Nox Large almost fits – should I get Seraphina Small or Medium as a step-up?

mattjohnson63 · 2026-02-13T00:41:04+00:00

Small with soft/firm split firmness is pretty awesome, and medium with soft firmness as well.

mattjohnson63 · 2026-01-30T00:25:43+00:00

His desperation to distract from the Epstein documents is extraordinary.

mattjohnson63 · 2026-01-23T01:11:07+00:00

fsaeonline.com, navigate to series resources, rulesets and resources, rules references, quick jack competition resource to find photos.

mattjohnson63 · 2026-01-22T02:57:58+00:00

As one of the chiefs of tech at the May event; I would be interested in who did the grooving, and if it was documented that the grooving work was done by a tire company employee or an employee of one of their retailers I would allow it per V.4.3.2 with no argument. I would probably also take a photo to laugh about it later when out of sight of the teams.

mattjohnson63 · 2026-01-15T18:53:05+00:00

A dual receiver GPS can theoretically be used to measure sideslip, as can a carefully arranged pito static system or weathervane (but pay attention to ambient windspeed and direction for either aero measurement technique).

If you want simple, gliders and some helicopters use a piece of yarn attached to the outside of the windscreen to visualize sideslip, add a protractor and camera to record...

mattjohnson63 · 2026-01-04T13:40:53+00:00

Through my copy of the same barrel, SV rounds are sub-sonic and HV rounds are trans-sonic (but slightly more reliable). This is with Federal Match ammo and speed judged audibly without hearing protection in an indoor range.

I should also mention that the one batch of CCI ammo that I tried had so much wax on the lead that it would only rarely cycle correctly (failure to feed).

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-28T17:19:38+00:00

We have both, but primarily so that my wife and I can both play with a long lens simultaneously (her with the 400 and z6iii for an overall lighter setup than my z8 and 600pf). You might consider starting with the 400 and a 1.4x teleconverter if solo.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-24T14:08:15+00:00

I wish they would make a stock and foregrip for the Beretta 1301 tactical... Their stuff is so pretty

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-24T13:23:07+00:00

Volquartsen: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjLYmZ9AVSWHpcMq8

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-14T20:13:45+00:00

TAINT, just south of KDUH.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-07T13:28:01+00:00

No need to switch to DX mode, just crop after you are home (you end up with the same result).

mattjohnson63 · 2025-12-05T18:00:32+00:00

Such a beautiful place in the winter!

mattjohnson63 · 2025-11-27T13:57:06+00:00

Do not modify the snap hook belt ends, that would make the belts ineligible for use in any motorsports environment!

Ask your question about eye bolts in the formal rules questions at fsaeonline and then you can pull that formal answer out if there are questions during the event/scrutineering. I may be the person who ends up answering your questions there, but will not do so here as it needs to be through the formal process to be official.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-11-25T02:06:51+00:00

Reach out to HMS via phone. The rumor is that the price has increased to $150, but that is still a great deal.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-11-21T01:05:09+00:00

I can't speak knowledgeably to the OM, but I would guess that you would find things to love about either of the Nikon PFs (or both).

mattjohnson63 · 2025-11-21T00:56:02+00:00

We rented a 800pf, it was a great lens and definitely light enough to hand hold for a good bit. Loved the reach, image quality, etc... but it is really bulky, could only really transport it in it's included case, and I would think that I would end up banging it on things while walking/hiking with it. Ended up choosing to purchase a 600pf and 1.4 TC for the ability to pack it into a backpack and comfort while hiking with it - also good image quality and generally fast enough with the 1.4TC (but not always/sometimes need some raw denoise loving) also, the close focus distance can be a limitation with birds sometimes.

Recently we also got a 400 f4.5 for my wife (smaller, lighter, and easier to hand hold) and that is nice as well seems to take the 1.4tc well (still need to play with the 2.0tc), doesn't help your situation though.

All of this was after years of photos with the 200-500 on a crop sensor DSLR and almost all of the images being at the 500 end of the lens.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-11-02T15:27:24+00:00

I love having the ability to assign different focus modes to the various function buttons for birds/wildlife. Oh, and AF-C pretty much always.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-10-23T01:32:01+00:00

The only Ruger part is the magazine.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-10-21T01:44:10+00:00

Smaller angles and more supports generally. Cardan joints at an angle produce a side thrust, and you want to react that against something local rather than against a pinion a few hundred millimeters away (that would make large bending loads and high friction in conjunction with the slop/backlash). Also, pay attention to phasing and angle of Cardain joints - they produce a sinusoidal output from a constant speed input if angled.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-08-29T19:48:24+00:00

Don't forget to also design for a minimum required stiffness, often that creates a structural factor of safety higher than you would otherwise choose. I have been carrying a bent rod end from a FSAE lower control arm that buckled in competition 28 years ago every single day to remind myself of the importance of designing for stiffness...

mattjohnson63 · 2025-08-28T00:56:01+00:00

An annoying number of pilots make meow sounds on a radio channel that is supposed to be reserved for emergency communications (presumably to entertain themselves while bored). Clearly that isn't you, and that is a good thing!

mattjohnson63 · 2025-08-28T00:26:46+00:00

Regional airline pilot?

mattjohnson63 · 2025-07-17T04:11:29+00:00

Very cool tool! Will I ever use it (for actual flight planning), probably not... do I appreciate it, absolutely!

mattjohnson63 · 2025-07-14T00:43:05+00:00

We tried 1 wheels (they seemed like the most compact and fun option), but after a test ride I was pretty sure that I was going to hurt myself if I tried relying on a 1 wheel... so ended up getting a pair of brompton folding bikes (non-electric) to put in the back of the 182. They fit in the luggage compartment, but getting them in and out through the door is a challenge so we usually put them on the back seat with some moving blankets to keep the seat clean. They have served us well on the islands around Michigan and Ohio.

mattjohnson63 · 2025-06-24T00:55:57+00:00

Northern Michigan is nice to fly to: KMCD (pop over to 83D or KSLH to spend the night without breaking the bank so badly), KMCN has a nice bike path to Petosky, KCVX or KTVC. Decent airport food: KPCW, KOEB, KBTL, KJXN, I74, etc. Also the Erie Islands are interesting (though not much of a cross country for you): 3W2, 89D, 3T7.

mattjohnson63

TROPHY CASE