Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/11

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Rover's As Tow Vehicles & My Retirement Lens
From: Jim Laurel <jplaurel@microsoft.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 11:42:37 -0700

Actually, the Discovery is a comparable, if not superior value to the Grand
Cherokee.  Check this link for a 1:1 comparison:

http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/specs/1999/Land_Rover/Discovery/1999/Jeep/Gr
and_Cherokee/CompSelect?Trim1=Discovery_Series_II&Trim2=Limited_4WD_ 

At virtually the exact same price, the Discovery offers traction control
standard, which is not even an option for the Jeep.  And this is not just
any traction control transplanted from a passenger car...  It is optimized
for off-road use, and the early field reports have been very positive.  An
interesting related feature is "HDC", or "Hill Descent Control".  This was
pioneered on the Freelander a few years ago, and makes controlled descents
easy.  It controls braking on each of the 4 wheels independently, and is
able to make corrections to keep the vehicle straight that even an
experienced driver could not do (without 4 feet and brake pedals, that is!)

Discovery also offers Active cornering enhancement (ACE), which
automatically adjusts the rear sway bars when cornering, thus limiting body
sway.  At speeds below about 25 mph the same accelerometers are used to
detect side tilts, and the system "locks" (there is no ACE assistance) to
enable the vehicle to maintain a consistent attitude, parallel to the
ground.  A by-product of this system is the ability to raise the entire rear
end of the car a few inches, effectively increasing departure angle.

Discovery seats 7 rather than 5
Discovery approach and departure angles are steeper
Discovery wheelbase is shorter has a higher ramp breakover angle.
Discovery warranty is 48 mos/50k miles compared to JGC 36 mos/36k miles

The Land Rover products are the last SUVs on the market that are
thoughtfully oriented toward real off-road driving.  It's a pity that so
many of them see nothing but suburban streets.  I don't understand why
people buy SUVs and never take them off the tarmac.  A minivan would seem a
better option for most people...

On topic: The Discovery has a cool rear sunroof, which is great for popping
through to snap pictures of the flora and fauna with your M6 + Summicron 50!

- -----Original Message-----
From: KPETERS [mailto:KPETERS@huntel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 5:15 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Rover's As Tow Vehicles & My Retirement Lens



Agree.  The new grand cherokee has a fine motor, OHC type which is replacing
the pushrod style motors.  Overall output is still somewhere between 5.2 and
5.9 L equivalent and I would agree completely that you would want a decent
hitch with swaybars on anything approaching 30'!  Checked my manual for the
'89 rover and it's rated to pull  5500# in high and  7700# in low.  Price
difference between new grand cherokee and rovers (especially now that the
discovery is out there!) is not that much anymore... and we all know price
isn't that important anyway when we're talking about love.  Kpeters--

- -----Original Message-----
From: Rob McClure <mcclure@udata.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 7:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Rover's As Tow Vehicles & My Retirement Lens


>Hello,
>
>I, too, use a travel trailer to travel and to get out in the woods for
>Leica photography (we must stay on topic here).  I've found that the
>Jeep Grand Cherokee V-8 is perfect for hauling up to 30' and has a 6,500
>pound tow rating.  Its also a nice vehicle for running around without
>the trailer, about the size of a Range Rover (but much lighter and less
>expensive).  Just be sure to add good sway equipment.
>
>Rob McClure
>
>For those of you
>Kent Jon Peters wrote:
>>
>> Bud Cook wrote:
>> >
>> > Newer Airstreams weigh much more than the older ones because they now
have
>> > wood cabinets, Corian sinks, etc.  I believe a new 31' Airstream weighs
>> > about 6,500 dry.  My old one weighed 4,900.<snip>
>
>