Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Castreal

Advice on Family Car

Castreal — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:21:27 +0800

I'm planning to "retire" my current 6 year old Passat B7, as the mileage has now exceeded the 10 Years mileage of 150,000km.
The new car I'm planning to get, will not be a continental car (as wife had forbidden it thanks to the Passat issues & parts prices), it will mostly be used for city drive (peak hour bumper-to-bumper jams), within Klang Valley, daily mileage around 85km.

Vehicle to occupy 2 adults, 3 kids (1 Swivel Baby seat + maximum of 2 booster seats). Planning to use the car for the long run ~ 10 years or more, with a good chance to hand down to daughter after she pass her driving test in around 8 years time.

Here are some cars which I have stream-lined that fits the budget <RM 155k:
1. Proton X70 Premium
2. Honda CRV 1.5 TC 2WD (MUGEN)
3. Mazda CX-5 2.0 GLS
4. KIA Grand Carnival KX

For now I've only test driven the X70 and CRV, and will be test driving the CX-5 2.0 GLS and Grand Carnival over this weekend. So far, the X70 drives rather familiar with my Passat both being 1.8 Turbo charged, the 1.5 TC CRV seems a bit sluggish or perhaps it could be due to the unfamiliarity with CVT driving. Sound proofing for CRV wasn't that great either, but the CRV Mugen does look a tad better than the X70 (which is subjective).

In terms of preference, main criteria is that the back seat should fit 3 kids, midsection to fit the eldest kid 9 years old and growing, possibly without Booster seats (since only window seats are fitted with ISOFIX). Other than that, I'm looking at Reliability > Driving Experience > Safety > Comfort > Price (including maintenance & parts).

Appreciate some feedback on this, I know X70 probably still not much track record, not sure about Geely itself in China? how bout the 2017 CRV and 2018 CX-5? Heard parts for Kia are expensive as well? Not sure if it is reliable?
Not really looking at value (because all will recommend X70 on value) but also on the long run, next 10 years.

I'm open to other suggestions as well, thanks in advance, appreciate the feedback.

10th Year Wedding Anniversary Suggestions

Castreal — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:05:47 +0800

We'll be celebrating our 10th year wedding anniversary this weekend.
Towards the end of last year, I was planning a 2 week trip to Europe for our 10 Year's anniversary. However, our 3rd bundle of joy came along (was also in the planning, but she conceived faster the the other 2 kids), and she is currently still under confinement.

So we scrapped that Europe trip idea earlier this year, but didn't really make other back-up plans for celebration.

I was told she can only go-out for 2-3 hours Max as the baby feeds on demand. So guys, any ideas for 10th Wedding Anniversary? Not planning to bring the kids along btw.

Other information:
- 5th Year anniversary was in London and Paris (not travelling on 10th year seems meh!)
- No flowers! (she doesn't want any flowers although i can't really brain it, 10 Years anniversary!! She says don't have the time to tend to the flowers and might have pollen so baby might be allergic)
- Was thinking No Black Tie since we are fans of Jazz and Alemay is there this weekend. But could be quite late, and we really don't like KL traffic

Or we can always say its just a date, and celebrate the 10th Anniversary perhaps later in December or early next year when the baby is not as demanding anymore.

Thanks in advance!

[WTA] Any recommended place to rent Canon lens?

Castreal — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:39:50 +0800

Hi all,

I'm planning a photography session for my newborn, and am looking for a 100mm macro lens for rental. Currently own a 5DMKIII, and will be using my 50mm 1.4 for some shots, but heard that its crucial to have a 100mm macro lens for sharpness of the baby's features. Do any of you know any trusted venues or persons who are renting out their lens, particularly Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens? Thanks!

WTS SJCAM SJ4000 Wifi Sports Action Camera

Castreal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 18:00:50 +0800

Item(s): SJCAM SJ4000 Wifi Sports Action Camera

Package includes:
1 x Original SJ4000 WiFi DV
1 x Waterproof Housing
1 x Quick Release Buckle
1 x Housing Backdoor with Holes
1 x Handlebar Seatpost Pole Mount
1 x Curved Adhesive Mount
1 x Flat Adhesive Mount
1 x 3-Way Pivot Arm Mount
2 x 3M Adhesive Tape
1 x Frame Mount
1 x Quick Release Clip for The Frame
1 x Vertical Quick Release J-Hook Buckle
1 x Universal 1/4" Camera Tripod Mount
1 x Tripod Mount Adapter
1 x Bandage Set
1 x Stainless Steel Safety Tether
4 x Nylon Cable Ties
1 x Cleaning Cloth
1 x USB Cable
1 x Power Adapter
1 x Higher Capacity Li-ion Battery
1 x English Manual

Price: RM 250 (excluding delivery if required)

Warranty: Uncertain.

Dealing method: COD Klang Valley

Location: Bukit Jalil

Contact method/details: PM If interested
---

Item(s) conditions: Brand New in box, unused.

Picture:

Reason for sale: Won it from Annual Dinner Lucky Draw.

WTS Breville Espresso Set

Castreal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 01:26:25 +0800

Item(s): Breville Home Barista Set

Package includes:
- Breville Dual Boiler (BES920)
--- 58mm Razor Dosing Tool
--- 58mm full stainless steel portafilter
--- 58mm single wall filter baskets (1 & 2 cup)
--- 58mm dual wall filter baskets (1 & 2 cup)
--- Integrated tamper
--- 16 oz. (480ml) stainless steel milk jug
--- Water hardness test strip
--- Cleaning kit
--- Water filter holder and water filter
- Breville Smart Coffee Grinder (BCG800XL)
- JOEFREX Concept art Corner Tamping Mat
- JOEFREX Concept art Metal Base Knock Box with drawer
- JOEFREX Tamper Handle (Black) FLAT 58
- Cleaning Group Brush Basic
- CAFIZA® Espresso Machine Cleaning Powder
- WEBER 6492 Original Instant-Read Thermometer

FREE: 1KG MONMOUTH Espresso Beans (all the way from London) --> Roasted in Dec '15 These would be very stale by now

Price: RM 6300 (Market price should be around RM 7500 now)

Warranty: Warranty from Coffex had just expired (1 Year)

Dealing method: COD in Klang Valley

Location of seller: Bukit Jalil

Contact method/details: Please PM.

Age of item: Bought on 26 Dec 2014. Unpacked in July 2015.

---

Item(s) conditions: Only brewed around 100 shots. Like new. Espresso Machine has a small dent at drip tray (as per pic).

Picture:

Reason for sale: Been diagnosed with GERD for the past 3 years, with Coffee being the main culprit. Specialist advised to stay away from coffee for now. Haven't been brewing for a month now, decided to sell off the whole Cafe set until I fully recover.

Filtered Water to Fridge?

Castreal — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 19:45:11 +0800

Need some help here on connecting filtered water to fridge.

I've got a Samsung Fridge that has an Auto Ice maker/ Ice water function. Currently, my plumber piped the fridge with water from an unfiltered source.

I have an internal water filter - E-Spring, which is currently piped to an auxiliary faucet. I've checked with the installer, he says he's not sure how to get the filtered water piped to the fridge.

I have not zero experience in plumbing, has anyone experienced this and had found a solution to get (perhaps a diverter) to get filtered water split to faucet and fridge?

Help appreciated, thanks!

Recommendation for 65" TV

Castreal — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 01:05:05 +0800

As the renovation of my new place is almost completed, together with that is a new TV Cabinet. Since I have quite a bit of space available within the center of the TV Cabinet (1800 x 1700mm empty space), I thought a 65" TV would be good enough to cover up some space (as compared to a 55" TV).

I've started going through the web, forums, and visiting ESH, Harvey Norman outlets to source the ideal candidate for that space. Here are some of the criteria:

- Budget 7k-9k.
- Sitting distance 9-10 feet (so theoretically full HD is sufficient, but can't find much higher series 65")
- 3D is optional (my kids dont quite appreciate 3D yet, still havent reach school going age).
- Active vs Passive 3D - no comment as 3D is optional.
- Preferably from Series 7-9.
- Don't really prefer Curve TVs, IMHO Curve TV is best with 90" above TVs.
- Application Support - Hopefully it has a good interface support, and good apps from the store (although no idea if I'll use any of those apps).
- Usage: probably 75% of the time Kid's shows/movies (astro/hypp/downloaded), 10% Streaming Movies from NAS, 10% Astro/Hypp TV, 5% Apps and Web Browsing.

Candidates:
LG 65UB950T Product Detail - RM 7,600
Samsung 65HU7200 Product Details - RM 8,345
Samsung 65HU7200 + Samsung Curved Soundbar HW-H7501 - RM 10,300
Samsung 65HU8500 Product Details - RM 9,999
LG 65UB980T Product Details - RM 9,880
LG 55EA970 Product Details OLED - RM 9950

From most of the reviews I see (online), Samsung's HU8500 dominates the ratings. But I do get mixed reviews from Sales Assistants in ESH, Harvey Norman, and TBC on Samsung VS. LG Models, especially when the LG models are 9 series models.

Personally the cheaper (priced) the TV the better, as budget can be allocated elsewhere for the pocket burning renovation costs.

Need some opinion on these TVs, or any other suggestions are welcomed! Cheers!

New Alienware 15

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

New Alienware 15

Castreal — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:54:11 +0800

** Was thinking about posting here or garage sale, but since I'm not selling it, thought of just putting it here.**

Ordered the New Alienware 15 from e_mc_square via his friend in Dell with a special promo price. It IS a very special price as the original price from the website is about RM 8100, about 30% off.

However, wife said NO! too bulky, boxy, and heavy (dangerous if the kids pull the laptop down from the table).

The order is still there, I feel bad cancelling an offer this good, so checking with good folks in LYN, anyone interested in this offer?

W511147MYW8-Alienware 15
Unit Price: 5,637.00

Components
1 Alienware 15
1 Intel® i7-4710HQ [4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4710HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to
3.50 GHz)]
1 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Panel Anti-Glare 300-nits Display
1 16GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (2x8GB)
1 256GB m2.80 NGFF TLC SSD + 1TB 5,400 HDD
1 Power Supply : Alienware 180W AC Adapter
1 Power Cord (UK)
1 8 Cell 92W Hour Battery
1 Alienware 17" Vindicator Backpack
1 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
1 Killer 1525 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
1 Killer Wireless 1525 Driver
1 Internal Eng/Int (Qwerty) Keyboard
1 Alienware 6 programmable Macro module keys
1 McAfee® Live Safe Image (Trial Version)
1 Additional Software
1 OpenLabs StageLight
1 Technical Support

Software
1 Windows® 8.1 Single Language (64Bit) English
1 Microsoft Office Software Image (Multi-Language)
1 Haswell Driver
1 McAfee® Live Safe 12 month Subscription
1 Dropbox software
1 FastAccess Facial Recognition 4, Digital Delivery

Service
1 # Limited Warranty: Yr 1 Carry-In (Labor)
1 # Limited Warranty: Yr 1 Carry-In (Parts)
1 ProSupport: 7x24 Technical Support & Assistance: 3Yr
1 ##Yr1 ProSupport: Next Business Day Onsite Service
1 ##Yr2-3 ProSupport: Next Business Day Onsite Service
1 3Yr ProSupport: Next Business Day Onsite Service W/Accidental Damage
1 3 Yr Accidental Damage Service
1 Visit http://www.dell.com/contactdell

Cheers!

LED Integrated Bathroom Mirrors

Castreal — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:09:21 +0800

Hi,

I have been looking for these kind of IP44 LED Integrated Bathroom Mirrors, but can't seem to find any place selling them.
I tend to only find UK websites selling them. Has anyone seen these LED Integrated Bathroom Mirrors around klang valley? if so where can i get them?

LED Integrated Bathroom Mirror

Bluetooth, touch control, speakers are optional

Thanks in advance!

[WTS] Cute Dachshund Puppy for Sale!

Castreal — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:07:01 +0800

Item(s): Pure Breed Dachshund Puppies / Sausage Dogs

Quantity: 1

Age: almost 3 months old

Sex: Female

Colour: Black & Tan

Price: RM 800, negotiable

Dealing method: Cash/Bank-in

Location: Petaling Jaya

Contact method/details: Lee, 012-3551399

Reason for sale:

My dachshund had given birth to 7 adorable dachshund puppies on 2nd day of CNY, all females.
All puppies are pure breed, but no MKA Cert, as both parents have no cert.
All puppies have been vaccinated with first combination vaccine & de-wormed.

We initially decided to keep her, cos she looks just adorable. But later on MIL decided that we should sell her, cos we've already got 3 dachshunds and home and 2 are males.

Dachshunds aka. "Sausage dogs" are hunting dogs by nature, and do work well as watchdogs. Easy to take care as they have very short hair.
They are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity for chasing small animals, birds, and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity.

Any dog lovers interested or require more information, please contact Lee @ 012-3551399. Thanks.

Need Recommendation on personal Notebook Rental

Castreal — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:24:28 +0800

Hi, does anyone know any Notebook Rental Stores in the Klang Valley, that offer good rates, for personal use?

I will be going off to Hong Kong for my wedding photoshoot, unfortunately my dad had other plans for his notebook, so I'm looking for notebook to rent for my one week stay there. Any recommendation for notebook rental stores?
Thanks!