Category: Shopping

Need a Little Light?

Light is something we all need.  Whether naturally or artificially generated light is necessary for humans to discern distance, color and motion.  For years I’ve carried some form of light or another, normally in the form of a small flashlight on my key chain.

My key chain light of choice for the past 10 years was a Photon light.  Small, inexpensive and very durable the Photon has been useful in countless situations throughout the years.  Recently while reading the Every Day Carry blog I stumbled upon a new light that I just had to try.

The Streamlight Nano has some pretty impressive specs:

  • Up to 8 hrs. run time
  • Machined aircraft-grade aluminum with anodized finish
  • Powered by 4 alkaline button cells (included)
  • 100,000 hr. lifetime high-intensity LED
  • LED available in white (10 lumens)
  • 1.47″ x .51″
  • .36 oz.

But I think the most impressive spec is the price!  This light can be purchased for less than $10 on Amazon and it’s worth every penny.

Now 10 lumens does not seem like a lot of light, especially when compared to other lights like the $40 Quark Mini 123 which can pump out 180 lumens, but it’s perfect for everyday tasks like looking under a desk, or simple task lighting.  I’ve used it for lighting up a dark hallway and changing the air filter on my car at night.  The tiny size all but guarantees it’s going to be with me at all times.

Top – Surefire 6Z
Middle – Quark MiNi 123
Bottom – Streamlight Nano

Operation is simple.  Twist on, twist off.  That’s all there is to it.  No special functions or flashing patterns with this one.  Compared to the Surefire 6Z and Quark Mini the Streamlight is practically non-existent.

The unit comes with button cell batteries (4 of them) as well as a split ring and spring-loaded clip.  Once installed on a key chain it’s not even noticeable.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive key chain light that really performs I recommend you check out the Streamlight Nano.  If you do, leave a comment below and let me know how you like it!

 

 

Leatherman Micra Revisit

I posted back in 2011 about my all time favorite Every day Carry (EDC) item the Leatherman Micra.  Well, I finally misplaced mine & thinking it would eventually show up I held off on buying a replacement.  After a little more than a month I had to break down and buy another one.

Amazing how you become so accustomed to having something with you at all times and really missing it when you don’t.  Ordered it from Amazon and had it in just a few days.  SO glad I replaced it.  I’m impressed that after over 15-years of these things being made the new one is EXACTLY like the old one.  That’s pretty unusual these days when it seems like there are differences in products even after only a few months.  Welcome back my old friend, I’ll be sure to keep a better eye on you then I did your sibling.

 

Apple Customer Support

Had to call Apple customer support this week for a client who had some equipment stolen. I was VERY impressed with how they handled the call. VERY helpful and efficient. Good example for some of the others to follow (I’m talking to you HP, Cisco & Microsoft!!)…

Not often I have ANYTHING to positive to say about support so I thought I would at least pass it along.

Dollar Shave Club – Delivery

One of the guys at work told me about the Dollar Shave Club a few weeks ago.  After watching the funny website video I knew I had to give this a try.

Within 3 days of my order I received the following email:

Wow. We’re blushing.

Over the past week, you have validated more than 18 months of hard work & preparation. We are thrilled you think there’s a better way to shop for a shave, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to prove you right.

Safe to say, we weren’t expecting the demand we saw. After all, this was our label printer last week:

Well, I’m happy to report my order arrived today & everything looks pretty good.  More updates after I try these razors out for a few days.

 

 

 

 

Wow. We’re blushing.

Over the past week, you have validated more than 18 months of hard work & preparation. We are thrilled you think there’s a better way to shop for a shave, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to prove you right.

Safe to say, we weren’t expecting the demand we saw. After all, this was our label printer last week:

Dollar Shave Club

This company has received a lot of coverage on the Internet lately & I ended up giving it a try to see if it’s really worth it or not.  Check out the video below (funny) and the details are below that.

Click image for details on the Dollar Shave Club website

I signed up for the $6 a month plan & will report back after I’ve had a chance to try the blades out.  If these things are any good it’s going to be a big cost savings, especially if I can get other members of the household to sign up too.

FINALLY Won Something on eBay

I’ve used eBay for years (always buying/never sold anything) and have always had a lot of difficulty winning auctions.  If you use eBay I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.  I’ll be winning the auction for days and at the last-minute I’ll get outbid by a “sniper”.

Well I decided to pay that game last weekend and finally won a used camera I had wanted for a while now.  It’s several years old but it’s a professional grade unit that I’m specifically interested in using for sports and time-lapse photography.

I won the auction by bidding my maximum amount 5-seconds before the auction ended.  I had been outbid so many times before I was not sure if it even worked.  A couple of seconds later I received confirmation that my last-minute bid won the auction.

Here are some tips for the casual eBay shopper that might help you win your next auction.  It’s about buying camera gear but a lot of the tips apply to other items.

Happy bidding!

 

Indy Cigar Bar

Forget the lectures about cigar smoking, I don’t care (seriously I don’t care).  I enjoy a good cigar and if you don’t like it, stay away from me when I’m smoking it!  If you like to enjoy a cigar and don’t like being relegated to the porch or garage I have a place for you to try.

Owned by Corey Johnston the Indy Cigar Bar is located at 3357 East 86th Street, directly across the street form the main entrance of the Keystone Mall.  It’s a perfect place to escape to when your wife/daughter (or both) decide they need some “mall time”.

Having heard my boss talk about “Corey’s” several times I knew I had to check it out.  I’ve since been there several times and have fully enjoyed each visit.  The thing that makes the Indy Cigar Bar different from other Cigar Stores is that this one serves hard alcohol (and beer).

This is not just any alcohol this is an incredible selection of bourbon and scotch that will pair well with your favorite smoke. On my last visit I enjoyed one of the best Bloody Mary’s I’ve had in a long time and saw a total stranger buy a war veteran a box of cigars to thank him for his service to our country (that was pretty cool).

The walk-in humidor has a hundred+ cigars to choose from so you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.  If you get hungry The Indy Cigar Bar has several sandwiches to choose from.  Each Wednesday you can get a King David hot dog for free when you buy a cigar.  I have not had anything to eat there but it’s on my list to try on a future visit.

When you purchase a cigar from the Indy Cigar Bar, and yes you need to buy a cigar not bring your own, the helpful staff will clip, cut, punch it to your requirements and toast it to perfection for you to enjoy. The newly expanded seating area gives you plenty of options on where to sit down and enjoy your smoke (and drink if you choose to partake).

Next time you’re in the area and have an hour to kill, be sure to check out The Indy Cigar Bar.  Be sure to tell Corey you heard about his place on IndyScan.com and try the Bloody Mary, it’s REALLY good!

The Indy Cigar Bar is open daily at 11am, closed Sundays

01/25/12 – [Updated a few things after publishing because I didn’t like the way it read…]