Abby and Win’s Blog

Archive for September, 2008

My TL is at the dealer getting its A14 service maintenance. It’s the major service since my car has over 109K miles on it. This time the dealer gave me a 2007 MDX loaner. After having an unpleasant experience with a RDX as a loaner last time, I wanted to check out the MDX – so I’m glad they read my mind and gave me one for the day. Most of my thoughts will be based on comparing it with my 2004 TL.

The MDX has a DVD and rear view camera so according the their website it’s the Tech Package with Rear DVD System. It took some time to get used to the navigation system since unlock unlike my TL it isn’t touch screen. Most of the settings I adjusted was able to adjust using the voice recognition since I couldn’t find the buttons right away and I was feeling lazy to look. The commands are still same so far (compared to the TL).

The steering wheel folds inward when you pull the key out, so that you have plenty of room to get out of the vehicle. Once you insert the key, the steering wheel adjusts towards you to the position of how you set the seat memory. This is fully mechanical. There is a little joystick on the left side to help you position it properly. It moves inwards as soon as the key is removed.

The DVD uses wireless head phones. I also noticed RCA connectors in the back. You can plug in game consoles (Wii, PS3, 360, etc.) here. I used my iPod touch to play some videos off it. You can also listen to XM, AM/FM, and the 6 disc player.

The real-time traffic is pretty cool. I just don’t like how it’s displayed. I guess I got used to using my iPhone and Google maps. I don’t know how accurate or how frequent the updates occur. I’m sure it updates frequently since it’s connected to XM satellite. Uses the following colors: green = no traffic, yellow = some traffic, and red = traffic.

There are plenty of compartments in the center console. There is even one on the passenger side, next to where your left leg would be.

It can sit up to 7 people – 2 in the front, 3 in the 2nd row and the 3rd row can sit 2. The 3rd row can also fold down to give more trunk space. If you need more trunk space, the 2nd row can also fold down. It also has a power tailgate (automatic trunk door) that opens and closes mechanically. There’s even a button on the key fob.

What I also like is it drives just like my TL. It doesn’t feel any bigger and the response is quite similar. Of course, you wouldn’t want to take as fast turns as you would on a sedan. But in normal driving conditions, i felt very comfortable if not more comfortable than in my TL.

I was able to get about 24MPG but most of this is highway travel and with the A/C on.

Here’s a list of likes:

• handles like a sedan
• automatic telescopic steering wheel
• automatic tailgate
• sits 7 people
• rear seats can fold down for more trunk space
• 6 disc changer can play MP3 and WMA audio format
• DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones can also access XM, AM/FM, and 6 disc player
• monitoring of SH-AWD and tire pressure

Dislikes:

• front seats have heat capability but still no cooling capability – would be great during the summer
• beeping sound it makes when the tailgate opens/closes
• slow response with acceleration – not sure if it’s because of the gas used before I got it or something else

I have taken a quick video and some pics before I had to return it. You can view the video below and the pics off my Flickr account. Again, this is just a quick first thoughts and now a full blown review. I only had it for 1 day and most of the time I wasn’t able to drive it since I was at work.

Link to Flickr album.

I’ve been trying to figure out how I can sync my calendars on to more than one machine. Since switching to a Mac a couple of years ago, I’ve been using iCal. What I hate though is having to pay for a .Mac account (now know as Mobile Me) every year. It’s $100 annually but the only feature I use is the calendar and contact syncing. I already have my own website so I don’t need that from the service.

So I started to use Google calendar a couple of years ago to avoid having to pay for Apple’s service. It works perfect! I can be on any computer with an internet connection and have access to my calendar. I recently found an app that Mozilla created that does calendar management – Sunbird. It’s been out for awhile but an add-on was recently created that “Allows bidirectional access to Google Calendar”. Great! It makes my solution of using Google calendar easier. With this add-on, you can now connect to your Google calendars and have full access. Prior to this, you only had read-only access (which my iCal currently is doing ).

So now I can use Sunbird to fully manage my Google calendars without having to use my browser. Then my iCal will continue to do it’s one-way sync from Google, then syncs with my iPhone.

Now the only thing that’s left is my Address Book.

It’s week 16 and we have another ultrasound. We’re having a baby boy!

Part 1

Part 2

- first video blog
– new iMac 2.66GHz, 4GB ram, 20″
– using built in iSight
– using quicktime pro
– room is a mess

- abby is nearly 16 weeks
– we have dr appt on wednesday
– show ultra sound – 10weeks, 12 weeks

- aiptek a-hd+ 1080, $150
- flexpod tripod, $20

- it’s labor day 2008