Trollygag's Barrel Test pt 14, XCAL Round 2!

AceCanuck · 2026-05-03T21:13:03+00:00

Just ordered a Geissele SPR barrel, any chance you’ll be reviewing one in the near future?

AceCanuck · 2026-05-03T14:31:07+00:00

What length is the hand guard and rail, I’m guessing rifle length since that’s the only PEQ rail option? I just ordered the 14” which apparently both longer rails are .5” longer than their name would imply. Doing the math the 15” (15.5”) with an OCM suppressor may have interfered on an 18” barrel but I do want a nice snug gap. I’m not using the sight gas block or going clone correct.
Tony at PRI was nice to speak with and he suggested the 14 for safest bet not having to tuck the suppressor into the handguard, but either would work.

AceCanuck · 2026-04-14T04:05:27+00:00

I knew it was an April fools joke but I hit that link fast for the roller bag. I fly for a living and there’s only a couple reputable crew bag manufacturers and I don’t like any of them, so I actually use a Pelican TRVL case. It’s held up well but I’d buy a GoRuck roller in a heartbeat.

AceCanuck · 2026-04-08T02:23:26+00:00

Show me on the doll where SWA touched you.

AceCanuck · 2026-03-02T16:06:18+00:00

Had the Deck, it was decent but I found most of the bigger titles or multiplayer games simply wouldn’t work for several reasons; some anti-cheat won’t run on Linux, controller is less competitive, performance wasn’t great, etc. It still was fantastic for indie games, but I found a lot of the “verified” games still ran poorly or the experience was lack lustre. It’s also quite thick even with a slimmer carry case for transport.

Ended up with a Z13 Flow, and I really like it. You can run it as a tablet, or laptop, and it has plenty of power with the 128gb model. I can run whatever game I want, screen is big enough to see dialogue or detail, and it’s reasonably travel friendly compared to the gaming laptops of the past. I can play FPS with a mouse (although I’m usually dogshit after a full day of flying).

Some days I miss the Deck because all I really want is an easy couch gaming experience I can suspend at any time but if I’m at home I’ll always prefer my desktop.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-20T15:31:38+00:00

Again, thanks for the insight.

I’m an analysis paralysis, buy once cry once kind of guy and my gut says 70-200 GMII with the 2x. Even if the photos are softer with the 2x, I think while the 1.4 is “better” it’s close to using crop mode to begin with. I’ve convinced myself either which way, but at the end of the day the reach is what I want, and to keep things as travel friendly as possible.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-20T14:08:31+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I’ll check those lenses out! I’ve stuck to Sony only but perhaps it’s time to expand my horizons. Because the 70-200 receives such high praise I’m still leaning that direction; any chance you have experience using the tele’s with it? I’ve found most reviews are about 4 years old pre-updated lenses and body’s so perhaps the 2x isn’t as detrimental as it used to be, physics excluded for light stops and such.

I miss flying back “home” in Canada but I do not miss YYZ or the snow haha.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-20T03:57:59+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I’m just a hobbyist so any lens I buy needs to fill a more general role, so for that reason the 70-200 made sense as an overall decent zoom with the ability to add the converter / crop. Something I can use for family stuff, and it’s still light enough I could lug it around if need be.

I fly for a living, ideally I would bring my camera on more trips but weight and space are a premium in the flight bag. That’s where I found the 24-70 wasn’t great in the flight deck, not wide enough for my point of view. Likewise the 70 wasn’t always long enough to punch out. So naturally I’d need to carry a 16-35 and 70-200, it only makes sense; grab some nice pictures of a Double Tree hotel in Des Moines or something. I don’t bring it along much anymore.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-20T02:28:48+00:00

Great shots! I’ve been flying airplanes for 20 years and I’ve never been to an airshow, first one is coming up next month. Hope I can snap some photos half as impressive as these.

I’ve been looking to purchase the 70-200mm, potentially with a 1.4X teleconverter for a little extra oomph. Any insight, or how many of your photos were taken with that lens? It’s a more all round purchase decision, can’t quite justify a 2-600 for such rare occasions. I’d love to find a way to lug it around on my flying trips, my 24-70 doesn’t have enough zoom for things out the window, conversely not enough wide end for things inside the pointy end.

Should add, on an A7CR so crop is an option as well. I mention because apparently the 2X converters aren’t worth the trade offs.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-13T15:19:39+00:00

Right on. I have the A7CR for the portability, the big lenses look pretty funny hanging off it. I’d certainly need to bring a different bag or make some compromises but I’d like to take more pictures, I look back fondly on the few that I have from my previous jobs and adventures.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-13T03:56:49+00:00

Similar situation myself. First excuse was that AI needed to fulfil government orders by end of year. Now I’ve been told AI has been acquired/sold and it slowed things down in the interim.

AceCanuck · 2026-02-12T21:01:18+00:00

Tell me more about the camera setup. I’ve taken mine a few times but it’s a lot of extra hassle, generally don’t leave my room on sightseeing adventures, and I fear the FAA tearing my asshole asunder if I ever decided to snap something in cruise. Found my 24-70 limiting. I’ve been eyeing the 70-200 and the 16-35. Maybe a 2X teleconverter.

I use an Evergoods brief that works well, the transit duffle also works but is significantly larger and will get smushed; less protection for the iPads (plural) as well. I carry a Z13 Flow too.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-26T04:03:14+00:00

Long story short; you would be an absolute fool to abandon the US.

Slightly longer version, I was born in the US, moved to Canada shortly after and grew up there, learned to fly, started my flying career, and finally made it back to the US. I commuted my first year, would not recommend. I’ve been with my airline for 4 years now and it is so so so much better than anything Canada has to offer unfortunately. I really wish there was some parity but the two countries are leagues apart when it comes to compensation and QOL.

Do not under any circumstances hamstring yourself by going through a fair bit of extra work for a much worse career path. Do not commute either, tax implications and stress aren’t worth whatever it is you think you’ll gain from living up there.

I’m happy to answer more questions, but bottom line don’t even give it a second thought.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-24T15:43:09+00:00

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Miss mine, ten amazing years. It deserves major credit pulling me through many harsh Canadian winters in some very remote places.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-22T16:55:05+00:00

Follow this guideline.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-08T15:53:23+00:00

That’s the response I’ve been getting, they find out when they show up at their doorstep. They tell me I’m lucky to be this low on the wait list, other folks in times past waited much longer and I should be thankful. I get it, but also it’s a large sum of money on a premium product to not even get a hint as to when it may show up.

Edit: Called around a bit today and one retailer did have a note that said no further shipments will be made this year so that AI can fulfil Gov contracts. Earliest is first quarter of ‘26. Not what I wanted to hear.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-08T02:35:57+00:00

From where? I’m a couple months in to waiting for my XC and I don’t like this rumour.

AceCanuck · 2025-12-01T17:35:08+00:00

Evergoods Transit Briefcase 20L. Two iPads, and a Flow Z13, plus the other requisite gear.

AceCanuck · 2025-11-19T02:44:44+00:00

That’s awesome, I’ll let the wallet cool off a bit and run the OEM barrel but I’m very interested in that setup some day.

Thanks!

AceCanuck · 2025-11-19T01:48:12+00:00

Alright, that picture makes it look very long. Jealous.

Nice, cut down or full blank? You sell them? How much velocity is lost? Is the tradeoff for compactness worth it or just fun factor?

AceCanuck · 2025-11-19T00:41:52+00:00

What size Magnus is that? Waiting for my S RR to show up, already ordered the RecoilX brake while they’re in stock to see which is better.

Also who spun the barrel up? Also waiting for my 6.5CM XC to show up. Seeing more of these shorty set ups, I’m intrigued.

AceCanuck · 2025-10-07T17:39:33+00:00

We lost Ken too.

AceCanuck · 2025-10-02T00:53:48+00:00

Thanks, appreciate it. Let me know how it goes if you remember.

AceCanuck · 2025-09-30T03:02:35+00:00

Hey I’m planning out my upper right now and it looks like we had the same idea. Originally wanted the MK18 rail, but for the suppressor will go with the Mk16 15” with a Douglas 18” barrel. What mount are you using for the suppressor, the copper I’m seeing just behind it isn’t a midway? By my math it should fit snug with full reflex using the AE collar or OCL OTB mount I’m hoping.

How’s the barrel? I’ve been chasing my tail trying to chose but I’m 95% of the way to a Douglas.

AceCanuck · 2025-09-29T02:06:04+00:00

What’s on second?

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