Update: We’ve been getting a lot of calls and emails offering us vehicles to restore. To be clear, Gear Diary is not the company doing the restorations, and we can not forward your requests to Martin Brothers. Thank you for your understanding. 🙂
Crossover utility vehicles are to the new millennium what minivans were to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s: all the rage. It seems, however, that many CUV designs blend together, especially when friends try to describe one they don’t know the name or brand of. GMC’s latest, the Terrain, sought to step apart from that confusing landscape.
In 2013, Chevrolet performed a major overhaul on its bestselling model, the Silverado 1500. Just two years later they have given the pickup a makeover along with a few new technology items. We reviewed the top-of-the-line High Country Silverado last year and earlier this year we tested the Z71 1500. We spent last week driving the 2016 Silverado High Country.
So many of us, especially as we enter the holiday season, fondly remember our favorite childhood toys – Barbie, G.I. Joe, Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs, Lite-Brite, Legos, etc. For me it was the View-Master, that handheld plastic stereoscopic viewer that connected me with exotic locations around the globe. Now Mattel has relaunched the View-Master for the modern, high-tech era.
Last year it was more, this year it’s solid to the core. I am speaking of the advertising mantra for the Nissan Frontier midsize pickup. I reviewed this vehicle less than a year ago and now a 2016 model year rolls into the test driveway, but the only thing that’s really new is three more body color choices.
‘Twas not even a year ago that I last drove the Yukon XL Denali from GMC, yet here I am behind the wheel of the 2016 model year schooner. I am not afraid to say that I like the size and heft of this vehicle, although I do feel a bit guilty when riding in it all by my lonesome.
I’ve written quite a bit on the topic of smartphone photography in recent years. In the area of expanding the creativity in capturing images with these devices there has been some type lens converter required and usually that necessitated a dedicated case/lens combo. Not anymore, though, thanks to USBFever and it’s new line of clip-on lenses!
This week was all about the 60s. Volvo Cars of North America is preparing to celebrate 60 years of bringing it’s Swedish-born vehicles to this continent. As part of the festivities the automaker is delivering some new 2016 models on the 60-series line–namely, the S60 Inscription sedan, the S60 Cross Country sedan, and the V60 Cross Country wagon.
A goal of nothing – zip, zilch…zero. Quite ambitious, don’t you think? That is mantra over at GoalZero – getting the world off the grid and relying on absolutely no fossil fuels or infrastructure for electrical sustainability. Recently I got to test a small part of their mission in the form of the Venture 30 Recharger complete with Nomad 7 solar panel.
Five is more than four. Of course we all learned this early on in grade school but that point was reinforced recently as I spent a week with the 2015 Kia Forte5, the sport wagon version of the Forte sedan. The new Forte5 is certainly more than its four-door sedan counterpart and the number of doors is only the beginning.
I am always looking for ways to augment my iPhone photography, ever since it became the “camera” I carry with me every day. And since olloclip came on the scene a few years ago, I have been looking forward to testing one of their lens attachments. I recently got that opportunity with the olloclip Active Lens.
In doing gear reviews, we get to test some pretty cool things – you know, those hot ticket items. This is one of those gadgets, and in case you didn’t guess suspect something from my adjectives I am talking about the Seek Thermal Camera for the latest iOS and Android devices, and it comes in normal and extended range versions.
When preparing for a camping trip or backpacking adventure one thing that is key to consider is weight. Keeping the load light will extend the distance your feet (and back) will be able to endure each day. The HybridLight expandable lantern and flashlight from Cellular Outfitter is an item that you need on your next adventure.
While U.S. consumers eagerly await the arrival of Ford’s global rally car, the Focus RS, we enjoy zipping around town (or the track) in the sport tuned Focus ST that received some upgrades for the 2015 model year. We spent time recently checking out the updated driving dynamics (steering and suspension) along with styling changes inside and out.
Let me just get right to it, I was absolutely skeptical about this product when I first read the press release – a power bank that will jump start your car. Really. I can charge my cellphone OR jump my car if the battery dies. Really. The Gooloo GF01 Jump Starter Power Bank works, folks. Really.
I don’t travel near as much as I used to, but when I do I no longer drag a laptop with me, opting instead for my iPad Air. Of course, to do any productive writing I will need a separate keyboard; recently I took the ZAGG Folio case with built-in Bluetooth keyboard and it fit the bill perfectly.
Every once in a while we get the chance to review something “old school,” something that doesn’t plug in or use the latest operating system on a smart device. This weekend I got my chance to sample a delightful treat that was scary at first but quite the surprise – Ghost Pepper Honey from Geddes Farms.
Hyundai (rhymes with fun-day) is launching an all-new 2016 Tucson Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle and this third generation model is hands down the best yet. The new ride is longer and wider and is stretched between the wheels and features an all-new array of powertrains (including a turbo) making the new Tucson one of the best compact crossovers period.
It’s been a while since I last tested the Ram 1500 pickup and in that time little has changed. The Ram light duty trucks received serious enhancements back then and for 2015 there are only a couple of things to talk about as being new over that last article. This time around we tested the Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4.
Summer is in full swing and around here we call that “mosquito season.” With unusually heavy spring rains the pests have been worse this year than we can remember in some time. Thankfully companies like Thermacell are ready to assist repelling the pesky bugs, while also helping to avoid more serious threats like West Nile Virus carried by mosquitoes.
We told you about Ford upgrading the 2015 Expedition SUV last year and we gave you first drive impressions on it’s Lincoln counterpart. Recently we spent time with the long wheelbase version of Ford’s largest land yacht and put the EcoBoosted Expedition EL Limited through its paces and we can tell you wholeheartedly it is grandbaby tested and grandbaby approved.