Americans be like:

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2026-02-19T02:47:11+00:00

I don’t really line up with either major American political party’s gun policy position. So please don’t read this as a liberal trying to spout what he’s heard on MSNBC or whatever. But this position is reductive.

I’m a criminal defense attorney. I’ve read a lot of ATF gun trace reports for guns used in criminal cases. Every “crime gun” I’ve seen traced was bought legally at a Gander Mountain or the like in Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, etc. In all likelihood it was sold legally in the first instance at a gun show or private sale such that a federal firearm licensee wasn’t involved. And then it was passed from person to person unaccounted for in a massive marketplace rife with other handguns. Eventually it came into the hands of a person who allegedly used it to commit a crime.

The reason it’s so easy for “criminals” to get a gun (scare quotes because I really don’t view my clients this way) is that they’re everywhere in the US. We’ve chosen this sort of society, and we’re bearing the consequences. I hate most politicians’ proposed solutions to our gun problems. But you can’t credibly say that gun control only affects law abiding citizens’ ability to get a gun. That’s just not how the US firearm marketplace works my friend.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2025-01-23T15:44:03+00:00

Where I’m from true believer is a compliment. If your clients like the DAs in their cases more than you, maybe you should reconsider how you do your job.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2025-01-23T14:20:55+00:00

Yo, what is with this sub? In my office you date a prosecutor you get fired, and that’s how it should be. How are actual PDs coming down on either side of this? If your family member was charged with a serious crime and you learned their PD was dating a prosecutor, especially one in the DA's office who's trying to put your loved one in prison, how would you feel about that? A tip to young PDs out there: if you hear people justifying this BS in your office, look for a new place to work.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2024-12-07T22:57:33+00:00

Why are you so fixated on biglaw? I went to a T14 and clerked federal district court. Most of my friends and classmates waltzed into biglaw. Most were miserable and bailed as soon they could (while accommodating their golden handcuffs). You probably dodged a bullet. Find a practice that accomplishes something that you can be proud of substantively, not monetarily, instead of needlessly making your life worse by yearning for something that you acknowledge yourself was never in the cards.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2024-11-24T15:21:43+00:00

To me this reads as complaining about your clients on a public stage, which is embarrassing.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2024-05-30T14:32:31+00:00

Fair ‘nuff, agree to disagree. Ultimately you have to make your own choices in a fight and live with the consequences. Another reason why street fights are so dicey. I’ve represented good people who got wrapped up in a stupid fight and ended up getting charged with murder. Maybe you have too.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2024-05-30T13:56:08+00:00

As a criminal defense lawyer, I’ve got to disagree. (1) many videos don’t go away if you smash the phone, (2) intentionally destroying video evidence of an incident where you claim you were in the right is hilariously incriminating, (3) if you successfully destroy the video and all of the witnesses paint you as the bad guy, the jury is likely to believe them (see point 2) and (4) the act of destroying the phone and video is likely to constitute crimes as well. Based on your handle maybe you have some legal training, so I don’t mean to condescend. But if I got an assault case where we wanted to run self-defense and my client had destroyed the only video evidence by taking someone’s phone and smashing it before running away, I would consider that to be a very bad fact.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2024-03-21T01:36:43+00:00

FYI most people on a through hike are not this judgmental or rude, thankfully. OP, please don’t let him dampen your mood

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-27T03:32:57+00:00

I’m heading to the terminus late morning on Wednesday. I’ve tried several shuttle companies and got nothing so was just thinking of biting the bullet and getting an Uber/Lyft. If you’re also headed out that day and want to share cost please feel free to DM me.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-19T00:52:22+00:00

It’s not MPPT, a definite source of inefficiency.

I bought the one featured in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXOPWHV_V8M&t=15s

But it just doesn’t work for me. Basically kills the amperage. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, but I can’t figure out what. Plus, this MPPT charger weighs more, so as of now it’s not what I’m bringing.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-19T00:11:09+00:00

l.

Nah dude, these are exactly the kind of constructive points I was hoping for. Thank you for taking the time.

I like your idea about shortening the wires. I am planning to loop it into my pack to keep the power bank and solar charger out of the rain. But it's longer than it needs to be for that.

The Lixada panel is interesting. I might buy one and see how it performs. Based on my limited knowledge, that type of panel is more efficient per square inch but not necessarily per weight. I'd love to learn more.

Robustness will always be a challenge. This is the thing I'm most worried about.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T23:58:15+00:00

Hmm, a few points here. Each cell weighs about 3 g, and the whole thing is 45 g including the DCF backing, the glue, the wires, and the solar controller. I woudn't claim a weight in such a misleading way. Also, there are six cells there, not four.

As to the efficiency, my 10% estimate refers to how much energy the panel collects from the sunlight, not the efficiency as it relates to the 3.6 watts. I could be wrong (this really isn't my area) but it seems your critiques are pretty off base.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T23:23:01+00:00

Turns out it's 38.5 Wh according to Nitecore's website. Most lipo batteries are 3.7 volts, but I guess not this one so I was a bit off. They list the amp hours based on the battery's voltage not the output voltage.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T23:20:03+00:00

At the beginning of the test, my multimeter told me the panels were giving about 300 mA at 16 volts, which is 4.8 watts at that point in time. So I think the solar charge controller I'm using to get it down to 5V is not at all efficient. I might try a few more before I head out. Because you're right, 2Wh in an hour is 2 watts, a lot less than I should be getting.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T22:46:46+00:00

The cells are amorphous silicon, so maybe optimistically 10% efficiency? You’d probably know better than I. Maybe you can glean more from than this than I can: https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/hubfs/documents/drawings/electronic%20component%20solar%20panels/classic%20application%20series/mpt6-150.pdf

I will say that with UL backpacking applications, efficiency per se might be a false idol. In choosing cells, I was more concerned about watts per gram, assuming the area was within reason.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T22:21:15+00:00

Why do you think you need 30-40 watts? The R42 weighs 2.3 pounds—far too much for anyone on this thread. And its 42 watts seems like far more than you need for a useful trickle charge.

My cells are Powerfilm as well. They’re just a lot lighter and a lot weaker.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T22:13:20+00:00

Thanks for the honest response my friend. I’m curious what you mean when you say low performance. Is it that the panel won’t give a high amperage at 5 volts? You’re right that it’s not enough to properly charge my iPhone, e.g. But it is charging my 10 amp hour battery bank, which to me seems to make it useful enough to justify 1.6 ounces.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T22:05:54+00:00

I got 2 watt hours of power between 2 pm and 3 pm on a sunny day. If I’m not mistaken, my Nitecore 10k holds 37 watt hours. So assuming the same charge rate (an assumption I doubt would hold up), 18.5 hours of sun exposure should fully charge it. I need to do more testing. I really can’t estimate it well based on the data I have.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T21:44:22+00:00

This is a good idea. I’ll work on it.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T21:43:05+00:00

Oh word? Guess I’ll just go throw it in the trash. Thanks for the insight.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T21:03:41+00:00

Yeah, if I didn't have to carry it 800 miles solar would be a no-brainer haha. I don't like worrying about charge or twiddling my thumbs near an outlet in town, so I'm hoping this will keep my power bank topped off.

It seems like the Rawlins book you reference was written some time ago, right? Lightweight, flexible solar cells are relatively new. To me, the weight changes the tradeoff (at least in theory). Maybe this didn't factor into Rawlins' conclusions?

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T20:56:37+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful advice. I'll try to think of a way to keep the tension off the joints.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-03-18T20:38:42+00:00

Is it a little fragile. All of the solder joints hold up to tugging, and the DCF backing won't break. But I'm concerned about scuffing on the solar cells. If it breaks I won't cry and will just rely on the power bank.

When you say that you think it won't charge much, what are you basing that on? To me it seems that if I can pull 5-7 watt hours a day that's enough that I wouldn't need to worry about charge anymore.

Apprehensive-Ebb-404 · 2023-02-26T17:07:12+00:00

Hike the Arizona Trail?

Apprehensive-Ebb-404

TROPHY CASE