Zeke

So where was ya??? vik...dissapointing <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, sorry Vik. Just saw this post. I did say I'd try to make it and I DID try, but things got all impossible last w/e. When I get a few business hassles out of the way I hope to get a chance to catch up with everyone again. Hope you all had a great cruise. Cheers zeke

Yep, I agree with all of the above. Paintless dent removal is magic provided you get someone who has the right equipment, training, skill and experience and takes the care to do it right. I've had 3 dents done in Adelaide over about 4 years by the same bloke. I can supply his contact number if anyone needs it.

Yep, like they said.....no tags=no bags (or major, and probably illegal, stuff-up).

Bloan was right and is right. It was obvious from the start to anyone, even the average idiot. The other bullsh*t is just that.

The impression I get is it reduces boost from 6+psi to about 5psi, with a corresponding decrease in power and torque, even in a stock T.

I took my car into the dealer a couple of weeks ago for an unrelated matter that could be done while I waited. They told me "BTW, we have to reflash your computer". I asked the shop foreman about it and he told me that it's designed to fix the "overboost" problem but it does reduce the boost levels and the power. He went along with my "if it's not broke, don't fix it" stance. But, I think they had to mark my car on their computer as having been reflashed. Thanks to this forum, I avoided my car being emasculated! I'm very grateful, but I feel for those who got caught in this trap....especially to the extent of thinking of replacing the computers etc, like Beauies is. Gee, I'd be pissed off by that! Probably worth making sure your dealer knows what you want in regards to this....even if it means reminding them at each service. They're pretty competitive and they know you can go elsewhere if they don't keep you happy.

That's great, Simon. Yep, the on-board sound isn't hifi, but it's quite respectable and very listenable....not tinny like many TV's. I just got back from the show in Melbourne and you're right....it's gone downhill somewhat. It probably wasn't worth travelling from Adelaide and I won't bother next year. But, did you have a good listen to the system with the Verity Audio speakers, Halcro amps and $100,000 turntable? I wanted to hate it, but it was magnificent. So it should at $300,000+!! Anyway I'm glad you got the Pioneer and that you're happy with it. Regards zeke

FWIW, a pixel that always shows red is locked on and is far more noticeable and a greater problem than a dead pixel. Often, a dead pixel is really only a dead cell in a pixel....ie only one of the three colours (red, green blue) is not working. So, it's really only a dead 1/3 of a pixel. It's not usually very obvious (but this depends on screen size and type etc). On a HD plasma, it can't be seen from more than about a metre Generally it's difficult to get a replacement as it "doesn't affect the normal viewing experience". However, an "always live" pixel is much more annoying and usually accepted as a defect. A "flashing" pixel is worse again. Some manufacturers, especially with commercial screens, have a technique for zapping live pixels with a laser at the end of the production line to turn them into dead pixels before the screen is shipped. one or two dead pixels is within tolerance. The above comments apply to plasmas, but I think they would generally apply to lcd's as well. I had a Clarion TV in my last car and it was replaced on the basis of one defective, live pixel. So, I think you should stick to your guns re a replacement. The bottom line is that it is noticeable from the normal viewing distance and that's generally unacceptable with most screens Good luck!

Good on you, Simon. If there isn't a catch to the deal (and I'm sure you would've checked out all the details of why he is selling after 2 weeks) I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Pioneer 50". Hope you're not intending to take it home with you in the Subie!? I'm going to fly over to Melbourne on Friday to have a look at the show....just decided tonite after seeing that there are still reasonably cheap airfares available. Anyone else going on Friday?

I guess you guys are right, but I kinda miss the "good old days" when almost anything was acceptable. Maybe it wasn't always in the best spirit of "sportsmanship" but it was fun and at least everyone was aware of the rules 'cos there were so few of them. Somehow things seemed to sort themselves out with a lot less interference from officialdom. Then again, most of you won't remember watching motorsport 45 years ago. Maybe I should go and have a lie down.

If we were on cable Foxtel, I'd order one of these thingy's. But, on satellite, you only get ABC ands SBS of the FTA channels via Fox.....so you can't use to record the other FTA channels. At least, that's the way I understand it. It'd be nice to find out I'm wrong. So, I'm one of the many waiting for the HD7000 Topfield twin-tuner PVR....it's been so long coming that people are starting to call it the Mirage HD7000!

Actually, most manufacturers are claiming 60,000 hrs "half life" now. That's 16 years at 10 hours per day! or 32 years at 5 hours per day average. I think the set will be technologically redundant long before that. But I do agree with you that the concept of buying a good midrange TV for general viewing and a good projector for movies/music videos/special events etc is a valid one for many people and can be very cost-effective compared with a big plasma. It really depends on individual circumstances/room layout/viewing habits etc. The plasma's the go for me at present. That could easily change in the next few years, given the speed of technological advances. If you wait until there's nothing better on the horizon, you'll never buy anything...and life's too short for that.

Correction: Mondie, in my last post I suggested you look at the forums on a website, but I gave the wrong url.....it should've been www.dba.org.au

Hi Mondie I've done a lot of research on this recently and I'm convinced the best all-rounder on the market at the moment is the Pioneer 50". Includes installation, stand or wall mount, 5 yr warantee etc etc. I bought one at Myer...with their 10% off sale and the further 10% you get if you open one of their credit cards the price is $8099 with 12 months interest-free. (Though I think it's best to pay it off quickly so you can forget what you paid for it before the price drops to about half that within the 12 months). I think $8000 or less should be readily available at any retailer with a bit of haggling if necessary. The picture is superb, though you need a HD STB. Worth going for a cheapie (eg Teac st-b800) 'cos the new HD Topfield 7000 PVR will be released soon and looks like it will be the go....the Teac can then be relegated to a secondary TV. The inbuilt sound is quite impressive too, for what it is. To research it for yourself, I suggest the forums on dba.com.au, but don't be swayed by the zealots plugging the NEC like their life depended on it! Of course, other technologies (even after lcd) will take over from plasma, but it's the best price/performance/room-friendly compromise for most of us at present and the set will last longer than the doom-sayers predict. In 5 years, anything around today will be looking to be upgraded! Anyway, I'm very impressed by the Pioneer and it looks better at home than it did in any showroom. Mrs z and z junior were a bit non-plussed about the whole thing....didn't think it was worth the hassle (and z junior really wanted a projector) but now grudgingly admit it's pretty speccy and I can't pry them away from it. I spend a lot less time staring at a computer screen lately too. You're a no-compromise sort of person with hifi etc. I'd bet my bottom dollar that you'd be disappointed with the LG compared with the Pioneer (or NEC or Fujitsu) . So much so that I thought I'd answer your question even though I don't get much time lately to read the forum, let alone post. BTW, the best 50" plasma on the market at the moment bar none is the "commercial" version of the Pioneer and it can be bought for about $7000. I gave it a miss and went for the "consumer" version as the "commercial" one's the ugliest unit I've seen and the "consumer" version is one of the prettiest ....the professional one is very plasticky in appearance, but the picture quality, future proofing (upgradable cards with different connections) and the professional calibration capabilities make it the best performer available in terms of picture quality. All the above is just my candid opinion, but I have done a lot of careful reseach on this lately and I'm very glad I didn't just buy the first unit that looked OK in a shop. I'm also noting that you have already decided plasma's the go for you. If I could set up a dedicated HT room, I think I'd look into projectors. 50" looks smaller in a big room once you get used to it and size really does matter! Regards zeke

Yeah, I know that....but I just have no idea about the basics of how to apply them to a digital camera when important photos have been deleted before they can be downloaded to a computer. I really didn't think it was a possibility. I'd be rapt if anyone could point me in the right direction cos I reckon this could be very useful.

Absolutely amazing story. Agree totally that there's no point in getting stroppy. However, I'd have dug my toes in when they wanted to delete the photos and "politely" refused. After all, surely we're innocent until proven guilty and you were not taking photos for commercial purposes. The only difference beween you and the bloke with his box brownie/basic digital would be the quality of the equipment and the resulting images...hardly an objective criterion! Cheers to you for having a "recovery plan". I'd love to know more about this if you could point to a website that would help me understand how it's done.

Time to do an oil consumption test, Maxx.....or were you trying out the new wheels and rubber?

I like the feature for its safety value and ordered it. To me, the only downside is that the headlight globes will blow sooner. Anyway, I think it involves some extra hardware attached to the under-dash fuse box.....not just a software edit. When my bluetooth kit was being installed, I found the extra wiring etc and assumed it was the "lights-on" kit. So, I expect the hardware can be removed from the fusebox (and potentially onsold?) PS There's often confusion between this feature (that keeps the headlights on whenever the ignition is on) and the one that turns the headlights on automatically when it gets dark. I don't know much about the latter one except that people seem to get them mixed up....not hard to see why.

OK, so why did I get a Mickey Mouse watch?

Well, I think that Mrs z and I have had more tyres on our two BA Falcons per Km travelled than most. Hers has done 30,000k and mine 16,000k. between us the sets of tyres (with subjective impressions) are: 1. Dunlop 3000A - a reasonable tyre all-round performance wise, but unacceptable quality-wise. Would benefit from being manufactured round for a start. 2. Michelin Preceda - very quiet, high comfort factor. Very good grip in the dry and good "feel". Wet grip seems reasonable. 3. Dunlop Lemans 602 - Good quietness and comfort. Very ordinary grip under all circumstances. All 4 worn out at 15,000k of driving like a girl. (Mrs z's car) 4. Yokohama ES100. The noisiest tyres I have ever experienced! Thought a transmission bearing or diff was on the way out! Ford service and BJ tyre guys were also fooled. Excellent grip and feel, but 2 worn out and 2 well on the way at 12,000k (again on the little old lady's car). 5. Yokohama C-drive. Quiet, round and quite pleasant to drive on. Grip seems OK so far. Will monitor wear closely! We have also had recent experience with Michelin Pilot Premacy (Noisy, but very long lasting with good grip in the dry. Possibly a bit ordinary in the wet) and Pirelli A6000 (very quiet and comfortable, with good road feel and grip, but only average wear). These were on our previous cars and zeke jr's car. All tyres are a compromise, but I would feel reasonably comfortable about selecting that compromise from the Michelin or Pirelli ranges. It really hurts to say this, but I will not now accept Australian-made tyres on any car and this comes from bitter experience over more than 20 years.

Yep, it just unclips from the front at each side and then simply lifts out....very easy. Get your fingers under the front of the seat and lift each side in turn....can be a bit tight, so you could use something flat as a lever.

The guy who sold me my T was much more laidback than that...he drove a bit like the customer in the video and encouraged me to do the same. He's selling a lot of cars too.

Gee Glen, I never realised you were such a pedantic perfectionist. Onya mate...stick to your guns. Too much sloppiness out there these days. On a certain other site they grade posters according to the number of posts they've made. You go from tricycle rider to peddle car driver!!!! You'd think someone would know that pedal is the word they're looking for. Maybe I'm just too old. I was going to post the things that sh*t me off, but I'm too tired to do a post that long tonight....could be several pages if I get started! Could start with bloody Xmas....bah humbug!

Drinks? Sounds OK to me!