Interesting combo with the TDI - how well did it work out, power, torque, etc.? I had an 84 small Cherokee with the 2.5 4 cyl. (Pontiac motor, I believe??) 5spd. A/C, Hi/Lo 4WD w/lockers and a rubberized floor, in after thought it was one of my favorite (non-CJ/Wrangler) Jeeps, top out about 85-90 (wasn't geared for freeway!), pulled like a little mule (to paraphrase the Grateful Dead (Sugar Magnolia, I think) "Just like a Willy's in 4 wheel drive", pulled many a larger vehicle, 4wd P/U's, etc. out of tough spots, and it got 20 mpg at 55-60.

The very long running 4.0 straight six really lives up to this: The stuff they hang on the motor will fail after normal miles/years, but the engine internals are very stout..I know several that have made 500K with just things like starters/alternators/steering pumps, but no engine fail, stout build, normal maintenance and synthetic oils go a long way. You can beat them up, especially in this mudhole that Florida is, but they are easy to repair, and since there is a big following, parts are still to be found......

Love the old Cherokees!! I have a 95 with the straight 6/auto and if you can imagine, the original a/c that still works, as does the cassette/radio - it still looks good too inside and out! Was my go-to-work and go anywhere all purpose rig..my other vehicle is a Jeep as well..Wrangler we bought new when I retired in 010, I have to arm wrestle my better half over it all the time, she loves it/we love it. The Cherokee has just shy of 110,000 and the Wrangler only 56K - We've had Jeeps since the late 70's - Cherokees - 2 of the big ole Wagoneer style and then 3 of the down sized post 84' to 01' models, a CJ and 3 different Wrangler models) Will probably never replace the current pair, no need to.

Beard and mustache since approx 1972, mostly kept neatly trimmed exept for several years seeing how long (it and long hair for a while - trimmed it at mid chest, then went back to just a couple inches).....

I too suffer this malady....... we all need professional help!!!!!! Good luck with your sales

One of my other hobbies (ham radio) - Looking for HF amplifiers 1-30 MHZ range, solid state/transistor/tube 250 watts output and above, low or high drive....Ham or CB amps OK (I can modify to use if needed), prefer working units, don't mind buying tubes if power output is low...transistor amps - depends, but I am interested in any potentials. Same with transceivers, if you have something you are not using anymore, extras, whatever, let me know, we can take it from there. I mention CB as many CB amps and Tranceivers cover the 25-30 MHZ range making them useful for frequencies other than CB. I'm legitimate radio operator, call sign via PM if needed. Trade gear - Canon/Nikon/Sony/Tamron/Sigma cameras and lenses...will be posting some of those soon. Please PM for discussion and thanks for taking time to read. olemikey

LOL, understand your thoughts completely. Needs are subjective, I was generalizing.....

I'm a radioguy, even though everyone tells me it's a dead hobby, I talk to folks all over world, and with latest Solar Cycle in action, we have large "roundtable" sessions nightly and I talk to the same operators in Australia/NZ/Tasmania/South Pacific almost daily, from Florida (and other parts of the world). We all have computers and phones and could easily communicate that way, but radio takes effort/knowledge/DIY capability (and yes some money is involved) much like photography it always feels like quite an accomplishment.....whether licensed or pirate, it's always fun.

I'm not up for an essay on this subject (and no one wants one anyway) but will drop in a quick POV: Basically - Everyone needs a multi-capable computer/camera/phone in their pocket/purse, not everyone needs a very capable camera (sort of a "one trick pony") - Phones benefitted much thru fast tech improvements and fast growing larger market share (at a time when this sort of tech was exploding in general), for folks desiring devices that are easy to use and require much less "training" {in general), than what we know as advanced photography and photographic devices. Paired with powerful computing capabilities/vast usage networks for the general public, an army of app builders/developers, and skilled marketing, they came along at the right time with the right stuff.

Cameras have always been seen as something of a heavy knowledge based bit of magic, hard to learn/understand/use for the average person. They are considered a pro-tool or luxury item, and what I always hear - "takes too much time to learn, it's hard, I just want to point and shoot and send my pic, I don't need all that photo tech" etc. etc. as opposed to general phone usage/computing/internet reach/usage/games & social media posters, quick click post send, thank you man!!

Phones and their usage systems are also heavily subsidized (unlike cameras) through a number of plans/sales gimmicks almost forced replacement due to constant upgrades and the physical frailties of the devices, they role over nearly yearly. Because there is so much money to be made, the faster path to profit is going to get the developement money/promotional efforts/plans that encourage replacement in a constant cycle/etc... Remember, cameras don't have a dedicated network buyin like phones and while the devices themselves make a profit, the marketing of the "phone plans" and subsequent public buyin has brought about a huge money making machine for the phone industry, one that will be promoted to the heavens. While they have tried to do that with cameras, the general "need" is not there like it is with the phone systems - people "need" their phones, a camera is a luxury item.....

My $.02 Peace.

It is truly an "Epic outcome", hope it all goes well as planned. The original idea of harvesting the Rhino horns without harming the Rhinos may have been the best plan to kill the illegal poaching and world trade in the horns and powder.......being an animal lover it is my hope they succeed and that Rhinos remain with us rather than end up as another extinction....

I read it for free the other day, will look for a free link.

I have a much different view of Walt (my warning on this input) - Do some reading about "beloved" Walt, he was quite hardcore (a real "prick & bastxxd" by many accounts), thought people should work for him for (nearly) free, low pay, hard hours, low/no benefits, anti-union, etc. He was a hardaxx money maker with a vision who loved sucking up the publics money, but not very caring or sharing of cast or crew.....not at all what the general public seem to think he was........

Yes, I have been to the parks over the decades (Cali and Florida) and I know a few folks who worked for Disney in various capacities (low to high), for cast and crew it is not "the Happiest Place On Earth"....a real dung hole of a place to work.

Now that I look closer I see the wink!! sorry....still...good message for anyone filming/photo/hiking/camping etc., if you are not well versed in the ways of "wild animals", never mind how cute they are!!! That cute baby raccoon can take off part of your finger, and momma can hurt you bad, BEARS, that is a whole nother category of "beware"!! Bears, Bison/Buffalo, Moose, Alligators/Crocs, Snapping Turtles and many others can give you a really bad day, or maybe even your last day!

Take care and enjoy the ride!!

Cool shot!!

I hope you are joking - a really bad idea....a Grizzly mother and cubs..any closer is an invitational death wish!!!!

Opinion response/different perspective: For those with the money to support wholesale change from DSLR to MILC - I see no real issues...and maybe photo happiness for most users,.... or just adding a MILC to your collection, no issue either.

One solution mentioned - the all-in-one larger sensor integrated zoom style camera has merit, if it truly fits your needs.

Now for the caveat: This is more for the mix and match crowd, budget limited photographers, those with a physical limitation or consideration, etc. - I use both DSLR and MILC bodies (Canon/Nikon/Sony) with a bad left shoulder/rotator and some nerve damage to left arm - I find the smaller/lighter MILC bodies to be fine when used with smaller MILC lenses: That said, I find them a PITA when using larger lenses like my collection of older big long zooms 50/150/170/200 - to 500/600 MM models - especially/severely "unbalanced" in a word.... For tripod/monopod use not much of a deal, but handheld do find myself doing work-arounds to handle the "unbalanced combos". When using the larger longer lenses (for me) the larger DSLR bodies really balance the combo. DSLR lenses with adapters for MILC - won't go there for this discussion - they make the combos even longer and even heavier, negate the reason for going smaller/lighter.

For folks with larger hands, the smaller MILC form-factor can be a problem, so look carefully at button/control placement - it might/might not be an issue for you.

Over time I'll most likely sell-off most of my big ole lenses and slim down my gear, as I'm not out in the field as much. As a life long photog (hobby only now), I do not see a need for the latest and greatest to get fine photo results. Your needs may/will be different, so you pick and choose what suits your style, and you go with it.

The mention of trying before buying is the best idea brought to the table - that will tell the OP the answers to his/her question of MILC vs DSLR, and true functionality.....
again, just my $.02

Flower Porn LOL !!!! They look wonderful and are an enjoyable (to take and to show) - Keep up the good work!!! Don't fret the naysayers!!!