Monthly Meets - DC / VA / MD / NJ / DE / PA

**Newbsauce** · 09-19-2008, 03:57 PM

So uh, do we still need the grill at 1030 or do we want to stick w/ drinks etc?

**Sonicxtacy02** · 09-19-2008, 04:03 PM

lol based on the turnout numbers thus far and the time i'd say the grilling doesnt have to happen at this meet

**Habious** · 09-19-2008, 04:20 PM

I'm fine with drinks/snacks/hangin'.

**Newbsauce** · 09-20-2008, 12:00 AM

Good, owning a 2 seater that **** sucks.

Edit
*** wow you can't **** ****? Thats ******* retarded. Anyway I'm there at 1030

**Fiberoptic** · 09-20-2008, 06:34 AM

We are leaving Baltimore now with brownies and cup cakes. We will be there at 10:30 after a quick breakfast stop in DC.

**Newbsauce** · 09-20-2008, 11:25 AM

Guys, I'm sorry I could not make it. I woke up this morning at 4 with the stomach flu. I hope everyone had fun and I look foward to meeting you guys.

**malcom2073** · 09-20-2008, 11:34 AM

Unfortunately I forgot to check this thread until just now, apparently I missed the earlier start time. I'll catch you guys next time.

**Homebrew** · 09-20-2008, 05:52 PM

It was great seeing everyone today, hopefully next time is a better turnout. Ran in to an issue with my new Bloat DAC as I was leaving. Something I should have realized when it was discussed how the bloat uses the wave slider to control volume, but didn't think about it. This completely screws up how RoadRunner's iguidance native works for lowering the volume for voice directions. I went to fire up the iguidance and the voice over came on extremely loudly. There was nothing I could do to quiet it. So for now I'm back to the onboard sound while I look for a workaround. The workaround I found mentioned doesn't work well enough in my opinion.

Armine: I mentioned the 3m vikuiti's I had tried, here's a list based on the scraps I have left:

DBEF-E 0 degree - Currently in my screen
DBEFII 0 degree - used this in the other member's screen
BEFII 90/50 - currently in my screen and in the other member's screen
BEFIII 90/50T - looked the same as the BEFII in my eyes.
BEF-RP 45 degree - I cut a piece and tried, but don't recall why in the end I didn't use it. I think it just looked no different to me than the BEFII and bEFIII.
ESR - Currently in my screen and the other member's screen.
ARMR200 - I tried to install this on the other member's screen, but I believe we ran into complications and decided against using it.

I was wrong about the DBEF 45 degree. Thats what others had used, I went for the 0 degree since you're supposed to rotate each film 90 degrees and having a 45 degree sheet would just complicate that. I personally haven't seen any noteworthy improvement in my xenarc and the same went for the other member's liliput. However I haven't seen his since it was installed, nor have I talked to him. I have only my impressions of it sitting in a sunbeam in the house to go by. His username is Phatsacks, but it doesn't look like he's been active since mid august. I may just drop him a PM and get his thoughts on it.

My problem may just be my older xenarc. My personal opinion though is that if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't. In the end I gave myself a cluster of dead pixels during one of the many reassemblies of the screen. Just my $.02. That being said, the DBEF seems to be the hardest for consumers to get ahold of. ESR and BEFII can be purchased already for somewhat reasonable prices. If you guys do pursue the films, I'd try to get together a comprehensive set of instructions. There was quite a bit of confusion and debate in the thread on the films. I know I certainly made some errors along the way. I know what direction you said you wanted to go with them, but people are fickle, one guy doesn't know what he's doing and messes up his screen, next thing you know you guys are being burned at the stake. Just food for thought.

Anyways, it was good to meet some new people as well as seeing a familar face. Hopefully we'll have good weather again next month and I'll be able to make it again.

-Kevin

**Habious** · 09-22-2008, 08:22 AM

This was a more subdued but, no less fun meet!

Rob - Good to see you again. Your enthusiasm for this technology inspires me to do even more with my system. I think I'm going to take your suggestion about where to install the external DVD drive.

Heather - Great to meet you. You've got some strong opinions on where you think things should be going; which is a good thing. Sometimes we need a bit of direction!

Kevin - Your Mustang is beastly! I can't imagine what's going to happen to it when you get your planned performance mods bolted on! Great meeting you.

Sean (or is it Shawn - haven't seen it written down) - Great to see you again. You've been at this a long time so, whenever you speak, I'm always listening. There's nothing like experience. And you're a good guy to hang with!

Mike - Sorry about you missing it. It got changed at the last minute on Friday.

Newbsauce - I'm sorry you couldn't make it. I'm very interested in meeting you and checking out your Miata. There aren't too many of us with CarPC's in convertibles so, it'll be nice to see how someone else solved some of those unique problems. We'll catch you next time.

That night, after the meet, my wife and I went downtown to a German restaurant for an Oktoberfest meal. I stuffed myself senseless so, I'm glad we didn't have burgers and hotdogs...or whatever! Would have killed me!

**Sonicxtacy02** · 09-22-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Habious

Sean (or is it Shawn - haven't seen it written down) - Great to see you again. You've been at this a long time so, whenever you speak, I'm always listening. There's nothing like experience. And you're a good guy to hang with!

its actually Shaun, but its to the point where i dont even bother correcting people anymore lol. Nice seeing everyone there.. i hope we have a great turnout next meet.. ESPECIALLY if its taking place at mp3car HQ!