Bucket Seat: Ford Ranger Tremor

Another day and another Ford Ranger derivative, the guys at Ford SA do love to tinker with their line-up but I don't think its a bad thing as they really making a Ranger for everyone just depending on what you want it for. The Tremor is one of the more buff looking Rangers in the stable once you get to the nuts and bolts of it all, you realise it borrows the best bits from all the other Ranger offerings and packaged into one complete offering that is a good mix between hardcore off-roading and a versatile double cab bakkie with loads of tech. 

DESIGN

Just like any other Ranger, the Tremor's main feature is the front end with its menacing honeycomb radiator grille that is blacked out with the Ford badge in center accompanied by the distinct C-clamp headlights either side. The Aluminium bash plate isn't just there to compliment the looks but also serves a purpose since this is a fully fledged 4x4. Like mentioned before, it does stand taller than most, thanks to the Bilsten suspension which is borrowed from the Wildtrak X, which increases the ride height by 24mm, it's also 30mm wider than the normal Rangers and has the cast aluminium steps borrowed from the Ranger Raptor to thank for that. Massive General Grabber A/T tyres complete the rugged 4x4 look that gives the Tremor a more aggressive stance. On the inside, the Tremor has the massive touchscreen infotainment screen as the focal point but the immediate difference is noticeable on the floor with virtually the entire tub and seats being finished off in vinyl giving the Tremor a more hardcore, durable surface to clean. The long legged sportsbar in the bin finishes off the look for the Tremor and really add's to the no nonsense style of it all. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the hood, you will find Ford's impressive 2.0L BiTurbo diesel engine that delivers 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque, this all mated to the 10-speed automatic gearbox makes for a power house on the dirt. With the Tremor having AWD - Full time 4-wheel drive system you really get to experience the power of this engine when going in the dirt. The AT3 tyres assist in the fun of it all and the various pre-programmed driving modes make it simple enough for even a novice to navigate tricky conditions on the roads less traveled. On normal roads the Tremor handles like a breeze, one would have thought with the big tyres and high suspension the cabin would be filled with unwanted road noise and it being all over the place but its very composed even at high-speeds on the highway. Handling isn't too bad either and it's everything you'd expect from a bakkie of this nature, could be down to the setup of the shocks and driving modes but the Tremor knows it's surroundings and performs great wherever it goes. 

COMFORT

The interior ain't no Ranger Platinum contender but it's minimalist to a point where all the materials used are robust and easy to clean but the Tremor still comes with all the technology bells and whistles which is what I'm here for. With the 12-inch colour touchscreen infotainment center dominating the cabin with FORD SYNC4 and all mobile apps pre-loaded for wireless usage, it makes it the command center for this beast. The instrument cluster is the standard 8-inch digital display which the driver can navigate through the various car and driving info from the multi control steering wheel. Like all the other Rangers, the Tremor comes with 6 auxiliary switches for additional add-ons and dual-zone climate control for those ever changing conditions when venturing into the great unknowns. The Tremor seats are finished off in vinyl with Tremor name stitched into the driver and front passenger seats, the tub is also vinyl coated for easy cleaning when messed, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if you could take a hose to the floor of the Tremor. Overall, with the driving comfort and what you get in the cabin, the Tremor is not a bad place to be for a work horse/ activity bakkie. The load box comes with the normal goodies which include as a 12V power outlet. The tremor also comes with a 4-camera system with surround view and multi-view ensuring you have eyes all around the car at any given time. 

VERDICT

I think I hit the nail on the head in my previous description of the Tremor, it is an activity bakkie, designed for those that have a sense of adventure but don't want the big V6 of the Raptor. It has the best bits from most of the Ranger line up and with that, it doesn't cross the million rand mark so makes it an appealing option for those that want an adventure bakkie but at a little less than a fortune. I wouldn't go as far as saying its a baby Raptor because the Raptor name badge deserves a lot more credit than that but Ford has given us something very worthwhile and not just another Ranger derivative with a different name badge as this one is unique in every possible way. I like the fact that they gave it almost all the tech you can get from the Ranger range so that it is properly equipped for off-roading. The only thing missing is the e-shifter but in my opinion this one doesn't need it as the current 10-speed automatic does just fine. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L BiTurbo Diesel
Gear Box	10-speed automatic
Torque	500Nm
Power	154kW
Towing capacity	3500kg
Price	R978,600

 

Bucket Tech: HONOR Magic V2

In recent years, foldable devices have evolved significantly, becoming essential tools for people on the move to work, watch, and connect seamlessly. Initially, these devices faced common challenges like being too bulky, having small batteries, hinge design gaps, and durability issues.

Acknowledging these concerns, HONOR took on the challenge and designed the thinnest and lightest foldable smartphone, the HONOR Magic V2 as part of its flagship Magic Series. This foldable device successfully addresses all consumer worries, ticking every box with its innovative solutions.

The Thinnest and Lightest Foldable with 9.9mm Design

Foldables have entered the Millimeter era, thanks to the HONOR Magic V2. Weighing only 231g and measuring 9.9mm in thickness when folded, the Magic V2 pushes the boundaries of innovation for foldable devices. The Magic V2’s superior lightweight design and premium build quality are enabled using breakthrough innovations such as the super-light Titanium Hinge and HONOR’s proprietary steel, providing a perfect balance between weight and strength.

At a mere 9.9mm thickness, this foldable device blurs the lines between foldable and regular bar phones, offering a size that competes with them while delivering a unique foldable experience.

Ultra-Durable Even after 10 Years

The HONOR Magic V2 achieved a certification from global authority SGS for its cutting-edge proprietary steel which is inspired by steel used in tunnel boring. This state-of-the-art material is 25% thinner and 20% stronger compared to the previous generation Magic Vs, providing added robustness and durability to the hinge mechanism. As a result, this enables the hinge to withstand 400,000 folds, ensuring a lifespan of up to 10 years for folding 100 times a day.

Additionally, the Magic V2 features a poly-curved nanocrystal glass on its display creating a deeper sense of safety and endurance for its user, offering 10 times greater drop resistance compared to typical glass. The Nanocrystal Glass 2.0 display within the device serves as a protective layer and acts as a shield against the uncertainties of daily life.

Huge 5000mAh Battery with No Compromise on the Thinness

When it comes to foldables, the challenge has always been deciding between a bulky design with a large battery or a slim design with limited battery capacity. The traditional "three-layer stacked" screen driver architecture has long been a major obstacle for putting large batteries in thin and light folding screen smartphones.

HONOR, however, has solved this puzzle with the introduction of the Magic V2. By incorporating a groundbreaking "three-in-one" display driver component, HONOR was able to take advantage of the additional internal space and fit in the thinnest 5000mAh Silicon-carbon Dual Battery in its design. This ensures that thinness is not compromised, and users can stay connected without the need for frequent recharging.

Gearless Titanium Hinge with No Gaps

What’s more, foldable devices faced a critical challenge with the presence of a gap, impacting both durability and overall design, causing hesitation among potential users. The HONOR Magic V2 has successfully overcome these issues, elevating the standards for foldable technology.

In comparison to stainless steel, titanium alloy is 42% lighter, making it a much more desirable option material for a lightweight foldable smartphone. Thanks to the sophisticated and improved hinge design, the Magic V2 exhibits no gaps between screens when folded. With its advanced zero-gear structure, this cutting-edge device introduces an impressive hovering feature.

Bucket Tech: Hisense C30 Rock Lite

Earlier this year I reviewed the Hisense C30 Rock, which is a mid range smart device which also is pretty rugged with it being  IP68 rating and IK04 shock resistant, my verdict on that particular device was that it was a great all round device for the everyday person, with standard features and it gets the job done. A few weeks ago Hisense sent me another device to review, this time the smaller brother to the C30 Rock, the C30 Rock Lite. With recent times, a lot of smart phone manufactures have been releasing Lite versions of their premium phones, with it offering slightly less in specs than the main device. Most of the times, it uses tech from the older generation devices which was replaced but of recent, the market has gotten more competitive so manufacturers had to up their game. 

STYLING

Like the C30 Rock, the design is very similar, with round edges which are rubberised, a nice metal finish on the side and a rubber back. It's got a decent weight and feels good in hand. Being under the Rock name, this phone is already Shock resistant, IP67 water resistant and dust resistant. So it's a pretty hardy phone, and if you have to look at the current offerings in the market, not many brands have a device such as this available. The phone comes with a 5.0" IPS Display which we'll chat about a little later. It has that old iPhone look to it and it's quite a decent size, not being too bulky and doesn't feel uncomfortable in your pocket. 

DURABILITY

Unlike the C30 Rock which is IP68, the Lite is IP67 rated which is still a good rating for water resistance. I wouldn't necessarily take it swimming but I won't stress over if it does happen to fall into some water. However, I did take this for a swim but unfortunately for me, I didn't save the pictures before formatting the device when I sent it back. Rookie error on the part of us! The device is also shock and dust proof, so if you're the outdoors type of person who loves going running/ hiking, this would be the perfect phone for you. 

PROCESSING

With Lite devices, this is where the main talking point comes in, processing power. While the bigger phones need faster processes to perform the tasks on demands, buyers of these devices aren't going to be using the phone for running multiple apps, editing spreadsheets etc. With the Rock Lite, it comes with still a decent chipset, having the Quad-core 1.3GHz  processor and has 2GB of RAM which is sufficient for a phone of this nature and size. For memory, it has 16GB of on board memory and a memory card slot up to 128GB Micro SD which also doubles as a dual SIM slot. The phone is primarily 4G but the secondary SIM slot is 3G. 

CAMERA

The camera on the light is also slightly downgraded from to the 8MP camera with LED flash. Still capable of taking great quality pictures in proper lighting environments. It records in 1080 @ 30 frames per second and has an auto focus feature. The front facing camera is a 5MP, perfect for all your social media needs and you don't have to worry about your battery running out quickly as the device comes with a 3900mAh battery, which gives you about a day's worth of use. 

VERDICT

When looking at this phone, while it might not win any contest against other smartphones, it boils down to pricing. This phone is available at retailers for under R2,500. That is an absolute steal compared to what you can buy from the bigger name opposition. And with Hisense great product support locally, should you have any issues, best believe it will be resolved without a fuss. Serious value for money with this device and for someone who spends most of his time on a construction site, I wouldn't mind one for myself. 

Bucket Tech: Hisense C30 Rock

Many ask "what is the best phone on the market?" but often the answer to that is an over priced, smartphone of which 80% of the features you would never use. What about the other phones on offer then? Not the bottom end ones but like the mid range ones that are decently priced and are decent enough devices? Not much gets said about them and I often feel that they don't get as much attention as they deserve. One of those devices is the new Hisense C30 Rock and I had the opportunity to play around with one for the past three weeks and while it not be the best phone on the market it certainly did surprise me in many other aspects.

STYLING

Upon receiving the device, I was please that the box it came in was small and compact and not full of other junk that just ends up taking a lot of space. Unboxing the device was quick and easy and too my surprise the phone was much larger than I thought it would be. It looked great, with a rose goldish/ copper border and screws, rubber sides and what looked like a carbon fiber back (not sure if it was real carbon fiber or not). It gives the phone a real rugged but cool look, which is part of the image Hisense is trying to portray with the device seeing that it's one of the most durable and hardy phones on the market. 

DURABILITY

It's one of the only devices I know of that has an IP68 rating and IK04 shock resistant, so not only is it dust and waterproof but it can also withstand some heavy falls. Reading it on paper and testing it out for yourself is two different things, I was hesitant at first but as the tests went on I became more and more confident with the C30 Rock, where I went as far as pouring a glass of water over it at a crowded bar just to show people how waterproof it is. People we left amazed and so was I. There was a few drop test conducted as well, some purposely and some not so much on purpose, safe to say the C30 Rock didn't even get a scratch from any of them. So full marks on the durability tests and I agree 100% with them calling it "life-dimensional", where its ready to withstand whatever life throws at it. 

PROCESSING

While the device might be pretty impressive in terms of build quality and strength, one still has to remember that it still has to work. The phone has an impressive chipset with the efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 64 bit processor at its heart. It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of on-board storage, with it running Android OS, of which it is the latest version of Nougat, you have access to Google drive so your storage capacity could be endless depending on the size allocated to your account. The phone boasts a 3000mAh battery with quick charge. There's a lot you can do with this phone before the battery dies on you. It even has an automatic battery saving mode to ensure a prolonged battery life. While its not the fastest phone I've used, it still wasn't slow and coped with most of the tasks I used it for. 

DISPLAY

The C30 Rock does have a big screen, a 5.2" Full HD Display with 424 pixels per inch. Its a good screen but felt the quality of it did lack in brightness now and then but regardless, it was good quality to view on. The touch screen is extremely responsive with zero lag and the phone came with some handy tricks. For example, when watching a video, if my eyes for some reason deviate from watching the screen, the phone would pause the video and start playing it again when I focused on the screen again. 

CAMERA

The C30 Rock comes with a 16 megapixel Q-Shot primary camera with LED Flash and takes some decent quality pictures and videos of which I cannot show you none because my SD card that I had in it got corrupted... It's shutter speed isn't the fastest so make sure your hand is steady when taking pics and hold in place until after the picture is captured for perfect results. Pics in low light are decent quality as well. It has a host of modes and settings for you to play with to get the perfect snap.

VERDICT

For the overall product you getting and at the price you getting it at, the Hisense C30 Rock is an absolute steal. If you're not to bothered with too many features and want a good quality phone that does the job and not going to give you heart palpitations if it falls or gets liquid spilt on it, the C30 Rock is for you. 

Bucket Tech: Hisense C30 Rock - First Impressions

Mobile phones are getting more and more sophisticated with bigger screens, faster processing power, improved cameras and longer lasting batteries but with all this extra tech, in a unibody that is designed to save space and make it small and light, it does leave the device vulnerable to breaking easily. The number one issue many have with their current smart phone is a cracked screen, whether you drop it from a small height or a long one, 9 out of 10 times it doesn't end well for you or your phone. Screen repairs are costly no matter what type of device you have, and most guarantee's don't cover that. Another common cause of damage to mobile phones is water damage, now whether you splashed a bit of water on it or you got submerged in a pool, nothing can save you from this and again, no cover from the manufacturers unless you go and take out additional insurance to which means paying more money. What if there was a phone that you didn't have to treat like fine China since it is quite durable but still have the same features as every other phone on the market?

Well look no further, last week saw the launch of Hisense C30 Rock, which they call it a "life-dimensional" smartphone. Ready to withstand whatever life throws at it...or you throw it at something. although this is highly not advised, that something could be seriously hurt by the phone. The highly durable Hisense C30 Rock is IK04 level shock resistant, as well as IP68 certified, safe guarding the device to be dust and water resistant, allowing it to withstand an unexpected swim underwater at a depth of 1.5 meters, for up to 30 minutes! That is some impressive ratings for a mobile phone. Even with this great level of protection, the C30 Rock still maintains a super-slim design at just 7.95mm thin, in a metal frame and soft rubber outer-casing. It's a great looking device, unlike other hardy, durable ones on sale in the market but still offers the same level of protection for the device. 

While the phone is pretty strong, there was no compromise on the performance of it, the C30 Rock has a 5.2" Full HD display that offers lavish 424 pixels per inch, it is equipped with a power engine that is driven by an efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 64-bit processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of on-board storage. This makes multitasking on the device a breeze, it is powered by the latest Android 7 (Nougat) OS and Vision UI 4.0. The battery is a non-removable one from the looks of it and has a lot of power, 3000mAh to be exact, it also has quick-charge functionality so you don't have to wait forever to get your phone charged. The phone also has data and battery saving modes to ensure a prolonged battery life, allowing you to still use your phones fundamental features on minimum life. 

While this phone seems great, you may be expecting a big price tag, well that's where you're wrong, Hisense recommended retail price for the C30 Rock is is R4 499 which is a steal if you ask me! And its available nationwide as well as selected online retailers. While I still await my unit to test, so far this device ticks a lot of boxes for me so look forward to putting it through its paces.