Jabra Freeway Review

The Jabra Freeway is a speakerphone for your car that connects to your mobile phone via bluetooth and allows you to answer or make calls without wires and hassle.

I had a go with the review unit and here are a list of nice features.

1. Battery Operated. No wires, just switch on and put it anywhere in your car, or even use it at home. A sturdy metal clip holds the Freeway to your car visor or anywhere you like. The package comes with both a car charger and a home USB charger. Battery life is touted to be extremely long, thanks to auto-off feature which detects motion. You can check battery life anytime by pressing the call button.
2. Auto connect. The moment you enter your car, the Freeway will connect with your paired mobile phone and connects.
3. FM transmission. You can choose to transmit all audio signals to your car stereo via an FM frequency channel, which can be changed manually to a channel with minimum interference. Quality isn't great, but it's a nice to have feature in case you needed it.
4. Music player. Besides a speakerphone, you can also transmit music to the Jabra Freeway, making it a wireless music player. The Freeway boasts of a 2.1 virtual surround sound with 3 speakers of 3W each. Audio quality isn't superb, but it's usable and certainly louder than your mobile phone.

The Jabra Freeway is a nice hassle-free car speakerphone. You can leave it in your car for weeks without worrying about battery life even if the device is left on all the time. The buttons are all spread out so you won't mis-press. When battery is low, a voice prompt will remind you to get it charged.

Experiencing Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

My dad got passes to the Formula 1 Grand Prix Day 2 (Saturday) race at Zone 1. Thanks to dad, I experienced the F1 race for the first time.

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/350s ISO100

Instead of bringing my bulky DSLR, I brought the compact Samsung NX11 and the latest 16mm and 18-200mm lenses. I also threw in the Nikon 10.5mm fish-eye lens with the NX-mount Nikon adapter I recently bought.

EXIF: NX100 18-55mm at 55mm F5.6 1/50s ISO800

Manual focusing with the 10.5mm can get a little tricky, because with the extreme wide-angle, I was barely able to see the focus accuracy on the LCD screen. But I discovered a little trick: look for moire effect on the subject area that you want to be in focus.

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/100s ISO100

NX11 16mm Panorama mode

There was never a serious intention to capture the F1 cars using my consumer-grade setup, but I was happy with the versatility of my lens combo, which covers from 10.5mm to 200mm focal length. The NX11 did well in offering both the EVF and the AMOLED 3" monitor to frame my shots.

Still images do not justify the exhilaration of F1 race, so I captured the moments in video.

Too fast? Here's a 80fps footage taken with Fujifilm Finepix F550EXR.

It's an interesting perspective when you shoot at a slower fps. Here's a better catch of the Porsche Carrera Cup.

Personally, I prefer to watch the F1 race action at home, but being on-location with all the noise is an entirely different experience. Love the carnival mood.

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/160s ISO100

NX11 18-200mm at 18mm F5 1/125s ISO100

NX11 18-200mm at 20mm F6.3 1/60s ISO200

NX11 18-200mm at 18mm F6.3 1/40s ISO1600

NX11 18-200mm at 200mm F6.3 1/80s ISO1600

NX11 16mm F2.4 1/20s ISO1600

NX11 18-200mm at 200mm F6.3 1/160s ISO1600

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/3s ISO400

NX11 Nikon 10.5mm F2.8 1/10s ISO400

Rainmaker

The next time I needed rain, all I do is to send my car for a car wash.

After a week of cumulated dirt, tree sap, and bird shit, I decided to send my car for a wash today before lunch.

Actually, I was supposed to wash yesterday, but when I went past the car wash shop, there was a long queue, so I held off.

I was hoping for a rain to wash off the dirt, but it never came.

Today, after spotting quite a lot of dirt, I drove into the car wash and had it cleaned.

Now, 5pm, it was raining cats and dogs, enough to wash off any stubborn dirt or shit.

For $2.50, it was worth it, just to cool the planet.

Nuts and Brackets: A Series of Unfortunate Events

This morning I had to travel to work by public transport as I sent my car for 10,000km servicing to the authorised service centre. Initially I dreaded the thought that no longer can I get from home to office seamlessly. But as I got on the train, the groove came back to me, and the old thought that public transport is still more convenient came flooding back to my mind. Indeed it is fuss-free. Just board, wait, alight, walk, and you would have reached office in one piece. I can even run some errands along the way, like posting letter and buying coffee, activities that I would find it inconvenient if I were to drive to work.

Then at 11am, I received a called from the service centre. Apparently, they broke the wheel nut bracket when trying to remove the nuts (screws) on the wheels. To explain, the wheel nut bracket is an adapter that fits onto the nut of the screw to allow the wheel brace (screwdriver, in layman terms) to loosen the nut. If the bracket is missing or broken, then the wheel brace cannot loosen the nut, and the wheel cannot be removed.


So I had to take time-off, grab a cab to the tyre shop that fitted the wheels, bought the bracket, took another cab to the service centre, and passed the bracket to the service guy. Then he tried it on and oops, it didn't fit. So the guy called the tyre shop and he informed me that they had the right one. So I left it to them to sort it out while I took a bus to the train station and headed back to office (no more cab rides, too expensive). I was told the car would be ready by 3pm.

Then at 3pm, I received their call, with more negative news. Yes, they got the right bracket, and yes it fits. But, YES, it broke again! So the service centre had to drive the car down to the tyre shop to get it fixed. My car was finally ready for collection at 4.30pm.

An important lesson for a new car-owner: NEVER get those fanciful wheel rims with fanciful nuts. I'll be damned if I get flat tyres on the road and I - or even the tow truck - can't get the wheels changed.

I enjoy taking public transport, been doing that since a young age. It offers me lots of time along the journey to indulge in thoughts. But no doubt having a car delivers benefits of convenience, something that I also experienced today. I do feel somewhat handicapped when I had to run around. But again, the public transportation system did not let me down and I was able to accomplish the above errands without much hassle.

Today is also the day my wife took her first driving refresher course. Her first time behind the wheels on public roads since 10 years back, and she's doing very well. See, driving is like riding a bike, except that while you can see every inch of the bike, you have to be one with the car, able to have good judgment when maneuvering the vehicle.

A Road Pile Up

This evening after work, I drove home via CTE as usual. Then I saw the traffic billboard warning on a road accident causing jam from Moulmein. After driving a distance, the second billboard shows that it happened at Lane 1 (the fastest lane) near Braddell exit, and I happened to be at Lane 1. Instead of cutting out to Lane 2, I keep to my lane and drove slowly all the way till I reached the accident area. And what I saw gave me the chills.

It was a 10-car pile-up. All cars, mostly sedan, a few MPVs. One of the MPVs was on top of another car that rammed it so hard that it slid under the MPV, lifting the rear wheel up at a 45-degree. The rest of the vehicles looks ok, most probably just a bump or a dent.

It was a heart-wrenching sight, firstly to see vehicles being ruined, secondly I can't imagine how the drivers or passengers would have felt in the cars, especially the uplifted MPV.

Although it appears to be no bloodshed, it was heart-wrenching because most of the drivers are probably victims. It makes me think twice about keeping too close a distance from the front vehicle, because you never know when there is an emergency stop, and you never know whether the car behind you can stop in time, even though you drove safely. Sometimes, in a smooth-driving condition, you may take for granted and follow the car in front at a close distance, perhaps a 2-car distance. But that is still not sufficient in an emergency stop situation.

But man will never learn until it happens to himself.

Car Servicing: Episode 1000km

Wow, the car has covered 1000km on wheels in just about a month. So today I took half a day and sent the car for a free servicing.

I have prepared a list of complaints hoping that the service advisor (SA) can do something. Well, it turned out to be non-issues.

First, I mentioned that the engine vibrated around 2000rpm. He said it was a normal engine behaviour, something about the torque.

Then, I asked why the car door require so much effort to shut it. He explained that it was due to the cabin pressure and the excellent rubber seals around the car doors. He then demonstrated opening one of the car doors, and I tried closing again. Indeed, it was effortless.

Then I complained that there was some 'clok clok' sounds from somewhere, as if something lose. Unfortunately, that sound refused to appear. I guess if that sound is a result of something serious, it would recur again some time, some day.

So after a test ride, I got nothing out of the car. In other words, the car is functioning perfectly well. I waited for 2 hours before the servicing is completed. Basically, they checked everything inside out of the car, from the light indicators to engine to wheels. And they washed the car clean as well. That's my favourite part.

A Car Owner's Wishful Thinking

Being a first-time car owner, I finally appreciate all the fuss that my parents used to go through in the morning while at the car. I remember my parents carrying a bottle of water to wet the car and to wipe clean before leaving the car park, and I would sit in the car waiting impatiently for them to get over and done with.

Fast-forward 15 years later, I found myself almost having to do the same thing. Almost, because, I eventually did not.

Unless you park at a sheltered indoor lot, it is impossible to upkeep the car to its tip top condition without allocating time for it. For instance, every morning, you would have to wash the car to remove bird droppings, tree saps, tree flowers, pollen and leaves, condensation, rain watermarks.

So, despite sending the car for paint protection (PPS), you still need to wash the car with at least water. If you don't, no one will guarantee your car will remain shiny. And frankly, I was hoping I wouldn't have to spend more time than I could imagine. But in your heart, no matter how care less you want to spend on your car, how could you bear to ruin such an expensive piece of metal? I was thinking: what if I really don't care about the car, would the paint work be really irreversibly ruined by watermarks, bird droppings, tree saps?

So I guess there is no way to run from the fact. A car, like your house, needs to be maintained, no matter if it's black or white or any other colour.

Took me less than a month to realise that. Not bad.

Car Years

Funny, time seems to pass by slower when I own a car.

My car is just reach 3 weeks old today but it felt like a long time. I've went past 800km on the odometer, and soon I can go for my free 1000km servicing. The body has some irremovable battle scars thanks to bird droppings, and I wished I could send the car for another round of re-glossing at Tuff Kote to remove the stains (but costs $60).

Perhaps it's because I spend less time waiting for public transport. Or perhaps I spend more time stuck in traffic jams.

Having the car has advantages. I'll be kidding myself if I think otherwise.

During last Saturday's photoshoot, I did not drive the car because I proposed they take public transport so that I can capture some shots of them. So I took the cab from my house. And I had to wait 15 minutes to get one. When I got in the cab, I chatted with the driver and he said that cab drivers no longer start their shift early because there is no surcharge and most companies implement 5-day work week. So, I thought, getting a car now has been a right decision.

Then that same afternoon, I drove to the Sony Ericsson M600i buyer's house to sell him the phone.

Then on Monday, Angie told me her mum left some groceries at her house, so we drove there after work to pick it up.

Then yesterday, we drove the car after dinner to the MacLaren TechnoXT buyer to sell her the stroller.

Still, I strongly feel that driving to work is unnecessary, because the peak hour traffic and the ERP charges are simply unjustifiable. However, when I saw how bird droppings and fruit saps ruin the car body, I have to think again leaving my car at my car park for long term.

Every Road Leads to ... Traffic Jams

I wanted to find the fastest way to get back home from the CBD. But after analysing the street directory, it seems impossible to find that perfect route. I reckon there are 10,000 other motorists who thinks like me, and they would have tried and taken what they felt is the 'fastest' route. But when more motorists take that route, it no longer becomes the fastest.

In the end, the most direct way to get back home is, unfortunately, via the ERP-laden CTE.

Magnum

My parents have always owned a car since I was very little, so family outings are always a breeze. But for all my other social and academic-related activities, I take public transport. So in a way, I am very familiar with car use, minus the hassle of maintaining one. I never appreciated cars - not in a 'taken-for-granted' kind of way, but rather, I don't care less about designs, engine power, body work, tyres, rims, fuel efficiency, etc. Cars are just transportation tools. When I hop on a friend's car, I don't bother about the car make, model, or even the car colour.

But all this car-purchasing process has opened up another experience and gain new knowledge in my life.

Today, I am officially a car-slave.

We picked up the car at the Chevrolet Alpine Motors service centre at Sin Ming. It didn't take long for me to notice a crack on the signal plastic cover on the left side mirror, for which they promised me a replacement during my next servicing appointment. Dex the sales exec had kindly sent the car for System 6 paint protection at Tuff Clad prior to our collection, so that saved us 3 hours.

Although the car is not supposed to come with fog lamps, it was installed, and Dex had no idea why. Ironic, because for the price you pay, the dealers often have no idea of the complete configuration details until the car reaches the owner. Dex also forewarned me that the brand of the sound system depends on batches. For ours, it's not Blaupunkt.

Our first destination after driving out the car is to fix the solar film at Thermal Guard at MacPherson Road. When we returned an hour later after lunch, we were surprised that the car was ready.

Next stop: Autobacs off Upper Bukit Timah Road, to grab some accessories like cleaning cloth, leather and dashboard cleaning liquid, etc. I was contemplating changing the car horn - the Optra horn sounds like a toy car - but reckon we seldom horn anyway.

Final stop: AMK Hub to do grocery shopping.

I was quite happy with the performance of the car. In fact, the feel is similar to my dad's Opel Astra-G, making me feeling very at ease.

I do notice one issue: during gradual acceleration after the gearbox switches to 2nd gear when the RPM is still low, there is a minor engine vibration which goes away only after further acceleration. If this persists, I'll have to get the service centre to check.

And so the responsibility begins, for now I have to care for this $56000 asset, the single most expensive movable item I have ever owned.

New Responsibility

Yesterday, we celebrated Angie mum's birthday at Marina Square. And Mayenne had her very first shopping outing after that. We walked for nearly 4 hours as we went to look for baby stuffs (what else). Mayenne was doing rather well, but even the best baby has limitations.


I think Mummy would have more thoughts about the shopping episode, so hop over to her blog and read how she felt. And I am quite proud to know that Angie is getting very creative in her blog entries. I really like the post about Mayenne's "tongue exercise". Mind you, she took all the photos too.

This week, I will have another new member in my family - my Chevrolet Optra Magnum car. Like a baby, the car carries a heavy responsibility that is putting me in a constant grueling process of getting the best deal in everything.

- firstly, getting the right car with best value and least known problems (thankfully over)
- deciding on the right colour (again we settled on that already)
- deciding on the right rims and tyres (we just made our final decision)
- deciding on the best paint protection system (still thinking)
- deciding on the best servicing package (haven't thought about it yet)
- deciding on the best petrol (someone recommended Shell)
- deciding on the best product for car care (need I?)
- deciding on the cheapest carparks to park when going to city (ongoing exercise)
- deciding on what to do when my car gets worn and torn during usage (hopefully not often!)
- finally, driving with car in the treacherous traffic

I probably missed out lots of things that I need to note in owning a car, but those will come as time goes by.

“No other man-made device since the shields and lances of the ancient knights fulfills a man's ego like an automobile” -- William Rootes

Sadly, societal pressure has forced me to look for an automobile that fills the ego. A car that reflects my personality, my status. A family man, not a roadster.

I'm already having a hard time making myself look good when I go out. Now I have to make my car look presentable too.

Good thing Mayenne's wardrobe is Mummy's responsibility.