Carter Hargrave Blog

Second generation Bruce Lee School instructor Carter Hargrave writes about current events, technology reviews, culture, martial arts, and becoming a master of life.

September 9, 2013
by Carter Hargrave
Comments Off on Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW Review

Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW Review

I use this now with a cannon xsi and a L 24-70 cannon lens, and a large strap. You have to be a little creative to get things right and move some dividers out of your way and out of the bag. Have room in top for full size pro flash. No room for anything else. No other lenses. I might be able to get a small lens in if I left the lens hood of my zoom out but it would be jammed in there. Fun bag that doesnt look like its screaming I have two grand and a half grand of stuff here. No one notices. This is my third Lowepro and the one I now use most

Original camera sling bag design allows for quick rotation from back to front to access your camera
Hideaway Tripod Mount? system secures a compact tripod or monopod to side of the sling via foldout holder
Patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover? protects your camera gear and personal items from the elements
Includes a built-in microfiber cloth for and two memory card pockets
Fits a DSLR (without grip) with attached standard zoom lens; 1-2 additional lenses or flash unit and accessories
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September 9, 2013
by Carter Hargrave
Comments Off on SKIL 3600-02 120-Volt Flooring Saw Review

SKIL 3600-02 120-Volt Flooring Saw Review

This saw is intended for laminate floring, but you can use it for hardwoods for sure. I did not have any laminate projects going on, but I did have some toung and groove porch slats to cut. First you can do all the same stuff with a chop saw / miter saw on a stand. The downside to that is it is going to cost you $200 for the stand and another $250 for the saw of any real quality. The other downside to that setup is size, its huge and takes up tons of space and a pickup or van….. See where I am heading. The Skil is good quality in a small package that is portable for any vehicle. Cuts well. Dust is a problem as with any project. Makes nice smooth cuts, accurate and sturdy. Priced right and will pay for itself in one floor project easy.

Portable saw makes accurate cross, miter, and rip cuts
Dual sliding rails provide accuracy and effortless operation during cross and miter cuts
Miter detents at 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees
Innovative locking system secures saw on rails for rip cuts
3600 saw, 75540 4-3/8-inch 40-tooth blade, self-aligning rip/miter fence, blade wrench, clamp, push stick
› See more product details

September 9, 2013
by Carter Hargrave
Comments Off on Princeton Tec Tactical Quad Headlight Review

Princeton Tec Tactical Quad Headlight Review

I have the bigger Princeton that has the big battery pack in the back also and I love it but sometimes its just overkill and a tad heavy. This is very light weight and good for most things. When outdoors you most likely would want to use the highest setting to light a path. I thought the red lens would be more useful but havent foiund a great need. You cant use it to light a path so it would be more for reading and adjusting equipment relatively close up within a few feet. Has a very long run time and like all Princetons it is water proof so you can drop it in the creek or lake and it will still keep working. Its sometimes hard to tell which side is up on it when you put it on, as both look almost the same. Its great having your hands free to do whatever. My kids still give me crap about the geekiness of it though. Hmm I wonder if I got them one if they would see the light 🙂
Tactical Quad headlight with nylon strap
Heavy-duty plastic
Available in black and sand color options
Interchangeable red, blue, and green lenses
4 white ultrabright LEDs

September 9, 2013
by Carter Hargrave
Comments Off on Makita TD020DSEW 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit Review

Makita TD020DSEW 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit Review

First let me say that this is good quality and the padded bag it comes in is very nice. The ergonomics are good as well. The problem unless you are going to use this as a drill is the high RPM. I though a few of the reviewers were just being weenies until I tried it on something simple like a light switch plate. One little blip on the power button and the screw was out (wow that was fast I thought, this thing is cool) now to put it back in you cannot use the screw driver to do it as it spins too wild. So I put in in by hand and got the threads started, then applied the drill with another very slight blip, the lightest possible touch, and slam the screw was all the way in and the driver was jumping out of the slot jacking up the screw. It just has way too much uncontrolled power. I can see it as a drill like I said or a nut driver because it has so much torque, but not as a screw driver unless your driving deck screws and for that you would want the larger LXT driver for that project. I am thinking about returning it and getting the makita variable screw driver, but jeez its over twice the price. I dont know.
Makita-built motor delivers 177 in.lbs. of Max Torque, with 2,300 RPM and 3,000 IPM
Compact design at only 1.1 pounds for reduced operator fatigue
Quick release 1/4-inch hex chuck, built-in LED light illuminates work area
Lithium-ion battery and Energy Star rated charger produce 430% total lifetime work, 2.5X more cycles
3-year warranty on tools; 1-year warranty on batteries and charger

September 9, 2013
by Carter Hargrave
Comments Off on Makita DF010DSE 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit with Auto-Stop Clutch Review

Makita DF010DSE 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit with Auto-Stop Clutch Review

First I can see from the numbers and percentages that many of these are being purchased. I had serious reservations mainly due to the cost, after all its a freakin screwdriver. I had a black and decker that lasted a long time and it came time to replace the battery and it was the same price as the driver so that was just stupid. I have other good cordless stuff like dewalt and makita. Dewalt does not have any ion drivers so that was out. The one driver dewalt has weighs like 80 pounds or so it looks. I purchased the single speed white ion Makita thinking that would do the trick, but no. The RPM are so high it was like a drill all the time, great build and torque though. This one while costing out the butt seems to fill the bill. It has half the torque of the white one but at least it can be controlled. The settings for torque are nice so you dont strip out delicate screws like in electronic stuff. The one thing I wish it had was the led light should stay on for a few seconds after being activated like the other makita tools. This one is just an on and off switch. Oh well what do you want for a hundren and eighty bucks huh. I still cant get over that fact. Oh well its done and it works and it will last a long time.
Makita-built motor delivers 44 in.lbs. of Max Torque in a compact design
Auto-Stop Clutch: Tool shuts off when clutch disengages for extra fastening control and prevents overdriving the fastener
21 clutch settings and drill mode for added fastening control (fastening torque range: 2.7 in.lbs. to 27.0 in.lbs.
2-speed gear selection design (200 RPM / 650 RPM) for high or low torque applications
3-year warranty on tool and 1-year warranty on battery and charger