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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: slueth on Tue, 15 February 2011, 23:45:18

Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Tue, 15 February 2011, 23:45:18
Isn't it crazy that we are paying so much for keyboards?  The same with headphones.  Things get out of hand when people form, nitpick and acquire better gear.

Anyone know of any other enthusiast products that they are interested in?

I seen Ripster's lego mini-figurines :P lol
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 16 February 2011, 00:06:14
I collect foreign banknotes.

On some types, it turns into a pissing contest of the certified grade.

65 points = $250
67 points = $330
68 points = $500

only, given the notes without the certifications, could you tell them apart?
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Wed, 16 February 2011, 02:05:43
what is the point system about?  the rarity?
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Wed, 16 February 2011, 02:08:06
I collect old pocket watches.  I have a couple elgins.  I decided there was no point in collecting pocket watches since you can only use one at a time..;unless you wanted to look mad and wear 10 on a vest or something.  I ended up giving them to my family thought they didn't like the fact that you had to wind them everyday.  They do look neat though when you open them up and watch at the memorizing gears spin.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 16 February 2011, 03:17:39
My other collecting hobby, replica props (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prop_replica) can be more expensive. Pay up to $500 for a paperweight made in China a month ago from everyday materials, just because it is licensed and in a limited edition ...
Keyboards are much more useful than that, but my prop-collecting friends think that I am a bit crazy for collecting keyboards.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Wed, 16 February 2011, 04:28:46
Wait.. aren't props sometimes fake to begin with?  So replica props would be like fake fake props.  Jeez thats enthusiast stuff!  Anything that has demand no matter how expensive it is has value I guess.  
Anyone hear about the tulip bubble?  lol here comes the replica props bubble!  Hmm whats funny is that even though your item gets devalued.. it will can still be used as a paper weight. LOL
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: Ekaros on Wed, 16 February 2011, 04:54:36
Quote from: slueth;295935
I collect old pocket watches.  I have a couple elgins.  I decided there was no point in collecting pocket watches since you can only use one at a time..;unless you wanted to look mad and wear 10 on a vest or something.  I ended up giving them to my family thought they didn't like the fact that you had to wind them everyday.  They do look neat though when you open them up and watch at the memorizing gears spin.


I sometimes have wanted to get proper pocket watch now I only have quarts one...

Yep, collecting things is evil...
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: .XL on Wed, 16 February 2011, 16:20:10
I collect cigarettes and then put them in my lungs.

I also collect bombay sapphire in my tummy. But it doesnt stay there long.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 16 February 2011, 18:29:28
Quote from: slueth;295934
what is the point system about?  the rarity?


Condition.

Generally, it's a 70-point scale, derived from the one used for coins.

70 is theoretical perfect and ideal; some people claim a 70 cannot exist, but some grading services throw it out.

60 and above is considered uncirculated-- lower numbers perhaps mean worse overall quality (likely poor cutting/centering/stock)

Below 60, you tend to see steps.  58, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 12, 8, 4 are probably the most common.

I've seen even a note torn in two and taped back together command 8 points, though.  I suspect in that case, they say 'well, it was a 45 if it was intact, so deduct something for the damage'


The prices I quoted are actual numbers based on one specific type (South Korea, 5000 won type of 1972) I've been looking at.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: turbocharged on Wed, 16 February 2011, 23:18:56
Firearms (handguns more specifically) would have to be my most similar enthusiast hobby. Spend lots of money on things that can only be used one at a time (realistically) and perform mostly the same task with only minor differences. Then you start modding and tweaking, reloading your own ammunition, talking on forums, going to gun shows...just for the pursuit of shooting at paper targets or watermelons.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 01:23:48
I seen a video where this guy was making his own ammo.. pretty impressive stuff.  I would like to fire a deagle :)
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: iMav on Thu, 17 February 2011, 02:04:43
Well, being an enthusiast is different then being a collector (although not, necessarily, mutually exclusive).  I'm a motorcycle enthusiast, but not a collector.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 03:13:55
Motorcycles are deadly. So is hydrogenated oils but I guess people like flirting with death.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: guilleguillaume on Thu, 17 February 2011, 03:48:32
Quote from: iMav;296583
Well, being an enthusiast is different then being a collector (although not, necessarily, mutually exclusive).  I'm a motorcycle enthusiast, but not a collector.

Which motorcycle do you have?

I would like to have a Harley-Davidson ( maybe an Iron 883 or a Sportster 48) but main problem it's that here they're too expensive compared to USA.

Here police don't let Harley-Davidson to put the license plate on the sides of the motorcycle.

I ride motorcycles since the age of 5 so I'm a motorcycle enthusiast too.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: turbocharged on Thu, 17 February 2011, 06:24:13
Quote from: slueth;296576
I seen a video where this guy was making his own ammo.. pretty impressive stuff.  I would like to fire a deagle :)


I have one...its a blast (no pun intended) to shoot...but very impractical and ammo is ridiculously expensive (retail price ~ $30-$35 per 20-rd box).


Quote from: iMav;296583
Well, being an enthusiast is different then being a collector (although not, necessarily, mutually exclusive).  I'm a motorcycle enthusiast, but not a collector.



I agree. Working on my track car is easily my most time consuming and favorite of my hobbies. Second in line is probably downhill mountain bike racing. Computers are just a fun and convenient hobby since it is an item that I use for multiple hours, everyday.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 06:33:10
One instrument that I would like to start is the harmonica .  I just got a suzuki pure harp and boy it is not simple.  I am pretty sure I learned the piano faster then I did with this harmonica.
When I was in elementary, my teacher had a brother who she called Sandman, he would teach us to play the harmonica; we had a performance and our family came and watched.
One thing i remember was the taste of the harmonica and tons of saliva.
 I do not remember what happened of the harmonica when I was little.

Pure nostalgia made me start learning it again and I started listening to a lot of harmonica songs.
Title: enthusiast stuff
Post by: iMav on Thu, 17 February 2011, 12:15:24
Quote from: guilleguillaume;296594
Which motorcycle do you have?
I currently own a 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R, a 2000 Honda Nighthawk 750, and a 1981 Honda CT-70.  The ZRX is my primary ride.  I bought the Nighthawk to loan out to friends.  The CT-70 is used by my kids to learn on and as my around town bike.

Quote from: slueth;296624
One instrument that I would like to start is the harmonica .
I love playing the harmonica.  Still waiting for my B-Radical.