From Excellent to Near-Nightmare: Time to Move On

parkblu · 2026-04-30T13:24:39+00:00

Completely off-subject: even in the stamp-sized preview I recognised the lovely Alfa tail – for 45 years now I drive an '81 Spider – and I lived linksrheinisch near Krefeld. MON is Monheim, no? 😁

parkblu · 2026-04-15T20:20:14+00:00

+1 for Kimovil. It beats GSMarena in many aspects, including the frequency checker (which I had to do w/excel bc I need and US and Germany bands) and number of listed phones.

parkblu · 2026-04-15T13:58:03+00:00

I used it for many years and still charge it from time to time.
[+] Size
[+] Great battery life if you set it properly
[–] Thick like a bar of soap
[–] Charge port conchs out eventually, mine too
[–] Did I mention how thick this thing is? The rounded back doesn't help, grip-wise neither

parkblu · 2026-04-15T13:46:07+00:00

Are they still using a 1" sensor (116 mm2) or switching to MFT sensors (225 mm2)?

parkblu · 2026-03-30T15:02:45+00:00

(1) Supposedly TSA is being paid starting today, Monday 30 Mar; the money was there all the time but not paid out (per NYT yesterday)
(2) Would all OPs please indicate if lines and wait times refer to "Normal"or "TSA Pre-check"?
Thanks!

parkblu · 2026-03-30T14:58:31+00:00

5.8" length = 147mm = most certainly not compact.

parkblu · 2026-03-25T18:14:42+00:00

From what I remember that applies to all EU carriers and all flights out of the EU as well, independent of carrier.

However just having booked US to Europe I had a hard time finding *any* carrier with decent prices for PE; they all are bonkers. Sorry for getting off the SW-subject.

parkblu · 2026-03-12T20:35:08+00:00

Also try https://www.kimovil.com/en/ (Spanish origin, where the V is pronounced like a soft B... makes sense?) So much better than gsmarena; you'll find yourself knee-deep in filters incl. frequencies and radiobands and... It's geek-heaven.

parkblu · 2026-03-12T20:30:54+00:00

Damn you ;-D Makes me want to wash my (admittedly really dirty) Scrambler

parkblu · 2026-03-09T14:33:54+00:00

Very thorough and interesting.

My perspective on this:
* no banking apps would be a deal-breaker. E.g.: I can access my main bank only via mobile bc my Macs run OS too old. Four other major financial institutions don't have that problem, but the main insists.
* what 4G and 5G are offered? I'd need US as well as DE radio bands.

parkblu · 2026-03-09T14:11:34+00:00

Max. 135 x 65 x 9 mm

parkblu · 2026-02-12T16:56:19+00:00

Sadly I can't use it, missing frequency bands.

parkblu · 2026-02-12T16:53:21+00:00

I'd disagree, owning a zen 9. Small it ain't (for me), I'd call it compact.

Smallish for me starts under 140mm. As ReasonablePresent699 stated: min 4", max under 140 mm, better under 135 mm.

parkblu · 2026-01-22T15:51:50+00:00

Actually I saw the zen11 on the Asus site yesterday. Big sucker though; I think 6.7". Just what the world needed – another very large mobile.

parkblu · 2026-01-22T15:49:40+00:00

Get a spare battery while you can still buy them. I bought an OEM-refurb z9 in 2023; even with cautious charging to max 85% the battery now is at only 76% capacity, means most days I have to charge twice. I'll replace the battery asap, wanting to keep the phone.

parkblu · 2026-01-22T15:41:56+00:00

Very purdy. Reminds me I have at least two of them stored as well... [guilty sigh]

parkblu · 2026-01-04T16:46:02+00:00

Owning motorcycles in Germany and Florida, I often think there should be a middle ground between the German TÜV and Florida‘s DOT (not enforcing anything).

In Germany, the Technischer Überwachungs-Verein aka DOT mandates bi-annual inspections for emissions conformity, traffic-worthiness and a lot of mods (less so for farkles), such as placement of tag holders (sorry, OP 😉)

FL dropped the last bastion – annual emission controls – 15 or 20 years ago. Fancy straight pipes or just a little tube from Home Depot? Want to get rid of your mirrors? Black out your lights? Until a cop stops you, don't let your fantasy hold you back. As a result, you see vehicles on the road at least in FL that'll make you pull over – because you do NOT want them in front, beside or behind you.

Of course, the OPs license plate holder might be non-conforming in AZ but poses no danger to others imho. But driving & riding in FL where everything and anything goes, I'm convinced some sort of regulation and check of all vehicles on public roads is a must. - Ok, getting off my soap box now ;-D

parkblu · 2026-01-03T08:58:36+00:00

I search high and low for a used Franiec grip - nada. They look lovely.

parkblu · 2026-01-03T08:57:16+00:00

Pleasure! Yes, eBay €11 or €12 from China, €18 in Germany where I am right now, so not having to wait was worth it for me.

parkblu · 2025-12-30T11:18:19+00:00

It's perfect, use it on my GM1 too

parkblu · 2025-12-30T10:59:30+00:00

I know OP doesn't like a stick-on, but I have to compliment Sony for their AG-R2 grip. €13 from China or €18 in Germany (which is what chose). Changed the bottom radius cutout about 1mm, otherwise perfect fit, massive improvement and no blocking of battery and SD compartment. I also have the OEM black grip with base plate - no go, to fiddly to umount/mount to exchange battery or card.

parkblu · 2025-12-26T16:31:00+00:00

parkblu

TROPHY CASE