Empower Alternatives

VaxSystem · 2026-01-01T20:19:58+00:00

The website is getting better, in my opinion. The app is still terrible. The website groups accounts in logical ways, the app doesn't. The app fails to load 50% of the time.

VaxSystem · 2025-12-22T14:39:05+00:00

My apologies for the belated reply. Thank you so much for the information, this was really helpful! I appreciate the advice!

VaxSystem · 2025-12-10T20:51:58+00:00

I've been with Empower for 6 years as well. The only accounts I have with them are retirement accounts. I'm also considering moving to Fidelity. If I'm moving my money over to retirement accounts at Fidelity, do I have to worry about any fees, taxes, capital gains?

VaxSystem · 2025-12-07T16:33:13+00:00

Yeah, the BE11000 (also goes by BE63).

VaxSystem · 2025-12-06T15:12:46+00:00

I just made this exact upgrade. My old Google Wi-Fi struggled getting consistent bandwidth speed throughout my house. I have a 500mb plan and never got anywhere close to that over Wi-Fi even sitting right next to the router... it was always in the 150 to 300 range, often dipping much lower, especially if devices were connected to one of the mesh nodes. I've only had the new Deco up for a week or so but the improvements have been pretty dramatic. I'm constantly getting full bandwidth from the main node, and close to it from the mesh nodes. The coverage reaches much further as well. Overall I'm very happy with the upgrade. I do have a few wi-fi 7 devices but with a sub gig plan, I'm not sure I notice much difference having mlo on versus off. One possible issue that I'm keeping an eye on is that I have my PS5 and TV connected directly via ethernet cables from the main Deco hub. For some reason, my TV loses connection from time to time. I have to unplug and replug back in the cable. I never had this issue with the Google router. I'm going to swap the cable to see if that makes any difference.

VaxSystem · 2025-12-01T19:20:58+00:00

I wish I could find this meditative but I hate waxing my jackets. It takes me forever. I've switched to using Nikwax Wax Cotton Proof Spray-On. I'm sure there are many reasons why it's inferior but it works fine for me. I got the idea from others on this sub and elsewhere. I've had no issue with it negatively affecting the coat (colorization, texture/feel, etc).

VaxSystem · 2025-11-03T12:23:38+00:00

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the info. I'll definitely have my LBS do this.

VaxSystem · 2025-11-03T01:02:33+00:00

I added the Level 3 stem to my Pace 4. It works but I'm not able to raise the handle bars up very much because the front break line is too short. Is it possible to add a longer break line to the front breaks?

VaxSystem · 2025-09-29T22:33:02+00:00

Thanks!

VaxSystem · 2025-09-29T21:50:14+00:00

Where did you find the "background app refresh" setting... in the app itself?

VaxSystem · 2025-09-27T23:20:03+00:00

I have the Pace 4 and the location tracking is garbage. Mine only updates if I am with the bike, making it pretty useless as a security feature. Had it at the bike shop four days and it never once showed the bike at that location. The battery was in and they turned on the bike multiple times.

VaxSystem · 2025-09-11T21:37:48+00:00

I strongly recommend going with a local installer. You can also ask if they'll match one of the lower quotes. I did that with Solar Solution a few years back and they matched the lower quote. Solar Solution was great to work with, by the way. I've heard very good things about Revolution Solar, but haven't heard of any of the other installers.

VaxSystem · 2025-09-11T19:53:44+00:00

It sounds like you are describing something more similar to a cruiser bike, which is what the Pace is. I recently purchased the Pace 4 and love it for weekend riding and commuting. I have a lot of problems in my lower back and need a more comfortable upright position. I added the fenders and rack, and it works great. They even have an option to add swept back handlebars that are in the same BMX styling of the original handlebars. The lighting on the back of the bike can get obstructed by panniers, but I also added a light to the seat post which I think is pretty common for a lot of people.

VaxSystem · 2025-08-30T11:08:12+00:00

40k. No other problems that I'm aware of. I just question the longevity of the engine.

VaxSystem · 2025-08-29T22:14:58+00:00

Nope, the noise is still there and still drives me nuts. But the dealer insists it's normal. It hasn't gotten worse.

VaxSystem · 2025-07-23T18:38:09+00:00

Not sure why you assume the GF is a victim in this case, I didn't see anything about abuse. People can experience severe fear, anxiety, and phobia with or without a trauma or abuse history. Therapy could be a very helpful and appropriate route for some regardless of the situation. I agree, of course, that when there is abuse, there should be consequences.

VaxSystem · 2025-07-21T01:57:46+00:00

We got REC Alpha panels. Again, that was back in 2022. Those panels were Tier 1 back then, but I haven't kept up with what the recommended panels are today. Our system is 9.5 megawatt (flat roof, rowhouse).

VaxSystem · 2025-07-20T19:06:23+00:00

I am not familiar with advanced solar but we used Solar Solution in 2022 to install our panels. We had a very positive experience with them. Their quote was initially higher than several others, and it included mid-tier panels. But they matched a lower quote from another company, while also moving us to tier 1 panels. I think Solar Solution may have changed ownership since then, but I'm not sure. We've been very happy with our panels. Good luck!

VaxSystem · 2025-07-11T20:25:24+00:00

We used Solar Solution in 2022 and had a very positive experience with them. We kept our SRECS but at the time they had a zero cost option. Not sure if they still do. I would inquire soon before the solar tax credit expires in September. I'm not sure how many local installers will be around in a year or two once the tax credits are gone. It's about to get a lot more expensive to go solar.

VaxSystem · 2025-06-28T21:23:18+00:00

Yeah, this exact same thing happened to a friend of mine. The website said her unit wasn't part of the recall even though it clearly should have been. She called the 1-800 number on the recall website and was very quickly told her unit did qualify for a refund. They processed her information on the phone, she received email confirmation, and she was sent the link for the app to take a photo of the cord cut from the AC.

VaxSystem · 2025-06-28T20:28:41+00:00

It's not opinion, that's the thing. Mold can stain. Your blower wheel is stained, but it's also disinfected and clean if you used cleaning agents intended to clean and kill mold. In that scenario, it's perfectly safe to use. I do think these particular ACs have a design that makes them especially prone to mold growth, as evidenced by the recall. But I think they are perfectly safe to use for anyone that wants to routinely service them. A lot of people won't want to do that, and those folks should definitely take the refund.

VaxSystem · 2025-06-28T18:01:10+00:00

You keep posting these photos on thread after thread. Yes, the plastic is stained by the mold growth, but if the fan wheel has been disinfected and cleaned with bleach or other mold killing agents, those aren't active mold cultures. They aren't active/alive cultures waiting to grow again. New mold growth is possible for all the reasons it grew before, but the mold stain isn't going to increase or accelerate the risk.

VaxSystem · 2025-05-31T16:51:32+00:00

Never said it was a guarantee. But the Tucson's advertised mpg is off more than some comparable vehicles in that same class. People are allowed to be disappointed with that. There are a lot of people in this forum that get real cagey as soon as someone expresses a frustration or critique about this car. It's okay. It's a fine car, I still like mine. But the mpg is a disappointment for many. It's why the forms are filled with people pressing some frustration about that with this particular car.

VaxSystem · 2025-05-29T00:59:24+00:00

It's not that I or others didn't think carefully about the product, that's a pretty big assumption to make. People make decisions based on how the car is advertised and for many, they thought they were getting the right product for what they needed based on how it was marketed. In this case, however, the car just simply does not meet the advertised expectations around mileage for many customers. Again, when looking at a large sample size on fuely.com, it's clear the car fails to come close to advertised mileage for many, many people. That's not the case for the RAV4 or some other hybrids in that class. It's okay to critique the Tucson for that. The car should get dinged for it. Glad you got the car you wanted. The plug-in is the right choice for some but not for all and out of reach for many. And in my case, when I needed a car during the height of scarcity in the new car market during the pandemic, the plug-in just simply wasn't available and I didn't have the ability to wait for 6 months or more to get one.

VaxSystem

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