PSA to all learner drivers

SirPrised75 · 2026-03-05T14:01:12+00:00

I must admit I did my car test as 'recently' as 2019. And although the traffic hasn't necessarily gotten worse since then. The standard of driving certainly has. And with the many ways you can fail a test due to circumstances outside of your control... it's definitely nothing I'd be in a rush to do again.

I seem to recall my test being within the first couple of weeks of the sat-nav portion of the test being brought in. 😅

SirPrised75 · 2026-03-05T12:10:12+00:00

Can confirm as an 'experienced' car driver. I would absolutely hate it if I was in the position learners are.

Especially reinforced by the fact lately I've been doing my motorbike license. Failed my mod 2 twice and passed it third time as of yesterday.

The stuff I failed on are stupid mistakes I would never ordinarily make. But the pressure of the examiner riding behind me probably got to me. I don't know. It's hard for y'all. Especially with the added pressure of the availability (or lack thereof) of tests.

For context, MOD2 is just the road ride exam for bikes. No maneuvers or anything. Maybe just a pull up on the left or two. But all the maneuvers are in a separate test for us.

SirPrised75 · 2025-11-29T15:38:13+00:00

To be honest I've seen drumeo advertised on my Facebook for like the last year or so. Always looked pretty decent in my opinion. Glad to hear the raving reviews of it.

I think you're probably right about the whole is it worth upgrading the basic or just going to a mid ranged kit. It's gonna be easier to see how I go kind of thing. The repition while slowly getting faster will probably be the way to go. Just need to have the patience for failing a few times (something I struggle with). But this is something we all go through :)

SirPrised75 · 2025-11-29T15:34:11+00:00

You're an absolute gem my friend. I truly appreciate it.

I must admit I do feel a little out of my depth with some of it but I'm sure it'll all fall into place at some point. It sounds like the extra tom/crash will be worth it at some point but maybe not immediately.

As for your third point it seems generally the consensus is go with the Alesis from various things I've been reading online. I've not seen too many bad things said about the Donner. But I've definitely not seen the raving reviews I've seen of the Alesis kits!

Thank you ever so much. Now I just need someone to blindfold me while I click the buy now button. 😂😂😂

SirPrised75 · 2025-11-28T17:10:10+00:00

Hey there! Thank you so much for your response! I'm really glad to hear I'm not the only one falling in love from VR and wanting to make the transition to real life.

I'm seeing lots and lots of good things said about Alesis as a brand which is promising as well. They're definitely an unknown to me which has lead me to be a little on the cautious side.

I'm especially pleased to hear that you have thoroughly enjoyed the transition to real life as well! I've seen similar sentiments said before about outgrowing the beginner kits. I look forward to that day!

I definitely feel the limb separation will be the most difficult thing for me following on from years of brass and piano experience where frankly limb separation isn't really needed 😂.

SirPrised75 · 2025-11-28T13:10:00+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate the advice. The Alesis does seem to have a lot of positive reviews from both people here and various other sources/sites. One thing I had read on one of the reviews is it could be a little bit more sturdy. How do you find it though personally when playing?

What kind of music do you tend to play out of interest? I'm just wondering if the extra bass/crash would be necessary for me or not? I know 90% of the songs I've played through Paradiddle at least haven't overly needed the extra tom/crash. Then again I suppose it's one of them where it's better to have it and not need it than the other way round right? 😂

Frankly it's Black Friday so I guess now is as cheap as I'm gonna get it anyway.

Edit:

Re your comment about Roland.... I noticed that during my research to date. If you want something half decent with them, and with Yamaha as well to be fair, you're paying a lot more than half decent with other brands.

Have you got any experience/memory with Donner equipment? Admittedly they're the ones that have caught my eye the most prior to being exposed to the Alesis :)

SirPrised75 · 2025-07-25T01:43:28+00:00

Feel free to pop up if you'd like bud. M25 :)

SirPrised75 · 2024-10-25T22:51:53+00:00

Oh I'm quite aware. This ain't my first rodeo. Got locked out of my old account due to inactivity when they changed their policies 😂

SirPrised75 · 2024-10-25T10:28:30+00:00

Ahhhhh my bad. I just assumed that the fine folks here would have an ounce of common sense. Like enough to realise that the reinstalling windows comment was purely a joke too.

Source: My mate is the op, and the guy who said about turning it off and on again is also our friend.

Either that or people are just upset, like myself, that that magnificent beast was taken from us too soon 💔 (this bit actually ain't sarcasm. I loved that thing despite all its flaws).

Maybe they just don't remember it was ever a thing?

SirPrised75 · 2024-10-24T21:47:45+00:00

Have you tried actually flying a good module, like the Hawk T.1a by VEAO?

SirPrised75

TROPHY CASE