How times change..

[Auer]

Camera circle in the screen is a dealbreaker and I'm so over "Swiss privacy" with-ah, Proton partnership. Also, "software as a service" focus in "About", their OS seems to have some kind of subscription, and at least one link on the site has given me an SSL certificate warning. Hard pass, I do not recommend.

Yeah its not for everyone, Privacy isnt free.

 

[Johnologue]

Yeah its not for everyone, Privacy isnt free.

I find privacy is free, libre, and open source. Well, services like email generally aren't, but I do pay for email (Fastmail). Proton is another thing I do not recommend, but don't want to get too far off topic; let us agree to disagree.

I guess people can DM me or something if they do have further questions or comments.

 

[Auer]

let us agree to disagree.

Of course, we all choose what suits us the best.

 

[Paul]

So I have been a contributing member here since shortly after Slate went wild. I have practically devoured every post, every glimmer of info, until…
yup until 6/24. My preorder secure I find myself being more selective. Whereas I would at least skim a post, searching for any tidbit, now I find myself just letting some things slip by. I know my Slate will not be fully tricked out, there are many accessories I will not own, so interest has waned.

Anyone else noticed how time seems to have slowed tremendously since 6/24?

Am I the only one getting annoyed that someone found the Slate last week and think they have the most important observation / question in the world but too lazy to do a search to reveal dozens of related posts? Just getting older? 😄😄😄

I'm just happy if the questions translate into purchases and keep it alive for parts and updates. I thought I read somewhere where they have to sell 50,000 to be profitable? And then eventually a capacity of 150,000.

 

[FlyHappy]

I'm just happy if the questions translate into purchases and keep it alive for parts and updates. I thought I read somewhere where they have to sell 50,000 to be profitable? And then eventually a capacity of 150,000.

The number I heard was 80,000.
but regardless of number, we have no idea if this is calculated on a base price or some elevated figure assuming projections of "accessories" (most notably SUV kits).

 

[Johnologue]

The number I heard was 80,000.
but regardless of number, we have no idea if this is calculated on a base price or some elevated figure assuming projections of "accessories" (most notably SUV kits).

Past interviews have included assurances that Slate will make a profit on every vehicle, not selling at a loss with accessories as a subsidy.

 

[FlyHappy]

Past interviews have included assurances that Slate will make a profit on every vehicle, not selling at a loss with accessories as a subsidy.

That isn't what I meant. I was responding to the idea of a static sales figure as to when they'd achieve "break even". My point was that whatever the number might be, we don't know on what sell price basis it is.

 

[adele]

I said it when CD’s were invented, and I’ll say it again. I don’t care how many digital blocks you break a sine wave into, it will still not approach a true analog signal. That is what the hipsters describe as “warm.”

People who hear pops and crackles have scratched albums or don’t properly remove the static charge before playing.

Don’t mean to rant at you, adele, but this is the one hill I will die on 😜

I’ll grant that maybe some people can really hear the difference between an analog signal and a really high-resolution digital signal. I can’t.

But it doesn’t matter anyway if you’re listening to music that was recorded in a digital recording studio, which is pretty much all music since the 80s, (maybe even the 70s but idk). If the vinyl was pressed from a digital recording, you’re listening to a digital sound.

Besides that, CDs have tons of advantages. They sound closer to the original recording by any objective measure, they have more dynamic range, they’re easier to take care of, they can survive being left in a hot car, and they can be played at their best quality on dirt-cheap equipment.

If you really prefer the sound of your records, then you like the sound of records, which is fine. But if you want to hear the closest possible thing to the original recording, it makes no sense to buy new vinyl records. I’ll die on my hill too!

 

[E90400K]

I’ll grant that maybe some people can really hear the difference between an analog signal and a really high-resolution digital signal. I can’t.

But it doesn’t matter anyway if you’re listening to music that was recorded in a digital recording studio, which is pretty much all music since the 80s, (maybe even the 70s but idk). If the vinyl was pressed from a digital recording, you’re listening to a digital sound.

Besides that, CDs have tons of advantages. They sound closer to the original recording by any objective measure, they have more dynamic range, they’re easier to take care of, they can survive being left in a hot car, and they can be played at their best quality on dirt-cheap equipment.

If you really prefer the sound of your records, then you like the sound of records, which is fine. But if you want to hear the closest possible thing to the original recording, it makes no sense to buy new vinyl records. I’ll die on my hill too!

May I add, the quality of the vinyl and quality of pressing masters of the original analog studio master tapes sucked back in the day. CD is simply just better.

 

[Imhotep]

May I add, the quality of the vinyl and quality of pressing masters of the original analog studio master tapes sucked back in the day. CD is simply just better.

I’ll concede that CDs will sound better in my Slate than a record player unless they really tune that suspension.

 

[E90400K]

The number I heard was 80,000.
but regardless of number, we have no idea if this is calculated on a base price or some elevated figure assuming projections of "accessories" (most notably SUV kits).

Yup, 80,000 is the number stated by CEO Faricy that Slate "breaks even".

We have to see how this plays out and what Slate does for its second act. My issue with the accessories as revenue and profit generators is how long that will last. It's a neat idea to say some kid will get a Slate truck as a hand-me-down and switch it to an SUV, but that means Slate needs to carry the SUV kit as parts inventory for years. There is a whole bunch of accounting treatment (i.e. cost) that goes with inventory. I don't see it working in the long run.

 

[E90400K]

I’ll concede that CDs will sound better in my Slate than a record player unless they really tune that suspension.

I consider myself an audiophile and have been since the mid 1970's. I lived the change over from vinyl to CD. CD's are just better and they've even gotten better since 1984.

Like said above, nearly all source material from recording studios is digital and has been for over 40 years.

 

[Randy]

I am very familiar with curb weight, payloads, GVWR and GCWR. Unfortunately, Slate has not published the GCWR. I am assuming it is about 7500 pounds.

That's pretty optimistic. For example, Mavericks are all about 400 lbs of payload at max tow and GCWR. So I'd guess it'll be between 6500 and 7000.

Who cares what the closed tailgate height is to ground. Pick-up people want to know what the loading height is.(tailgate open)

It does show how easy it is to reach in over the side. For example, my unlifted '79 F250 has a 50" tailgate closed height, and a modern one is a little over 60". It'd be really easy to reach into a Slate at a little over 47" stock.

There may be some concern about the experience or certain situations. In my head, it feels like it could feel tedious if I have to turn it a lot of times. But then, how many times will I actually be turning it in practice? The Autopian says 6 to roll it down completely, while noting older crank windows might've opened in 3.5 turns.

I don't think it'd make much difference. But since I was out there, my F250 takes about 4.75 turns on the window crank.

 

[KevinRS]

On crank vs power windows, one practical reason for power is weather. I planned on getting power if the cost wasn't too high, because I can roll it down quickly to make my order, roll it back up, then roll it down again at the window, and let the minimum possible amount of summer heat in. Similar would be true when it's really cold out, or raining, or snowing. People the other side of the window are probably going to be looking at us funny seeing us cranking it down with ~6.5 cranks and they can't figure out what we are doing.

 

[E90400K]

I’ll concede that CDs will sound better in my Slate than a record player unless they really tune that suspension.

And one more comment, not trying to offend anyone here, but if you are getting better sound quality out of your analog vinyl albums than CD, then you're in a socioeconomic class that can afford turntables, phono cartridges, and phono preamps that cost way more than a Slate pickup truck. So, I gotta ask, WTF are you looking at a Slate?

Just sayin'