u/ghanasyam_sajeesh

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcN3vtkjJ\_3/

My Xreal One was stored for 2 month in my RLSOCO Case, along with the 3D printed blinds, type-c cable & Oakley nose pads. There were 2 packs of silica gel for moisture absorption in the case. Stored inside a dry cupboard.

Finally, when I checked on my glasses, I was shocked to see extensive fungal growth inside the case and on all gear. There was fungus even on the body of glasses and the phone/laptop side of the Xreal cable was partially covered in green oxidation layer. Luckily, I was able to clean the glasses to get rid of the fungus, as well as the oxidation layer also came off the cable despite the cable’s connector tip got slightly discolored. And extremely glad that fungus didn’t spread inside the optical combiner-lens nor the digitizer’s surface, like it spreads on camera lenses.

My intervention: From now on, I’m going to store my glasses & cable inside my Dry Cabinet with my camera gear. Then, will put 2 packs of silica gel inside my RLSOCO/ Original Xreal Case; then place the full case inside a plastic zip-pouch with 2 more silica gels when my Xreal glasses are out for prolonged periods/ multiple days.

Intervention suggestion for people living in 80-95% RH throughout the year: In case if your RH is around 60% or lower, you can ignore this. So, I recommend getting an airtight container (preferably transparent), a ThermaPro hydrometer (or any similar) and a moisture absorber box. Place the glasses, cable and any other accessories inside the airtight container along with the Xreal Case in open position. Store away the airtight container with moisture absorber box inside it, hydrometer, along with the Xreal gears in your cupboard. Keep an eye on hydrometer and make sure that the RH doesn’t drop below 30% as it can degrade glue and rubber over time. As well as doesn’t exceed 50%.

Things to know:
Problems with Standard Absorbers

1. Open calcium chloride boxes pull moisture continuously.

2. They have no stopping point and will dry a sealed space to 0%.

Solutions for Control
1. Use two-way packets: Packs release and absorb moisture to lock RH at a set point.

2. Limit airflow: Partially tape over the top of the moisture box to slow absorption.

3. Add a moisture source: Include a small, controlled humidity sponge if the box is too strong.

4. Monitor closely: Place a digital hygrometer inside to track the RH level in real time. [1]

I bought a HINISO 34L Dry Cabinet with Humidity Control, UV & Ambient Light. For my gears: EOS R7, RF 70-200 mm Z, RF 85 mm, RF-S 18-150 mm & Speedlite EX430 II. Got few questions:

1. When storing the gear; should I keep the rear lens cap open too? (As front cap would be open)

2. Should my shutter be in the shut or open position?

3. Also, should I keep the camera body's cap open? Or closed?

4. Will 45% RH be ideal setting for my cabinet?
   Considering that I live in tropics where temperature is between 25°C to 38°C & Humidity is always around 90% RH.

5. Need suggestion on what humidity should I be setting for Summer, Winter & Monsoon (rainy season).

Me and my 20 y/o brother decided to go on a late night drive to nearby town last night. Finally we were on our way back, it was 5 minutes till 1:00 AM. It was a bit narrow country road with straight stretches and sharp corners; despite the mild rain, we were cruising in sports mode in safe speeds.

There was a BYD Sealion 7 Performance, the AWD electric SUV with 523 hp & 690 nm torque in front of us. It was going moderately faster, so we decided to overtake the car, but they barely gave us enough space to overtake due to their road rage ego. We had to proceed through the available space, and sudden acceleration and deceleration did in fact caused loud pops & bangs, which later made them wanting to smoke us. Then we were cruising at moderate speeds of 80 to 100 km/h in the stretch ahead; minding our own business.

After exactly 45 seconds; they decided to “smoke us”; I could see them speeding and coming to overtake us; probably in their Sports Mode. I just gave them enough space for them to overtake; little did I know they had plans for doing a “chopping the nose” maneuver in front of us by very unsafely overtaking in close proximity and aggressively pulling in front of our car.

They did exactly that, without checking the road conditions and hydroplaned, literally less than 10 meters in front of me at high speed of at least 120 km/h. They lost control and their front left got hit into a concrete raised slab; their entire left wheel with full brake system, suspension, control arm, cv axle etc. got dislodged from the car body and came to hit us. I was already braking down after seeing the crash and huge spark; along with that I had to avoid these flying debris getting thrown at me, by using quick sideways maneuvering. In midst of all these my windshield visibility was severely getting affected from water and mud in the road getting thrown by the crashing car in front of me. I was solely focusing on avoiding all sorts of collision; while keeping a safe distance from the crashing car & from myself getting hydroplaned.

After the BYD taking 3 more spins; their entire right wheel & assembly parts also got thrown at me, the BYD stopped and came into rest. Probably 20 meters in front of me. I immediately parked my car in front of their crashed car & ran towards them with my fire extinguisher. Was relieved to see that all the passengers escaped unscathed: also saw how all the 11 airbags were deployed as car got hit at so many places during that 3 spins. The BYD was driven by 18-19 year old boy with his friends of same age, they all started crying from the shock after their crash.

I stood there, giving them moral support; advising them to call traffic police to register the accident, also the contact number of nearest flatbed service. Yet, these boys were simply in shock, unable to accept what happened and kept on panicking. Did nothing, other than calling some friends and non-immediate family members. That’s when I decided to note down the registration once again and leave the place as enough people started gathering in the first 10 minutes, in order to help them.

Thanks to Mini’s exceptional, go-kart like stability from wheels being at the extreme outer core of the chassis, low center of gravity, wide track width, stiff JCW suspension, Active Slip Regulation (ASR) & Traction Control and Dynamic Stability & Differential Controls; all these factors contributed to safely maneuvering the high speed crash that happened 10 meters in front of me. Getting our lives saved.