http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ Since most of us are also gear and gadget geeks, we can discuss non-audio gear/gadgets in here. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:55:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/throat-mics-456500/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41:35 GMT Want to get a new mic for gaming and general Skype usage. Been looking at something like this: Triumph Throat Mic Headset for cell phones... Want to get a new mic for gaming and general Skype usage. Been looking at something like this: Triumph Throat Mic Headset for cell phones
Anyone have any experiences that they can share with these types of throat mics? They look pretty interesting, as they will only transmit your own voice, and nothing in the background. ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets azncookiecutter http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/throat-mics-456500/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/got-xp-installed-what-does-disk-defrag-really-say-i-only-have-13gigs-free-space-456485/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:26:56 GMT When I really should have around 110+ gigs of freespace?!? What do I do about this??? It already had a couple partitions when it was asking what I... When I really should have around 110+ gigs of freespace?!? What do I do about this??? It already had a couple partitions when it was asking what I should do with it and I did notice that C: only has 13 gigs left. H:has like 5gigs, but I formatted that since I dont want the hp recovery since it stinks. I got rid of the rest of those partitions, but still I have only 17gigs on the C: drive. ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets oakleyguy89 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/got-xp-installed-what-does-disk-defrag-really-say-i-only-have-13gigs-free-space-456485/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/computer-question-456425/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:31:28 GMT I just bought a set of dvd+rw's and I was wondering if the dvd-rom on the a320n will be able to read dvd+rw? ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets oakleyguy89 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/computer-question-456425/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/looking-advice-pc-new-build-456138/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:05:44 GMT I'm new to building PCs. I want to build my own "dream" PC. I will be using this PC for gaming, music and movies. My main concerns are that my PC is upgradable "future proof" ;), will run anything I throw at it smoothly and is silent. I have a budget of $2,500.

I've done a great deal of research but, before I take the plunge I'd appreciate it if I could get some input. Is there anything I am missing? Are the parts I chose good quality? Is everything compatible? Is anything overkill or underpowered? Could I save money by switching to another part that's of equal quality? Currently I'm at $2,413.73 including shipping. Any suggestions would be great.

So here's what I have:

Main Parts
- Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
- ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
- G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
- (2) XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
- HT | OMEGA CLARO 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
- (2) Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
- COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
- LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Cooling
- (4) Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan
- ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
- (2) ZALMAN VF900 – CU 2 Ball VGA Cooler

Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Extras
- Rosewill NEC 4+1 Port USB2.0 PCI CARD Model RC-101
- Rosewill RCR-IC001 40-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port
- Rosewill RC-401-EX 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI-Express Gigabit Low Profile Network Card 1 x RJ45 ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets Peerbreed http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/looking-advice-pc-new-build-456138/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/when-best-time-year-bargin-car-456049/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:27:45 GMT Hey everyone, I am now considering to buy myself a nice car after saving for so long (I always save coz I hate owing people). I have around 40... Hey everyone,

I am now considering to buy myself a nice car after saving for so long (I always save coz I hate owing people). I have around 40 grands to part..and I don't mind used cars. lol

When do you think is the best time for me to bargain for a car? some says right after Christmas before new year.. only 1 week?:confused_face_2:

Also which cars do you guys recommend for that money? considering efficiency and style.

Thank you so much! ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets Feather225 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/when-best-time-year-bargin-car-456049/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/foot-fi-455795/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:24:40 GMT Are there others like me that go barefoot everywhere,and only put on boots/shoes to go to work or going out. Of course it helps if you live... Are there others like me that go barefoot everywhere,and only put on boots/shoes to go to work or going out.
Of course it helps if you live somewhere with warm temperatures,might not be the best in Alaska. ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets ford2 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/foot-fi-455795/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/boots-not-shoes-455643/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:48:45 GMT i have never owned a pair of boots in my life...and i would love to have one. they feel more manly..more sexy...and they are tough also. can... i have never owned a pair of boots in my life...and i would love to have one.

they feel more manly..more sexy...and they are tough also.


can u guys recommend me some brands or places where i can buy.


tried some at 'Aldo'...they were decent..but dont know if the quality is good.

something like chelsea boots or chukka boots? ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets Nocturnal310 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/boots-not-shoes-455643/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/oh-no-did-i-just-break-my-clutch-455632/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:38:08 GMT So I was driving to wal-mart with my gf and her littler brother in my nissan nx2000. Well, when I engaged the clutch to go into first to park in the... So I was driving to wal-mart with my gf and her littler brother in my nissan nx2000. Well, when I engaged the clutch to go into first to park in the parking lot. Something bad happened :(. My clutch pedal is stuck to the floor and you have to lift it up and it pops back up. I couldnt switch gears or do anything, so we had to push it into the parking spot. Did I just break my clutch?!? The car is just sitting in the parking lot until tomorrow since its snowing here and has alot of black ice. ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets oakleyguy89 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/oh-no-did-i-just-break-my-clutch-455632/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/computer-gurus-can-you-help-me-455415/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:31:54 GMT So, my uncle got rid of his hp pavillion a320n. It got a virus and crashed on him, So he formatted the Hard drive. Well he tried his hp recovery cd's and it asks to put in cd 3. Well he put it in and it would get stuck on a file and wouldnt recover. So he stuffed the computer downstairs. Well, I got the computer to see if I can get it running and this file that it gets stuck on. (it gives the option to abort and keep on with the installation but it wont work is what he told me) anyways the file is C:\Preload\Base_12.INP. But it always stops on this file and then it continues on a couple % then comes up with the same error saying it cannot be recovered. Any ideas guys? He said I can have the computer since he got a new emachines computer anyways. So I would really like to get this baby up and running so I can play sims3 because my gf's studio and my aspire one cannot run it well since they dont have a dedicated graphics card and not as much RAM as the HP. (I upped the RAM on the hp to 2gigs about a year back when I lived with my uncle and aunt) ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets oakleyguy89 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/computer-gurus-can-you-help-me-455415/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/need-bluetooth-headset-new-phone-skype-455236/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:59:30 GMT so ive got a long distance relationship and could do with one of these for skype to skype free calls

[owe about a 75 landline bill for the month]

and i was wondering on recomendations.. looking for a good one, less than £100 [i have no issues buying something more expensive over ebay but under 100 in the end]

reccomendations.. its gonna save me in the long run!

ps i was looking at this
http://www.best4headsets.co.uk/produ...ing-Comparison

]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets Al4x http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/need-bluetooth-headset-new-phone-skype-455236/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/spyder-3-pro-help-any-suggestions-454782/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:53:09 GMT I recently purchased a *very* nice LG Flatron LED backlit monitor. It has a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a very good response time. Its color... I recently purchased a very nice LG Flatron LED backlit monitor. It has a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a very good response time. Its color reproduction is fairly average though, (I guess you can't always have it all...) so I bought a Spyder 3 calibration tool to help with that. The problem, though, is that I cannot for the life of me get it to produce a usable color profile. I set all of the settings correctly and the calibration process goes smoothly, but when I get to the SpyderProof page to check the before and after images, there is no difference. When I click "Load Calibration", nothing happens. Turning the calibration on and off makes no difference. I updated the software, made sure my monitor was recognized properly with drivers installed, checked my video card drivers, everything. But nothing works. I also have the same problem on my roommate's computer. It is as though there is some kind of disconnect between the color profile and my monitor's output. I am running a standard copy of Windows XP professional on an older model Compaq laptop. The video card is an ATI mobility Radeon. Could this have something to do with my problem? I am really at my wit's end here. I feel like I wasted $130 on this thing! ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets PiccoloNamek http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/spyder-3-pro-help-any-suggestions-454782/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/ebook-reader-prs-300-prs-600-i-cant-decide-454423/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:49:31 GMT i think i need to get an ebook reader and since im in the UK my options are rather limited. there is a bunch of random brands ive never heard of or... i think i need to get an ebook reader and since im in the UK my options are rather limited. there is a bunch of random brands ive never heard of or there are the 2 sonys in the the title. the 300 is much cheaper than the 600 but it has no external storage and no note taking. the note taking i dont know id is used but if i had it i may suddenly find i love it and it could be very usefull being a student.

the big problem is reviews all say the screen isnt as great on the 600 becasue of the touch screen covering on it as the non touch screen 300. im going to go to john lewis tomorrow to have a look at them both but its not the same as having used one in the wild and i wondered if anyone here had used them.

id really appreciate any thoughts any of you have, thanks ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets mark2410 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/ebook-reader-prs-300-prs-600-i-cant-decide-454423/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/new-smart-phone-htc-hd2-nokia-n900-motorola-droid-454343/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:44:18 GMT Ive been waiting for the release of the n900 for a while, and after delay after delay its due out this month, but so are the other 2 phones, and all... Ive been waiting for the release of the n900 for a while, and after delay after delay its due out this month, but so are the other 2 phones, and all are really different

the n900
600MHz
maemo [linux] os
best camera
resistive touch screen,
3.5in screen
GPS

HTC HD2
1GHZ
windows mobile 6.5 + sense gui
ok camera
capacative screen
4.3 in screen
GPS

Motorola droid
550MHz
android 2
poor camera
capacitive
3.7in
lots of google services
GPS

each one has particular pluses

the massive screen and CPU on the htc, the nice OS and camera and Maemo OS on the n900 and the google services on the droid

anyone also looking at these phones,

my current phone is a 1st gen iphone ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets Al4x http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/new-smart-phone-htc-hd2-nokia-n900-motorola-droid-454343/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/whats-your-iphone-ipod-touch-application-454323/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:32:19 GMT Hi guys, I finally get my iPod touch, I'm just wondering any good application which you have been using. So far, I just got

1password
Facebook
Yahoo messenger
Skype ]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets RYCeT http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/whats-your-iphone-ipod-touch-application-454323/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/naginata-build-katana-blade-carbon-fiber-454182/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:47:52 GMT My university lab has a long 1/16”-thickness 1”-inner diameter braided carbon fiber tube that I don't see us using anytime soon, so I permanently borrowed it for this project. I ordered the cheapest carbon steel Katana Shirasaya I could find. Carbon steels are used in actual swords while most cheap knockoffs are stainless steel. SS blades are purely decorative since they can shatter upon hitting something. Shirasaya means a plain uncoated lacquered-wood scabbard and handle. There is no guard between the blade and the handle making a shirasaya unsafe for cutting. Since I only needed the blade for this project, there was no reason to order a more expensive fully dressed sword with the same blade. After some research, I found out that my sword’s manufacturer Musashi Swords makes some of the best functional blades out of all the bargain katanas. Although now I wish I bought a curved blade instead of a straight one.

I created a simple CAD model in Solidworks to calculate center of gravity and moment of inertia about the CG. Reading up on the mechanics of sword performance, I stumbled upon the center of percussion. This is the point on a shaft-like object where if a force is applied, there is certain rotational node down the shaft where there is no change in translational velocity upon impact. Designers of baseball bats and tennis racquets take this into account. Essentially, this means that if you strike an object at the center of percussion (blade) with your hand located at the rotational node (handle grip), then your hand feels no vibration or discomfort. The hand is neither pushed back or forward; it continues with the same velocity after the impact as it did before.



The CAD model allowed me to play around with the counterweight mass to result in an optimal CG and rotational node location assuming the blade impacts 12" from the tip. The CG is located at the pink arrows and the rotational node location (created plane) is right between where I would place my hands.

Here is the blade, the carbon fiber shaft, and the scabbard:



I cut spacers from 1” aluminum rod to create a tight fit between the blade tang and the CF shaft. Steel pins hold the spacers to the blade and to the shaft. I cut out a ¼” slice from a 2.5” aluminum rod for the guard. I found a big ass steel bolt that had a flat 1”-diameter section which fit perfectly into the end of the shaft, and cut it to the correct weight. It was suggested to reinforce the joint part of the shaft, so I found a 1/16” thick aluminum tube that fit perfectly over the shaft as a collar. This will help absorb some of the bending force in that area from the shaft. The guard, collar, and habaki(copper fitting between blade and guard) were sanded and polished.



I then sanded the shaft with 1000grit, epoxied the counterweight to one end, and coated the shaft with epoxy for a glossy finish.



Pinning the spacers onto the blade:



Sliding the blade assembly into the shaft/collar assembly:



Pins are inserted for holding the spacers to the shaft. These are essentially non-load-bearing, since the blade is held almost completely with the friction fit between the spacers and shaft. I figured that placing all the torsional and longitudinal loads on small holes drilled through the weave matrix was a bad idea. Last step is to slide the collar up to hide the pins. Bring on the zombies….



Specs:
Overall length: 80.7”
Blade length: 27”
Carbon shaft length: 51”
Overall mass: 3.20lb
Blade mass: 1.50lb
Counterweight mass: 0.60lb
Chosen center of percussion point from tip: 12”
CG location from tip: 39.5”
Rotational node location from tip: 61.3”
Moment of inertia about CG: 1918lb-in^2


]]> Gear-Fi: Non-Audio Gear and Gadgets haveblue http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/naginata-build-katana-blade-carbon-fiber-454182/