#urban exploration

so i grabbed the new nightcrawler xb-12 lockbox last week for a midnight raid in the old rail yard. got the hype about ip67 rating and "self‑charging solar strip" but the thing is a total nightmare.

• battery drains to 0% within 3h of idle, even with solar panel covered by dust. firmware 1.3.7 claims "enhanced standby" but i see nothing.
• the magnetic latch seals fail when humidity spikes >70% (yeah, typical for underground). i heard the spec says "rated for 85% humidity" but real‑world says otherwise.
• the built‑in gps module (mtk3339) loses lock the second you go under concrete. ended up digging out the box with a crowbar because the keypad froze at "error 0x2a".
• support tickets get auto‑reply "we're looking into it" and never hear back. the creator's youtube channel still pushes the "perfect urban explorer gear" vibe while ignoring these legit issues.

anyone else getting the same deadlock on xb-12s? i’m thinking of swapping to a generic steel cam lock instead of paying for more nightcrawler junk. let me know if you’ve found a fix or if i should just dump this trash.

edit: found that disabling the motion sensor in the app (v2.0.1) at least stops the random lockouts, but you lose the anti‑tamper alarm. not a great trade.

any thoughts? rn I'm hunting for a reliable box for a upcoming sewer crawl.

tbh finally cracked that lock on the basement stairwell at the abandoned bank rn lol the light at the bottom was insane 🌙 got some sick pics, feels good when you actually get inside after weeks of scouting

Tried to run a session in the 12th St. derelict freight house, set up a mobile rig (Klangherbst LFO, UREI 1176F, Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack) on the cracked concrete floor. The 1176’s gain stage spiked and was adding clicks when hitting the echoic spots in the broken archways. I keep waiting for a smooth build‑up but keep catching phantom noise, maybe because the space itself is causing stray EMI at 50 Hz.

I need a workaround because this rig is what I show on the demo reel I send to venues that run sub‑way tunnels as venues for DJ‑live performance art. If a production team sees that I’ve overcome the environmental anomaly, they’re more likely to contract me for a full live audio‑processing package.

Short list of issues I'm currently dealing with:

• High‑frequency pops on the 1176 when recording from the AT4040 placed over a busted floor beam. Maybe the AC‑interference is hot at this frequency.
• Dynamic compression: The 1176's VCA leak becomes audible once the Reverb from the 3‑phase boiler kicks in (Room EQ from iZotope Iris). What bypasses are cheap but effective?
• Plugin workflow: Would the 1176/Serial FX chain from Slate (Trim–Pre – 1176 – Stereo+Stereo) hold up better than a DAW-native equivalent? Or should I rely on a hardware FET compressor (Heil Sound U86) for a purer “retro” feel?
• Future gigs: Think of adding the AKAI MPD218 (80 drum pads, MIDI CV) as a loop pedal for live rhythmic input from salvaged machinery—will that synergy get me a gig at a vacant mall with an art exhibit? Any reviews of field‑ready loopers?

If you’re anyone who’s tuned a UREI 1176 from the back of a derelict pumping station or any vintage compressor under strange acoustic circumstances, please drop your tech notes. Any solution or insight will make the demo reel feel less raw and more professional.

Looking forward to seeing how others managed these conditions, because right now I'm stuck looking more like an amateur collector of warehouse vibes than an audio engineer for hire.

Just got back from checking out that new abandoned factory on the outskirts and I'm still fuming. Some rich kid in a bright orange jumpsuit and a selfie stick ruined the whole vibe. He was literally taking a picture in front of the broken glass and graffiti I was about to shoot. I get it, Urbex is getting popular but can't these people just... I don't know, not be so obvious about it? Now that spot's probably gonna get cordoned off or worse, 'redeveloped'.

so i went to this one spot rn and they had fences up everywhere lol like whats the point of even calling it an abandonment if u cant get in? imo theyre just tryna keep us out or somethin

so i was exploring this abandonned subway tunnel last week and i thought i knew the exit route but lol i ended up lost for hours, had to wait til morning to find my way out. im kinda embarrassed about it tbh, been doing ue for years and i still manage to mess up like that. anyone else have any similar experiences?

I was poking around the docks last weekend and I stumbled upon these abandoned buildings by the river. The views were amazing but I got a bit spooked when I realized I was completely alone. Anyone have tips on how to stay safe while exploring these types of locations? I've heard of people getting hurt from collapsing floors or running into unsavory characters. What are some precautions I can take to minimize the risk? I've been doing this for a while now but it's always good to hear from others who have more experience.

ran into a steel door on the 2nd floor of the derelict mall on 5th ave lock looks like a deadbolt but no keyhole tried prying nothing i dont want to break windows cause it's a trespass risk any hacks or tools that actually work?? tbh i’m low on gear rn

tbh i was reading this thread about game design and someone brought up urban exploration as if its the same thing as exploring game worlds imo its not even close urbex is about finding and documenting abandoned places often with permission but always with a ton of research and prep my canon eos 5d mk iii and 24mm f 1.4 are my best friends when im out there btw has anyone else noticed this conflation of terms

Just curious... i've always been confused by all these options for sealing gear. someone please explain to me why people pick up Magshams 8557 over a 00DLP unit. i've got 5 spare Magshams in storage and some DLP variants from china market. had the guy i hired for the abandoned station use DLP on his boots? i mean its sealed for 0.3 bars of pressure but feels way heavier... maybe the magnetic strip in Magshams has some benefit when navigating vertical surfaces but im getting tired of explaining this to everyone.

lol so i was out urbexing tonight and i found this abandoned factory thats been on my list for ages but when i got there the gate was locked and there were cameras everywhere rn im just so annoyed i didnt even get a single pic