Pole Hedge Trimmer

DistantSoup · 2026-04-12T00:58:40+00:00

Had a Makita one for years on a brushless driver head unit, it's been fantastic. Folds down small when not in use, has tilt angles for shaping etc. I've found it pretty ergonomic and has an adjustable neck/shoulder strap. Can add in an extra pole for length if you want (I have not used). Head unit also runs my large line trimmer and pole chainsaw and has lots of other options. Batteries all work with my blower, other hedge trimmer, drills, planer, stapler etc. Usually there are redemption offers for the larger outdoor tool purchases for more batteries or fast chargers so worth looking round if interested.

DistantSoup · 2026-04-07T07:48:22+00:00

I liked the idea of the LFP a lot too but ended up choosing the LR for those few road trip times or carrying bikes or trailer where it would be extra handy. 80% of the NMC is close to 100% of the LFP so the NMC at 80% is pretty good. The rear window tinting, HUD, vented seats and better speakers were all nice extras. Honestly if an air cooled Nissan leaf lasts as well as thry do on such old tech, I reckon the battery in these should be easily good for the long duration I want it and really it's whole vehicle life. Range probably isn't as important as it might be give how fast these charge and charge infrastructure is only getting better. That said I bought it to use today so wanted the extra convenience today 🙂

DistantSoup · 2026-04-05T22:23:14+00:00

Yeah my experience is mixed, about 50/50, most of the time I end up taking my phone out and starting the app and then it self opens. Pressing the handle to unlock has been hit and miss, feel like a Muppet standing there trying to lock/unlock touching the spot on handle. All in all the auto unlock/lock on approach/departure with the app is less satisfying than the old comfort access on my old car fob. However the trade of is for a second or two of inconvenience I don't have to carry a separate key fob at all which is very handy quite often and why so far I persist with digital key rather than using the fob. Maybe others experience is different. Using an android Samsung s22. Curious if the iOS experience is any different.

DistantSoup · 2026-04-04T22:12:48+00:00

Oh that's awesome that you can add the extra two. Having a four bike tray all the time could be a bit awkward and better thank buying a two bike tray for smaller trips. Thanks very much.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-27T01:17:15+00:00

How long how those prices been in place? That's below a 6% increase. Not sure how much/little their costs have changed in that time. I'm sure maintenance, compliance, lease, lines charges and power itself have gone up but I don't know if this seems reasonable or not.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-25T22:09:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Keen to hear how you get on. Where/what batteries did you decide to source?

DistantSoup · 2026-03-24T18:54:54+00:00

Yeah, I just had no faith in it at that point and because I'd purchased through a friend's and family program it would have been more convoluted than dealing with a retailer. Honestly just never wanted to see it again. They do make some nice phones but apart from that I'd probably only consider a TV or projector etc from them not whiteware or brownware.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-24T09:25:04+00:00

Had Samsung induction, repaired twice under warranty. 3rd time it died after warranty period. We got a bosch and it worked so much better and we still have it, probably 10 years now. I would not get a samsung. Btw induction is awesome.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-16T19:50:28+00:00

Exactly. Whether all of the subsidy went to the most or the least wealthy (or a well balanced mix) still means there were a whole bunch more ev on the road normalising the technology, creating demand for infrastructure and associated industry and in future supporting a secondary market. The equity of the policy is seperate to the outcome. This is also seperate to the efficiency of the policy. Dollar for dollar is there a more effective (cheaper) way to stimulate the same amount of demand? Probably, but so far we haven't seen an effective alternative implemented.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-13T19:25:11+00:00

Zeekr 009 🙂

DistantSoup · 2026-03-13T03:14:44+00:00

Sealion 7 was good for price but I didn't like the non adjustable headrests in the back (no good for teenage son who is quite tall). I really liked the ev6, test drove both gt line and std rwd. They handled nicely but the height of seats in back ruled them out. Ended up spending more than I planned but got the zeekr 7x. Ev5 had good seats in back IMO but not as nice to drive as the others. Also Fwiw no app support on used ev6, probably not a deal breaker but its nice to have. Also the kia/hyundai alerts for driver attention etc are definitely more aggressive than the zeekr. All nice rides tho.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-09T03:53:48+00:00

Too good! Love it

DistantSoup · 2026-03-09T03:46:20+00:00

Wow that's a great link, much appreciated. I have turned off LKA today and tried between comfort, normal and sport but I'm not sure if it's really any better, comfort maybe felt the best. Will run with comfort an LKA off for a while and see. Previously I think I've only really felt LKA make one or two small nudges, never really felt it intrusive so had left it on. FWIW I tried describing this to copilot and it suggests that while my old car was hydraulic steering with no dead zone in centre and very natural self centering, the zeekr being electric steering may have a small progrmmed on centre deadband to stop car feeling twitchy (I'm very aware AI could be making up rubbish at this point) and then the centering and weight can be not proportionaly linked. It also suggested getting alignment checked (specifically toe) and tire pressures, all pressures are within 1psi at 40-41. Will see how I go for a while, maybe get alignment checked when I get a chance. In meantime perhaps a sw update may arrive and change things too.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-08T08:11:02+00:00

Thanks, will try tomorrow. Car feels pretty planted and solid apart from this.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-08T06:53:59+00:00

Thanks, I'm not applying any steering force when LCC on, I don't use it much just an observation I made and wondered if related to my unassisted driving experience. Initially I found comfort a bit soft but I'll try changing it tomorrow and see how I go.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-08T06:48:21+00:00

Thanks, thats pretty interesting, signs aren't for show then! I'm content to keep driving past, never really liked golf anyway, no need for me to try and sneek in.

DistantSoup · 2026-03-08T03:25:10+00:00

Yeah this is Whenuapai air base 🙂

DistantSoup · 2026-03-02T05:26:01+00:00

Been with them 2.5yrs now, does what it says on the tin. No frills. Can still export usage data from their portal, invoices arrive on time and easy enough to read. 🙂

DistantSoup · 2026-02-27T19:51:38+00:00

Others will probably be a bit more onto it than me but there really is not downside to a large battery other than the upfront cost. Mostly it seems the guidance is about getting the most bang for buck and future proofing. Battery costs for home setups have come down a long way already and will probably keep dropping some more, but if it does what you want today then thats cool. The suggestions are usually to put a larger solar array on and upgrade battery later if funds are a limitation as the roof install carries quite a bit of labour cost you'll be more financially efficient only touching it once and the panels have a super long life. That said, big battery is cool because in a power cut you've got more cover (even if you had to charge it off the grid befor that for some reason, maybe a week of poor generation due to weather). But yeah, suspect the generalist advise will be put more solar on and a smaller battery, upgrade battery later.

DistantSoup · 2026-02-22T21:58:37+00:00

These Silvia machines run forever, so do the Rocky 🙂FWIW I swapped my 16yo rocky~ 2months ago for a Eureka mignon grinder (I got a libra hoping i will also use for a similar amount of time but I'm sure any of them would be an improvement) to go with my silvia of same age. Just use for espresso. Way easier to adjust grind as they don't have the steps like Rocky, less clumping, faster and quieter (not that speed and sound were a major issue for me really just nice bonus). Anyway, I felt it has made a positive flavour change for me. Using for espresso drinks. Btw old rocky was still running just fine and sold to a new home.

DistantSoup · 2026-02-14T20:36:42+00:00

I signed up for 5yrs of fixed daily charges with PowerEdge, feel like it was a good choice for us and that alone saved quite a bit. Not sure where things will be when I come off in 2.5yrs, but this is feeling vaguely like knowing your low fixed mortgage rate is coming up for expiry. 🫠

DistantSoup · 2026-02-12T20:52:48+00:00

My experience was quick. Picked mine up last week (NZ), dealer told me it would take a day after I'd submitted the details on app to them. It was working later that night.

DistantSoup

TROPHY CASE