Mini champion joins Scalextric team

As seen on ToyTalk.co.uk...

The latest model to roll off the Scalextric production line is the BMW Mini Cooper, as driven by Gareth Nixon in the 2006 Mini Challenge.  Nixon enjoyed a triumphant season, winning 13 of the 16 starts, including the last 11 races on the trot, to win both the Club Class and Overall competitions.

Digital Plug-ready, the Scalextric model has working front and rear lights and Magnatraction with adjustable down-force positions. It is priced around £35.


Related Links:

• MiniChallenge.co.uk
• ToyTalk.co.uk
• NixonMotorsport.com

Video Friday: Thumb-sized R/C MINI Cooper

Thinkgeek.com is one of my favorite sites to look at stuff I'll never buy. I might actually buy this thumb-sized R/C MINI Cooper though!

Related Links:

• Thinkgeek.com

TOP TEN* things my GPS device doesn't do!

I've had my TomTom Go300 for a little over a year now, and as I am finally starting to use it more and more, I'm discovering many things it doesn't do, that I really wish it did.

I was messing with my friend's $2000 on-board Navigation system in her shiny new 2007 Lexxus recently, and it wasn't that much better than my $300 device. Add the random 5- minutes on various, crippled in-store demo models, thus sums up my personal hands-on experience with navigation devices. If the one in the Lexxus doesn't do it, then I assume no GPS devices have these features. I'd love to get my hands on an upscale portable GPS system for comparison purposes (hint hint!).


For now, I've decided to start my "Top 10 things my GPS device doesn't do!", a work in progress, and in no special order:

1. Remember my Search! When I look up "Claim Jumper" and it shows me the wrong location, to look up another location, I should be able to go back to "Find > POIs..." type a C and it brings up recent searches. I shouldn't have to start all over. Alas, I get to fumble with spelling C-L-I-A.. delete, delete... you get the picture...

2. More U.S. POIs please! While the TomTom comes in $100 less than it's Garmin counterparts, has a cooler name and funnier commercials, the only real differences I've seen in the two brands is that Garmin is quite U.S.-centric while the UK/EU-oriented TomTom brand is a late comer to good ol' USA, and it shows. I was with a friend and he was looking for his bank, the second largest bank in the U.S. My bank is *the* largest U.S. bank. Yet, when I'm looking for an ATM, neither of them show up on the list of 40 banks I've never heard of. Isa this what I get for opting for the TomTom over the Garmin?

3. (Semi) Automatic POI updates. When I look up a POI ("point of interest")- namely an establishment with multiple locations (i.e. a chain store) like, say, "Claim Jumper"; The magic POI genie should notice I like Claim Jumper, and when I connect my device to my computer, it should check the non-existent POI database and download all the Claim Jumpers in the U.S. to my device. Asking first of course...

4. "Current Direction" option. When looking up a POI it defaults to "closest" location; You can change it, but for instance, the other day, the closest location was in the opposite direction I was headed. If the device were smart enough to notice, that'd be awesome. If it were dumb, but knew to ask "... in the direction you're going right now?" that would be nice too (of course, we never mess with our devices while the car is moving, right?)

5. Wifi/integration/access. After I gave up on finding my friend's bank on the TomTom, I pulled out my entry-level cellphone, accessed Yahoo, and found the address in about two minutes. Then I entered in the address in the GPS and was on my way. Wouldn't it be awesome to not have to use my cellphone for that? The TomTom GO300 does allow Bluetooth integration, but having read the manual a dozen times, I already know this is not a feature!


After proofreading a few times, I guess I wish the TomTom Go300 worked more like an iPhone. Then again, I didn't spend $600 on it. Then again, if I had an iPhone, would I need a GPS device? (I mean, once you hack it and install the 3rd party app).

This on-going list (and I promise I'll stop when I get to ten) brings up a few related questions I'll have to search the InterTube for answers:
- How does an establishment get their location in the POI database anyway?
- Can a user recommend POIs to the manufacturer? If so, how?
- Just how much can I hack my GPS device before it stops working?

What are your peeves of your GPS device?

Now I'm feeling You-i-fied! "MODS GONE WILD". The Complete List*

*I couldn't settle on a title for this post, so you get all three!

Yesterday was my MINI's first birthday.

While not really a major milestone, it did cause me to reflect back on the fun and excitement we've shared so far. Then I remembered: That is the main purpose of the "BUSHFINGER MINI" blog in the first place! I decided to create this little "modifications timeline" for posterity's sake (and a little time-killin' too). This also serves as a tribute of sorts, to all of the wonderful dealers and vendors out there that make owning and "you-i-fying" a MINI Cooper, so damn fun! And so it begins:

Thursday, July 13, 2006
I picked up "Mr. Biggleworth" from the dealer. It had 11 miles on it. And chrome side view mirrors. I specifically said black, yo! (Two week later, I went back to the dealer and swapped them out from a new MINI straight across. Does that count as a mod?)

What came with the car:
MINI Aux Input
MINI Chrome Exhaust Tips
MINI Grill Badge Holder
MINI Outdoor Car Cover
That little scuff-guard thing for the boot

Installed within the first week:
Alta Stubby Antenna (from my previous MINI)
MINI Magnetic Stone Guards (from my previous MINI)
LoJack (ordered with the car, installed a week later)
Tinted Windows from The Tint Factory (Loma Linda, Ca.)

July 06:
DIY MCS Intake Screen/Air Scoop Grill
Mini-Mania Ultrik Cold Air Intake. Who puts in a CAI at ~700 miles? Well, it was free.


Aug 06:
(Finally took the MINI Outdoor Car Cover out of the box.)
A slew of Grill Badges by MotoringBadges.com
MINIEyes by Rouge Minis
Spy Toggle Cover from MINIUSA.COM (the first hint of the "Spy Car")


Oct. 06:
TomTom GO300 GPS Navigation Device
New Wheels/Tires (sort of): I already had a set of Toyo Proxies TPT 205/50R16 and ICW Racing Wheels from my previous MINI. It just took 4 months to put them on.


Nov. 06:
Unplanned mod: The infamous "curb incident"


Dec. 06:
Limited Edition Front License Plate Holder by Blair Butler (yo- you cain't even git dis yo!)


Feb. 07:
Leather Knee Pad by MyMINIparts (now minspeed.com)
Sylvania SilverStar Turn Signal Bulbs
H-Sport 19mm "Sport" Rear Swaybar
Honeycomb supercharger scoop insert by ImagoX


March 07:
Chrome Expressions 808 Titanium Silver with Machined Lip
Alta 15% Version 2.0 Supercharger Pulley (Installed at AMVIV!)


April 07:
Escort Passort 8500 x50
Pirelli P6 205/50R16


May 07:
M7 Strut Brace (originally Purchased at AMVIV, just now installed!)




June 07: MINI hits it's first 10,000 miles. (Not a mod, but an interesting milestone nonetheless!)

And that's just the first year!
Geepers, what's left?! I'm sure I've forgotten something. I'll update this entry as these come to mind.

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Lookie What I Got! MINI Motion Watch

Acquired through a game of chance...

Seriously though, not being one to typically wear a watch, I still cannot explain exactly how a few months back I awoke one day- with a watch fetish? So of course I need a "Saturday/Motoring Watch" to round out the collection. What better candidate than the (now) classic MINI Motion Watch.

From the MotoringFile review: "One of the main principles that the watch's design is centered on is the ability for clear and easy reading in every circumstance, even while motoring. The digital readout of the watch actually turns 90 degrees to give you a more straightforward view while your hands are on the wheels..."

Now, I'm no expert, but coming in as the most expensive watch I have ever owned, frankly, the watch doesn't leave as much of an impression as the dent in my wallet. Honestly, I thought the width on the numbers would be a lot bigger. I thought the numbers would rotate automatically. It's not that "clear and easy" to read. I'd prefer black over "charcoal"- (it's a lot more green in these photos and sometimes when the light hits it at a funky angle).

It's got three display modes for the time, stopwatch, and alarm. Frequent flyers and schizophrenics can set times for two different timezones. I'm sure I forgot something cool. Fortunately I located an old yet highly detailed Motoring File review of this very product so I'll spare you the rest of the details since I couldn't do any better. (damn you- Gabe!)

Nevertheless, a nice addition to my MINI schwag collection and watch managerie. And now, the pics!

Gotta love cool packaging...

a closer look...

the back (MINI logo, "water resistant up to 30 meters; All stainless steel; Made in China.")...

one must admit- it's a really unique design...

here it is with the time in "horizontal mode"...

here it is with the time in "vertical mode"...

here it is with the time in "small horizontal mode"...

here it is with the stopwatch in "vertical mode"...
MINI Motion Watch - $165 @ outmotoring.com

Oh yeah- and a big shout out to Aaron at outmotoring.com for being the only e-tailer with this item in stock!

MINImotionUSA.com (discontinued products other than the watch)
Outmotoring.com (Part No. 99 00 0 005 329)

Lookie What I Got!: Escort Passport 8500 X50

Not like I need it (grin), but Uncle Sam saw fit to give me a tax refund suitable of a new toy/gadget (or two?). The Escort Passport 8500 X50 has been on my list for awhile. The "out of the box" experience:

The front of the box

The back of the box

The fancy "leather" case. (Actually, it's pretty nice.)

Ooooh...

Ahhhh....

The device

The money-shot

I don't have a personal review yet, but here's the official PR speak:


"The Passport 8500 X50's new "V-Tuned" radar receiver provides extreme detection range on all police radar; conventional and "instant-on" radar, including the new POP mode radar threat, X-Band, and up to 50% more range than the original Passport 8500 on the all-important K and Ka bands. Digital signal processing (DSP) provides maximum range, with minimum false alarms." --www.escortradar.com

Features

• 360-degree radar and laser detection
• Advanced digital signal processing
• AutoSensitivity mode automatically reduces false alarms
• EZ-Programming allows instant customization
• Selectable POP mode radar detection
• 3 High-resolution meter modes
• Ultra-bright matrix display with 280 LEDs
• Brilliant blue or high-intensity red display
• Multiple high-performance laser sensors
• Built-in earphone jack
• Mute & AutoMute
• Completely immune to the VG-2 "detector-detector"
• One year limited warranty
• 2 year extended service plan available
• Free 30 day test drive (applies to factory direct orders only)

www.escortradar.com

Maisto MINI Model

Looking for something completely unrelated, I ventured into the local hobby shop and found this!

I'm not a "collector", just an occasion impulse shopper! *smile*

"Toy Drive" - Part Two - The Pics

Photos are starting to roll in from the Toy Drive.

(^^^there's mine! ^^^)

MINI Caravan



MINI Caravan



MINI Caravan



the fire truck parade/caravan


there were about 10 fire trucks!



Stoney and friends from K600 (KOGO-AM)



yeah, we kinda stole the show i guess.



20 or so MINIs (each full of toys!)



toys, toys, toys!



WCM Group Photo


Capt. Darren of the Salvation Army. (Cool guy.)


Special thanks to WCMers Chris and Sandy for the photos!

It's another MINI Adventure! "Toy Drive"

The West Coast MINI Club participated in thr Toy Drive for well-deserving "East County (San Diego) kids for the second year in a row. I'm not even from San Diego so that makes it even more exciting!













About a week beforehand I went shopping to pick up some toys and of course i call up my friend to boast- i mean share- the warm fuzzy feeling! First thing she says, is "oh no- i've got 100 toys in my car!" DOH! (The folks at her work did a toy drive and she filled up her trunk for me! How cool is that!)

Early the next morning (and I do mean early!) we emptied out her car and crammed and amazing amount of toys in the MINI! (and she still has some left in her car, simply because we ran out of room!) You'd be surprised at how many toys you can jam into a MINI Cooper, even with a driver, co-pilot, and a 3-foot passenger! 50-60 toys later we headed out!

The next phase of the adventure was to rendezvous with a one couple in a MINI at an offramp about 20 minutes away. They showed up like clockwork and we were on our way. I wasn't driving like maniac but they soon fell behind. (sorry?) We didn't worry because they knew where they were going.

We, on the other hand, followed Google's impeccable directions to the letter! We got the McD and I said "first one's here!" About ten minutes later, with no one else showing up, I'm thinking "um, where's the rest of the MINI's?" I called up MINI Steve- it turns out Google gave us excellent directions- to the WRONG McDonalds! (notice how I attempt to shift any fault away from myself!) No worries- we headed up to the right McD and there were about 10 MINIs waiting for us!

But wait! There's more!

We headed onto the freeway and about 5 miles down the road we met up with 2-3 more MINIs. We continued on to our next rendezvous stop- and guess what? 6 or 7 more MINIs! We waited in the cold and misty morning for what seemed like 30 minutes or so, and as we waited another 3-4 MINIs showed up. Each one packed with toys! (okay- "each one packed" was kind of an exaggeration, but still)...

"Captain Darren" from the Salvation Army showed up and he was obviously moved by the turn out (those Salvation Army folk- so passionate!)

About 20 MINI's deep, we caravaned about two miles to the drop off point (later we found out it's illegal to caravan in El Cajon! It's "right up there with street racing"? Who knew!?) I didn't know there was going to be a radio station there, but as we pulled up, we could hear them on the radio saying, "OMG- look what just pulled up- about 20 MINI Coopers!" (Insert every MINI joke you've heard 1000 times by now).

It was neat as we pulled out about 300-400 toys over all (probably more, but who's counting!) Everyone was really excited and appreciative and the radio station kept up the hype and MINI Steve got to plug the club for a couple minutes too! A local, non-WCMer in a MINI either saw the cars or heard it on the radio and pulled in to talk to us. (new recruit? mmmaybe!) About a dozen fire trucks showed up shortly there after with their toys and nice people and firemen, but personally, i think the MINIs stole the show (as they always seem to do!)

Next stop: Off to lunch with the MINI group where we took over 1/2 of an italian restaurant. Then it was back home in damp weather and a TomTom u-turn glitch, but of course, Mr. Bigglesworth handled it with no problems.

Now, for a well-earned nap, and to close the book on another MINI Adventure!

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