This is what I use daily now. Might be overkill for meetings, but it’s pretty good at not picking up all the background sound.
Category: Activities
Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
This was the first “real mic” I got. It didn’t work out so well because I was using it as a USB mic and it was also in the video. It’s probably pretty good, I’m going to try it out again now that I have a few audio interfaces.
Audio-Technica AT897 Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone
So I needed a microphone that was out of the video. This appears to work well with the Motu M2. I also plan on using this with the Zoom F6 for videos taken with the a7R IV.
Motu M2 Audio Interface
So this is a fantastic audio interface if you’re doing Zoom meetings all day, vocals, an instrument, etc. Quite nice, no complaints.
Zoom Podtrak P4
It turns out the Zoom F6 is a pain to use as an audio interface when you need to connect to voice calls, so the Podtrak P4 handles this pretty well. Yes, it does less, but they’re just calls.
So there is one annoying thing about this – the red lights are extremely bright and not programmable. They are red on the top when muted. I want them to be red when active. The four sound effects buttons are always red. Why can’t I configure this?
New Winter Bag: Western Mountaineering Cypress GWS Expedition
I’m a super cold sleeper, so I went as warm as I could. I also wanted a bag that could open like a blanket. I went overboard. This thing is hot. You can see it here.
Update: this bag is stupid hot. I only ever use it opened up.
New Daypack: Gregory MiWok 24
So this is my what, third Gregory pack? Really, I love them.
I bought the 2019 Radial 34, but returned it before I left the store. It was just much thinner than I expected and the wire rim didn’t click with me. I couldn’t really understand it. It got a lot of love online, but didn’t click for me, certainly not at $170.
The MiWok 12 and 24 were on sale for 50% off, so I took a chance. I’m glad I did. It’s light, yea thin, doesn’t feel super substantial, but feels sturdy enough for my two laptops, some gym clothes, and bag gloves.
I haven’t gotten to use it much yet, but still, I’m very happy with it.
Looking for new daypack
Wants
-
- prevents a sweaty back
- good for walking to work
- ok for biking to work
- ok for airline travel
- normally will hold one laptop and one large tablet
- sometimes will hold two laptops and two tablets
- on flights will hold four laptops, three tablets, two kindles, and lots of wires
So far, only Osprey has a mesh panel to keep the back cool.
All the models I’m considering have a 25-ish and 35-ish size option. The larger size compresses down to the smaller one so there is little advantage in the smaller one considering when I do pack a jacket, it takes a lot of space.
Options
- Osprey
- Radial 34 (2019)
- Radial 34 (2018)
- Escapist
- Nebula
- Tropos
| Pack | Pro | Con |
| Radial 34 (2019) | Hopefully fixed kickstand digging into back | $50 more expensive |
| Radial 34 (2018) | $50 cheaper |
|
| Escapist | Non removable waist strap | |
| Nebula | ||
| Tropos |
Update: found my backpack. See next post.
Gregory Targhee 45
Technically a Backcountry / Touring ski pack, I plan on using this at resorts because it supposedly packs down very well. This is designed to hold avalanche equipment so it should be good for next year when I take avalanche classes.
Update: Only used it once. Tore my MCL and broke my leg. RIP skiing.
Yodo Hard Anodized Aluminum Cookware Set
For when you have a bunch of people with you. Supposedly hard anodized aluminum is the best metal to cook with.
