Tonight, Rory (@AcousticTheory), Brad(@impious), and myself met for a show in Detroit. We ate dinner prior at Niki’s pizza. That pizza was fantastic!
Plini was the headliner, and Portraits and Night Verses were the first 2 acts. Ticketmaster did not list them, so we didn’t know artists other than Plini were playing. I was already aware of NV from YouTube feeds.
Just to state, these are all progressive (and can be heavy) bands with no lyrics or voices used during songs. I am glad I brought the plugs as the regular output was about 105dB, and Rory used both C and A weightings and peak was 114dB for one, and 111dB for the other. Afterwards we took a better look and the St. Andrew’s Hall had 10x 18" subwoofers per side for a total of 20!! Drums and bass just hammered in there, and I could feel my pants flapping over the course of the evening.
It was a very good evening!
This is a before shot, and during Plini’s third from last song. I wasn’t focused on pictures.
The “Redriven” website in Oz independently reviews used cars and makes informed, evidence based commentaries on various important issues about the industry. Here’s their latest video about trends in tech in cars, looking at screens and the risks, costs and drawbacks of most new cars:
In recent years, we’ve had two Camrys, a Subaru Outback, a Mazda CX-30 and two MX5s (Miatas) and now a Lexus UX300h; each new car gets more reliant on technology and software.
I’m still yet to figure out all the tech/screen stuff in the Lexus, but at least it has buttons for HVAC and a volume knob. Neighbours have a Tesla which even uses the screen to open the glove box, huh?
Having bought a slightly used 2025 Ioniq6 EV all the tech is a concern. It does come with a decent warranty but I can see problems down the road. I buy new and drive cars until they start to need lots of repairs. My last car was a 2014 Prius V which my wife currently drives. I do love the EV part and it looks like just about everything is coming with screens these days. At least the Ioniq6 has a volume knob and a separate bunch of touch buttons for climate control.
Anything that makes you take your eyes off the road is dangerous and poor design, which is my main objection to almost everything being done through the screen. The Lexus has a good voice control for many of the screen based controls and navigation, which is good, but I’d rather have buttons.
Of course, some cars in the past, such as Jaguar XJs, have had a confusing array of many buttons and switches, which was also poor design.
The other issues in the video - software updates, theft, increasing cost and complexity of repair, paying extra for stuff already in the car, etc - is bad enough but to me, anything which takes your attention from the demanding and often dangerous task of driving is just stupid.
I totally agree with the whole too much tech opinions. I’m looking at used cars now and all the recent Hyundai vehicles are that way. Now I’m looking at a Mazda CX 5 and they have a lot more physical controls.
Here’s a ‘Redriven’ review of the CX-5 as a used car. Recommended except that Jim, their resident ninja mechanic, strongly suggests the petrol over the diesel.
Our neighbour has one and loves it. Like our CX-30, it’s driver oriented, has buttons and switches, very easy to operate. It has a screen for navigation etc but it’s not a touch screen, plus there are things it won’t let you do when you’re driving. Great level of equipment for the price.
The new model CX-5 has fully gone to touch screen based, unfortunately.
