Truly… A Jeep Wrangler is not car, but it’s a lifestyle. I didn’t realize this so much when we first bought our Jeep, but I quickly learned what owning a Jeep meant… and when I say Jeep, I mean the Jeep Wrangler ?
Jeep wave - Every Jeep Wrangler owner waves at each other ALL the time… and I do mean all the time. There are groups on Facebook and stickers and more all dedicated to the Jeep wave. Why? Folks want to talk about how angry they get when they see another Jeep owner not wave to them, do the wave incorrectly or too enthusiastically. Here are just a few links showing articles, images, etc just focused on the Jeep wave
Personalization - The Jeep can be COMPLETELY customized and I’ve learned that owners try to out customize each other! There is a whole industry around adding lights, change the bumpers, doors, decorate with stickers, etc with online and physical stores one can shop at.
Community - There is a huge Jeep community that meet up online, in clubs and at events. Why? Jeeps are used to drive back roads that can’t be accessed by normal cars. Jeep owners want to drive and talk about driving.
Images of Jeep clubs
Why do we own a Jeep? …and do we have a Jeep lifestyle? Our Jeep kinda actually defines our life and our activities. We tend to go places where we can go off road and explore the back country. Our Jeep also enables us to have great cheaper entertainment for the cost of gas (and normal car expenses). I have truly embraced our Jeep lifestyle and so glad it became a part of our life.
Here are some interesting articles about Jeep owners ?
In the videos below, I actually use my Pixel 2 XL for the video. I originally tried the new time lapse feature built into the phone but the quality of the video is reduced significantly!! …and once it’s recorded, one can’t change how fast the time lapse is. I believe they reduced the quality of the video due to the size of the video for a full length video and these videos are mostly greater than 20 minutes. This is actually why I have 128GB in my Pixel 2 XL so that I can take long videos… SO… I decided to video at the normal speed and then control the time lapse with software on my computer (with Corel VideoStudio). This approach has worked out really well and I’m able to keep the video at 4k and have the time lapse at different speeds based on the results of the video (instead of having to decide prior to the activity).
The next big challenge to solve with videoing like this is stability and/or using a gimbal. I have a handheld gimbal (DJI Osmo) and I’ve tried this approach but honestly I found the perfect solution just by accident! The Jeep has hand handles built into the frame at the front of the side windows. I put a bike handle bar magnet phone mount on each side of the Jeep to hold our phones. When I video, my phone is on the magnetic mount and “somehow” the Jeep itself is the gimbal (or essentially keeps the camera steady). During the videos we are bouncing a bunch over rocks and potholes and it is only seen by seeing the Jeep hood go up and down. I was stunned to discover this but also very excited/pleased. #LocalGuidesUSA
YouTube: Imogene Pass in Colorado mountains - Going up to the top along the cutout road (time lapse)
YouTube: Imogene Pass in Colorado mountains - Going down from the top along the cutout road (time lapse)
YouTube: Ophir Pass in Colorado mountains - Going along the cutout road (time lapse)
YouTube: Corkscrew Pass in Colorado mountains - Going along the cutout road (time lapse)
YouTube: Snow avalanche in Colorado mountains - Going along cut into a snow avalanche (time lapse)
Hi @Denise_Barlock ,
undoubtedly being the owner and driving an off-road vehicle leads you to discover places that are mostly inaccessible to most people.
Nothing better than driving on little-worn paths and then discovering an oasis of peace and tranquility where you can relax after a challenging drive!
I am happy for you and I envy you a little, every time a beautiful adventure!
Bye,
David
@Denise_Barlock some of my earliest memories are being strapped into my parents’ jeep while we made our way up “goat trails” in the backcountry of the western US. You are absolutely right - it is a lifestyle and an attitude that makes its way into every aspect of life. I loved this article - now I am so nostalgic!
This is so cool @Denise_Barlock ! I loved these videos. I spent close to 10 years in Washington (state) and don’t think I’ve seen anything like this in the mountains. It does seem like a cheaper day-venture and great overall community. Kudos!
This is interesting. Never all these facts .it is even intriguing to know that a group was created around the jeep wrangler.There must be something special about the vehicle @Denise_Barlock thanks for sharing.
Allow to say how amazing this post is! After seeing the first photo I felt bewildered how beautiful our world is. Being on the top of the California pass should be quite an experience. I can only imagine the breathtaking scenery that one can see from there.
Sure thing is not everyone would opt for a jeep, but those who have it, they have wings as one can easily go places others couldn’t!
Just as you, a month ago I also had the chance to experience this great feeling on riding on a jeep. We were roaming around hills in Rhodope mountain in Bulgaria.
Hello @TsekoV . Yes… Not everyone can do the full Jeep experience. We have not done any of the “hard” roads and probably never will. I never did say that I’m the one driving but many times I actually have to close my eyes and pretend that we’re not on the edge of a mountain. Hahahahaha. I praise my partner, Dave, every time we are on these roads on how awesome his driving skills are and how I trust him explicitly that he’ll get us off that very scary road .
Thank you so much for the kudos on the time lapse. I actually use my Pixel 2 XL for the video… BUT!!! I originally tried the new time lapse feature built into the phone but the quality of the video is reduced significantly!! …and once it’s recorded, one can’t change how fast the time lapse is. I believe they reduced the quality of the video due to the size of the video for a full length video and these videos are mostly greater than 20 minutes. This is actually why I have 128GB in my Pixel 2 XL so that I can take long videos… SO… I decided to video at the normal speed and then control the time lapse with software on my computer (with Corel VideoStudio). This approach has worked out really well and I’m able to keep the video at 4k and have the time lapse at different speeds based on the results of the video (instead of having to decide prior to the activity).
The next big challenge to solve with videoing like this is stability and/or using a gimbal. I have a handheld gimbal (DJI Osmo) and I’ve tried this approach but honestly I found the perfect solution just by accident! The Jeep has hand handles built into the frame at the front of the side windows. I put a bike handle bar magnet phone mount on each side of the Jeep to hold our phones. When I video, my phone is on the magnetic mount and “somehow” the Jeep itself is the gimbal (or essentially keeps the camera steady). During the video we are bouncing a bunch over rocks and potholes and it is only seen by seeing the Jeep hood go up and down. I was stunned to discover this but also very excited/pleased.
Thank you for the detailed explanation. Your partner really must have amazing driving skills to navigate with such ease on such terrains.
As for the tip you shared, it is very smart that you found this way of recording your videos. My only thought is isn’t it dangerous if you put the phone on a magnetic mount and suddenly the jeep bounces? The phone would fall?
Hello @TsekoV ! Have you ever tried a magnetic phone mount? They are AMAZING! The “kit” comes with a metal plate that you either put inside your phone case or attach to your phone. The phone then sits on the magnet mount. As you can see, these mounts are really strong and the phone does NOT fall off the mount while we drive on these very rough roads.! I did quite a bit of research and it doesn’t harm the phone which surprised me. We now have magnetic mounts in various locations in our RV to hang our phones
Good evening. Wrangler is also very popular in Japan. There was a time when I was really wondering whether to buy a Wrangler. As you say, Wrangler is not just a car, but a tool to express your lifestyle. Thank you for a very cool movie. Please be careful when driving on mountain trails. Thank you very much. Regard
