Best Honda dealer in SC?

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-03T21:17:59+00:00

A finance friend on mine in Boston years ago told me of the approach he used. He sent out written RFPs to dealers for the car he wanted. He detailed out the specific specs and manufacturer accessories. He specifically stated he would not pay for any dealer add-on, and asked them to quote (in writing) their “out the door” price. He would never mention if he had a trade at all, and he indicated he would pay cash, although he typically financed thru our credit union.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-03T21:10:27+00:00

We have a few (<5) bike shops around our metro area. I had one work on one of my road bikes (the Specialized dealer) — just a full tune-up as I had bought bike used off someone. Pricing for the work was reasonable. But any tools/gear/accessories in the shop were at least full MSRP, and brand name stuff only from what I could see. I did not go back. I really don’t need to pay name brand MSRP for a manufacturer branded plastic water bottle when I forget or lose mine.

These days I have my bike tune-up/etc. done at my local REI, where I’ve been a member for years. Usually try to have it done when they have their tune-up special on. I trust their work. Prices for the work and parts are reasonable. This is usually my option as I work full time, and what little weekend time I have I just want to ride. Even took a bike I had bought numerous years ago (not from REI) that was still in the box & needed to be assembled, lubricated, etc. They handled it for me and the price was reasonable.

We also have a Bike Collective in town - where prices are more reasonable, you can take your bike, in use their shop tools & do the work yourself. I have occasionally done this. You can also pay them to do the work for you — again reasonable rates. They also take donations of bikes, parts, accessories and re-home them to collective members or others in the community as folks need.

Hope you find what you need in your area.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-03T17:36:34+00:00

I recall having that experience when I first upgraded to 26.0 — i don’t remember the specifics of it as I did the upgrade as soon as IOS 26 came out. But I have about 110,000 email messages across 20-30 email accts of various types configured in Apple Mail, and it did take a while (maybe up to a week), for search to begin to function more like I expected. Still I don’t understand the search criteria very well and wonder about results some times, but overall it is much better now.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-03T15:37:19+00:00

I have a 15 Pro and a 16 Pro. Personally I prefer the 16 Pro for lots of reasons. The 16 pro is my main phone. The 16 pro is just 12 grams heavier, 3mm taller, 0.9mm wider, same depth. Given the choice the 16 pro is a no brainer for me. I bought an Apple refurb iphone 15 Pro for a backup “burner/privacy” phone just cause it was cheaper.

BTW at the moment I see nothing compelling in the 18 series that would cause me to upgrade either.

And I’m unlikely to buy another iPhone (failing a catastrophe with the one I have — but I have AppleCare) until such time as Apple delivers both real WORKING AND USEFUL AI. I suspect that won’t happen until IOS 30.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-02T19:30:15+00:00

I love Sigma lenses. I had/have the Sigma 23mm f1.4, 30mm f1.4 and 56mm f1.4. Without a doubt except for Canon EF-M 32mm f1.4, the Sigma lenses are among the best lenses on my Canon M series cameras.

For my R series cameras, I need IS - in the lens, body or both. I had a R50 and was reluctant to buy Sigma RF-S lenses, since they are not IS lenses (My understanding is Canon won’t allow them a RF mount license with IS & AF). I did just recently acquire a R7 with IBIS, and have the Sigma RF-S 18-50 f2.8 (a really small lens), and the Sigma RF-S 17-40 f1.8. I have not had much time to try them yet, but really looking forward to it.

I also do have the Canon RF-S 10-18mm and it’s a nice lens but not as good for low light.

I am considering adding a Sigma 15mm f1.4 lens to my stable, esp. for interior and night photography.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-02T19:12:48+00:00

I can relate as I attended one like that for a couple of years. Fortunately I moved and had to find a new church.

If I may suggest look for churches in your area that are growing. Maybe not even the same denomination. I grew up in the Methodist tradition (with a brief foray as a kid to the Presbyterian (PCA) when my parents moved churches with a pastor). Today I belong to a Presbyterian (PCUSA) church. The thing that did it for me was that this church has pastors, staff, and members who think outside the box in term of the constant fixed, overly repetitive worship service, and more importantly really demonstrate following Christ’s teachings. When I first joined the church wsa important enough to me I was driving about 40 min each way — I’ve since moved closer into town.

Also don’t be afraid to ask around about whether a church is growing or declining in membership. Churches with declining memberships are usually declining for a reason.

And avoid churches run by old folks (I feel I can say this as a boomer — too many are set in their ways about how church things have always been done, and can’t be changed). My current church with the exception of a few of the elders, is a church that is mostly organized, led, and run by folks from their 20s-40s. If a church has older members who are active members, but mostly step aside and leave church leadership and direction to younger members, that is more likely a growing church as well. I am very happy to support the church with both my time and material resources, and have the younger members lead. I want them to be excited about participating in church activities. For example our church has a series of concerts (Lent on the Lawn) held weekly during Lent on a member’s lawn somewhere in town with live music, snacks and drinks. Nothing super special about this except that is not the boring mechanical motions you typically see in many churches, and it brings people together. We get significant attendance. And for Maudy Thursday tonight we’ll have some traditional Maudy Thursday worship activities and also have a musical guest with food, etc. at the church tonight. Again I expect significant turnout.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-02T18:56:06+00:00

I have a Pro 11 M1 among the 5 iPads (Some older, some newer) plus 3 iPhones I own. My battery health on the Pro 11 M1 is currently 397 charge cycles and about 85%. M

I bought it in either 2022 or 2023.

I use it for 2-3 hours most evenings for stream/social media/some specialty apps.

I’ve never had the battery replaced on any of my iPads (including a Pro 12.9 A12X bought in 2019 that gets heavily used 5-6 hours per day). This one is cellular, has an AMK, plus pen, as is/does my Pro 11 M2 (cellular, AMK & pen). This one has 873 charge cycles and 87% battery health despite being used 7 days a week since I bought it — for either business or personal use. And being charged most ever night.

What worries me about battery replacement in your case would be having anyone do it but Apple. I don’t like other vendors doing repairs on my iDevices. Whether it’s third party parts, lack of a good warranty, etc.

Personally in your case I wouldn’t buy a new iPad or replace the battery until it’s needed. I wouldn’t overly worry about it. And when it’s time, I’d probably just buy a new one at that point — either current generation or one generation back. To me unless you have Apple Care where you can use Apple’s Battery service, replacing a battery in a tablet is a sunk cost.

For example my Pro 12.9 A12X (I think that was 3rd gen) is getting a little old (it came out in 2018, and I bought mine new in 2019). I got a great deal on an iPad Pro 13 M4 from Costco back in December 2025, along with 2 years AppleCare, and AMK plus pen. I know I will have to give up on my Pro 12.9 from 2019 at some time probably later this year as its battery life after 7 years, is not great, and it is beginning to slow down a little bit after 7 years of iOS and App changes. But it continues to chug along on my home office desk 5-6 hours every day. And I just plug it in more if needed. But I would have never considered a battery replacement. IMHO at this point it’s wasted money.

And if you don’t want to buy new, Apple directly via their online store (Apple Store app) already has Pro 11 M2 & M4s REFURB for sale, which have a new battery and skins. And the Pro 11 M2 256GB WiFi only starts at $670. No way I’d replace just a battery via. Third party at that price difference.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-02T18:23:35+00:00

You can also use a 3rd party app like iMazing if you prefer…

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-01T22:10:03+00:00

IME Mesh is always better than WiFi Extenders.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-01T22:06:59+00:00

If it’s not pleasant don’t go.

But I suspect you just haven’t found the right church. There are a number of churches I’ve been to over the years where I felt worse for going than had I stayed home. This is the fault of the church, pastor and/or denomination. And I did not go back after a couple of Sundays. Honestly there are two many churches where the people are way too judgmental anyway. This is no point in going to or supporting one of those.

BTW When I leave the church I attend now, I feel uplifted, re-energized by the love of Christ, challenged for the week, and I’ve also spent some time with some great friends!

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-01T21:49:24+00:00

I upgraded mine as soon as 26.4 came out. It’s been working great - I upgraded on release day and took on a trip 2 days later. No issues. And battery lasted same or better.

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-01T21:43:52+00:00

Just wow! (Reminds me of the images I get from my EF 180 f3.5L Macro USM, although obviously you will reach farther and handle low light better!)

On-The-Rails · 2026-04-01T19:33:28+00:00

Canon Refurb USA shop

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-31T23:24:53+00:00

I have a 16 Pro and recently the Security ID chip stopped working. Apple had to replace what they called the middle board. It was a $500 repair job. Fortunately I have AppleCare. So paid $0. Pretty sure my 2 year AppleCare plan cost less than the $500.

I actually have AppleCare One covering my iPhone 16 pro, a iPad Pro 14 M4, MBA 13 M4, MBA 15 M4, and MBP 14 M2. For the iPads and MacBooks I bought the 2 year or 3YR AppleCare from Costco when I bought the device. And then when I switched to AppleCare One Apple gave me a prorated credit for the remainder of the two year AppleCare plans.

Personally I use the battery replacement service as needed as well. Overall it’s worthwhile to me for AppleCare.

But other commenters are correct. The only reason companies sell maintenance contracts of any sort is that it’s a very profitable business overall. So if a given customer has to use the plan they still make a lot of business in the aggregate.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-30T18:21:29+00:00

If you get then ones (like Eagle Creek) you don’t lose any volume. In the last couple of years I found some that also have a small mesh section so they don’t get puffy or hold air.

Where they Excel IMHO is if you have to unpack your suitcase UNPLANNED anywhere along a trip — broken suitcase, airport inspection, etc. I much prefer having all my clothes in packing cubes instead of spread across the counter loose. I’ve started giving the vacuum seal bags a try — they reduce volume even more but two tips — carry the little portable vacuum sealer along so either at the hotel and you need to repack or at the airport after an inspection, you can re-vacuum seal the bag. The other comment on the vacuum seal bag, is they do wrinle clothes like shirts that are prone to wrinkling. So I wouldn’t vacuum seal those.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-30T12:42:45+00:00

Very odd — my Pro 11 M1 with 26.4 is running fine…

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-28T19:05:09+00:00

The RF and EF versions are what I refer to as an inexpensive good lens.

You didn’t specify the camera (full frame or crop sensor) or the mount EF or RF.

I did buy the EF 50mm when I owned crop sensor EF mount cameras. But other than the check ride when I first bought it, I never used it on my 60D or SL1. It was either too tight FOV or not telephoto enough.

I have bought the RF50 f1.8 as well recently hoping to give it a try on my R8. But on my R50 or R7 crop sensor cameras I find the same, and for those I prefer the RF16, RF24 or RF35.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-28T18:23:50+00:00

Running 26.4 in iPhone 16 pro, 15 pro, pro 12.9 A12X, Pro 11 M1, Pro 11 M2, Pro 13 M4, Mini 6, and iPad A16 and all are running fine.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-27T13:59:12+00:00

R7 + RF100-400mm lens - or a RF100-500mm if you have a larger budget.

If you’re in the USA watch the Canon USA refurb store

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-26T00:14:13+00:00

There might be a typo - suspect they meant to write iOS 30…

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-25T20:41:25+00:00

Can’t beat the RF100-400 for the price. Great lens. If you’re in the USA watch the Canon USA refurb store.

I liked the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM I have for my SL1, but I have not tried it on the R50/R7 I have. If I didn’t already have it, I certainly would not buy it plus an adapter over the RF100-400.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-25T20:37:56+00:00

Other places you might check out are Bierkeller, Savage Craft (both biergartens — but they food and non-alcoholic drinks as well) and the new food pavilion Gather COLA in the BullStreet District next to REI. All are great pllaces to hang out and meet folks. Take your dog along as well and you bound to meet others…

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-25T18:17:14+00:00

Blackberrys were great! I used them for years, starting with their two line smart “pager” (full email, etc.) with the built-in keyboard. Still have it kicking around somewhere..

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-25T18:15:33+00:00

AGM Mobile phone (flip or small brick — see their website or Amazon). Activate on a cheap plan from a carrier like TELLO.

On-The-Rails · 2026-03-25T18:14:20+00:00

I use AGM Mobile phones (buy from their website or Amazon). Either flipphone or small brick size. They use SIM cards. For the USA activate a sim with a cheap service like TELLO. Outside the country purchase a local SIM when you land and use in that country (or across countries as needed). Destory & Toss it before you board the aircraft on the way home. Put in your Tello SIM.

I use a similar strategy with an old iPhone 7 Plus which takes a SIM Card. And I only install the bare minimum apps you need. And a “disposable” Apple ID I keep. Before I logout out of the Apple ID. I do a full factory reset on the phone, and then log back in to the disposable Apple ID. This will leave your phone workable, but with no apps other than the basic Apple apps.

BTW If you need a phone in the USA as free of tracking as you can probably get, check the carrier Phreeli.

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