcbu2U56-4HMPlNN0cg/s916/pagani%20phylida.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="916" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDqmpjTnW-XuZUhKKbLUZN-WDp4zQrFVmLlZRNDrQvo7u0L4NM5qiNJs_W1uQiFQ7bZ36oakKRq4hIqprN8Ge1QOoemy8krVhIOqda9Wil04w7_qDzwCMFiBqm_K738isAFAhM6BlebrgIEGuCxmuvM0RXDQ8r93PgGDBUnBqcbu2U56-4HMPlNN0cg/w640-h638/pagani%20phylida.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>Then overlaying on the Hodinkee image shows clearly what is what in terms of the lugs shape and style.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n7h1UL4hP_5NDojzDDvBU_5PEKIKB2NFMK9pq1UESO3vGRDx91MYZata31jfabUfxU8xsENXMZoojR5iIwtGc-b0cmfl68J7faG6SF7F0nqbV02d4Bq4yu3RG_axOgIz8V_yENt4l9XKXCnCCXUPNF5r6vVNrBmB7Ve4rW6jWjIAKSmRnW2Cgn2iTg/s1920/omega%20phylida%20pagani.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n7h1UL4hP_5NDojzDDvBU_5PEKIKB2NFMK9pq1UESO3vGRDx91MYZata31jfabUfxU8xsENXMZoojR5iIwtGc-b0cmfl68J7faG6SF7F0nqbV02d4Bq4yu3RG_axOgIz8V_yENt4l9XKXCnCCXUPNF5r6vVNrBmB7Ve4rW6jWjIAKSmRnW2Cgn2iTg/w640-h360/omega%20phylida%20pagani.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>While neither are <i>quite right</i> I feel that the Pagani gets the case "righter"; but that Phylida seems to get the Bezel righter by dint of it not being so shiny (and there was no ceramic on the original Omega watch).</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Lastly another short video where we can see more clearly the styling differences. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YckRlrs35DE" width="510" youtube-src-id="YckRlrs35DE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div>Again I prefer the Pagani for its</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>case lugs, </li><li>bezel style, </li><li>main hand choice </li><li>better crystal (if we aren't going to get an acrylic dome as Omega offer) with AR coating on the inside</li></ul></div><div>However the Phylida has </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the best usage of the sub dial (with the ST1901 giving a better 30minute sub dial being so much easier to read) </li><li>the best assembly (and attention to details there) </li><li>and finishing (no sharp corners on the lugs or rough as guts crown).</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">¯\_(ツ)_/¯</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">In a Nutshell</h4><div>It all depends on what you want. If you aren't the sort to really care about the chronograph movement, if you'd rather just have a no fuss watch which does not need to be wound (so is always going, <i>except when the battery is flat</i>). If you want the <u>most time accurate piece</u> that looks good at a glance as an every day watch. If money matters most then without any doubt in my mind get the Pagani, its better value for money.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-style: italic;">However</b>,<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>if you appreciate </div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>a mechanical chronograph, </li><li>accuracy of hand placement, </li><li>button feel on the chronometer, </li><li>finishing on the case</li></ol></div><div><br /></div><div>... then get the Phylida. I'm now wondering if I'll change the crystal and buy some lumibrite and fix the quite bad lume; and maybe change the hands (because I prefer the PD-1701 hands) ...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ultimately</b> no matter if you prefer the Quartz convenience in the Pagani or the Classical Mechanical hand wound calibre the good news is that in a day where everyone else seems to be sinking thousands into brands which cost thousands and then more per service than these cost to buy we have amazing choices of nice watches which cost very little.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2he3AhVZTXM" width="523" youtube-src-id="2he3AhVZTXM"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Its clear when looking around at this magnification that (<i>compared to stuff in watches which cost tens of thousands of dollars</i>) finishing of the brass and even the steel is a bit '<i>iffy</i>'; but we need to see that its a movement that costs hundreds of dollars <u>not</u> <b>thousands of dollars</b>. For instance an Omega mechanical movement service starts at about AU$1370.</div><div><br /></div><div>So with any luck I'll get ten years out of this and I'm willing to bet I can get it serviced (assuming replacement is too high) for less than $500 ... heck I'm pretty confident I can find some youtube videos showing how ..</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div>Win Win</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h4><div><strike>I don't know which one I'll keep</strike>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm keeping both because I realize that the Pagani is the better daily life watch and reminds me of the Omega. The Phylida is a great mechanical chronograph watch, it's and while it's not close enough to the Omega, it's interesting in its own right and a worthy addition to my box. </div><div><br /></div><div>HTH </div><p></p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-16249883985110152532023-06-03T10:02:00.005+10:002023-06-03T10:15:37.161+10:00Lancet sizes - INR vs Blood Glucose sampling <p>For whatever reason people seem to find themselves asking for advice about getting enough blood, one of the problems is often as simple as not using the right lance. The right lances are supplied with the Roche CoaguChek system.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTy40ionva9OP0HVCLNcXUxx6pmz-jgzPG9iGPalYZEZMBcRzsohzFsyxjhpsSfAMqr_nPU4VQWlF3gJBU_VAVDcMP0QcUJ2w1MAsMxJ-1pUtlDoYD2y8NdC7gbbpiUIDTd1GKXyInaYVcXPJt42-CDT0z8chE-7zqQx0rPv7aO_wXpnB7WEKMHpeiw/s608/roche%20coaguchek%20lancet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTy40ionva9OP0HVCLNcXUxx6pmz-jgzPG9iGPalYZEZMBcRzsohzFsyxjhpsSfAMqr_nPU4VQWlF3gJBU_VAVDcMP0QcUJ2w1MAsMxJ-1pUtlDoYD2y8NdC7gbbpiUIDTd1GKXyInaYVcXPJt42-CDT0z8chE-7zqQx0rPv7aO_wXpnB7WEKMHpeiw/w320-h320/roche%20coaguchek%20lancet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Note the words CoaguChek, not Accu-Chek ... those are for blood glucose testing and the blood drop size difference is significant. I don't have Accu-Chek, but I do happen to have a different brand which is designed for blood glucose testing called Contour.</p><p>The key point is gauge (or diameter). Lets take a look at what I mean. I'm sorry, that magnification is not identical, but the table that follows shows this:</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">CoaguChek</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1BVwH05vlrOaKkWDY3PgJhwIA4VyTPx9DvjgQpqIplOcA0qQa-xAQ-VpPd4U7GJ2bKKhXgFMfFnvgzJbcm6IN5W3DDnJanN1CWnKWaDIUURRYXt4dh42VA_6J17Hp3TRnyUsSKcIVlh8_1YtoF03BCM-q3PrWFkBWTiDvqL91CJbZmm_ATwIgNn7OQ/s1913/Coaguchek%20Lance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1913" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1BVwH05vlrOaKkWDY3PgJhwIA4VyTPx9DvjgQpqIplOcA0qQa-xAQ-VpPd4U7GJ2bKKhXgFMfFnvgzJbcm6IN5W3DDnJanN1CWnKWaDIUURRYXt4dh42VA_6J17Hp3TRnyUsSKcIVlh8_1YtoF03BCM-q3PrWFkBWTiDvqL91CJbZmm_ATwIgNn7OQ/w400-h300/Coaguchek%20Lance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Contour</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvJ35fDAgb1RZfWbsKWxYMIyoiS_snmW_ji8z1CsSuvrD9N2M_C2AYTD-tnridpnKdbSIddEPnWy9j4zJgy8Sn7RFNr0nWSvyhphPeKXTAG_hYLYR7hhgAZBaPJGhmoNfn2dM7WLE0VkzEjYPk-TjJ2TDJDsLPZKVDYsk7FV4gfdJGc3Eh5GzQQXUkA/s2003/contour%20lance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="2003" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvJ35fDAgb1RZfWbsKWxYMIyoiS_snmW_ji8z1CsSuvrD9N2M_C2AYTD-tnridpnKdbSIddEPnWy9j4zJgy8Sn7RFNr0nWSvyhphPeKXTAG_hYLYR7hhgAZBaPJGhmoNfn2dM7WLE0VkzEjYPk-TjJ2TDJDsLPZKVDYsk7FV4gfdJGc3Eh5GzQQXUkA/w400-h300/contour%20lance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><p>to back this up lets look at the measurements I took with my calliper</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Fca_3iqWo0Q0S3P8pW9k7ZkKdZIUFJ0CLXOCLWk84xD9ORqz-YmDbGQDhkNGbAvRIRTFbu0dbkbd7LE05Zq2P4cW9LBE3xNYYjNY5iUsBWWsc5EZI_PMg8BwGxHMwt--xFUpIAVKefzdV_HCyGsjoU6svdYdXZlH8DRdbk_3GYGkRx9aidnsZcHag/s2048/lances%20table.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2048" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Fca_3iqWo0Q0S3P8pW9k7ZkKdZIUFJ0CLXOCLWk84xD9ORqz-YmDbGQDhkNGbAvRIRTFbu0dbkbd7LE05Zq2P4cW9LBE3xNYYjNY5iUsBWWsc5EZI_PMg8BwGxHMwt--xFUpIAVKefzdV_HCyGsjoU6svdYdXZlH8DRdbk_3GYGkRx9aidnsZcHag/w640-h365/lances%20table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>more than double the thickness...</p><p>The point of the exercise is to lance to a minimum depth necessary to get a sufficient sample of blood.; not to create a bigger wound. A bigger diameter wound channel is better for bleeding than a smaller diameter. </p><p>Lastly make sure you're lancing on the side of the finger (as the manual suggests) to avoid harder thicker skin on the hand and to minimise cumulative nerve damage from lancing the same point.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQmVH5YiuFGID4rdo-uAF8AsmcEhcRyMw4TN4pKOv6mYR2t5z-Xu32hTy1oXoQiayKInWGDXptXRyrHfz71GJNL2MIQckzUaSjkMJB6bCxhX6ovx1uAAcVOi8jqGJbye7IniQIqKedyag0Bx8oEEC3QIMYvQyNiQIwnarLC5gWhpF2RYcW5onhQrX2w/s665/roche%20drop%20of%20blood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="665" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQmVH5YiuFGID4rdo-uAF8AsmcEhcRyMw4TN4pKOv6mYR2t5z-Xu32hTy1oXoQiayKInWGDXptXRyrHfz71GJNL2MIQckzUaSjkMJB6bCxhX6ovx1uAAcVOi8jqGJbye7IniQIqKedyag0Bx8oEEC3QIMYvQyNiQIwnarLC5gWhpF2RYcW5onhQrX2w/w400-h249/roche%20drop%20of%20blood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>HTH</p></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-10787214600474020002023-04-21T14:32:00.002+10:002023-04-21T15:08:16.313+10:00Roche CoaguChek XS PT Test vs PT Test PST<p>So, today I found out something interesting. Roche has two slightly different versions of the XS PT strips, this apparently is related to the INRange series of devices. I went to order some more strips from my (online) provider (here in Australia) and found the following two products (at different prices). There is the XS PT Test (<i>which I've used for well over 10 years</i>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoedQjhhlEvS4HhzBfTqVxUf3oPKCOZy1xhcbGF4z1h39bP7l9NrqW-Ib3ZZKYk7c_7f_jJZhMH9RCElWWx10CVwczEOSaudBUS3exUB0BqWAXXxOyAAXCKC2ygIxK7lmXbIv96FEj5enG4ujuDpPIbgefKDhhsV9ztjdgdqGZS-JC-20hqYUphwDUZA/s512/XS%20PT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoedQjhhlEvS4HhzBfTqVxUf3oPKCOZy1xhcbGF4z1h39bP7l9NrqW-Ib3ZZKYk7c_7f_jJZhMH9RCElWWx10CVwczEOSaudBUS3exUB0BqWAXXxOyAAXCKC2ygIxK7lmXbIv96FEj5enG4ujuDpPIbgefKDhhsV9ztjdgdqGZS-JC-20hqYUphwDUZA/w400-h400/XS%20PT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>And the new kid called the XS PT Test PST (<i>probably with KyB4 and other enhancements</i>)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFrcfq4IcGX-15urS9hJlf2JNzTEdFUnrFOTPbe-437wgj6_7dauJ8vYVPtqPM4_DgxjyZnne3KOqlmACDg7TpQDvJ8Mv-uLsoMFRG4tiHAXLJ-2Nno-tDHt_HMIBOom9G4c8dv5e3JpuAuIorKxesrS4sMqebJtorjntp6hCLIctIYL60vM3DH68bQ/s500/XS%20PST%20PT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFrcfq4IcGX-15urS9hJlf2JNzTEdFUnrFOTPbe-437wgj6_7dauJ8vYVPtqPM4_DgxjyZnne3KOqlmACDg7TpQDvJ8Mv-uLsoMFRG4tiHAXLJ-2Nno-tDHt_HMIBOom9G4c8dv5e3JpuAuIorKxesrS4sMqebJtorjntp6hCLIctIYL60vM3DH68bQ/s320/XS%20PST%20PT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm seeing that this one has INRange written on it as well as XS written on it. Further to the best of my knowledge the INRange is the same and compatible with the XS and as a unit simply has some additional features more conducive to working in a Clinical setting, such as the ability to interface with a computer, multiple ID tags (presumably to differentiate different patients) a nice colour screen (whoopdie do) and a graph (I prefer what I do in Excel).<div><br /></div><div>So I rang Roche (in Australia) and spoke with a "Technical Support" officer who informed me that the two were interchangeable but there may be some differences in electronic communications. She was surprised when I said that my seller has a different price on the XS PT Test vs the XS PT Test PST.</div><div><br /></div><div>She also said to me that she thought that the difference between the names was PST was for "Patient Self Testing" ... (making me wonder what's happening over there in the Good Ole US of A)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All very interesting. Given that I have the XS (and not the INRange) I'll be using the earlier (<i>and cheaper</i>) ones in my XS ... </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the new (looking golden) and the old (poor camera colour balance on my part)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZeHXKu_uXvrY4ky7Q3epYorNmSKChR5PyTE3-WRn8Tx6jAYaW3iyXZ1IMQzeapruXrd34whYMQ0asV2Fjq7KEce7gOfAfMSvjRdT4-i83ceZ06F2dHxknRYLr-hfRqgmsevItMWNPG-4bjMuHJQ9gDvWCnb6-w1z4rtPJdCU5NgjWgcvU-etTu_tDCA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1224" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZeHXKu_uXvrY4ky7Q3epYorNmSKChR5PyTE3-WRn8Tx6jAYaW3iyXZ1IMQzeapruXrd34whYMQ0asV2Fjq7KEce7gOfAfMSvjRdT4-i83ceZ06F2dHxknRYLr-hfRqgmsevItMWNPG-4bjMuHJQ9gDvWCnb6-w1z4rtPJdCU5NgjWgcvU-etTu_tDCA=w400-h233" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Everything (including the amount of stripes of contact points) seem to be the same.<br /><br /></div><div><p>Anyway, that's all I have today.</p></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-7673654455418047702023-03-14T11:27:00.010+10:002023-06-20T15:46:23.982+10:00The King Wang solution to the NATO watch strapI don't know why its taken me so long, but I finally figured it out.... all it took was this WW1 trench watch homage and a new leather strap to work it out.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OWFGUaa1eUOBgdmbWrsEo99tT-Cwip4Rov0J9UhSz1Vd_zeO9_tlp-xltueq2NAzBXWeUyX-V9v4DdR5zJwEggcUydTyrFXRDCOlSrGXnfphrTkme4b3QRlD5WpUiUE7Yh7So3AvUJYHudNKSFMe9W3eTqkCgh-NT4Zft5V3dQwrefKU5PlpWliuZg/s4608/IMG_20230314_094627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OWFGUaa1eUOBgdmbWrsEo99tT-Cwip4Rov0J9UhSz1Vd_zeO9_tlp-xltueq2NAzBXWeUyX-V9v4DdR5zJwEggcUydTyrFXRDCOlSrGXnfphrTkme4b3QRlD5WpUiUE7Yh7So3AvUJYHudNKSFMe9W3eTqkCgh-NT4Zft5V3dQwrefKU5PlpWliuZg/w480-h640/IMG_20230314_094627.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Readers of my blog will know that I've long derided <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/03/i-dont-get-nato.html" target="_blank">NATO straps</a> as being (<i>for civilian use</i>) <b>a problem looking to be a solution for</b>. I've likened the whole stupidity of an extra flap under the watch as being akin to wearing tie your self bow tie <i>tied badly</i>, when you're supposed to be at formal black tie evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bringing nothing but <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2021/07/why-nato.html" target="_blank">bulk behind your watch</a>, puffing it out further from your wrist for no actual benefit (kiddiez who can't actually think will squeal and say "sir sir ... its to prevent watch loss if you break a spring bar", yet any single pass strap will do that) I really don't get why NATO straps are considered "premium".</div><div><br /></div><div>But as Carl Jung so succinctly put it:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr8aEemCodTnyGhIoorZQ7VFHsXiUsM76OV34w-267JAEPQef8kcebgXSTeAsI8bkiRr_9Es1mLP2_yh3QT3y3ZCBUDSx9L66senr2EYqgWfNEGdR6j1FMBGn14TTLdcoK3f8vP-0mVsuKumezv88-SGnIFtJi8n9miSgnRno_Wo77YqUpStLXmH7WA/s1200/carl%20jung%20-%20thinking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="1200" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr8aEemCodTnyGhIoorZQ7VFHsXiUsM76OV34w-267JAEPQef8kcebgXSTeAsI8bkiRr_9Es1mLP2_yh3QT3y3ZCBUDSx9L66senr2EYqgWfNEGdR6j1FMBGn14TTLdcoK3f8vP-0mVsuKumezv88-SGnIFtJi8n9miSgnRno_Wo77YqUpStLXmH7WA/w640-h306/carl%20jung%20-%20thinking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm not as polite as Carl so I'll say "... that's why most people are stupid." Which is why this NATO thing persists. People often have no experience, see it as being military or "James Bond" and don't think further than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, wait, today I've discovered the KingWang solution which I will present to you here (<i>and we all know, <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/07/social-media-is-to-blame.html" target="_blank"><b>King Wang likes to watch</b></a></i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>Firstly if you don't have a 9" wrist the leather NATO just isn't going to work because, not only is there the extra thickness, the bloody buckle that anchors the useless flap gets in the way of allowing the watch to curve around your wrist.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBZJh-CqGNaOXvEM2Dmcz1e3H0bcYklci_xYb-pgTu883bjZAKfVUJWWqW8BlvVQ2MRh9KBR6diuevCWk6UqS39Xu1n11XogwZ-_yaSXHv-QdNCwiv0KpuyfwC2XmpYWFC0I3q8_OpOmmTbV6kw69pHceNBQe7baNg2CReMnvYO-P3_LXyL2kiPd9ww/s2000/IMG_20230314_104200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBZJh-CqGNaOXvEM2Dmcz1e3H0bcYklci_xYb-pgTu883bjZAKfVUJWWqW8BlvVQ2MRh9KBR6diuevCWk6UqS39Xu1n11XogwZ-_yaSXHv-QdNCwiv0KpuyfwC2XmpYWFC0I3q8_OpOmmTbV6kw69pHceNBQe7baNg2CReMnvYO-P3_LXyL2kiPd9ww/w480-h640/IMG_20230314_104200.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>As shown above. This is especially a problem with larger watches on a (<i>does this big watch make my skinny wrist look too much like a chicken leg?</i>) small wrist; such as my 6.5" wrist.</div><div><br /></div><div>However a little thought allowed me to see a way around this conundrum (<i>I mean apart from the obvious solution of cut that <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/04/adapting-leather-nato.html"><b>stupid flappy bit off solution; presented here</b></a></i>).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JJUbw_Ur1gcGDg47fSt2egr58Av-JOHwZcr23LO6jUS_jHUgfQn87n5jSo3AePip__4k--6fGj4mp4JjxUr5msqTmeMuPdzdvfmf1ixcbL541VgyGGTL6_VFxWLM0VKLjiECo3wzNApzfmfQ6kjfwr5cTtzh2YcZqYr99w36rUr2eYEw_GggcO8PjA/s2000/IMG_20230314_104320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JJUbw_Ur1gcGDg47fSt2egr58Av-JOHwZcr23LO6jUS_jHUgfQn87n5jSo3AePip__4k--6fGj4mp4JjxUr5msqTmeMuPdzdvfmf1ixcbL541VgyGGTL6_VFxWLM0VKLjiECo3wzNApzfmfQ6kjfwr5cTtzh2YcZqYr99w36rUr2eYEw_GggcO8PjA/w480-h640/IMG_20230314_104320.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Once one thinks like the <b>Ministry of Defence</b> (using <i>military </i>intelligence) we can see the obvious. This cunning lacing style is an optimal solution because it not only protects the watch crystal from being scratched or broken as well as fitting perfectly, but solves the issue of bulk by only having one layer of leather under the watch.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFREE9zq2e8wYXmA0ImJ4Ux0Fd0kRdaQcmJv48BmxhFb-JmwF5yeO8jYf1kpULvSGFFgks9aQPTapTnaXf-jKxQG8umHl1i5yvpNLfF5jz8aJAy1rtoMcFOiWrQmmzexNYB2QIvjX1207jPnCmYzv9tNnFK3TaoHbP1Y_QOS5wskHXK0OMyi6iyjWdg/s2000/IMG_20230314_104420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFREE9zq2e8wYXmA0ImJ4Ux0Fd0kRdaQcmJv48BmxhFb-JmwF5yeO8jYf1kpULvSGFFgks9aQPTapTnaXf-jKxQG8umHl1i5yvpNLfF5jz8aJAy1rtoMcFOiWrQmmzexNYB2QIvjX1207jPnCmYzv9tNnFK3TaoHbP1Y_QOS5wskHXK0OMyi6iyjWdg/w480-h640/IMG_20230314_104420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So I present to you the ultimate optimal lacing technique for threading your NATO strap, having it fit and protecting your watch for those too challenged to <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2021/01/making-nato-work.html" target="_blank">use a pair of scissors and cut that flap off</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/search/label/KingWang" target="_blank">King Wang</a> solution.</div><div><br /></div><div>Win Win</div><div><br /></div><div>All jokes aside, this is the watch on my Green (started as a) NATO and the Red strap (now having had its useless bit cut off) beside it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8dj39Dn97bojG8Wz5Ki3NcUrPoUjamW_35aPjfRfvY9-eKveab0i-Uw_GA_IgWNfw5RYjZQVDzW8jPcKenGQwYSi3x7QPc9wFrNw0l4Y4OWZ0iHOTYX7xuZlu4f555u2WDBFlDgH_vGtyfAfdFygZt5h82o74yzcnd8gHIJwN7LEilZOmyj4JZLdeg/s2000/IMG20230425101625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8dj39Dn97bojG8Wz5Ki3NcUrPoUjamW_35aPjfRfvY9-eKveab0i-Uw_GA_IgWNfw5RYjZQVDzW8jPcKenGQwYSi3x7QPc9wFrNw0l4Y4OWZ0iHOTYX7xuZlu4f555u2WDBFlDgH_vGtyfAfdFygZt5h82o74yzcnd8gHIJwN7LEilZOmyj4JZLdeg/w480-h640/IMG20230425101625.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Green one is a very comfortable waxed leather. Each strap was under AU$25. 22mm thickness which of course is not proper NATO either.</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><i>The commonly called NATO strap has several written characteristics, and probably many more unwritten characteristics.</i></div></div><div><div><i>The current military specification strap comes in only one colour (Admiralty Grey) and one width (20mm). The hardware specification is chrome plated brass with a recessed buckle to receive the tongue. Length 280mm, width 20mm, thickness 1.2mm.</i></div></div><div><div><i>It is currently defined in Ministry of Defence, Defence Standard 66-47 as Strap,Wrist Watch.</i></div></div></blockquote><p>(<a href="http://af0210strap.com/the-birth-of-the-nato-watch-strap-a-history-of-the-nato-strap-and-post-wwii-watches/">source</a>) </p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-34303281995360430122023-03-05T08:43:00.012+10:002023-11-27T15:22:37.303+10:00Some other details about the Roche CoaguChek XS<p>The Roche CoaguChek is pretty much the backbone of my personal self management of my INR. I have on many occasions discussed that I compare it to the lab and often get quite good (less than 0.2INR units) correlation with labs. This is something which is occasionally still debated (particularly on the internet) but which to my mind was put to bed back in 2012 with many comparisons of its accuracy vs that of other systems. So I'll not waste your time and repeat that here.</p><p>Determining INR is based on measuring the time taken for "coagulation" to occur.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Note</b>: <u>That's a minefield right there</u>, so lets just leave it simply at: a timer is started and stopped when the machine determines coagulation is "completed" (*<i>according to guidelines like reagent ISI, another rabbit hole for you the curious</i>).</p></blockquote><p>The CoaguChek uses "amperometric electrochemical" methods for determining the time to declare the point of "coagulation" to stop the timer. A good summary of this and other methods is here (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8068903/" target="_blank">link</a>).</p><p>So having swept that detail off the table, I wanted to get down to exploring a little bit about the CoaguChek XS system which we can easily see, but may not have noticed (even if you've used one).</p><p>First, lets have a quick look at the strips, they are much bigger than the strips used by Blood Glucose monitoring strips. Shown below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqjGwMuf70Vs4b1Pdvf--YbR4ISn4n5FDYLGM1QkkVaWJVptFn2Ezy5fZ4QHafAmUENB-DsoD-VgPKK5xu2uDtYmj1Rmoge1GFCFaV_I0WfwNB0-pwwxV1yLK6tWaqXa9tTIX3_oIyVQCQP68Bbe5wMLtRruYADfJCif45NJ9ZWIuwLgGBOk2xjiP4w/s1440/strip%20sizes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqjGwMuf70Vs4b1Pdvf--YbR4ISn4n5FDYLGM1QkkVaWJVptFn2Ezy5fZ4QHafAmUENB-DsoD-VgPKK5xu2uDtYmj1Rmoge1GFCFaV_I0WfwNB0-pwwxV1yLK6tWaqXa9tTIX3_oIyVQCQP68Bbe5wMLtRruYADfJCif45NJ9ZWIuwLgGBOk2xjiP4w/w640-h360/strip%20sizes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Obviously the strips above are used because I prefer not to risk contaminating them for photography and so you'll see traces of my blood in these images. Note that circular hole in the strip at about the 24mm point. I'll circle back to that.</p><p>This video gives a quick walkthrough of the XS. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9czyS8klr6U" width="497" youtube-src-id="9czyS8klr6U"></iframe></div><br /><p>As you saw in that video the CoaguChek strips have three layers of plastic, seen in the image below. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nwZdtgPw9vx7odHjoh8NeCzDXS7FgFLKwriQHVeVnwDia3DNCTcXkvPtlCFHJmPxec2ogNxvHTsyKFvRrCED4YVigZnzUn2G2wlkFSs9pf7CeUn5moPKYB59Wgf2RAOb_u9Zf73-9XGt4BpcZi5S9SelM3bAwg-hLAemef4KrgPtZRiY7gPdaDKgXg/s2048/IMG_20230304_153725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nwZdtgPw9vx7odHjoh8NeCzDXS7FgFLKwriQHVeVnwDia3DNCTcXkvPtlCFHJmPxec2ogNxvHTsyKFvRrCED4YVigZnzUn2G2wlkFSs9pf7CeUn5moPKYB59Wgf2RAOb_u9Zf73-9XGt4BpcZi5S9SelM3bAwg-hLAemef4KrgPtZRiY7gPdaDKgXg/w640-h480/IMG_20230304_153725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The top printed layer is white, in the middle is a black layer which is used to form the blood capillary tube and then there is a clear base layer (which I'll call the substrate). I can't measure the thickness of the black layer, but I used my trusty digital callipers to measure what I could and thus determine the thickness of black layer. The thicknesses of the strip will tell us about the thickness of the blood channel</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>white part is 0.36mm</li><li>the clear base is 0.35mm</li><li>the entire width of the strip 0.89mm</li></ul><div>and so thickness of the black strip is 0.18 mm (which is the depth of the blood channel). I could have tried to get a feeler gauge in that overhang, but did it this way instead.</div><p></p><p>Now we know that Amperometric analysis is used and (from <a href="https://www.appn.net.au/Data/Sites/1/appn/02implementation/technicalresources/inr/rochecoaguchekxsplusmethodandsamplecollection.pdf">this obscure source</a>) know that the XS system uses a lyophilized reagent (reagent in dried form). The reactive components of this reagent consist of thromboplastin and a peptide substrate. In that above link (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8068903/" target="_blank">here again</a>) chapter 5.3 is of relevance to the CoaguChek XS. But basically the blood needs to flow past the thromboplastin reagent and starting the process. You can see where it goes in and where it ends up in this picture of the underside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVq4KChGa3QBsjaAbxCUnXFF07V6oLuSjPiA6bGaH-HcsEtqE21UxUdebNbsK2Tc3k0BVhZd3UDOAXYJCozRrXAlnF3VhNEhJ8IJPX-Y7gFOcm1AK3pZB-np0kLlv5jYtdhsirxDrruRDdGhnn-UFx-44V2DCIOEsN_qbg8Rh_JGmSaK6MLdd0LaI2A/s2048/IMG_20230304_155020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVq4KChGa3QBsjaAbxCUnXFF07V6oLuSjPiA6bGaH-HcsEtqE21UxUdebNbsK2Tc3k0BVhZd3UDOAXYJCozRrXAlnF3VhNEhJ8IJPX-Y7gFOcm1AK3pZB-np0kLlv5jYtdhsirxDrruRDdGhnn-UFx-44V2DCIOEsN_qbg8Rh_JGmSaK6MLdd0LaI2A/w640-h480/IMG_20230304_155020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that the hole allows the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action" target="_blank"><b>capillary attraction</b></a> to pull the blood through (<i>from where you placed the blood</i>) across the chemistry, through to the area where the sensing occurs. You can see this below too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4YPedNwLV1gd9b7WRjFi6WGFNRnOTJYLxl2p-kwk7bMlo0C8WE23NyF2bhuwLl-CHKlNtOkwQnQnEi0-DFfA2YKStbIJnxjJHdGHOCNPpO9EVFBEXi7LeeZpSPyfodC6apGC5SHJoPLXisSYgPW-pCmCx-c23u1BW0Rsamm9lYXTlV_y3QS5XHMBsg/s2048/IMG_20230304_154604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4YPedNwLV1gd9b7WRjFi6WGFNRnOTJYLxl2p-kwk7bMlo0C8WE23NyF2bhuwLl-CHKlNtOkwQnQnEi0-DFfA2YKStbIJnxjJHdGHOCNPpO9EVFBEXi7LeeZpSPyfodC6apGC5SHJoPLXisSYgPW-pCmCx-c23u1BW0Rsamm9lYXTlV_y3QS5XHMBsg/w640-h480/IMG_20230304_154604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The hole is needed to allow the blood to flow right through this channel, and I assume that a light shone through the hole indicates that sufficient blood has now reached the end of the channel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedIT6IVD6aRTG8UGDC37w3Ru87WGjapc6hnEjfBTC_5U8Zw_23eTdDX2RHf-BRDBFMxoBXLEjfSt2VMW3UAMuCFmEUH4Jjc1DesDBGO_myIYKWCenKCyYnaa2MIb8RPDY7iVk603axkKJGD2nA2IxQ-vyhq2tEmaTQiT3Lr9OYMsGeK0Ju27qL_v10w/s2048/IMG_20230304_154023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedIT6IVD6aRTG8UGDC37w3Ru87WGjapc6hnEjfBTC_5U8Zw_23eTdDX2RHf-BRDBFMxoBXLEjfSt2VMW3UAMuCFmEUH4Jjc1DesDBGO_myIYKWCenKCyYnaa2MIb8RPDY7iVk603axkKJGD2nA2IxQ-vyhq2tEmaTQiT3Lr9OYMsGeK0Ju27qL_v10w/w640-h480/IMG_20230304_154023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>You can see clearly below that it is a hole below</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKbYiiQmTvW7g9_JGOlBNVyR-5q_LLVvzxbfYxtS0jq8WCCCaySo4uzT4OSWTH0MOQKml1IJnCTK1ELb0xyogLBnxZ8f2oYJ9NWWabtWAmsMoT82L7HMxhjHnckPzCGrqGMs4P2JpfFwd8Er0kFLkim2kW0e-FW3GYeq7Ihr3EYhpMMxU_nzbtRp-bw/s2048/IMG_20230304_154143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKbYiiQmTvW7g9_JGOlBNVyR-5q_LLVvzxbfYxtS0jq8WCCCaySo4uzT4OSWTH0MOQKml1IJnCTK1ELb0xyogLBnxZ8f2oYJ9NWWabtWAmsMoT82L7HMxhjHnckPzCGrqGMs4P2JpfFwd8Er0kFLkim2kW0e-FW3GYeq7Ihr3EYhpMMxU_nzbtRp-bw/w640-h480/IMG_20230304_154143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>So from all of this we see how the blood flows, why you need to put the blood on the top of the strip, or if you use the side (also mentioned in the documentation). From the Roche CoaguChek XS manual:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0iwjzF7eF6djw8R7zlq6pIOxHR93JAcBaECikqUHL7mVAa8OQah5WE_PVSjNxMvMjAUTXCOQ4q1yJfE3bvYMi_xxuKw79hC7O1DgyMTIydrqp12tahAzf84CRODtA5HYF7OqvWKPD5D9guWfob7mOQ1VV_uK1292Z7eyyxHBkUfze1fnY8JsSuqNNw/s1030/top%20or%20side.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1030" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0iwjzF7eF6djw8R7zlq6pIOxHR93JAcBaECikqUHL7mVAa8OQah5WE_PVSjNxMvMjAUTXCOQ4q1yJfE3bvYMi_xxuKw79hC7O1DgyMTIydrqp12tahAzf84CRODtA5HYF7OqvWKPD5D9guWfob7mOQ1VV_uK1292Z7eyyxHBkUfze1fnY8JsSuqNNw/w640-h490/top%20or%20side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Exploring the 15 Second rule and outcomes</h4><div>So, for those who are interested</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="407" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fpKKT_jTgcI" width="490" youtube-src-id="fpKKT_jTgcI"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>however, as always I encourage people to not only adhere to that 15 second rule (and myself follow it) but to try as much as possible to treat it as a task that you do with accuracy and reproducibility. Do everything the same just like (say) you were making pottery mugs for sale.<div><br /><div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h4><p>Basically after watching those videos and reading the above you should know more about:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>how to use your CoaguChek XS device effectively </li><li>be in a better situation to understand <u>why</u> they make a lot of points again and again in the manual like 15 second rule and application of blood, and preparing your finger for getting a good blood sample</li><li>You should also be able to dismiss any misinformation you may read on the internet (such as how the blood could coagulate clumps could and block the flow)</li><li>from a logical perspective of how the whole system works both physically (the capillary attraction) and the way the machine knows sufficient blood is present.</li></ul><p></p><p>Knowledge is power and freedom from the anxiety which stems from ignorance.</p><p><br /></p><p>HTH</p><p><br /></p><p></p></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-44650259584622610562023-02-06T17:46:00.020+10:002023-09-05T12:34:33.545+10:00Pagani Design Speedmaster<p>I'd eye'd this off for a while and finally decided that I would spring for the Mark iii version. I'm attracted to it because </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I've always loved the look of the classic Speedmaster</li><li>I'm quite a fan of Seiko movements (and this has a VK63 <i>mechaquartz</i> movement)</li></ol><div>So its like a fusion of two great houses</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLVUFcrgaBBHdxZWMHJIYaxF1w-ruS17algfdHCio0Z_r1sHhxYiAcgxESH-DZW88crXzdVzC1GnykwzV2p05P4MR2l7nuXRCGuBRerHsVHO4AmSJ-YzJnsaK-VMqfaanagBhSaV42ikO4cIRu2BNfqVZtKizjLo-BXs9r_4vF7Ts44W5bVWu2TFV2g/s2048/IMG20230206101814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLVUFcrgaBBHdxZWMHJIYaxF1w-ruS17algfdHCio0Z_r1sHhxYiAcgxESH-DZW88crXzdVzC1GnykwzV2p05P4MR2l7nuXRCGuBRerHsVHO4AmSJ-YzJnsaK-VMqfaanagBhSaV42ikO4cIRu2BNfqVZtKizjLo-BXs9r_4vF7Ts44W5bVWu2TFV2g/w640-h480/IMG20230206101814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not fond of the supplied straps so I put it onto a grey (ex) NATO I had hanging around.</p><p>Its smart, well made and frankly I was pretty impressed with the fit and finish. Much ado is made about not having AR coatings (which scratch) but in the days wearing I've found it no harder to read than every other watch I've had in the last 40 years. NOTE: I've since found that it does have AR coating on the inside surface of the crystal (see <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/06/pagani-ar-crystal.html"><b>this post</b></a>).</p><p>As there are plenty of YouTube videos about it I'll only add here some things which are often neglected, such as for instance that it has two holes for spring-bars which allows a NATO to sit more nicely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2GHDcuFU8JjEtLYTujogJd1xhNy-XwM1gbp60TQXmmNXd-pKi678PxCNg-IckKzb-IXTPHB3IBVMF26HJfGgT85fXQnTmtNq2y6gcPk10Cx9b-e3fhn7CM5H68EPCB2g4RAqYwVZoiiFug7WGxFHOaTTahyToRaK6cUma348-I9kqx2gfb_AKroMcw/s2000/IMG20230206100754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2GHDcuFU8JjEtLYTujogJd1xhNy-XwM1gbp60TQXmmNXd-pKi678PxCNg-IckKzb-IXTPHB3IBVMF26HJfGgT85fXQnTmtNq2y6gcPk10Cx9b-e3fhn7CM5H68EPCB2g4RAqYwVZoiiFug7WGxFHOaTTahyToRaK6cUma348-I9kqx2gfb_AKroMcw/w480-h640/IMG20230206100754.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Which I thought was a nice touch.</p><p>When compared to my <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-budget-alpinist.html" target="_blank">SRPE65k1 Seiko 5</a></b> its actually not much bigger </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AZyrK1BPg6k1-Od8hO0EsyI3oTcA1A08Yy_fcv26Z6-MJI5hcEL7q_6_GdSMcLgwd3yRz19QLKYCUK2_kzACNosTKdesoVbQzo4KRda8MZTIwzKpRphR37TA3mm0zzCORlW1GqtlCiefqWnNJUV8yVwXkRQRH279rJDCMPTtWp7hDNHyJY1ac-jIeQ/s2000/IMG20230206100321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AZyrK1BPg6k1-Od8hO0EsyI3oTcA1A08Yy_fcv26Z6-MJI5hcEL7q_6_GdSMcLgwd3yRz19QLKYCUK2_kzACNosTKdesoVbQzo4KRda8MZTIwzKpRphR37TA3mm0zzCORlW1GqtlCiefqWnNJUV8yVwXkRQRH279rJDCMPTtWp7hDNHyJY1ac-jIeQ/w640-h480/IMG20230206100321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I created an overlay of these two in photoshop and while they do not match up perfectly I did center them on the axis of the hands (<i>the issues pertain to </i><i>my failure to perfectly align for rotation as well as </i><i>the lens distortions and perspective distortions of phone cameras and their wide angle lenses</i>).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivzNCSJJMq6_xwwplmWD348ex_u2wo9QsppUBR2KUFs3G5mXAq6L8gDAChPBnIakG47BgpFu4xrtFzpbkM9GNCQpVFg7Wzzck9qThhXkn0r-vLN7a03z2fQkIkCypAK3YkbFzsII1hkccaAkGFOlb-AhHg1v8lWNtoXHqlpnRzT2w6fE6eiTVfA5hV7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="795" data-original-width="795" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivzNCSJJMq6_xwwplmWD348ex_u2wo9QsppUBR2KUFs3G5mXAq6L8gDAChPBnIakG47BgpFu4xrtFzpbkM9GNCQpVFg7Wzzck9qThhXkn0r-vLN7a03z2fQkIkCypAK3YkbFzsII1hkccaAkGFOlb-AhHg1v8lWNtoXHqlpnRzT2w6fE6eiTVfA5hV7w=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br />So this has helped me adjust to the Seiko always feeling bigger than I'd like soon after wearing the Pagani ;-)<p></p><p>Also we can see that the PD is not much thicker than the Seiko and would indeed be the same thickness if it had a flat crystal (<i>something I'm entertaining. not least because of the way a convex crystal really exacerbates the reflections, but may not be worth the effort</i>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsdvhPbwh-8hHPzC9IeLeFoA4VqQKocveUKXan1SY0thD5ap5V4O29WZzyjRPCSm2flqtbVso8S713t7YKmAMTHc9tVYdlsg1_beN5Yal0xmzxNDDjLkIgwcG4ygzmCfYwvDX8p-z2fidq27YK8_kQHjY2bG8EFlIXL3WCX6BKcQAh3Az5iUf3bPBpg/s2048/IMG20230206100516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsdvhPbwh-8hHPzC9IeLeFoA4VqQKocveUKXan1SY0thD5ap5V4O29WZzyjRPCSm2flqtbVso8S713t7YKmAMTHc9tVYdlsg1_beN5Yal0xmzxNDDjLkIgwcG4ygzmCfYwvDX8p-z2fidq27YK8_kQHjY2bG8EFlIXL3WCX6BKcQAh3Az5iUf3bPBpg/w640-h360/IMG20230206100516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Its also worth noting that the springbar is lower on the PD helping it sit nicely on the wrist too. It is however not as comfortable as the Seiko. The Pagani however, worn for a whole day of activity, is tiring and has actually hurt the back of my hand when doing serious labour. This is due to the way the Pagani (and probably Omega) watch isn't sculptured to fit a wrist. Some quick and dirty images to compare these two again.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5SG7k9gCIfqzGdzWWG0J5DLUxMDHVmgX4BnRKWG0FI5jwh7HQ18VgpUYe32ce2zRZFRv051CXJsXJcAqbiHak9eGpV4yaXEiIw2eTze49SJ_0R0ApdyMmQmyzD7JK47RsBEWa2vcDlNfXnULjsJ5LZwA_CqRENM4h9I1f7DN8ZmAbj7C8PJOwrfkPw/s2048/Seiko%20vs%20Pagani%20front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5SG7k9gCIfqzGdzWWG0J5DLUxMDHVmgX4BnRKWG0FI5jwh7HQ18VgpUYe32ce2zRZFRv051CXJsXJcAqbiHak9eGpV4yaXEiIw2eTze49SJ_0R0ApdyMmQmyzD7JK47RsBEWa2vcDlNfXnULjsJ5LZwA_CqRENM4h9I1f7DN8ZmAbj7C8PJOwrfkPw/w640-h426/Seiko%20vs%20Pagani%20front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>and the backs:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS18XbTKeOPCXwo9lFCC5nPOK04LafCHI8O2qCJUsniJUDKZk8z6Ph6yj_vj1ia4O7wNGNYhB0MTjhne7rvO-1a3f2G0QPDY5NecB_CxfWP_W9hgk80zXlZ63L1PozRq-ef_iHZu8nma2EV8UTo7e1JR-b2KGqD_zqmJCM_7A4278owYifEzjQn1QrTw/s2048/Seiko%20vs%20Pagani%20back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS18XbTKeOPCXwo9lFCC5nPOK04LafCHI8O2qCJUsniJUDKZk8z6Ph6yj_vj1ia4O7wNGNYhB0MTjhne7rvO-1a3f2G0QPDY5NecB_CxfWP_W9hgk80zXlZ63L1PozRq-ef_iHZu8nma2EV8UTo7e1JR-b2KGqD_zqmJCM_7A4278owYifEzjQn1QrTw/w640-h426/Seiko%20vs%20Pagani%20back.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So the "footprint" is significantly smaller at the back of the Seiko. This is most important when you are actually doing things and your hand is not straight with your arm (like picking things up, supporting your weight, using a screwdriver or a spanner ...) as it is in a brochure picture of a well dressed Gentlman with big wrists. To me this means that the Omega isn't a daily wear watch for anyone except an office worker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly on the Apollo missions they wore these watches on the outside of their jump suits, not against their skin. So the PD has become the watch I wear for smart casual or when driving the car for a longer journey. Here it often sits better in a place of visibility and I do like timing things (like a section of a route). Measuring elapsed time is what this watch is really all about.<br /><div><div><p>Interestingly at 65.8g its not much heavier than the Seiko (6g heavier).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZX7zMzXiLsCLNbUJJBxXWpc0lqYDJQlTV6A64rNHQA1QgTM3AnDcP8uX5G0J_CMuNAMf0XiBw09xwULtzI3Wv3_kf4yNwBr47Xsx9L4MBlRS3zW3exToFV4SnScXJu_zDHUP-nzrjtvO3DcCH8Gg7UsSUbR9mV7XF3JDLXq6WEkzV_ooOy44yoYrQ/s1600/IMG20230206101128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZX7zMzXiLsCLNbUJJBxXWpc0lqYDJQlTV6A64rNHQA1QgTM3AnDcP8uX5G0J_CMuNAMf0XiBw09xwULtzI3Wv3_kf4yNwBr47Xsx9L4MBlRS3zW3exToFV4SnScXJu_zDHUP-nzrjtvO3DcCH8Gg7UsSUbR9mV7XF3JDLXq6WEkzV_ooOy44yoYrQ/w480-h640/IMG20230206101128.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I found it very legible (<i>reflections not withstanding</i>) and didn't feel "bigger on the wrist" than my Seiko.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYnlbYtyyxY6mgsK3NhPrXhZkn17hMZKdDEY_Jm1uO0ZNh-eBwB3o98Y6vcduw6iWggwEGGAmSqp9R5zqLe1qVYE6RzZoKMktrQQSM9Ul8_xT1aSt5rm9C4xzs62qMj17UTcf_PYBRByhdSEg5S0UKl7_hQNH8XAfx-9PwY_dy3Ol5fDaEVvEbGw8sw/s1957/IMG20230206102732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1957" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYnlbYtyyxY6mgsK3NhPrXhZkn17hMZKdDEY_Jm1uO0ZNh-eBwB3o98Y6vcduw6iWggwEGGAmSqp9R5zqLe1qVYE6RzZoKMktrQQSM9Ul8_xT1aSt5rm9C4xzs62qMj17UTcf_PYBRByhdSEg5S0UKl7_hQNH8XAfx-9PwY_dy3Ol5fDaEVvEbGw8sw/w640-h480/IMG20230206102732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So the basics are:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Seiko Mechaquartz (with around 20 seconds a month accuracy)</li><li>Sapphire crystal (meh, I'd be ok with acrylic)</li><li>apparently very good build quality</li></ul><div>and given that it cost me less than US$75 I find that outstanding value for money. Heck the <b><a href="https://calibercorner.com/hattori-sii-caliber-vk63/" target="_blank">Seiko VK63 movement</a></b> alone is nearly half that (unless buying wholesale).</div><div><br /></div><div>Some points which have emerged after a day or so that I've not seen in any reviews:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>finishing of the machined surface edges is not really excellent, leaving them looking good, but feeling sharp. The same goes with the crown at the end of it where it touches you. I took some silicon carbide paper and very carefully (with a small strip of it to control it) took the edge off around the base of the watch and on the lugs too.</li><li>despite being large, the flatness of the back really helps it sit nicely in place with my small 6.5" wrist.</li><li>the positioning of the straps in different holes (as pictured above) makes a substantial difference</li><li>Hands, even on the subdials are nicely aligned </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><p></p><p>I believe I now have a new daily driver. I might even sell a few watches (<i>probably for more each than this cost</i>) to "fund it". I'll be keeping the SRPE65k1 though, its already got too many marks on it for most watch buyers.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Lastly a point on the philosophy</h4><p>People react strongly about watches which are copies (to be blunt) or <i>homages</i> (to be pretending its something else). Setting aside the fully hand made watch by a craftsman in his workshop, pretty much all modern watches are "<i>reproductions</i>". When seen from the view that; they are designed in CAD, then a machine produces the parts from a file (and in some cases does a lot of the assembly too). From this perspective a maker (<i>say</i>) <i>Rolex just reproduces watches from a design</i>.</p><p>I'm looking at my PD-1701 and seeing that others have (<i>by measurement</i>) done a <i>reproduction</i> of this but at a price which can be purchased by anyone who loves the look and design. The real thing that differentiates it is the logo and copyright.</p><p>While the PD-1701 is not finished to the microscopic examination of the case and the mechaquartz movement is not a hand made highly complex mechanical one. Most owners of the Omega would probably not know that you had swapped out their mechanical movement until they went to wind it, for they don't actually see the movement in daily life with the watch. Few if any owners would have taken the case back off in the 1960's to see.</p><p>Thus these Homages or reproductions are really just enriching our lives (those of us who aren't uber wealthy or willing to make sacrifices to get the originals) with being able to enjoy the essential parts of the watch - how it looks and how it functions - at a much more affordable price. I suspect this desire to be 'exclusive' (meaning exclude you from my club) is what's really hurt in people when they find out "its a copy"</p><p>Pagani ... Pagan ... mmmm I think I'm going to proceed with this Mod ...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDaguj9FFYkWkd0L6qpI9pmXpBrsJcxRwJ2SPHsLRaiCtFgjAu9Ja_55wcQken3NnFKZIj1K2gbXzB23kTBatkUJ6tyCsnicsBqtM1NyDhjBbrUDTalViTGWb9K8IOZ_scr9oxqAR0sSdYuXgwUSfw_XkYv93WHwN8aNWVvAguHt_LrIWf-j-99V3XhA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDaguj9FFYkWkd0L6qpI9pmXpBrsJcxRwJ2SPHsLRaiCtFgjAu9Ja_55wcQken3NnFKZIj1K2gbXzB23kTBatkUJ6tyCsnicsBqtM1NyDhjBbrUDTalViTGWb9K8IOZ_scr9oxqAR0sSdYuXgwUSfw_XkYv93WHwN8aNWVvAguHt_LrIWf-j-99V3XhA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The watch is not without fault, but for under US$80 its a lot of watch.<p></p><div>Lastly another strap</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv6aRR6nq-24NTugRnyc_CE1bGzpK405MaXQG45ixTzsdTCjNC6Luddxoz0M5Ydcnxa9JxRdpd6QOxR-oap6ibjgAKOi20Oj89Qu9ByJdsjmk9b6DEtNzOcXO08o2xhDjoV5RcEQzvG5pYLLB3UC9W4z5Kiwq8_-waCPMmG_cJNPIV5n0GWo-0XHOg2A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv6aRR6nq-24NTugRnyc_CE1bGzpK405MaXQG45ixTzsdTCjNC6Luddxoz0M5Ydcnxa9JxRdpd6QOxR-oap6ibjgAKOi20Oj89Qu9ByJdsjmk9b6DEtNzOcXO08o2xhDjoV5RcEQzvG5pYLLB3UC9W4z5Kiwq8_-waCPMmG_cJNPIV5n0GWo-0XHOg2A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Lastly while I was happy with this strap I genuinely don't find it worth the extra money of the eBay leather ones which have exactly the same hardware and equal in leather quality. Still it was only 20% dearer.</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-83356302707370477672023-02-04T11:20:00.003+10:002023-02-04T11:20:46.211+10:00LP records, cleaning and playing (at the same time)<p>People love to spend money on things, sometimes they work.</p><p>To me the most obvious thing to clean a record with is something that it encounters quite often, and something designed to actually be used with the record: The Stylus</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1uHsd0wPeezmmoBVLYtufSC45LPiSbYo5h3YKjng8LxN0FqrM1pKL6JM7VPKQBqV1ZG-yov9sI8e0GHw3dfjh3nbYT5P40b5cNFYRjdWhY14crMYN72niKnHWqkBbAlMdKU8QdGhRAExnRnBouLeG7BvrnoSa-ZgGOODR24_MtMTnlzdeEa_fKpUsJA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="560" data-original-width="800" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1uHsd0wPeezmmoBVLYtufSC45LPiSbYo5h3YKjng8LxN0FqrM1pKL6JM7VPKQBqV1ZG-yov9sI8e0GHw3dfjh3nbYT5P40b5cNFYRjdWhY14crMYN72niKnHWqkBbAlMdKU8QdGhRAExnRnBouLeG7BvrnoSa-ZgGOODR24_MtMTnlzdeEa_fKpUsJA=w400-h280" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Stylus (with a little help from some friends) is perfect and if you're worried about damaging your LP by playing it then you really do need to be thinking of optical ... and maybe even CD?</p><p>Anyway I digress</p><p>I started years ago (like in the 80's) playing my LP's "damp". Not so wet that water flings off, but not dry either. I'd add a small amount of plain fragrance free, uncoloured and unscented detergent to de-mineralised water (like 5ml to 150ml of water) and then carefully gently spray the LP (taking care not to spray the label to get a smooth surface coating on the LP but that doesn't pond.</p><p>I would do this with the LP on the platter and the platter turning. It became pretty obvious if there was too little or too much.</p><p>Then begin playing normally.</p><p>You'll also need a small soft but stiff bristle brush to gently wipe down the stylus because if you watch during this process you'll be stunned just how much comes out of the tracks and gathers on the stylus.</p><p>Lift the stylus up, move it away from the LP, gently in a rolling action designed to bring the bristles (side on) down the stylus as to wipe the gunk off the stylus.</p><p>I found on first plays of this with older LP's which were not always mine from new that this must be done a few times per side.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Added Benefits</h4><p>Since there is moisture on the LP this brings another agent in contact with the stylus, which given its speed through the groove (about 20 inches per second at the outside and decreasing) and the pressure in PSI of the stylus on the vinyl (something like 50psi) some heat is inevitable ... so the water also acts as a cooling agent.</p><p>I have found that this method has greatly reduced the sound quality losses of my records over years of playing and indeed reduces the snap crackle and pop of playing.</p><p>HTH</p><br /><br /><p></p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-15091710985991623052023-01-17T14:07:00.006+10:002023-11-14T08:21:21.999+10:00How to regulate a watch<p>I often see people asking how to "service" their watch or what to do about a watch that runs too fast or too slow. Often the answer to this is as simple as just regulating it.</p><p>Watches are designed to be simple to adjust, but there is an assumption that you're not a dickhead and that you:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>can do delicate work</li><li>aren't messy</li><li>have some basic tools</li><li>are patient</li></ul><div>The place to regulate a watch can be seen through the back of your watch if you have something modern with a display back (or just by taking the back off).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8nJF_p176pJsheXLbfFprg8ORyN0nck6280cTJ4hHiI3AT2NUovs6gdFTVf971xbgYXz7fopN8DDd-Yyiv7wZQyyMKdDT--lgNNWbG-5hSFz0AkzcInI4oDQSf8g7GEyWPhIvFkp0tbtLq3ld7qAZguz_2bVroU72enKCsTSBCWIUUiJ7QcZCvm-aA/s2048/regulate%204R36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8nJF_p176pJsheXLbfFprg8ORyN0nck6280cTJ4hHiI3AT2NUovs6gdFTVf971xbgYXz7fopN8DDd-Yyiv7wZQyyMKdDT--lgNNWbG-5hSFz0AkzcInI4oDQSf8g7GEyWPhIvFkp0tbtLq3ld7qAZguz_2bVroU72enKCsTSBCWIUUiJ7QcZCvm-aA/w640-h640/regulate%204R36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This is the guts (genius) of how a watch keeps time, the balance wheel (the "pendulum" of the watch) and the lever to tune the watch "frequency" of oscillation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just like a guitar plays a different note by pressing on a fret, this lever changes the tune of the spring which times the frequency (or note) of how balance wheel spins back and forth around and around.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Expectation Management</h4><div>Now before we go any further I want you to think about something. If the balance wheel swings back and forth (say) 6 times a second and you want your watch to be better than 20 seconds per day accurate you need to make an adjustment so that it beats its little heart exactly 518,400. That means you want to adjust that to be less than 120 beats per day different. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>That's 0.0231% change</b> just to go from 20 seconds fast to perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div>So yes, we're talking a tiny adjustment.</div><div><br /></div><div>What this is telling you is that the adjustment movement you'll apply to that lever is tiny. No, seriously tiny.</div><div><br /></div><div>So having said that basically all you do is move that lever so that the "nipple" on the ring moves towards the + or the - as you desire (in the blue circle there). Moving towards + speeds up the beat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now some other things. Seiko claim that this movement is between +45 seconds and -35 seconds a day if its within spec. So before you start on this process check that you're perhaps not already inside that.</div><div><br /></div><div>If that's not to your liking then perhaps you should have bought a Quartz watch? I mean that is why Quartz watches dominated watchmaking until the COVID boredom set in and people went spakko looking for stuff to buy on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><div>Presently my watch (yes, that's mine above) runs to about 6 seconds fast per day. I would prefer to have it a tiny bit fast than a tiny bit slow because all I have to to is every couple of weeks pull out the crown. So something for 2 minutes put the crown back in and now its about a minute slow.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're going to now say under a minute out per week is a big issue, then I'm going to say "get a Quartz watch"</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gL6OwLlvyQu1jzr0O2oLz4FHiDE33VNOJn6ykwJjZr7SkHhiekXc6vbxcjjgfg3MyAJ2uMagRNQfvevV1YT8XRt2p5heCeVOdr-7qvjlXrr2k353mA4cUDaobTSrMkK3km41vsR4YHaw/s1067/anti-wanking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gL6OwLlvyQu1jzr0O2oLz4FHiDE33VNOJn6ykwJjZr7SkHhiekXc6vbxcjjgfg3MyAJ2uMagRNQfvevV1YT8XRt2p5heCeVOdr-7qvjlXrr2k353mA4cUDaobTSrMkK3km41vsR4YHaw/w480-h640/anti-wanking.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>no really ... there's nothing wrong with Quartz and unless you're wanting to spend well over a thousand bucks (and still need to regulate it), get a Quartz movement watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, to remember that its only a tiny movement needed on that lever. Worse the lever is tight (because obviously) and designed not to move by vibrations or bumps to the watch. You'll need also</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a case back opening tool (<i>as below they are not expensive</i>) </li><li>a match stick </li><li>an accurate time source (<i>like say, your phone</i>)</li><li>a fresh clean cotton tip</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7-83s48eIOOnVw4FpflJsm39dZY3VTwTiNFcewaNrNaxWfNBlq7U_3_nMlviuLYcEZrvGhxXZW7B_HxMvDHwvz5W-hT1gaTNROifGTPUW2DauuEb2V_ZfrMfs0Z-T3bslH4ewxKqNjxxoQ6N6bqcZDAzaSgwlBafxpmpMQMqTdDU_cPjfzx_mqMFPg/s2048/caseback%20tool.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7-83s48eIOOnVw4FpflJsm39dZY3VTwTiNFcewaNrNaxWfNBlq7U_3_nMlviuLYcEZrvGhxXZW7B_HxMvDHwvz5W-hT1gaTNROifGTPUW2DauuEb2V_ZfrMfs0Z-T3bslH4ewxKqNjxxoQ6N6bqcZDAzaSgwlBafxpmpMQMqTdDU_cPjfzx_mqMFPg/w640-h480/caseback%20tool.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Have a clean work area, quite dust free. Also have a vinyl or leather surface (clean and dust free) to put the watch when working on it. If you're older or need glasses consider whatever else is needed to allow you to see really fine and really close to the watch to see what you're doing.</div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Procedure</h4><div><div>Take the back off and just as you're about to turn the last part, turn the watch with the back down so that the back falls off into your hand. Holding the watch above you with the open movement facing down, use the cotton tip to carefully remove any dust or gunk that was on the case (so that it'll also fall down).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now place the watch with the face town (movement up) and get that match stick. Make the smallest possible movement to the lever in the direction you want the nipple to go (think about how its going to move when you move the lever).</div><div><br /></div><div>Probably it went too far unless you were super careful. If you even think it moved it probably did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now put the case back back on (<i>not to tight, firm; because you're probably going to need a few goes at this</i>) and set the watch to the second against your phone's time.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Wear it for a day and check the time in an hour ... if its like running crazy fast or slow then you know you've moved it too far, so move it back. If its less than a second in an hour then give it 24 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>If its within 10 seconds per day then you'll probably only get it worse by trying again, if not then try that process again. If its the last time, then just make sure that the case back is snuggled in firmly with the tool (not just finger tight).</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Its really not even worth doing this if the watch hasn't been worn daily for at least 6 months, but if you want to then its good practice.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's it</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Watching</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-12256165557844151792023-01-10T11:19:00.010+10:002023-01-25T08:58:43.060+10:00PineBuds Pro - Open Firmware Capable ANC Wireless Earbuds<p>With more and more phones dropping the headphone socket and more and more cameras enforcing driving and talking on the phone as illegal its becoming necessary to really look at the landscape of Bluetooth (<b>BT</b>) headsets and ear buds. Personally I like Active Noise Cancellation (<b>ANC</b>) buds because they </p><p>As you may know I've got a few sets of BT buds (<a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/09/bose-quietcomfort-buds.html" target="_blank">Bose Generation 1</a> and <a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/10/skullcandy-vs-bose.html" target="_blank">SkullCandy INDY ANC buds</a>). Recently I read of the PineBuds Pro and was impressed with their specifications and also intrigued by the fact that they were programmable too.</p><p><b><a href="https://pine64.com/product/pinebuds-pro-open-firmware-capable-anc-wireless-earbuds/">Their site</a></b> boasts of the following (more as I've selected only those of interest:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">User can flash in PINE64 community open firmware when becomes available. The community firmware may beyond typical TWS earbuds functionality.</span></i></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>A custom design 6mm small size transducer <u>packs high output and strong bass performance despite its compact size and can outperform typical 10mm transducers</u>. </i>(LOL and the other one plays jingle bells)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Dual mic voice beam foaming, echo cancellation, and environment noise cancellation (ENC).</span></i> </span> </li></ul><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>SPECIFICATIONS:</b></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">6 microphones Hybrid Adaptive ANC technology, <u>effectively block out background noise up to 45dB</u></span></i> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Frequency Response (Output): 20Hz-20KHz</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Noise Reduction:</b></span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">-45dB attenuation nominal 50-200Hz</span></i></li><li><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">-55dB max attenuation @150Hz</span></i></li></ul></blockquote><p>The key point is the price under US$70 (plus postage). How could I resist?</p>
<p>Please see the section on <a href="#bugs">bugs</a></p>
<p>Sounded too good to be true for the money, unsurprisingly I found that it indeed did not live up to the claims. However I thought I'd give them a good looking at here and compare to my Bose QC Buds (first generation) which makes less substantial ANC claims. So lets have a look at what you get</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxRUN0INtPLOOPs1Ek-NnwJC0LgDsNCujE8cElVa3x91t6K5JeKjG5jCNsZeu1Z-N62nGtZd9AamMjfcN6daDSLBHXO4Rt3XqnQw4-Pa2ITc3B3BRemol-PQO8K7NpycWRXWDwMkr3YoKrq50afdD4RuVPIA4XU6m9ryjAyFgUlZVvGtdvMoiX80s9A/s2048/pine%20_%20bose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="2048" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxRUN0INtPLOOPs1Ek-NnwJC0LgDsNCujE8cElVa3x91t6K5JeKjG5jCNsZeu1Z-N62nGtZd9AamMjfcN6daDSLBHXO4Rt3XqnQw4-Pa2ITc3B3BRemol-PQO8K7NpycWRXWDwMkr3YoKrq50afdD4RuVPIA4XU6m9ryjAyFgUlZVvGtdvMoiX80s9A/w640-h526/pine%20_%20bose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So, <b>the PineBuds are clearly much smaller</b> (which brings disadvantages I'll come back to) and the case has a slider lid not a flip lid. <b>Both have magnets to help lock them into the charging points</b> but the Pine case is much easier to open (even if the buds are harder to pull out with your fingers.</p><p>Unlike the Bose <b>you can leave the lid open because they don't "turn on" until you remove them from the case</b>. Further <b>you can actually turn them off </b>(<i>or if they loose bluetooth they'll turn off automatically after 5 minutes</i>). This is itself a great advantage over the Bose which if left alone will run till the battery is down and if that condition lasts too long (<i>say, a few weeks</i>) you may find that the Bose won't re-charge.</p><p>That's covered under warranty, but why have them gone for a few weeks?</p><p>Looking closer we can see the size difference more clearly</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXqbjLfUsE_8ZUV6ZoCBmsVNugw35UCJchRfBZFaDta8vuhzBgyQLpjiz7y-ms3E1nWDjed0x8n_YpcUWs4_GzNGSkUCko4AhRXt2iBkrd3nhKTIYZoOEJsZ55kKw7Z2vd3uav7pQbtADEWWP_9K3TGeqLg6AfTZ7oIRJQg76CqXOGv4Ofhos-jImFg/s2048/IMG20230110090248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXqbjLfUsE_8ZUV6ZoCBmsVNugw35UCJchRfBZFaDta8vuhzBgyQLpjiz7y-ms3E1nWDjed0x8n_YpcUWs4_GzNGSkUCko4AhRXt2iBkrd3nhKTIYZoOEJsZ55kKw7Z2vd3uav7pQbtADEWWP_9K3TGeqLg6AfTZ7oIRJQg76CqXOGv4Ofhos-jImFg/w640-h480/IMG20230110090248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>and the part which fits into your ear is quite different (<i>because they both have a different strategy of fitting</i>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F2PkwrfvSFZ1WwuQmvw169r_ugN8-gxn5RdRVLfs41oI8qONMMoDMDGsvq-uvzNBl4IfAuve3a9kGe17WDLQeGhNZ9LO2BI_hs7szlv8M9J9utDbfAvBkbCD_ADWaKZv115oaQW9a0ir4wDK2GFZH8JrGDVdz2LEbIKKcIOaINfSwfGvgWKTgwe5GQ/s2048/IMG20230110090225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F2PkwrfvSFZ1WwuQmvw169r_ugN8-gxn5RdRVLfs41oI8qONMMoDMDGsvq-uvzNBl4IfAuve3a9kGe17WDLQeGhNZ9LO2BI_hs7szlv8M9J9utDbfAvBkbCD_ADWaKZv115oaQW9a0ir4wDK2GFZH8JrGDVdz2LEbIKKcIOaINfSwfGvgWKTgwe5GQ/w640-h480/IMG20230110090225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Both buds have a different strategy for touch input, and I'd expected when reading the documentation that these would be more like the SkullCandy INDY ANC buds (which I prefer the operation of) than the Bose. Turned out this assumption was wrong (but may be programmable to how I want it).</p><p>This results in a more subtle ear presence, but not as much as you may like to imagine</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sVJGlgf2_hy13ASc6qSSnaLFT2BaKgsaGq0Ip_Ad7Q9ep_GhJ7hJDU3izUO4xstPkOERMh4MOIlji-RUAgOzrx6z7mTMB67vDjHt5Mm7jlZFptrtO36OQ-H4_1_Q4aPSth_64CEgJL4baiDSkCeu09FYDV4KAAeAtz3C9liCSZeuKtQ385igoaaLPQ/s2006/IMG_20230110_095515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="2006" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sVJGlgf2_hy13ASc6qSSnaLFT2BaKgsaGq0Ip_Ad7Q9ep_GhJ7hJDU3izUO4xstPkOERMh4MOIlji-RUAgOzrx6z7mTMB67vDjHt5Mm7jlZFptrtO36OQ-H4_1_Q4aPSth_64CEgJL4baiDSkCeu09FYDV4KAAeAtz3C9liCSZeuKtQ385igoaaLPQ/w640-h416/IMG_20230110_095515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>What isn't perhaps obvious is the difference that this makes in terms of actually touching the right part of the earbud when giving it your request (you know, answer that call, turn the volume up/down, change track, change ANC levels ...). This has meant that <b>I get a lot more mis-touch operations when using the PineBuds </b>than I do with the Bose.</p><p>While <b>the "<i>granularity</i>" of volume adjustments was better on the PineBuds</b> the <b>mistouch events pissed me off more than the steps clearly audible as being a bit too much on the Bose</b>. Using the Bose App solves this problem but when you're driving or doing something else on the phone do you really want to go through the app for every fucking thing?</p><p>At this point its worth saying "<i><b>I'm not leaving my Bose Buds for this product</b></i>".</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Audio quality</h4><p>This is of course subjective, but having used buds, over ear, on ear and whatnot in listening (even professionally) for some dozens of years I can say that <b>the PineBuds are sufficient but they are not in the same league as the Bose</b>, when it comes to accuracy and clarity or even depth of bass (<i>no I don't mean just cranked up artificial bass</i>).</p><p>Worse, in phone calls strange digital processing artifacts occur from time to time. This results in strange "independence" of the voice in each ear (probably caused by brief failure of comb filters) or even some vocal distortion (not unlike clipping) to be briefly heard.</p><p>When no music is playing background low level noise can be heard. Note, this is not typical white (or pink) noise but is more consistent with little bits of binary chatter in the background. Perhaps some bleed from the small CPU system?</p><p>Overall I'd rate audio as a 6 or 7 out of 10 (and the Bose a solid 9.5 out of 10)</p><p><b>NOTE:</b> <b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">for some people an important point will be that they can be used independently</b>. That's right, if you like being able to use one bud in one ear then these allow this. Better it can be either bud, which is helpful if you drive on the left side or the right side of the vehicle as you can pick which one fits what you want to achieve. Say have the window down but still make calls by putting the "inside ear" in, or if you have a passenger and want to make calls putting the earbud in the opposite ear to the passenger.</p><div><b>bonus points for that feature.</b></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">ANC levels</h4><div>Its hard to say without measurements but subjectively the ANC (any level that it had right out of the box) is inferior to the ANC of the Bose. Its worth noting I only have ANC and Aware programmed in as my preferred settings on the Bose. As it happens one has to toggle through 5 settings on the PineBuds to get to the setting before where you are ... <i>fuck me</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>ANC is hard to judge but I've got a few tests (<i>like the pushing down of the background birds here or the neighbours quintet of yapping little irritating dogs</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>So lackluster is this ANC (<i>sure ain't 55db says a guy who regularly uses 28db earplugs</i>) that I'm wondering if replacing the standard silicone tips with "memory foam" types will actually make them better.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>ambient mode</b>: again another change in curve for music reproduction (<i>bass sounds a bit wooly</i>) doesn't really seem to pass much through</li><li><b>ANC off</b>: best audio of them all and basically behaves like nice BT buds (<i>no noise</i>)</li><li><b>standard ANC</b>: fridge motor sounds fade into the background (<i>subtle change in music playback curve</i>)</li><li><b>Super ANC </b>(<i>not so subtle but not offensive different change in curve</i> <i>deepness of bass disappears</i>)</li></ul></div><div>all a bit subtle, but the thing is when you compare it to the Bose you don't get anything like this. That's why you pay the extra for the Bose. Its up to you if you think you can afford the Bose (or say the Apple or even the SkullCandy) or will notice the difference. Finally you are in no danger of situational awareness failures caused by ANC.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Ear fit (and the silicone tips)</h4><div>As seen above these buds use a "common" half sphere dome silicone bullet that allows a seal in the ear canal. Accordingly its important to try the sizes to find the right fit for you. In my case I found the middle one the right one, while with the Bose I found the smallest to be best. So try them.</div><div><br /></div><div>When put into my ear (like most) they sat nicely and weren't annoying (<i>well more than buds are actually are full time annoying unless you're sitting and not chewing, talking or drinking when they suck</i>). </div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">what I think about ANC?</h4><div>Basically when you make a call the listener will need to hear you (gosh, calls you say?), in this respect I had hoped that the lack of ANC may translate to a better listening experience for the person I talk to. This is so far shaping up to be about on a par with every BT headset I've used.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h4><div>So, if you're:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>on a budget</li><li>interested in modding the software</li><li>like the features such as powering off each bud</li></ul><div>I won't be giving up my Bose for long trips in my (noisy) car (4WD wagon) but will most certainly be keeping these PineBuds ... besides I'm still interested to see how the new foam tips go.</div></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Annoyances</h4><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>tap registration is patchy, made worse by the small active area on what are small buds to begin with</li><li>a double edged sword is that "Volume Down" is a very small increment (which I like) but requires a few presses to activate. So if you have "volume blasting in your ear" you end up not being able to turn them down fast without doing all sorts of other things (like pausing or hanging up) </li></ul></div><div><br /></div>
<h4 id="bugs" style="text-align: left;">Bugs</h4><div>I'll update this as I find more</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>bluetooth driver bug: When playing music using my default music player, putting my phone in my pocket pauses the music (no other BT device I have causes this)</li><li>occasionally fails to pass through phone calls (or indeed anything). At this time they show connected, the phone shows its connected but nothing. Turn off bluetooth and turn back on again to fix.</li><li>bluetooth range is crappy, even in my own kitchen (especially when power is not 100%)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-37325921151886320042023-01-02T06:42:00.001+10:002023-01-02T06:42:12.438+10:00Farcebook - community?I know we've all been there, struggling with "the Algo" that's broken<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqLufi0g4BxZEskbmLVwOgtJBbwBD2wSZ4PxhKU3c7PElmlzdwJa1EGIwaE6mg4jVPKUw3ryM39FpaZnWpnoCQPMf7V1HcAtw3wiLGhZ8iwsslJQEWHjf2dEoMRaqkp7g9kA9Hb33km3bY4W353vWJeQ7ZQ-UN_Op97q9E-aEt4sxk6chYjU3HqGgmvA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="900" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqLufi0g4BxZEskbmLVwOgtJBbwBD2wSZ4PxhKU3c7PElmlzdwJa1EGIwaE6mg4jVPKUw3ryM39FpaZnWpnoCQPMf7V1HcAtw3wiLGhZ8iwsslJQEWHjf2dEoMRaqkp7g9kA9Hb33km3bY4W353vWJeQ7ZQ-UN_Op97q9E-aEt4sxk6chYjU3HqGgmvA=s16000" /></a></div><br />Fuck You Too Facebook (*no I'm not in prison again, but a friend is)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvkAIsGm_wg3zWQnAmwzofzlX1gv3l7IcqQhsw9MI0dYdQaZ4BoSSBx1JTKRtDB0sp_OXw4HR7OBv-PFL4iCovqnC5HaZ5ehk_2F1Iz-KHFA3uAeHfd3j0l558-MxIBwgzurkTXEX7Yud7bytnwlc50GXBvbLakRorBxUupUhURrFZpzx7at1VKAeGOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="228" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvkAIsGm_wg3zWQnAmwzofzlX1gv3l7IcqQhsw9MI0dYdQaZ4BoSSBx1JTKRtDB0sp_OXw4HR7OBv-PFL4iCovqnC5HaZ5ehk_2F1Iz-KHFA3uAeHfd3j0l558-MxIBwgzurkTXEX7Yud7bytnwlc50GXBvbLakRorBxUupUhURrFZpzx7at1VKAeGOQ=s16000" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>This is the thing, you have your settings private, only your friends can see (so its not publicly visible) and you are joking around innocently and say something like "stab" and boom ... you're down.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Algo tells you like a nanny about your own community standards ... I miss the old days of Facebook. COVID paranoia and lockdowns and attempts to enforce "the truth" on what antivaxxers were writing led to a broken system.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Algo is now just like the Gestapo became.</div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-63235958960562540292022-11-13T11:33:00.001+10:002022-11-13T11:33:09.543+10:00balancing storage<p>As you may know I like to get things as right as I can and if you've read my blog (and perhaps more specifically <b><a href="https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2022/09/cells-in-battery.html" target="_blank">this post</a></b> about my battery storage) you'll know that I keep going on solving until I get a result I'm satisfied with. Well after a little testing I'm comfortable to report that I've found a balancing solution (thanks to that guy on Reddit) for a small amount of money.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tLjQaJwCQ_NQpg5jM-EFMnkdTBWgdQzFrEXoekbpMoHu3NQzNnQuVj7YRugZZhhzbPQdClpEny9eWw3gzsRcVbJ36-nazTckDNG6uGNyQSlXpwyUKu8pSEmcfq41rJqoru3_OdhbuX5ENJ4uRsMogdYMWtpLrSAlYzgpP-BEcCOKry9Q73Ns-BhRTw/s2000/balance%20box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tLjQaJwCQ_NQpg5jM-EFMnkdTBWgdQzFrEXoekbpMoHu3NQzNnQuVj7YRugZZhhzbPQdClpEny9eWw3gzsRcVbJ36-nazTckDNG6uGNyQSlXpwyUKu8pSEmcfq41rJqoru3_OdhbuX5ENJ4uRsMogdYMWtpLrSAlYzgpP-BEcCOKry9Q73Ns-BhRTw/w480-h640/balance%20box.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>If you follow the wires you will see +ve from the A side goes to the 24V +ve, the black to the 24V -ve and the white to the place where the two 12V batteries are joined in series to make a single 24V battery.</p><p>The box is as simple as it gets, it "powers" itself from the battery its attached to and The A and B labels on the box have an LED which lights up when they are transferring the power. The manual says this about how much power it sucks from the system.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26uWa9hORlptLrBN_RlteUjuM6EzPx4kMrdvTYrsCW6eTUPUnP7_pSIStjHNeVWqZta_x3pTvZcCn9Y4uy5QRV0tG_IGH1lMKkyeHkopIWzHOdJFnz2Ywz33ISH8Am3_eAfOLRAEpZcFjXgKqHvSE07IJE6obS0w9T7qfw8fs80Uvhs6-UyxbZcKwnQ/s2134/IMG_20221113_105826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2012" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26uWa9hORlptLrBN_RlteUjuM6EzPx4kMrdvTYrsCW6eTUPUnP7_pSIStjHNeVWqZta_x3pTvZcCn9Y4uy5QRV0tG_IGH1lMKkyeHkopIWzHOdJFnz2Ywz33ISH8Am3_eAfOLRAEpZcFjXgKqHvSE07IJE6obS0w9T7qfw8fs80Uvhs6-UyxbZcKwnQ/w378-h400/IMG_20221113_105826.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div><br /></div>so not much goes outside the system from this and it even prevents discharging a pair of batteries not being charged regularly from being drained to death.<div><br /></div><div>Its wired up like this<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS0VlXhJVL2gqQbwSB72HAWo5yFEirXbW9niWVSVxayv4ZDyzIorLr9m8ol3Zsnaf2ngpXtkqEpRUv84huWb2xFWBKK7WEuqABOjmAZpJRn5RcIOyNWU5twJVlbF9y0PweNXkxbcpeLASF6_2uH9zh5X4pbgt9ZfL3aLzQaxIlSkQV_QX-3tbeZeUBw/s1876/IMG_20221113_105903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="1876" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS0VlXhJVL2gqQbwSB72HAWo5yFEirXbW9niWVSVxayv4ZDyzIorLr9m8ol3Zsnaf2ngpXtkqEpRUv84huWb2xFWBKK7WEuqABOjmAZpJRn5RcIOyNWU5twJVlbF9y0PweNXkxbcpeLASF6_2uH9zh5X4pbgt9ZfL3aLzQaxIlSkQV_QX-3tbeZeUBw/w400-h400/IMG_20221113_105903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>and as you can see will even scale up to work with more batteries easily by just adding more.</div><div><br /></div><div>So as you may observe in the top picture there is a small voltage difference between the batteries, but this is just a calibration problem of those cheap voltage displays. I just couldn't get it to be less than 0.5V by turn and so the small differences present the way they are.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't mind really because at a glance I can see big problems (like more than half a volt) then I don't need to look further. Now and then I see what the voltages are with my Fluke volt meter, and they've been good.</div><div><br /></div><div>So basically this unit helps to keep the drift of one bunch of cells (the 6 cells within one of the 12V batteries) getting too far from the other bunch of cells (within the other battery). The ideal would be cell by cell comparisons but as each 12V battery is sealed that's not going to happen without surgery. However my experience is that this system works pretty well.</div><div><p>As I discussed my existing system was indeed drifting, which is not surprising when you stop thinking of maths and start thinking about 1) chemistry and 2) the reality of productions. Tiny differences exist in things (except perhaps those made for NASA) and these set up the beginnings of drift. Things like</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>under load do all cells in a battery discharge the same? Does indeed each of the two batteries??</li><li>what about under charging?</li></ol><div>So this system basically works electrically "inside the battery" to keep the two bundles of cells together.</div><p></p><p>The best thing is that this little box only cost $15</p><p>Fantastic</p><p>Win Win</p></div></div>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-69542121671825317552022-11-11T10:49:00.004+10:002022-11-15T06:18:26.675+10:00Bose aftermarket spare parts<p>If you have bose headphones eventually you'll find yourself needing a new set of ear cups and the inside covers / liners.</p><p>I recently bought a set and things have improved since I bought sets for my QC-2's years ago, the ear cups actually fit now (<i>required some surgery on the last set</i>), however things still aren't perfect as all of the ones I've seen on eBay (and the like) for my QC35ii <b>have flat inside liners</b>, not curved like the genuine ones (<i>as seen with my manky ones here</i>) that I've removed:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitBi5Ulo2OAg5_j7RnCI0l9hJ2ILon13yqJwQfSs1IKRgqVIp7mdPxocjn1oEU2uH_oH34OPWGeHbst2ImHWxczy9TQx8fBZw9CNvtzw9OWe7tAqPsxbjSsh1hw7BWt5iPXyhK39P_xSW8VCmC0i_7lSB5fG-YQOW85Ls75_cKcqLbxlsULJxBC7upQ/s2048/Bose%20inserts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitBi5Ulo2OAg5_j7RnCI0l9hJ2ILon13yqJwQfSs1IKRgqVIp7mdPxocjn1oEU2uH_oH34OPWGeHbst2ImHWxczy9TQx8fBZw9CNvtzw9OWe7tAqPsxbjSsh1hw7BWt5iPXyhK39P_xSW8VCmC0i_7lSB5fG-YQOW85Ls75_cKcqLbxlsULJxBC7upQ/w640-h480/Bose%20inserts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>and here</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTAenOB8Q9G5Cqz4zujXs04vog3sDF1EIJfFo9GoEGLRoaPloRQBLW_0578rZYyjia2KDPfswANJ7Cq1RIoE0uoJa0T3MvspP-xe2aYCth8xGczrgQfjgy9mSQ72mnxV1gQaHkOYyro0TK5c9Eb-fpDyhZ3JdMcjAW0ZgciqUe__H_GA9dhHB177h9A/s1365/IMG20221111103813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTAenOB8Q9G5Cqz4zujXs04vog3sDF1EIJfFo9GoEGLRoaPloRQBLW_0578rZYyjia2KDPfswANJ7Cq1RIoE0uoJa0T3MvspP-xe2aYCth8xGczrgQfjgy9mSQ72mnxV1gQaHkOYyro0TK5c9Eb-fpDyhZ3JdMcjAW0ZgciqUe__H_GA9dhHB177h9A/w480-h640/IMG20221111103813.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>It results in the inside not being covered as it was before:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9kkxZsgnz2yiHvEcOwLpZwLF-PTYBOQjjkP_GZoLlQOvBkizbbybp90BzM3ntx5jEAe7pd93IUXGk3f6b1QHXQbdStVhFB4xdp4ohMw833IINKDXZr6wAGrrPNqB4sew9l1YOfH2atIGyaqueBQRWJXdI10hrwZ-0YkCZRHdrSg34GLVHH18-qUaMA/s2048/IMG20221111104235-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9kkxZsgnz2yiHvEcOwLpZwLF-PTYBOQjjkP_GZoLlQOvBkizbbybp90BzM3ntx5jEAe7pd93IUXGk3f6b1QHXQbdStVhFB4xdp4ohMw833IINKDXZr6wAGrrPNqB4sew9l1YOfH2atIGyaqueBQRWJXdI10hrwZ-0YkCZRHdrSg34GLVHH18-qUaMA/w640-h480/IMG20221111104235-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>and so this area is likely going to suffer a little from my ear tips touching that (<i>as you can see the marks on the top photograph if you look carefully</i>) as it was previously covered and now isn't.</p><p>Ultimately I think this will reduce the life of my product, so I'll weigh my options, but as they're already nearly 3 years old I'm not sure they'll get the same usage (or if I can apply something else myself).</p><p>Just a FYI</p>obakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.com0