Author: Bob Lin

If your car’s brakes fail, turning off the power (or the engine) is not the recommended first step because it could make the situation worse. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Stay Calm: Panic can make the situation more dangerous. Try to remain composed.
2. Pump the Brakes: If you have a standard braking system (not ABS), try pumping the brakes quickly to build up brake pressure.
3. Use the Emergency Brake: Gradually engage the emergency (parking) brake. It won’t stop the car immediately but can help slow it down. Be careful not to pull it too hard, as this could cause the wheels to lock up.
4. Downshift: If you’re driving a manual or automatic car with a manual mode, downshift to a lower gear to let the engine slow the car.
5. Warn Others: Turn on your hazard lights and honk the horn to alert other drivers.
6. Steer to Safety: Aim for the safest possible place to stop, such as an emergency lane, grassy area, or the side of the road.
7. Turn Off the Engine: Only after you’ve slowed down significantly and are in a safe area should you consider turning off the engine. Turning off the engine too early can disable power steering and brakes, making it harder to control the car.

It’s essential to get your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible if you experience brake issues.

Need to make an overseas call? It’s simple and affordable!”

To dial an international number, follow this format:

1.         Start with the exit code: Dial + (or 011 if you’re in the U.S.).

2.         Enter the country code: For example, 44 for the UK.

3.         Dial the phone number: Enter the local phone number you wish to call.

Example 1: If You’re in the U.S. and calling the UK number 020 1234 5678. Dial: 011 + 44 + 20 1234 5678. 011 is the U.S. exit code, 44 is the UK country code.

Example 2: If You’re in the UK and calling a U.S. number 415 555 1234.  Dial: 00 + 1 + 415 555 1234. 00 is the UK exit code, 1 is the U.S. country code.

Example 3: To call your friend in the U.S. from the UK using your U.S. phone number, you can dial the number directly as if you were in the U.S. However, if you need to add international dialing codes, here’s what to do, for example +1 847 771 7098. Make sure to include the + sign before the country code. This format should work regardless of whether you are using a U.S. phone number or a UK one.

If You’re in Other Countries, check the exit code for your country (usually 00 or 011), followed by the country code of the destination, and then the local number.

Always start with the exit code specific to your country.

Q: We have a Google Fi simply unlimited plan. If I am oversea, can I make phone call using wifi? I do see the plan mentioned simply unlimited Affordable Wi-Fi calling in 200+ destinations. Does that mean we can make phone call using WiFi or any eSIM data overseas?

A: Texts to 200+ destinations are included free. Calls over Wi-Fi to the US, Canada & Mexico are included free. Calls over Wi-Fi to other destinations are charged at affordable per-minute rates depending on the country. You can go to this website and check the rates there: https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates?p=fi.

Day 1-3: Northern New England

1. White Mountains, New Hampshire

• Highlights: Scenic drives along the Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch State Park, and Mount Washington.
• How to Get There: Drive from Boston (2-3 hours) via I-93 N. If flying, the closest airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), followed by a 1.5-hour drive.

2. Stowe, Vermont

• Highlights: Smugglers’ Notch, Mount Mansfield, and Stowe Recreation Path.
• How to Get There: From White Mountains, drive 2.5 hours via I-93 N and I-89 N.

3. Acadia National Park, Maine

• Highlights: Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, and the Park Loop Road.
• How to Get There: Drive from Stowe, Vermont, via US-2 E (5 hours) or directly from Boston (4-5 hours).

Day 4-6: Central New England

1. Berkshires, Massachusetts

• Highlights: Mount Greylock, the Mohawk Trail, and the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge.
• How to Get There: From Stowe, Vermont, drive 4 hours via I-89 S and MA-2 W. If arriving from Boston, drive 2 hours via I-90 W.

2. Southern Vermont (Manchester and Bennington)

• Highlights: Hildene (Lincoln Family Home), Equinox Mountain, and Bennington Battle Monument.
• How to Get There: From the Berkshires, drive 1.5 hours via MA-7 N and VT-7A N.

Day 7-10: Southern New England

1. Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

• Highlights: Kent Falls State Park, White Memorial Conservation Center, and the charming town of Litchfield.
• How to Get There: From Southern Vermont, drive 2.5 hours via VT-9 E and US-7 S.

2. The Quiet Corner, Connecticut (Northeast CT)

• Highlights: Woodstock, Pomfret, and the Connecticut Wine Trail.
• How to Get There: Drive 1.5 hours from Litchfield Hills via I-84 E.

3. Newport, Rhode Island

• Highlights: Cliff Walk, The Breakers mansion, and Ocean Drive.
• How to Get There: Drive 1.5 hours from the Quiet Corner via I-95 S.

Travel Tips:

• Transportation: Renting a car is essential for flexibility and accessing rural areas.
• Accommodations: Consider booking B&Bs, inns, or hotels in small towns for an authentic New England experience.
• Foliage Reports: Check local foliage reports as you travel to ensure you hit peak colors in each region.

This itinerary provides a balanced mix of scenic drives, charming towns, and natural beauty across New England, ensuring a memorable fall foliage experience.

The best time to see the full display of fall colors in New England generally occurs from late September to mid-October. The peak dates can vary each year depending on weather conditions, but here is a general timeline based on historical statistics:

1. Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont): The peak color usually occurs from late September to early October. The first week of October is often ideal for vibrant foliage in these areas, especially in higher elevations.
2. Central New England (Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Central Vermont): The peak tends to be from the first to the second week of October.
3. Southern New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Southern Massachusetts): The colors usually peak from mid-October to late October.

For the best experience, you should plan your trip around the first or second week of October. This period usually offers the most widespread and vibrant display across the region. However, monitoring local foliage reports closer to your trip can help you adjust your plans to catch the peak colors.

Welcome to our quick guide on DJI’s three essential Return to Home, or RTH, modes. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned drone pilot, understanding these modes can make all the difference in your flight safety.

Let’s break them down:

First, we have Smart RTH. This mode is manually activated by pressing the RTH button on your controller. Your drone will use GPS to calculate the safest and most efficient route back to its home point, which you set before takeoff. It’s perfect for when you want to bring your drone back with a single touch.

Next is Low Battery RTH. When your drone detects that its battery is running low, it will automatically trigger RTH. DJI drones are smart enough to calculate how much power is needed to return safely, ensuring you don’t lose your drone due to an empty battery.

Finally, there’s Failsafe RTH. If your drone loses signal from the remote controller—due to interference or flying out of range—it will automatically engage RTH. The drone will ascend to a pre-set altitude and return to the home point, helping prevent accidental loss.

Understanding these RTH modes ensures that your drone always has a safe journey home, no matter the situation. Be sure to set your home point, keep an eye on battery levels, and fly within range to make the most of these features.

Whether you’re a seasoned drone pilot or just starting, understanding the different flight modes on your DJI drone can significantly enhance your aerial photography and videography experience. In this video, we’ll introduce you to DJI’s Cine, Normal, and Sport modes, explaining what they do and how to use them to get the most out of your drone.

DJI drones typically offer three main flight modes: Cine, Normal, and Sport. Each mode tailors the drone’s flight characteristics for different situations and purposes. Let’s break them down.

Cine Mode, also known as Cinematic Mode, is designed for smooth and controlled movements. In this mode, the drone’s speed is reduced, and its sensitivity to control inputs is minimized. This creates slow, graceful shots, perfect for capturing cinematic footage with minimal jerks or abrupt movements. Use Cine Mode when you want to focus on smooth, precise movements, ideal for professional-grade videos.

To activate Cine Mode, simply switch your controller to the ‘Cine’ or ‘C’ position. This mode is ideal for filming intricate scenes where precision and smoothness are key.

Normal Mode is the default flight mode on most DJI drones. It strikes a balance between speed and control, making it suitable for most everyday flying scenarios. In Normal Mode, the drone moves at a moderate speed and responds predictably to your inputs. This mode is perfect for casual flying, general photography, and videography.

To switch to Normal Mode, set the controller to the ‘Normal’ or ‘N’ position. This is the go-to mode for typical flight operations, offering a balanced combination of speed and stability.

Sport Mode is for those who crave speed and excitement. In this mode, the drone’s agility and speed are maximized, allowing it to fly at its fastest. While it’s thrilling, keep in mind that Sport Mode reduces obstacle avoidance capabilities, so use it in open areas where there’s little risk of collision.

To engage Sport Mode, flip the controller switch to the ‘Sport’ or ‘S’ position. This mode is perfect for fast-paced action shots or when you need to cover large distances quickly.

Choosing the right mode depends on your shooting needs. Cine Mode for cinematic shots, Normal Mode for general use, and Sport Mode for high-speed action. Experiment with each mode to discover what works best for your projects.

Mastering these modes will allow you to capture stunning aerial footage with ease. Happy flying!

著名的美国版天空之镜Bonneville Salt Flats（博纳维尔盐滩）位于盐湖城西边，开车1.5小时，是它大盐湖 Great Salt Lake 已经干涸的部分。

天空之镜的地址/导航

去参观 Bonneville Salt Flats ，可以把车停在两个地方。

第一个停车点在 Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound（地图140°44’25.1″N 113°51’04.6″W），这里是80高速公路（西行）的休息站，有卫生间和冲洗设施，但不是很显眼，快到的时候注意减速。

第二个地方便是 Bonneville Speedway Road （地图2， 40°45’44.7″N 113°53’45.6″W），走80公路上时，一定要在 Exit 4 转出来，然后一路向北，经过卡车停靠站，再右转，最后才能到达 Speedway，如果你错过了，下一个出口要在40英里后了.要是天气够干，盐滩够硬，可以从这里开车到盐滩深处。盐滩部分积水的时候，更像是天空之境。

注：如果觉得天空之镜太远，可以导航到Stansbury Bay，是一大块私人盐田，由几百块小盐湖组成，其中有一块粉色盐田尤其出片。

但不用跟着地图走到终点，因为这是私人领地不让进，在下图中画圈附近停下就行，距离盐湖城市区大概30分钟车程，最好带上无人机航拍。

常见问题

Q：天空之镜需要门票吗？

不需要门票，也不需要停车费，无人管理，全年免费开放

Q：车可以开进去吗？

由于是无人管理景区，要不要开车上去全看自己，但有几点需要注意：

1. 盐是有腐蚀性的，出来以后要及时清洗，不要隔夜；如果是租车，基本上都不允许开上去，被发现会面临$200以上的罚款
2. 冬天或者雨季盐层比较松，开上去容易陷进去，会有牌子提示
3. 边缘盐层比较薄，最好与其保持100米以上安全距离

Q：天空之镜的最佳游玩时间？

每年11月到次年5月，景区地表通常有水，是拍反光水景（天空之镜）的最佳时间，晴天拍出的效果最好；或者前几天下雨+大晴天，也是出片的极佳组合

如果想把车开上去，来一把速度与激情，夏天前往是最好的选择

游玩建议及注意事项

1.提前看好天气预报，最好晴天前往，不然即使地表有水，镜面效果也不会很好。但晴天的中午光线太强，镜面效果也会打折扣。

2.盐地反射强烈，一定做好防晒，最好带个面罩。另外，拍照的工具人要带一个墨镜或伞，不然根本睁不开眼睛，只能盲拍。

3.冬天超级冷，而且风大，要多穿一点并戴帽子，一是为了保暖，二是可以帮女生固定头发，在风中保持发型太难了。

4.站在水里拍照最出片，但盐水挺伤鞋，建议穿耐造的鞋或拖鞋（也可以光脚，但盐粒很硌脚）。

5.可以多备几套亮色衣服，那边地广人稀，可以随时在车里换。

6.日落时分光线会变得非常柔和，把雪白的盐滩染成粉色，非常梦幻。

7.盐滩周围有加油站，但数量少价格贵，最好提前加满。

8.可以带上无人机，航拍画面更震撼。

9. 什么时候去博纳维尔盐滩最好？

夏季，6月-10月，地表是盐滩，可以在上面驾车。 冬季，11月-5月，地表可能有积水，不能驾车，但更容易拍摄出天空之镜的效果。

10. 我可以在博纳维尔盐滩上驾车吗？

只要盐滩是干燥的，就可以驾车进入，但后果自负： 盐滩边缘非常脆弱，车可能会突然陷入泥中，造成灾难性后果（因此，要在距离盐滩边缘100米外驾驶）。2. 盐会腐蚀轮胎和底牌，如果是自己的车，记得冲洗干净～ 租来的车 … 其实不让你开上这路。如果盐滩上有水，那除非对地形非常熟悉，否则禁止驶入。

If the display does not switch properly from the LCD screen or monitor to the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) when the FINDER/MONITOR setting is set to Auto, it could be the Eye Sensor is dirty or settings issue. Here are some resolutions.

1. Cleaning Eye Sensor:

1) Remove the Eyepiece cup.

2) Clean the Eyepiece cup and the Eye Sensor.

3) Put the Eyepiece cup back.

2. Checking the FINDER/MONITOR settings:

1) Press Menu.

2) Select Custom Settings.

3) Select FINDER/MONITOR.

4) make sure Auto is selected.

3. Drain the residual power in a Sony camera:

Turn the camera off.

Remove the battery.

Turn the camera on. (Yes, with the battery removed.)

Hold down the shutter button for 60 seconds.

Turn the camera off.

Insert the battery.

Turn the camera on.

4. Reset Settings:

1) Press Menu.

2) Select Setup.

3) Navigate to Setup subpage 7

4) Select Settings Reset.

Hope one of them fixes the problem.

The display does not automatically switch to the viewfinder.

The display does not automatically switch to the LCD

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

Ensure your Sony camera is updated with the latest firmware. Here’s how to check and update the firmware of your ILCE-7RM2 camera.

Step 1: Check System Software Version

1. Turn on your camera and go to “Menu.”
2. Navigate to “Setup subpage [6]” and select “Version.”
3. If your version is Ver. 4.01, no update is needed.

Step 2: Verify System Requirements Ensure your computer meets these requirements:

• Operating Systems: Windows 10 or above.
• Power Source: Fully charged NP-FW50 battery pack or AC adaptor AC-PW20
• USB Cable: Use the cable supplied with the camera

Step 3: Download the Updater

1. Visit the Sony website and find the firmware update.
2. Read the disclaimer and click “Download.”
3. Save the file, for example Update_ILCE7RM2V401.exe to your desktop.

Step 4: Prepare for Update

1. Close all running programs.
2. Double-click the downloaded file [Update_ILCE7RM2V401.exe].
3. The System Software Updater will start.
4. Turn on your camera, go to “Menu,” “Setup subpage [4],” select “USB Connection,” and ensure “Mass Storage” is selected.
5. Connect the camera to the computer with the supplied USB cable.

Step 5: Execute the Update

1. Follow on-screen instructions on the System Software Updater.
2. Click “Next” to proceed if the current version is Ver. 4.00 or earlier.
3. The camera will automatically reset, and the update process will start. This will take approximately 5 minutes.

Important Notes:

• Do not turn off the camera or disconnect the USB cable during the update.
• If the computer doesn’t recognize the camera, reconnect the USB cable or try another USB terminal.
• After updating, the camera will restart automatically.

Step 6: Confirm Update

1. Once the update is complete, the device will restart.
2. On the camera, go to “Menu,” “Setup subpage [6],” and select “Version” to confirm it displays Ver. 4.01.

Troubleshooting:

• If the update doesn’t complete and the monitor remains black for over 15 minutes:
  • Disconnect the USB cable and remove the battery and AC adapter.
  • Wait a few minutes, then reinsert the battery or reconnect the AC adapter.
  • Restart the computer and repeat the installation process.

Following these steps ensures your Sony ILCE-7RM2 camera is updated to the latest firmware version, enhancing its performance and features.