Friday, April 3, 2026

Comparing the Ford Maverick vs Ford Ranger pickup trucks

Ford Maverick vs Ford Ranger Comparison -
The Maverick seems like a clear winner (2026):
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparisons/ford-maverick-vs-ford-ranger/

https://www.caranddriver.com/compare/ford-maverick-vs-ford-ranger (2026)
"These vehicles come from different segments. The Maverick is a compact pickup; the Ranger is a mid-size pickup.
The Ranger is larger (210.6 in long vs. 199.8 in) and heavier (4581 lb vs. 3913 lb).
The Ranger tows more—up to 7500 lb vs. 4000 lb for the Maverick—and hauls more payload (1788 lb vs. 1500 lb).
The Maverick offers a fuel-efficient hybrid power-train (191 hp, 37 mpg combined) alongside a 250-hp turbo four; the Ranger skips hybrids, offering a 270-hp turbo four or a 315-hp twin-turbo V-6.
In our testing, the Ranger V-6 hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds; the Maverick Hybrid AWD reached 60 mph in 6.7 seconds.
The Maverick earned a 10/10 rating and spots on our 10Best and Editors' Choice lists; the Ranger earned a 9/10 rating and Editors' Choice."

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/ford-maverick-vs-ford-ranger (2023)
"The Ford Maverick and Ford Ranger are compact pickup trucks with different appeal. The aging Ranger is more of a workhorse, giving way to the smaller, more affordable Maverick in some key areas."
"The Ranger remains a good choice ... particularly if you need more robust towing and hauling capability. The Ranger also offers more cab and bed configurations, and its body-on-frame layout makes it a better choice for off-roading."
"The 2023 Ford Ranger earns a predicted reliability score of 86 out of 100 from J.D. Power, barely edging out the Maverick's score of 85. A J.D. Power reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great ..."

https://realtruck.com/blog/ford-maverick-vs-ford-ranger/ (2025)
"Officially debuting as a 2022 model, the Maverick immediately captured attention for its affordability, impressive fuel economy—especially with its standard hybrid power-train—and innovative use of space."
"One of the most notable differences between both models is their size. While the Ranger is a true midsize truck, the Maverick falls into the compact category. It occupies a smaller footprint and possesses a smaller cab, bed, and less potent power-train. Whether you like the extra room to stretch or simply prefer a larger vehicle, the Maverick may seem a bit on the small side compared to the Ranger."
"Considering that the current Ranger generation and the Maverick have existed for nearly the same amount of time, neither necessarily has a leg-up regarding longevity. Reliability-wise, both employ Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged power-trains and share a chassis with other platforms in Ford's lineup. All this is to say that just because the model or generation is new doesn't mean the technology is untested. Ford's track record is overwhelmingly good, so neither should pose reliability concerns."
"The Maverick costs approximately five to eight thousand dollars less than the Ranger for similar configurations."

https://tractionlife.com/ford-maverick-vs-ranger-size-differences-and-powertrains/"So, which of these two trucks is better? Both are reliable (smaller) substitutes for Ford's larger and costlier pickups, like the reigning champ F-150 full-size pickup. Owing to its small size and hybrid power-train, the Maverick is perhaps more appropriate for city dwellers who prioritize compactness and price over bed size and general practicality. Alternatively, the Ranger is suitable for motorists who need to haul heavy objects and tow motor-homes but does not require an all-out work pickup, and it now offers a more powerful 2.7L engine."

Thursday, April 2, 2026

PC & Electronic Tech - End-of-life (EOL)

This site provides the  End-of-life date for a variety of devices and software:
Interestingly, some of the LTS software has an EOL years longer than the current release of the same software, and some even overlaps other LTS releases of the same software.
Be sure to look at the sidebar for the complete list ...

Reloading - Gaining Ballistics Knowledge from Obsolete Cartridges

Gaining Ballistics Knowledge from Obsolete Cartridges - 
You can't develop a deep understanding of ballistics unless you're willing to dabble within safe limits.



USB 3.0 vs. 3.1 - What's the Difference?


"The core difference between USB 3.0 and 3.1 is the transfer speed. When it was introduced in 2008, USB 3.0 revolutionized USB bandwidth. USB 3.0 increased the maximum transfer speed to 5Gbps – working out to around 500MB/s in the real world – using its new SuperSpeed transfer mode, a nearly 10-fold increase over its predecessor, USB 2.0.

To differentiate this higher-speed connector from older USB ports and devices, cables were equipped with a specific SuperSpeed logo, and the ports themselves were often colored blue.

USB 3.1 arrived five years later and upped the ante again, raising the maximum transfer speed to 10Gbps using the SuperSpeed+ transfer mode."

"That goes for USB-C connectors too, although you'll typically find USB-C devices support the faster USB 3.1, or even 3.2 standards- not always though. Many USB-C cables marketed as charging cables only support USB 3.0 or even 2.0 speeds."

" ...  these technologies might have been superseded by younger, more capable solutions, but there's still plenty of space for USB 3.0 and 3.1 to remain relevant. Many legacy devices that use USB-A 3.1 and 3.0 connectors for power and data transfer are still out in the wild, and most PC peripherals like mice, keyboards, and webcams, still use USB-A as their primary connector type. Considering desktop PCs continue to offer many USB-A ports to provide legacy support for these devices, too, it's likely that we'll see USB 3.0 and 3.1 around for many years to come."

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Building a wooden mallet

These are better for hammering on the handles of chisels than metal tools: