New RV Surround Receiver and Side Camera…

Our time in San Diego has not been all fun and games as there are some looming repairs needed while we are able to have packages delivered. Before our arrival in San Diego I had a side view camera fail. This camera is supposed to come on when I use my right turn signal and the on the on-board display allows me to see down the right side of the RV making the “blind spot”… well not blind!

I really love my side view cameras so I took the old camera off which turned out to not be so easy. After much consternation I successfully removed the camera and its casing. It appeared to have a lot of corrosion inside the casing making me assume water had gotten inside it. I attempted cleaning and reconnecting the camera hoping for the best but it continue to fail. I called a few places looking for a replacement only to discover they no longer make my camera!!!

Finally I made a call to Tiffin to see if they had a replacement or could make a recommendation. They told me they had a new version but it might not fit the old casing. I ordered it and was able to install it but they were right about the casing so it looks completely different than the other one. Not sure what I’ll do about that yet but at least it works now. And for only $350.00! Yes that’s right, that little camera cost $350… what a scam. We RV’ers always seem to pay a high price for replacement parts.

Well our receiver for our surround sound system also failed about the same time as the camera. I did a lot of research and narrowed my choices down to following recievers:

Yamaha RX-V381BL (275)
5.1-channel, 70 watts per channel surround sound and the dimensions are 17-1/8"W x 5-5/16"H x 12-7/8"D

Yamaha RX-V481 (400)
5.1-channel, 80 watts per channel and the dimensions are 17-1/8"W x 6-3/8"H x 12-7/8"D (8-3/4"H with Wi-Fi antenna raised)

Yamaha RX-S601BL (600)
Slimline 5.1-channel amplifier, 60 watts per channel and the dimensions are 17-1/8"W x 4-3/8"H x 13-1/16"D (6-15/16"H with Wi-Fi antenna up)

Onkyo TX-NR646 (300)
7-channel amplifier, 100 watts per channel with +Dolby Atmos and DTS-X and the dimensions are 17-1/8"W x 6-13/16"H x 13-5/8"D

Harman Kardon AVR 1610S (260)
5.1-channel, 85 watts per channel 17-3/8"W x 4-13/16"H x 11-13/16"D

Denon AVR-S510BT 180.00
5.2-channel amplifier, 75 watts per channel and the dimensions are 17-3/16"W x 5-15/16"H x 13-9/16"D

Denon AVR-S710W ($479)
7.2-channel amplifier, 80 watts per channel and the dimensions are 17-1/8"W x 5-15/16"H x 13-9/16"D (8-1/2"H with Wi-Fi antennas up)

Sony STRDN1060  7-channel amplifier, 100 watts per channel and the dimensions are 17"W x 6-13/16"H x 13-5/8"D

After reading all the reviews I finally settled on the Onkyo TX-NR646. Each of the ones listed above were worthy replacements but I chose the one I did as it offered all the new technology in sound so if or when I upgrade the TV it will accommodate all the newer technology. Hopefully if anyone else needs to replace their RV home theater receiver these models I listed will save them some research. I included the dimensions as they are very important when replacing receivers in an RV!

Of course after receiving it I discovered I needed a powered sub-woofer for that deep base sound and not the passive (non-powered) sub-woofer I currently own. More research and more money but I found a nice 8” powered subwoofer that would fit in a cabinet under our table and would secure to the wood well without me worrying about it moving around. Lastly, I ordered some banana clips to make hooking it all up easier than twisting down all the wires. So now all I have to do is put it all together… wish me luck!

In the meantime there is always time to squeeze in a nice walk around the De Anza Park surrounding our resort. The older park model areas have now been abandoned as the residents were required to vacate their homes so the city can redesign De Anza Park. This does make the walk a bit creepy as the abandoned homes have taken on a feel of a bad neighborhood with all the shuttered and dilapidated buildings.It is all for progress and of course a better environment as the city will increase the acreage of wetlands and improve the water quality of De Anza Cove.

Well I need to get the projects done before our daughter and her boyfriend arrive from North Carolina so we can hit the ground running on their whirlwind tour…

NOTE: Many of today’s pictures were taken on our many walks along the Pacific Beach boardwalk which we always enjoy… We have been busy here entertaining our daughter and her boyfriend and will be leaving here on December 5th.

Loving La Jolla California…

One place we love to visit while spending time in San Diego is La Jolla. There is no prettier place for a stroll.  The scenery is grand without having to drive very far. It is a short 10-15 minutes north of us where we seek out one of the illusive 3 hour free street parking spots near the La Jolla Cove.

There is always plenty to see…the majestic ocean views, the white sand pocket beaches, the wind and sea carved sandstone cliffs as well as the ever changing waves rolling inland while crashing onto the rocky shoreline slowly taking sand back out to sea.The constant ever changing elements include the weather conditions, abundant bird life, people watching,  the ubiquitous seals, sea lions and intriguing tidal pools.It is almost too much to take in all at once so we feel called to visit often to admire it again and again while embracing whatever it has to offer on any given day.

Along the seaside stroll is the pristine rocky shoreline, the Children's Pool and to the north are the La Jolla Caves. Just past the caves the trail continues along the cliffs on a dirt trail which ends near a high end neighborhood. (Well I guess all the neighborhoods in La Jolla are high end!)  After walking the long stretch we either return the same way we came and stay along the waterfront or we walk inland through the quaint village of La Jolla

Recently we met up with some friends on one of these trips to La Jolla, Dan and Merlene. We first met them in Abbeville Louisiana at Betty’s RV. They are staying nearby and we decided to join forces to reconnect while enjoying a stroll along the waterfront . Afterward we rolled over to the Rock Bottom Brewery who hosts an excellent happy hour where several of their drafts are $3 per pint which is less than half of what many craft beers go for in this area. On Tuesdays there are $6 growler fills….amazing!  We had such fun there we all forgot to snap photos!

The day before we met up with Dan and Merlene we met another couple we had also previously met at Betty’s RV, Rick and Barb. We met them over at Ocean Beach where we had happy hour and dinner at the OB Noodle House (a Diners and Drive-ins featured spot). Not only was the company great the food was fantastic! It would really be cool if all six of us could somehow find a way to get together before we all part ways again but only time will tell if  we can pull that off.

In the meantime we are enjoying living the good life here for our five week stay in beautiful, sunny San Diego..n

NOTE: We will be here at Mission Bay RV Park in San Diego California until December 4th.