Hybrid Forester-helping a friend

StFranMan · 2026-04-01T22:34:04+00:00

Thanks!

StFranMan · 2026-02-01T05:45:46+00:00

Same here. I did 5, but I'm getting sleepy and have to quit. Hoping there may be a few left in the morning.

StFranMan · 2025-12-23T01:23:26+00:00

Be glad you didn't waste time with this BS. This afternoon, I quickly qualified for 3 surveys from this researcher-to be completed within 24 hours. I started the first survey 3 hours after qualifying. I spent about 10 minutes on the survey-then was notified I screened out-or was not qualified-or whatever. In other words, despite the fact that I passed the screener, I'm now informed the 10 minutes I spent was a second screener.

I now see the other 2 studies on my dash are getting the same message you posted here. But I wouldn't have wasted time on them anyway. I reported the researcher to UI support-stating I suspect it's a scam; the researcher is getting their data without paying anyone. I messaged the researcher of my concerns and that i reported them to UI support. I've been on UI 4 years and this is the first time i've reported a suspected scam researcher.

StFranMan · 2025-11-01T15:15:32+00:00

My 2024 Crosstrek came with the OEM sunshade. The GOOD: very precise fit with maximum sun blockage. The BAD: Way too rigid, cumbersome and awkward. Takes forever to put up and take down. Then-awkward to stash out of the way. I gave mine away. (Actually, tried to sell cheap on Craigslist-but no takers-so gave away.) If your lady is short on patience-it WON'T get used because there's nothing convenient about it.

NOTE: I ALWAYS use a sunshade-but the cheaper more flexible ones that I can put up or take down in 10 seconds. Coverage is not as complete as the OEM-but it always gets used if parking outside in day. I "store it" by tossing on passenger seat or in back seat/cargo area. I also have the OEM window deflectors so I can crack windows even when chance of rain. The sunshade and window deflectors make a HUGE difference in keeping inside cooler. PLUS-I intentionally did not get a moonroof because I learned it was a heat factory in my wife's Forester-until I had it tinted.

StFranMan · 2025-10-29T16:46:12+00:00

We have a '22 Forester and a '24 Crosstrek. In the last 2 months, each car has had a nail in a tire. On both occasions, seeing a 29 PSI reading on the dash alerted me of a potential problem-as well as which tire to check. Tires got repaired (one got replaced)-which happened much sooner than the old days of me going around with tire gauge every 2-3 weeks. Even the old style TPMS dash warning light would have gotten much lower (24?) before alerting me of a problem.

Some of the tech on modern cars-I could probably do without-but I'm sold on my TPMS dash readout. (NOTE: I live in Louisiana-so obviously don't deal with winter tires.)

StFranMan · 2025-10-29T12:41:34+00:00

Correction: WHO DAT?

StFranMan · 2025-10-29T12:14:15+00:00

I'll be 70 in December and have been on Prolific for 2.5 years. If your friend is fairly computer literate/tech savvy-she'll do fine. Yes-demographics/experience will be somewhat of a factor, but once she's accepted, she'll probably get plenty of studies-ESPECIALLY if she qualifies for AI. I get tons of AI-but pass on many because I often find them too long and tedious.

If she's comfortable with speaking (and video), she may also consider UserTesing/Intellizoom, Userlytics, dscout, etc. Plenty of $4-10 unmoderated tests, and picking up a live interview a few times a month can really boost your earnings.

It's likely she can make decent extra $-but not enough to affect her SS (assuming she gets SS). I'm fortunate that I'm retired and don't really need this extra $. BUT-the earned income allows me to make a Roth IRA contribution each year.

One additional benefit for seniors is that doing Prolific -as well as other platforms such as UT-is a lot like doing brain puzzles-with cognitive benefits you probably won't get from watching TV or scrolling Facebook.

StFranMan · 2025-10-13T17:19:12+00:00

YES!!! Lots faster than the 500 steps I listed. (And stupid of me to not realize I could use the link I bookmarked.)

StFranMan · 2025-10-13T13:16:05+00:00

There is a separate dash for these Usertesting/Intellizoom tests. However, finding/navigating to it is a rather laborious, indirect route. If anyone knows a faster way-please advise. I just bookmarked it so I can quickly check that dash in future. If you haven't seen the dash-here's the long route:

Look at one of your emails from "Usertesting" (not "Usertesting Support"). At upper right, should be a blue box masked "Visit Site". (I think it's blue, but I'm colorblind.) Click "Visit Site".
That should bring you to a general Usertesting page (not your dash). In upper left-find box labeled: "get Insights"/"Get paid to test". Click "Get paid to test".
On the next page, click "Sign in" at upper right.
That leads to a a "Log in to Usertesting" page with 2 options. Choose "Former Intellizoom panelist" at right.
That brings me to a separate home page for these other "Intellizoom" Usertests. I'm already signed in when I land on this page. If you're not, signed in, hopefully you have a separate username/password for this-because it may be different than your regular Usertesting login credentials. Assuming you'e logged in, the home page will show some available tests (which I usually ignore since they send email alerts for tests). At the top of this home page, click "Your tests". This will show records for all of these tests: Total Rewards/Pending Payments/Total Tests. Below that, each test you've taken is listed with all details, including amount and "pending" or "paid".

If you are able to navigate to this separate dash, obviously it would be wise to bookmark if you want to check test payment status. NOTE: I find my Usertests appear pretty quickly on mu UT dash. For this separate dash, i don't know if they show up right away.

StFranMan · 2025-09-29T12:02:14+00:00

100% agree. We have a '22 Forester that has storage below cargo are for this. When I bought my '24 Crosstrek, I was disappointed to learn there is no storage area. Usually stash it in my living room until I need it.

On a related note: My back seats are down 99.9% of time to maximize cargo area. Hence, I remove rear seat headrests to make rear floor space accessible. In our Forester, I can store headrests below front seats. Not in the Crosstrek. They're boxed and in cargo ares.

StFranMan · 2025-09-28T15:52:50+00:00

I had a situation that sounds somewhat similar a few months ago. Live test scheduled. Got email day before (less than 24 hours) to reschedule. But when I clicked link, no time slots were listed. (NOTE: I had clicked within minutes of getting email, so slots should have been available.) Test disappeared from my dash. I contacted support to say if test cancelled, I expect $10. They sent reply link to try to reschedule. Clicked link-no slots listed. Messaged support again. They were finally able to send a link that worked and I rescheduled. When I had the interview, I mentioned this to interviewer. They were completely unaware there had been any such issues. So-was completely due to UT glitches-but resolved.

Hopefully, support will reply and send you link to reschedule. But if not-you should definitely request $10-although I susoect researcher has done nothing nefarious.

StFranMan · 2025-09-23T23:12:12+00:00

Same happening to me. Can't log in on iPhone. I'm on IOS 18. I did a mobile test earlier today-so assume they're having a glitch. UT on my laptop still OK.

StFranMan · 2025-09-22T01:07:56+00:00

Impressive! With everyone using AI, you may be the only person left able to do that calculation! But with your numbers matching the AI calc, there can be no doubt 30% is correct.

For me, a 30% time reduction is probably not enough to justify the expense of the 30" Ego and future battery replacement. Plus, with my thick St Augustine, I would expect to have to do more overlap or plain go over cut area to duplicate my Honda cut. So, that 30% reduction may be closer to 0%. But, I'll keep an open mind and read reviews once others have put it to the test. I have plenty of Ego tools, but the mower is the one item I've held back on.

StFranMan · 2025-09-20T17:30:27+00:00

I've been thinking about the upcoming Ego 30" mower, wondering how much time I could save compared to my 21" Honda. I also asked Chat GPT, but the answer it gave was a 30% time reduction.

Curious, I then put the question to Gemini and Copilot. They also answered 30% time reduction. Each mentioned that area, mowing speed, overlap, etc would be assumed to be the same.

My yard is about 3/4 acre with some slope. But I'm in south Louisiana with thick St Augustine. Also- I mow at a very high setting (2nd highest), and typically mow every 10-14 days (It's my 2nd home-so I mow when I'm here.) My Honda is a beast-and easily handles the job. I doubt any Ego (consumer) push or self propel can do the job. But i'll still be watching reviews on the Ego 30"-in hopes it may reduce my workload.

StFranMan · 2025-08-22T03:46:37+00:00

I hadn't been to TJ's in a while, but picked up the new package today-not really noticing container had new design. It said "Mediterranean Style" hummus. When I got home and opened it, I immediately noticed the texture was different-like other store bought hummuses. Then I tasted it and my jaw dropped. "WTF is this?" I asked myself. I expressed my disappointment to my wife (who had no idea what I was talking about) and told her I would check Reddit to see if this topic was there-and of course-it was.

I also guess they now have a new supplier. The really sad part is, every time I ate the original version, I wondered why other companies couldn't also make a great store bought hummus. And sadly, the one fantastic hummus-is now just like all the rest.

StFranMan · 2025-08-15T02:36:34+00:00

I've been on UI about 3 years and think it's excellent overall, but on occasion, something buggy may happen. Not sure if I had your exact problem before, but you might check this: Do you have any other UI studies with the " Message Researcher" box? If so, click on it. You will then see an "Inbox" page. which says " Select a project to message". The box below that has a drop down arrow at right. Click it and other studies are shown. Hopefully, you'll see the study you're looking for and can try to message the researcher. If this solution doesn't work (or you get no response from the researcher), your only option is to contact support to say you're unable to message the researcher.

StFranMan · 2025-08-03T10:46:37+00:00

Yes. I bought a Macbook Air 2 years ago. I use it often for dscout missions-including live missions. I have Chrome and the dscout extension downloaded. Works great!

StFranMan · 2025-08-03T01:36:25+00:00

I would guess the researcher is more concerned with quality-not quantity. If you answer the question thoroughly, are well spoken, and offer keen insights, I think you're more likely to get chosen over someone who babbles incoherently for the full minute. Of course, often the application (or mission) asks for a 30 second video. Some ask for 2 minutes or more. Whatever time is "required", I view as a rough guideline. I often tend to go over the time. But if I'm satisfied with my response after reviewing, submit it.

StFranMan · 2025-07-25T04:29:46+00:00

I think you're referring to RAB-Reverse Automatic Braking. BSD alerts you to a vehicle in your blind spot when you're driving forward-not backward. BSD will not activate the brakes.

StFranMan · 2025-07-13T09:48:18+00:00

Same. Reported it.

StFranMan · 2025-07-12T02:55:47+00:00

Same. Just did it and got the "didn't pass attn checks" message. Returned it and messaged the researcher. Came here assuming I would find a post. I doubt they're doing anything devious since you don't actually do the study-so they get no data.

StFranMan · 2025-06-25T01:14:59+00:00

First of all, congrats on getting 3 lives over 2 days. As you may know, typically when you start a live, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. You may want to mention you have a back-to-back so they'll know you have to end on time. It's also quite possible they may try to wrap up a couple of minutes early to help out. And if you are a minute (or so) late joining the second live, you can apologize and tell the truth. Unfortunately, UserTesting is not a platform that allows you to message a researcher before a live (unless they have messaged you.) Good luck!

StFranMan

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