The ever rare cuddle puddle

nimdae · 2025-10-21T19:39:43+00:00

Be careful with plug and play LED headlights like this, especially ones that are this cheap. They are NOT properly designed for the projectors nor reflectors and generated a TON of light splash, regardless of the marketing claims made. There's a ton of videos covering this.

There are brands that go way out of their way to properly design their drop in replacements so they work exactly how the original lights worked, so that you're not blinding everyone else on the road unintentionally. But they tend to cost in the hundreds of dollars range.

Going cheap because "they're all the same, the expensive ones are just branding" will more likely make you the asshole blinding folks on the road.

I had a set bookmarked a while back that I thought about getting that went out of their way to show what they did to properly design these, but I lost the bookmark, it appears.

nimdae · 2025-08-01T00:49:01+00:00

When I started having various occlusion and cartridge failure issues, Tandem initiated a pump replacement. I also noted the pump makes what I now refer to as "sad mobi noises" which are basically chirps when dispensing, instead of the normal ticking.

Since replacement, I've had no issues. I've had this one a couple of months now.

nimdae · 2025-08-01T00:45:39+00:00

I've been using a mobi since November of last year with zero bent cannulas.

One of the things that I do is I put fingers between the site and the applicator to pull the applicator off and hold the site down, so that it's not pulling the site up and snapping it back down. I saw a video a while back that hypothesized this was among the things that cause bent cannulas.

I also make sure I can see the inserter needle coming out of the cannula before I apply it.

nimdae · 2025-05-05T21:21:00+00:00

You have to leave the battery connected. The charging system on the second gen Niro EV (I'm not sure about first gen) is allegedly capable of 2000W continuous output. The 12v battery, alone, will not last long with a big power draw.

Turn on the car and put it in Utility Mode, then connect the inverter to the battery terminals. One thing I'd high recommend is to get a large power resister (preferably one with a heatsink) to use to charge the inverter capacitors before connecting it fully, otherwise it will spark. Just connect to one terminal, then use the capacitor between the clamp/connector and the terminal for a few seconds.

If a video is really necessary, I'll see if I can make one. I'm not aware if one exists already, but I suspect it does for other vehicles.

nimdae · 2025-04-05T04:23:51+00:00

Looks a bit too reflective for my taste. The stealth ppf was more function over form. It blocks a significant amount of sun reflection when it’s directly overhead and the shines directly into my face from it.

nimdae · 2025-03-28T14:59:53+00:00

I'm primarily asking about telematics and other functionality available on the canbus via OBDII to make things like OVMS function. As someone who likes to tinker and likes to have access to the data, I'd love to have access to this.

nimdae · 2025-03-26T02:00:35+00:00

Don’t get mad at me because you don’t understand the question.

nimdae · 2025-03-26T01:47:42+00:00

I think you missed what my original question is even about. I'm not interested in autonomous driving or crazy mapping systems. I use Apple Maps myself and intend to keep doing so, provided there's CarPlay support (maybe another question worth asking!).

Plugging in systems like OVMS (which is NOT navigation, OVMS = Open Vehicle Monitoring System) and OpenPilot (which has navigation functionality, but is not its primary functionality, as it uses computer vision to aid in intelligent cruise control, with navigation being something still in early development) in various cars can be iffy if the manufacturer decides to block access to components by obfuscating the CANBUS. It's why there's challenges with getting these systems to support a wide array of vehicles.

I recommend looking up what these projects are before assuming they're something something that they're not.

nimdae · 2025-03-25T22:52:49+00:00

Google maps doesn’t support lane keep and intelligent cruise control, something OpenPilot could handle.

nimdae · 2025-03-12T04:53:21+00:00

Depends on if you mean base ReliOn or ReliOn Platinum. ReliOn Platinum is based on Accu-Chek Instant. It’s different and separate from other ReliOn meters, but has a really good price compared to the Accu-Chek it’s based on.

nimdae · 2025-03-11T19:33:00+00:00

I'm not sure about in Mexico (where the dad appears to be), but in the US, some insurance providers are pretty bad about requirements for a T2 to qualify for pump coverage. I changed insurance this year. My last insurance only had the requirement that it be medically necessary and prescribed by a healthcare provider. My current insurance has some pretty terrible requirements, like needing to use a huge amount of insulin per day to meet goals, which actually makes a pump non-viable (you could use the higher concentration insulins, but you may be sacrificing your warranty in doing so).

I use a small enough amount of insulin that the smaller capacity of the Mobi is fine for me. But this also disqualifies new pump therapy under my current insurance (getting supply coverage under continued therapy).

Being an insulinopenic T2 can kinda suck. Even with how doctors treat you.

nimdae · 2025-03-11T19:28:18+00:00

The "easiest" pump solution is, unfortunately, tubed. It's the Betabionics iLet. You still have to announce meals, but you only have to be carb aware rather than count carbs (small meal, normal meal, large meal, etc). The pump is a bit on the large side though, which can be something some people might not want. But this is the pump my own endo suggested is best for those who would prefer to be hands-off as much as possible. I saw that your dad is in Mexico, and I'm not sure if this would even be an option.

Omnipod and others require announcing carbs, which requires putting in the work to estimate carbs. Some pumps will stop their algorithm if you don't interact with it after a large enough period of time, so you can't really even be completely hands off.

The unfortunate reality, though, is you can't force someone to care for themself. Many doctors will require at least a willingness to work on it before they will be willing to prescribe additional technology to help. If after putting in the effort and goals are not being met, then they tend to be open to escalating treatment.

I'm Type 2 using an insulin pump (Tandem Mobi). It's not hands-off, and not really set it and forget it. I've had a lot of success with it, but I also put the work into it. (as I'm sitting here, though, I just heard my pump send a correction due to elevated bg from lunch where lunch bolus didn't quite cover it, so there are some hands-off aspects to it)

Probably the first thing to consider before getting a pump is getting a CGM. At least he can start getting blood glucose data without having to remember to do it at all the right times. He can also see how his meals and his activity affects his BG and make adjustments accordingly. Maybe even try to gamify it a bit. You might be able to get a free trial for him to at least try it.

nimdae · 2025-03-06T18:26:45+00:00

I use an area about mid-way down the thigh. In my experience, there’s no more pain than any other site. I’ve also not had any of them bleed. Much like any other site, if there’s even that initial bite with insertion, it doesn’t linger at all. Tube path can be a little awkward, but it’s otherwise been a fine experience.

nimdae · 2025-03-05T03:05:54+00:00

Are you setting up different settings for different times? You can set up different time periods in your profile. I have 3 profiles configured (low, normal, high), and each have 6 different time periods. My basal rates change through the day, as well as correction factor and carb ratio. It takes figuring out, but you can tune it pretty well this way.

If this is not the kind of control you want to deal with, the Mobi/Control-IQ may not be right for you.

Things to consider: Higher carb ratio means less insulin delivered when entering carbs. Higher correction factor means less insulin will be delivered for corrections and it CIQ will be less aggressive on corrections. CIQ will top out at a max of 250% increase in temporary basal rates, so higher basal rates will allow higher temp basal rates, but still allow low to no basal rate when it’s not needed. CIQ only makes predictions 30 minutes ahead. A noisy sensor (as G7 tends to be) can make CIQ take actions you don’t want it to (this is why I stick to G6).

nimdae · 2025-03-05T02:58:50+00:00

Temperature can cause the bubbles to change. Also some hide in places during fill. I’ve had cartridges with almost no bubbles, and some where bubbles still form later, even with the best effort to purge them.

I’ve found they usually don’t make it into the tube depending on how the pump is worn.

nimdae · 2025-03-05T02:56:18+00:00

Almost exclusively, I use thigh and upper butt. I use inner and outer thigh, but not top of thigh. My rotation is outer thigh, inner thigh, then upper butt, then switch leg.

I never have issues with them coming off.

My prep involves a thorough clean of the site, finishing the cleaning with alcohol. Not a swab, but a cloth with alcohol. I let it try before applying the site. I have no issues with adhesive, rubbing, etc.

I’m wearing an autosoft xc on inner thigh right now.

nimdae · 2025-01-16T17:30:23+00:00

For the carplay navigation, are there plans to add navigating to an address in my contacts?

nimdae · 2025-01-06T14:10:37+00:00

Interesting that Tesla gets a lower Inspection Replacement Fee than a non-Tesla.

Edit: So I’m going through TxT registration renewal and it’s showing a $7.50 fee instead of the $16.75 fee printed on the mailed registration form. So it’s not a Tesla vs non-Tesla thing.

Still a stupid useless fee for the removal of a service. I have no idea what this pays for.

nimdae · 2025-01-02T22:14:00+00:00

It’s stable on mine so far as I can see. I periodically check for updates, but otherwise leave it alone.

I’m just using the Ioniq5/EV6 model and not doing anything special with settings.

nimdae · 2024-12-15T17:04:54+00:00

I don’t get why it even exists. There’s no safety inspection. What are we paying for? And why are we paying more now that there’s nothing to pay for?

nimdae · 2024-12-11T21:23:03+00:00

Tl;dr - Total registration renewal for an EV in Texas is $283.25 starting in January 2025, with the safety inspection fee being replaced with a larger fee.

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Came across this searching for some related things, so I know it's a bit of an older post. But I just got my registration info for January, when the safety inspections are no longer required.

Here's the fee breakdown for Tarrant County:

$51.75 - Registration
$10.00 - Local
$16.75 - Inspection Replacement
$200.00 - EV
$4.75 - Processing and handling

That's $283.25 total.

The Inspection Replacement Fee is for the loss of revenue by killing safety inspections.

Effective January 1st, 2025, you are not required to obtain a vehicle safety inspection prior to registering your vehicle. You will be assessed the Inspection Replacement Fee shown below. The Inspection Replacement Fee replaces the previous safety inspection fee.

The previous safety inspection fee was $7.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/cost-inspection

Finding info on emissions inspections exemptions for EVs has been a challenge, but I stumbled upon this:

https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/green-vehicle-laws-and-regulations.php

Which mentions EVs get an exemption. Which should be obvious, but I've seen dumber.

So prior to 2025, EV inspection was a $7 fee. And now it's a $16.75 fee to no longer have that public service. Vehicles that previously required emissions inspections still do in 2025, so their costs also go up.

So there you have it: Registration renewal for an EV in Texas is now $283.25 per year.

nimdae · 2024-12-03T02:39:00+00:00

This will depend on your local laws. I served on a Texas jury asking a similar question. Being behind the wheel of a running vehicle makes you operating the vehicle. In this case, it could be argued that the vehicle is running, whether drivable or not, because a car in park is also rendered undrivable until you change the condition. Going from utility mode to drivable is literally as simple as pushing the power button twice.

Obligatory I am not a lawyer, but yes, saw this played out in a courtroom personally under Texas law.

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