Reviewing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

A water-resistant (like CITIZEN ECO DRIVE SKYHAWK ) Oyster case, large hour markers and bold hands are essential elements of Rolex’s Submariner, introduced in 1953 and made for use underwater. In contrast, Rolex’s Yacht-Master, launched in 1992, is a luxury liner – equally at home on board a yacht on the high seas or on land at a ritzy yacht club. But to enjoy this luxury you’ll need to pay almost $25,000 for the 40-mm Everose gold and Cerachrom ceramic version shown here. Stainless-steel versions of the Yacht-Master are priced about $13,000 less.

The Yacht-Master was the first watch in Rolex’s Professional Oyster Collection to come in three different case sizes: 29, 35 and 40 mm. The model we tested, launched last year, is offered in two sizes: 37 and 40 mm. We chose the larger version, which we measured at precisely 40.19 mm in diameter and 11.49 mm in height (excluding the magnifying “Cyclops” lens for the date).

The well-known Cyclops date lens was patented by Rolex in 1953 and introduced in 1954 on the Datejust. This magnifying device is made of sapphire, like the watch’s crystal, and has nonreflective coating on both sides. The jumping date advances exactly at midnight.

The watch is powered by a seasoned caliber, the Rolex 3135, used in the very first Yacht-Master in 1992. The 3135 debuted in 1988 in the Submariner. The blue Parachrom balance spring was added to the movement in 2005, five years after it was first introduced in the Cosmograph Daytona. Its paramagnetic alloy resists changes caused by temperature variations and magnetic fields.

The Parachrom balance spring is thinner than a human hair and up to 10 times more resistant to shocks than a conventional balance spring. Provided with an overcoil, it is attached to a large balance wheel with a variable moment of inertia. Fine adjustments are made using four gold Microstella regulating screws. The balance wheel is supported by a height-adjustable bridge. The entire construction ensures rate results that bring the Yacht-Master (as well as the other watches in the Oyster collection) to the rank of “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.” These words on the Yacht-Master’s dial mean that the watch has endured 15 days and nights of testing by COSC in addition to a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratory. Acceptable rate results for a Superlative Chronometer allow deviations of less than +/-2 seconds per day, while COSC’s test permits average deviations between -4 and +6 seconds per day. In addition, Rolex’s tests are carried out under conditions that correspond more closely to real-life situations than COSC’s tests and are conducted on fully assembled watches, while COSC tests just the movements.

We, too, tested the finished watch – fully wound and after running for 24 hours – first in five positions on the timing machine and then with a two-week wearing test on the wrist (or simulated on a winding machine). In our tests, the Yacht-Master remained within the standards specified by Rolex for a Superlative Chronometer. On the wrist it showed virtually no deviations over the two-week period. On the timing machine it showed a gain of about 1 second per day with minimal variations among the positions.

The tests performed by Rolex include a water-resistance check. Unlike the Submariner, the Yacht-Master’s water resistance is “only” 100 meters. This means that the Yacht-Master is not designed to be a professional dive watch, which requires water resistance of at least 200 meters.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional bezel also keeps it from being a dive watch. The bezel on a dive watch usually rotates in only one direction so it won’t show a shorter dive time if it’s repositioned inadvertently. But the Yacht-Master’s bezel is impressive: it has 120 ratchets and shows graduations in 5-minute increments using both Arabic numerals and line markers. The first quarter has well-defined minutes markers. Polished, raised graduations on the ceramic inlay stand in relief against a sandblasted, matte black background. The bezel is made of Cerachrom, Rolex’s ceramic material. The Ceramic inlay is set in a deeply grooved ring made of Everose gold, Rolex’s rose-gold alloy. A grooved caseback seals the case hermetically and can only be opened using a special tool. Three dots on the screw-down crown indicate that this watch has been sealed with the Triplock sealing system, a triple water- resistance system developed by Rolex.

The screw-down crown sits securely inside the case between two crown guards. Releasing the crown allows it to spring away from the midsection, which makes it easy to use for manual winding, rapid date change and setting the hands.

The dial has a characteristic Rolex look. The applied markers and elongated triangle at 12 o’clock are filled with Rolex’s luminous substance, Chromalight, and are displayed on a matte black background. The hour hand has a “Mercedes” circle filled with Chromalight and the seconds hand has a luminous Chromalight dot. The stark contrast of black and white ensures excellent legibility during the day; at night the Chromalight emits a blue glow for easy reading in the dark.

This watch is the first Rolex with an Oysterflex bracelet. (We use the term “bracelet” rather than “strap” because the Oysterflex, unlike standard rubber straps, has metal on the inside.) Combining a rubber strap with a gold case is nothing new, but at Rolex, known for its conservative approach to design, it’s a major innovation. The patented bracelet has a core made of nickel-titanium alloy blades, which provide excellent flexibility and are coated with a black elastomer, a synthetic type of rubber. When the material is subjected to tension and pressure, it returns to its original shape quickly. It resists environmental changes and is long lasting, waterproof and hypoallergenic – a good alternative to a metal bracelet. The bracelet’s black color goes well with the ceramic bezel and with the Everose gold case, presenting a modern, two-tone look.

Inside the bracelet is a patented cushioning system that increases wearing comfort. The bracelet accommodates changes in wrist size. The single-sided Oysterlock folding clasp made of Everose gold offers additional flexibility; it allows for three length adjustments. Screws attach the clasp securely to the bracelet. A safety bar makes opening the clasp more difficult but prevents it from opening accidentally.

SPECS:
Manufacturer: Rolex SA, Rue François-Dussaud 3-7, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Reference number: 116655
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date, bidirectional rotating bezel
Movement: In-house Caliber 3135, automatic, “Superlative Chronometer” certified, 28,800 vph, 31 jewels, Kif shock absorbers, Glucydur balance with Microstella regulating screws, Parachrom balance spring with overcoil, 48-hour power reserve, diameter = 28.5 mm, height = 6.0 mm
Case: Everose-gold Oyster case with black Cerachrom ceramic graduated bezel, sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifying lens, water resistant to 100 m
Bracelet and clasp: Oysterflex bracelet with Everose-gold, single-sided Oysterlock folding clasp
Rate results: Deviations in seconds per 24 hours (Fully wound / after 24 hours)
Dial up +3.1 / +2.9
Dial down +2.1 / +3.2
Crown up -0.7 / -1.6
Crown down -0.8 / -2.6
Crown left +2.5 / +2.6
Greatest deviation of rate 3.9 / 5.8
Average deviation +1.2 / +0.9
Average amplitude:
Flat positions 292° / 265°
Hanging positions 247° / 233°
Dimensions: Diameter = 40 mm, height = 11 mm, weight = 154 g
Variations: 37-mm case (Ref. 268655, with Caliber 2236, $22,000)
Price: $24,950

Hercules DJControl Compact

Looking for cheap DJ controllers? Look no further as the Hercules DJControl provides you with all the exceptional features that will let you embark on a fabulous journey of discovery mixing music, matching beats, scratching tunes, and tweaking all the melodies that you have in your own library but without spending a fortune. The DJControl has a very simple (as NUMARK MIXER ) yet super functional layout that takes the pain off the learning process. Just think of the DJControl as two decks that effectively mirror each other. Each one of these decks has a superbly built jog wheel, 4 LED-lit pads, 2 equalization potentiometers, and a volume potentiometer. The 4 pads give you instant access to 4 different modes that include Cue, Samples, Loop, and Fx. Also integrated into the base is a 1.77-inch crossfader and 10 fully functional control buttons. It even includes a SHIFT command which effectively doubles the functionality of the pad controls. Individual controls for the DJControl deck are positioned on the sides while the mixer controls are elegantly smacked right in the center. While Hercules does not include the Serato or even the DJay programs, it nevertheless, includes the DJUCED 18 software which is an intuitive and sufficiently powerful enough program for those on-the-go music mixing adventures.

Whole House Generator

Major storms do major damage. One recent example is Hurricane Sandy, which killed over a hundred people, did $50 billion in damages, and knocked out electricity to millions of homes. Loss of power can be particularly hard, and even fatal, on many people. This is true especially in the winter when Arctic winds comes. The recent and repeated phenomena of the “polar vortex” brings sub-freezing temperatures with ice and snow storms that take out power lines and delay first responders. The very young, very old, and those with certain medical conditions requiring medical equipment are most at risk without electricity to negate extreme temperatures and power the devices they rely on. The best protection against being left in the cold and dark is getting the best whole house generator, with the help of professional home generator reviews.

Why Should You Get the Best Whole House Generator?

If you absolutely can’t do without power to the entire house, or don’t want to face the limitations of a small, gas-powered generator  selecting from among the best whole house generators (for example: 

GOAL ZERO YETI 400 ) is something that you should give serious thought. But a unit that really delivers comes with many advantages. You will never be without power. Unlike a portable generator, a whole house unit is installed permanently on a concrete pad and connected directly to your home’s electric box to provide uninterrupted power that can kick in automatically. It is directly connected to a ready fuel source, such as gas, propane, or diesel, that can supply all of your electricity needs for days.

A unit generating 20 kilowatts can easily power the average home, and you may not need to forego the microwave popcorn or even turn down the AC. It depends on the size of the home and power needs; a 5,000 watt unit might be better for an RV or small cottage. The best whole house generators allow even very large homes with high power use to keep things running smoothly no matter what happens to the public power grid. Most likely you’ll conserve power to conserve fuel, but if you’re one of those whose loved ones or livelihood depend on electricity being available, the best whole house generator for you budget is vital.

Boredom is also an issue. If you face the possibility of days without electricity, that means days without television, computers, electric lights, and all the other conveniences. More than boredom, it could mean misery. It means no AC or fans in the stifling heat of summer, and little warmth in the bone-chilling winter. No more home-cooked meals. Children and even adults will tend to go stir-crazy. Even if you have a camp stove or back yard grill for meals, no power means all that food in the freezer or refrigerator will go bad, and you’ll find yourself making daily trips for fresh supplies and bags of ice. Aside from comfort, there is also safety to worry about, without bright lights and backup power to security systems.

What Do You Need To Know Before Buying a Whole House Generator?

The best whole house generators can of course be pricey. The more power you need, the more you’re going to pay up front. Then there’s fuel costs. The more power you use, and the longer runtime the generator needs to provide it, the more fuel you need. The type of fuel a particular unit uses, and how expensive it is or difficult to get in your area, should be considered when shopping for a whole house generator. Fuel levels will have to be checked, unless you want to be scrambling for fuel every time the weatherman predicts a storm. Some units might also require a certain amount of fuel pressure, so be sure your hardware or local utility can deliver.

There’s also a noise factor. Even a portable generator can run at a constant 80 decibels – about the sound of a loud lawn mower, and running continuously. A whole house unit is generally more efficient and more insulated. But noise level is something to consider, so be sure to take a look at the manufacturer ratings and consumer reviews for each prospective unit to give you some idea, balanced against any options for enclosures, insulation, or sound-proofing. Many models are given a rating of 62 decibels, but that is often the noise level measured at 25 feet away. The closer the generator is to your living area, the lower level of noise you’ll be looking for.

There may be hidden costs. A licensed electrician will be needed to do the electrical work, and probably a plumber or local utility technician to hook the unit up to its fuel source. A contractor may have to come in to pour the concrete slab. Whole house generators tend to be bulky, so unloading, moving, and space requirements should be considered. Unless you or friends and relatives can handles all this safely and reliably, special labor costs should be factored in.

As a home generator is a permanent addition to your home, and will generally contribute to its value, you may also run into red tape such as building permits and property tax. There are also safety inspections and code requirements. Sometimes the retailer or installer will handle these things, but it pays to be sure up front, so you don’t get slapped with a fine or citation for non-permitted improvements.

Odds are you won’t need the unit to run at full blast 24/7, but noise levels and fuel consumption can also be dependent on run time.

Before purchasing, make sure a trained technician visits your home to assess your power needs, living area cubic footage, home electrical system, appliances, and possible installation issues. Find out the minimum level of wattage you need, and go from there.

There’s also quality and durability. Whole house generators work hard and will need maintenance if they’re going to be ready to power your home in an emergency. The best whole house generators can be set up with periodic self-tests to ensure they’ll be up and running when needed. Standby generators require a short run-time periodically, known as exercise, to test and ensure the system is functioning properly and ready for an emergency.

How Much Should You Spend on a Home Generator?

Be aware that the energy produced by generators is not the same as grid-supplied electricity.Generators produce harmonic distortion, which can affect or even damage sensitive devices like televisions and computers.

To get your own rough estimate of what kind power you’ll need, you’ll have to add up the relative requirements of the appliances in your home. You can find a guide online on sites like consumerreports.org. Adding up all these numbers will give you an idea of the maximum wattage you might be consuming. though you should refer to an expert technician for actual needs, at least this will give you a rough idea of what kind of wattage you’re going to need.

A permanent generator that provides 10-15 Kilowatts will typically cost between $3,000 – $10,000, and an added $400 – $1,000 for installation fees. A larger generator that can provide 20 – 40 Kilowatts will usually cost between $5,000 and $20,000. These generators will operate even if you’re away, saving you the headache of returning home to a refrigerator full of spoiled food. In terms of relative costs, it’s often wiser to spend that extra $500 or so on higher wattage for your family needs.

To determine the best whole house generator for your needs, make a list of items you would want powered during a blackout. Each device should have a watt rating. If there is only an amps rating, multiply that number by 120 to find the wattage. If an appliance uses a motor, you’ll have to find the startup wattage and use that instead. Add up the total wattage of the items, and then add an additional 10 or 15 percent to be safe. This is the amount of power your choice of the best whole house generator must provide in order to meet your needs.

Even the best whole house generators involve extra costs such as fuel tank installation and set up fees, consider that generators are generally a little larger than comparable AC units, and regulations usually require that they be located x amount of feet from property lines or dwellings, and concealed by fences or shrubbery, all of which can add up. Some local regulations may also include periodic inspections.

The Origins of Check Writing

People haven't always written www.fake-paystub.com to buy goods and services. But you understand that right? How did people transfer money from 1 place to another in times of old?

In ancient times the most popular type of currency exchange was the trade. But some stage along the long line of history folks began recognizing they had a surplus of goods which was best stored someplace other than their home.

During the nineteenth century, Amsterdam became an integral global trading and shipping outlet. In this area, many people started amassing cash. As opposed to stashing this cash in the home, some people had an excellent idea of depositing their money with safe keepers or cashiers for a fee.

Keeping their money in a central place allowed tradespeople to start writing notes to repay debts owed to other men and women. Thus emerged the notion of writing www.fake-paystub.com.

Where Did The Word www.fake-paystub.com Come From?

The term "www.fake-paystub.com" did not emerge until later in the 1800s. At this point in time cashiers started putting numbers on each one of the notes depositors composed so that they could better monitor notes coming into and from the channel. Eventually, a system was born and the notion of writing www.fake-paystub.com and saving money in a "lender" caught on en' masse.

Assessing Today

Nowadays www.fake-paystub.com is as trivial as going out to eat. Most of us have at least one www.fake-paystub.com account, and several have more than one. It's not uncommon for business owners to operate with several bankers and www.fake-paystub.com accounts.

www.fake-paystub.com writing is no longer a crude process which involves handwriting notes on random pieces of paper. www.fake-paystub.com and www.fake-paystub.com writing is almost a rite of passage. It indicates that you have cash (in theory anyway) or some means to make your way in the world

Fidget Spinners - Are They Really a Boon or a Bane?

Spinners fidget will be the newest addition to the nonsense among school-going youngsters. Educators and parents are in fact confused whether to permit or prohibit the use of it. The internet has merged reviews hence making it hard to determine whether it is good or bad.

Are you aware that the scientists have come up with the undeniable fact that these games tremendously aid in relaxing the nerves thus improving awareness? It is recognized to support hyper active youngsters to be addicted to 1 spot. The spinner fidget are also known to be a blessing for attention deficit youngsters who suffer from autism, ADHD, mental pressure if not panic disorder. Around the other hand, for that normal kids, these spinner fidget are recognized to bother or change them from listening to their lessons. With factors to mention on both area of the coin, the question of spinner to be always a being truly an advantage or Bane is still ongoing on.

The model named 'spinner fidget toy' are not new-to-the entire world because it continues to be useful for around 15 years. There are many educators who assist these hand spinner fidget toy as they say they have observed probably the most restless guys inside the classroom concentrating and being centered on it while spinning these games which otherwise does not happen for almost any reason.

The investigation is being carried out by the experts to master if the hand spinner can really help in increasing the focus on the children and also to treat behavior disorders. The professionals have noticed that the hand spinner fidget really rubs the fingers hence improving blood circulation and in turn relaxing down the feelings and relaxing the child into a particular amount. At these times before an exam or even a check, it becomes highly beneficial.

There are lots of parents who favor supplying these kinds of toys to their youngsters so that they maintain themselves away from electronics like cellphones, tables as well as notebooks. It doesn't preserve your child in one single spot since it assists them to maneuver around and in the same period concentrate on it to prolong the spinning. At least, it does not damage your children in any way or does it affect their eyes like being hooked for the smart devices.

With 3D printers out nowadays, you'll find kids utilizing it to really make the hand spinner fidget toy themselves. It has been which can be described as a great improvement in physics for the youngsters with that the academics and parents are pleased about.

SUNJACK LIGHTSTICK

When I was a kid, I played Dungeons and Dragons. My favorite character was a cleric named Becket. Original, I know. One of the spells I found most useful was Continual Light. This created a very strong light source wherever the spell was cast. I figured out a way to overcome the inherent limitations of carrying torches into dungeons and fighting at the same time: I would cast Continual Light on wooden dowels which all party members wore in their belts. It saw us through many adventures and Becket was retired when I stopped playing D&D back about 25 years ago.

The folks at SunJack must have heard about my light stick trick because here is a real-life LightStick! And it will fit in your belt, provide enough light to illuminate a room for a long, long time…and it will even recharge your cell phone! I have reviewed quite a few gadgets over the years and this one stands out as one of my favorites, even though it is so mundane. It simply does what it purports to do and does it fantastically well! Packaged in a simple cardboard box, it contains the LightJack, two wrist straps, a USB Micro cable and instructions.

There are places on either side of the LightJack to attach the wrist straps, allowing it to be hung from pretty much anywhere. The edges are many-sided, which allows it to sit flat on most any surface. The front face is a tough plastic and the access port to the USB ports is sealed with a cap that has a rubber gasket. It’s rated to 6 feet of water resistance and I did not test this. It is a durable, tough piece of kit.

Removing the sealed cap reveals a full-sized USB port for you to plug your cell phone into to recharge, so it acts as a backup battery in case of an emergency. Above it is the USB micro port that is used to charge the built-in 5200mAh lithium-polymer battery. It charges quickly.

The SUNJACK LIGHTSTICK has three levels of brightness, plus a flashing light mode. The brightest setting is rated at 350 lumens but the lowest setting provided plenty of light to get work done by. The method of lighting is a row of white LEDs. Four blue LEDs provide feedback as to how much charge remains on the LightStick.

This is the dimmest setting. I actually had to dim the image a little because my exposure was too bright to make out the LED array. To test it, I turned it on at 3:15 PM on February 24th and carried it with me (though not in my belt) for as long as it lasted. I checked the battery periodically. After 15 hours, there were 3 dots left. After another 10 hours there were two dots. Still two dots when I checked it 14 hours later. It finally went into Power-Saving mode on February 26th at 8:45 AM, a solid 41 hours after I turned it on for the first time. It is advertised to last at least 40 hours at minimum brightness and all I can say is that I wish laptop and tablet makers were as honest about their battery life ratings! The Lightstick turns off when it hits one dot and the dot blinks as the light goes into power-saving mode. The light stays on for 5 minutes in power-saving mode before switching it off again. I turned it on over and over again a few times before I had to get back to life as I live it.

The second-brightest setting lasted from 6:56 AM on February 28th and it went into power saving mode at 5:06 PM the same day. 10 hours on the medium setting. In power saving mode, it switches off after two minutes.

The brightest setting lasted from 6:42 AM on March 1st and died at 12:07 PM the same day. A little more than five hours at the brightest setting. Power save switched off after 10 seconds on this setting.

In flashing mode, it flashes bright on and on and on. I turned it on at 5:00 AM on March 2nd and turned it off at 9:40 PM so I could get some sleep. There were still two dots left on the battery at this time.

The final test I put this through was to charge my iPhone 6 Plus until it wouldn’t charge anymore and then see how long the light lasted at the dimmest setting. It took about 2 hours to charge it from 22% to 95% and it would not charge any more than that. There was one dot left but it wasn’t blinking. I figured it was done for. I figured wrong. On the lowest setting, the light lasted another 13 hours before finally going out.

This is being marketed as a camping/emergency preparedness gadget. I can tell you my mind is set more at ease knowing I have this thing. We lost power more often than I’d like and now I know I have my own personal Continual Light spell that will get me through it. I don’t camp but I remember my camping days well and we would have been thrilled to have something like this to light our nights. This belongs in every emergency kit and in every camping kit. Forty hours of light is pretty amazing but you’ll probably take a hit in colder weather.

7 Steps To Running A Successful Business

Starting a business is often a labor of love. After long hours and often years of hard work, you may finally obtain your goal of running a successful business. However, as the economy shifts, new industry trends and other factors can bring new challenges to your small business and its success. The following seven steps will help your business remain afloat as new challenges arise:

1. Regulate and obey your business plan.
A business plan is a formal statement of action that explains your goals and how you plan to attain them. Although this plan is primarily used for obtaining initial grants, investor contributions, and other types of start-up funding, it is just as important to keep it updated according to industry trends. If necessary, modify your short- and long-term plan to meet new or unforeseen needs within your industry. This will help you better manage your budget and the way you serve your target demographic.


2. Track all company financials.

Similar to keeping track of inventory, you should meticulously track all the details of your business. This includes new and periodic purchases, staff and their hours worked, salaries, company inventory, and sales. Not only will tracking these details help you when it comes time to file your taxes, but it will also help you compare your overall costs to your company's revenue more clearly.

3. Stay on top of technology.
Technology is widely used today, and it is critical for your business to adapt to the latest changes as they pertain to your customers' needs and interests. For example, technology is a fairly inexpensive way to advertise your business and continue to bring in current and potential customers. This may include maintaining a company blog, using social media, and understanding how traffic is driven to your business

4. Understand current and new industry trends.

Every industry has trends that come and go. While some manage to catch on, other trends may not be appealing to a majority of consumers. Analyzing and embracing the latest trends within your industry is a surefire way to relate to your customers and stay ahead of the game. Keep in mind that not every change will necessarily apply to you, so it is crucial to understand how different trends affect competitors who rely on the same customer base as you.

5. Be open to suggestions.

There are a lot of ways you can improve your business by listening closely to customers, colleagues, staff, and other professionals. Your customers and employees most likely have some creative ideas on how you can improve products, services, or the way you run your business. Openly ask for advice in verbal or written form, as well as through customer newsletters and specialized online forms. If you are unable to comply with suggestions, explain your reasoning to reassure everyone that you are not simply ignoring their feedback. You can then offer alternative ways to meet the expectations of those who provide feedback.

6. Avoid micromanagement.
Starting a small business can be a lot like nurturing a child and watching them grow to be successful. Similar to that of a loving parent, you might unknowingly hover over your business and staff. If your staff is properly trained, they should be able to be successful without you micromanaging their actions. You should be responsible for handling the larger aspects of your business, while placing a healthy amount of trust in the people that work for you.

7. Remain competitive.

All successful businesses have a competitive edge, and whether it is a unique product or service, or the ability to provide exceptional customer service, it keeps them ahead of the competition. It is important to find ways to stay competitive with businesses that provide similar services or products. Use promotional discounts, exclusive services or products, or even customer appreciation events to keep your business relevant and successful within its industry.Starting a successful business requires careful vigilance. Start by following these seven steps, and your business will see continued prosperity and growth.