Nokia N82 Preview

After more than a year with the Sony Ericsson W810i, I've upgraded to a Nokia N82 for the added functionality of GPS and WiFi. Improvements are the 5MP camera, S60 operating system, and Xenon flash. The drawbacks are lack of LED flashlight, large camera focussing area, and questionable macro photo quality.

A reflective front that smudges easily:


A glossy back that's slippery to grip:


The impressive 5MP Carl Zeiss with a great feeling spring loaded shutter:


Dreadful keyboard with a spongy feeling D-pad:


Transferring maps via old school data cable:


One handed operation:


More indepth review to follow...

Alternator Ricochet

Based on the characters from Transformers G1, Takara and Hasbro have brought new life to old familar names like Smokescreen and Trunks by re-creating them using existing car models.

Here we have Ricochet being re-built as a Subaru Impreza WRX:

The flames are starting to look a bit tacky to me:

Look at the details

Robot mode:

The flames don't look too bad in robot mode.

Close up:

With a bit of alcohol (mouthwash) and a lot of patience:

Robot mode without the flames:

A cleaner car mode:

No more tacky flames for me!

A great looking (after removing the flames) mold

Masterpiece Optimus Prime (missing photo)

The leader of the Autobots from the 1984 Transformers was Optimus Prime.

For 2004, Hasbro/Takara have crafted the Masterpiece version of Optimus Prime to commemorate the 20th year of Transformers:

You wouldn't defy him after staring into those eyes: (missing photo)



His not so perfect truck mode:

The transformation is a bit tricky and non-obvious for me but some of the little transformation tricks are very clever. This is the most cartoon accurate Optimus Transforming toy ever created. He even comes with a mini-megatron gun and the matrix of leadership.

Masterpiece Starscream

One of the main villians from the 1984 Transformers was a robot that transformed into a F-15 Eagle named Starscream.

In the McDonnell Douglas F-15 mode, he looks surprisingly accurate:

From behind:

In robot mode:

This is the most accurate Starscream transforming toy ever created. Faithful to both an actual F-15 and the cartoon Starscream. You better believe it's amazing!

Transformers G1 Booklet Scan

Sometimes we think of things from our past. One little piece of it was Transformers.

I decided to scan my old 1984 Transformers toyline booklet. Click on each picture for a larger version.

Cover art:


Toyline catalog:


What was I thinking when I scribbled on this booklet?

*Sorry I had some image hosting problems so I had to borrow these photos from Unicron until I can recover my images*

Here are some more G1 booklet scans that I pulled from TFArchive until I get the chance to scan my own booklets from home.

1985 Catalogue:




1986 Catalogue:

Mitsubishi Lancer GTS (missing photo)

Watch out! Mitsubishi is going to shake up the compact car market with their redesigned Mitsubishi Lancer.

My original plan was to test drive the new 2008 Honda Accord at Markham Honda but I didn't feel comfortable with them insisting on keeping a copy of my license for their records.

I was disappointed not to test drive a car so I thought of test driving the new Mitsubishi Lancer at the nearby Mitsubishi dealership:

Markham Mitsubishi
4611 Highway 7
Markham, ON L3R 1M6
905-415-0080

(missing photo)


I was greeted by Dominic Chow as soon as my car pulled into the dealership parking lot. I told him I was looking at the new Lancer so he gave me a brief overview of the car. You need to test drive a car before you buy it (unless you're getting a super car). He quickly brought me to the back to the test car as soon I mentioned test drive.

A red Mitsubishi Lancer GTS with sun package

The side view of a white Mitsubishi Lancer GTS

It looks fast. But with a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder running at 152HP @ 6000rpm and 146lbs-ft @ 4250rpm on a 1410kg car, you're not going to get anywhere fast. I wanted the paddle shifters so I could keep the revs high for better acceleration so the GTS is the only trim I would consider. The engine is harsh and not very smooth but shifting is smooth but a tad delayed. The best aspect of the car is the handling of the car with a tight turning radius and confident pose at high speeds. There is reasonable wheel feedback and with supportive seats. With a low base price, the Lancer is priced lower than a similarly equipped Honda Civic.

If you're looking for the high powered Impreza WRX STi fighter, then you'll be sad to know that this year's allotment of 500 cars has already been sold, according to Dominic:

We can only dream.

Rain Rain Go Away

Come again when I'm away