Back-Story

As many of you reading this already know I’ve been looking for a way to record phone calls on my iPhone for some time. I’ve come up with a couple of different ways to do it (iPhone Call Recorder and iPhone Call Recorder V2) but neither was elegant, convenient, practical, and both suffered from various other drawbacks.

Back when I published details of the first iPhone Call Recorder I was hoping that it would gain enough attention that someone would either point out an existing solution or be inspired and devise something better. Despite getting the attention of Gizmodo noting came along that peaked my interest. I continued to try to improve my iPhone Call recorder but failed to come up with anything viable.

A Better Way

Ultimately the best solution to recording calls on the iPhone is a native app, but that remains impossible due to limitations in the iPhone API that Apple is unlikely to change. It’s my understanding that Android suffers from the same limitation (that is: no API access to the mic input and speaker output during a call) so Android fans may want to pay attention because this solution works with any Bluetooth enabled phone.

A few months ago someone behind a new product called the Call Mynah posted a comment on my iPhone Call Recorder V2 post inviting me to take a look at what he said was the solution I’d been looking for.

I took a look at the site and got the gist of what the Call Mynah was and how it worked. On the surface it did look like the best solution I’d seen so I contacted the company behind the Call Mynah – Intelligent Recording Limited – and we worked out a deal so that I could get my hands on one to test and review. I’ve spent the last several months testing the Call Mynah and have found it to be an excellent solution that puts both my attempts to shame.

Price

The Call Mynah retails for $199.00 plus S&H. The price is a bit steep and I admit to suffering from sticker shock when I first saw it. I’d honestly feel better with price somewhere in the $50-$60 range but the device serves a niche which means the price is going to be high.

Comparatively, if I were to sell my iPhone Call Recorder the price would be around the same as the Call Mynah and it’s not nearly as elegant a solution as the Call Mynah.

Features/Specs

• Up to 340 hours of call storage (via 2GB of internal storage).

Intelligent Recording Limited says 340 hours enough for a year’s worth of calls. I’ve not tested this but I’ve also not run out of space. A recent firmware upgrade also lets you adjust the recording quality between low, med, and high which will give you 340 hours, 140 hours and 68 hours respectively.

• Connects to any mobile phone via Bluetooth.

I’ve tested the Call Mynah on a couple of different iPhone 4s and a couple of generic flip phones without issue.

• Automatically records all calls (manual recording options too).

The automatic recording requires that you make/answer the call via the Call Mynah. If you make the call from your phone then you need to manually record. Both recording options worked without issue for me.

• Saves all call details (date, time, number, duration, call type)

Works but if you want the contact’s name to show then you need to add them as a contact in the Call Mynah. This isn’t a huge deal and honestly is not something I’ve bothered to do since I can just get the contact name off the iPhone. It would be nice to see the Call Mynah pull the info from the iPhone (or whatever phone that it’s connected to).

• Add comments to calls and flag as ‘Important’

Lets you add pre-canned (you can add your own) comments to a recording.

• Upload calls to your PC for easy management (software supplied)

Here is my biggest gripe with the Call Mynah – calls recorded the device are saved in a proprietary file format (.xtr). Proprietary is bad. The only way to get them to any usable format (i.e. wav or mp3) is via the Intelligent Recording Limited desktop software (Windows/Mac). I’d rather see the calls recorded to the device as a wav or mp3 to begin with.

• 150 Hours standby, 8 hours talking before battery charge.

The battery on your phone will probably run out first in my experience.

• Call recording warn tone or prompt can be sent to callers (optional).

Some jurisdictions require that all parties are notified that the call is being recorded. You can set a voice notification, or beep. It’s a nice feature to have if you need it. It’s even nicer that you can turn it off.

• Handset, Speakerphone or Headset (supplied) operation

The handset operation (using it like a phone) works well but the earpiece quality could be better (I’m told this has been improved in the latest hardware revision). I have heard no complaints about my voice quality when using the Call Mynah in headset mode. The speakerphone operation is hindered by low volume and lackluster sound quality (I’m told this has been improved in the latest hardware revision). The supplied headset works well if you are ok with a single earbud. The headset jack is a standard 2.5 mm jack which I’ve found to be of standard wiring. I’ve used a couple of different headsets and a 2.5 to 3.5 splitter/adapter to plug-in a couple of different 3.5 headsets.

• Security features to prevent unauthorized listening to your calls

Just simple PIN based security that lets you lock out the keypad and/or USB access. Nothing fancy useful against casual lookiloos. I don’t necessarily consider this a negative as implementing hard security would be difficult in a low powered device such as the Call Mynah.

Overall Impressions

The Call Mynah showing the home screen. The background image is customizable.

When I first received the unit I was a bit worried because it was so light. Except for the battery I doubt it would weigh anything at all. First impression was that it felt cheap, and it still does. For $200 I’d expect that the device would feel less cheap. However, the device does what it is supposed to do – record calls – and it’s survived the past few months being in my pocket, and riding around in my EDC bag suffering only minor scratches. So while it feels cheap, it’s proving to be robust.

The interface is reminiscent of a cell phone from the 2000s. It’s a simple and relativity intuitive to use no frills (which is a good thing) interface that gets the job done. To manually record a call, even with the Call Mynah disconnected from the phone is relativity quick and easy (at least on the iPhone) and does not interrupt the call. At most you’d need to ask the caller to “hang on a second” so you can “connect your Bluetooth headset”.

The root menu of the Call Mynah.

You connect the Call Mynah to your computer via USB. It’s nice that Intelligent Recording Limited used a standard Mini-B USB port and not a proprietary port. When you want to connect the Call Mynah to your computer to pull recordings off it you have to first go to the main menu and select USB Mode. This makes your computer see the Call Mynah as a removable drive and you can use the included desktop software to listen to and export your recordings. Whether in USB mode or not the Call Mynah charges when plugged into your computer or via the included wall charger.

I have had some issues with my Call Mynah not being recognized by the computer when connected in USB mode. This is solved after unplugging and plugging it back in a few times. I’ve also noticed that the low powered ports (such as ports on the front of a computer) can cause issues with the Call Mynah being recognized so your best bet is to plug it into a port on the back of your computer if you have issues.

The USB issues are an annoyance but have not prevented me from using the device. I hope it’s resolved in a future firmware and/or hardware upgrade.

As of firmware v1.01.12 I’ve not had any issue connecting via USB. As with the earpiece and speaker phone, I’m told that the USB issue has been addressed in the latest hardware revision

The headset and USB connectors on the bottom of the Call Mynah.

Recording a call is dead simple. If the Call Mynah is already connected to your phone via Bluetooth then all you need to do is answer the call with the Call Mynah, use the Call Mynah as you would your regular headset and the call will be automatically recorded. From that point you can stop and start recording at any time via the record button on the side of the Call Mynah.

The record start/stop button is conveniently located on the right side for easy access during a call.

You can automatically record a call by answering or dialing via the Call Mynah.

If the Call Mynah isn’t connected then all you need to do is connect it like any other Bluetooth device and press the record button. Again, the worst you’d have to do (presuming you didn’t want the other party to know you are recording) is tell them to hang on a second and then connect the Call Mynah to your phone. I’m not sure it could be easier to use.

The volume controls are located on the other (left) side of the Call Mynah.

The speaker phone (located on the top) is unfortunately lackluster in this hardware version of the Call Mynah but I'm told it has been improved in the latest hardware revision.

I found that I could use a 2.5 to 3.5 splitter/adapter to plug in a mic/headphone set to use with the Call Mynah which I prefer over using the included earbud. The only complaint is the low volume, there are times when I’ve needed it to be a smidgen louder. I’m told that this issue issue being addressed in a hardware revision.

2.5 to 3.5 splitter/adapter (not included) plugged into the Call Mynah lets you to use various headphones and mic sets.

As noted before – the Call Mynah records calls in a proprietary format (which sucks), if you want to listen to your recorded calls you either have to listen to them on the Call Mynah or use the XtR Call Mynah Desktop Software (Windows/Mac). To be fair Intelligent Recording Limited uses the proprietary format to allow comments, the important flag and other data to be recorded with the call. The desktop software will allow you to listen to and export you recordings to wav file. Still, I’d prefer if the Call Mynah recorded natively as a wav or mp3 but at least you can export them to a non-proprietary format. Using a non-proprietary format would also make the Call Mynah easier to use by eliminating the need to learn and use another pice of software.

The Call Mynah Desktop Software is easy to use but it's another step. Personally I would prefer to be able to just copy a wav or mp3 directly from the device.

With the desktop software you can also set and control various settings on the Call Mynah.

Sample

Here is a sample recording from my the Call Mynah – it’s me calling the local Batteries Plus to check on a replacement battery for a UPS. The sample was recorded prior to the recent firmware update allowing for quality selection so it was recorded in the low (340 hours) setting. It is unedited and exported directly from the Call Mynah desktop software.

Call Mynah Test

Pros/Cons and Final Thoughts

Pros

• Compact and light – easy to take on the go.
• Can be used on any Bluetooth capable phone.
• Proving to be robust – has survived floating around in my bag and pocket.
• Easy to use in terms of recording calls.
• Long battery life.
• Recording quality even on the low setting is more than adequate for phone calls.
• Does not force you to have a notification that the call is being recorded.
• No wires.

Cons

• Proprietary file format sucks – in my opinion it adds unnecessary complexity and forces the use of more software but it is being used for a reason (notes, flags, etc.).
• Lackluster earpiece and speaker performance – improved in the latest hardware revision but I have to base this on the hardware version I’ve tested with.
• The recording levels can peek, distorting the recording if you or the person you are talking to get loud. It would be nice to see a way to check the recording levels and a way to adjust them. I’m probably asking too much from such a simple device so this isn’t really playing into the final score.
• Feels a bit cheep – This hasn’t been a problem (see pros) but I prefer my devices to have a bit of weight to them. A $200 device should feel like a $200 device.
• I don’t care for the buttons – I’d prefer a more tactile raised buttons over the flat ones. I think the buttons contribute to the cheep feel.
• Sealed battery – always prefer removable batteries.

Overall I like the Call Mynah and would say it’s probably the best wire-free way to record calls on your iPhone (or other BT capable phone) and would recommend it. As noted there is room for improvement but the device functions as advertised. I’ve used the Call Mynah since January and it has not failed to record a call that I’ve used it on. Intelligent Recording Limited also seems to be dedicated to the device – they’ve promised improved hardware and have pushed out several (free) firmware/software updates since I received my device.

The Rating

With all the pros and cons in mind I give the Call Mynah 8 out of 10 the two points are lost primarily from the lackluster earpiece and speaker performance. Again, I’m told this has been improved in the latest hardware revision but I have to base the score off what I’ve tested.

Call Mynah $199.00 via callmynah.com – Desktop software included/free. Future software and firmware updates are free as well.

Full Disclosure

Here is the deal that Intelligent Recording Limited and I worked out – I paid less than retail for my Call Mynah. Beyond that I’m getting a credit when the link to the Call Mynah site on this post are clicked, up to the point that I get the price I paid for the unit back. That’s the deal as it stands now. There is was no requirement that my review be favorable towards the Call Mynah and the folks at Intelligent Recording Limited were made aware that if I thought it sucked I’d say so.

This is partly a review of the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, henceforth referred to as EMP|SFM, and mostly a rant about stupid rules.

Update: EMP|SFM responded to this post on Twitter

EMPSFM @adambyers FYI – the bag policy is now changed as well – we restricted bags because large bags in crowded galleries = no fun for anyone.

EMPSFM @adambyers another old rule that wasn’t always needed except for certain small galleries. Sorry you got hassled and thx for sending to me.

[review]

This last August my family and I visited the EMP|SFM on the invitation of a friend. The EMP|SFM is a cool museum, but it’s far from living up to the hype surrounding it. The exhibits were both neat and educational, lots of Jimmy Hendricks stuff, the Guitar Gallery (offering a history of the electric guitar) was really cool and educational, and the Sound Lab was again fun and educational (after 30 or so minutes in there Jay was playing the drums pretty good).

The Science Fiction Museum (arguably the part I was most interested in) was a cool in that it offered you a chance to view props from various sci-fi movies and TV programs, as well as sci-fi history and the usual “did ya know?” type of stuff.

Still, after it was all said and done we were left with the impression that the coolest thing and arguably the the exhibit the kids had the most fun with was the giant LED screen:

Apparently this is the world’s largest LED screen and before it arrived at the EMP|SFM it belonged to U2, who used in at concerts and later donated it to the museum.

We had fun, no doubt, and we learned stuff, no doubt. However, our fun probably had more to do with the people we were with rather than the museum itself. The staff at the museum seem to have an elitist attitude and most acted like they were doing us some kind of favor by letting us in their museum. The atmosphere of the EMP|SFM is a stark contrast to other famous North West museums we’ve been to – like OMSI and the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum where the staff is friendly, welcoming, and treats you as though they appreciate your visit. The EMP|SFM is kind of an awkward place, and for all the hype we were left feeling like there was something missing.

If I needed to sum up EMP|SFM in one word it would be: meh.

[stupid rules]

In total we were a group of 11 people, to eat in out would have been spendy, and complicated, so we brown-bagged lunch. We had all the lunch stuff in a couple of paper shopping bags and after we parked the bags were loaded on a stroller. The plan was to pause our EMP|SFM visit at some point to go out and eat in the park nearby. Our bags would have happy stayed on the stroller during our tour but we quickly found out that the EMP|SFM is paranoid, into stupid rules, or both.

From EMP|SFM site:

Does EMP|SFM offer bag check?
Yes. EMP|SFM offer complimentary bag and coat check for museum guests.

Bags larger than 16 inches are not allowed in the gallery spaces.

Ok, so we had to check our lunch bags, inconvenient, and stupid but not a huge deal. However, if your going to have stupid rules at least have the courtesy to explain why they exist. Maybe it’s to help enforce their (understandable) no food rule:

Can I bring food or drink into EMP|SFM?
Food and drink are prohibited in all gallery spaces. They are permitted in the public areas (such as the ticketing lobby or the retail store).

Maybe the TSA style bag check is designed so that terrorists can only bring in bombs smaller than 16 inches? Maybe it’s designed to inconvenience you enough so that you don’t bring sack lunch and eat at the EMP|SFM food court? Who knows? Our friends were allowed to bring in their, larger than 16 inches, diaper bag but as is often the case with stupid rules, there are people who take them too far.

My wife and her friend got to talking to a couple who were forced to check their two week old baby’s diaper bag before they were allowed into the museum. Apparently the museum expected them to just walk back to the front of the museum if they needed anything.

After my wife and her friend brought the issue to the attention of a EMP|SFM employee (the only one who didn’t act like a pretentious douche bag) he quickly retrieved the diaper bag for the couple and apologized. Still, it should have never happened and wouldn’t have if they didn’t have stupid rules that gave EMP|SFM employees the opportunity to go on power trips, which is the only reason for denying a mother and father ready access to their two week old baby’s diaper bag.

What could be more stupid then the mandatory bag check? The EMP|SFM policy on photography. When we asked, were told there are parts of the EMP|SFM where photography is allowed and parts where it’s prohibited. For instance your allowed to take a picture of a child molesters Michael Jackson’s jacket:

You can also take a picture of a giant funnel of guitars:

Besides the Sound Lab and the LED wall, those are the only two exhibits your allowed to take pictures of, and where carrying a camera won’t get you stalked by EMP|SFM staff. Stupid rules be damned! I took pictures:

These are really neat old guitars, it's a good picture too... wish I could show it to you. Perhaps it would inspire you to go see them for yourself but EMP|SFM does not allow photography. I wasn't supposed to take this picture.

I took others, I was sneaky, I shot from the hip and didn’t use a flash and I wasn’t the only one. Several other people were taking pictures, some being a lot more obvious then I was. I almost got out scot-free; until the Science Fiction Museum.

As we were exiting the sci-fi museum there was an exhibit with props from Lost in Space including the famous B9 Robot. I was admiring the exhibit when Sandi said “you should get a picture of that.” I had gotten too relaxed and made the mistake of holding my camera to my eye to take the shot (no flash). Just as the shutter snapped I heard “Sir! Sir!” and saw a man quickly approaching me. The man was an EMP|SFM “security guard” and he was quick to tell me that I had to delete the picture. “Frak!” I new that if he watched me delete that picture he’d see another I wasn’t supposed to have taken pop up.

At this point I was thinking “Ok, I got caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to do, I’ll suck it up and take it.” I showed him my camera and deleted the picture I took of the Lost in Space exhibit. I tried to turn the screen off fast enough but he was hovering over me and he saw another picture that I wasn’t supposed to have taken and demanded that I delete that. After deleting that picture a third one came on the screen and he again demanded that I delete it. After deleting those three pictures a picture I took of the Yoda exhibit popped up and he demanded that I delete that picture as well. By this point I was annoyed enough that I refused.

My kids love Star Wars and I took that picture for them and this guy’s power trip was getting tiring. The picture wasn’t even a good one, burly, as is was shot from the hip. I was sick of this guy leaning over me demanding I delete my pictures. I told him I wasn’t going to delete any more pictures, that we were leaving anyway, and I’d put the lens cap on. I walked away and meet up with the rest of my group, who were talking to the couple with the two week old baby.

This is (one of) the original Yoda puppets used in the Star Wars movie.

I’m not sure if the EMP|SFM “security guard” was allowed to, even if photography is prohibited, demand that I delete my pictures… it felt like illegal search and seizure to me. Since we were with other people I didn’t want to push the issue and get us completely kicked out or worse, which is why I complied as far as I did.

From The Photographer’s Right:

They Have No Right to Confiscate Your Film
Sometimes agents acting for entities such as owners of industrial plants and shopping malls may ask you to hand over your film. Absent a court order, private parties have no right to confiscate your film. Taking your film directly or indirectly by threatening to use force or call a law enforcement agency can constitute criminal offenses such as theft and coercion. It can likewise constitute a civil tort such as conversion. Law enforcement officers may have the authority to seize film when making an arrest but otherwise must obtain a court order.

The same EMP|SFM employee who brought the couples diaper bag to them (again the only one who didn’t act like a pretentious douche bag), talked to Sandi and I. He was very nice, apologized for the other employees behavior and explained why they didn’t allow photography.

The photography ban stems from the fact that the EMP|SFM does not own all the exhibits and some of the owners don’t want their exhibits photographed and since it would be difficult to limit photography to only exhibits the EMP|SFM owns, they ban it altogether. The EMP|SFM employee agreed that it was a stupid, outdated rule and told us the new CEO was trying to get it lifted.

Exhibit owners and artists think that allowing people to take pictures is going to devalue the artwork or exhibit, which is just crap. Wake up people! Allowing people to photograph your artwork or exhibit and share it on their blog, FaceBook, Twitter, insert name of latest social network here, is only going promote the museum, which makes the museum money, money that the museum can pay you, the exhibit owner or artist, to have your exhibit or artwork displayed.

Ironically, as I was (slowly) writing this post this article came out in the Seattle P-I:

Sad you couldn’t get a shot with the original Death Star on your last visit to the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum?

Starting Sept. 26, you’ll be able to strike a pose with the relic of a galaxy far, far away — not to mention Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Stratocaster, Captain Kirk’s Enterprise chair and every other object in the museum’s permanent collection.

EMP/SFM is about to change its photo policy. And if you ask staff, it’s about time.

Egads! Photography of items in the EMP|SFM’s permanent collection is now permitted! The article goes on the explain that traveling exhibits may still restrict photography but it does not seem that enforcing it will be of much concern to the museum:

“You can worry ’til the cows come home on a lot of this stuff, or you can sort of try to minimize the amount of potential damage,” said senior curator Jacob McMurray.

“At some point you have to decide, do you want to waste resources pushing back against something that can’t be solved, can’t be fixed?”

Of course flash photography is still prohibited, which I agree with. Whether or not a flash damages an artifact is debatable but a dozen flashes going off in a dark room would be annoying so I’m down with no-flash.

The EMP|SFM needs to update their web site because according to it photography is still prohibited:

Is photography allowed in the EMP|SFM galleries?
No film or video photography is allowed in the museum galleries. Any commercial or other unauthorized use of any transmission, picture, film/type, writing, drawing, or other depiction or description of any Experience Music Project or Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame name, mark or logo is prohibited without prior specific written approval from the EMP|SFM Marketing and PR Department. Call 206.770.2700 for more information.

I’m glad to see the EMP|SFM dispensing with the stupid no photography rule, it shows progress on their part. Perhaps allowing people to take diaper bags in and training employees not to act like pretentious douche bags will be the next step froward for the EMP|SFM.

Not normally a movie critic, I don’t listen to movie critics… I prefer to see the movie and make my own conclusion and let others make theirs. Movies are art and therefore subject to one’s individual interpretation… I determined a long time ago that it’s pointless to try to convince someone a movie is good or a movie is bad, doesn’t mean I don’t try though…

My family and I saw “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” this past Friday. I was excited about seeing it because I loved watching the original “Indiana Jones” movies as a kid. Let me point out that the silliness and corny nature of “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is not what I have a problem with, it goes in line with the previous films and is part of the “Indiana Jones” signature. I loved it when Mutt flew through the air swinging on vines like a monkey, I can even go with Indy surviving a nuclear explosion in a fridge. Harrison Ford still has what it takes and plays Indiana Jones beautifully; Shia LaBoef manages to not be annoying and pulls his character Mutt off well. The acting, cinematography, visual effects are all great! The problem is the story – I can do aliens, or interdimensional beings, I will even give you crystal skeletons that are alive. However, the movie had no point. They discovered apparently super intelligent beings who in the process of trying to impart their “superior” knowledge killed Irina Spalko and then split town destroying any evidence that they ever existed… I mean really. I sat in the theater waiting till the end hoping that there would be a line, a scene, something that would bring it all together that would make it all make sense… didn’t happen.

Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Lucas – I want my money back.

[photo credit]

I just finished reading “Dies the Fire” by S. M. Stirling. I was given the book by a friend (to barrow) who thought I’d enjoy it. After taking what my friend thought was much too long to finish it, I finally did this last Friday morning (at 2am). “Dies the Fire” is the first book in a trilogy, the sequels being “The Protector’s War”, and “A Meeting at Corvallis”. “Dies the Fire” is set in 1998, an unknown event, later called “The Change,” alters the laws of physics to the point that explosives, electronics, and modern forms of energy no longer function. It’s so bad that steam engines don’t even work. The book follows two leaders – Michael Havel, Juniper Mackenzie and their followers as they deal with the resulting breakdown of modern civilization, chaos and mass death following “The Change.” as people struggle to survive in a world plunged into the dark ages, skills like farming, and being able to fight with a sword are skills that keep you alive.

I really enjoyed “Dies the Fire,” S. M. Stirling does a wonderful job of placing you in the world of Michael Havel and Juniper Mackenzie as they struggle to keep themselves and their followers alive. I really enjoyed the character of Michael Havel, a former Marine tuned charter pilot who leads his group, named the Bearkillers (after Michael killed a bear). Michael Havel is a no-nonsense guy who does what he has to in order to protect his group and others. Juniper Mackenzie’s character, leader of Clan Mackenzie is a bit strange as she is a Wiccan priestess who models her group of survivors after a Celtic clan. I enjoyed Michael Havel’s character far more, but all the characters are well defined and enjoyable to follow.

I’m looking forward to reading the other two in the trilogy. The whole time I found myself thinking how messed up it was that NOTHING worked and wondering how we as a society would react and survive if something like that were to happen in real life. S. M. Stirling does a fantastic job of describing one possible (dare I say likely) scenario in a world where the lights have gone out for good.

Before I start the other two books in the “Dies the Fire” trilogy I’m going to read “The Golden Compass” “His Dark Materials” trilogy. My Grandma would kill me if she knew I was reading it. Ironically, if it wasn’t for all the controversy surrounding the release of the movie, I would have never been inclined to read it. That’s the problem with boycotts and such, they usually backfire.

In the interest of full disclosure – I am a huge fan of “Mythbusters”, have been since day 1.

Last week the Discovery Channel ran sneak peeks of upcoming series, one such series is “Smash Lab.”

Insulting – That’s the word you could use to accurately describe “Smash Lab,” it’s an insult to the audience’s intelligence. The whole sneak peek episode was a 1 hour commercial for Rhino Lining, where they “tested” to see if the truck bed liner could be used to bomb proof a building. I don’t have a problem with the shows creed to “take on everyday technology and apply it in revolutionary new ways.” Sounds good, if you actually test that technology in an unbiased way. It was clear from the start of the show that the result was predetermined; scripted even.

The Crew – According the Discovery Channel site “The Crew”, as their referred to on the show, may actually be as qualified as the show’s narrator leads you to believe. Unfortunately, “The Crew” looses any credibility their credentials might afford them once you realize their tests are either blatantly rigged or simply irrelevant.

Blowing trucks up – In the first test, two identical trucks were blown up, one with its bed sprayed with Rhino Lining and the other without. You’re told that the explosive was placed on the rear axle, directly under the truck bed on both trucks. The first truck (unprotected) was blow to pieces, including the bed. The second truck (protected) was blow to pieces as well but the bed survived largely intact, apparently thanks to the Rhino Lining. In fact the protected bed didn’t even look as if it had been on a truck that was blow to pieces. However, it became clear when they showed the high speed footage of the protected truck’s explosion that the explosive was not under the rear axle but closer to the cab of the truck. “The Crew” was all too happy to point out that the Rhino Liner “deflected” the explosive blast away from the bed and towards the cab, saving the truck bed. The audience was left to ponder how PLASTIC could be so awesome.

Shrapnel – “The Crew” pointed out (rightly) that in an explosion it’s not only the shock wave you have to worry about, there is also shrapnel. So they proceeded to test Rhino Lining’s ability to stop shrapnel using bird shot from a shotgun. They hung a piece of lining up and fired one round and it went straight through the Rhino Lining. “The Crew” reasoned that when the Rhino Lining is used on a truck the bed acts as a backing giving the lining more strength, so they tried the shotgun test again, this time with the Rhino Lining applied to a 1/4″ piece of plywood. Problem is, they faced the plywood backing towards the oncoming shot, so the plywood absorbed most of the impact of the shot, not the Rhino Lining. “The Crew” was all giddy when they looked and found that the Rhino Lining stopped the shot, but it didn’t, the plywood did. Not to mention that explosive shrapnel can travel much, much faster than the speed of bird shot, I guess using an EXPLOSION to test the liner’s ability to stop shrapnel would have made to much sense?

Protect the Windows – Again, “The Crew” managed to point out the obvious, that buildings have windows and in an explosion they could get blown out. So they had to find a way to use the Rhino Lining to protect windows from an explosion. They constructed some shutters that were supposed to be forced shut by the blast’s shock wave. The shutters that they used for their final test (on the building) were made of steal with Rhino Lining sprayed on the side that would face the blast. Ok, Captain Obvious has a question – if you make the blast shutters out of steal, why would you spray them with PLASTIC? It’s a moot question, as the shutters didn’t work anyway, every window was blown out.

I could go on, but if I do I will have to Rhino Line my head because it will EXPLODE.

It was no surprise that at the end of the show the “Smash Lab” “Crew” found that Rhino Lining can be used to bomb proof a building, at least a sudo, one story (no load on the walls), masonry building-looking-structure. It was obvious within the first 5 minutes of the show that they were going to come to that conclusion.

What “Smash Lab” comes across as is a cheap knock-off of “Mythbusters”. Someone at The Discovery Channel looked at “Mythbuster’s” success and thought it was all about the destruction and explosions, missing key ingredients: science and integrity. It’s also apparent that the whole point (at least of this episode) was to make Rhino Lining look good in front of the camera, the show seems to be a sham. Whether or not this trend will continue as the series progresses waits to be seen, but it’s certainly not off to a good start.

I recently finished putting together my alarm clock/timer kit from Denkimono, it’s a beautiful, high quality, useful kit.

At $67.29 it’s not a cheap kit but well worth it – once your done assembling it you not only have the satisfaction of having put it together your also left with one of the most a unique alarm clocks/timers around, though I wouldn’t go to any airports with it. I received my kit promptly (ships from London) all the parts were well packaged and instructions for assembly of the kit were clear. After assembly I did have a problem with some of the segments not lighting up so I e-mailed Denkimono about the problem, received a prompt reply and through a series of e-mails we were able to get the kit fully functional (part of the problem was my lack of soldering skills). All in all a great kit to build and use. I’d like to get another and see if I can get it in a case.

Check out denkimono.com for a full list of features and a demo video

P.S. – If soldering isn’t your thing Denkimono also offers the kits fully assembled.

Related – Custom Denkimono – alarm clock/timer

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