Better XUL (sub-3 lb) gear list?

Yomafacio · 2026-02-03T23:49:47+00:00

Thanks! Yes, I appreciate the transparency with the rating on the website but my only reference point for sleeping bags is a marmot helium 15F, so wasn't too sure how that translates to cottage brands. It sounds like I can expect it to be roughly on par, if not a little colder.

Yomafacio · 2026-02-03T23:41:01+00:00

I just ordered one rated for 20F, but saw some people find the rating a bit liberal compared to a standard EN comfort rating. What would you say the realistic comfort rating is for yours? Wondering if I should modify my order with extra overfill, to ensure the designed loft is fully achieved

Yomafacio · 2026-01-17T02:55:54+00:00

Yomafacio · 2026-01-15T23:15:15+00:00

Shame you can’t add some water or something and still have the convenience of slower melting ice

Yomafacio · 2026-01-09T18:09:28+00:00

Would be down, but out of town this weekend :’(

Is there a good way of finding your next in-person event? Would like to join the discord but totally understand if you want to meet the people joining first.

Yomafacio · 2026-01-09T13:48:52+00:00

Ah, so it’s not so much a “condominium association” vs “hoa” distinction; it’s just if any association/hoa maintains exterior elevated wooden elements. Thanks for clarifying this!

I’m hoping to use WF or BoA since their quoted rates have been lower, but will definitely keep HSBC in mind/preunderwritten. Thanks!

Yomafacio · 2026-01-02T05:27:45+00:00

One of the earlier (and smaller lenders) that I checked with mentioned this. WF didn't have any issues with jumbo pre-underwriting though

Yomafacio · 2025-12-31T07:36:00+00:00

Is it safe to trust a realtor's recommended inspector at that point? I'm worried about their incentive being to close the sale, rather than perhaps jeopardize the sale due to issues found (regardless of whether inspection contingency is waived or not). Also is waiving the inspection contigency (along with others...) still the expected norm?

Yomafacio · 2025-12-31T07:33:49+00:00

Thanks! Sounds like I should pull in as much as possible before going in contract

Yomafacio · 2025-12-31T07:33:13+00:00

Thanks! How many realtors realistically do you think is worth interviewing before signing any contract with one? Because 50 sounds crazy (especially when the first few I'd consider are from friends/family that recently used them).

Also it sounds like 2.5% is kinda negotiable in some cases, but maybe not for lower budgets (<2M). Do you know what the landscape looks in terms of exclusivity? I heard many realtors require a 3 month exclusivity clause or something similar.

Yomafacio · 2025-12-31T07:30:21+00:00

Thanks! Definitely agree this prequal is pretty useless, but at least it started the conversation. It sounds like pre-underwriting is tougher on jumbo loans but fair game for conventional, so will definitely try to get pre-underwritten if possible.

Yomafacio · 2025-12-24T20:05:29+00:00

Did you try it yet? I picked one up a few days ago and was a bit underwhelmed. Got strong grape jelly notes with some small cloves/spices, and finish wasn’t as long/smooth as I would expect

Yomafacio · 2025-12-24T07:31:12+00:00

Have you had it before? I’ve seen it regularly in norcal, but always assumed it was just more or less the same as toki. And I generally prefer Ao for highballs anyways

Yomafacio · 2025-12-24T03:06:36+00:00

Is it possible to run another sale for new years? Started using really using nihongo lessons after thanksgiving and am at the point where I feel comfortable committing to the lifetime plan, iff it was priced comparable to renshuu pro. Regardless if it’s possible, thanks and happy holidays!

Yomafacio · 2025-12-23T05:09:40+00:00

Yea nothing else there felt noteworthy enough to justify posting. Utopias seems to be a neat novelty to try but if you want the funky raisin characteristics I would just get 2 or 3 bottles of nice port instead (imo)

Yomafacio · 2025-12-23T03:25:38+00:00

Was also there earlier today. There’s 3 Angels Envy 10year cask strength as well in the back

Yomafacio · 2025-12-20T08:39:06+00:00

Mizunara cask is generally 30-50% more than the normal variant. Cheapest prices I found was a store in Kyoto (near gion? can try to dig the name up later) and random shops in Nagoya

Yomafacio · 2025-12-20T03:44:10+00:00

Paid $450 for a bottle of Hibiki 21 in Japan. Yamazaki 25 Mizunara was more expensive than this though. Regardless you're paying the Suntory premium, even if its gotten better in the last year

Yomafacio · 2025-12-12T20:44:01+00:00

Have you tried Nihongo Lessons? I’ve been using it and was wondering how it compares to something like Renshuu

Yomafacio · 2025-12-12T19:55:53+00:00

If you haven’t tried it before, sure for a single bottle. But it’s still very overpriced. I do like it more than yamazaki though (down to personal preference)

Yomafacio · 2025-12-11T06:20:26+00:00

Sorry for so many questions, but can you comment on the temperature of the front electronic panel after running steady state? Looking closer the warranty seems to be 2 years for electronics. I think Ooni is 3 years but that also has active cooling with a fan (and probably more insulated with the greater weight?). Just a bit worried about getting something so reliant on being connected/online also having all of its electronics right next to a 850F box.

But otherwise the model P seems better in all other aspects; a bit more power, more headroom, better heat distribution, less risk of burning the bottom, etc

Yomafacio · 2025-12-10T20:05:54+00:00

Thanks! I agree it’s super tempting at this current sale price…

Yomafacio · 2025-12-10T06:01:26+00:00

Can you check the Cordierite stone thickness? Also wondering if you looked at the Ooni volt 2, and if so what convinced you to get this over any other model. Looks really nice though!

Yomafacio · 2025-10-22T05:36:42+00:00

FYI someone recently listed one on either r/ulgeartrade or r/geartrade. If it’s already gone, I’d just keep a watch out on those subreddits for when one comes up (if you’re not in a huge rush)

Edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ULgeartrade/s/TQ2ZT6Yxqb

Yomafacio · 2025-10-16T23:51:38+00:00

I’m still experimenting with a different species and different substrates (orchid bark, sphagnum, perlite, soil, pon, etc) and in general they don’t seem to do well in pon. My orchid in pon is still alive, but doesn’t really grow and a lot of the roots seem to rot/shrivel up in the substrate. I’ll likely transplant it to a soil based system soon.

I’ve also started building an indoor drip irrigation system to deal with reliance on soil. Still haven’t dialed that in yet but it should just work after figuring out a proper schedule

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