Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Who would put a vinyl roof on a new car these days? I don't even like the one on my 20 yo Lincoln.

I can answer that question! Toyota Camry owners, Toyota Avalon owners, and Toyota Lexus owners. All seen locally.

And Lincoln owners, although that's not as much of a surprise since many may have had Town Cars or GMs with vinyl or the tarp-like material used now for the roof coverings.

driver100

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

driver100

venture said:

Back to eye surgery.....did your wife have to wear glasses after the cataract surgery?



Here's my cataract story.

Undoubtedly one of the best things I ever did.

I wear glasses only when I want to read something with tiny print in dim lighting. Otherwise no glasses or contacts at all.

That's amazing Venture and so glad it worked out so well. I have only heard good things about catarat surgery....people love the results.

houdini1

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

We were talking about pin stripes and vinyl roofs recently. Today as my wife and I were exiting the eye center I saw what looked to be a fairly new Buick LaCrosse with both a vinyl roof AND a pin stripe.

I would take it those items are a sign that the owners of the LaCrosse needed to be at the eye center for some new glasses.

Oh, no doubt since it was a surgery center for cataracts. My wife got her second eye done today. She turned 65 yesterday and I think she was the youngest one in the place.

OldFarmer....While I'm a fair bit younger, I was told I needed cataract surgery about a month ago.

I went to the place that is probably one of the two the biggest lasik provider in Cincinnati since they did my lassie surgery 10 years ago. They don't do cataracts, but they recommended another Dr for cataracts.

Went to see him and really was kind of put off. I saw the optometrist first, who did a battery of tests. It probably took 40-45 minutes to get through all of them.

Then, I was handed off to someone else, who sort of did the "sales job" on me. In short, or at least what I heard, they can do a crappy cataract job, which the surgeon cuts the lens and then pulverizes the cataracts. But, recovery time is long and I'd have to go back to wearing glasses, again. Insurance covers all of it.

Then, you can have a "regular" cataract job, where they use a laser to cut your lens and then pulverize the cataracts. I'd still need glasses, but recovery time is less. That one costs $3,000 in addition to the insurance payment

IF you want them to do a good job, where they use lasers to cut the lens and implant a lens where you don't need glasses and recovery time is less, you pay them $6,000 in addition to the insurance payment.

So, in short, they'll do a crappy job if they just get insurance money. They'll do a mediocre job if you pay them $3K. But, if you want them to do a good job, it costs $6K plus insurance.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going to shop around. That sounds insane.

Imid....my son works for Oho State. I'm wondering if it would behoove me to take a hundred mile trek north to visit their opthamologists, given that's where a lot of them train?

Mike...sorry about your car. Sounds like it's been a comedy of errors.

GG, I have never heard of the first 2 operations you described. I would run from that place screaming if I was you.

I had cataract surgery about 3 years ago on my left eye where a lens was implanted, etc. Preparation took a while but the actual operation took just minutes. Restored my vision to 20/20 in that eye and no problems since. I think my out of pocket cost was about $200.

I used Discover Vision Center..Don't know is they are just local or national, but I would highly recommend them if they are in your area.

robr2

When I had mine done back in 2000, cutting and pulverizing the clouded lens and inserting a plastic implant was the standard. I remember wearing a patch for 2-3 days with full recovery about 10 days.

With the use of lasers, you are back to 100% within a day or so.

nyccarguy

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank-you. Regarding your friend, there are a few choice words we could all come up with, but the new edmunds software would "remove non-permissible content."

fezo

Over under of January 2016? Count me in the under column.

My only hope of ever seeing without glasses is having cataract surgery, so naturally my lenses are clear as can be, One of the few things on me that works predictably. 20/600 in the eye that works. Works is a relative term.

graphicguy

houdini1 said:

robr2 said:

Last night, my wife and I along with my SIS and BIL took in in-laws out for dinner to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. They are still so much in love after all this time.

Robert, that is fantastic. Your family is blessed. Here's to them making it to 75 years.

Outstanding. That's truly great to hear.

Thanks all for the cataract advice. Sounds like I went to the wrong place. Even the Dr came in after I wouldn't commit with the optometrist/sales person and gave me a sales pitch. Glad I'm looking around.

I don't think I misunderstood, but it sure sounded to me like they could either do a poor job, a mediocre job or a good job, depending on how much you pull out of pocket.

I would have no issues with wearing glasses for fine print. They made it sound like lens implants would make my eye sight worse and I'd need glasses all the time, probably even bifocals.

I couldn't understand why I would have surgery to make my eyesight worse.

Scare tactic to get more $$$$ out of my pocket?

ab348

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Who would put a vinyl roof on a new car these days? I don't even like the one on my 20 yo Lincoln.

I can answer that question! Toyota Camry owners, Toyota Avalon owners, and Toyota Lexus owners. All seen locally.

And Lincoln owners, although that's not as much of a surprise since many may have had Town Cars or GMs with vinyl or the tarp-like material used now for the roof coverings.

Toyota is the new (old) Buick.

ab348

Having worn glasses since I was in grade 8, I can understand the desire of people to be rid of them. I attribute my eyesight issues to being an insatiable reader at a young age, which caused the shape of my eye to change as compensation. Interestingly though,, the last 10 years or so it seems to be reversing, with my distant vision improving remarkably and now I need glasses mostly just for reading.

I know a bunch of people that have had laser surgery to rid themselves of glasses but I have always been hesitant to go that route. It is expensive and I know a few for whom it went very badly. Plus the idea of someone messing with my eyes mostly for vanity reasons scared me. It is very profitable for those eye docs that make it their business though - those guys all seem to be absolutely loaded.

stever

I "won" the lottery with one of my cataract lens moveable implants in '07. Had two detachment surgeries to fix it (1 in 1,000 odds). My positional repair worked out okay since I could work using the laptop sideways. Wound up with silicon bubbles in that eye though and they interfere with star gazing and weed pulling.

Getting back to cars, I managed to pass the DMV test here without glasses restrictions (also had Lasik and two YAGs, so I'm up to eight eye procedures to date). I do wear glasses for driving but can get by without them. I sure miss the 20-15 I enjoyed while wearing contacts in my 20s.

venture

stever said:

I "won" the lottery with one of my cataract lens moveable implants in '07. Had two detachment surgeries to fix it (1 in 1,000 odds). My positional repair worked out okay since I could work using the laptop sideways. Wound up with silicon bubbles in that eye though and they interfere with star gazing and weed pulling.

Getting back to cars, I managed to pass the DMV test here without glasses restrictions (also had Lasik and two YAGs, so I'm up to eight eye procedures to date). I do wear glasses for driving but can get by without them. I sure miss the 20-15 I enjoyed while wearing contacts in my 20s.

Too bad it isn't vacuuming and grass mowing.

henryn

ab348 said:

jayrider said:

Just had my 2012 LaCrosse serviced. I take it to the Cadillac dealer -- oil-filter-tire rotation and 20 point inspection -- $42.51 tax included. Free coffee and fresh fruit too.

That seems like a screaming deal. Up here just a straight lube-oil-filter using Dexos at the GM dealer is over $60.

The quick lane at my Ford dealer will do oil, filter, and tire rotation for a hair under $40 bottom line. And that's 7.7 quarts of oil, which most places will rip you a new one if your vehicle takes over 5 quarts.

abacomike

stever said:

I "won" the lottery with one of my cataract lens moveable implants in '07. Had two detachment surgeries to fix it (1 in 1,000 odds). My positional repair worked out okay since I could work using the laptop sideways. Wound up with silicon bubbles in that eye though and they interfere with star gazing and weed pulling.

Getting back to cars, I managed to pass the DMV test here without glasses restrictions (also had Lasik and two YAGs, so I'm up to eight eye procedures to date). I do wear glasses for driving but can get by without them. I sure miss the 20-15 I enjoyed while wearing contacts in my 20s.

If I had to take a DMV vision test without my glasses, the examiner would have to turn me in the direction of the chart and feed me all the letters. I believe they use machines now that you look into. They would still have to escort me to the machine and put my head in the correct position in the machine for me to just say I took that test - but failed. My eyesight is pathetic without my glasses.

abacomike

Had to run up to the dealership this morning to pick up my registration - I forgot to take it off the F&I guy's desk when I signed all the paperwork. The parts department is ordering the correct size tires for those wheels I ordered and they will be in before 1:00 PM Monday. The manager and general manager are going to talk it over to see what they can do for me. I am hoping for the best, but we shall see. I still feel the car is a bit "bouncy" and needs improved tire stability for the car to respond the way I want it to.

It's not an easy job to replace the wheels on a Mercedes-Benz (for driver's benefit) because they first have to remove the valves on the old rims and remove the tire pressure monitors and replace them with the new wheels and tires. They also have to be programmed. It is a 3-hour labor intensive job. \

Yesterday, they were willing to pick up the cost of the labor and balancing of the wheels ($375.00 net, net - their cost) and give me $1200 credit for the existing wheels and tires. That left a balance of $2200. I am hoping for a significantly reduced cost, if not a gift for Christmas.

abacomike

Speaking of cataracts, I have the beginnings of cataracts along with some floaters in my right eye which distorts my vision at times. I have an appointment next Thursday where they check for cataracts, etc., and will know if they have grown. I am always worried about fooling around with my eyes because my Dad first started his macular degeneration at age 70 and it got progressively worse (even with those shots into his eyes which did not work) until he was 85 when he had to give up driving. My anxiety is well-founded, to be sure because he had surgery for a detached retina in both eyes and I believe they botched the surgery.

I would have to carefully investigate the procedures, etc.

henryn

stever said:

Getting back to cars, I managed to pass the DMV test here without glasses restrictions (also had Lasik and two YAGs, so I'm up to eight eye procedures to date). I do wear glasses for driving but can get by without them. I sure miss the 20-15 I enjoyed while wearing contacts in my 20s.

Speaking of the DMV vision test, a few years back I was in for my Driver’s License renewal and saw a very strange incident. I was waiting in line for the vision test, which requires you to lean over and place your face against a viewing window. The lady behind the counter tells you to read line 3, you do that, and she checks the box and asks for the next person in line.

The woman in front of me reads off something, judging by the reaction of clerk it was obviously wrong. The clerk says, “Try reading line 2.” Once again, obviously wrong. The clerk says, “Read line 1, please.” Same story.

Clerk: “Please put on your glasses and try again.”
Woman: “I don’t use glasses.”
Clerk: “Do you have glasses?”
Woman: “No, I don’t need them.”

The clerk comes around from behind the counter, looks into the view port just to verify that someone hasn’t monkeyed with the machine.

Clerk: “Did you drive yourself down here today?”
Woman: “Yes, I did. Why?”
Clerk: “Please go stand over by that door. An officer will be along to help you very shortly.”

explorerx4

@henrym, My wife's Escape and my Fusion both needed new windshield wipers. Looked up the parts on fordparts.com. They listed for about $17.50 apiece.
Parts guy at the dealer charged me $42.45, including tax for 2 sets.
I had to pop off the attachment piece that came installed in the wipers and put on one of the other adapters in the box. 1st one took me a couple of minutes to figure out. After that, bing, bang, boom, done!

driver100

nyccarguy said:

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank-you. Regarding your friend, there are a few choice words we could all come up with, but the new edmunds software would "remove non-permissible content."

I had no idea the "B" word was not nice. Is it like wearing Bikenstocks with socks? Is it like calling a bmw a bimmer? I actually thought B---z was kind of making fun of one's MB.

I'd like to know so when someone asks me what I have I don't say, a B---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

driver100

ab348 said:

Having worn glasses since I was in grade 8, I can understand the desire of people to be rid of them. I attribute my eyesight issues to being an insatiable reader at a young age, which caused the shape of my eye to change as compensation. Interestingly though,, the last 10 years or so it seems to be reversing, with my distant vision improving remarkably and now I need glasses mostly just for reading.

I know a bunch of people that have had laser surgery to rid themselves of glasses but I have always been hesitant to go that route. It is expensive and I know a few for whom it went very badly. Plus the idea of someone messing with my eyes mostly for vanity reasons scared me. It is very profitable for those eye docs that make it their business though - those guys all seem to be absolutely loaded.

I don't consider laser surgery as strictly cosmetic. I paid $1000 an eye 18 years ago and I love it. No lost or broken glasses - no problem playing sports - no fogging up - no lost glasses - no changing styles, no getting up in the night and not seeing the clock - or them dropping off when I fall asleep etc.

I would guess the surgery cost me less than glasses would over that period of time. And, no downtime getting them fixed. I think the cost has actually come down quite a bit over the years.
It's a big step though, not for everyone, and I get that. We take our sight for granted most of the time, hard to imagine life not seeing....and really hard to drive too!

roadburner

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank-you. Regarding your friend, there are a few choice words we could all come up with, but the new edmunds software would "remove non-permissible content."

I had no idea the "B" word was not nice. Is it like wearing Bikenstocks with socks? Is it like calling a bmw a bimmer? I actually thought B---z was kind of making fun of one's MB.

I'd like to know so when someone asks me what I have I don't say, a B---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

FYI, a BMW automobile IS a "Bimmer". A BMW motorcycle is a "Beemer."
Mouth-breathers that call BMW cars "Beemers" or "Beamers." need a d@mn good whacking...

isellhondas

So the gas prices drop and the Stock Market does the same.

Funny how that works!

Mr_Shiftright

Not sure what the flap is. The name Mercedes-Benz didn't appear until...oh...1926 or so (forget the exact date of the "marriage") when Daimler and Benz merged. So there were "Benz" cars for a good 40 years.

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank-you. Regarding your friend, there are a few choice words we could all come up with, but the new edmunds software would "remove non-permissible content."

I had no idea the "B" word was not nice. Is it like wearing Bikenstocks with socks? Is it like calling a bmw a bimmer? I actually thought B---z was kind of making fun of one's MB.

I'd like to know so when someone asks me what I have I don't say, a B---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

driver100

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

@driver100‌

Can you please change your signature line from Benz E400 to either Mercedes-Benz E400 or Mercedes E400. It drives me nuts.

Consider it done!- just for you and Mike and anyone else bothered by it. But, what's wrong with Benz?

We have a friend who buys a new MB every 4 years so he has a car under warranty all the time. He always calls it his Benzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank-you. Regarding your friend, there are a few choice words we could all come up with, but the new edmunds software would "remove non-permissible content."

I had no idea the "B" word was not nice. Is it like wearing Bikenstocks with socks? Is it like calling a bmw a bimmer? I actually thought B---z was kind of making fun of one's MB.

I'd like to know so when someone asks me what I have I don't say, a B---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

FYI, a BMW automobile IS a "Bimmer". A BMW motorcycle is a "Beemer."
Mouth-breathers that call BMW cars "Beemers" or "Beamers." need a d@mn good whacking...

You stated that at least a year ago and I have been very careful about that...it was a very good lesson to learn. It saved me from going into the bmw dealer and saying I needed tires for my "beamer", and eyes would roll!

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Mr_Shiftright ; Not sure what the flap is. The name Mercedes-Benz didn't appear until...oh...1926 or so (forget the exact date of the "marriage") when Daimler and Benz merged. So there were "Benz" cars for a good 40 years.

Mr_S , that's the way I see it too!

I have never thought twice about using the word "Benz". I don't make a point about what I drive, but, if asked, saying Mercedes Benz is a bit of a mouthful, and it is a little loud. Mercedes, not as much but a little showy. Benz seems like you are giving the information without making a big deal out of it. I think of the word "Merc", but that makes me think of a Grand Marquis more than a Mercedes.

I won't use the "B" word, but, I'd sure like to know the reasoning. Are there any other don'ts about names in the automotive world?

imidazol97

My wife is wanting to learn more about a FitBit, a device that reads blood pressure, steps, etc., that is on your wrist. Does anyone here have experience with that brand name item or other brands that work better. Remember this is for someone who is 63 with a bad lower back which causes a tilted pelvis, and a second knee replacement surgery from which her recovery has been phenomenal. When I told her I'd ask on my forum, she gave me one of those looks like I was crazy. She has no idea of the depth of knowledge that resides here in the users of this forum.

imidazol97

My first cataract replacement turned out to be too close bfor the focus. Ideally it's about 25-30 feet and for nearer reading you use dime store reading glasses. I got the single focus because the saleslady admitted the adjustable focus lens required your brain to learn to ignore some of the signals for close vs far focus. I was asking her how they worked because I couldn't understand from the various sources showing the lenses on the net.

I told her I was sensitive to distortion. Years back I would get dizzy because the astigmatism and distance correction caused door frames to move as I moved my head slightly. They would bend slightly--like the distortion shown in a picture taken with a very close focus lens (wide angle); then when I moved my head, the door frame would change position or bend a little differently. That bothered me. She admitted I might be better off with what I chose which is the basic, time-tested lens.

BMV story: My left eye is focused about about arm length, ideal for reading; my right is focused at about 15 feet. I have monovision. I did the BMV eye test and the left eye first I am not sure I could read the first line. I could see the lady tensing up. Then I used the right eye and could read the bottom most line. And both eyes together were just fine. I had no glasses at the time. Since then I did get glasses to be able to do fine work closeup.

Mr_Shiftright

Mr. Daimler never met Mr. Benz, ironically enough.

I'm betting the term "Benz" came into familiar use because there were (and still are) so many clapped out ones available cheaply here in America that the term "Mercedes" seemed too pretentious to some and blasphemous to those who owned really nice ones.. (my theory , anyway). It's the working man's way of comfortably saying "Mercedes" and the well-to-do man's way of avoiding association with a rusted 300D burning peanut oil in Berkeley.

But I must confess I would never call a new or newish Mercedes a "Benz".

I doubt an English gentleman would ever call a Jaguar a "Jag" either.

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Mr_Shiftright ; Not sure what the flap is. The name Mercedes-Benz didn't appear until...oh...1926 or so (forget the exact date of the "marriage") when Daimler and Benz merged. So there were "Benz" cars for a good 40 years.

Mr_S , that's the way I see it too!

I have never thought twice about using the word "Benz". I don't make a point about what I drive, but, if asked, saying Mercedes Benz is a bit of a mouthful, and it is a little loud. Mercedes, not as much but a little showy. Benz seems like you are giving the information without making a big deal out of it. I think of the word "Merc", but that makes me think of a Grand Marquis more than a Mercedes.

I won't use the "B" word, but, I'd sure like to know the reasoning. Are there any other don'ts about names in the automotive world?

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

graphicguy said:

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

I am considering trading in the Audi for an ATS with that kind of attitude. That dealer and GM are unbelievable.

I don't think we are going to find out what really happened, but, maybe the car was loaded onto the truck wrong. Alignments are probably done at the factory, and the dealer just cleans the car up. If it was someone test driving it would probably have shown up before now, and there would be some other damage. I guess the wrong parts could have been used too....look at Mikes E400 with missing options.

Still loving my ATS, driver. Just don't be looking to carry anyone in the back seat. It's really tight. But what a little pocket rocket this thing is! I was out yesterday and had great fun on a couple of occasions on the expressway making slow traffic disappear in my rear-view after I got past them. It really scoots. One time I floored it and actually scared myself.

As for GG's issue: I remain mystified. IIRC, this was the General Manager's car, with some miles on it, was it not? I wonder if there is anything in that history. GG, is the replacement one brand-new from inventory?

AB...it was the GM's car (old one). It had a few thousand miles on it. That's how I got it for mid $40K.

The new one had 16 miles on it when they put me in it. Not sure how many now, as I've been running around in it.

They close at 6 today and the owner's son, who I have been dealing with, is leaving early today. I just texted him to let him know that I wouldn't be out of my office until 5, getting to his store about 5:30-ish (maybe more with Friday traffic). He said he's gone tomorrow for some off-site meeting.

So, he said we should huddle up next week sometime on a date/time at my convenience. I'm really liking these guys.

Wait, wait, wait! You bought a car with a few thousands miles on it and now you're getting a replacement with 16 miles for NO extra cost?

You are a god to me now! d

That explains why the quick replacement. The GM must have let his kid drive it and he busted the suspension driving down railroad tracks with his girlfriend.

Farmer....not sure about all that. But, in a nutshell, that's how it shakes out. Either they weren't just paying lip service to wanting me as a happy customer, or something was way more wrong with the first car than they were telling me. Funny, there is a significant difference between the way the old one handled vs the new one. Not sure why I didn't notice it during my test drive. I think I chalked it up to being a different car than what I was driving.

AB...I was Christmas shopping last night, driving around. I was thinking how the turbo motor just pulls and pulls. This one is much more flingable., too. All these cars in this arena must be going to their versions of torque vectoring. The Audi had it, as did the Acura. Cadillac has their version of it. It sure makes the car more fun to get into the twists and turns with.

Not sure it's related to the first one's maladies, but even the self adjusting headlamps do a better job. Is that somehow related to the front end issues? Kind of made me thnk so.

Back to eye surgery.....did your wife have to wear glasses after the cataract surgery?

My wife was extremely nearsighted before her surgery so she wore thick glasses all her life. Now she has perfect distance vision and will only need reading glasses for close up. A complete 180 from before. She actually had a choice of near or far vision. Pretty neat what they can do these days.

oldfarmer50

"minutes. When I was lying there waiting to go in to surgery there was a blob on the wall. When I was finished they wheeled me back out to the same place and I could see that the blob was a clock...and I could tell the time on it."


Same for my wife. I swear she can see through walls now.

oldfarmer50

robr2 said:

When I had mine done back in 2000, cutting and pulverizing the clouded lens and inserting a plastic implant was the standard. I remember wearing a patch for 2-3 days with full recovery about 10 days.

With the use of lasers, you are back to 100% within a day or so.

No expert here but I believe all cataract surgery is the same in that the old clouded lens is removed (either by laser or scalpel) and a new lens is implanted.

The upsale seems to be that the laser is more precise than a human hand so less chance for a botched job. Of course they have to put the new lens in by hand (I assume) so if your doctor has the shakes you're still in trouble.

As we were waiting for our follow up appointment I heard one of the other doctors joking with his patient about being drunk during the operation. Not sure that was wise of him.

robr2

I meant to say it was done by hand. No laser involved. There was one used a few years later when I developed posterior capsule opacity which happens to about 20% of cataract patients.

At the surgery, I was given some sedative and I went to sleep. I awoke two hours later with a big patch over y eye.

The surgeon is also my general eye doctor. He was very proud of the work he did.

As for 20/20, he brought it pretty close but because my other eye was not touched it's been a struggle with contacts and glasses. I gave up on contacts a few years later and wear glasses full time. As the vision has changed in my virgin eye, I now just take my glasses off to read.

jayrider

imidazol97 said:

My wife is wanting to learn more about a FitBit, a device that reads blood pressure, steps, etc., that is on your wrist. Does anyone here have experience with that brand name item or other brands that work better. Remember this is for someone who is 63 with a bad lower back which causes a tilted pelvis, and a second knee replacement surgery from which her recovery has been phenomenal. When I told her I'd ask on my forum, she gave me one of those looks like I was crazy. She has no idea of the depth of knowledge that resides here in the users of this forum.

My wife has the Nike Fuel and really likes it. It measures activity, steps, calories but not pulse or blood pressure. The SE is the latest model. $90 . You activate it online to your personal specs and even I had no problem.

houdini1

imidazol97 said:

My first cataract replacement turned out to be too close bfor the focus. Ideally it's about 25-30 feet and for nearer reading you use dime store reading glasses. I got the single focus because the saleslady admitted the adjustable focus lens required your brain to learn to ignore some of the signals for close vs far focus. I was asking her how they worked because I couldn't understand from the various sources showing the lenses on the net.

I told her I was sensitive to distortion. Years back I would get dizzy because the astigmatism and distance correction caused door frames to move as I moved my head slightly. They would bend slightly--like the distortion shown in a picture taken with a very close focus lens (wide angle); then when I moved my head, the door frame would change position or bend a little differently. That bothered me. She admitted I might be better off with what I chose which is the basic, time-tested lens.

BMV story: My left eye is focused about about arm length, ideal for reading; my right is focused at about 15 feet. I have monovision. I did the BMV eye test and the left eye first I am not sure I could read the first line. I could see the lady tensing up. Then I used the right eye and could read the bottom most line. And both eyes together were just fine. I had no glasses at the time. Since then I did get glasses to be able to do fine work closeup.

I chose the single focus lens also. I had heard that the multi-focus lens had some problems. I still have to wear reading glasses (except with Kindle or Ipad) but I am used to those. For any distance over about 4 or 5 feet, I can see like a hawk, or perhaps more aptly, a buzzard.

houdini1

2016 Mustang Shelby GT350.

Farmer, I was reading about this beast in today's paper. It has something called a flat-plane crankshaft which is supposed to rival the second coming. Supposed to be available next Spring. 500 HP V8. By comparison the Boss 302 has 444 HP.

Another advantage of this new crankshaft is that it makes this Mustang sound like a Ferrari, which has a similar crankshaft. Price wise it looks to be right in your ball park, starting in the low $50's. RB probably knows all about it.

ab348

As I understand it, flat-plane cranks allow more engine efficiency but make V-8s vibrate like a paint shaker at lower engine speeds. So they are generally only used in high-revving engines and in track cars.

oldfarmer50

houdini1 said:

2016 Mustang Shelby GT350.

Farmer, I was reading about this beast in today's paper. It has something called a flat-plane crankshaft which is supposed to rival the second coming. Supposed to be available next Spring. 500 HP V8. By comparison the Boss 302 has 444 HP.

Another advantage of this new crankshaft is that it makes this Mustang sound like a Ferrari, which has a similar crankshaft. Price wise it looks to be right in your ball park, starting in the low $50's. RB probably knows all about it.

I think I posted an article about that awhile back. Sounds sweet.

A car starting in the low $50s is not my ball park...I couldn't even afford tickets to the nose bleed section.

venture

My wife was extremely nearsighted before her surgery so she wore thick glasses all her life. Now she has perfect distance vision and will only need reading glasses for close up. A complete 180 from before. She actually had a choice of near or far vision. Pretty neat what they can do these days.


I forgot about choosing between near and far vision. I wonder who would choose near?

abacomike

venture said:

My wife was extremely nearsighted before her surgery so she wore thick glasses all her life. Now she has perfect distance vision and will only need reading glasses for close up. A complete 180 from before. She actually had a choice of near or far vision. Pretty neat what they can do these days. I forgot about choosing between near and far vision. I wonder who would choose near?

Bless your wife for finding you good looking enough to stay with you after her vision was restored!   

Just a chuckle I thought about, venture - you must be a knockout to the ladies, for sure.

stickguy

man, busy in here today. I would never qualify for lasix. monocular vision, weird astigmatism, just an odd set up that eye docs don't really know what to do with. I'm happy when I get glasses that don't annoy me.

my wife, she is a perfect candidate. blind as a bat, but thick lenses (or whatever lends itself to the procedure) and straight nearsighted (or farsighted? I get them confused). But she does fine with contacts, so never got brave enough to do it (or wanted to spend the $). She did start getting a small cataract, but it never grew, so no free lens job yet!

my kids are both slightly something which would be an easy fix, and talk about having it done some day. I'm not paying for it of course, but on their dime, go for it!

stickguy

Let my daughter drive the Sonata today. She liked it a lot, and is in total love with the heated steering wheel. She is always cold (icy hands) and it was heaven to her.

roadburner

I went into the wrong profession. I saw my Doctor for my annual check up. A true gearhead. Has a 2013 Shelby GT 350, a 2010 GT 500, a Victory 8 Ball, and is building a Factory Five Cobra. He told me he has just ordered a Z06 with all the bells and whistles- which means it will top out at over $100k. I offered to take the GT 500 off his hand but he's keeping the Shelbys and is going to sell the FF Cobra...

verdugo

imidazol97 said:

My wife is wanting to learn more about a FitBit, a device that reads blood pressure, steps, etc., that is on your wrist. Does anyone here have experience with that brand name item or other brands that work better. Remember this is for someone who is 63 with a bad lower back which causes a tilted pelvis, and a second knee replacement surgery from which her recovery has been phenomenal. When I told her I'd ask on my forum, she gave me one of those looks like I was crazy. She has no idea of the depth of knowledge that resides here in the users of this forum.

I have the Fitbit One. I really like it. My parents, brother, and SIL now have one too.

The Fitbit Charge looks very nice. Let us know how your wife likes it.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

houdini1 said:

2016 Mustang Shelby GT350.

Farmer, I was reading about this beast in today's paper. It has something called a flat-plane crankshaft which is supposed to rival the second coming. Supposed to be available next Spring. 500 HP V8. By comparison the Boss 302 has 444 HP.

Another advantage of this new crankshaft is that it makes this Mustang sound like a Ferrari, which has a similar crankshaft. Price wise it looks to be right in your ball park, starting in the low $50's. RB probably knows all about it.

I think I posted an article about that awhile back. Sounds sweet.

A car starting in the low $50s is not my ball park...I couldn't even afford tickets to the nose bleed section.

That reminds me...do most people know how much it costs to go to a sporting event these days?

Last year 4 of us wanted to see a hockey game just to experience it about every 5 years or so - at the Tampa Bay Forum. I got to the window and asked how much tickets would be. He said $140 and I thought that isn't bad for 4 tickets. And, he said no, that's for each ticket!!!!!!!!

I said how much for the nose bleed section, at one end, top row. He said there were a few left for $35 each. We sat in the highest row, in the end, next to the giant organ which was deafening.

Now I know why I go every 5 years or so, to remind me why I don't want to go. btw, small can of beer is $10, large $13, coffee $6, awful sandwich $10! How do people afford it?

nyccarguy

Sporting events in general are expensive, & Hockey just seems more so than the other "majors." I feel like that's something to plan in advance. Buy tickets for a weeknight in advance on a ticket resale site, maybe the Lightning ave their own "fan ticket exchange."

venture

I used to go to quite a few pro games. Steelers and Pirates mostly and, occasionally, a Penguins game. Not any more. Some of these guys making 10's of million dollars a year in salary turned me completely off on pro sports in general. If it's not on TV, I don't watch it. Even with TV you are paying for your provider to be able to show the games.

I do still attend many of our local AA affiliate baseball games (especially since I have season tickets). It's a lot less expensive and these guys are playing hard trying to make it to the Majors.

driver100

venture said:

I used to go to quite a few pro games. Steelers and Pirates mostly and, occasionally, a Penguins game. Not any more. Some of these guys making 10's of million dollars a year in salary turned me completely off on pro sports in general. If it's not on TV, I don't watch it. Even with TV you are paying for your provider to be able to show the games.

I do still attend many of our local AA affiliate baseball games (especially since I have season tickets). It's a lot less expensive and these guys are playing hard trying to make it to the Majors.

One thing that is good is the Grapefruit League in Florida. For about $30 you can see a pretty good game in Tampa, Duneden, Bradenton etc. Parking is usually a short walk and on a beautiful day and the players seem to be trying. Paying $150 to see the Jays play in Toronto isn't worth the hassle....dome or no dome.

abacomike

For lunch today, Dad and I went to NYY Steak House's Sunday Brunch Buffet.  It's a Champaign, Bloody Mary and Mimosa type of affair.  We were seated at 12:00 noon.  Since Dad can't see, I took him over to the buffet.  The first stop was the carving station where they had prime rib.  He wanted some so they gave him a nice slice.  Next they had bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp, which he likes.  So he took 2 of those.  Next they had NY strip steak over some potato concoction which he added to his plate.  But we were only half-way through the line so I got him another plate.  

The he next station had a special corn they specialize in.  So he took some of that.  Next they had sautéed mini-potatoes which he loaded up on.  Now this trip to the buffet took 10 minutes just to load up on food.  I took him back to our table as the waiter was poring the champaign and I went to the buffet line to see what I wanted.  

They had country fried chicken which I really like.  So I took two of those.  They also had a separate station with these huge cocktail shrimp, crab legs and clams and mussels on the half shell.  So I indulged myself with those goodies and returned to the table.

Dad was lavishing in his two-plate cache of buffet items as if he was going to be hung tomorrow morning.  As I sat down, he asked what I had selected.  I told him.  He was disappointed that he did not get the country fried chicken and shell fish, so I just got up, put my play next to the other two plates already in front of him and sat down with him to rest from my treks back and forth to the buffet lines and began drinking the cold champaign.

Dad asked me if I was going back to the buffet to get myself something to eat.  I said I was going back after finishing my champaign.  He said when I do go back, he wanted a couple more pieces of the country fried chicken because he was really enjoying it.  I think that was the point at which my appetite for eating food - any food - deserted me.  I have rarely seen anyone pig out on so much food at one sitting with the exception of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.  So I went back to the buffet and asked them for 4 pieces of country fried chicken and then returned to the table.  I put 2 more pieces of chicken on his plate and was about to sit down to eat my chicken when he asked if I could get him some more corn and potatoes.

I went back and retrieved his corn and potatoes and then just collapsed in my seat to observe this debauchery.  Now remember, Dad is 92 years old with many disabilities, none of which obviously affect his appetite.

He finished his own mini-buffet which happened to be in front of him and proceeded to ask me what was for desert. I told him he needed to rest a while because I had not yet eaten my lunch because I was so busy trekking back and forth for his food.  With my appetite for food quickly ebbing, I had a few pieces of country fried chicken and bacon wrapped shrimp and called the waiter over.  

Whenever we we eat at NYY Steak House, dad loves to have their multi-layered chocolate cake for desert.  Since they did not have that cake as part of their desert buffet (they had 100's of other items), I asked our waiter if he could go in the back and find a piece for Dad. About 5 minutes later, the waiter returned with a 5" high, 6" wide "wedge" of chocolate layer cake smothered in chocolate fudge and various berries and whipped cream.  He took one bite and asked the waiter to wrap it up so he could take it home.

That was the end of my ability to eat, drink or even smell food for at least the rest of the day.  God Bless him, he sure can put it away.  I've never seen him eat so much at one sitting in many, many years.

stickguy

I figure if you can make it to 92, you can do whatever the heck you want.

PF_Flyer

stickguy said:

I figure if you can make it to 92, you can do whatever the heck you want.

Exactly, you made it and have earned the right to ENJOY!