15-thousand Mile Mobil 1 EP Experiment

While our 2007 Honda Accord's oil life monitor (OLM, a.k.a. Maintenance Minder) signals that the motor oil has 0% life left at about 7,500 miles, I wanted to try if I could extend this interval by a factor of two. Mobil 1 Extended Performance motor oil is guaranteed to 15K miles in normal conditions, within one year. This is exactly twice the OCI (oil change interval) that the Accord requests using regular, mineral motor oil.

The oil filter should already be able to handle 15K miles (per Honda it needs to be changed once in 2 oil changes). But I will use a more robust Bosch Distance Plus filter just to be safe.

Accumuilating 15K miles will take me close to a year, Stay tuned for results.

Beware of OEM codes when buying tires!

I recently discovered that the highly-rated (by Consumer Reports, Tire Rack and people who own them) Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires don't grip well in case of my 2004 Infiniti G35. Some time squeal in turns and during braking later and after some due head scratching, I think I found the issue.

Apparently the tire size I got (P215/55R17 93V) has a "T" code, which means it is designed for Toyota and therefore is optimized for Toyota Camry. So I shopped for a well-rated tire and got a Prius tire instead, unwittingly. That is quite lame.

There is a lesson here. If you are shopping for an aftermarket tire, make sure you don't get a tire with an OEM designation other than for your own car. As for my situation, the tires are smooth, provide comfortable ride and excellent fuel economy. So I will moderate my driving a bit and make sure I don't have them squeal in turns and under braking.

The price of low rolling resistance - Michelin Primacy MXV4

About a year ago I replaced Yokohama YK520 tires on my 2004 Infiniti G35 with highly-rated Michelin Primacy MXV4. Both tires carry a V speed rating. I am running comparable inflation pressures and noticing that the grip level of the Michelins is nowhere near as good as that of the YK520.

This is surprising for several reasons. First of all, the Michelin Primacy MXV4 is highly rated, in comparison to other tires in its class, bu Consumer Reports, Tire Rack and people who use them. And I already have several thousand miles on them, which should mean that they are broken-in and the mold release compound should have worn off. Perhaps the problem is the tire in the size I got (215/55R17) is a Toyota-spec OEM tire and is potentially tuned more for longevity, comfort and MPG rather than grip.

The fuel economy is noticeably improved in comparison with the Yokohama YK520. But the tires squeal when coming to an abrupt stop or when taking turns at speeds that my Honda Accord's mediocre Bridgestone Turanza EL41 tires stay largely silent.

Is this the price of low rolling resistance and, by extension, better fuel economy? I will keep looking for an answer.

Review of Garmin nuvi 2555LMT 5-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps and Traffic

I have used the Garmin nuvi 2555LMT 5-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps and Traffic for several months now. It is quite good, but has some issues you should be aware of. This GPS as well as the same model with a 4.3-inch screen were Consumer Reports "best buys", and that is the reason I bought it.

I used to have a 3.5-inch CRT TV-like Garmin c320, that not only looked unappealing and had a small screen, but it also stopped working in my car after I installed the DVR/camcorder. When I bought this Garmin nuvi, I was happy that it worked and locked onto GPS signals faster than the c320.

Mounting

Also good was the mounting hardware. Not only is this navigator thin and modern-looking, its mounting hardware (suction cup and the bracket) are sturdy and easy to use. Additionally, the screen is large, bright and informative. The 12V power cable has a built-in receiver for the traffic information.

On another hand, the suction cup keeps coming off. I might have to get another mounting device, e.g. a friction mount.

Some Features

The Garmin nüvi 2555LMT comes with lifetime map updates and free lifetime traffic. It has features like junction view, lane guidance, split view of map/junctions, speed limit display in some areas.

In Use

First off, the reception is quite good and the signal is obtained faster than that of the previous GPS devices I used. The directions are easy to follow and the traffic alerts are visible at all times. The ETA (estimated time of arrival) takes into account traffic conditions en route. And if you want to go around the traffic, you are presented with choices and estimated times. Nice.

The sounds and markings are informative. The route calculation and re-calculation is pretty fast, but not very much so. It takes several seconds. The 5-inch screen is huge, bright and informative.

The Garmin nüvi 2555LMT powers up when you turn the car on and turns off when you turn it off, so that is nice and unlike the stupid TomTom One (or is it Tom Tom?), which you have to turn on and off yourself.

Traffic Information

The traffic information works at times and sometimes there is a traffic jam on the freeway and you are stuck in it, but the GPS shows you "all clear". In other words, the data may be out of date. Still, it is better than nothing.

Speed Limit Information

This is quite problematic. On one the part of the freeway I take almost daily and where the speed limit has been 55 mph for at least several years, the GPS tells me that the speed limit is 45 mpg, for a good 2 miles. On some streets in Irvine, where the speed limit has been 55 mph for at least 6 years, it states that it is 45 mph or 50 mph. And, worse, in some areas where the limit is 45 mph, it claims that it is 50 mph. So it is accurate to +/- 10 mph, and as such worse than useless.

Bottom Line

This Garmin nüvi 2555LMT is an excellent GPS as long as you don't rely on its speed limit guidance and do not expect the traffic information to be very accurate. Its lane guidance and junction view came in handy many times. I use it all the time and highly recommend it.

Gateway LT LT4010U PC Netbook - Inexpensive and Versatile, But Has Issues

We bought the Gateway LT LT4010U netbook for my mother-in-law to take with her to China so that she could use Skype and probably use the Internet as well. For only $178 plus tax it was less than what I spend on groceries most days going to Costco (grainted "groceries" includes single-malt Scotch or a case of Pinot Noir).

As a result of its low price, I didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised. In this day and age of the tablet (we have a couple of tablets at home), who needs a netbook? Excellent question.

While the tablets are great for consuming content, netbooks (and other things with keyboards) are better if you need to create content. In other words, if you have to type a lot. But in our case, we just wanted something that is easier to use for someone who is 65 years old with no computer skills. Sounds counter-intuitive? I won't go further into the reasoning, but will concentrate instead on this netbook.

With its Intel Atom N2600 processor, Windows 7 Starter and 320 GB hard drive as well as a camera above its 10.1-inch LED-lit screen. Its 3-cell battery is good for several hours of activities (your mileage may vary).

It comes with a power adapter that will work in any country (110-240V) and has a detagacble plug so that you can purchase a plug for another country.

It comes with Windows 7 Starter preinstalled and I used Vistallator to switch most of it to Chinese (simplified Mandarin). After installing Skype, the netbook's camera worked flawlessly and now my mother-in-law uses Skype on this neetbook in China. She also became addicted to Internet. Thanks, Gateway!

Annoyances

The  keyboard has flat buttons that are difficult to distinguish by touch and "F" buttons as well as some others need to be accessed while holfing the "(Fn)" button, which is plain stupid. The touchpad is ok, but instead of two buttons for left and right click functionality, there is only one long button that can detect which side of it you "click". Problem is it is needlessly too stiff.

There was Norton (Symantec) backup 30-day trial software preinstalled that bugged me every day with offers to activate itself. It was not easy to get rid of.

Pros: Low price, camera for Skyping, etc., low power consumption
Cons: Keyboard not for those who need to type a lot, stiff touchpad bar

Bottom Line

This netbook will not win any speed contests. In fact, running more than one application at a time is definitely taxing it. But to leiserly browse the web or use the Skype, it is more than sufficient. And for much less than $200, it is a steal.

Shark Super Chrome Double Edge Safety Razor Blades - Much Better Than Fusion

After using electric shavers for decades and achieving less than perfect shave, I decided to try Gillette Fusion. That resulted in fast and close shave, but irritation. I have a combination of tough facial hair and sensitive skin, which puts me at a disadvantage when shaving. Skin irritation from shaving is very difficult to avoid and although various Panasonic electric shavers worked well for me in this regard, I always wanted a closer shave.

I tried to use 2-blade Gillette Sensor razors when I was a teenager and had to stop because of the skin irritation. Now, after decades of using electric shavers, I discovered that a close shave was within my grasp, if only I could do something about the resultant irritation. Electric shavers have other disadvantages in addition to lack of close shave: cleaning, charging, bulk and blades that would get dull after 1-2 years and require now screens and cutters that cost as much as a new shaver.

Just to illustrate this point: I recently used the following shavers: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver, Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037. The blades and screen combos for each were in $35 range, making it more practical to just get a new shaver. Bad for the environment.

After trying the manual Gillette Fusion and a battery-powered vibrating Gillette Fusion power razor, it was, to avoid irritation, a time to try something new. Or rather something old. The old-fashioned shaving with double-edge safety razor and blades. I bought the Parker 86R safety razor and 100 Shark Super Chrome double edge safety blades.

Normally, when you are new to double-edge safety razor shaving, it is recommended that you buy small numbers of different blade types and see which suits your skin and beard better. In this sense, buying 100 of the same blade type was a bit of a gamble. But the blades were super cheap and had excellent reviews.

About Shark Super Chrome

Shark Super Chrome double edge safety blades are blades that can be used in any double-edge safety razor. Razors are currently produced by Parker (India), Merkur (Germany) and quite a few other companies. The Shark blades reviewed here are stainless steel blades with polymer coating for smoothness and longevity.

Results

Shaving with a DE razor requires some learning (there are plenty of articles and videos online) and practice (don't expect great results at first). Still, the first time I tried these blades, I got a decent shave and less irritation than what I got shaving with Fusion. With every shave, I got better and after a few weeks I got very close shave with very minimal irritation, which is a perfect combination I tried to achieve. Less irritation than Fusion and closer shave than an electric shaver.

Another appealing aspect is the blades are cheap and last over a week each, even if shaving daily. They are light and are made entirely of metal, so environmental impact should be small. The Shark blades come in plastic cartridges (5 blades per). The cartridges have a blade disposal slot in the back, making blade disposal safer.

The math is simple: each blade costs about 12-16 cents and lasts over a week, resulting in cost of $5-8 per year. Fusion blades are over $2 each. Even if you manage to make one Fusion cartridge last 2 weeks, that works out to $60-80 per year. It is worse for the environment and I get skin irritation with Fusion. This is a no-brainer.

I use them in either Lord L6 razor and the excellent Edwin Jagger de89bl 3-piece razor.

Compared to Derby Extra Blades

I also got Derby Extra blades and they are quite different. Derby blades seem less sharp and Shark blades last longer. So these Shark blades are sharper and longer-lasting.

After using Derby blades it was a relief to go back to Shark Super Chrome. Shark blades produce less tugging, closer shave and longer life.

Compared to Astra Superior Platinum

I also got Astra Superior Platinum and although I liked them on first use, I was ultimately disappointed. Not only did Astra blades result in skin irritation on every single use, they also don't last as long as Shark and their packaging is frustrating to deal with.

After using Astra blades it was a relief to go back to Shark blades as well. Again, Shark blades produce less tugging, closer shave and longer life. I will try something else soon though.

Compared to Dorco ST-301.

The Dorco ST-301 blades seem duller and I much prefer Shark or Personna "blue" blades.

Compared to Wilkinson Sword Classic

The Shark Super Chrome are sharper and longer lasting than Wilkinson Sword Classic.

Pros: Low price, sharp, durable, smooth shave with virtually no irritation, blade disposal slot in case
Cons: None

Bottom Line

Both Gillette and Schick produce "shaving systems" with more and more blades. The results are not necessarily better. It was fortunate that I decided to give old-school shaving a try and I couldn't be happier. Although double-edge razor shaving requires practice and it does take a bit longer to shave with a DE than with Fusion, I get good shave with no irritation. I also find the shaving process more soothing, which makes me sleepy, which in turn makes it ideal after shower and right before going to bed.

DE shaving is also better for the environment as only the blade itself is disposed of and not the cartridge with its surrounding plastic, packaging, etc. Shark Super Chrome are sharp, stay sharp for over a week and provide excellent combination of cutting and smooth gliding over the skin. They are also significantly cheaper than Merkur and Feather blades. And they are sharper and longer lasting than Derby blades. The Shark cases come with a blade disposal slot and the quality of blades has been very uniform. I highly recommend them.

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Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades Review

Three years ago I switched from Panasonic electric shavers to double-edge shaving, briefly trying Schick Hydro 3 Blade Razor, Schick Hydro 5 Blade Razor, Gillette Fusion, Gillette Fusion Power and Gillette Fusion ProGlide. I discovered that I could get a much better shave with cartridge systems, but with some skin irritation and at cartridge prices that I was not willing to pay. To get a better shave than what an electric shaver gave me but with less irritation, I started using double-edge (DE) safety razors and have used them with two blade kinds for two years: Shark Super Chrome blades and Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades.

I use a Parker 86R, Edwin Jagger De89bl and Lord L6 razors, along with a badger hair brush and shaving soap. Note that different skin and beard types respond better to different blades. In the first two years, I had best results with Shark. Shark Super Chrome blades are sharper than Derby, last longer and pull less. Then, I decided to try Astra blades. Although when I lived in Russia decades ago, people who used Russian-made Astra blades were constantly looking for better blades (from Finland or Sweden), the Astra blades are now completely different and are highly regarded on various shaving forums.

Later I tried a bunch of other blades, ultimately deciding that Personna "blue" blades were my blades of choice.

What is Astra Superior Premium Platinum Double Edge Razor Blade

The Astra Superior Premium Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades are double-edge blades made of “highest quality steel”. They are made in Russia.

Convenience

I bought a 100-pack, which consists of 20 5-blade cardboard packs. Unlike Shark or Derby blades, that come in plastic 5-packs which can be used to safely dispose used blades, these don’t. So far I am using Derby and Shark intermittently and they fortunately fit more than 5 used blades so I can put some used Astras into them in addition to their own blades. Same with Dorco and Wilkinson Sword Classic: they come with plastic dispensers that can be used to dispose of the blades.

Additionally, Astra blades have some sticky substance on them that holds them in place on the waxed paper envelope they come in. Other blades I used up to this point used none or some substance that was not as sticky and remained on paper. To be fair, Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge are made at the same factory and have the same sticky substance.

These Astra blades have this sticky stuff left on them in 4 places, and quite a lot of it, necessitating removal. I use the outer paper envelope the blade comes in to wipe off the stuff, and it takes only about 30 seconds, but it is annoying and pointless.

Performance 

Astra blades came a long way in the last 20 or so years. Originally, I was very impressed by these Astra blades, but now not so much. The first shave I got gave me an impression that the blade was very sharp and I got a very close shave. Then I discovered I had skin irritation.

I have delicate skin yet tough beard, which is a difficult combination when it comes to shaving. I got best results with Shark Super Chrome in the past and turned out Astra blades resulted in skin irritation, which I don't get with either Shark or Derby. Neither did I get this kind of skin irritation with Personna blades or Feather Hi-Stainless. Alternatively, if I shave only enough to get a decent (not very close) shave, there is little to no irritation. So when using this blade, I have to compromise.

1. Astra blades pull less than Derby or Shark Super Chrome on first use.
2. Astra blades pull very little when the beard is longer than a day old.
3. The Astra blade seems to glide over the skin as well as the Derby blade when the beard is 1 day or shorter
4. The longevity of Astra blades seems to be similar to Derby
5. Overall, Astra blades provide me with a close shave, but take longer time to shave than better blades and irritate my skin, while geting dull quicker.

The bottom line here is when the blade is new, it shaves very well, but produces skin irritation and after 1-2 uses, it starts pulling and leaves stubble behind. In the same use, razors and technique, Shark produces no irritation, results in a close shave and lasts much longer. Derby blade pulls more from the start and doesn't shave a closely as Shark, but it doesn't irritate my skin. And Personna is sharp, smooth, yet long-lasting.

Be mindful that the results depend on the type of the beard and skin. And interestingly some people rave about these Astra blades, so it is possibly that your beard, skin and razor will result in good shaves.

Value

At about 10 cents per blade, which lasts 1-2 shaves, these blades are much cheaper than Gillette Fusion, Schick Hydro 5 or Schick Hydro 3. They are better for environment too. And they are cheaper than Shark or Derby per unit, but not necessarily per shave.

A Better Blade From the Same Company

I also use the Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge blades made by the same company in St. Petersubrg, Russia under license from Gillette and those are much better (albeit much more expensive). They are sharper and smoother, plus longer-lasting.

Another Better Blade

I also use US-made Personna Double Edge Razor Blades (a.k.a. "Lab Blue") and those are much better. Not only do they last me 6-8 shaves, they are sharp yet don't irritate my skin.

Pros: Cheap, decent shaving, no pulling even with longer beard on first use
Cons: Sticky substance on blades requires wiping, get dull quick, skin irritation, packed in cardboard

Bottom Line

For me, Astra Superior Premium Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades don't work as well as either Derby, Personna, Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge or Shark blades. In fact, these are so far the worst blades I have used. And while they are slightly cheaper per blade, they are more expensive per use. There are inconveniences in their packaging as well. I also tried Dorco ST301 and Feather, but overall Shark blades, Personna and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge work best for me.


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