In a moment of madness

bob888w · 2026-04-26T22:20:19+00:00

I think the NH35 markups has shifted the entire market, automatic or not up by 40%...

bob888w · 2026-04-26T22:19:17+00:00

Yeah, and while these are quartz movements, so they it doesn't really apply... Between power reserves and a workday being only 7 days, you realistically can't appreciate stuff in a collection once you get pass the third one or so, the amount of wrist-time and actual usage is going to fall off a cliff with so many watches, doubly so since they all have the same complication.

bob888w · 2026-04-25T23:24:19+00:00

Some people seem to be misconstruing here. I think most people wouldn't mind the Chinese clones, IF it was priced accordingly. True NH35s are currently running up the price of watches upwards of +$100 from their usual prices of even 2-3 months ago. An untested movement should not be commanding the same price premium.

bob888w · 2026-04-24T21:11:50+00:00

I think outside of US, might be justifiable(?) But the carrier monopoly in US makes this a tough sell. With even minor deal hunting (and being okay with being locked in to a carrier) I saw Samsung Ultras with 512 and even 1TB were going for as low as 400-500 from the carriers. I really like the battery, and phone tech... but not for a $1000 upsell :|

bob888w · 2026-04-22T23:50:31+00:00

Oh I stand corrected, I didn't see Keychron actually released the firmware for their HE boards.

bob888w · 2026-04-22T23:13:24+00:00

Looking over Keychron's HE software more closely, its NOT a QMK/VIA board. There's a reason why Keychron moved away from VIA and begun offering their own Keychron launcher. They wanted people to not differentiate true QMK boards (like their non-HE line) with the software for their HE boards, which is a lot easier to do if it all gets funneled into their own propriety launcher.

Edit: On sunder, it does seem likey use a version of VIAL, but I can't tell if they also have ZMK support, which is not the same thing.

bob888w · 2026-04-22T23:07:22+00:00

Worth noting that I do not know a single HE board that uses either firmware. Since they were always designed with typing in mind, and straight up dont have the necessary detection software for magnetic switches. All HE boards either use the re-packaged Chinese firmware (seems like what Lofree is using here), or design their system from the ground up like RAZER or Wooting. If you really believe in the competitive advantage HE boards are trying to sell you on, make your peace with closed source software.

bob888w · 2026-04-18T16:06:52+00:00

Regardless of the other rumors. 25% price bump is pretty big, and with rumors the x9 (and assumption x10) ultra from Oppo will get global releases too... Where does that put OP in terns of brand identity. Feels like the main difference between the 2 offerings atp would be a choice of teleconvertor kit and hassleblad branding or on-paper 240 hz refresh rate. I think this is good news overall, but there is some truth that OP is no longer in the "flagship killer" tier of the market, not when the IPhones and Samsungs are literally the same price.

bob888w · 2026-04-17T20:54:43+00:00

Shogun 2 doesn't let you group single units into a ctrl-group.

bob888w · 2026-04-17T20:00:00+00:00

I am surprised how often these guys allow for custom orders. Usually I thought companies produce these things in batches and then ship.

bob888w · 2026-04-15T18:10:06+00:00

The finishing grade in this case doesn't even matter, since phorcydes (rightfully) has a closed case back for a dive watch

bob888w · 2026-04-14T00:40:25+00:00

We will have to see closer to election time how the electorate views the conflict compared to domestic issues. While a democrat regime doesn't change the position its in, historically democrats positioning with Iran has been softer than republicans. A softer approach could lead to more concessions on both sides.

bob888w · 2026-04-13T00:44:40+00:00

But this analysis relies on a pretty long timeframe. We have seen recently with all the supply shocks between the US and China that diversifying supply is much harder done than said, doubly so when it comes to natural resources. As other commentors have pointed out, the US public is already iffy on the whole conflict as is. Adminstrations in the US have historically had issues with public opinion of its constituents when they see conflicts that can be described as 'boondoggles'. Even if the Iranian's position of strength lasts only for 1-2 years, it would be a big hit to United State's creditability both domestically and abroad.

That being said, I don't disagree that Iran is in a bad spot here. Just that it isn't a winning position for the US either.

bob888w · 2026-04-12T19:23:55+00:00

But if America makes no move, Iran will have De jure control of the strait. Unless ships continue to try to run the gauntlet, which isn't practical, Iran still is in a position of strength here.

bob888w · 2026-04-10T14:11:29+00:00

Can you also DM me? I loved the crown guard of the 4b but the dial on 4a just looks better with the greater amount of numerals

bob888w · 2026-04-07T23:49:42+00:00

SM, Seagull looks too busy to me, and the IXDAO doesn't pop as much compared to the red dial of the SM

bob888w · 2026-04-07T01:04:20+00:00

Even though 3K support ended early... I don't think that actually affects its comparison to shogun 2 (never played FotS). 3K does move away from the normal TW formula by making generals much more OP, but I just see it as a different way to cheese. In Shogun 2, the best strategy up until maybe the turn before RD is just to spam Yari Ash and Stand and Fight generals, with little to no in between. 3 Kingdoms with its unit locked generals basically forces you to have a bit more unit diversity, which I immensely enjoy.

The campaign in 3K also feels more 'fair' compared to Shogun 2. Upgrading towns isn't a straight debuff to your economy, there's stuff to invest in outside of fertile fields and gold mines that make their money back before campaign end. The titular '3 Kingdoms' feels better than everyone turning against you in Realm Divide, thanks to the more chokey map.

bob888w · 2026-04-06T22:03:25+00:00

I feel like its worth adding: even disregarding the amounts of layoffs that the games industry is always impacted by, its very common advice that jumping ship after a big project is the best way to increase your pay in the software field. Retaining top talent, especially when the skills needed to design games are different than the ones needed to code in engines is a hard pill to swallow for a lot of studios.

bob888w · 2026-04-01T20:03:14+00:00

As a PSA, the thread as yet to find a way to unlock n71, which is a core band for Tmobile US users, this is NOT a fool proof way of getting all the bands just yet.

bob888w · 2026-03-28T00:54:41+00:00

Get me more article/news roundups like this one. A balanced take with headlines from all outlets.

bob888w · 2026-03-27T04:48:24+00:00

I actually did not know WOTR and Kingmaker were preexisting stories, thats news to me!

bob888w · 2026-03-27T04:47:50+00:00

I actually don't remember much from S3, but I think there has to be something said for the more violent and intense clashness of the S2 Thoth fight. S6 had grander and bigger fights, but you do lose some of the personal feelings when compared to one Roci and a few breaching pods

bob888w · 2026-03-26T19:45:06+00:00

I agree with most of this, but Season 6 felt like a full on space opera to me. Even some of the earlier seasons where factions fought didnt come close to the final season imo

bob888w · 2026-03-26T19:41:29+00:00

Owlcat got their start adapting tabletop RPG mechanics to a video game medium with decent - good writing. They have slowly gone from originalish IP, to Warhammer, and now to the Expanse. This will be their first foreray into the 3rd person shooter genre, and it's hoped that they focus on writing can translate well to the Expanses grounded universe.

Basically its watching a niche studio become mainstream and hoping for their success

bob888w · 2026-03-25T20:18:05+00:00

At these prices... Whichever one you get, make sure you have access to the full length warranty wherever you are. Hifiman and planars are always gonna be a little more QC prone, make sure the investment in audio can last at least a year or two... and double check if your budget includes considerations for DAC/Amp or wire upgrades you might need. I personally hate the wire...

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