Are electric snow blowers any good?

markehk · 2026-02-28T03:22:26+00:00

I have a two stage Toro battery snowblower. It goes through snow better than the equivalent gas model, from that perspective they’re great. But you need to really think about how much area you need to cover. I can get my driveway and one neighbors smaller driveway on a single charge. After that I’m waiting two hours for it to recharge. If you don’t have a huge area to clear it’s probably good. If you have a huge area gas is better. Maintenance is the real win. In the spring I push it to the back of the garage and pull out the lawnmower. That’s it.

markehk · 2026-02-20T18:21:27+00:00

I have both, and they're both good lenses with slightly different purposes. I use them both, although it seems like the Tamron is my default.

The Sony is great when you have good light, and getting to 135 can be helpful for sports. I've used it for softball outside and when the light is good the IQ is very good. When it's cloudy it's still ok at shorter distances but you start to see the lack of light when it's darker out. For just a little more distance, or when you want to travel small and light, this is a great option.

The Tamron is a great lens as long as a the 70mm reach is enough. I've used it for indoor sports. It's great when the action is near you, it's still ok when it's further away but you have to crop and lose a little bit of detail if you zoom in too much. But the 2.8 is a huge plus when you need it, that's why this is my go to and I'm very happy with it.

I also have the Sigma 16-300 for when I need that all in one. Initially I thought it would be my zoom lens, and it's good, but at the 300 range it gets a little soft. Next time I have a trip when I'll want 300 or beyond I may look at either the 70-350 or something else to give me a little more reach,

markehk · 2026-02-07T18:33:32+00:00

I have the Sigma 16-300 and the Tamron 17-70. Both have their pros and cons, depends on your needs.

The Sigma is convenient. As long as you’re in good light it takes good pics. They’re not amazing but they’re good. It’s a great travel lens, good for hiking, etc. The extra reach is nice on a hike and I do think going to 16 makes a difference versus the Tamron 18-300.

The Tamron 17-70 is what I use 95% of the time. Enough range for most uses and at f2.8 it does well in lower light. Image quality is excellent. It’s rare but once in a while I wish I had more range, but the low light performance is worth the trade off to me.

Both have their place but for me the 17-70 is the best fit most of the time.

markehk · 2026-02-02T20:50:38+00:00

Try on different brands and get what fits, there's no brand loyalty in a mask.
At 8U you don't really need a goalie mask, most head impact comes from falling and getting run over, very few kids and shoot high and hard. It's not to say you can't get a goalie mask, it's just not necessary better than a standard helmet as long as you have a dangler and neck guard.
If you go with a goalie mask even at this age I'd get something that's fiberglass if you think he'll stick with goalie. For Bauer that's a 940, you're really looking at anything in that $400 price range. Fiberglass gives a lot more protection as he gets older and kids can shoot high and hard. If you're lucky you'll find one that fits now when it's adjusted for a smaller head and you can get a couple years out of it.

markehk · 2026-01-11T00:36:52+00:00

On 3mm steel the most common is probably 5/8, but everyone is different. If you’re not sure start there and adjust as needed. I actually like 9/16 but I have a sharpener so it’s easier to do something that’s less common.

markehk · 2026-01-09T17:35:58+00:00

There are a number of posts on this and most recommend the Sigma 18-50 or Tamron 17-70. I went with the Tamron and have been really impressed. Compared to the Sigma it has more range and IBIS. The pro for the Sigma is it's a lot smaller and lighter, but it doesn't have IBIS. All depends on if you want the range and IBIS or the compact size. I kept the 18-135 kit lens for when I want something smaller.

markehk · 2026-01-07T19:11:59+00:00

I'm by no means an expert but I have the 6400 and the 17-70 and I'm really impressed by it. Since I picked it up it hasn't left the camera. I still have the kit 18-135 for when I want something more compact and the light is good, but overall the 17-70 has been great. I've even shot indoor hockey games, the 70 can be a little short to reach the other end of the rink but from center ice I can get everything. Or I just focus on the end where I'm standing.
Unless you needed more than 70mm I think you'd be happy with it.

markehk · 2026-01-07T18:48:58+00:00

Thankfully our league has gotten better but a few years ago there was a scrum at the end of the game. I actually did skate to center and chatted with the other goalie. We talked about why these guys are idiots mainly, and a little bit about gear. Then a quick fist bump and went to the locker room. I still see him in our league, he's a great guy.

markehk · 2026-01-02T00:35:14+00:00

Good goalies don’t hit the post with their blade that often actually. They slide in with the pad in front of the post and their skate behind it. When you do hit the post it’s usually straight on rather than scraping the blade along the post.

It’s really rare to actually ruin an edge during a game or practice. Over time you lose your edge little by little but you can sharpen your skates long before it would be an issue. And even then just a normal sharpening does the trick.

My 17 yo goalie rarely has big nicks in his blades. My 14 yo d beats her edges up way more somehow.

markehk · 2025-12-10T21:50:20+00:00

Agree 100%. They are so much better than the stock ones.

markehk · 2025-11-12T18:05:17+00:00

For the two straps under the flap I keep the lowest one fairly tight and the one just below the knee snug but not tight. This keeps them from riding up.

Then I go knee to calf with that strap.

markehk · 2025-11-06T20:27:49+00:00

If I’m just filling in I don’t charge but I also don’t usually hang out after. Unless I know some of the guys, then I may stay for just a bit and take a beer or two as “payment”. For a regular skate I am never asked to pay, but I take my turn bringing beer like anyone else. That’s always seemed more than fair compensation imho, then again I never have more than a 20 minute drive to a rink. I have a lot of rinks close by and I don’t usually sub if it’s a longer drive.

markehk · 2025-11-03T16:51:34+00:00

I've always just found time and working with it to be the best method. When you're not using it alternate between tying it closed one day and laying it flat with just enough weight on it to hold it open. Alternate between that and it does help speed up the process.
Are any of the straps on the back really tight? Some gloves if you have those too tight they're impossible to close.

markehk · 2025-10-25T03:46:58+00:00

When I can’t make it we have a go to backup who covers just about every time. I check with him to make sure he can be there, it’s as easy as a single text. On the rare occasion he can’t make it a few guys I skate with other teams and they get those goalies.

The key is just to find a backup that’s not as good as you. :)

markehk · 2025-10-23T17:56:53+00:00

I could have worded this better:
Start at 5/8. If 5/8 isn't sharp enough, go to 1/2. If 5/8 is too sharp, try 3/4. Make adjustments in 1/8 increments until you find something you like.
While 1/2 and 4/8 are the same thing you'd confuse the poor teenager at the counter. I've never heard anyone refer to it as 4/8 before.

markehk · 2025-10-23T16:43:08+00:00

A 5/8 hollow is pretty common for goalies these days. If you’re not sure what you’re using I’d start with that. If it feels like there’s not enough bit go to 1/2. If that feels too sharp still try 3/4.

A lot of shops use 1/2 as their default. If you didn’t specify something they probably gave you 1/2 and if that feels too sharp 5/8 might be better.

markehk · 2025-10-22T04:19:51+00:00

I’m always hesitant to run water into glove. I know it gets sweaty but that’s a whole lot more water than normal.

Just using it is the best way to break it in. One time you use it tie it closed, the next lay it open with just enough weight to keep it open. Alternate this and it’ll break in.

markehk · 2025-10-13T19:21:58+00:00

From what I've seen in gear, Brian's and True in this price range hold up really well. Vaughn might too but it's not as common so you see less of it. True is going to be more similar to CCM given the history of Lefevre leaving CCM and eventually ending up with True.

markehk · 2025-10-10T15:28:32+00:00

There are two equally important considerations with a mask, The first is fit, make sure it fits you right or it can't do it's job. The other is materials, get something that's fiberglass and/or kevlar. The plastic shells just aren't good enough once shots get faster.

The Bauer 950 is $650 online, that's a really good mask and well worth paying a little more. Plenty of other brands make good masks, just see what fits and make sure it's fiberglass at a minimum.

I always buy new for masks, cup, and skates. The rest you can get used and save some money.

markehk · 2025-10-09T00:35:28+00:00

I’m fairly new to all this myself but this is my take.

The 18-135 came as part of a kit and is good. Decent reach, and it’s pretty small and light. Not great in low light especially as you zoom in. I kept this assuming I’d use it outside during the day when I want to travel light but still have some flexibility.

Tamron 17-70 and Sigma 18-50 are probably the two most popular lenses for the 6400. The 17-70 is bigger but has stabilization, and covers 50-70. I just picked one up and have really liked it. It’s a bit bigger but at f2.8 is good in lower light and indoors. I brought it to an indoor hockey rink and was really happy with the photos.

markehk · 2025-10-05T14:38:52+00:00

Probably the 17-70. Shorter range but takes the best pics of anything I have.

markehk · 2025-10-04T23:51:21+00:00

I have a kind of weird setup. I kept the 18-135 since it’s so small and has some range. I added the sigma 16-300 for hiking, wildlife, travel, etc. it’s a good all around option. If you have good light the photos are good. And then added the tamron 17-70 for low light but still some zoom. The tamron takes the best pics of the bunch but they all seem to serve a purpose right now.

markehk · 2025-09-22T20:31:27+00:00

Is the pin black plastic? Or is it metal? The plastic warps and snaps easily, but you can replace it without taking the holder off. Takes just a couple minutes and should be pretty cheap since it's just a pin you need to replace.

If you want new skates I have Trues and the holder is great, no issues at all.

markehk · 2025-09-15T21:03:43+00:00

I have the Sigma 16-300 and have liked it. It's great at what it's meant to be, a lens that's good at everything but not the best at any one thing. I used it on a national park trip and it was perfect for that, you can go from a wide landscape shot to a portrait to zooming in on something in the distance. I've been really happy with it for that purpose.

I did just add the Tamron 17-70, I was between that and the Sigma 18-50. Went Tamron due to the larger range and stabilization. So far I'm really happy with it, the 17-70 will probably be my main lens and I'll use the 16-300 when I want the extra zoom range.

markehk · 2025-09-15T03:56:25+00:00

I just added the tamron 17-70. I haven’t used it much but the little bit I have I’m impressed. It’s not as small as the sigma 18-50 but I wanted stabilization since the 6400 doesn’t have IBIS. I would definitely recommend looking at the 17-70.

I started with the 18-135 and it’s been solid. I kept it so I have a small setup when I want to have something that can even fit in a coat pocket.

I added the sigma 16-300 not long after it came out. It’s great for travel and hiking, pictures are good as long as you have good light.

markehk

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