ehsia.com – my stuff and reviews

SportRack (A1152) 3x Bike Carrier Rack Trunk Mount

SportRack Euro Trio Bike Rack

After I got a car I stopped biking. So it’s been about 10 years since I last rode a bike. In my younger days, I use to bike to school/work/for fun/etc. I recently had an itching to start biking again however, I’m no longer a young whipper snapper and don’t really feel like biking the whole distance to my destination. I figure I’d drive there and then bike the rest of the way. Hence, the need for a bike rack for my Yaris hatchback.

My car didn’t have a hitch so a hitch rack is out of the question. I also didn’t want a roof mounted rack so I’m basically left with the option for rear mounted trunk racks.

Canadian Tire had a number of trunk mounted racks by SportRack. The A1152 was actually the cheapest at $49.99. On the box it claims to fit most 3, 4, 5 door sedans and hatchbacks. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t fit my car since it showed the rack attached to a sedan and not a hatchback. I figure, I’d take the chance, and if it didn’t fit, I could somehow return it. It fit perfectly.

The rack comes pre-assembled. You just have to pull it out of the box and adjust 2 knobs make it fit your car. There were 6 straps with metal tabs that hook on to the hatchback door. Do the top 2, then sides and finally the bottom straps. Make a knot at the end of the buckle so the straps don’t loosen up during transport. Play around with how you wanted the rack to mount. I originally mounted it too high. Instead, I moved it down so the bottom of the rack touches the top of my car bumper.

I’ve only tested it hauling 2 bikes even though it can do up to 3. So far everything is great. I can still see out the back. My bike doesn’t have your usual frame but it still fit well. SportRack also sells these bike adapters for people with really weird full suspension bikes… you know the Y-Frames or others. Since these frames don’t have a hole for the 2 rack arms attach to. The adapters themselves are $45.

Well pictures speak a thousand words so check out the pics and see if this rack would be suitable for your car and bike. For $50, it can’t be beat.

July 28, 2008

Nyko Perfect Shot Wii Gun

Nintendo was too chicken to make a gun attachment that looked like a real gun so they left the door open for Nyko to do it.  Another quality product from Nyko.  For some reason, I always end up buying their stuff.  Every single time I’m never disappointed.  iCon and Madcatz should take a cue from Nyko.

The wiimote fits nicely into the top of the gun and a orange thingy holds it in place so it doesn’t fly off in those heated moments of House of the Dead or Resident Evil.  The nunchuk plugs into the base of the gun.  Sometimes I hookup both my Perfect Shots and go John Woo on everyone in the game.

For games like Ghost Squad I prefer the Wii Zapper though.  I can aim better and steadier with both hands on the thing.  For most other games, the PS is best.

I picked this badboy up for $14.99 so it’s not that expensive.  Get one of these to go along with your Wii Zapper or just on it’s own.  A must buy for shooting game fanatics.

July 9, 2008

Nyko Wii Charge Station

Another charge station? Oh yeah. I love these things. If I had a 360 I’d get one for that too. And it’d probably be a Nyko brand. They make really good charge stations. The one for the PS3 is just as good if not cooler.

One of the things I hate most is devices running out of power and needing a charge.  The other is changing batteries.  I wish Nintendo would’ve made rechargeable lithium ion packs built into their wiimotes like the PS3, but they didn’t.  Nyko comes to the rescue to fill in the gap.

The Charge station comes with 2 rubber covers, 2 battery packs and is powered by AC via wall plug.  Given how limited the Wii is in terms of USB ports, it’s a good thing.  You can place the charger anywhere you want since it doesn’t have to be hooked up to your USB ports.

The blue LED tells you it’s charging, and green means it’s fully charged.  The charger does not seem to be timer based.  So it actually checks to see that it’s charged or not before pumping in more power to the battery packs.

With the included battery covers, it will not fit the Wii zapper.  It works fine in the Wii wheel or Nyko Perfect Shot gun.

July 9, 2008