samamara

Hi @Frederic and all - I'm jumping in on this thread because I have recently started thinking about upgrading my vehicle, not because I want to do anything extreme exactly but because I'd like to go deeper into the desert to support my hobbies of camping and photography ❤️. I have a 2011 3.5 5-door Pajero right now, which I love, but I feel that I want to change it up - not just for off-roading though, which is why it's a bit tricky to make a decision. My heart was originally set on getting a Wrangler, though a few have advised me against this for several reasons, such as inflated price, not being great on-road in terms of fuel efficiency and comfort, noise in the cabin while driving on the highway (this I find one of the most unsettling...don't want to have to shout a conversation to my passengers 😂💔), weak ACs and a few other issues. There were the obvious pros to weigh against these cons, but the cons are still important considerations. I'm wondering if any experienced Wrangler drivers can weigh in on any of these issues? I know you all love your Wranglers but please try to be objective 😂🙏🏼! Two of the people who advised me not to go for the Wrangler instead suggested that I go for another Pajero, but a 3.8 (both said I could still with the 5-door though they'd advise a 3-door for the weight in the sand). Their arguments were that I could get it for less, invest some of that saved money into some mods and upgrades, that it would then be pretty much unstoppable in the desert and that it would still be a great on-road vehicle. In fact, the only con they both had (in separate conversations so they weren't tag-teaming me 😂) was the limited modification options compared to a Wrangler. @Fredericthe reason I quoted your list here is because I see you've also put the Pajero 3.8 ahead of a Wrangler and I'd like to ask you why. And while I'm here, I don't necessarily love the look of the FJ Cruiser but have been advised that it's amazing both off-road and on-road. Just a question or two: how many doors does it have...just two, or like two and a half or what? Do the back windows roll down? Is it roomy and comfortable for passengers, front and back? Those are silly questions, maybe, but all the off-road type questions seem answered by "Yes, it's amazing" 😂. Thanks all!

Has anyone been out there recently at night? When I go there I'm generally in the wadi (between there and Wadi Tuwa) and not at the dam itself. I understand they've made quite a park there. I just want to be sure it isn't brightly lit at the dam at night now 🤔 . If it is, Buraq dam may be a better option (it's just a few more minutes away). I could do a little reconnaissance mission one of these nights if no one has been out there to know.

I'm not 100% clear on the timing for the drives but the Perseids should go throughout the night. The prime viewing time for the Milky Way should be between 10:00 and 1:00. I'm super excited 😍 !

Thanks @Gaurav - I made it ❤️! Super excited!

You know what's cool? On the night of the 12th we're only four days off a new moon which, I believe, is going to set fairly early which means the skies will be quite dark; could be a great opportunity to shoot a bit of the Milky Way depending on the time we'll be there. I'm more than happy to help if anyone is interested 😊.

I don't know that I'll join the night drive; I'm not sure I'm ready to drive the dunes at night 😂 but I'm always ready to drive a wadi anytime 😉.

@Frederic - is this already scheduled/organized? Is there a place where I can sign up or get on a waiting list? Even if it's just for the Showka/stars part of it?

Yessss 😍 I would love to join! And of course, I'm always down for a trip to Shawka ❤️!

Thanks @Gregory - I will definitely give you a call 🤩!

Thanks @Jerry Han for that. If it's only 150aed-ish to add the kill switch I may consider it based on your story 😂 😉 .

Sounds perfect 😂

Thank you @Frederic and @Gaurav for your feedback and advice! I'm now searching for a shop nearby me that might be able to do these modifications in hopes I don't have to go far afield to get them done. I don't know that I'll ever go up to Fewbie - Newbie feels pretty comfortable 😂😂😂 - but I think it's probably better to pay for the protection of the skid plate. Thanks again 😊🙏🏼!

Good day, all I'm fairly new to Carnity - and desert off roading - having joined in April and gone on a few drives, so please pardon me if this is the wrong place to post! I have a friend in another club who has been advised to add front and back skid plates to his car, which is the same as mine (5-door Pajero). I remember when I joined this club reading about how 'free' clubs aren't always free because they want you to modify this and that, so I'm wondering how necessary and/or useful a skid plate is. I think my friend actually damaged his bumper not having one, but I've not had any issues (perhaps because I've only done the newbie drive). He's also been advised to add a kill switch but I think this isn't necessary because I've just been pulling off the plug under the hood to shut everything down. So the rate he's been quoted is like 1800aed is for the front and back skid plate and the kill switch. I guess my questions here are: are the plates necessary and should they be so costly or what? He's been told he gets a discount for being a member of a club (which immediately makes me think of what I mentioned above, with some clubs 'encouraging' you to make modifications. Any information or advice would be appreciated! Thanks

Good day, everyone! Sorry so let getting to this topic; it's been so busy since we went out. I haven't had a chance to look at my shots yet but I'll get around to it I'm sure 😂. Great shots shared here already - fantastic! I just wanted to say thanks to all for a great night and I'm looking forward to many more photo-based drives with you all 🤩. Sam

@Vanessa8580 I'm sorry 💔 I can't make it after all. I was so happy to be added to the drive, but I've been asked to run an exam on Saturday in Dubai which means I now have much more to do on Friday than I'd planned so I can't join the drive. Next time for sure 🤩.

I'd love to @Vanessa8580 thanks!

Thanks @Frederic!

@FredericI'm definitely down for an earlier meet. Have you adjusted the times or is 6:30 still the original time?

Thanks @Vanessa8580 🤩

HI @Frederic - yes I can, thanks!

@Vanessa8580 Could I be added to the waitlist please 😊?

I shot about 410 images that ended up being whittled down to 370 or so by the time I removed a few dark frames and plane streaks. I was going to shoot longer but decided to get started on that milky way time lapse. Here's a little time lapse I made of the star trail images. I don't know how well it will play here and I had to compress it to fit under 10MB, but hopefully you can still get a nice idea of it 😊. StarTrails_TL_Compressed.MP4 I love it! Where was this taken @Mikhail Lukichev?

@Niki thanks so much for the shout out 😍 and your follow on IG. I also can't wait to join you all and look forward to many photography adventures and drives with such an enthusiastic group! I haven't posted it yet but this is what I was doing on our moonless night, along with a Milky Way time lapse I haven't even had the energy to look at yet; these all nighters are amazing and fun but exhausting 😂💔!

Good afternoon everyone! I hope you all had a great time last night and enjoyed 😍🤩. I'm sorry I missed it and I really hope this club has more driving and shooting meets - day, night, anything! Looking forward to seeing all your photos!