Similarly to Utah weather, the Monty Hi is incredibly variable, and can be enjoyed in many different situations. My Grey/Teal Hi’s got inquisitive questions from a sneaker-connoisseur as I was strutting through the library in the morning, although he too wasn’t convinced they would hold up well in the snow when I told him they’re marketed as something of a sneaker-boot combo. We were both able to agree, however, that the shoe looked unique and would fit right in on his shelf next to his  newest Jordan’s. Later on, unbeknownst to me, it had begun to snow. Hard. When I finally got out of my evening Architectural Theory class, which ironically is held in a class with no windows, I was confronted with making my way to the other side of campus to catch the bus with nothing but snow in sight. To my surprise, I arrived home an hour later with my toes completely dry, thanks to the oiled suede and high grade nylon typically found only on seriously expensive hiking boots. Although I didn’t encounter too many slick surfaces, on the snow, I never slipped. This is thanks to the exposed EVA mid-sole with a heel stabilizer and the bespoke Ridgemont half cup outsole, making for sure footing regardless of if you’re boogyin’ at a club during Sundance, or trudging back to your ski cabin thereafter.

The structure of the shoe is quite rigid and feels like a boot, but definitely manages to pull off a modern, athletic silhouette successfully. The only criticisms I can offer are the limited color-way options, and the comment that the athletic silhouette does come with a tradeoff –  by no means is the boot exceptionally warm, so make sure to pair them with some thicker wool or thermal socks. All in all, if you’re looking a good-allrounder I can attest that the Monty Hi can get you from snow bank to date spot with no hesitation.

The post Going Full Monty with Ridgemont Outfitters appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Step 1. Make your choice. We aren’t talking “dick in a box” style costume design. Choose something that won’t embarrass your lady friend, but make her proud to announce to the admiring crowd that you came up with this all on your own.

Step 2. Practice makes perfect. Not only will you need a trial run with your epic Halloween digs to ensure every detail is attended to, but use this as an opportunity to rock her world. If she walks in from a long day at work in early October to find you making dinner in your tux, you will peak her interest. Then as you explain your excitement to be her arm candy, and impress her with fierce dedication to the craft, she will have no choice but to bend to your will. She will be so blown away by your initiative she will completely forget you two were supposed to dress up as a plug and an outlet. She will be so inspired by your stroke of genius she will want to come up with something classy of her own.

Step 3. Rock it. Show up to the party knowing that not only did you win by turning this inevitable night of torture into something all your own, but you did it while making your date feel like it was all for her. Every man forced into a matching couples costume will want to be you, and every sexy nurse in the room will want to have you.

A classy Halloween as the gentleman you were destined to be is within your grasp. Follow these three easy steps and you too can look forward to this holiday as more than just a drunken night full of candy binge eating or as your girl’s dressup plaything. but instead as a gentleman. You are now in control of your Halloween persona. Well done.

The post The Gentleman’s guide to a classy Halloween appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Known as Model 16610 to the afflicted, the Submariner was and is equal parts quality construction and marketing genius. Originally created and sold in 1953 at the bequest of Rolex Director Rene P. Jeanneret, who himself was an amateur diving enthusiast, the timepiece quickly found it’s way into the hands of Jacque Cousteau. Developed to withstand depths of 100 meters – an unprecedented feat at the time – and featuring several features designed for underwater use, Rolex made sure the watch was on messeur Cousteau’s wrist for his Oscar-winning and populace captivating film The Silent World.

With this advertising win under their belts, Rolex quickly pursued other leading men, real or imaginary, to throw it’s newfangled sports watch on. Sean Connery’s 1962 Bond performance in Dr. No needs no introduction here, but the Submariner was also provided to the British Navy and explorer Thor Heyerdal of Kon-Tiki fame.

Over the decades, Rolex has continually updated the Submariner both technically and aesthetically. Now available in a kaleidoscope of colors and materials, the classic Sub is also now good for depths up to a laughable 300 meters – three times the depth it originally started at.

From technical achievement in dive depth and ease of use through a wetsuit, to product placement on the wrists of tastemakers and heartthrobs the world over, Submariner has become a fashion mainstay and an easy way to proclaim your arrival at Success. Despite the fact that cheap quartz timepieces are undoubtedly more accurate day to day, a minute lost here or there is a small price to pay to carry such a legacy on your wrist.

The post History of the Rolex Submariner appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Cadillac Seville might not flood your memory with warm feelings of nostalgia, but it does represent a tectonic shift in both the automotive and sonic fields. This car represents the very first time a premium audio company entered the automotive market. Bose was the company to do it, and their vehicle division – Bose Automotive – has stubbornly continued to push additional sonic envelopes with each new generation of their vehicular hi-fi systems. They invented the branded car audio system, and during CES this week they debuted an absolutely stunning four(!) vehicle lines that you will be hearing, and sharing with others, in the coming year.

The Advanced Technology Series

This is it, the big daddy of the Bose Automotive lineup. The Advanced Technology Series (ATS) is not the kind of stereo system you can option into your Honda or a branding exercise that’s all off-the-shelf parts. Bose is only going to be coming out with an ATS system every few years, and to be included in a car Bose needs to have access from the very beginning of vehicle design. We’re talking a 4 year lead time for this product line. Why is all this necessary? How does the fact that with unprecedented access from the frame up, Bose can create the absolute best system for that vehicle strike you? This is why Advanced Technology Series systems will not be available widely, will only be in one specific vehicle at a time, and will only be coming out every few years. Look for their first such system, the 34 speaker Panaray system, in the upcoming Cadillac CT6.

Small Vehicle Series

Up to this point in all of recorded human history, branded hi fi audio systems didn’t exist in the smallest of compact cars. These  typically beginner cars make due with paper cups posing as speakers due to the segment’s bargain pricing. But once again, Bose is stepping into uncharted territory with their Small Vehicle Series. As the name suggests, these systems are exclusively for the heretofore sonically unloved A and B segment cars. And the genius here is in the packaging – bringing high end audio at a price small car buyers can afford. The boffins over at Bose Automotive played some clever tricks with their speakers and placement to create what I can easily and happily describe as the best stereo I’ve ever heard in that segment of car. Car rides with your poor cousin are about to become much more bearable.

Performance Series

Where other audio companies have certainly played is in the luxury and sports car market. Here, you have a wealth of choices depending upon car brand. So it is beyond obvious that Bose would play here as well, and this is where their Performance Series sits. This is their system of choice for your luxury sedans, face-melting super cars, and those that blend the two. While not a full Advanced Technology system, the Performance Series still represents the top shelf of Bose Automotive technology and implementation. From the visual elements to the invisible sound staging, these systems are world class. My personal favorite touch was the distinct placement of every instrument on the invisible stage on the dashboard.

Premium Series

The bread and butter of Bose Automotive – the Premium Series – is likely how you associate Bose and vehicles. These are the systems that are in a frankly amazing 9 manufactures’ vehicles. No other audio company can claim such a feat. The Premium Series will continue to be the cornerstone of Bose’s push into the automotive world, and expect to see the advancements of the ATS and Performance lines trickling down to everyday cars  each year as tech progresses.

Bose forged a brave new world in 1983, bringing high fidelity audio out of the living room and into the car. Now in 2016, with their announcement of 4 lines poised to push new boundaries, the future has never looked, or sounded, so bright. It is a good time to be an audiophile, and an even better time to be a driving one.

The post Bose Automotive Debuts the Future of Car Audio appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Roomba has been around for a few years now, but that’s always been more of a toy than a serious floor cleaning solution. Much like the villain from any 80’s Schwarzenegger movie, they are too weak and ill-tempered to truly be effective. Now Samsung, the company behind the leading Android smartphone, curved HDTVs, and even laptops has stepped up to the plate and given the world (and us to test) the POWERbot. Just imagine, a vacuum cleaner with a name like a Power Rangers monster. Yeah, you need this.

But looks and a cool name will only get you so far in this world, does it actually suck (in the good way)? We challenged the Samsung POWERbot to carpets, wood floors, area rugs, and tile entrances. Across every surface, this little Skynet scout didn’t hesitate to scramble over it and destroy any dirt it found. You can also forget about watching it endlessly bump into the same object as if it was some existential barrier. This sucker has 10 sensors that map out the room it is in and automatically plots the most efficient pathway to get your floors all clean and spiffy. It is actually frighteningly impressive to watch this machine replace what was a uniquely human task only 5 or so years ago. Next to this thing, commuting via jetpack just sounds exhausting and not worth the trouble.

Other household drones could learn a lot from the POWERbot, from it’s ease of use and design to it’s functionality. Nothing seemed to fluster this little robot. Not even when I  poured out a box of corn flakes right in front of it and loudly questioned the chasteness of its mother. Samsung’s little vacuum just plugged away and patiently ignored my taunts, like it knew it’s kind would soon be in charge…

But that day is not today. For now, you can enjoy as the Samsung POWERbot cleans your home, puts up with your pranks on it, or even gives your cat a ride. We may not have limitless energy, moon bases, or instant pizza quite yet, but by God we can have floors cleaned by a robot in this future that we’ve crafted.

The post The Samsung Powerbot is the future we were promised appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Maybe we’re getting a little hard on just a technicality. It’s better to go ahead and check out what is the 2015 Lexus GX 460 capable of and figure out why Lexus still keeps a few classic SUVs in its offer especially when the RX 350 and the NX series are selling so well.

Lexus only offers the GX 460 in base and Luxury trims. The base model consists of a base formed by 18 inch wheels, automatic LED low-beams, sunroof, a rear privacy glass and a rear spoiler. Getting inside, the driver and front passenger benefit from 8-way powered seating with 2 lumbar options and driver memory settings. Steering wheel benefits from tilt and telescopic function. Leatherette premium vinyl upholstery and dual climate control also comes standard on the GX 460.

Among these, the Luxury trim comes with a liquid graphite finish applied on the 18 inch wheels, which are further tuned with an adaptive suspension able to overcome bumps and cracks in the road with great finesse. Auto-dimming side mirrors blind spot monitoring and a mahogany wood insertion on the now-heated steering wheel are just a few of the team of upgrades the Luxury package offers. One last element which may not be omitted from the list is the Mark Levinson audio system; a real piece of technology for audiophile drivers.

If one thing’s certain, the GX 460 doesn’t whine like most other SUVs when it comes to pulling, climbing and dragging around thousands of pounds. Equipped with a 4.6 liter V8 engine connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, Lexus GX 460 delivers 301hp and 329 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. A permanent four-wheel drive system with a dual range transfer case is also fit into the standard package. When equipped properly, the GS 460 is not shy of towing 6,500 pounds.

The SUV reaches 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, an average value in the full-sized SUV segment. Fuel economy values aren’t as encouraging though; EPA estimates a 17 mpg combined fuel consumption rate, rendering the GX 460 below the average of the segment.

Although built on the classic body on frame system, the SUV rides smoother than you might expect, especially thanks to the adaptive suspension whose level of firmness can be altered in three stages. In an attempt to tune the braking system both for on and off-road use, Lexus induced a rather slower response on the braking pedal.

While you can easily find a bunch of full-sized SUVs with better handling and fuel economy, the GX 460 didn’t not mistakenly named its trim Luxury. It offers a variety of great interior materials and a multitude of options which smoothly combine classic styles with modern technology. If you’re more a car lounge type and don’t really care about arriving on time and downshifting, chances are the 2015 Lexus GX 460 may look up to you.

The post Lexus GX 460 Luxury Is Ready and Capable appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

First – the film. Spectre is heavy on the action and drinking, but light on the womanizing and jokes. Not terribly different from the other Craig Bond movies then. This one seems to hit all the required 007 boxes, but not in a very enjoyable way. The story here seems to be more going through the motions than anything else. Oh but what motions they are. As always, there are exotic locals, even more exotic women, and baddies with very loose and not-really-thought-out plans for world domination. Is it a good Bond film. Yes, but only barely and because the bad Bond films have set that bar fairly low.

Now the really interesting part is at the end of the film. ***Spoiler Alert*** Spectre concludes with Bond seemingly walking away from the spying life. Now sure, many a Bond film ends with James riding off into the sunset with his newly acquired love interest only to find him back in the saddle in the next film. I get it. But this film makes James walking away part of it’s core narrative. Scenes are constructed and psyche explored around there not being a 007 anymore. And the final scene has him walking away as promised.

What I’m telling you right now is, Daniel Craig knows exactly what he is doing. He’s a producer on Spectre. He has a financial interest in how the film does after release. And right now, he is engaged in some next level trolling to fill those theater seats. And it’s working. The actor is still playing a part, and he has taken the movies narrative beyond the 4th wall. Everyone is talking about him quitting his Bond contract (even though he still has one movie left in it), and they are clearly flocking to the theater to see what all his fuss is about. Then the last scene waves goodbye and the fictional world and the real world meet with Bond walking away. It’s a put on. It’s part of the PR master scheme. Daniel Craig is messing with you. And it’s selling more tickets than TV commercials ever could.

The post Daniel Craig is Messing With You appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

I’m gushing, I know. But this is a piece of equipment that lets you hear lyrics you’ve never before heard, discover instruments in songs you never noticed, and be front and center at an exclusive invite-only concert of your favorite band. I received these headphones to test two weeks ago, and ever since – honest to god – I’ve been running back from the office just to get home and try this artist or that and see how absolutely great it sounds projected inside my brain by these nuggets of greatness.

And if you’re too philistine to appreciate aural greatness, just take a look at their leather and metal construction to satisfy your sartorial desires. White earbuds are so 2001. Today the smart dressed gentleman is rocking “cans”, and Master & Dynamic makes some of the most up-market cans available. Those $30 knockoff pairs that *ahem* I own, these are the hifi headphones they are knocking off in the first place. It’s better to wear the original than the pretender.

Forget any other headphone brand out there, Master & Dynamic headphones are the sweetest things to wrap around your ears beyond the thighs of a supermodel. I’m listening to them right now, and I’ve rolled my eyes back into my skull at the sound of crisp guitars and subtle cymbals 3 times in the last 15 minutes alone. I simply cannot believe how good these sound. I got into hifi car audio when I was in highschool; like really into it. Into it so much that I had a “system” that was worth more than the $8,000 car it was in – and I upgraded from there. And ever since I sold my last system, I haven’t heard quality of sound like that until I put on these headphones. That’s why I’m gushing, because I know how much it can cost to get into this quality of sound. And on that scale, these ear speakers are a bargain.

Price shouldn’t factor into this. These are worth having, full stop. They bring joy into your life, and are exceptionally made. But you know what, don’t believe my gushing. Don’t believe me at all. But do go find a pair of these and try them on your favorite song for yourself. They will blow your mind, and you will buy them, and you will be mind-bending sonic experiences every. damn. day.

The post These Headphones Absolutely Blew My Mind appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

What really chafes my ass – both figuratively and literally – about riding is that it destroys the crotch of standard pants. The pressure of your whole body, and the endless motion, concentrated on 4 square inches of denim is a recipe for a blow out. Cadence jeans are built to solve this vexing problem by reinforcing the crotch without making the pant uncomfortable or ill-fitting. They’ve also doubled up the fabric on the rear pockets for extra protection and padding. This does make time in the saddle much more bearable, but you have to live with a less flattering hang on your posterior muscles. Built for riding, surely, but less so for highlighting that fantastic ass you’ve got.

Irrespective of their butt-shaping abilities, the fit and taper of these pants is excellent. They feature a long leg with slim calfs and thighs. The raw 12oz denim includes 2% Lycra, for a slight stretch and sheen on the fabric. All of Caden’s jeans, like many raw denim pants, feature a 32″ inseam. This generally isn’t a problem and is standard practice for raw denim, but just be aware of that if you happen to have freakishly long or short legs. Not that we’re judging…

All in, Cadence raw denim is a very solid pant worth more than a passing look if you’re a serious two-wheeled devotee. Their construction is top notch, and specially built to keep you comfortable for miles. Their look is classic enough to pass for a “normal” jean, and their fit is modern without being restrictive or pure fashion. I’m really digging my pair and am looking forward to having them wear around my patterns and life. They have officially dethroned my standard Levi’s as my go-to whenever I’m headed for a ride. ‘Nuff said.

The post These Pants Are Made for Riding appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

As a student, start-up founder, part time employee, and triathlete, I decided to give a product that touted itself as “a holistic morning beverage to boost performance” a go: I was not disappointed. After enjoying a bottle in place of my typical banana-and-eggs breakfast, I felt focused and energized for the day ahead – so much so I set a new dead-lift PR of 405 lbs. and didn’t fall asleep during my New-Venture Finance class – both firsts!

I took a closer look at the product, and found that with 30g of hydrolyzed protein, your body is quickly being supplied with key nutritional building-blocks allowing you to tackle your day straight out the gate. The protein blend Vivid Coffee uses, namely hydrolyzed protein, is much finer and simpler than typical protein products, and can therefore be more quickly absorbed by the body, helping truly “boost” you through your morning. Whens the last time you actually got the nutrients in the morning you needed?

Whats more, the dark cold-brew coffee from Salt Lake City, UT is nearly PH neutral, designed to minimize any loss of nutrients when bonding with the protein, and minimizing acidity that could result in an upset stomach. So far so good, right? But I had doubts that it was truly “pure,” how could there still be a hint of sweetness? So I researched on: Rather than using milk or creamer, Vivid uses coconut milk due to the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) not found in dairy products. Not only is this a natural way of sweetening the beverage, it also helps jump-start your metabolism, and help you feel full.

With its mellow but smooth taste, this is definitely a beverage I will be adding to my morning routine to quickly help me prepare body and mind for the day ahead, and tackle whatever I decide to.

The post Vivid Coffee Combines Coffee and Protein appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Today, the working bachelor would load up his slow cooker, go to work and then at the end of his day, come back home to a nice warm meal. Lancashire Hotpot was the slow cookers father. In a slow cooker you could cook anything, Lancashire Hotpot is not as flexible. Lancashire Hotpot is specifically meat and potatoes. A layer of mutton or lamb in a gravy topped with a pretty layer(s) of sliced potatoes. It is slow cooked in a thick old casserole dish. This made a filling dinner for the tired family trapped in the beating heart of the industrial revolution.

1 kg lamb/mutton stew cuts
2 onions, chopped
100g carrot, chopped
30 ml Worcestershire sauce
500 ml stock
800 g potatoes
30 g butter
1 tsp crushed pepper
1 tsp thyme
salt to taste

Heat a thick casserole dish, in it melt a little butter or lard. Sautee the chopped onion and carrots. Throw in the cut meat and brown on a high flame. Add in the Worcestershire sauce. Pour in the stock and with it add the crushed pepper, thyme and some salt to taste. Simmer and layer the sliced potatoes over the stew. While building the layers, sprinkle a little salt and dot a little butter over every layer.

Now you may assemble and cook it in your slow cooker, or else, use your oven. You can cook it at 90 degrees Celsius for around 5 hours or at 160 degrees Celsius for 2. However if you do not have the liberty of the two options you may cook the dish over a low flame on your range for an hour. However you cook it, make sure the dish is thick bottomed and that it is sealed properly with a lid. You do not want to let out any moisture, the potatoes will need it. When it is done cooking, open the lid and with the top heat of your oven on, brown the top layer of potatoes until golden and crisp, unless they are already golden and crisp.

The comeback of Lancashire Hotpot is the need of the hour. Now with the whole family out of the house, busy with their schedule, they don’t need to come back home to frozen dinners, instead, they can come back home to a nice slow cooked hotpot.

The post The Man’s Casserole: Lancashire Hotpot appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Laptop have steadily been getting smaller, lighter, and more cloud-based with every passing year. Sooner rather than later, their size will be dictated only by the screen and demissions of the human hand for the keyboard. With that kind of slimness, you’d be better off with some futuristic combination of just a screen and a detachable soft keyboard. Oh wait… Something something Surface Pro…

On the other end of the spectrum, phones are getting more powerful, and the operating systems more capable. Once internet speeds catch up to laptops, they will have effectively reached parity. Of course, the physical size of a laptop will always be able to pack in more processing power and memory, but we are already reaching declining returns on laptop processing power. At this point, entry level on many lines is more than adequate to accomplish work for 80% of the population. Once we get mobile at that level and speed, laptops no longer become necessary.

With this lense of the future in place, it is clear to see what Apple has been doing with it’s operating systems across devices, and how Microsoft is following suit. The Surface Pro is the obvious example (this is why I used it earlier) of the already-bridged gap between tablet and laptop. But recently, Microsoft debuted a the very idea of a phone-based laptop, and there have been rumblings of the same from Android for years now (although nothing produced yet).

Who needs a tablet when your phone does the same thing? All you really need is a bigger output (screen) and easier input keyboard and mouse). Screens in-of-themselves are relatively cheap to make, as are peripherals. If we’re going to keep carrying around our phones everywhere (we will, because Google Glass is stupid), then it becomes a simple matter of course to litter our lives and works with screens that are easy to plug into as we need. This wouldn’t even be a security issue, it’s just a screen. Install them on busses and in Ubers, in planes and at the laundromat. Screens everywhere, but all our data, work, and life securely in our pockets.

The point is, we have one, maybe two generations of laptops left, then this migration will happen. The Surface Pro users of the world are the early adopters on this, but mark my words you’ll be using your phone for all your computing needs before too long.

The post You Won’t Own A Laptop Much Longer appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

We’re already big fans of Iron and Resin, and we already have multiple pieces of theirs on our bikes and around our houses, so this hardly going to be an unbiased review. Instead, we’ll just skip right to the part where we say “if you want a retro tool roll for your bike, buy this one,” take some pretty pictures, and we’ll all be home in time for dinner.

Made of a thick forest green canvas with brown highlighting, this roll has expandable room for not just your basic wrenches and screwdrivers, but also spare spark plugs, bandages, and even a spare satellite phone if you venture WAY off the map. This thing is massive, yet cinches down to smaller than some burritos when empty or lightly filled. It is as simple to install on your bike as wrapping and tying the leather straps around whichever section of frame or handlebars you heart desires. Obviously, it is just as easy to undue if you should unfortunately need to access it in an emergency.

We have never had any problems with any of our Iron and Resin parts, and we expect this tool roll to be serving us for years to come. We think it looks rather fetching on our adventure bike, but we’ll let you be the judge:

The post Iron and Resin’s Motorcycle Tool Roll appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

RibbedTee is the latest to throw their hat into the ring with their heathered V-neck. To be honest, I was quite skeptical of their pitch. How, I ask myself, can any plain white tee be THAT different from a $3 Hanes classic? And price means a lot to me because 1) I’m “grew up in the midwest where a dollar goes a long way” cheap, and 2) I have a propensity to aggressively stain my clothes the first time I wear them. I don’t have a big closet because I’m fancy, I have a big closet because it is full of doubles and triples to protect myself.

How does RibbedTee answer this? Well they obviously can’t make me any less clumsy, but their shirts certainly don’t feel or drape like a Hanes. By that I mean, I might just be a convert. These cotton layers of goodness wear like nothing and perfect for a sweltering summer day. Thin and heathered to the point of near see-throughness, the RibbedTee is more flowy and long than your father’s Sears-bought grubby and tight undershirt. The V-neck is wide and aggressive, perfect for differentiating your look, as well as further keeping you cool.

They got me. Those bastards changed my cheap mind and have me converted to the upscale tee. If you’re willing to risk conversion yourself, you should check out a 3 pack for yourself. Pray for me, my closet may never be the same.

The post RibbedTee Updates the Classic White Tee appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

On the outside, the ample chromed grille framed by the LED headlamps and the overall falcon-like fascia stand out, but the styling might not suit everyone’s taste. The large glass surface area makes sure that the interior atmosphere is not claustrophobic, but airy and welcoming. Although it might not have a supermodel’s silhouette – weighing close to three tons –  the 2015 Infinity QX80 is quite nimble, thanks to the powerful engine it is fitted with: a massive, 5.6 litre V8 with a total output of 400 horsepower. Mated to an automatic seven speed transmission, it promises a sprint from 0 to 60 in just 6.5 seconds, an impressive figure that shames many compacts and super hatches, let alone SUV’s.

Coming in standard as two wheel drive (with power being sent to the rear wheels), the QX80 can also be optionally fitted with a four wheel drive system, which would be silly to avoid if you live in a mountainous area or just want to tread through mud trails without the fear of getting stuck.

In the interior, there are three rows of seats, configurable in multiple ways, allowing for the seating of up to eight occupants, although if they are adults, the driver or owner may receive some complaints, as the third row tends to be more suitable for children. With a wheelbase of 121.1 inches, the passenger space is ample, an advantageous asset if the journey might take more than a few minutes. Even passengers over six feet will appreciate this feature, as the leg room is more than sufficient for the occasional stretch and the headroom abounds.

Choose the interior in Graphite Leather/Mocha Burl Trim and enjoy the superb sensory exaltation – you will feel like a sheikh inside, it’s that impressive. The dashboard includes a small Infinity clock, a brand signature feature, but also an allusion to the majestic Rolls Royce limousines. Heated front seats (with 10 positions for the driver and 8 for the front passenger), a multifunctional steering wheel wrapped in fine leather and smooth leather upholstery are all standard features.

A powerful 13 speaker audio system with two subwoofers, courtesy of Bose, provides an excellent ambient, be it for listening to soothing music or scaring the neighbours with the bass. CD/DVD playback, Sirius XM Satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming capability and a USB and AUX port for connecting any music players or phone are included from the start.

Summing up, the 2015 Infinity QX80 is a very well thought out full size luxury SUV that offers great performance, excellent interior space and design and ample storage space, rising above many of its competitors, be it from the standpoint of price, standard options or ride quality.  Not only is it one of the largest SUVs we have tested, it has set the standard of luxury and comfort that feel superior to the competition. Minus the gas mileage, this could possibly be as close to the perfect SUV as it can get.

The post A Massive Presence: 2015 Infinity QX80 appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Funny name aside, this USB-powered strip of LED lights is set to solve a plethora of outdoor and adventure needs. Encased in waterproof silicone, this 4 1/2″ strip of lights can bend, bunch, tie, and drape its way to lighting just about any conceivable surface or angle. Add in a couple magnets for hanging on car projects or from your porch roof, and you’ve still just scratched the surface of the Luminoodle’s possible uses. Best of all, stuff the whole strip in the included carrying bag and you’ve got yourself a handy lantern. Slick stuff that.

This string of lighted goodness is currently up on Kickstarter – don’t worry, all of Power Practical’s campaigns always meet and exceed their goals – but we got an early hands-on test and put it through it paces. In fact, you’ll notice a certain Porsche Project in the Kickstarter video… We found the Luminoodle to be very bright, tough, and easy to work with. The imbedded magnets made suspending it under the car, or around an axle, an absolute breeze. Best of all, after a dirty night of wrenching, the silicone cover wiped right off and looked good as new.

We are unashamed fans of what the Power Practical team is up to, and this light strip is no different. It is versatile, tough, bright, and fills a need that hasn’t been solved yet. We highly recommend picking one up and getting your noodle on.

The post Power Practical Luminoodle: Let There Be Light appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

When I received The Denver Street Map Pint Glass from The Uncommon Green it instantly went to the front of my open-faced glassware shelf.  This American Pint Glass is wrapped in a beautifully executed city street map of Denver with clean laser engraved lines and map coordinates. Denver’s iconic neighborhoods are neatly labeled and the overall presentation is so strong that I found myself using my finger to trace my favorite routes along LoDo’s bar scene and the eateries in the Highlands.

This glass is a great representation of the heart of Denver and should be a part of anyone’s glassware collection that wants to show their love for the Mile High City in beautiful and engaging way. The Uncommon Green offers glassware representing every major US city and many international ones as well, making me want to collect more in order to honor my many past international journeys to cities across the globe. There would be no better way to remember past travel than to enjoy a favorite beverage while retracing the many memorable adventures on your glassware.

I highly recommend the street maps barware line from The Uncommon Green (http://goo.gl/knLa8s) to add some stylish individuality to your own bar. It is a unique way to pay homage to your roots and heritage, or remind yourself of adventures past, no matter where you and your bar end up.

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The most compelling argument in favor of choosing the 2015 Nissan Murano over any of its rivals is its sleek appearance. No other vehicle in its class comes close to it and it makes one wonder how did Nissan design such a good looking crossover and still make the interesting Juke? But that’s debatable, and after all, it comes down to personal preferences.

The 2015 Nissan Murano is a very pretty car. A pair of sharp headlamps that extend into the front hood and fenders frames the eye catching chrome grille with black surrounding elements. The front bumper design is smooth and fits excellent with the flowing lines that characterize the body of the car, while sinuous, wave-like curves streak their way towards the rear of the vehicle, accentuating the outlandish floating roof. The rear lights mirror the design of the front ones, while the exhaust duo underlines the sporty character of the crossover.

Underneath the hood, a 3.5 liter V6 engine, pumping 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque is in charge of powering the vehicle, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds and reach a (electronically limited) top speed of 119 miles per hour. While it might not be the newest propulsion unit from Nissan, it does its job in a more than decent manner. The Murano can be configured with either two or four wheel drive, but the only transmission option is a CVT, with a manual shifting mode. More refined than the unit present in the previous iteration of the car, the transmission senses much faster when gear shifting is needed and provides a better driving experience.

The Murano does not employ a third row solution, so only five adults will be able to fit inside, but ample space is available. Moreover, the second row passengers will enjoy an extra 2.5 inches of space at knee level, a much welcomed change that will most definitely be appreciated by the occupants. Boot space measures 1.132 liters – more than adequate and also better than some of its rivals, among which we mention the VW Tiguan.

Well thought out, the dashboard and center console layout is very ergonomic. The center console mirrors the design of the front chromed grille, a surprising yet pleasing visual design cue that is bound to be a stand out feature. Chose the Platinum, top of the range trim, in either a light or full black configuration and whomever enters the vehicle will most definitely be impressed by the excellent combination of leather and aluminium trim, contrasting with the fine leather.

What can I say other than this mid-size SUV stood out in every way for me, from the cargo space to ride comfort. Were I to head to the dealers today, it would be a hard arguement to not get me into the driver’s seat, and with Nissan’s ever improving quality, I would be confident in at least 10 years and thousands of miles out of the ride. I do hope to see a few more options in to future bringing in city-diesel options, but that is always a long shot and big wish. I would settle for a GT-R powered one though.

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First and foremost, let’s deal with the teutonic elephant in the room. The BMW 3 Series has ruled the small luxury sedan market almost from its creation. This is the champion, the king, the yard stick. Every new lux sedan is compared to it, and almost always found wanting. I’m telling you right now, the new Cadillac ATS meets it’s German rival head-on and matches it blow for blow. While I won’t declare a victor between them, for my money the Caddy has heaps more style and personality both inside and out.

And inside and out this car is a delight. Styling is always subjective, but if you don’t like how this car looks you’re wrong. That’s fact. From the cool light of the LEDs to the sharp creases of the body, the ATS oozes modernity. Inside you’re greeted with an interior that is equal parts luxury and anti-German – gray on gray on black is banished for blonde leather and walnut wood. There’s color here, and character; haven’t seen that in this segment for a while…

From style to substance, let’s move to how the metal drives. She’s a heavy machine at 3411 (although its the lightest in it’s class of porkers), but she moves when you want her to. Thank 272hp from the 2.0T that came in my test car. The turbo does have some mild lag though, just when I thought modern cars were doing away with that evil sensation. I can readily attest to this rear wheel drive(!) Caddy’s  ability, and even willingness, to carve a mountain road. Let’s just say I sufficiently bothered a 90’s Porsche 911 up the sinewy Angeles Crest Highway to make him pull over and let me buy. And he was trying. Imagine traveling back in time to the 90s, and telling a Porsche owner that in 25 years a Cadillac would be giving him a run for his money. Utterly unthinkable at the time of Fleetwoods and DeVilles.

Finally, there’s the luxury this car just exudes. Interior, exterior, anterior, posterior – doesn’t matter. The whole vehicle screams “I’ve got disposable income!” like only it’s rival’s have before. Chalk it up to the fact that I receive so many new cars to review, but I’d rather give credit where credit is due. At one point during my week with the ATS, I walked straight up to a 3 series and tried to open the door because I thought it was the Caddy. I just had to stop and smile for a moment at that one. So they’ve done it. They’ve created a machine that toe-to-toe competes for the BMW 3 Series’ crown. Congratulations General Motors, you’ve made a believer out of me. Now get me an ATS-V to test!

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Visually, the new Navigator stands out thanks to the massive chrome grille with horizontal slats, a cue taken from the brand’s sedans, framed by the novel LED infused headlamps. This, complemented by the modified front and rear bumpers, lends it a more up to date visage, but falls short of being an impressive change. An optional package adds motorized running boards and 22 inch chrome wheels, which, to a non-connoisseur, might be a cool visual trick, but is it enough to lure potential clients? That remains to be seen.

The old, underperforming V8 propulsion unit was replaced in the 2015 edition by a 3.5 litre V6 Ford EcoBoost unit, which produces 380 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, enough to permit a 0 to 60 sprint in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 113 miles per hour. Honestly one of the best engine options seen on a large SUV to this size, the turbos in do not underdeliver at all and deliver more than enough to propel off any line, over any hill, and all in a way that is smooth and comfortable. Despite the smaller displacement and the Eco moniker on the engine, the Navigator isn’t as big of a star as it could be in terms of fuel consumption as the official ratings state 15/20 for city and highway, respectively, but real life figures for this review showed a common 18mpg average with mixed driving. Of course, other experiences will depend on the style of driving, the on-road conditions and the load carried/towed, but do not expect the SUV to consume as little as a family saloon.

Inside, the Navigator welcomes you with a feeling of classical luxury, much like an aged cognac wrapped in a wooden box. Seemingly acres of leather and wood decorate the cabin with LED ambiance lighting, as well as  separate climate controls for the second row of seats and a cavernous boot, leading to compelling luxury features in its favor. Moreover, the 2015 Lincoln Navigator boasts the most generous leg and headroom on the third row of seats in its class, overtaking the Infinity QX80 and the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Weighing close to three tons, the SUV behaves quite well at low speeds and has decent performance, enough to hold its own in front of its rivals, but switch to higher gears and the mass of the vehicle will be felt, especially in tight corners. Despite its upgraded suspension, body roll is noticeable, something you should take note of.

On the bright side, the shock absorbers do a splendid job in filtering the road’s irregularities and smothering any unwanted noises, thus leaving the cabin space a perfectly isolated medium, bettering the sensation offered in the Infinity QX80.

So what can I say that the 2015 Lincoln Navigator doesn’t say for itself? While the design cues due render their foundation a bit more to the cousin in the Ford Expedition, the Navigator is a classic move away from the standard luxury SUV. I personally do hope the next redesign will have more Lincoln in its DNA, but for a big stepping stone over the previous models, the 2015 does a great job in delivering the performance and luxury that many consumers enjoy.

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Instead of having the same central items or theme each month, Bespoke actually curates a whole group of boxes each with their own individual theme. Cooking supplies one month, beachware the next. There’s nothing to get sick of, because each month you’ve got an entirely new collection at your doorstep. Pretty good idea, right? You can even return boxes you don’t or swap it out for another theme before it is even shipped out to you.

We picked up a Lather box – full of shaving essentials and not-so-essentials. We received a badger hair soap brush, a block of shaving soap, pre-shave oil, and a shaving soap mug that wouldn’t look out of place on a Nantucket whaling ship from the 1800s. Everything is high quality and well thought-out. And after our first shave with everything, my face looks well thought-out too.

We thing Bespoke Post offers something really interesting to the subscription box space, and we think you – our readers – will enjoy it too. As such we’ve persuaded them to give FactoryTwoFour readers a deal. To get 20% your first box, just use the coupon code BOX20 at checkout to enjoy a little something on us. It’s about time someone un-siloed the subscription box thing. Now if only they could send me direct groceries too…

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