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The Video Round Up: March 5th 2016

Video Round Up March 5th 2016
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Video Round Up is a new series highlighting videos and multimedia content that caught our eyes. Getting stoked on travel, good food, and extreme sports is best when shared with friends, so we’ll be posting a bi-weekly series on our favorite videos we find from every corner of the web. Have a tip or some awesome footage? Shoot an email to support@themanual.com

Diamondback Level Link

It’s no secret that we’re fans of Diamondback, especially after rolling one of their fat bikes all winter. This past week they launched their new full-suspension mountain technology, Level Link. Utilizing a unique geometry that stacks the suspension pivot points above the bottom bracket, it isolates pedal movement so you’ll be more efficient on the uphill. Of course that means more time ripping downhill singletrack. Look for the Catch and Release models to hit the market soon.

Diamondback Level Link

Howler Brothers Spring 2016 Collection

How many times have you slammed your office door and planned a tropical getaway, only to push it off to “next year”? Whether you’re finally getting packed for that Costa Rican surf trip, or just heading to the closet lake to sling a few flies after work, the new spring line up from Howler Brothers is your ticket off the beaten path. If we had to pick just one piece, it would definitely be the Waterman’s Work Short. From cleaning fish dockside to firing up the grill on your tailgate, these are the perfect summer shorts.

// Spring 2016 Collection by Howler Brothers //

Mark Healey: Free To Move

Pro Surfer Mark Healey doesn’t work out like the rest of us. A rough day in the gym for him might include getting absolutely hammered by huge waves, or free diving to tag hammerhead sharks. However, when all the hard work pays off, sending a monster sixty foot wave at world famous surf break, Jaws, it’s easy to see why he is so dedicated.

Who’s crazy enough to paddle into a 60’ wave? Mark Healey: Free To Move

Barton Perreira Factory

For twenty-five years the team at Bill Barton has built relationships with high quality Japanese eyeglass frame makers. In 2007, when he and Patty Perreira launched Barton Perreira, that eye for quality and style naturally progressed to near perfection. If you’re not entirely convinced, this behind the scenes look at their production process demonstrates their commitment to pursuing excellence.

BARTON PERREIRA FACTORY V3 HD
Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

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The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

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This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

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