Three unconventional Mi gadgets
Mi Smart Scale
Price Rs 4,025 (Daraz.com.np)
Weighing machines just got smarter. When you step on Mi Smart Scale’s beautiful glass panel it will elegantly illuminate and display your weight with the use of its 161 LED lights. The unique light sensor even adjusts brightness for readability in all conditions. The scale has a 100g precision and 5kg-150kg range, and your data will be transferred to the Mi Fit app from where you can track your progress.
Mi Fit uses easy-to-read graphs to display weight stats and progress so you can keep up with all your fitness goals. You can also save up to 800 weight records in the Mi Smart Scale memory and upto four different profiles; the scale automatically identifies who stepped on it and adjusts its report.
Install four batteries and you’re good for a year.
Mi Motion-Activated Night Light
Price Rs 1,150 (Daraz.com.np)
Don’t you hate switching on the room light when you wake up at night to go to the loo? The worst part: you also end up waking other people. And especially if you’re a parent, you most certainly don’t want your cranky two-year-old disturbed. Never mind. Mi’s Motion-Activated Night Light is now at hand.
It is a simple device that works only when it’s dark and lights up only when there is motion. The Night Light uses an advanced light sensor with infrared motion detection technology to capture your each and every move. In addition, it has a 120-degree wide-angle sensing range and a sensing distance of 5-7 meters. The brightness is adjustable and the light stays on for 15 seconds after which it goes off if no motion is detected.
It’s super easy to use as well. Just plug in three AA batteries and you’re ready. No wires, no sockets. How long does it last? An entire year.
Mi USB Fan
Price Rs 115 (Daraz.com.np)
Summer is almost here are so are days of scorching sunlight. This cute device promises to help you when you’re out and about this sun season. The Mi USB Fan can be broken into two parts, the fan and the USB stick. It is portable and light and you can easily lug it around in your purse; plug the fan to your power bank and instantly feel the gentle breeze. The fan isn’t noisy and has super low power consumption so you need not worry about draining all the juice from your power source: this fan gives you 20 hours while plugged into a 5,000 mAh power bank. Find a USB port, be it your car charger, laptop or a power bank, and beat the heat with Mi USB Fan.
Bred for Brutality
From the stables of Ford’s Performance lineup came the F-150 Raptor, a vehicle inspired by desert racers and designed to go fast off road. What Ford then did, was use that formula on the Ford Ranger, bringing to the world the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Now, with that, the Ford Ranger Raptor has the demanding task of living up to its “performance pickup” name. And to see if it does live up to its name, we try out the Ranger Raptor in the proving grounds outside of the valley.
Rs. 12.5 million Price of Ford Ranger Raptor
What really makes the Raptor…
… a Raptor are the chassis, tires, and suspension. They have made the ladder frame more robust with sections constructed from higher strength steels, added stiffeners and a chassis-mounted front bumper system while a 2.3mm bash plate protects the engine.
There is also a 150mm increase in track width, which improves the center of gravity and inherent stability of the vehicle, and gives enough room for the taller, wider rubber and bigger suspension parts.
It also gets wider suspension parts with lighter cast and forged aluminum control arms. And in the rear the solid axle is located by upper and lower trailing arms assisted by a Watt’s linkage to maximize vertical travel while controlling the lateral movements.
A 50mm increase in elevation takes the ground clearance to a towering 283mm. The specially developed, all-terrain, aggressive three-ply tires come from BF Goodrich.
Undertaking the shock absorbing duties are 2.5-inch Fox shockers which are tuned with the soft coils to give a ride that takes on anything in its path. And it performs even better when you really push it to work harder. On the tarmac, the big suspension also works well, but the plain and simple fact is that the Ranger Raptor was built to move fast on off road, and that is where it excels.
Where are the upgrades?
When compared to the Ranger WildTrak, the Raptor is taller (1848mm vs 1873mm), longer (5326mm vs 5398mm) and wider (1860mm vs 2028mm). It is also heavier (2239kg vs 2332kg) and gets less towing (3500kg vs 2500kg) and payload (1525kg vs 758kg) capacity.
The compromise in the towing capacity and payload is a tradeoff made for a suspension and chassis set-up that is designed to handle high speed off-road action.
Speaking of high speed off road action…
The Ranger Raptor takes its duties extremely seriously. The moment you think you’re going a little too fast or heading for a rut a little too fast, the Ranger Raptor will quickly prove you wrong. This thing was built to knock your socks off, and it will do just that. You can hit crazy speeds on offroad trails and the Raptor will take it in stride, without any complaints.
A 2.0 Liter biturbo Eco blue diesel engine beats at the heart of the Ranger Raptor, producing 210bhp and 500Nm of torque. It performs best under the 100kmph mark with plenty of grunt in the lower ranges. The suspension works wonders in maintaining the behemoth while it annihilates terrains. The 10 speed gearbox also works seamlessly.
You also get a selection of off-road modes in the Terrain Management System that helps modulate the ESC, gearbox and throttle tuning. Rock mode dulls the throttle and tightens ESC response, while Mud/ Sand tightens up the throttle and lets the gearbox hold a gear for some extra revs and wheelspin.
The Raptor also has a unique mode: Baja which is what you choose for maximum off-road performance. There isn’t any adjustability around the suspension, rather it’s all in the steering, throttle, gearbox and ESC.
All in all, the Ford Ranger Raptor is a proper beast that really proves its worth when the tarmac ends. Thankfully, the interiors are very well built and a nice place to be in while you’re wreaking havoc outdoors.
The 8.0-inch Sync 3 system is great, and has all of the connectivity you’ll want. You also get features like lane-departure warning, automatic headlights, traffic sign recognition and keyless entry/start. It also has some nice magnesium paddles mounted at the steering wheel, which are nicely functional for when you want to choose your own ratios.
Our say…
The Ford Ranger Raptor is a simple machine. It is a performance pickup truck that is built to go really fast and hard on offroad trails and that is exactly what it will do. It lives up to the promise it makes and for any offroad fanatic it provides the ultimate experience.
If you’re looking for a pickup that has good towing capacity, utility and all around usability, this might not be it for you. But if you’re looking for a pickup that has a mean demeanor and isn’t afraid of going all out in places normal pickups only dare to tiptoe, the Ford Ranger Raptor is for you.
Make the smart choice
Smartwatches are getting more and more sophisticated—and useful. These days you can not only track the basics like the steps walked and heart rate, but a whole gamut of things like your sleep patterns, sedentary hours and allergies. Oh yes, and they increasingly act as substitutes to your smartphones. Here we bring you three smartwatches at three price points so that each one of you can get one, and derive immediate health benefits.
Mi Band 2
Price 3,000 (Mi Store)
Hardware
The band packs in an OLED display with a navigation button at the bottom of its .42 inch screen. It comes with a rubber strap but unlike what you’d expect at this price, it’s very comfortable and sticks to your hand firmly. The screen is only splash-proof so you don’t want to drown it in water.
Features
The band has a pedometer that’s super accurate, so you can count your calories on the go. Packed inside the capsule is a heart rate sensor at the bottom. At this price point, the heart rate sensor is a big bargain in itself.
Another feature I enjoy personally is the silent alarm. If you hate obnoxious alarm sounds then this will keep your problems at bay. It simply vibrates strong enough to break your sleep. You can also enable it to track your sleep, and using the Mi Fit app you can see your sleep patterns including your total deep sleep period. You can also set reminders, enable app notifications and reject calls straight through the app.
Battery
The battery in this device is truly exceptional. In one full charge you can expect the band to last at least three weeks.
If you’re looking for a budget device that caters to all your basic needs, the Mi Band 2 is for you.
Fitbit Charge 3
Price 21,999 (Daraz.com.np)
Fitbit has always been known as the King of fitness trackers and the Charge 3 proves exactly why.
Hardware
The Fitbit Charge 3 has a big, intuitive touchscreen that adjusts all your fitness needs. Charge 3 is one of the most beautiful fitness trackers in the market: the leather traps radiate a premium feel from every angle. It’s been packed with an optical heart rate sensor, 3 axis accelerometer, altimeter, Sp02 and vibration motor. It’s also swim-proof, just in case you are thinking of taking a dip.
Features
The Charge 3 is packed with interesting features. You can track your workout from a list of 15 pre- installed exercises. From biking to yoga to swimming, this device can track each exercise individually. You can also set goals for your workout. The device also has Run Detect feature, which automatically detects pauses and stops.
It will automatically pause your goal until you get back to your workout. With the female tracking feature, women can log their periods, record symptoms, and receive push notifications prior to the predicted period start date. With the new exciting SpO2 sensor and heart rate tracking, it will help track your sleep better as well. It can detect breathing disruptions, which includes allergies, asthma, or sleep apnea. But this feature is limited to a few countries only.
Battery
The battery is said to last up to seven days of usage. With all these features packed into your wrist, the battery backup is fairly commendable.
If you’re an absolute fitness fanatic or want a device that can do more than just track basic things then you should get the Charge 3.
Apple Watch Series 3
Price 52,000 (Oliz Store)
The Series 3 is a third-line smart watch from Apple, which has successfully retained its No 1 position in the smartwatch market.
Hardware
From the name itself you can expect this device to be super premium in both looks and performance. It is indeed pure luxury in your hand. Its aluminum chassis with Ion-X glass looks absolutely beautiful. The most remarkable piece of hardware is its standalone GPS system, so you can leave your iPhone back home when you go for a run with the Apple Watch. Its swim proof, has a heart sensor and activity tracking, and did I mention how gorgeous it looks?
Features
The Apple watch is more than just a watch. It is a mini-iPhone on your wrist. It’s got a working touchscreen, apps you can use and a storage you can use offline.
It has a curious feature called Three Rings. They are Stand, Move, and Exercise rings that visualize the ways you move each day. You will be warned if you’re sitting too much, while it will also track calories burned, and minutes of exercise in a day. Like the Fitbit, it can also measure individual workout sessions.
You can monitor your heart rate, and get warnings when an unusually high or low heart rate is detected. Emergency SOS lets you initiate an immediate call for help. Also, the Breathe app can help you better manage everyday stress. It also packs in a speaker and a mic so you can answer your calls straight from your wrist and listen to your Spotify playlist as you murder your reps at the gym.
Battery
This is probably the least favorable feature of this device. It has a battery life of only up to 18 hours on a single charge. So you’ll have to treat it like a smartphone.
The Apple Watch is less geeky than the Fitbit, but nonetheless an amazing option if you’re looking for a smartwatch that can also do fitness. It’s your best bet if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.
Cleveland CycleWerks comes to Nepal
The American-designed, Chinese-made Cleveland CycleWerks has come to Nepal, and it aims to bring a new twist to the urban motorcycling scene of Nepal. Before you rush to their showroom at Panipokhari, here is a little rundown of what they have to offer.
FXR: The bare necessities
CCW’s innovative 125CC street legal dirt bike, the Cleveland CycleWerks FXr, is their latest development. The FXr takes the company’s love for simplicity, minimalism and light weight in a more modern direction. If you reduce a motorcycle to its essential components, you are left with the FXr.
The bike is skinny, the frame is the gas tank and ground clearance is extreme. It will do well shredding single trails as well as the road. It is indeed a unique product from a unique company.
ACE SCRAMBLER: Simply Scrambler
Good design, simple frame, low seat height and light weight. The Ace is a great commuter and perfect for going around town. The motorcycle comes with standard telescopic front suspension, knobby tyres and rubber pads on the fuel tank for enhanced grip and control. The seats have a ribbed design, further enhancing the retro look of the motorcycle with over 34KMPL and 112KMPH++ cruising with a classical look.
Misfit: For the Rebels and troublemakers
The Misfit Gen 1 was designed as an ode to 1960’s 250cc GP bikes. The Misfit Gen 2 honors the past, while forging ahead in a bold new direction. Chassis dynamics, braking, handling and overall package are improved. The Gen 2 Misfit is a big step forward for Cleveland Cycle Werks.
ACE DELUXE: Upgraded
CCW’s Ace Deluxe is designed to serve dual purpose on scrambler look. With aluminum wheels, inverted forks, a slightly raised front fender, wide bars, dual surface tires and flat comfy seats the Ace Deluxe is a slight upgrade from the “standard”. It is what many would call a retro-mod style bike, classic but with modern components for higher performance.
