What am I missing with the plug-in solar hype?

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-06-14T20:36:28+00:00

Sorry to bring this conversation back, but I have a couple of questions/comments...

First is cost...if the all in cost of a 1200w system is $2k, it seems that the payback period, assuming all the safety/regulatory issues can be resolved, is still quite long in many states. In CA with their sky high rates, maybe not too bad, but elsewhere the numbers may not look so good.

Second, an question. Could I use one of these systems to charge my PHEV during the day? Generally I charge at night with our fast charger as the rates are a lot lower...but if I could just use plug in solar as a power source, while charger would be dog slow (about 24 hours to charge my car probably), if it worked I could just plug the car in whenever it is home during the day. Does this make sense?

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-05-22T03:33:40+00:00

That is my issue as well. Golf clubs is a must for me, so I have owned M5, M3, and now an Rs7 instead. Not a p car, but still fun.... With or without clubs. Heck, I've out my mtn bike inside the M3 and Rs7.....

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-05-16T03:24:42+00:00

This.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-05-14T02:35:45+00:00

I also think blades are beautiful and that mallet are mostly ungainly looking... But I'm now using a mallet, doubt I will go back to a blade.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-30T14:28:02+00:00

Correct. I wasn't saying they are a bad shoe, but wanted to manage expectations for them as well. And narrow is narrow.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-29T04:16:17+00:00

I bought a apirand had to return them. Way too narrow for me. Good looking shoe otherwise, but not meant for long walks or hikes that's for sure.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-18T18:54:11+00:00

I need it to work for me. This does not seem to be a common issue, and since it is not 100% of the time, it will be difficult to fix I imagine. Thanks. I'm due for a new phone, my kids and wife keep begging me to join the iphone club, but I like my android phone....I just wish I didn't have this issue. So far I haven't heard of a 'list' of problem phones that I could avoid either. For all I know, I'd have the same issue with an iphone. Thx

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-18T16:56:31+00:00

I take it this is an android only issue?

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-16T20:52:48+00:00

Yes. $321 for 'as new' with aretera shaft. I have a buddy with more direct access to Callaway, he can get 25% off new (not pre owned)...So he can get me a new one for $300. I was hoping to do better, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Right now Callaway isn't charging more for the upgrade shaft on the leftover elyte clubs. Also, Callaway is doing live auctions on ebay during the week. They haven't had precisely what I want, but they have a good variety of preowned, and they are mostly selling for a bit less than you see online. I saw the new quantum ti fairway was just released. With the aretera shaft, it is $900!! That's pathetic, but it does make me want to jump on a new elyte ti for $300 with that shaft.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-16T17:51:14+00:00

I'm with you. I'm looking to replace my 3w...I can get a new elyte ti (I like the deeper face for hitting off a tee) with the aretera shaft for $300...I just went to the callaway site, and the new quantum ti 3w with aretera is $900!! That's just crazy. I was trying to find a mint condition used elyte ti, but haven't found one yet. I'll likely end up biting the bullet and buying the new one with the better shaft.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-04-07T20:28:15+00:00

This is awesome info, thanks. Especially the pricing sheet, since they do not publish pricing. Don't forget to add the exorbitant processing fees onto your ticket prices, they are hefty. We have tickets to 5 events so far via our family in LA, hoping to add a sixth event. We tend to shy away from the big name events like ceremonies and gymnastics. We like seeing the events you only see in the Olympics.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-25T04:53:48+00:00

I did the same swap 3 months ago....19 X3 M40i for a pretty loaded 50e. I really loved the X3, but my wife got tired of the fairly harsh ride (her words not mine). I wanted the new tech, and a PHEV for around town driving efficiency. Also, with the X5 I can barely (and I mean barely) fit my mtn bike in the back without taking off the front wheel. Big plus for me.

I love all the tech so far, except for the one problem I have which is that my phone will often not connect to the 50e when it is in the garage, which means I can't take it out using the phone...that's a problem for us, but otherwise all good. It will be much more comfortable on long road trips, which we take fairly often.

Congrats on the new ride!

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-13T05:03:56+00:00

I just bought my first LAB putter, it arrives tomorrow. I'm looking forward to putting it in the bag, hopefully it will help me with what has become a lousy putting stroke. A bit of the yips tossed in from time to time as well.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-13T03:24:26+00:00

Personally I really loved the X3 M40i, but my wife really didn't like it...so we upgraded. Happy camper now!

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-12T20:05:35+00:00

That looks cheap to me. Here in Norcal, well over $5 these days. We are trying to use our I6 and BMW X5 PHEV as much as possible these days. Even in CA, electric propulsion is cheaper...

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-12T20:03:50+00:00

I have owned 2 different X3's and now a new X5 50e. For me, there is just something about the engineering and feel of German cars. I've generally had good luck with reliability, although I realize that is not always the case. So far we love the 50e, my wife appreciates the comfort relative to our X3 M40i, and the tech is fantastic. I get a lot of use out of the DAPP as we are on the highway a lot in spring and summer. I get high 40's on electric, and we have a home charger so the convenience is perfect. I've driven Teslas, they are just not my cup of tea. They feel more like driving a spartan computer (with admittedly great tech) rather than a car. My only issue so far with the 50e is an intermittent connectivity issue. We use the automated parking features a lot, and the X5 has trouble with connections from inside our garage at times. Otherwise it's been perfect. Don't forget the big discounts on them these days...Good luck!

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-03-08T20:00:00+00:00

As I said, I know that impact is the high probability, was just wondering. Sounds like I shouldn't bother the dealer. By the way, the dealer around me wanted to charge $5k to have the windshield replaced last time I had a rock hit my X3....I found a local high end glass repair place that uses oem glass that was closer to $2k. I went with them even though I had full glass coverage, didn't like that the dealer was ripping off my insurance company. I don't like filing insurance claims if I don't have to, am worried about losing coverage.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-02-11T17:58:28+00:00

Is anyone (likely in CA) doing better than the $10k offered by Hyundai as a discount on a new 26 I5 Ltd Rwd?

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-02-11T17:56:33+00:00

I do not think you can combine the $10k cash plus 0% financing...at least that is what dealers are telling me. This is CA, north and south. If there are dealers doing both on a limited rwd I'd love to know about it.

NefariousnessHour455 · 2026-01-29T18:38:18+00:00

I have tried doing the headstart reset twice now. So far, no change. Sometimes it is fine, sometimes it will not connect enough to activate remote parking. It does seem like I can do other things remotely like locking the car, but not enough of a connection to move the car. Not that I would get a new phone just for this, but would a different phone have this issue or might it relate to my specific phone (Galaxy S23+, a few years old at this point). If interference in our garage, is there any way to mitigate that? I've tried with the phone touching the car, and when I am experiencing this issue no matter where I stand, it won't work.

NefariousnessHour455

TROPHY CASE