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Ok Folks, I am looking to pick up a used F250 sd with the 6.7 powerstroke diesel. F250 is in the lead right now for me. I am looking for feedback on these trucks. What do you like/dislike? Tell me about 'life with a diesel' (this would be my first diesel), would you buy an extended warranty, and etc? Looking for info on maintenance costs/gotchas, I understand maintenance and repair costs are high on diesels, but looking to understand what is typical. I already know oil changes are pricey, so I will likely be diy'ing them. This truck would get used a LITTLE around town and to/from the airport. But eventually would be used to pull a 5er. I'm not really interested in horror stories, I understand they are out there and feel for anyone that has lived through it. If you'd rather pm, feel free. Thanks in advance. Byron

Universal Clays and Viht N320, although you can't find them around here, so I settle for just about anything I can find load data for. :-( I'm down to my last bit of Viht, I have a pound of Titegroup, and some Bluedot,,,,,so hopefully some powder starts showing up soon.

Cool....

Exactly, its all the batch processes that impact shooters and a platform that isn't positioned well to grow/be flexible enough to meet the needs of members/shooters. What I'm looking for is a scalable/flexible platform that can offer the real-time capabilities that are missing today as well as provide a platform that is extensible so new capabilities can be added easier and to leverage common/standard technologies such that anyone with a background in IT can volunteer and become part of a well managed project to deliver these capabilities.

In my mind, there is more benefit to fixing the back-end. My thoughts on the front end with HTML5, Javascript, and CSS3 are what I'd do if I were building out a solution from scratch today for USPSA to be owned and operated by USPSA. At some point, the back-end/back office systems for USPSA need to be addressed, otherwise the only thing that changes will be the scoring side and that in itself leads to holy wars in our sport. But, there is so much more in the broader scheme of things that could benefit shooters by modernizing the back-end and making it accessible (and secure) and cloud enabled. Byron

To integrate with USPSA when you have a classifier for example, you don't export and upload a file? https://www.practiscore.com/using-practiscore-with-ezwinscore So, what if your monthly match/weekly match always has a classifier? You're going to be dealing with files, right? Also, from USPSA's standpoint, if you use a centralized DB and are scored through an app that directly leverages that DB, I would have to believe the activity level reporting/accuracy would be probably improve. But, beyond that, in my mind, this isn't even so much a Practiscore VERSUS something else for scoring. For all I care, open up the API's for communication to other clients, ensure proper security and authentication is in place with realistic quality controls, but get to a point where we're operating on a database on the back-end that can meet the needs of the shooting community and provide a platform that can grow and support the sport better long term. Byron

Not necessary. It can be the same app for Mac and PC and it can share big chunks of PS Android code... The HTML5 idea look good in theory, but I know enough people who have to deal with it in real projects. Also, standalone server/database could be an issue for some of USPSA clubs... old computers, no internet connection at the range, etc. In the event of no internet connectivity, it would work exactly like today......you'd score offline, sync the devices, then when you have connectivity later the results would be persisted to the database. Only, there is no file export, upload, file compatibility issues,,,,manual processes to move files around, rename them and such. More and more ranges have 3q/4g access....so when and where there is connectivity you'd have all the benefits of real-time updates which creates a number of other benefits/capabilities. But this approach solves a number of issues we have/accept today.

And sharing in this case means a single source of data for the applications leveraging the data......not freely available to anyone/anywhere.

It would be......just as or more secure than our profile information is today on uspsa.com The technologies I am talking about are meant for building secure enterprise class applications. I can go to practiscore.com right now and get tons of gun enthusiast names with zero login required, just hit the match results page.... It is sitting out there for the taking....

This is the way to go. Thanks, the key to it is the shared DB exposed by WebServices as I noted earlier. Otherwise, we keep having the same issues, file compatibility issues, file management, batch uploads, monthly updates, increased burden on MD's/match staff and etc. By having a shared data source, you don't have all this file management to deal with. By exposing via web services, you have ONE place to change how data is stored in the back-end. Your front end doesn't care or really "know" about how the data is stored. Front-end user interface won't care where it runs,,,,the back-end is easier to manage and the combination gives us a level of flexibility and potential functionality that doesn't exist right now. But, keep in mind, this is beyond a scoring system. This addresses the back office functions and allows for far greater integration capabilities with the front end scoring piece as well as makes a whole host of features/functions available.

Here's what I still don't understand about SSI scoring. "No need to install or download, will start in your browser directly. You can enter scores both when online and offline and will sync automagically. Currently in available for public beta-testing. Just click on link below to start using." And you click on and are taken to m.shootnscoreit.com. But.... (and here's what I don't get), how can this work when you're somewhere that doesn't have internet and you can't GET to m.shootnscoreit.com in the first place? That's what I was talking about with HTM5 + javascript + CSS3...

Some more thoughts on the rationale of what I've laid out above. Our current system(s) evolved in a time in which there was no such thing as 3G/4G or wifi, broadband was virtually non-existent, the internet was still young, and the ability to share a database remotely wasn't terribly practical. When I use the word "our" I am speaking broadly, I didn't help with any of the current systems used today. So, the system we have evolved in which files needed to be shared/integrated and updates had to happen behind the scenes in batch/manually. So, it has created a classic file/data integration problem along with its associated difficulties regarding compatibility of file types, manual processes, lack of real-time support, increased administrative burden since data isn't shared, and etc. Considering the technologies available at the time, the approach taken was good and I'm grateful to the people that did that work. However, we virtually all carry around the internet in our pockets today, databases are easily shared/accessible, and tools are freely available to create truly portable user interfaces to access those databases and in my mind, therein lies the key. The client approach above (HTML5, javascript, and CSS3) is the approach a lot of companies are taking today because the writing is on the wall, mobile computing is the way to go, the age of writing software strictly platform by platform is falling out of favor and the age of web enabled clients with shared databases in the cloud/on the net is what we see today. Byron Hall

I've been kicking this around...and have even worked on a little bit in my spare time. (I'm do system integration work for a living....) What I have in mind isn't so much a replacement for the scoring software used at matches as it is an entirely new platform modernization for USPSA. Here's what I would do....note, this is ALL accomplished with freely available software AND tools, eventually there would be a hosting cost. 1. Model out/build a database in something like MySQL - not ideal, but free. I have a model started for this already. 2. Host the Database in the cloud on something like IXwebhosting 3. Expose the backend Database via webservices written in Java (Java is free, Java tooling in Eclipse is free) and there are open source Java application servers available 4. I would build the front end in HTML5, Javascript, and CSS3. (Freely available tools for each of these) The front end would be used for the scoring/match administration as well as provide the client for backend administration for the organization. This would be a modern and fully integrated system. Please don't take what I'm writing as slamming the good work folks did in the past, it isn't. It is simply acknowledging the IT world has changed. There are amazing tool/technologies freely available that can rid us of a number of burdens we have in our sport today. Why would I do it this way? The combination of HTML5, Javascript, and CSS3 would create a single user interface that can run on virtually ANY platform, PC, tablet (Android, Windows, Apple), phone, whatever. For ranges with decent internet access via 3g/4g you can operate in connected mode. No need to integrate data from various other clients, the client is web capable and can run anywhere. Since HTML5, Javascript, and CS3 can use offline storage, you can sync before an after a match where connectivity is poor. Here are some other benefits to this. Shared database on the backend. Register for a match in Montana, your data is available in Kentucky/whereever, your membership information is available so registering for a match is VERY simple/almost automatic, you don't have to keep entering the information over and over and over, once you are in the system, you are in the system. Also, the burden of competitor administration can be shifted from MD's/volunteers to the shooters and confirmed by MD's and volunteers, I've already looked into a partnership with a company that could provide e-commerce websites USPSA matches, it would only cost a small service fee per transaction...very small. You would have instant score updates as they hit the shared DB if you CHOOSE, same is true for classifiers, instant updates. Same for membership, instant updates. The days of managing files for updates would be over, waiting for cycle processes to run monthly over, forget to update your membership then get screwed at a match because you were a day late on the update.....over. Want to change divisions 5 times before a match,,,,,do it yourself/no problem. I've got a spreadsheet with additional features and benefits laid out. I have ideas for a whole host of social media integration - match summary reports integrated with Facebook, video storage and correlation all kinds of stuff.

Agreed, hate those petty games.

Two stages from Thursday's match. Gotta thank the guys at Bud's for letting us play with the M249. The new Limited gun in running great. In 3 matches with it so far, I have had ZERO mikes, only something like 4 Deltas and the more I tinker with it and my ammo the better it has been running. In the Indiana footage above, the ammo I'm running is like a 193 power factor, I've toned that down a bit and am running something a little more tame, the gun really flattened out. I'm diggin' the 6 inch.

What about guns like the CZ P07 duty that come out of the box as a decocker for Da/Sa and another safety that can be swapped in/out to make the same gun SA for cocked and locked. This isn't selective DA/SA AND SAO in the same configuration, this is a parts swap that comes out of the box from the factory with every P07 Duty. Mine came DA/SA with a decocker, but had the SA saftey in a little plastic baggy. With the Decocker installed, it fits SSP to a "T", with the Safety installed, she fits ESP just fine. This isn't a modification of parts, it is using what came out of the box/off the shelf with a gun that is about $480.00. 3.8 inch barrel, small grip,,,,trust me there is ZERO advantage in shooting it in ESP against real ESP gun, particularly my .40 cal model. Heck, as far as I know, they could ship the thing in SA mode, with the decocker in the baggie,,,,

Best of luck!! Mine has been the result of some minor deformity that I never even realized I had, but apparently all the angles and such of everything in my feet and ankles have been "off" for so long it has caused the bones to literally torque/twist so that the foot will not go back into neutral alignment. It also is apparently the reason why when I walk it looks like cross between Donald Duck and John Wayne. LOL So, my choice right now, is "man up" for as long as I can stand it with the help of orthotics or this surgery that will fuse the ankle join that allows the foot to roll side ways...Think about an NBA player cutting say had left and how the foot will allow your leg to roll over the outside or inside edge of the foot. That would be gone, so the concern I have is with unstable surfaces,,,,,basically EVERY place we shoot USPSA with the exception of indoors. LOL So, it involves fusing that joint, then breaking all the bones across the top of my foot and re-shaping them to allow the foot to go back into neutral alignment.

If you don't mind me asking did you have the sub talar fusion and osteotomy? If so, how does it impact you on unstable surfaces like gravel since you lose some the that rolling side to side motion? How long and what was the recovery like. I am told my case would be a 3 to 6 month recovery. Feel free to pm if you would rather discuss off the board if you don't want to post publicly. Thanks much, I appreciate the insight.

Anybody here with ankle impingement(s) that have tried or use a hinged AFO with a UCB insert? How's it working for you? I'm currently using ACOR posted UCB orthotics and the impingement in the right ankle is pretty much squared away. The left side, not so much. My left side is far worse than my right side. The left ankle starts hurting like heck after being on my feet a little while, which is an improvement thanks to the Acor UCB's. My ortho says the next step, is to try the Hinged AFO, but I want to see if anyone has any experiences with them they'd care to share the pro's/con's, impact on activities, limitations, durability, and etc. I'm a little concerned about durability, I'm a big guy and though I don't move great, when I do "go hard" on the range, it puts a lot of stress on everything. Thanks, Byron

Here's my damage from the Indiana sectional in the order I shot the match. Overall, stoked about the results. I shot 71% of the winner in Limited, so I shot my class heads up against Bob Vogel, so I'm pleased. I still have a number of areas for improvement, but my mobility is just killing my performance and about half way through this day, I was "feelin'" it. The conditions in the afternoon SUCKED and played a minor role, but nothing that would dramatically impact where I finished, it isn't like I'm a sprinter,,,I believe I've got the build to be a good mudder, though. Highlights. ZERO Mike's for the match. Only 2 D's for the match. Only down 61 points for the match Only one dinky mental error with a procedural that really cost me. There were a couple other mental errors, but they weren't as costly as that one.

I don't see why this would be an issue. The cz I have come with the parts in the box from the factory to convert between da/sa and sa only. I think you just declare which division you are legal in and have fun. That is what I did at my classifier match and nobody batted an eye.

Someday, I'm going to take the plunge and get a Caspian Hi-cap gun. I have smallish hands and just love the feel. Due to the current climate, I'm kicking around the idea of just snagging a frame and some mags and just slowly acquiring the rest.

'Bout the only things that's worked for me lately has been cortisone.....

Spaten Optimator and Warstiener Dunkel are in my fridge right now...I think, I may have just finished them off... :-)

Sad thing is, I am in sales myself, I should know better.....