After about 15 minutes of messing around with it, I figured out how to unlock the Mavic Pro 2 in the Geo zone. That a hospital is going to be in the way the whole time…
I packed up the gear and rushed back over to the mansion to get ready for CES.
Even though the girls had slid through no problem the day before (they had comped passes and a QR code), it’s a little harder when you’re a man trying to smuggle in 2 miniature Aussies. I got to the gate to present my credentials, and after two desks and 10 minutes of shuffling around, they told me I’d have to go to Central desk. In normal fashion we had got there about an hour before the show closed, and I was eager to get it.
Instead of waiting doing it properly, I called up Dora and had her bring me a badge from a friend inside. She’s cute enough that she can get away with stuff like this.
When we got in; and by some happy circumstance it spit me out right in the drone category! The first thing I saw were thermal cameras and sales reps that barely spoke English. (where were the from) As I got deeper into the larger booths, I started to notice names I recognize; DJI, Vector, Autel. I immediately wandered into the Zero Zero Robotics V-copter (bi-copter) Falcon. After seeing it nonstop in my Facebook feed for the last couple months I figured I should go check it out. The idea intrigues me, and it makes sense that the battery life will last longer; I just worry about stability. It was more impressive in person than it appeared on the internet. The gimbal is tiny and packs a punch; shooting 4k video from a 1/4-inch sensor. The sales reps at the booth were nice enough, but they wouldn’t give me one for free, so I moved along to the next thing.
There were drones in enclosures flying in cages under a shower head, there was GoPro with the same booth that they’ve every year at every show. Honestly the thing I was most interested in this at the show was seeing the new camera technology. Luckily as it’s in the middle of the release cycle for camera gear, there wasn’t much new coming out at this show, but there were definitely beautiful cameras I wanted to get my hands on! I ran across Panasonic first; and arguably the one I was most excited to see. The sales rep was really nice and seemed interested in showing me all of the features, even let me hold the camera out of the booth and wander around with it. Matt something, I’d love to thank him. When I got back to the booth with the camera, he said he could show me footage samples, unfortunately my new friend Ben was in a hurry to get to the Canon booth. When we arrived at the Canon booth, they were having a fashion walk; which Ben’s friend was modeling for 🙂 They had all their best cameras, and lenses with low f stops ready to play with.
Canon is actually famous for making a F 1.0 lens back in the day (Link), they produced from 1989 – 2000 at exorbitant price most hipsters can’t afford it.
I stopped unzip my Peak Design 20L Everyday bag and pull down my memory card to snap a few photos.
After that we wandered over to Sony and hopes of playing with the alpha series a9s, but they closed the booth right as we got there. It ended up just the dogs wrestling in the middle of the floor.
The dogs were arguably the most popular thing at that show. Taking two adorable mini Aussies anywhere is fun, but when you’re at a show where you’re trying to see things, it definitely impedes your progress.
I’m glad I brought the dogs, they’re stalwart companions and great conversation starters. They’re the best, and a trade show is definitely good exercise for dogs. everyone’s quote of the day was “are those robot dogs”
After the show we ran home to have some dinner and freshen up before heading over to the Zappos compound the airstream Park “Ferguson’s”. They had a giant white tour bus waiting for us and 20 more people when we got there at 9 sharp. The bus was relatively full, and I was hoping to work on our way out to Nipton, but that didn’t seem in the cards, so I went to socialize. There were a few familiar faces, and later we picked up some people that I have not yet been acquainted with.
(put this interaction with Zippos buyer after arriving in Nipton)
I got to chatting with a buyer from Zappos, who has an amazing Instagram put together with assistance from her husband. I love seeing Instagram feeds that follow a color motif; it’s just so much easier on your eyes and I really appreciate the effort.
After an hour riding from Vegas, we hit a wave in the road and the driver jammed on the gas going up and down the bumps. Sometimes it felt like we were flying, but that bus seemed in disruptive. When we got to Nipton the owner of the town came about to greet us he sent us into the bar, and everybody got cheeseburgers fried pickles to warm up it’s freezing cold in the desert during the winter. honestly, I love living in San Francisco for the pure fact that the weather is always the same temperature. And Vegas is way too dry. (dawn the owner, younger guy who bought the town 2 years ago)
There was a bonfire, and a half moon with pads all over it at the side of the pit. Most of the group was drunk on fernet, and high off recently watching the Golden knights’ game. there was a ruckus going on in the back, but I didn’t really go to check it out, lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Once we got out to the fire we spent a bit there drinking for that and decided to go on a tour of the art walk. Most people don’t realize it but the desert at night, at almost any time of the year, is amazingly beautiful. There’s just something crisp about the atmosphere that makes the stars shine brighter, and the lack of pollution is a big help. (full moon) We ran upon shopping carts, folded hands, and floating hearts, old dynamite shelters with plans to be a sound bath. The accommodations consist of teepees and container hotel rooms, both of which would have been warmer than the trek around the park, but we had to get back to Vegas to drive out in the morning.
Photo Credit Ben Southerland
