Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used? - <AUTHOR> I'll go first. I think this kettle is exceptional: https://www.amazon.com/Sori-Yanagi-Stainless-Steel-Kettle/dp... <comment><USER4> The ancient microwave in my first apartment. It had two knobs: one for time, one for power. It's immediately obvious how to cook something for how long, how to add more time, etc.

All other microwaves that I've used I had to have someone explain to me what buttons to press in what order to do even the simplest things. And I've never seen anyone use all of those fancy buttons.

<comment><USER5> Completely agree! The funny thing is the first thing I thought of was an old microwave I owned with a similar setup mainly because the microwave I own, today, is so _awful_ [0].

I have a GE combination convection oven/microwave and it was clearly designed by someone who had their first experience with LSD that day. Every function requires a different, magic, set of key combinations to make it work. Want to set a timer? That's easy, press timer, turn the dial to the right time (which inexplicably increases/decreases the time in 30 second increments). OK, you've done that, now you want to start it. Press "Timer" ... nope. Press "Start" ... nope. Oh, I have to push _in_ the dial... I didn't even know that, _too_ , was a button. Oh, and not once, not _twice_ , but _three_ times is the magic number of times required to _start_ said timer.

Starting the microwave with a specific time in mind requires hitting no less than 6 buttons, but there's one button that will start the microwave on high for 30 seconds, so everyone just uses that button and hits it as many times as is required to get close to the desired cooking length. I can hear my wife counting out loud ten beeps for a 5 minute cook time.

It's got piles of advanced, useless, features, my favorite of which is a hybrid "microwave/oven cook" mode that manages to bring in the worst of both methods, giving you soggy food, unevenly cooked that takes an eternity to cook.

Even the clock is stupid. You punch in the hours/minutes, and thinking you're done, you move on to something else. Later you go to cook something and for some bizarre reason, "AM or PM" pops up on the screen at which point nothing in your previous experience in operating a microwave prepares you to figure out why heating something up requires knowledge of whether it's morning or afternoon. Of course, nothing this microwave does requires knowledge of AM/PM, nor does it display AM or PM anywhere on the screen, but for some reason it just _must_ know.

[0] This isn't the exact model but it looks close: [https://www.amazon.com/GE- PVM9179SFSS-Profile-Stainless-Micr...](https://www.amazon.com/GE-PVM9179SFSS- Profile-Stainless-Microwave/dp/B00EU7AMX4)

<comment><USER6> Holy christ. Horrifying. I can't understand how microwaves are all so bad. Where are the good ones? Isn't it less work to make a simpler (better) interface than the baroque ones we end up with?

<comment><USER7> It's when people buy for features rather than use. If given the choice most people are likely to buy the one with the longest spec sheet - don't want to miss out on that meat vs vegetable defrost difference! And it's the same price. And it has a few more buttons but I'm not stupid...

On the other side, there's probably a demand on the "designers"to keep inventing and adding new features while keeping it as cheap as possible to produce. And each version is just slightly different from the previous one, so best not to redesign the wiring/programming, just add the new feature in the technically easiest/cheapest way!

<comment><USER5> You're completely right. In my case, I bought this model because my wife likes to cook and we only had one conventional oven (a gas oven, as well, which cooks differently[0] than an electric one). We decided on it because it would give us a "sort of" second oven for the various times when that's needed. In retrospect, we almost _never_ use the other capability -- not because of a combination of two things - (1) we're too lazy to get the manual out to see what particular incantation needs to be performed to make the "oven" feature work and (2) it takes almost twice as long to pre-heat than any other oven we've ever owned so if you don't plan in advance and start pre-heating it before you actually decide what you're going to cook, the main oven is often free by the time the thing pre-heats.

It goes to show, though, when you jam in a bunch of features into a device that isn't really meant for those features, the added features are often not implemented well enough to make them very useful.

The _one_ redeeming factor this microwave has is that the entire interior is stainless steel. Everyone who uses our microwave does a double-take when they open it seeing all that metal. It's _super_ easy to clean, but that's about it.

[0] Natural gas ovens are less dry than electric ovens, so baking in them results in very moist results but also often requires cooking things longer. I bought it, though, because they're _really_ simple devices that will basically last forever, having only really the $20 ignition element fail about once every decade.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER5> It took me about a second to think of Dixon Ticonderoga pencils. These are the perfect nexus of good and cheap. These things have the critical features one looks for in a writing instrument, my favorite of which is that I can put it in my electric pencil sharpener and the lead _never_ snaps just prior to the point at which it becomes sharp.

And these guys finally figured out something useful to do with that pink, rubbery, knob at the end of the pencil. I've never been able to figure out what this rubber piece is for on other pencils. On some, it works like a highlighter, but not as well -- leaving this pale, pinkish/carbon smudged mess all over the page. On others, it works like the worlds worst paper shredder, ripping through the page haphazardly, but not in such a useful way as to render the contents securely shredded. On Dixon Ticonderoga pencils, this rubber knob _removes_ any pencil markings that were made in error. It's incredible!

The best part, though, is that you can get a box of almost 100 of them for around $14.

<comment><USER8> I've never seen someone that excited about pencils.

Might this be satire? ;)

<comment><USER9> Oh no. Folk can get really obsessive about stationary. I have to have Mitsubishi Uniball [1] myself.

[1] [https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens/](https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens/)

<comment><USER10> Oh hell yes. The 0.38 Signo is my favorite pen _ever_ , and the retractable version makes it even better.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER11> The Casio F-91W Digital wrist watch

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_F-91W](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_F-91W)

Keeps better time than a Rolex, and is a fraction of the price. Waterproof. Has an alarm, stopwatch, and timer; all things missing from traditional wind ups. Interface is easy to use and discover. The battery last almost forever.

Now, if you're asking if it's aesthetically pleasing, that's a different story. But we were talking about _design_ , right?

EDIT: Wikipedia says they're only splash proof; I used to swim with mine but there you go. And I'm making up the timer function, that must have been on later models only.

<comment><USER12> The F91W is very hard to beat but I recommend shelling out the extra ten quid for a Casio W86:

[http://zegarki.worldtrade24.pl/images/Zegarek%20meski%20Casi...](http://zegarki.worldtrade24.pl/images/Zegarek%20meski%20Casio%20W-86-1VQ%20DSC_0161.jpg)

F91W owners are always jealous of my nice bright EL backlight!

<comment><USER13> While we are at it why not the indestructable g-shock for a few extra tens of quid? DW-5600?

[http://www.g-shock.eu/global/images/lineup/zoom/DW-5600E-1VE...](http://www.g-shock.eu/global/images/lineup/zoom/DW-5600E-1VER.jpg)

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER14> Another odd one, but my Honda Fit 2nd Generation. So many things about that car are so well thought-out, and even more expensive/luxurious cars miss things that the Fit designers included. Some examples:

\- Cup holder on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. As a left- handed person, this is amazing.

\- Window power remains on after turning off the car as long as doors haven't been opened, allowing you to close the windows even if you forget to close them before turning off the car.

\- Rear seats can fold completely flat, thanks to the fact that the fuel tank is below the front seats

\- Large, unique-feeling tactile buttons and knobs to control the AC heating, and audio systems. So many cars use tiny identical buttons that are impossible to distinguish without looking.

<comment><USER15> I really enjoy my Mazda3 2016 dashboard and controls.

Meanwhile I HATED the BMW 3 series controls and shifter. Nothing was intuitive, though it all looked space agey.

I am a fan of the Lexus controls as well. They look positively 90s but are very straightforward to use and behave as you'd expect.

As a former automotive engineer it hurts to see "aesthetics" trump usability.

<comment><USER16> Yeah, I have the Mazda 3 Astina - 2014. I believe its MazdaConnect is roughly the same, maybe a slightly smaller screen.

Blown away by how good the UX for the whole car is, including a HUD which for its price class and the time is rather amazing.

Adding things like rear cross alert, curving lights and radar cruise in addition to EBA is simply great.

<comment><USER17> I've got the same model. Also a big fan of the design features

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER18> Apple MacBooks are the best laptops that I have ever used. Nothing comes close to them. Even my Surface. It's a great device (by far the best Windows laptop/convertible available), but it misses on some details (light bleed on the edges, kickstand doesn't align all the way)

<comment><USER19> The Macs are legendary for their design, but I have to say the winner is the MacBook Air. We have one at home, specifically the 2011 model MacBook Air. Such a fine piece of equipment and it still works pretty today as well as it did 6 years ago.

<comment><USER20> Have been using Air since its 1st gen.

<comment><USER18> If the screen on the Air wasn't so shitty, I would still be rocking that thing. It had legendary battery life and an amazing keyboard, all while being super light.

I think that the MBA the best MacBook they've ever designed. No compromises, light enough to forget about and lasts long enough to almost never need charging.

I seriously wished they re-released that with a Retina screen.

<comment><USER19> Shitty? The Air screen is pretty good. Yes, it is not retina but I'm happy with the other bits such as color depth, view angle, brightness, and just general quality.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><AUTHOR> Textmate 2 - It's such a well-engineered piece of software, and it's gorgeous.

Bialetti Brikka - Such an elegant design, and it makes delicious coffee, Italian-style.

Nespresso - If Apple made espresso machines. The espresso tastes great and it's easy to clean.

Patagonia MLC 45L - My pet peeve with luggage is that the good stuff tends to be heavy. Not this! It's big enough for extended travel, has backpack straps if you need it, durable (w/ lifetime guarantee), and is well-designed without being "design-y," if that makes sense.

Charles Schwab checking account - Okay, not a physical product, and doesn't have very impressive visual design, but well-designed regardless. No account minimums or fees, the best customer service I've ever experienced, no foreign transaction fees, and they rebate any and all ATM fees worldwide. It's the absolute perfect money bucket.

Blundstone boots - The perfect footwear if you're unsure of conditions. Hiking --check. Going to dinner--check. Walking in the city--check. Walking through snow--check. Traveling--check. They're very, very comfortable.

Elixir (programming language) - This is what happens when a tool is made for one's own use, as opposed to being designed for a hypothetical "other" who doesn't exist. It's magical.

<comment><USER21> Has Schwab upgraded their web security recently? Last time I looked at them, they had a 8 character upper limit on their password field that they then lower-cased.

<comment><AUTHOR> Yes: [http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/client_home/password_for...](http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/client_home/password_format)

They also have 2-factor auth, which can be enabled by request.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER22> Teenage Engineering OP-1, a music synthesizer. Really well built, buttons and knobs feel fantastic, and the display is super fun. The OP-1 in action: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umatbZ0n4mE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umatbZ0n4mE)

<comment><USER23> I just got one of these for Christmas, and it's honestly one of the most beautiful and intuitive devices I've ever used. It's such a creative and inspiring tool.

<comment><USER24> Oh no! I've been ogling these since they came out, and only recently convinced myself I really didn't need one. Now it's back on the table...

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER25> #1 The Nokia N9 (specifically the alarm clock) When trying to find a clone for Android, I found this guy's blog post which explains why it's perfect:

[http://www.nition.co/2014/08/the-nokia-n9-alarm- clock/](http://www.nition.co/2014/08/the-nokia-n9-alarm-clock/)

The swipe interface of the operating system is also the best I've ever used. If I play around with the N9 for a few minutes now; then go back to android, it feels clunky an inefficient again.

#2 The Nintendo Gamecube It just works without having to setup profiles or download updates, the controller is awesome (subjective) and it carries the greatest Mario Kart, Smash Brothers and Mario Party ever created (also subjective).

<comment><USER26> I remember watching an interview of Yamamoto explaining how Sony blatantly copied the N64 controller, even copying Nintendo's mistake of having 4 right- side buttons of exactly the same shape (for the fingers).

Nintendo corrected this with the gamecube controller having different shaped buttons on the right (see here [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameCube_controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameCube_controller) the A, Y, X and B buttons)

For some reason, Nintendo reversed back to the "bad" playstation-like buttons after the gamecube.

If anyone knows why I would be interested.

<comment><USER27> Maybe it's because I play a lot of games, but I don't know why four identical shaped buttons would be bad. I never press A and think I'm pressing B because they are the same shape. It's not clear to me why you think different shaped buttons is inherently better.

<comment><USER26> One thing where it shines: new players and tutorials. When the button is shown to the screen they can immediately track it. Sony is pretty bad with that, GF always asks "what is R2? What is R3? ..."

<comment><USER25> For some reason, my gf picked up 'right bumper', 'left trigger', etc from the Xbox 360 much more easily than "R1/L2" from the PS2.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER28> Fiskars Axes: [http://www.fiskars.eu/products/gardening/axes/splitting- axe-...](http://www.fiskars.eu/products/gardening/axes/splitting-axe- m-x17-1015641)

Barbour Jackets: [http://www.barbour.com/eu/categories/mens/waxed- jackets/barb...](http://www.barbour.com/eu/categories/mens/waxed- jackets/barbour-classic-beaufort-wax-jacket/p/MWX0002OL71)

Camper Shoes: [https://www.camper.com/en_FI/men/shoes/peu/camper- peu-17665-...](https://www.camper.com/en_FI/men/shoes/peu/camper- peu-17665-134)

Stihl Chainsaws: [http://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great- range/Chainsa...](http://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great- range/Chainsaws-saw-chains-guide-bars/Petrol-chainsaws-for- forestry/243584-131/MS-201-C-M.aspx)

Genelec Speakers: [http://www.genelec.com/8351](http://www.genelec.com/8351)

Desktops: Mac Pro 1st Generation

Laptops: Macbook Pro

Phones: iPhone

Operating System Kernel: Linux

High Level Programming Language: Lua / LuaJIT

Low Level Programming Language: C

Web Server: Nginx

<comment><USER29> I'm Finn, coming from the land of Fiskars and axes. And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are serious backpacker, craftsman, carpenter etc, you wan't to use your axe in different ways too. The biggest "chopping" axe from fiskars is too short for building a fire that would keep you warm for the whole night. All of their "splitting" models have unnecessarily heavy head which you don't want to haul while backpacking. And the vedge thing in splitting models mean that it's very tricky to sharpen poles that you could strike to ground for a tent. And you can't use the axe as a hammer or you lose that sweet 25 year guarantee. And you can't swap the handle of a chopping axe for a longer one.

It's very good tool for one spesific job. There are axes that are good for range of jobs.

<comment><USER30> local "pros" tell me that stihl has been good or that the more expensive models are still good. but many are said to migrate to husqvarna.

i personally don't like all the plastic parts on newer stihl's. like "easy-to- use" cover holders which previously where solid screws.

<comment><USER28> There have also been new (mostly stupid) legislation, at least in EU that has forced Stihl and others to make worse products (cutting down emissions, and at the same time power).

I only recommend Stihl Professional series (with metal bodies). Husqvarna's are usually equally good (it is mostly that Stihl has the best model in some class, while Husqvarna has a better model in some other class). Partner Chainsaws were also pretty respected, but Husqvarna bought them. New Stihls may feel a bit plastic, but in practice they do their job pretty nicely.

What comes to power tools, Hilti is the one to look at, although I did go with Bosch power tools (Bosch is pretty average in every sense, but also trustworthy). It is easier to buy Bosch (Blue Series) than Hiltis. I also do like the stackable Sortimo L-BOXXes that Bosch uses these days: [http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases- boxxes/](http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/).

<comment><USER31> Hilti T605 or something. Oh those memories. Best job I ever had until then :-) Noisy, boring but well-paid and the first time I worked for a company that enforced safety regulations. Oh, and they paid extremely well compared to what I was used to.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER32> Any Kindle model with e-ink. The utiluty and simplicity of design of these devices has enabled me to read almost every night before going to bed for the past 6ish years without loosing my place or holding the weight of a book (finally read War and Peace).

<comment><USER33> Except for some bizarre restrictions on functionality. You can drag and drop books onto the Kindle like a thumb drive (awesome!), but there isn't support for folders (not awesome!). If you want to organise huge quantities of books into collections which is, after all, the point of the Kindle, you have to do it manually on the device. Or you use Calibre, but I feel like that's a negative point because most consumers won't know about it.

Is it so hard to view as a directory structure rather than listing all the books recursively?

That and they seem to have removed the 3G for web browsing, so now owning a cellular Kindle is pretty much useless unless you're really desperate to get a book abroad.

<comment><USER34> One of my favorite features of the Kindle is that it works with Calibre. I understand that it's difficult for some, but it's a godsend for me.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER35> The interior layout of a 1990s Ford truck or Bronco. All controls can be done by feel without fat fingering anything while wearing work gloves, radio included. The radio is placed so you don't have to take your eyes off the road to tune it anymore than you would the speedometer. They even make the +/\- buttons convex/concave and put little bars on the preselects to make it easier to do by feel. The motion ratio on the manual windows is pretty damn perfect. Kind of a shame so much thought was put into something a design was executed using crappy 90s plastic.

Honorable mention for industrial vacuum cleaners.

<comment><USER36> > Honorable mention for industrial vacuum cleaners.

It's not quite industrial (although the manufacturer does also make shop-vacs in a similar style), but I'm a huge fan of my Henry[0] - I bought it on the principle of "everyone who vacuums for a living seems to use one, they must be on to something", and it's completely lived up to my expectations. It's light enough to lug around one-handed, but still feels sturdy (and has survived falling down the stairs at least once); somehow manages to be quieter _and_ have more suction than most vacuums I've tried; has a comically-high capacity; the cord-winder is a brilliant in the simplicity of its engineering; ... and, yes, I know how irrational it is to personify inanimate objects, but his happy face still cheers me up all the same.

On another note, although it looks like a piece of plasticky infomercial tat... I picked up one of these spider catchers[1] on a whim a few months back, and I still can't quite get over just how damn well the thing works. It's a lot quicker than the old "tumbler and a postcard" technique, is much more reliable at catching them before they get away, keeps them trapped-by- default 'til you squeeze the handle (no more "whoops the card slipped, oh great the spider's escaped again"), doesn't seem to injure even really fragile-looking ones (eg cellar spiders/"daddy long-legs") - and keeps you at a far more comfortable distance throughout the whole process.

[0] [https://www.numatic.co.uk/product- view.aspx?id=366&r=4&sr=1](https://www.numatic.co.uk/product- view.aspx?id=366&r=4&sr=1)

[1] [https://www.spidercatcher.net/product.htm](https://www.spidercatcher.net/product.htm)

</comment></comment><comment><USER37> Macintosh II with Finder 4.6. Never has a computer system maintained a technical lead for so long, 1987-95, with Finder upgrades you loaded from floppies. Bridgeport milling machine. People just copy it. They can't improve it. Ashlar Vellum 2D drafting software for the Mac. Imagine. Drafting objects have properties you can edit. Lambda Physik (Coherent) FL2002E dye laser. Excel 4.0 for the Mac. Wrote invoicing and coating design macros that ran a whole business. Solidworks 2003. Used it till 2008, until I got the "better" newest edition which was a little more capable, but less efficient. Ipad Air. Still use it, smashed-in screen and all, but it's panting.

You can see I'm mostly stuck in the past. Many of these products had more capable successors, but felt bloated, and were harder to use.

</comment><comment><USER38> "technical friends" (which i believe was name given by the man who invented them, Ray Jardine). "Friends" is still the category name used by Wild Country, which i believe was the first shop to sell the devices.

more generically, i believe they are known as spring-loade cam devices (SLCD).

these simple devices transformed granite crack climbing from slow, rock- altering aid climbing that required pitons hammered into cracks to clean "free" (ie, no aid) climbing.

sure nuts and hexes were (and still are) available but they require some sort of constriction in the crack (change in the width) to hold them in place, which granite cracks often lack.

<comment><USER39> Link cams are a marvel of engineering.

Thy operate on a simple concept of trisecting a cam lobe so that, as the device is retracted, the cam unfolds and permits an amazing range for a unit of its size.

[http://www.omegapac.com/itemdetail.php?id=1&secid=9](http://www.omegapac.com/itemdetail.php?id=1&secid=9)

<comment><USER40> Link cams look cool, and have unmatched range, but they have a bad reputation regarding their durability. I have never tried them, though. I don't really climb hard enough to justify them. My cams are almost all C4s.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER41> The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack: [https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synap...](https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synapse-25?variant=19284331015)

I went nomad earlier this year and decided I needed a good backpack. After much research, I landed on the Synapse.

It's simply amazing that something as simple as "a bag" can be so well designed. So clearly better.

It's the only product I've ever owned where I notice myself stop and admire it regularly.

<comment><USER42> There was an Ask HN about backpacks just about 40 days ago (link: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13369197](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13369197)), and a lot of good recommendations were made there. I ended up buying an Osprey Flapjack, which has been the best bag I ever owned. As a Mainer, I own about a dozen LL Bean bags, and am bordering on heresy by speaking up for the Osprey...

<comment><USER43> I'm with you on the Osprey... I've got a Momentum 30, and it does everything I need from it (with capabilities past that when I need it).

Add in the fantastic warranty, and it's hard to think of a better option.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER44> Google Reader. It actually let me add feeds, read them, and mark them read reliably. Everything after is focused on value-add instead of just fucking working.

<comment><USER45> If you are using mac, try reeder([http://reederapp.com/mac/](http://reederapp.com/mac/)). It syncs with a lot of online rss readers (I use feedly and instapaper). But where it shines is its UX. It does what you need without any fluff and does it elegantly. All essential parts are there without showing million buttons. Keyboard shortcuts also work perfectly. It is the only app that I didn't feel any need to change settings after the first time.

<comment><USER46> I was using Reeder back when Google Reader was killed, and it was super easy for me to switch to Feedly as the back end — just export the subscriptions and import them into Feedly. Just like I didn't use Google Reader in the browser, I don't ever use Feedly in the browser, either.

It's a beautiful little app. Great native app on iOS, too.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER47> A dishwasher that only had one button: start. A dry cleaning service where they just told me to come back next day after 5p and never asked me how I want my shirts, what kind of treatment etc. For contrast most places ask several questions that I never know the answer to. The best UI is no UI.

<comment><USER48> Unless the dishwasher can differentiate between baby bottles, fine china, and greasy steel pans, it's going to need more than one button.

<comment><USER49> Fine china and greasy steel pans both get washed by hand at my house. Neither are used often enough for this to be a problem. Only "normal" stuff goes in the dishwasher, so it only needs a "normal" button.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER50> Odd answer, but probably a Blackberry Passport. Clean and sturdy design, OS is on point (assuming you dont use many 3rd party apps), keyboard is brilliant - it leverages the benefits of a physical keyboard and adds the flexibility of touchscreen keyboards. Not to mention the screen, never thought I'd enjoy using a 1:1 screen but it's so good for reading on.

Outside of technology, probably my old man's Eames Classic. I don't even know how old it is, he's had it since he moved out of home 40+ years ago so it's definitely not new. Still comfortable, leather is still in good condition (although it does need cleaning), and it's as solid as a tank.

<comment><USER51> I've never owned a Blackberry before but the Passport Silver Edition is one of the most aesthetically pleasing phones I've ever seen.

This is the studio responsible for it's design[1] if you're interested in some of their other work.

[1][http://objectsandideas.com/projects#/passport-silver- edition...](http://objectsandideas.com/projects#/passport-silver-edition/)

<comment><USER50> Nice find there, I think I can safely say I like just about everything that studio has done.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER52> Seiko 5 automatic watch - Simple, timeless, affordable. It's just a great watch and it always will be.

rOtring 600 mechanical pencil - the feel of this pencil is unlike any other writing implement I've found. It's a legend. My new goal is to find a fountain pen that I can enjoy as much as I enjoy this. Though I fear that will be a notably more expensive purchase.

Yamaha Custom Series Bb trumpet - before becoming a developer I was a semi-pro musician and this is still the most fantastic instrument I've ever worked with. I've owned it 9 years now and it still feels brand new. Every mechanism on it was perfectly made. There's no unnecessary stiffness or play in any component.

<comment><USER53> >Though I fear that will be a notably more expensive purchase.

Not necessarily. There are quite a number of good pens in the sub-$100 range. I personally recommend the Pilot Metropolitan or the Lamy Safari. Both are less (much less) than $100, and can either fit ink cartridges or converters.

<comment><USER54> I _love_ my LAMY Safari (€12 in most stationers in Germany, it's a cultural phenomenon that's unfortunately slowly dying out, the previous generation learned "Schönschrift" (cursive) in school with theirs and take their pen through life with them). That said, of the two that I own, I can't use either without getting grubby inky nailbeds, I assume the problem lay with me, not the pen.

Also, seconded the rOtring series mechanical pencils are astoundingly good, I'm always close to mine, I never travel without it.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER55> The wok. A good 13 or 14" pao wok costs about $15. Add another $20 for a spoon, a cover, an wok ring and a steaming grill and you can make almost anything. The thing looks so simple, but it is part of a whole system and way of cooking that is amazingly fun and effective.

</comment><comment><USER56> Any coffee addict like me knows that some methods of brewing are impossible before you've had a cup. The AeroPress understands this and is really simple to use, and makes amazing coffee. Everyone in my family has one and some other method as well, like a Mokapot or French press, but for the first cup in the morning it's Aeropress every time.

I also love Papermate Sharpwriter pencils. They feel so comfortable to hold, and if you like spinning a pencil while thinking they're really well-balanced for that.

<comment><USER57> I like the Aeropress, but my favourite coffee production method is the Kalita Wave.

Again, it's beautifully designed - almost impossible to damage, very simple to use, comparatively quick (about a minute longer than an Aeropress for one or two large mugs of coffee), arguably even easier to clean than the Aeropress (invert over bin. Done.). The pouring jug's great, too: tough, well labeled, fits perfectly, easy to store.

<comment><USER58> Along the same lines, my Chemex is one of my favorite objects. I love the simplicity of the design and the brewing process. I love the consistently tasty brew. I love the way it looks on my kitchen counter. I love the purity of materials.

Admittedly, the 'purity of materials' argument is probably just superstition on my part. I'm not sure if there are measurable benefits to an all-glass brewing receptacle, but it sure makes me _feel_ good. Glass, wood, and leather are materials that I can easily wrap my head around, and somehow that brings extra peace of mind to my whole coffee ritual.

<comment><USER59> I actually find the Chemex as simple as the Aeropress. It has replaced it for my morning coffee.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER60> I really enjoy my aeropress ([https://aerobie.com/product/aeropress/](https://aerobie.com/product/aeropress/)) coffee press. The modern take on a French press, price, and availability on Amazon made me realize anybody can have a great idea, print it in plastic, and sell it to people - arriving two days later.

Plus the coffee that comes out is dope.

<comment><USER61> It's really not a take on a French press. An aero press imparts flavour through forcing water through the grounds, a French press imparts favour trough immersion then you push down to remove the grounds.

<comment><USER62> I disagree: try comparing pressing immediately after pouring water into the Aeropress versus pouring after waiting for 20-30 seconds or so. (If you press immediately you're going to end up with some really week coffee.) The pressure _helps_ but most of the extraction is due to immersion even in an Aeropress. Most people who use the upside-down Aeropress method seem to let it brew for even longer, up to two minutes.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER63> I have been recently optimizing some of my wardrobe:

Darn Tough socks! Seriously life is too short to have clammy feet. Yes they are expensive but they last forever.

Carhartt USA made therma lined hoodies are also awesome. I have had one for 17 years and wore it all the time before hoodies became fashionable. To be honest all of their stuff is great for the price if you can get over looking like a construction worker.

Icebreakers shifter pants. The best sweat pants. Speaking of wool.. Duckworth wool has some good properly treated USA sheep. Icebreakers is better but Duckworth is USA made.

Music:

Cambridge Audio DAC magic plus. Expensive but seems to work great.

Cooking:

Lodge Cast Iron Skillets. Once you learn how to cook on cast iron skillets you will replace many pans in your kitchen with them.

Char‑Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker. The best charcoal grill for the money. You can cook everything on it. Pizza, sear steak at 800 degrees and slow cook pulled pork for 18 hours+ on a single load of charcoal.

Thermoworks Thermapen thermometer. The best cooking thermometer you absolutely should buy.

<comment><USER64> I'd like to put in a plug for Finex cast iron. They're milled smooth on the bottom which I prefer to the finish on the Lodge pan that I have.

Regardless, +1 for cast iron!

<comment><USER65> Cool! I haven't seen a modern cast iron pan that I've liked as much as my ancient Wagner Ware pan, the smooth interior surface is so much better than the bumpy as cast surface on the sand cast models that aren't finished. Not sure I would pay the asking price for these Finex ones, you can still get old ones at flea markets, thrift stores and ebay if you look around.

<comment><USER63> The bumpy to polished surface is more of an aesthetic and ergonomic thing than a stick thing.

That is the bumpiness of a lodge eventually goes away and the initial bumps really have little correlation on the stickiness.

Think of it this way... Sticky tires for race cars are actually extremely smooth.

What people don't like is the sound a spatula makes on the new lodge pan compared to polish pans but in my experience the lodge pans are in most ways less prone to stick than older pans because the heat is more even (this is perhaps because they are heavier).

In some ways the bumpiness might actually improve slip because it creates pockets of fat but again the bumpiness goes away pretty quick regardless. Some even say the additional bumpiness also aids in adding additional seasoning.

You absolutely have to cook with fat on cast iron pan (either the food has the fat or you add it). Cast iron pans are not even remotely comparable to teflon nonstick when it comes to sticking (and by the way most teflon pans are bumpy as well so.. again bumpiness has little correlation to stick).

There is an incredibly amount of bullshit and false information about cast iron pans on the internet (like comparing it to teflon and how older pans distribute heat better) with very little actual experiments done.

If people really want smooth milled surfaces than a carbon steel pan is far superior as well as distributes heat more evenly (albeit I prefer cast iron for baking).

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER66> SIG 550 assault rifle. I don't particularly like weapons, but this gun can take an incredible amount of abuse and is still accurate and reliable. I feel that the designers really found the sweet spot between complexity and simplicity here.

Same for the Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle. A superb bike, virtually indestructible, and in the unlikely case that something breaks, it's possible to fix it on your own.

EDIT: Sublime Text. Fast, simple, no-nonsense, cross-platform, extendable.

<comment><USER67> Loved my early 2000s KLR 650. I'm hardly a mechanic, but I did my own top end and bottom end work on it (full engine teardowns), and it always started back up.

Motorcycles require quite a bit more maintenance than cars, and having one where I was comfortable fixing every part on it was awesome.

</comment></comment><comment><USER68> Almost every bicycle. Our noblest invention.

<comment><USER69> Agreed. Even a cheapish bike is a miracle of modern engineering, and a great force multiplier even for poor folks or folks too young to drive. I love my bike (a 20 year old Giant mountain bike that I bought to ride to college and have put thousands of miles on since).

<comment><USER70> A bicycle is also the most efficient form of single-person transportation by a _huge_ margin (even if you generously include the calories burned).

<comment><USER69> Don't get me started...there's always someone (many someones, usually) arguing that cities shouldn't spend money on more bike lanes, when the auto traffic is so bad and there should be more car lanes. The cost of bike lanes is a rounding error compared to auto lanes; literally, foregoing adding a couple miles of additional highway lanes would pay for a whole small city to get bike lanes crisscrossing it, and could support more people.

And, I definitely attribute my good health (well into middle age) at least partially to biking so much throughout my life. Getting a few percent more people out of cars and onto bikes would help save the world in all sorts of ways, IMHO.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER71> My Macbook Air 13-inch 2015.

Battery lasts a long time. It recharges super quick. It's incredibly lightweight. It's incredibly thin. It's trackpad clicks "for real". No plastic, or shitty finish.

I can't believe they don't make them anymore. It's easily Apple's best hardware hand's down.

\---

My Logitech G602 mouse. Weighty, not heavy, battery lasts for 8 months. Hands cusps the mouse perfectly and never feels awkward to hold for extended periods of time. Premium feel, no cheap plastics. I love it.

[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-g602-wireless-gaming- mo...](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-g602-wireless-gaming-mouse- black/2397012.p?skuId=2397012&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=22172b8e-d4cf-46e8-b227-badb9bef769a&ksprof_id=8&ksaffcode=pg199033&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2)

<comment><USER72> [http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/](http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/) The still make them

</comment></comment><comment><USER73> The VW Up! (aka Škoda Citigo aka Seat Mii)

It weighs under a ton, is only 3.5m long, and has a 1.0L, 3-cylinder engine that fairly sips gas. It shifts like butter and, considering it's powered by a glorified sewing machine, it has decent acceleration and top-end speed. And, if you spring for the Czech rebadge, you can get the basic model for less than 10k euros.

But the real killer is that it has almost as much usable interior room as a VW Golf, despite being almost a meter shorter!

My partner and I both come from tall families and, upon delivery of the car, her brother (200cm tall) drove his wife (189cm), me (188cm), my wife (184cm), my father (200cm), and our 3 kids for a spin. It wasn't legal and it wasn't roomy, but no reasonable person would be able to guess that such a tiny car could fit 3 small adults, let alone 5 tall adults and 3 kids.

For those of us who spent far too much of their childhood playing Tetris, the trunk (if you want to call it that) also accommodates 4 full-sized suitcases.

[EDIT] I forgot to mention that it has exposed metal surfaces in the interior (doors, mainly) that are integrated parts of the car. Not only does it look fantastic, each of those panels is one less plastic piece that will eventually require an expensive replacement when it inevitably gets hit/scratched/exposed to too much sunlight/shakes itself to pieces.

I don't know why more cars don't feature this (one review called them "cheap exposed surfaces", as if plastic is somehow fancier), but it's incredibly durable, simple, and attractive.

<comment><USER74> I have to say this reminds me of my 1st generation Scion xB- it's a 1.7L engine, the only car of its size that I (6'4") can sit in the back seat comfortably, and its vertical sides and fold-down seats make it capable of carrying a ridiculous amount of stuff, and quite comfortable for camping in, too. It's an entirely utilitarian car.

[http://www.scionxb.org/xbreviews.htm](http://www.scionxb.org/xbreviews.htm)

<comment><USER75> My wife got a 2nd gen Scion xB after we had our first kid and were starting to plan for the second one. In its class, it fit a double stroller in the back the easiest.

Not quite as tall as you (I'm 6'2"), but I would sometimes ride in the backseat of it with our young son, as opposed to riding shotgun. Lots of room back there and it was comfortable as well.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER76> Ortleib panniers ([https://www.google.com/search?q=ortlieb+panniers](https://www.google.com/search?q=ortlieb+panniers)):

* Are actually waterproof

* Don't have lots of unnecessary compartments and pockets

* Lift on and off really securely, yet really easily

* Can be wiped clean

* Super durable

* Light

* Can be worn as shoulder bag, or carried as a tote

* No zips, yet can be completely sealed

<comment><USER77> I second that. However, if you also want to use it as a messenger bag, I prefer my Vaude Bayreuth II, since its hook mechanism can be closed.

With my Ortlieb bag, I regularily get stuck with one of the hooks in the back pockets of my trousers, so I have a habit of always removing the hooks altogether if I'm not using my bike, which is a bit of an annoyance. The Ortlieb bag is much more durable however.

<comment><USER78> I always carry my Ortlieb bags with the hooks facing away from me.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER79> Instant pot pressure cooker.

Want to use it as a crock pot? sure.

Want to saute things inside it first? sure.

Frozen meat or dried beans? Why not!

[https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FLYWNYQ?psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FLYWNYQ?psc=1)

<comment><USER80> I have an instant pot and it's pretty good, but it's not the only cooking device you will ever need. The issue I have with it is that because it's a sealed pressure cooker, everything comes out a bit "boiled" looking/tasting. That's fine for chili or stew, but not so great for chicken.

<comment><USER79> That's fair. I might be preaching to the choir here, but something that might help is braising the meat in a small amount of liquid, rather than stewing it by covering it in liquid.

[http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-a- stew...](http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-stew-and-a- braise-225804)

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER81> MUJI 0.5mm gel ink pens [0] - I've used these pens for so long that my handwriting goes haywire when using a different make. Perfect balance of smoothness and scratchiness - with fast drying ink, which as a lefty is vital.

Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II – had mine for over a decade and they still sound and look great.

Gaggia Colour espresso machine – looks great, built like a tank, simple to repair, and still produces fantastic coffee after years of benign neglect.

Chromecast – it just works. Feels like the future to use my phone to stream video from the Raspberry Pi to the TV.

AirPlay – it also just works. Recently set up a multi-room audio streaming thing, like a budget alternative to Sonos, using a few Raspberry Pis I had lying about and Shairport Sync [1]. Works much better than I anticipated.

[0] [https://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?Sec=13&Sub=52&PID=5162](https://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?Sec=13&Sub=52&PID=5162) [1] [https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport- sync](https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport-sync)

<comment><USER82> Mujis notebooks with the dot grid are also excellent, far superior to lined grid notebooks.

<comment><USER81> Yes! Their notebooks are great too. If they ever stop doing the plain A5 spiral bound ones I'll personally go round every MUJI in London and buy their entire remaining stock.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER83> The Trek 500.

It's a bicycle. It's a steel bicycle, which is out of favor these days, but Trek still makes a few each year. And they haven't really changed the design since it was introduced in the 80's. Why? Because it's the perfect bicycle.

At least, if you're doing a very particular thing. I rode one from the Oregon Coast to Long Island. It was an unsupported tour, so I had about 50 pounds of gear strapped to it the whole way. While my companions suffered various breakdowns and issues, the 500 was rock solid. It doesn't get fancy on components-- no disk breaks or electronic shifting. Everything on it can be easily repaired, removed, or replaced with your two hands and a compact multi- tool. The steel frame will stand up to any manner of abuse. Hearing about the whole tough-as-nails thing, you assume it won't be that pleasing to ride. You assume wrong.

<comment><USER84> There is a counterintuitive slump in quality of experience along the progression of bicycle frame materials technology. One would expect each point along the progression to be completely superior than the last: steel, aluminum, carbon fiber.

I had to learn the hard way that isn't the case. Steel is flexible (comfortable ride) but heavy. Aluminum came along and offered lighter frames, but the frames had to be made much stiffer to avoid the perils of repeated stress fatigue (steel's asymptote for strength after repeated stress is some fraction of its original strength. Aluminum's asymptote is zero -- flex it enough and it will eventually accumulate micro strew fractures and break). The progression to aluminum was a trade off: ride comfort for weight.

Carbon fiber came along and offered a no-compromise solution: the flexibility (ride comfort) of steel, and lighter than aluminum. Unfortunately, the cost is much higher with carbon fiber.

If you are on a budget, I'd agree that you're better off with steel than aluminum.

<comment><USER43> I'd say steel and aluminum come out about even in terms of their value for bicycles at the lower budget end

Steel: \- Pro: More repairable (bend it right back!) \- Pro: More comfortable ride \- Con: Heavier \- Con: prone to rust if the finish gets marred

Aluminum: \- Pro: No corrosion, even when the paint is gone. \- Pro: Lighter \- Con: Not repairable \- Con: less comfortable

All this to say, I agree with you, but there are more considerations than weight and ride comfort. My beater bike (ride around and lock up in the city, through salt and snow and any random crap) is aluminum and cheap. My commute bike is steel and more expensive, but takes a bit more care.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER85> Dyson vacuum cleaners.

I have never once wondered "how do I do this?" when using my Dyson. From cleaning, to extensions, switching modes, and just plain using the thing, every inch of these vacuums is designed to the utmost degree to make them not only super powerful suction machines but also trivially easy to use.

<comment><USER86> Are you kidding me? These plastic toys break like 4 months in. Would never buy another one. Luckily I bought it at Costco so I could return it.

<comment><USER85> Don't know. I've had mine for > 6 years now, not a single problem with it. Newer ones aren't as good?

<comment><USER86> 3-4 years ago maybe? DC 33 I think is what I had. The little hose that connected to the bottom near the spinning brush wouldn't stay connected... I had to put duct tape on it... And one of the wheels came out of it's little "axel" and wouldn't stay in... had to super glue that. The canister button broke... had to use like a paper-clip to wiggle that open.

And what I think was a major design flaw... When I turned it on, it took like 30 seconds to actually get any suction... when I contacted support on that they said it had to build up pressure. So I would turn the vacuum on, let it sit for a minute before I could use it. Total joke. I wasted time taking it to a repair shop that offered to replace the motor... for basically the cost of a new one. Dyson wouldn't cover it.

Anyway they don't make that model any more... and if you're happy with what you got, I'm happy for you. I wasn't happy with what I got and Dyson made me take it back to Costco instead of offering to stand behind their product. I want to say it was something like $400... seems like for that price they should stand behind it.

[https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-DC33-Multi-Floor-Upright- Bagles...](https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-DC33-Multi-Floor-Upright- Bagless/product- reviews/B0043EW354/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews)

<comment><USER87> That 30 seconds thing is horse shit. Never encountered that with any of the 4-5 dysons I've used

<comment><USER86> I'm fairly certain there was something wrong with the motor. The fact that the support rep told me it had to build pressure... and wouldn't just default to, "Let's RMA it!" is the real issue. $400 vacuum that supposedly had a 5-year warranty but no clue what the warranty actually covered after talking to their support team.

Costco though, I know a store isn't thought of as a product, but the fact you can return anything there -- no questions asked -- that's really nice! I started having issues with the vacuum 2-4 months into owning it (the hose disconnecting all the time was the first issue), returned it to Costco about a year after I bought it.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER88> The Lido 2 Coffee Grinder: [http://www.oehandgrinders.com/OE-LIDO-2-Manual- Coffee-Grinde...](http://www.oehandgrinders.com/OE-LIDO-2-Manual-Coffee- Grinder_p_14.html)

Heath Coffee Mugs

Trains in Switzerland (including the great app!)

Hosu (chair)

Cutipl (silverware)

Emile Henry Flameware (Dutch Oven)

Mountain Collective Ski Pass

Black Diamond Hiking Poles

<comment><USER79> What brewing method do you use the grinder for? I've been using a blade grinder for French press, and the grind is so uneven that part of me feels like it probably doesn't matter, but the other part feels like a barbarian.

<comment><USER89> Upgrade to a burr grinder would be the first step - this one from Krupps[0] I've had for about 4 1/2 years, got as a present but can be had for under £40. The increase in consistency is worth it.

[0] [http://www.krups.co.uk/coffee-grinder- gvx231](http://www.krups.co.uk/coffee-grinder-gvx231)

<comment><USER79> Thanks for the recommendation! I think I was looking at that exact grinder, but was deterred by a review that said it obliterated everything to too fine a grind for French press. I'll definitely have to pick one up.

<comment><USER89> No worries - I'll admit I'm not the best at-home coffee connoisseur, however, this one has served me well for everything from fine espresso powder through to "pretty much still whole beans", with the size dial.

One flag, bought one for my dad about 18 months ago, and whilst still functional and holding its own, feels a little less well made.

<comment><USER90> I received this exact model for Christmas to grind for french press coffee and use it every day. Very happy with it so far.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER91> Automatic mechanical watches.

The idea that this tiny device is assembled entirely from macroscopic, tangible, "grokkable", mechanical components, will run "forever" with no direct conscious input of energy and tells you reasonably accurate time is pretty unique.

Recent relevant HN thread [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13459616](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13459616)

<comment><USER92> I love mine too, but $600 service every 10 years can be a frustrating concept for some.

</comment></comment><comment><USER93> Aeron chair.

Aeropress.

EIZO monitors - [http://www.eizo.com](http://www.eizo.com)

uTorrent, the older versions.

Dead serious about uTorrent. One of the best designed and engineered pieces of software ever. Everything you need, where you expect it to be, doing exactly what it should be doing, and nothing more.

<comment><USER94> Asking out of ignorance, what sets EIZO monitors apart from other monitors?

<comment><USER95> Built-in colour management is really quite well done. Corner-to-corner evenness in illumination, true 10bit per colour. You pay for the privilege though.

Beyond the features they're also very nicely built.

Really not cheap though (for the high end ones I'm talking about). For a _lot_ less money if you weren't bothered about perfection then one of the Dell Ultrasharp displays would likely get you 95+% of the way there.

<comment><USER96> Can confirm. Ultrasharps aren't the best displays I've ever seen, but they are the best displays I've ever seen whose purchase doesn't feel like a serious investment.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER97> Dyer and Jenkins black cotton T-shirts.

I wear jeans and a black T-shirt basically every day, but I noticed a lot of the black T-shirts I purchased wore out quickly and started to fade right away. So I Googled "best black T-shirts" one day and a Reddit thread led me to Dyer and Jenkins. I've been wearing them for a year now and they have hardly faded and look just about as good as when I first bought them.

Dyer and Jenkins often gives away half off coupons as well, so I normally wait for one of those deals before I order a new set: [https://www.dyerandjenkins.com/collections/tees/products/3-p...](https://www.dyerandjenkins.com/collections/tees/products/3-pack- organic-cotton-tees-black)

<comment><USER98> Thank you for this. Will check it out. Historically Zara in Spain (where it is from) has the best quality plain v-neck shirts I've found for everyday wear. They are orders of magnitude more durable than the ones in the US and they're slimfit. I'll check these out as they may be a good alternative.

Edit: No v-necks, but will try either way.

</comment></comment><comment><USER99> The Kinesis Advantage contoured ergonomic keyboard. Once you've used it for a few weeks, regular keyboards feel awkward and uncomfortable. They are pricy and completely worth it.

<comment><USER18> Not for me. I've tried this (quite expensive) keyboard for two weeks. It was awkward to use and really, really complicated.

The best non-mechanical keyboard I've used is a $20 Anker 84-key Wireless keyboard. It's extremely comfortable, and extremely portable.

<comment><USER15> That keyboard took me 3 months to use (to be fair I was also switching to Dvorak). Luckily (?) this was while I was sidelined in a bike to car a collision. I have struggled with RSI and it really changed my life. But I agree it's not for everyone. For starters you definitely need large hands!

<comment><USER100> Do you think you can separate out which benefitted you more- the ergonomic keyboard or a Dvorak layout?

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER15> YKK zippers.

We never think twice about them and that's the proof of their genius.

<comment><USER101> Ever since I read an article about them posted on HN, I can never unsee them

<comment><USER20> I now regularly check for YKK symbols. Gets disappointed if one doesn't use it.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER102> I'm going to go real old school and suggest the slide rule. While there is a short learning curve, once you've mastered a few simple rules, using one is a breeze and if you keep the slide lubricated and don't abuse it, it will perform it's function reliably and accurately for decades. I have a Pickett, it's now 40 years old but works like new, but just about any brand will offer the same performance.

<comment><USER103> How do you lubricate the slide? Metal or plastic?

<comment><USER102> My ruler is metal and I use graphite to lubricate it. Just take a pencil and run it along the slots and the slide. Lightly wipe it off and then reassemble the pieces. Works great.

<comment><USER103> Thanks.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER104> Electrolux Twin Clean vacuum cleaner. With a black labrador and several cats in the house, bagless vacuuming is a must. I used to own a Dyson, but it eventually died from old age, and a friend gave me an almost brand new TwinClean, which for some reason they were disappointed with at his place. And this thing beats the Dyson on every count that matters. It is far less noisy, not scaring the life out of cats and dogs, and an absolute breeze to operate. Everything snaps on and of with nice feel and reassuring clicks. And most importantly, emptying is literally a matter of seconds, not a life and death struggle as with the Dyson: You click off, you click open over a dustbin, you click back on. Just a really well thought out machine.

Oh, and the Windows 95 interface, which everyone sincerely flattered with imitation for so many years. I haven't used any later Windows versions, but my Xfce desktop i still clearly modelled on the 95 design. I find the Mac-like stuff nearly unusable, or at any rate endlessly frustrating, on the thankfully rare occasions when I'm forced to interact with it.

<comment><USER105> Not the same brand vacuum, but we have more animals than strictly necessary, and until I'd tried a Miele hover I didn't fully appreciate how terrible most vacuum cleaners are.

</comment></comment><comment><USER106> * Blendtec Blender - blew my first pay cheque on one nearly 10 years ago and it still looks and works good as new. Absolutely superb design and construction.

* AGA Oven - I don't own one, but my parents do and growing up this thing was just incredible. Still looks and works like new. I honestly have never used an oven which looks and cooks so damn good.

* Apple (Unibody) Macbook Pro - Despite my present feelings towards Apple right now _cough_ _Mac Pro_ _cough_. I can't really say enough good things about the unibody Macbooks - no other laptop surpasses it and it's been nearly 8 years since Apple's unibody construction was introduced.

* Devialet Phantom speaker - it's an engineering marvel - nothing like it.

* HP Proliant Servers - despite HP's awful website and support policies their Proliant range are the most well designed, well thought out servers I've ever used.

* And this garlic press - can't recommend it enough :) [http://www.kuhnrikonshop.com/product/epicurean-garlic-press](http://www.kuhnrikonshop.com/product/epicurean-garlic-press)

<comment><USER107> I have to argue with the last one, I think this garlic press [https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-good- grip...](https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-good-grips-reg- garlic-press/1010792223?categoryId=12084) is superior. When you're done with this one, you rotate the handle all the way around and the rubber cleaner on the back cleans the press.

I've used both, and mine is easier to clean.

You've hit on something though - it's amazing how many people out there suffer with badly designed kitchen utensils. it's like a blindspot where you don't realise that you could buy a much better vegetable peeler / potato masher / garlic press that would _literally_ make your life easier every day, for the price of a cinema ticket.

<comment><USER108> The IKEA 365 garlic press is simple, sturdy, clever and only seven bucks: [http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20152158/?query=I...](http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20152158/?query=IKEA+365%2B+V%C3%84RDEFULL+Garlic+press)

The receptacle swings open, making cleaning trivial.

<comment><USER107> the problem with that one is that the garlic also gets up around the plunger, and you have to clean that out too. more moving parts = more to clean

<comment><USER46> You want this, no moving parts: [https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-20037-Crusher- Dishwasher-Stain...](https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-20037-Crusher-Dishwasher- Stainless/dp/B01ATV4O2O)

(Explained here: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13693661](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13693661))

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER109> A maybe overly-broad category, but the style of ceramic coffee mugs that have handles big enough to get all four fingers in. I don't realize how easy they are to hold until I'm using a mug that only allows one or two fingers in the handle.

<comment><USER110> I believe you mean "bistro style" mugs and I emphatically agree.

<comment><USER106> Seconded.

Anyone ever tried Mazama Mugs? (made in Oregon, US).

Saw one on the shelf at a local coffee shop for $42! Had to pick it up and see what the fuss was about. I'm embarrassed to confess but I've never wanted a piece of crockery so bad! [http://shopmazama.com/collections/coffee](http://shopmazama.com/collections/coffee)

I didn't give in, but wow, are they beautifully made (and heavy).

<comment><USER110> Whoa, thank you for the tip! Those do look very nice :D

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER111> Software: Winamp. It is so simple and stupid and it works really well.

<comment><USER112> years and years, programs like itunes just kept adding more and more features I never use and getting more and more bloated, winamp really kicks the llamas ass

</comment></comment><comment><USER113> I love my Fogless Shower Mirror: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BQ6QXK?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BQ6QXK?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_1)

Most others use chemicals (I believe) to stop the fogging, which fades in effectiveness over time. Had this one for 5 years and it works perfect! Wish everything I owned just worked like this does.

<comment><USER114> I have also used this exact mirror for about five years. And I agree that its great. And it will continue to be because the hot water inside will always be the same temp as the hot water outside, and thus no fogging. That really can't be improved on.

</comment></comment><comment><USER115> 1\. Noodler's fountain pens.

These are 'Hacker-friendly' pens. With most pens the nib and feed are glued in, but in the Noodlers pens they are push fit, so can be adjusted. You can adjust the amount of flex and flow independently.

You can also take out the entire filling mechanism, and use the whole pen body as a reservoir. Neat.

[http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/209380-noodler...](http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/209380-noodlers- ahab-flex-adjustment-tips/)

2\. Vim

It was a bold design concept to use 'modes', but it makes it so much more productive.

<comment><USER116> Re 1. Almost all fountain pens are "hacker friendly". I have a couple of pens which are much more expensive than Noodler's and I have completely dismantled and then reassembled them multiple times while cleaning. Unless you are using some proprietary filling mechanism, both the nib, and feed are interchangeable.

<comment><USER115> Most fountain pens have the nib and feed as one glued unit (confusingly, informally called the 'nib'), so you can't adjust the flow. Compare the 'nibs' at the top and bottom of this page. [https://www.gouletpens.com/replacement- nibs/c/294](https://www.gouletpens.com/replacement-nibs/c/294) The ones at the bottom can only be used in Noodlers pens.

The Noodler's also have the feed made of cutable ebonite instead of cheaper plastic, so you can carve out a deeper ink channel if you want.

<comment><USER116> I have never used a fountain pen with a glued together nib and feed. The ones on the top of the page aren't glued together, they are the screw on type. These are generally found in hand-tuned pens (like the Edison Noveau) or premium pens (like Pelikan MX00 series).

You can still adjust the flow of the nib without tampering with the feed by just using a brass strip and running it through the slit in the nib (to increase the flow). I have never wanted to decrease the flow of a nib unit.

What you are saying is true though. Ebonite feeds have their advantages, like you can heat tune them as well to fit to a certain nib shape.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER117> * that classic Casio watch

Personally, I really like its look. Furthermore, its cheap and the battery lasts forever.

* Motorola Razr V3i

It just looks awesome! Unfortunately, the great design doesn't extend to its software. :(

* Roland JV-1080

This one is first and foremost interesting for its engineering achievement. It offers musicians hundreds of great, sampled sounds which are stored on a 8 MB ROM! They make up for the limited amount of material by skillfully layering samples and the application of DSP algorithms.

</comment><comment><USER26> How is this kettle exceptional? I have an electric kettle that boils water ten times as fast (number made up, but it's really faster).

As someone who drinks a lot of hot water every day, I find this odd that someone would recommend a non-electrical kettle.

<comment><USER118> Out of curiosity: why do you drink hot water? Is it because of something health related or just because?

<comment><USER26> Spent a year in China and got used to it (they only serve hot water there in restaurants and such, tap water is not drinkable).

It feels good, it tastes good as well (not many people believe me when I say that), if your tap water tastes shitty it makes it good, if it's cold it warms you up, can even help your digestion :]

In the end, it's kind of like tea, but with a different flavor.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER119> ThinkPad keyboards, with built-in mouse on home row. I like the layout, spacing, and short throw of the keys so much that I have a USB version for my desk, attached to a docking station.

<comment><USER54> Can you tell me what it's called/where to get it? I tried googling and came up short, but that sounds like something I've wished existed since I first used a thinkpad.

<comment><USER119> Lenovo's accessories section. You want the USB model, _not_ the Bluetooth model.

[http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPo...](http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?hide_menu_area=true&GroupID=460&Code=0B47190)

(I wish they still had the classic version, but the current version still beats any other keyboard out there, for my taste.)

<comment><USER120> Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I recently powered on my ancient Thinkpad X20 for the first time in many years and was surprised just how much I felt at home typing on its keyboard.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER69> Zojirushi fuzzy logic rice cooker. I've owned it for more than a decade and made maybe hundreds of pounds of rice. Always perfect.

Cast iron skillet. Lodge makes cheap, very high quality, pans that just work, forever (there are many brands, several are great).

<comment><USER26> Counter argument: there is no point putting money in a rice cooker. Get the cheapest and smallest one (unless you're cooking rice for 6+ people) and you will get exactly the same result. The only annoying thing with these cheaper rice cooker is that you need to unplug them when done, but I bought a switch to sit between the socket and the plug and it works fine :)

<comment><USER121> Disagree completely. Used to have a cheap rice cooker and it sucked. Getting the Zojirushi literally changed how we eat -- we used to rarely have rice, but the Zojirushi makes it so much easier to cook and impossible to mess up, so rice became a staple dinner feature.

<comment><USER26> I don't know how you're managing to do that then. I use this one: [https://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Housewares-ARC-914SBD-Cool- Touc...](https://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Housewares-ARC-914SBD-Cool-Touch- Stainless/dp/B007WQ9YNO/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1487610851&sr=1-3&keywords=rice+cooker)

and make perfect rice every time.

How did your cheap rice cooker sucked? Maybe you bought a "bad" cheap rice cooker :) I've had 5 different rice cookers so far, all different brands (moving countries...) and they never failed. It's a simple product really, people who try to sell you something expensive are mostly selling you fluff.

<comment><USER20> Have you used any of the better ones in the last 5 years?

<comment><USER26> Yep, sometimes family members have the latest rice cooker (yup I'm asian) but I'm convinced that I make better rice with my shitty rice cooker.

It's really just about washing the rice (not too much), how much water you pour in (not too much), and how long you let it sit while not touching it when it's cooking.

(Oh and, I used to live in China, ate rice everyday in all kind of restaurants. I know what is good rice.)

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER122> My Altec Lansing ACS48 computer speakers. I paid $299 for them in 1999 and to this day they still work flawlessly and beat most every other computer speaker. Audiophiles swear by them, and still buy them in bulk when they can find them.

Here's the Amazon reviews: [https://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing- ACS48-Computer-Speakers...](https://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing- ACS48-Computer-Speakers/product-reviews/B00000JBJF)

<comment><USER123> Ah!

The other day I was trying to remember the brand of computer speakers that I had from the 90's that were so, so, so solid. Great sound (for computer speakers), and extremely robust. Dropped off the desk all the time and never had a problem.

Now to eBay to see if I can't find them.

<comment><USER124> My parents are still (about four computers later?) using the Gateway speakers that came with our 386 system. Built like a brick, internal amp, sound decent enough.

[https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDE4WDUyMA==/z/ad8AAOSwbYZXVA67/$...](https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDE4WDUyMA==/z/ad8AAOSwbYZXVA67/$_86.JPG)

<comment><USER125> Gateway used to ship some pretty righteous hardware. The computer my parents bought back in the early 90's, for example, came with this keyboard:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_AnyKey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_AnyKey)

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER126> Moka pots.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot)

It is simple and just works.

<comment> angry-hacker What if you have a gas stove? :)

But I agree, it's a good product and design. Never read wiki, I always thought it comes from Spain, not Italy.

<comment><USER127> It was invented in the 1930s. Did electric stoves even exist then?

<comment><USER103> They were just starting to become mainstream (though still outnumbered by gas) at the time. The first electric stoves date to the 1880s, and hotplate burners (about the simplest electrical device you can imagine) were likely more common from early days.

[http://inventors.about.com/od/ofamousinventions/a/oven.htm](http://inventors.about.com/od/ofamousinventions/a/oven.htm)

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER128> Good question; it caused me to go through the house, looking at lots of objects trying to figure out which one(s) were exceptional, in my book.

Here's my top list:

The Optimus 00 kerosene stove. Hardly a thing has changed in over a century of production. Utterly unbreakable, not a single superfluous component or feature. Just plain works.

Moccamaster drip brewer. Probably the drip brewer to beat. The product is eminently drinkable, it is a reliable and consistent performer, not much that can go wrong except breaking the beaker (no worries, a new one is $20 a five- minute walk from home) - and they even sell spare parts - any component; mine is 28 years old and still going strong, having had its thermostat replaced once.

BRIO toy trains. (Tie with LEGO) - unbreakable, and their long-term commitment to compatibility is fantastic; I can buy BRIO odds and ends in the toy shop today which interfaces perfectly with stuff my parents bought for me when I was a kid. Same goes, to a slightly lesser extent, for LEGO.

</comment><comment><USER129> * Chopsticks. One-handed eating is just convenient.

* Palm Vx. At the time this thing has fantastic functionality (all that freeware!), the OS had great charm, and I still think it looks really handsome.

* Sony Ericsson w580. One of the last really small cell phones before huge screens took over. And the slide mechanism was really satisfying - the ultimate fidget

<comment><USER130> Regarding chopsticks and one-handed eating: you could do the same with a fork, as long as the food is already cut in small bites, like Asian food usually is.

On the other hand you cannot eat a steak with one hand, neither with chopsticks nor with a fork.

I think that the good design is in the food, rather than in the chopsticks.

<comment><USER131> It IS possible to eat a steak with either of those in one hand. Using a controversial method called the stab and bite.

<comment><USER132> Also available: the grip and rip.

<comment><USER20> Could end up using no hands at all.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER133> \- My cast iron skillet. It's indestructible and once I learned to season it and cook with it, I prefer it over any other.

\- 15" Macbook Pro w/ Retina display, iPhone 7

\- BNC connectors

\- The Xtrend Professional Rabbit Wine Opener. (Super cheap on Amazon and it has an incredibly well-designed mechanism)

\- The Mezlan Cordoba men's shoe -- high quality, no break-in needed, durable, fashionable.

\- Crocs -- indestructible, comfy.

\- Joybird furniture (good prices, high quality)

\- Liberté yogurt. Incredible texture.

\- The Uber app (I think that amid the weird culture at least one person there really understands mobile UX)

\- HN -- the only place where I look forward to reading the comments more than the articles.

<comment><USER134> > \- Crocs -- indestructible, comfy.

Why these are so berated really dumbfounds me. I love my crocs. So easy to slip on, comfy. Good for all seasons, summer without socks, winter with socks. And (imho) they look awesome too.

<comment><USER135> ..because they are really bad for your feet and most of them are ugly as hell?

<comment><USER133> At least you qualified that statement with most. Are they bad for the feet? I think they are similar to just being barefoot, and because they are so easy to slip off, I end up barefoot more often than otherwise.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER136> Logitech MX510 and MX518 Mice:

[https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Performance-Optical- Gaming-M...](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Performance-Optical-Gaming- Mouse/dp/B0001YGIB0)

For some reason, these mice are awesome for me. Neither are made any more, and I will cry when mine finally die.

<comment> jon-wood Couldn't agree more. I thought I'd lost my MX510 in a move and then recently found it being used by someone at work. I almost immediately claimed it back, only waiting long enough to find them a replacement mouse!

</comment></comment><comment><USER137> * Lenovo T60 laptop: It wasn't pretty, but it was sturdy and well designed. Good resolution for the times. Good aspect ratio. Very nice keyboard. Trackpoint. Serviceable easily - replaced fan, hard drives, added memory. Eventually just got too slow for the stuff I was doing.

* Bentology metal fork and spoon. I got a full lunch bento box set. But never liked it much. However really like the silverware. Just the right weight, size, and balance. I just went to check if I can get more, and they are out stock apparently)

* Moab Merrell hiking shoes. Really good all-around shoes. Light, sturdy, comfortable. Good ankle support.

* Nissan stainless steel thermos. Just very sturdy. I like the cap design. Doesn't leak. I got another one after 4-5 years of a different size, so now have both.

<comment><USER15> Similarly IBM x23 thinkpad. A foldout sliding keyboard that actually works and feels great? I want to go back to those days.

</comment></comment><comment><USER138> MSR WhisperLite International Backpacking Stove. It supports a wide variety of liquid fuel. With this stove, I don't have to buy vendor-specific gas canisters. White gas works great with it. The stove folds down to a compact form. It is easy to use.

[https://www.rei.com/product/830341/msr-whisperlite- internati...](https://www.rei.com/product/830341/msr-whisperlite- international-backpacking-stove)

<comment><USER139> Used one for years; still have it. It does boil water fast. It also used to produce quite a bit of black soot in whispy sheets (containing some carbon nanotubes ?). Maybe it needed a 'tuneup'.

<comment><USER138> contact MSR.. they're customer service oriented and no doubt will take care of you

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER140> Satori Reader ([https://satorireader.com/](https://satorireader.com/)) A tool to help Japanese Learners by providing Japanese articles that let you automatically look up words, phrases, and consolidate them into a review card list in order review at a later date.

This comes from a developer of some apps that already exists for mobile devices called "Human Japanese" and "Human Japanese Intermediate".

I've been learning Japanese for a year and a half now, and this site is hands down the most enjoyable experience I have ever had the opportunity to use. It provides audio with the articles, provides look ups for words in line, it allows you to add words seamlessly to your review list, it is suuuppper awesome on my mobile device (my primary review tool),and it is just amazing. Even better is the review cards are done within context instead of being the words by themselves, and it goes out of its way to provide many different types of articles.

I absolutely love this site.

My only regret about it is that I'm not using it enough, and that's just because I'm not being diligent enough with my team.

It is seriously such a wonderful experience.

</comment><comment><USER86> Callout to The Wirecutter for doing a great job of reviewing products.

* The Wirecutter || [http://thewirecutter.com/](http://thewirecutter.com/)

</comment><comment><USER141> Zojirushi SM-SA48-BA Stainless Steel Mug, Black [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGTTG](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGTTG) -easy to clean -great ergonomics -best heat/cold retention vs. other products

<comment><USER142> Color irrelevant (up to personal preferences) and specific model w/e, but that aside… good god these mugs really are fantastic:

* they just look plain good, no unnecessary _flourishes_ and the few "unnecessary" features (the locking lid) turn out to be pretty much necessary in the end

* the opening mechanism is just perfect, it has great feedback, is hard to misuse, it's extremely well designed on its own, the double-action opening is just gorgeous

* the entire assembly trivially comes apart for inspection and cleaning

* the heat retention is so good it's a bit too good, filling with fresh coffee early morning and scalding your tongue all the way to mid-afternoon is a bit extreme

</comment></comment><comment><USER143> It's a bit on the expensive side but this toaster is possibly the last one you will ever buy:

[https://smile.amazon.com/Breville-BTA830XL-Die- Cast-4-Slice-...](https://smile.amazon.com/Breville-BTA830XL-Die-Cast-4-Slice- Toaster/dp/B00AZY3TFE/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1487639049&sr=1-2)

I mean... it has a button called "A Bit More" and another one called "Lift And Look", which do exactly what you think they would. It's fucking fantastic.

Honorable mentions:

Eddie Bauer Boxer Briefs, the most comfortable underwear a man could get, while still looking sexy. (Seems they don't sell them currently? Too bad, they make up 100% of my underwear.)

And this windproof USB-rechargeable flameless arc lighter: [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEVKI4Y/ref=oh_aui_se...](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEVKI4Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

<comment><USER144> I have the same toaster and it is awesome. My favourite feature is that its Frozen button works perfectly, which is great if you don't have bread that often.

</comment></comment><comment><USER145> My jet black iPhone 7. A bit of a cop-out answer, but I'll be damned if it isn't the best looking, most comfortable (I use it without a case, and enjoy it), and best overall designed thing I own.

<comment><USER146> I _almost_ completely agree with this. The camera is fantastic, but if it didn't stick out from the bottom (or if there were something to balance it on the other side) the iPhone 7 would be the perfect product. I don't like that it doesn't lay flat, and I can't fathom why the iPad Pro's were made in the same way.

<comment><USER147> And considering battery life is nowhere near a consistent full day, to the extent that people are _regularly_ using portable batteries, there's no excuse for making it so thin the camera has to protrude.

<comment><USER145> My job prevents me from using my phone at my desk for PCI compliance reasons, so the battery regularly lasts 2 days for me. I even play 3D games at lunch (ex: X-Plane) and it holds up fine.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER148> The Reddit app on IOS. Something has always bothered me about most of the apps on IOS but I couldn't put my finger on it until I started using the reddit app. The UX is so good that it makes everything else feel awkward. I think that everything else was actually awkward and that's what I didn't like.

Cutco knives. All my life I've known what makes a good knife and that you should pay a lot. I think this is fine in the rare case that you have some someone to sharpen and hone them for you every day. Since getting Cutco knives I've come to realize that no other knives are for regular home use where you never have the time or skill to properly care for "other" knives.

Fixed gear bikes. I ride bikes a lot and when I finally got a fixie it was like that was finally the bike that felt like an extension of myself. I watched some videos about how cassettes work and understand the effect of being directly connected is what I'm feeling.

<comment><USER149> I dunno about the cutco thing. You could get a really nice chefs knife, paring knife, bread knife, boning knife, honing steel + a set of 5 steak knives + the best electric sharpener for less than the price of their small set ($682). I would say most people never bother to send in their knives for sharpening (or know/care that they're not sharp anymore), plus shipping knives is a pain and you are out those knives while they're being sharpened.

Plus the "guilt trip your neighbors/friends/parent's coworkers into a sale" strategy doesn't really sit well with me.

<comment><USER148> That's exactly what I mean. I've spent hundreds of dollars on "great" knives that I never bothered to send in for sharpening that I never use. The ones that I STILL DO NOT send in for sharpening and remain ultra sharp are the ones I use constantly.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER26> Bamboo steamers. First one I found: [https://www.amazon.com/2017-Reusable- Chopsticks-Perforated-S...](https://www.amazon.com/2017-Reusable-Chopsticks- Perforated- Silicone/dp/B01H6LJ35I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487598376&sr=8-1&keywords=steam+bamboo+cook)

They usually are dirt cheap, and allow you to steam any kind of food. It's healthy, it's tasty, it's easy, it's fast, ... Just drop whatever in it and wait 15 minutes and that's it.

</comment><comment><USER118> My iPod video. I honestly think that the click wheel has to be one of the best designed user interface in the history of the world. It was actually delightful to use, from the texture in the material, the friction and the satisfying click. For all the interactivity touch screens unlocked, I think we lost something when the click wheel went away.

</comment><comment><USER86> Antec computer cases. They're high quality, easily accessible, and promote good air flow.

And they're fairly cheap, all things considered (picked up this model for about $45 on sale at Fry's last time I built a computer).

* Amazon.com: Antec Three Hundred Two Gaming Case, Black: Computers & Accessories || [https://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hundred-Two-Gaming/dp/B00...](https://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hundred-Two-Gaming/dp/B006TVQTHW)

</comment><comment><USER150> Power Mac G5. If you ever open that thing, you'll know it's really taking computer making to the next level!

It's meant to be tool-less all the way, you can change almost everything (RAM, CPU, HDD) using at most one or two screwdrivers. And the way the hinges and interlocks work together is amazing. Not to mention its build quality.

</comment><comment><USER96> My grandfather's [1] Nikkormat FTn [2], which is more or less a consumer version of the Nikon F [3]. It's equipped with roughly the same features, but implemented somewhat differently - for example, shutter speed is adjusted via a ring on the lens mount, instead of a knob on the top. It's by far the simplest SLR I've ever used, and in some ways also the most capable - you do still need to know how focus and exposure work, but once you have those basics under your belt, the camera gets right out of your way so you can take the pictures you want to take. It's also built like a tank - the kind of thing where, if you drop it on your foot, it probably won't break, but your toes might. And, like any handheld machine engineered to tight tolerances, it's just a pleasure to use.

That camera's served three generations of my family very well; my grandfather and father each used it for years, and I learned the basics of photography with it. It's honorably retired now, but if I ever start to shoot film again, that's the camera I'll use to do it. And if I don't, I'll still have benefited massively from having used it, because the Nikon D5300 I now use (and used to take [1], a few minutes ago) can still take any glass with an F mount - <USER2> not only means that I can still use Grandpa's and Dad's old glass, but that if I want, say, a 500mm tele, which I do because the moon is far away and hawks take it amiss when you approach to improve your shot, I can spend $100 on a manual lens that I already know how to use, instead of spending $10,000 or more on one that supports automatic focus and aperture.

[1] [https://u.sicp.me/gZn97.jpg](https://u.sicp.me/gZn97.jpg)

[2] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkormat#Nikkormat_FTn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkormat#Nikkormat_FTn)

[3] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F)

</comment><comment><USER151> pencil, paper and eraser

dell keyboard Model number: SK-8115 (felt like machine gun for the first time) [http://dellparts.us/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2...](http://dellparts.us/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=16&zenid=7f4e3d44cf8fac479387d1040f5ef1f3)

org-mode

emacs macros

git

Qt c++ framework

unix pipes

matlab

npm install --save # dont have to edit the package.json, awesome

tmux

pm2 # npm package to make the node app as service. Just mindblowing.

ssh-copy-id user@ip # no need to type password always for ssh session

<comment><USER61> You can use a .service file - about 10 lines in ini-ish format - to make node run as a service on most Linux distros

<comment><USER151> those 10 lines keep changing b/w different linux distros and thats the problem pm2 solves elegantaly.

<comment><USER61> Hrm, have been using the same .service file from 2014 to 2017 here and moved from CentOS to Ubuntu and haven't had to change much if anything. Installing a separate app that repeats a lot of the work of the OS seems like overkill.

<comment><USER151> I understand that the change must have been simple. The problem with this kind of one time per application task is the developers often forget about how the script worked since it is not being revisited once it got working. So while porting one is forced to understand the whole script(i.e the conventions of systemd, initV or upstart e.t.c) which is not much work, but compared to the third party tool like "pm2 <generate_script_whatever>" it is atleast 10 times the work.

<comment><USER61> > I understand that the change must have been simple

I'm not even sure the change was required _at all_. Actually checking it with 'git blame' the only thing modified was a WorkingDirectory, which didn't change between versions, just wasn't set the first time around.

> compared to the third party tool like "pm2 <generate_script_whatever>" it is > atleast 10 times the work.

Installing and running a second service management layer isn't 10x easier than just using your OS.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER152> I love a good Estwing hammer. Both the newer rubber handle or the old school handle made from ovals of leather. The simple single piece forging never breaks like hammers with wooden or fiberglass handles.

<comment><USER153> Estwing absolutely makes the best hammers. Had the same one since I was 12.

</comment></comment><comment><USER154> Norton Commander back in the DOS days. It was soo fast to use. Which is why I use Total Commander today.

<comment><USER155> I miss Norton Commander!

<comment><USER117> Have you already checked out Midnight Commander? [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Commander](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Commander)

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER156> SideFX Houdini (a tool for 3D VFX and animation) is by far the most brilliant software I have ever used, it is like Emacs of computer graphics. It is designed as a system of nodes that gives you a visual interface for visually "programming" 3D scenes and shaders.

It is incredibly well thought out, and every time I learn something new about it - it blows my mind how elegantly and beautifully it is implemented.

<comment><USER157> It is commercial software, right? What's the closest open source alternative? (Not that I'm opposed to commercial software, but as a hobbiest I don't want to deal with it.)

<comment><USER156> It has a free version with almost complete functionality, it's definitely usable for learning or as a hobby.

I don't know about any open source alternatives. The closest thing I can think of is Nuke, also commercial, which is a compositing software built around the same principle, and also really well designed.

I've heard that Unreal Engine has some sort of a node-based system, but I'm not a game developer, so I haven't used it and don't know how it compares.

Also Blender has a node editor, and I think it's the closest open source thing to Houdini, but it's not the same thing, and is nowhere near as good, so I would not call them similar.

<comment><USER158> Blender has a few addons that can nearly emulate the procedurality of Houdini.

One is 'sverchok', the other which may soon become part of Blender core is 'Animation Nodes.' Jimmy Gunawan of Blendersushi goes into fantastic detail about these two on his youtube channel if you're interested.

Oh and the best designed item I own? Swiss Tech Utilikey. A key shaped multitool with such a satisfying opening action. I use mine every day.

Others. \- the scissors on the tiny swiss army knife. BEST nail scissors ever.

\- Freeplane . Mind mapping software that I find new uses for on every project. So many export options too.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER49> 86 Tercel station wagon. Most comfortable seats ever. Every position works. The wiper and blinker controls are nice and clicky. All the adjustment controls are clicky and located exactly where you expect them to be when you reach blindly. The A and B pillars don't block your vision. There's a little spot between the e-brake lever and the seat that's the right size for a can of pop (handy because there's no cup holders). The trim is impeccable. After 30 years of driving, the weatherstripping doesn't peel off, the handles and latches aren't broken, the upholstery hasn't faded. It was amazing in the snow even the 2WD version. I could go on... I loved that little car.

</comment><comment><USER159> \- Hoodie. Really. For me it's the best type of top clothes.

\- Raspberry Pi. You can do everything with this guy.

\- My girlfriend's Mitsubishi colt Z30. It has great system of adjusting backseats (you can move it back and forward, so that either trunk or cabin have more space). It has also roof quite high (and I'm tall so that's important for me in small cars)

\- KitchenAid mixer classic. It's just rock-solid.

\- Karrimor X-Lite X2t. This guy is maybe a little one, but it's drying in miliseconds, has great setting-up system and is light as a feather. Although it's quite tight for 2 persons, it's the best small tent I've ever used.

\- Ricoh GRD IV. The best camera I've ever used.

\- HackerNews. Obviously.

<comment><USER135> I have killed several Kitchen aid mixers over the last few year in normal usage. The quality has been declining since the day it got re-introduced to the marked and these days it is pretty much useless for real kitchen work. The professional version is a bit better though.

</comment></comment><comment><USER160> The mid-2014 MacBook Pro. I fear that one day I will have to upgrade to a poorly reviewed newer model, or change my system entirely.

<comment><USER161> Unless you really need a lot of processing power or ram, the backlash against the new MacBooks is overblown. I was hesitant to get one, but I've been very happy with it. The screen is incredible,the keyboard is excellent, and it's by no means a slow computer for most tasks. The touchbar is a wash as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't add much, but it doesn't hurt much either.

<comment><USER162> the most painful design loss on the new MBPs is the lack of MagSafe.

When that came out it was just so obvious that it was the best way to do it, but now it is gone.

<comment><USER161> I do miss the MagSafe from my old Air, but I like being able to power the Pro from either side. It means the cable isn't put under tension or draped across my knee when I'm using it on my lap and the outlet is inconveniently placed.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER163> The Juul

I don't smoke, but this is literally one of the best designed gadgets I've ever seen. It's beautiful, smaller than a cigarette, self-explanatory to use, holds a full day's worth of battery, and charges quickly. Instead of using e-juice, Pax developed nicotine salt cartridges for it, making it both simpler and hit much more like a cigarette than other vapes. I know multiple people who've instantly quit smoking cold-turkey after getting a Juul.

Others: Apple headphones with W1 Bluetooth chips (AirPods, Beats X, and Beats Studio 3), Teenage engineering OP-1, Palm WebOS

</comment><comment><USER164> Nexus 5. Marvelous beauty of a phone. Red panda is especially beautiful. Screen size was just about right at the time, the way the screen blent into the bezels was amazing, the ergonomics were awesome.

<comment><USER165> I found the Nexus 5 (not the 5x) had poor build quality - it was plasticy, and mine fell to pieces after 18 months - the battery started to run out early, then the microphone, and eventually it just stopped working at all.

It had a nice interface, but I moved to the HTC One (installed GPE on it), got a rock solid case and after 14 months it feels like it hasn't aged a day.

</comment></comment><comment><USER166> Chopsticks. It is tricky to master but once you get it, you have an agility with your hands that cannot be matched even with bare fingers. I often use chopstick for gardening, for repairing things, and plenty of other. Also, it is very easy to find two ok sticks when picknic if you forgot your stuff.

<comment><USER167> lol!

</comment></comment><comment><USER168> The Curta handheld mechanical calculator [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13120233](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13120233)

<comment><USER169> I'm not much of a collector, but I have always wanted one of those. Beautiful design.

<comment><USER170> FWIW if you're not collector you can find some with a repaired handle for cheap! They'll pop up on eBay every once in a while.

<comment><USER169> Thanks for the heads up! I had not realized that the handle was a common point of failure, and such a thing (if properly repaired ) wouldn't bother me in the least.

Any recommendations on what particular sub-model to keep an eye out for?

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER171> Masakage knives: [http://masakageknives.com/](http://masakageknives.com/)

There are many other makers of kitchen knives that are comparable to Masakage knives, but if someone who was serious about cooking asked me for a single recommendation of which knife brand they should buy into this would probably be my response. Their knives are reasonably priced, feature beautiful aesthetics, have personality, and perform as well as anyone could reasonably need.

<comment><USER89> On kitchen knives, these are the collection I started with: [https://www.robertwelch.com/kitchen/kitchen_knives/signature...](https://www.robertwelch.com/kitchen/kitchen_knives/signature_knives)

Perhaps not the best, but from a design standpoint and the exquisite feeling using them, their blades are perfect for what I use, and their handles are sublime. I went into the shop to spend a huge whack on a set of Globals, but they just felt off. These were perfect.

<comment><USER172> +1 for Robert Welch knives, have a few myself. My friend, who's a CDP at a double starred place, said they were comparable to his Globals when he tried them out too.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER173> Sawstop Professional Cabinet Saw. Solid, smooth running, all adjustments well thought out.

My late 90s Honda Civic. Simple and reliable. Nothing is more fancy or complex than it has to be.

Aeropress. Simple, makes great coffee, promotes a ritual.

The HP-41C. Just enough programming to be useful. RPN. Great keyboard feel.

</comment><comment><USER174> Commodore 64.

May just be a bit of nostalgia speaking, but the things that little machine could be made to do... wow.

<comment><USER175> I don't believe that is just nostalgia. I think the Commodore was the greatest home computer ever made.[0]

[0][https://twitter.com/ivansafrin/status/795448709572083712](https://twitter.com/ivansafrin/status/795448709572083712)

</comment></comment><comment><USER176> U.S. Constitution

Eiffel Tower

Bosendorfer 214CS piano

1986 Fender Performer guitar

1959 Fender Stratocaster

Yamaha YBL 321 trombone

Yamaha Q series alto sax

Any Zojirushi rice cooker

Vitamix

Sony SRF-M37w radio

Golden Gate Bridge (walk it)

Any Porsche 911

Toyota Sienna minivan

Any MacBook Air

Duluth Trading Longtail T shirts

web2py

C89

Visual Basic 3.0

Turbo Pascal 3.0

Visual Pascal

Vim

Eggs, bananas, bell peppers, cocoanuts, water

Fender Precision bass

Motorola StarTac

HN

Almost anything Frank Lloyd Wright

<comment><USER177> A little surprised not to see a Shure SM28 or 57 microphone near the items at the top of that list...

And if you're gonna have the GG Bridge, can I propose the 747as well. They're still building them now, almost 50 years later - the first one rolled out of the factory in '68 (first test flight wasn't till '69)

<comment><USER178> The 747 is certainly iconic, but I hate to be the one to tell you that 747 production may be coming to an end as the industry has zero interest in inefficient four-engine jets.

Basically no interest in the passenger or freighter model at this stage (the newest series, the -8I/-8F, has attracted barely over 100 deliveries). Same story for the A380, whose orders basically stopped in 2014. Freight and passenger service are both moving to more efficient twin-engine wide-bodies.

<comment><USER179> Interesting!

Can you give some specific examples of "more efficient twin-engine wide- bodies"? I'm very interested in the aviation industry, but terribly ignorant of it.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER180> Pentel Graph Gear 1000: [https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Graph- Gear-1000-Drafting-Penc...](https://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Graph- Gear-1000-Drafting-Pencil-0.5-mm/pd/639)

Best mechanical pencil I've ever used. You can tell a lot of thought has been put into every aspect of its design. The Rotring 800 is similarly well- designed, but I prefer the grip of the Pentel.

<comment><USER53> How do you transport drafting pencils? I have a couple of Rotring 600s. They are very nice, but I basically can't take them out of the house because I'm worried about bending the lead sleeves.

<comment><USER181> The Pentels have retractable tips unlike the Rotring 600.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER182> Zippo Lighters.

Easy to use (no button to hold down, just spin the wheel), easy to do maintenance, will light unless you got it really really wet or forgot to refill it.

<comment><USER183> > will light

I'm suddenly reminded of the Zippo scene from Four Rooms.

I don't smoke cigarettes anymore, but I did for many years. I'd lost my old Zippo and bought myself a new one (straight from the company) about a decade ago. After daily-use, then sitting in a box for three years, and now using it a few times a year while camping, it works perfectly and looks practically new.

</comment></comment><comment><USER184> My steel backplate original IBM Model M keyboard in use continuously from when it was new until today. I can't figure out any way to improve it.

Logitech trackman wheel from a decade or two ago, perfect to have a desk with 3 or 4 machines on. Must have thousands of hours of FPS and minecraft on it, feels new, feels perfect.

The original Radio Shack wire wrapping tool, you could pay up to 100x more for something less reliable or slower or harder to use but I built entire 8-bit microcomputers with mine. The wire stripper which is perfect for 30 gauge wire wrap wire stores inside the tool. You could pay more for something faster but less reliable or whatever bad engineering tradeoff, but somehow this cheap tool had the perfect engineering tradeoffs.

The hyper orthogonal PDP-11 assembly language instruction set. Essentially you wrote C in assembly. That and the 6809/68hc11 general family are the only two architectures I ever miss programming in assembly, everything else is perfectly doable but a chore.

I grew up with a surplus Tektronix 531 oscope, the kind with pluggable chassis. There's just something about tools designed by engineers specifically for engineers where everything just feels perfect and everything just worked. If it weren't for weighing a hundred pounds and drawing half a kilowatt every oscope would be a Tektronix 531.

Somehow I did electronics for over 30 years before buying a top of the line digital Hakko soldering station. I was so dumb, I should have invested in something of that quality level decades ago. Its perfectly repeatably capable of anything; after some flux cleaning I've had people ask if I own a wave soldering machine given a couple hundred perfect and identical joints on a board. Its weightless in my hand, perfect heating, ESD proof, and a joy to use. It cannot be improved.

<comment><USER185> What would be a good book or article for getting into making electronics with wire wrapping?

<comment><USER184> I'm not sure it would be viable. You need sharp edged sockets because the wire cold welds to the socket pin and if you unravel you can feel it pop loose from the corners. "Gas tight connection" as they called it. You can wrap round analog component pins but it doesn't stick as well. So you're mostly limited to digital DIP components in sockets. Given that limitation it worked very well back when "The TTL cookbook" from the late 70s was mostly contemporary.

Counter intuitively people assume short neat wiring is lower capacitance therefore better, actually complete rats nest has lower capacitance and lower coupling. You aren't going to be running much above maybe 20 MHz but that was OK in the days when a 2 MHz nmos Z80 was "pretty fast".

Everyone does something dumb once like wrap an entire 8-bit microprocessor system using the same wiring color, but back then it was easy to get multiple colors and do your data bus in green and address bus in red or whatever.

Another anecdote back in the old, old days original "TTL", no series like LS or HC, was kinda power hungry and 30 gauge wire is not thick and people would daisy chain from power pin to power pin and 20 hungry chips later be perturbed that 5 volts comes in but there's only 4 volts at the power pins of the last chip. Lots of people hand soldered larger gauge wire for power and ground along with hand soldering on decoupling capacitors.

Another anecdote from the ancient days WRT cross coupling and interference the electrical noise a circuit generates is almost solely proportional to risetime / falltime of gate which depends on gate family not clock speed. So a 10 MHz plain TTL board was much more electrically quiet than a 0.89 MHz "quarter colorburst crystal" circuit made with "F" family chips, this is very counter intuitive to many people.

What a color burst crystal is, and why they were so cheap until the 00s or so, is beyond the scope of this post LOL.

Nothing forces people to learn RF/analog electronics as well as trying to do fast digital electronics.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER186> Google Chromecast

Takes a quite complicated set of things going on (control signals from phone, data signals from internet), and turns them into a seamless intuitive experience.

I find the initial setup process particularly excellent. Getting a device with no user input onto a wifi network would normally be a nightmare, but the magic they do with setting up a temporary access point on the device is excellent.

<comment><USER26> I find myself never using them other than to watch youtube. What do people use it for?

Why can't I buy something to just stream my screen? Like the steam link but for everything. Not just steam.

<comment><USER187> You can drag and drop a local file into a Chrome tab and play it on Chromecast. You can basically stream anything in a Chrome tab, e.g. open an online stream on your laptop and stream it to the Chromecast in full screen, useful for e.g. sports streaming websites or national broadcasters. Useful when you're lazy and don't want to hook up a long HDMI cable to your laptop.

<comment><USER188> What is the frame rate like when you do this, though? A buddy had an original run Chromecast and I remember being excited about that feature back in the day, but the framerate for tab streaming was so inconsistent it wasn't watchable.

<comment><USER187> You wont get Blu Ray quality for sure, but for "normal" online streams the frame rate has been perfectly watchable for me.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER189> The pouring end of a stainless Bialetti stovetop espresso pot[0]. Beautiful, precise, never a drip. Amazing.

[0] [http://www.thehomestoreauckland.co.nz/images/_db/MwA1ADkAMAA...](http://www.thehomestoreauckland.co.nz/images/_db/MwA1ADkAMAA4AA==/800x600/q80/Bialetti%20Stovetop%20Espresso%20kitty.jpg)

</comment><comment><USER20> Happy hacking keyboard professional.

Typing feel is exceptional and it's in a small form, so every key is within your reach. (Doesn't mean the keys are small.) Especially great for vim mode typing. You can even easily carry it with you.

Being using it for nearly 10 years and not failing. Highly recommended.

[http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/lineup/images/thumb_pd...](http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/lineup/images/thumb_pdkb400b_l.jpg)

There's also a one without a print for serious typers which I use.

[http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/lineup/images/thumb_pd...](http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/lineup/images/thumb_pdkb400bn_l.jpg)

(Lite version is a completely different thing, I don't consider it worth buying.)

[https://www.google.com/search?q=happy+hacking+keyboard+profe...](https://www.google.com/search?q=happy+hacking+keyboard+professional)

<comment><USER190> I ctrl-f on this page looking for HHKB. I've got both the Type-S and the regular and went for the carrying case. These keyboards are two of my favorite things.

</comment></comment><comment><USER191> When I was an electrician aboard a volunteer ship, I bought some Swedish work pants that saved me SO much walking. It was like wearing a tool belt all the time, but WAY more comfortable. I could carry tools, supplies, a notebook, cell phone, everything. It was amazing.

I also had a knife I used for work and the pants had a special pocket at your knee especially for your knife. It was so perfect because it was always available. I could be ankles-deep, laying on my side, in some wall or other, but I just reach down and grab my knife if I need to cut something.

Both not exactly what I had, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again: [https://www.blaklader.uk/en/product/15001370-trousers- crafts...](https://www.blaklader.uk/en/product/15001370-trousers- craftsman-x1500#16584) [https://morakniv.se/en/product/pro-s/](https://morakniv.se/en/product/pro-s/)

</comment><comment><USER192> Norpro 917 Nylon Turner spatula. I just use it for serving or frying things up in a pan. I don't know why everyone else makes long spatulas that are either floppy or hard metal. It feels silly, but I was so happy to find a replacement after I destroyed my beloved spatula that I bought a pile of them and gave them to everyone I know who eats.

</comment><comment><USER193> iPod Shuffle, the little almost square ones.

So easy to operate all of the functions on it that it can be done without ever taking it out of your pocket. Navigate through playlists without having to look at it all. Battery life lasts seemingly forever. It made commuting by public transport in the cold so very much better than fiddling with the UI on a phone. And training meant not having to carry a huge and heavy phone when running because it clips onto your pockets-less training clothes somewhere.

Hands down the best designed device I have ever used.

<comment><USER194> This device was one of the worst for me. A former girlfriend of mine got one of those for Christmas from her dad.

First problem - we didn't had any Mac or Windows at home. So no iTunes. But that's an iPod problem in general. Her dad didn't know this / didn't think of it.

I've tried to use the device - but it was unusable for everything we wanted to use it. She didn't like it for music - too little space (1GB), no full albums, just a Playlist (which was pretty hard to update if you don't use iTunes). Listening to music didn't work for me too (I like listening to whole albums). So I've tried to listen to Podcasts (30 minutes to 1 hour) with it. Didn't know where in the podcast I am, fast forward for 15 minutes was cumbersome.

Didn't work for me at all. It was small, it was robust, but it didn't fit any of our requirements.

<comment><USER61> You can fit about 10 albums in 1GB

<comment><USER194> You can. But I've put about 30 albums on my phone and I have little internal space, so I just put a "small list" on it.

But for what it is worth 1 GB may be fine. Handling 30 albums would be a nightmare with the Shuffle.

It works (as the name says) if you want to listen to a playlist in shuffle. But for me (and my ex) it didn't work for anything else. So we both found out we didn't had any use for this device.

<comment><USER193> The later model had 2 GB and had playlist functionality. I had both the 1GB 'continuous playlist' model, loved it it was perfect for mix-tapes, it also loaded albums with the songs in order, so yes there was a lot of skipping to get past an album, but not a problem. The 2GB model if you held down the "f-key" on the top read out the names of playlists ,ie albums, and let you press skip to cycle through them.

<comment><USER194> It seems to work really nice for you.

For me it was definitely the wrong device. I don't have any use for this device at all. The "reading out the names" sounds incredible kludgy for me.

To everything his own. I just wanted to share my experiences with the device.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER195> I'm impressed with the new design of water coolers. It's been a while since I've been in an office with a real water cooler as opposed to a Keurig-like device connected directly to the waterline.

But at my new office, we have a good old-fashioned water cooler. Except that it's a newfangled water cooler with a redesigned interface between cooler and water jug. Now, instead of peeling a wax lid off the top of the jug and spilling a couple cups of water as you throw it on the cooler, you just pull off a sticker and sort of plug it into the water cooler. No more water spills.

It seems so simple and obvious. Yet how many Olympic-sized swimming pools full of water did we have to spill before someone designed it? I love it.

Here's the first video I could find that shows one of them in action (in 3D!):

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgS5VIwE1WA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgS5VIwE1WA)

<comment><USER196> I've never used one that didn't have one of those connectors. What you're describing as the old way sounds like barbarism. How did anyone put up with that?

<comment><USER35> Spilling water was only really an issue for really old and slow people or really small people who weight about as much as the jug.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER197> 1\. Nokia N9, it was the perfect device, hardware was perfectly fitted to the software and vice versa.

2\. DasKeyboard Model S Ultimate.

</comment><comment><USER198> * After breaking numerous glass ones: [https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Columbia-Stainless-Thermal-17-O...](https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Columbia-Stainless-Thermal-17-Ounce/dp/B002AJ9JII)

* The USB charger that came with the Nexus 4 - it's only been replaced because I finally got a decent QuickCharge charger.

* A Grundig AM/FM radio with Aux-in, still going strong after 10+ years as a bathroom speaker. One dial broke off. Oops. Still one of the best sounding speakers I have in my house - possibly due to it being wooden

* Yamaha NX-P100 Bluetooth speaker - used to use it for the APT-X capability, now I use it because it supports 3.5mm jacks, and USB sound input. Practically bulletproof although the battery life isn't as good as it was.

<comment><USER46> Bodum has a lot of great products. I particularly like the range of double- walled glassware:

[https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Pavina-8-5-Ounce-Double-Wall- Th...](https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Pavina-8-5-Ounce-Double-Wall- Thermo/dp/B0009WX41Q)

[https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Piece-double- Latte/dp/B0...](https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Piece-double- Latte/dp/B01K7MX8FY)

</comment></comment><comment><USER199> I use this as a keyring. It is a bottle opener with a drum key in a single piece.

[http://www.ebay.com/itm/gibraltar-drum-key-bottle-opener- on-...](http://www.ebay.com/itm/gibraltar-drum-key-bottle-opener-on- lanyard/131494486014)

</comment><comment><USER200> The Fisher Space Pen. Small enough to carry in your pocket without even noticing it, no sharp edges, unbreakable and trivially refillable. And it writes, too!

<comment><USER96> Small enough to easily lose, too - I miss mine!

<comment><USER125> Ain't that the truth. Mine is around here... somewhere. I periodically find it while cleaning up, put it on my desk, and then inevitably lose it before I need it again.

Also, I find that mine accumulates a blob of ink on the tip after a period of inactivity that needs to be wiped off before use.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER86> My old Honda S2000. Best car ever.

* Why The Honda S2000 Is A Future Classic || [http://jalopnik.com/why-the-honda-s2000-is-a-future-classic-...](http://jalopnik.com/why-the-honda-s2000-is-a-future-classic-840861367)

<comment><USER201> Care to share the top 3 things you like about it/top 3 things you wish other cars did?

<comment><USER86> 1) Insanely fun to drive. Handled like a scalpel. Haven't driven a car since connected me to the road as well as that car did. Could turn... or stop... or accelerate... on a dime. Instructions for driving it:

"Most people will never drive in the best rpm range (7000 to 8500), shifting too early. Our advice is to treat the S2000 like you hate it and you'll get the most out of it. We did and loved every minute of it."

2) They knew the target audience; didn't have any distractions. Just what you needed to enjoy the drive... leather seats, a top that came off, a gear stick and some pedals... Very minimalist and focused.

3) Easy to maintain, relatively cheap to buy. Biggest expense was new tires every 15-20k miles. Honda makes reliable stuff. $31k I think I paid for it new. 7 years and 80k miles... never needed more than a fresh coat of wax to make it feel like new.

Bonus) I loved how it was a conversation piece. Pull up to the pump... instantly people ask you what kind of car it is... they can't believe it's a Honda... or better yet they have one too and they want to chat about it... Had a cop stop me when I was clearly speeding and say, "I'm going to let you off with a warning... I'd be speeding too if I was driving one of these. Man it looks fun."

Totally regret getting rid of mine... didn't want to leave it garaged for a year while I traveled for work.

<comment><USER201> Q: Have you driven another roadster since then? Like the Mazda Miata for instance?

<comment><USER86> I drove an ex-girlfriend's Miata... was an automatic so I don't think I got the real experience. It was OK, handled fine. Just didn't have the same zip -- 170 HP vs 240 HP (not an ideal metric, but just an easy one to cite).

* Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Honda S2000 || [http://twinrev.com/cars/Mazda-MX-5-Miata-vs-Honda-S2000](http://twinrev.com/cars/Mazda-MX-5-Miata-vs-Honda-S2000)

I think the BMW Z4, Jaguar F-Type, and Porsche Boxster are probably all fine replacements (that's what all the S2000 forum nerds say anyway) -- if you have 2-3x to spend. I drove an F-Type and it felt very busy inside. Like... fundamentally a different audience than the S2000. I drove a used Z4 too, but only an automatic since that was all they had on the lot.

Nissan 370z looks promising, but I haven't tried it. I don't love the look.

It's a bit of a sore spot... I don't feel like there is a true replacement for the S2000 on the market at present and it's getting very hard to find a used one that wasn't modified or doesn't have a ton of miles.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment> rm_-rf_slash Shopping at Aldi. They display all their groceries on the same pallets they use for storage, and they're ruthless about cutting down cost and shopping time.

A shopping trip at Aldi takes half as long and costs half as much as other grocery stores. Excellent design.

</comment><comment><USER111> Aesthetically pleasing:

\- The Palm Pre (1st edition). It is an absolutely amazing, brilliant piece of hardware (especially back in 2009) that fits just right in my hand like a pebble. The curved screen is brilliant to the eyes and to the touch. It also has an interface that is not cluttered and busy like shit in other mainstream OSes then, and now.

But I mainly like things that are designed for ease of maintenance:

\- The iPhone 4s and iPhone 5. Like the iPhone or hate it, but the iPhone is a marvelous engineering feat. First, the amount of components it could hold. Second, how strong and robust it is for such a small body. Third, how easy it is to replace the most vulnerable component, the screen.

\- The iPod Nano 2nd Edition. It is such a timeless design that is extremely small and practical. It is really easy to open up the iPod Nano should you need to replace the battery, too.

\- Dell Chromebook 13 and Acer Chromebook 720: It took 8 screws to open them and get to the battery, CMOS, RAM, SSD, CPU, WLAN card.

\- Sony Walkmans. It was an eye-opening experience to see a player that is barely bigger than a tape, with features packed in it in the era of tapes, moving motors, pulleys, cogs and such.

But my most admired understated design has to be the Thinkpad line.

About 10 years ago, when computers were hot, clunky, and easy to break; I had a friend asking me to look at her coffee spilled Thinkpad T42 or T43 (I think). I just moved to the US for college for a month and had only a screwdriver toolset. Thankfully to its brilliant design [1], it only took a single screwdriver to lift the whole keyboard and touchpad up and get to everything, including the CPU. And the keyboard was spill resistant, so not that much liquid leaked either. I asked my roommate to take me to the nearest Radioshack to get a tube of heat spreader, and dried the whole thing with a hairdryer. It worked like new.

I could still remember the horror of opening Dell D6x0 laptops at my college IT department. What a fucking joke of a design - there is nothing good I could say about those "business machines" on the inside. It got to the point that if anything went wrong with those computers, the IT department just called the "Dell guy" to go fix it.

5 years ago, I even bet my roommate to pour a cup of water on a running Thinkpad. It survived.

And the Thinkpads now are barely different from the Thinkpads then and the Thinkpads from the beginning. It says something about the design, does it?

1: [https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/IBM+ThinkPad+T42+Teardown/29...](https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/IBM+ThinkPad+T42+Teardown/2952)

<comment><USER202> The modern ThinkPads are a lot harder to take apart, even though they superficially look very similar.

The T42/43 was a tank. I saw one take such a hard fall that the frame bent and it still booted up.

<comment><USER179> I unfortunately dropped a T60 some time ago, on the right rear corner.

The system board and everything were all fine... but the LCD copped it :( only displayed sad rainbows (IIRC).

I'm not sure if I bent the heatsink slightly off as well; I tried to fix it but I may have made it worse. The thermal design on the T60 is a disaster: the part of the heatpipe that extends over the GPU _has nowhere to bolt it down_ (see [http://i.imgur.com/lUOwImO.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/lUOwImO.jpg) \- the rightmost part, see how there are no screws, it literally was not factored into the design, it's held down solely by the copper itself) and because my heatsink is fractionally misaligned, my GPU consistently _idles_ at 75°C (!) and can reach 90°C (!!) if I actually try to do anything!

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER203> I really miss simple old thermostats. For a few years, they used a simple combination of two manual controls - one for temperature and a couple more for start and end times for maintaining that temperature. Made it easy to turn off at night and while I was at work.

No worries about power outages. No worries about WiFi. No need to keep the user guide around. No need to worry about whether guests would be able to figure it out. No batteries to run down. No programming/re-programming hell. No dependency on updates being bug free. I can't believe how horrible thermostats have become - I think most people have forgotten how easy and effective they used to be.

</comment><comment><USER82> Bench made pocket knife with their "axis" locking mechanism.

Never thought I would be a knife guy, but I was given one gen years ago and I'm still smitten with this thing. There is nothing quite like the snapping sound when it opens perfectly.

<comment><USER204> Yeah, once you figure out that pulling the closing button down combined with a flick opens it, it's basically an assisted-opening-but-not-illegal knife. I always thought that the ban on assisted openers was stupid anyway, since a fixed blade is faster still and 100% legal.

<comment><USER96> Fixed blade's harder to conceal.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER205> My Weidmuller Stripax wire stripper. Simple, reliable, works for a wide range of wire gauges, built-in wire cutter. Feels good to use.

<comment><USER194> They are great !

</comment></comment><comment><USER206> Hiking boots: Meindl [http://www.meindl.de/produktwelten/berg-wandern/modelle- berg...](http://www.meindl.de/produktwelten/berg-wandern/modelle-berg- wandern/)

</comment><comment> drew-y The 1996 Mazda Miata. Super simple, reliable and fun to drive.

<comment><USER69> First gen Miata was even simpler, and similarly fun to drive, though not quite as fast or comfortable as what came later. It had a certain charm that I still like a lot whenever I see a well-maintained one driving around.

</comment></comment><comment><USER207> The original Amarok. Amarok 2 killed the simplicity. The original had a great "now playing" queue and decent search.

<comment><USER208> Yeah, the original amarok was great. Nevertheless I think nowadays we would need something else (e.g. the library would require optional steaming provider integration).

</comment></comment><comment><USER209> My G9x mouse. I got it shortly after release, so it is about 8 years old now.

It is still going strong and the most comfortable mouse I have ever used. There is nothing that I dislike about it - apart from not being able to buy it anymore.

<comment><USER210> I have a G9 right here. Used it nearly every day for the last decade. Great mouse.

</comment></comment><comment><USER211> A properly designed kettlebell. The one below is what I use, but other companies also make good ones. The weight transfers around your arm naturally, it's very hard to injure yourself using it. Two indications of a good one are: handle is not flat, and pounds are in 18 pound increments (this comes from an old Russian unit of measure called a "pood".) [https://christiansfitnessfactory.com/cff-black-monster- russi...](https://christiansfitnessfactory.com/cff-black-monster-russian- kettlebells.html)

<comment><USER212> I would agree, with the addition that the kettlebell training movements (swing, getup, snatches etc.) are part of the design of the thing. How you use it and how it is shaped/weighted are two equally essential halves.

</comment></comment><comment><USER213> More Knives ([http://morakniv.se/en/](http://morakniv.se/en/)). They're super ergonomic, really hard wearing, and great steal. And best of all, they're about 1/4 the price of any equivalent blade.

Also, Mercator knives ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_K55K](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_K55K)), I carry one every day, and use it most days. Good steel and shape, and super thin so they fit in any pocket.

</comment><comment><USER214> Combs! Best designed, as somebody said, haven't changed for centuries!

</comment><comment><USER215> Some djing/music related stuff:

Roland 808/909 Technics 1200 MK2 A&H Xone mixer serie Shure SM58 Ikea Expedit

<comment><USER216> Came here to say the Technics 1200 turntable. Everything you need in a turntable and nothing you don't: pitch adjustment, 45rpm adapter, 33/45rpm speed buttons, and a light. The few controls it has are all intuitive and the quality of the manufacturing is obvious the moment you use it. I've had mine for 16 years and the only thing I've ever needed to replace is the needle.

</comment></comment><comment><USER217> My Steelcase Gesture - it is the first chair that I can ignore. It feels so natural.

Oculus Rift - for the first generation, it is surprisingly comfortable.

Oculus Touch - I can see my hands and it feels natural.

Lexus es350 - great car for sitting in Houston traffic. I wish that I could pull back the steering wheel a bit more so that I could stretch out my legs, bit it is still really comfortable.

Ibanez Jem - my luthier makes fun of this guitar, but it is a dream to play. Flat neck, large fretboard. It sounds amazing.

Nest - just works. Took 5 minutes to install and it just worked

<comment><USER46> The Steelcase Leap v2 is also fantastic (the differences are not major, I believe, and it was The Wirecutter's previous top choice [1]), and can be found fairly cheaply on Craigslist. I bought a refurbished one for $250 recently.

Compared to most high-end chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron, Steelcase's chairs are very soft and body-hugging.

That said, if money were no object and looks were king, I would go for an Interstuhl Every [2] or the FK84 by Fabricius and Kastholm for Kill [3].

[1] [http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office- chair/](http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair/)

[2] [https://officefurniturescene.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2015/0...](https://officefurniturescene.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2015/01/Interstuhl-Silver-Group-1024x675.jpg)

[3] [http://www.modernity.se/office-chair-designed-by-preben- fabr...](http://www.modernity.se/office-chair-designed-by-preben-fabricius- and-jorgen-kastholm-for-kill/)

</comment></comment><comment><USER218> Leatherman tools. Refreshingly usable compared to Swiss army knives.

<comment><USER139> I use my Leatherman micra virtually every day, multiple times. Almost lost it at the airport once; walked back to the parking lot to save it.

</comment></comment><comment><USER219> I don't have the reference at hand at the moment but at work we have a microwave that has one wheel to select wattage and one wheel to select duration (30 secs increment).

This UX fits every frozen/industrial food because it corresponds to the manufacturer's cooking information (eg: 3minutes at 700watts, 5 minutes at 500watts, etc.).

At home I have a monster with two different alarm settings, not wattage bug a 10 grade scale, a keypad but the only way to set up time is through the plus and minus button, etc.

<comment><USER61> Let us know the model when you're at work please!

<comment><USER220> All basic microwaves (at least in the UK) have this design. For example [http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4007573](http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4007573) or [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daewoo-KOR6L77-Microwave-Oven- White...](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daewoo-KOR6L77-Microwave-Oven- White/dp/B00DE79P0M/) I concur that's a better UI than buttons + display.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER221> My Amiga 2000. I love it with all my heart. It'll still be going strong when your modern doohickeys become totally useless due to planned-obselescence. It'll outlive me.

<comment><USER95> I loved my 2000, but the 3000 was a step above (aside for the godawful choice of RAM chips). I loved the scissor-switch design on the keyboard switches though.

These days you should get hold of an A600 and Vampire II - [http://www.kipper2k.com/accel600.html](http://www.kipper2k.com/accel600.html)

<comment><USER221> I still search ebay for a3000s and a4000s every now and then. I want both. I think the machine I want more than anything is an A4000 with a video toaster. But 3000s and 4000s don't come along very often (at least in my country) and they're expensive when they do. And back when they were current I couldn't afford one. I'd also love to get my hands on ab X1000, but they were ridiculously expensive and I couldn't justify the cost, as much as I'd love to have an Amiga OS 4 machine.

I actually also have an A600HD. Was my first Amiga. Great machine. The Vampire II looks cool but I'd need another 600 to put it in - my current A600 is a collection piece and is staying stock (except for things you can plug into it like compact flash / SD card adapters).

</comment></comment></comment><comment> kar-ma CCTV Camera at Dutch train stations.

Yes, sounds crazy, but these guys designed a cctv camera that doesn't feel intimidating and big brother-ish but feels more friendly and pleasing. I absolutely love looking at them while at the station. It was designed by a dutch Design firm called Fabrique. You can read more about it here: [http://designobserver.com/article.php?id=38335](http://designobserver.com/article.php?id=38335)

<comment><USER26> They still look like cameras to me :\ (not that I mind)

</comment></comment><comment><USER222> Galaxy Nexus with stock Android 4.x.

More precisely, when I bought it almost five years ago I was simply shocked at how much more its UI seemed to have been designed with actual phone use in mind, compared to, say, my former late-Symbian Nokia E50.

Typical example: the E50 had the well-known idiosyncratic Nokia 'profiles', whereas the Nexus only had the fragment that users usually relied on -- that is, an easy switch between full-settings/vibrate-only/absolute-silence.

</comment><comment><USER223> Lamy 2000: [https://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/2000/101](https://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/2000/101)

iMac

</comment><comment><USER224> Something I use and love is a chopping board and knife set: [https://www.josephjoseph.com/en-us/index-with- knives](https://www.josephjoseph.com/en-us/index-with-knives)

In terms of parts it has exactly the same as any other; 4 knives, 4 boards and a block.

It's simple but it's exceptionally well designed. Without meaning to sound like an informercial, I'll mention some of the improvements over the standard. Firstly, it's colour coded for improved food safety, with matching logos on the board to help understand the semantics of the colours. The knife blade sizes/shapes are matched with the food types and similarly coloured.

You can throw it all, including the block, in the dishwasher. The block is open ended to the bottom to allow it to drain (I hate those blocks that let damp, dirt and bacteria accumulate at the bottom of the knife holes). The block also holds the boards apart, to prevent spread of bacteria and allow them to air dry.

The boards can be flipped around, and the knives moved to match. This doesn't sound like much, but it reveals the designer having thought about the ergonomics of taking the board out and always using (and wearing down) the same side of the board. Allowing it to be flipped and the knives to fit into corresponding flipped sockets is actually pretty clever.

A lot of thought has gone into it and without adding any complexity (sensors, motors, extra parts) or much manufacturing cost, they've kept it simple and greatly improved upon the standard (and probably selling it with a much higher markup). It's an example of the kind of applied design thinking I appreciate.

</comment><comment><USER193> Land Rover Series I, II & III. Much like a Jeep, original Willys and CJ, the roof comes off, the panels come off, the body is aluminium, the engine and electrics are simple enough for most people to fix. Most of what can be mechanical like the fuel pump is mechanical, not electric. They are high enough up off the ground that they can be serviced without a jack, for oil and anti-freeze etc. Truly a utility vehicle.

<comment><USER35> >Most of what can be mechanical like the fuel pump is mechanical, not electric.

At least the British engineers aren't in denial about British automotive electronics.

>They are high enough up off the ground that they can be serviced without a jack

Which is a good thing based on the reputation LR has gone out of it's way to build for itself over the last half century.

<comment><USER193> Land Rover owners like to joke about how awful they are, I think it's also a British sense of humour thing. LRs haven't been any worse than any other car I have owned. The series 3 ended production in 1985, the reputation of LR being of poor quality or hard to fix came after modernization of the vehicles into consumer and mainstream markets. Series vehicles are bulletproof, sometimes quite literally ([https://www.google.no/search?q=armoured+land+rover&tbm=isch&...](https://www.google.no/search?q=armoured+land+rover&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjxjpuipp7SAhWMWSwKHf2RAWYQsAQIGw&biw=1292&bih=887))

They were good enough for many of the world's armed forces for over 50 years!

<comment><USER225> You're saying every other car you've owned has also rained on the _inside_? I think you've been extraordinarily unlucky there.

(Land Rovers may be dead and gone, but from what I hear the Discoveries are keeping the traditions alive. By leaking.)

<comment><USER193> Yep, every car with a sunroof has leaked, Peugeot leaked, Volvo leaked too. Just move to a country where snow covers your car for 5 months of the year.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER226> My picks would be:

First hot water jug with a round base (so you didn't need to get a specific orientation).

Apple's MagSafe connector (even though it can occasionally be tough to clean grit out)

The Mercedes power seat controls (Don Norman devotes some space to them in The Design of Everyday Things)

The Leatherman (the Swiss Army knife done right)

The original Macintosh mouse

The PowerBook 100

Whichever PowerBook introduced the trackpad.

Whichever MacBook introduced the buttonless trackpad.

The iPhone 4

Google search

Google maps

Finder

WriteNow

HyperCard

Studio/32 (Deluxe Paint for the Mac, but better)

TiVo (series 2 before they lost the plot)

The Nikon FM2 (or pick a body in that era)

</comment><comment><USER227> I loved my Mini Cooper: it was surprisingly versatile, had arguably beautiful estetics (me and my wife felt cool while sitting in it at least), was fun to drive in the small alpine roads, etc For us: 2 (at the time) DINKs living in the middle of Europe, it was a thing of beauty. I bought one with 0 fancy gadgets and I loved that about it. By far the best purchase (albeit expensive) I've made.

<comment><USER228> I've got a 2003 Mini Cooper with 230,000 miles on it and I'd agree with the above. It's still fantastic to drive and has a lot of pleasing design flourishes—some practical, some whimsical—which continue to delight.

</comment></comment><comment><USER229> Those toilet paper holders that are simply just hooks.

</comment><comment><USER230> Bikes

\- Cateye bicycle lights

\- Cateye Astrale wired cadence cycle computer: all the information I need and nothing more

\- '98 Specialized Stumpjumper: My balance is useless and this bike is the only one I can ride comfortably without holding the handlebars. I forever feel like I'm going faster that I really am. Solid steel frame made in Japan, zero suspension

\- Brooks saddles

\- Brompton folding bicycles. No other bike folds up so naturally.

Kitchen equipment

\- My current Kenwood Kmix Kettle [0] is the best designed / most solid / prettiest I've used so far. The main down issue is that it's made in China. The handle is stainless steel - so won't break over the years. Very nice shape and lovely colours.

\- Kenwood Major mixers. Especially old ones, but even the modern Chinese made ones are still good quality.

\- Dualit stainless steel toaster [1]. Simple lever mechanism for putting the bread in, simple dial timer. Served as a toaster in my University halls and always worked and easy to use whilst hungover.

Other

\- Pentel refill leads and the parellelgram shaped packets they come in. (Made in Japan still)

\- I was a fan of the Pentel automatic pencils back in school - the black 0.5mm one, but I kept losing them.

\- Maglite torches. Tried buying a fancy ass Thrunite mega-lumens torch, but I prefer the simplicity of Maglite.

      [0]: http://www.kenwoodworld.com/en-int/products/kmix/kmix-kettles/kmix-traditional-kettle-skm035a
      [1]: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dualit-2-Slot-Classic-Toaster-Stainless/dp/B00008BQZE/

</comment><comment><USER231> The game of Tetris.

</comment><comment><USER46> Jura superautomatic coffee machines.

Jura is a Swiss brand that is like the Apple of superautomatics. Their range extends from small, somewhat expensive consumer machines to rather expensive, excellent machines for industrial use. They're really solid, stylish workhorses, with excellent availability of spare parts and repair shops (though I've never needed any).

I have the ENA Micro 9 [1], which comes with an excellent "cappuccinatore" frothing mechanism for milk espressos (unlike those frothers that spin a little whisk around in the milk, the frother uses pressurized air). The step- up model, the ENA 9 One Touch, is not worth the higher price (it's not even as good-looking), while the little brother ENA Micro 1 is only good for coffee (no hot water or milk frothing).

[1] [https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA- Micro-9-OT-...](https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-Micro-9-OT- MicroSilver-UL-13625)

<comment><USER135> I have the Jura Impressa S9 Classic and love it. Use it for espresso and coffee every day. It is still going strong after 70.000+ cups of coffee and I would expect it to work for at least 50.000 cups more before it needs service.

</comment></comment><comment><USER232> My Bunn ST Velocity coffee machine [0]. I bought it on September 1, 2011 and have used it every single morning (and then some) since. It has no buttons, no configurations, no options. It makes coffee inside of 120 seconds (because it keeps the water pre-heated). It does not have a glass carafe to break, it does not burn the coffee since it does not use a heated plate but instead pours the coffee into a thermos that keeps it hot for hours. <3

It's not available on Amazon any more (where I got it originally), but I'm not sure if it's actually discontinued or just unavailable. I hope if the former that it's just been replaced by a slightly updated model, but I don't know.

UPDATE: There's still the STX model available [1], it's a bit more garish looking but it seems to be otherwise identical.

0: [http://amzn.to/2mdtWs3](http://amzn.to/2mdtWs3)

1: [http://amzn.to/2lZxlhT](http://amzn.to/2lZxlhT)

</comment><comment><USER233> The way I see it, great design is about meshing seamlessly with the end user. If an item or software feel like they extend me they're exquisitely well designed. Here are several such things:

\- MacBook Pro 13" with Touchbar. The MacBook Pro is the first laptop I've used that doesn't feel like a tool I need to struggle with and manipulate to get the job done. It's powerful enough so I don't need to worry about system resources, light enough that I can carry it everywhere, and sturdy enough that I'm not constantly worried about breaking it. The list goes on - this is truly a magnificent computer.

\- This leather messenger bag.

[http://emanuel-w.com/product/קלפה- צד-41071/?lang=en](http://emanuel-w.com/product/קלפה-צד-41071/?lang=en)

Dunno if it's available in the states, but this leather bag by Emanuel has been my companion for five years, and is only getting better with time. It has enough room for anything I need, is brilliantly compartmentalized, and is super comfy to take anywhere.

\- Kindle, the one with the keyboard. I currently own Paperwhite and it's almost there, but not quite. eInk is a brilliant invention, but it's the Kindle's design that made it what it is today - my go-to solution for reading, anywhere, anytime.

Moving on to software:

\- Mad Mimi is a simple, lovely email newsletter service that is brilliantly designed, and which pioneered the drag-and-drop email design interface.

\- Basecamp. I love their no-bullshit approach to design, their ability to ignore current "design trends" to focus on simpler aesthetics, and the boldness with which they communicate their promise. It's fantastic.

Might think about some more examples a little later. :-)

<comment><USER234> A good leather messenger bag is worth every penny. The harder you treat them the better they look.

</comment></comment><comment><USER235> The iRobot Roomba is one of the best electronic devices I own. The durability is simply impressive, only the battery breaks eventually since well, there is no escape for this. Even without using crazy AI, it kinda works well, and is one thing that when released looked pretty revolutionary but _is actually useful_ instead of being just a fake induced need.

<comment><USER46> Based on the horrifying amount of crap it's able to suck up, a Roomba is absolutely worth it.

But I wish they would solve the problem where it gets stuck in seemingly trivial places: I often find mine on top of the base of a floor lamp, or on the gap between a rug and a wall, or, most bizarrely, exactly in the middle of my Steelcase Leap office chair's four wheely legs, which has the exact diameter of a Roomba. It also keeps shutting itself inside my bathroom if I don't wedge the door open.

(I don't have cables lying around for it to get entangled with, although it recently dressed itself up in a natty scarf: [https://www.instagram.com/p/BQqWAoRBnsi/](https://www.instagram.com/p/BQqWAoRBnsi/))

<comment><USER235> I've the feeling that now that computer vision works well enough and with affordable enough GPUs to put into appliances, the next generation of Roomba could improve on that tenfolds... Let's see if there is a new release coming :-)

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER236> Weber Kettle grill (love their smoker as well but points knocked off for cleanup).

I have always found Microsoft keyboard and mice to be well designed.

<comment><USER102> I love the Weber as well but you need to take care of them. Look at one wrong and it starts to rust.

</comment></comment><comment><USER237> Muji Gel Pen - [https://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Ballpoint-0-7mm- color-10pcs/dp/B...](https://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Ballpoint-0-7mm- color-10pcs/dp/B00M344ZUC)

I love this pen, makes me want to write more! The simple minimalist design of the pen (and many other Muji products) is something I admire a lot.

</comment><comment><USER238> The side-stand of a motorcycle that swings backward to retract. Such a simple yet life saving design.

For tech stuff, checkout Windows Surface Hub.

<comment><USER177> My Honda (Spada) has a neat little rubber spike that projects down below the bottom of the sidestand (and folds over when the bike's sat on the sidestand) - which contacts the road and gently folds the sidestand back/up before anything hard hits the road.

It's a small thing, but it's _so_ much smarter that the suicide-stand on my Ducati (which springs up then lets the bike fall over when it's bumped or moved by someone not expecting it) and way less frustrating that my Kawasaki's "kill the engine as soon as you kick it out of neutral whenever the sidestand isn't fully up or the switch has got gummed up and dirty again" approach. (But all three are better then my Caviga's occasional "smash and lever you over" the first time you lean it to the left after moving off without having raised the sidestand.)

(Writing all this down, perhaps it's _me_ who needs to get more methodical about raising my sidestand before riding off, eh?)

</comment></comment><comment><USER239> I'm a big fan of my Logitech M510 wireless mouse: [https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless- mouse-m510](https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-mouse-m510)

It runs for ages on just two AAs (their website promises a 2-year life, which honestly sounds about right from my experience). It's very ergonomic, fits my hand perfectly. The back/forward buttons are positioned perfectly -- you can easily press them when you want to, but you'll never press them accidentally. The scroll wheel is nice and even has horizontal scrolling (not something I need often, but nice on the rare occasion I'm in Photoshop or whatever). The USB receiver is tiny enough that I can leave it in my laptop all the time. Logitech's been selling the M510 for years with almost no design changes, because it simply doesn't need improving.

</comment><comment><USER95> The Faber Castell Alpha-matic pencil. Auto-feed, good cut-metal grip. I found this in a field in the early 90's, it still writes wonderfully, the feed mechanism is amazing. It's a device that's so perfectly fit-for-purpose. If I had to replace it I'd be looking at spending a LOT of money these days :(

Honda Civic SiR II (EG chassis) - Not hugely powerful, but great fun to drive, everything in the right place, fold-flat seats in the rear, plastic clamshell backs on the front seats, small pull-out tray in the rear, 6 speaker stereo, good suspension design, great little engine, rear gate design allows you to fit quite large items in there. An awesome little car from the early 90's.

The MX518 mouse, as mentioned elsewhere.

zip ties. I always have some on me. They've saved me countless times, from securing things in place to replacing a broken jubilee clip on one of my current car's hoses so I didn't have to limp home.

</comment><comment><USER240> Midori traveler's notebook. A great example of wabi-sabi design.

</comment><comment><USER241> Nobody has mentioned the Minimoog Model D and its modern variants(Voyager, Sub37, etc.), so I will. As synthesizer instruments go, it's astoundingly hard to match the number of "sweet spots" the genuine article has. There are lots of synths with more complex architectures, polyphony and timbral possibilities, that are more affordable and ship with lots of presets, and there are lots of bad digital knockoffs that don't reproduce the sound correctly or correctly handle parameter changes, but an original one in good condition sounds good from nearly any starting point and allows for continuous development of a sound just by holding one note and turning knobs. You don't "program" a Moog and then play, you "perform" it as you play - and that's a key difference between their style and what most other synth makers put out.

</comment><comment><USER242> HAProxy & its documentation especially.

It's a fantastic piece of software.

</comment><comment><USER243> The most perfectly designed thing is IMO the HB or 2B paper pencil. This kind : [http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/20000/velka/pen...](http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/20000/velka/pencil- and-paper.jpg)

</comment><comment><USER244> Any cast iron piece of cookware.

They're non-stick. They're durable. They will outlast your grandchildren if you take good care of them.

Any gooseneck kettle.

The water flows from the bottom of the kettle so you're assured a steady stream of water.

Zojurushi electric grills.

I've owned several of them. I usually buy one and then give it away when I move. They have all performed perfectly, and every single one is still operational.

Iwatani ZA-3HP gas stove

I live in a warmer climate and prefer to relax while preparing food outside with a stogie in one hand, a glass of rye in the other, and a cooking spoon... somewhere. This thing cranks out the heat. I use it to sear steaks, do stir fry, etc.

Joule sous vide device

This thing is small and beautiful, and unlike a lot of other sous vide products, it can operate in only a few inches of water.

Grado SR-80 headphones

There's nothing remotely close to these things when considering quality of sound versus price... and they look great too

<comment><USER139> I should be flogged for it, but embarrassingly, I broke a cast iron skillet off at the handle once, whacking something in the yard with it. I guess cast iron is kind of brittle.

</comment></comment><comment><USER245> Nikon FE manual focus SLR. Every control a real photographer needs, nothing you don't. Tough—mine is 35+ years old and works as well as the day it left the factory. The match needle exposure meter is better than anything that came before or after. I love mine, even if shooting film is a pain in 2017.

<comment><USER246> I also think that the FE is great, but I think the K1000 is truly one of the best slr's ever made.

</comment></comment><comment><USER86> Ikea Jerker Desk.

* Ikea's Crime Against Humanity - An Ode to the Jerker - Marketing Mojo || [https://www.marketing-mojo.com/blog/ikeas-crime-against-huma...](https://www.marketing-mojo.com/blog/ikeas-crime-against-humanity-an-ode-to-the-jerker/)

</comment><comment><USER247> I use my Wii every day, usually for Netflix or MarioKart. Don't like the Wii U, but I think the Wii was very well made, and is fun and natural to use

My 16-year old Subaru Impreza is also an amazing tank of a car. We had crazy snow in Vancouver this year, and I swear it drives better in the snow than on dry asphalt

<comment><USER248> Counterpoint: I'd consider the Wii one of the _worst_ designed consoles around.

1) Way less portable than its predecessor (Gamecube, famously portable) and, for that matter, most other consoles ever made, aside from a handful of famously-giant ones ( _e.g._ Atari 7800, 1st gen X-Box) due to all the accessories, "light bar", _et c._ Sure, you could take it with no nunchuck accessories and maybe pay extra for a wireless "light bar" if you really love buying batteries, but that's extra money and less stuff you can do with it when you get where you're going.

2) "Ugh, the light bar fell behind the TV _again_ and all the wiimotes' batteries are dead anyway. Oh well, I just want to play gamecube... oh, I can't navigate the menu with the GC controller. And I need to click on the game I want to play to start it. Guess I'll just play PS3 instead. Oh, its controller's dead too. No big deal, can just plug it in."

3) Have to leave ugly GC ports/memory door open if there's anything plunged into it, even if it's just a memory card. If anyone or anything moves anywhere near your Wii on a regular basis while it's in this state, the door _will_ break off eventually.

However, the Classic Pro controller accessor for the waggle 'motes is awesome. I wish someone would make a nicer to-USB adapter for them than the ones from Mayflash, because I've had both revisions of those go bad on me now and I'd like a solid, reliable one.

</comment></comment><comment><USER249> Traktor Z1 and X1 controllers. There's been a lot of different options for DJ controllers lately, but these two have been a perfect fit for my style and the music I play. They're certainly bad for a hip-hop turntablist, but for a steady BPM 4/4 house/techno set they're just perfect. They're very small, which is perfect for a crowded DJ booth in a bar. They're very easy and fast to setup, with built-in audio interface - which means that there's less gear to haul. They only have the necessary functions - which means that instead of wasting my time on what the sync button can do automatically, I can spend more effort on the human touch. And most importantly, they're modular - which means I'll be buying another pair to control 2 more decks pretty soon.

</comment><comment><USER250> Oxo hand tools.

Hermin Miller Aerons.

My Olympus skyhawk. Literally the only piece of hardware that's going to outlive me.

The FN P90 and the 57 pistol.

The flight deck on the Sukhoi SU-34 and the Boeing 787.

Basically, anything where the design department went out and asked the customer what their biggest complaints were, then sat down to eliminate them in the design phase.

<comment><USER177> I've got a great book about the Boeing 747, it talks about how the design department went out and found out what the physics said, took that back to what was practical and designed "the best" compromise available at the time - but fundamentally based on physics. And thanks to them, 50 years later airport runway lengths and air traffic control approach speeds and 37,000 foot cruise altitudes and a whole bunch of other standards and infrastructure - is the way it is due to the speed of sound (and the lack of early/mid '60s aerodynamics ability to know how to exceed it), the temperature/airdensity efficiency curves of jet engines, and the 60's vintage structural limitations of wingspans.

<comment><USER251> do you mind sharing the name of the book?

<comment><USER177> I suspected someone was gonna ask that... I know exaclty where the book is at home, I can almost picture the cover - but not in enought detail to lever the title out of my brain. Sorry. (If I remember, I'll come back here after I get home tonight and let you know...)

<comment><USER252> Perhaps _747: Creating the World 's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation_

[https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0060882425](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0060882425)

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER253> I probably could list a handful of items, but the first one who comes up immediately is my TEK keyboard. Since nearly two years I'm using this ergonomic keyboard, and it's just great. It has a real steep learning curve and will drive you insane for the first few "weeks." But after some time you will love it. I can now type blind and type much faster than on any keyboard before. My hands rest in one place all the time only my fingers move. For me, this keyboard is a great design. It has its price, but for something that I constantly use to earn my income, it is more than worth it. The only negative thing is that you get confused when using a "normal" keyboard. But after some keystrokes, your brain will switch modes, and you can type as before :)

</comment><comment><USER254> Nokia Lumia charger: [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lukaszkups/lukaszkups- old/...](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lukaszkups/lukaszkups- old/master/content/blog/images/lumia_07.jpg)

</comment><comment><USER24> I love my Pro-ject RPM 1 turntable. It's such a simple design - stripped back to the bare bones of what's needed to play records.

[http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=rpm13](http://www.project- audio.com/main.php?prod=rpm13)

<comment><USER95> I was looking at the Pro-ject Carbon a while back but couldn't quite stretch to the price, beautiful bits of kit.

</comment></comment><comment><USER255> Without a doubt, the most elegantly designed products I've ever used are the sequencers and synthesizers made by Teenage Engineering ([https://teenage.engineering/](https://teenage.engineering/)). I own the original three pocket operators (PO-12, PO-14, PO-16) and every aspect about them, from the packaging to the board design itself (the whole instrument is just the PCB its made on), is a work of art. Granted, they're not necessarily the most intuitive thing to use, but when you consider TE has shrunken a desk's worth of electronic music equipment into something the size of a Raspberry Pi, it's hard to not be impressed with their design methodology.

</comment><comment><USER256> Vertx tactical trousers / shorts - cargo without the bulk, inner magazine pockets hold phones steady rather than flailing around, gussets and pleats for flex

Hario V60 coffee cone - perfect results, cheap

Ball tritium watches - a watch you can always read in the dark, even after 14 hours of Arctic night

</comment><comment><USER257> Hardware:

Zojirushi mugs

Creative zen mp3 players

Staedtler writing utensils

Software:

Linux utils, particularly those born out of Bell Labs

ggplot

Keras

<comment><USER258> Zojirushi mugs. Magical.

</comment></comment><comment><USER259> Looking at all the replies I realize how everyone seems to have one thing or two that really love and remember. It is a little worrying for me because I dont seems to be perfectly satisfies with any.

The only thing I am perfectly happy with (so far) is Cutlery from MUji.

Everything else are either too big, Air Con, Air Purifier, Dehumidifier, why cant these be combined together? How many boxes and STB do I need hanging out of my TV? Why cant it be ONE. Cooker, Microwave / Oven that is not easy to use or clean. Dyson that is good at suction power but plastic and ugly. Heck Even Kettle, I wanted a Crystal Clear Glass Kettle with a handle that last longer instead of its plastic handle getting greasy and sticky after 3 - 4 years.

May be I am just too picky?

</comment><comment><USER260> Just about any good kitchen knife.

Pen/Pencil and Paper.

A Book.

A Cup

A Towel

A Blanket

A Pillow

What do these have in common, they're so well designed (over the years) that you don't even think about them.

<comment><USER261> I came to write pen and paper myself :). I think cups and books definitely belong here too.

But I have always had serious issues with pillows. I don't mean the basic concept and coarse design of pillows, but rather the details of the design and manufacturing. For example different kinds of pillow case may hide or expose seems, that latter be far inferior to the former in my opinion. There is also the question of firmness and size, both of which are the subject of many a pillow focused infomercials. There is a huge variation in overall pillow quality. I could also rant about blankets, but maybe all of this is just my deficiency :)

</comment></comment><comment><USER102> Wireshark network analyzer software. A true swiss army knife utility for capturing and analyzing network traffic. I've used on Macs, Linux boxes, and Windows, and they all are robust and operate identically. It has been a very valuable tool for me.

</comment><comment><USER262> The legendary Nokia 3310. Military grade build quality, and an _amazing_ UI at the time.

<comment><USER263> It's coming back: [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/18/nokia-3310-...](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/18/nokia-3310-relaunch- still-love-phone-defined-nokia-era/)

</comment></comment><comment><USER264> The chemex: [http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/coffeemakers/classic- series...](http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/coffeemakers/classic-series/six- cup-classic-series-coffeemaker.html)

</comment><comment><USER265> Redbox. Concept and kiosk. I like the app for finding and reserving movies; my mom, who has never used a smartphone, uses the kiosks easily. They took a familiar business, modernized it a little bit, slashed the overhead, and people seem to like it.

<comment><USER266> i survived my road warrior years thanks to redbox and the whole foods salad bar.

</comment></comment><comment><USER267> -Concept2 Rowing Machine or SkiErg2

-5.11 Rush 72 Backpack

-AirSense 10 by ResMed

-Casio Duro MDV106

-NSF Wire Shelving

-Amazon Alexa

-Beats Wireless Studio (1st Generation)

-Plantronic Voyager 5200 Headset & Case

-Amazon Kindle

-Microsoft Surface 3

</comment><comment><USER268> The standard, boring toggle-style light switch (US). Inexpensive, standard, durable, easy to replace, and extremely easy to operate. Basically the polar opposite of the average phone/laptop/game console/etc. power switch.

<comment><USER132> I would agree, if they are installed the 'right' way (toggle down to close circuit, up to open) to match the rest of the world. It's extremely hard to toggle up with a full cup of hot beverage…

<comment><USER269> This should be the standard, but the exception is always going to be multi switch circuits with multiple switches controlling the same light.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER77> \- Lagiole knifes (more optical design / less practicality)

\- Victorinox SwissTool (more practical)

\- Stabilo Worker Pens (amazingly low friction for a ballpoint pen)

Edit: \- Razer: Merkur Dovo Futur Duoclip (Its predecessor was an overdesigned, brittle mess. But this one is great.)

</comment><comment><USER46> Re writing and drawing materials, I love Kunst & Papier's minimalist sketch/notebooks [1].

Aside from having great paper quality, they have a rigid cardboard cover, and the spine is fabric and flexible, so you can open the book completely flat over and over without destroying it.

They come in all sorts of sizes, from small to absolutely huge, and the minimalist design makes them look very clean on a shelf.

[1] [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle- url/index%3...](https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle- url/index%3Dblended%26field-keywords%3Dkunst+papier)

</comment><comment><USER270> Sori Yanagi ice cream spoon

[https://www.amazon.com/Sori-Yanagi-Cream- Spoon-6pcs/dp/B0000...](https://www.amazon.com/Sori-Yanagi-Cream- Spoon-6pcs/dp/B0000TOP1G)

</comment><comment><USER86> Just about anything Razer.

Razer Taipan & Razer BlackWidow are wonderful. Totally reliable, precise, and pleasantly tactile.

I've had a few Razer mice over the years and the earlier ones had a rubberize finish that would wear off eventually... had my Taipan for 4 years or so and it still feels like it's brand new. Trackpads will work in a pinch, but after you get used to a high-DPI mouse it's hard to use anything else. Same for mechanical keyboards... ha, maybe we should tell people not to get started... you'll hate typing on anything else after you've used one for a while.

<comment><USER271> Really? I find Razer products to be cheaply made and "flashy."

When it comes to mice I prefer Logitech, they are the only company whose mice have lasted me more than 5 years. I use to own a MX518 until it died on me after nearly 8 years. Now I own a G502 since they no longer make the MX518.

For keyboards I've been using a Noppoo Choc Mini with blue switches at work and at home I have a Pok3r with red switches.

Both have been in use longer than the Blackwidow I use to own.

If you want to get really crazy about mechanical keyboards checkout [https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/)

Might buy a full Ducky in the near future as well.

<comment><USER272> Yeah, Logitech seems to make the most reliable mice… My old MX510 still works, but I bought a SteelSeries Rival 100 and while I really like the design, there was an issue…

The little plastic piece under the left button that clicks the actual switch broke: [http://imgur.com/a/FcYUH](http://imgur.com/a/FcYUH) I had to superglue it back, works fine.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER273> The FlipBelt - [https://flipbelt.com](https://flipbelt.com)

Ingenious and works perfect. Lets you run/cycle with your phone/keys/cards/food-gels without any discomfort. I can barely tell it's there, and certainly beats having your phone strapped to your arm and looking funny and offsetting weight on one arm. The belt is invisible under my t-shirt.

I don't know if FlipBelt were the first to come out with product, there's other brands on Amazon if you look, but they were the only ones I found when I first bought it years ago.

</comment><comment><USER274> The Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.1a. It's a shame it's no longer on sale.

<comment><USER65> Had one of these for years, great mouse, it was in my office for all of my PhD, only downside was it got dirty easily. Since replaced with a Logitech M500.

</comment></comment><comment><USER275> Blendtec total blender. Works as advertised, never says no. Feels professional.

</comment><comment> kar-ma The Muji wall-mounted CD player.

The simplicity in design and the shift in perspective that it brought has been deeply impactful. I study in a design school, and the number of times I have seen it appear on students' collages, inspiration/mood boards, etc is way too high.

P.S. Makes me wonder if that can be used as a metric for how influential a design is. Like how credibility of a research paper is based on number of times it has been cited. If there's a way to gather number of times a product has appeared on inspiration/mood board of other products, to determine its influence.

</comment><comment><USER276> -Herman Miller Aeron (the original and remastered models): thoughtful design and very comfortable, albeit pricey

-2013 Retina MacBook Pro: my daily laptop and still to date the best laptop I have ever used

-Logitech Performance MX: the cheaper and older alternative to the MX Master but is still a high quality mouse

-Rolex GlideLock Bracelet: possibly the greatest stainless steel bracelet to ever go on a watch. the balance of its form, fit, and function is simply unmatched.

-The North Face Apex Elevation Jacket: not too bulky but stays very warm

-Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers: superlative erasers that are reasonably cheap

</comment><comment><USER277> I've fallen in love with the Parker Jotter pen (the full-steel version) [http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/jotter-us](http://www.parkerpen.com/en- US/jotter-us). Stumbled into it by accident (a marketing/promotional gift). Never knew it's apparently "a classic".

Other than that, I'm very fond of my Surface Pro 4 (the lowest-specced but fanless version). Though only since I've got my first one replaced, as it was constantly crashing.

</comment><comment><USER278> Tom Bihn's bags. Not only stylish and usefully designed, but practically indestructible!

[https://www.tombihn.com/](https://www.tombihn.com/)

</comment><comment><USER279> Lately, the first thing that comes to mind is the ShuttlePro v2

[http://www.contourdesign.com/US/product/shuttlepro-v2/](http://www.contourdesign.com/US/product/shuttlepro-v2/)

Recommended highly by other people editing video, and the first time I used it, I felt like an expert. Once I got the keys mapped that I like and started getting good with it, it's become an extension of my hand.

Best $100 I've spent on technology in a long time.

</comment><comment><USER280> The Fender Stratocaster

<comment><USER280> [Can't edit]

I'll also concede the Gibson Les Paul is a wonderful piece of design too.

</comment></comment><comment><USER281> Earhoox. [https://earhoox.com/](https://earhoox.com/)

For whatever reason, all earphones fall out of my ears. Exercise, walking around the house, whatever - they just don't work for me. The Earhoox sort that 100%.

Only issues: I had to use a nail-clipper to cut the rough mold edges. They do fall off the earbuds quite easily when e.g. in pockets. But if I lost them, I'd order another pair that day.

<comment><USER282> In-ear headphones always fall out of my left ear. At first I thought it was something to do with the ridges in my ear, because they're quite different between my left and my right ear. Then last year I had an ear infection and the doctor told me that I have a narrow ear canal in my left ear, so I'm guessing that's the reason. Apparently it also means I'm more prone to getting ear infections.

Bose have something for in-ear headphones called StayHear tips. They work really well for me. They look exactly like Earhoox, so maybe if I'd found Earhoox first I could have just used them.

</comment></comment><comment><USER283> My Seiko SARY57 mechanical (automatic) watch.

Beautifully made, looks great, does what it's supposed to do, not too expensive. Simply can't ask for more design-wise in my opinion.

[https://www.amazon.com/PRESAGE-mechanical-self-winding- windi...](https://www.amazon.com/PRESAGE-mechanical-self-winding-winding- SARY055/dp/B00KKDWHQ2)

Kindle Paperwhite probably comes a close 2nd.

</comment><comment><USER284> Walther PPQ M2 9mm. We're in the midst of a small arms golden age right now and this pistol is the closest to a local optimum as currently exists.

You asked.

</comment><comment><USER285> Coral Common Lisp on a Mac Plus. Still viable today, over thirty years later, as Clozure Common Lisp.

The Sharp EL-5813 ([http://www.rskey.org/el5813](http://www.rskey.org/el5813)). I still have the one I bought in 1980. Works like a charm. I can't even remember the last time I changed the batteries.

The original Keurig K-10 mini (the one without the DRM).

<comment><USER286> The first calculator I owned was a Sharp EL-506C (1981?). I loved that thing, but it died and I replaced it with an EL-506G, which I used into the late 90s. And now I need to dig it up again for use in a class I'm taking (phone calculators are not permitted for use during exams).

Looks like Sharp is up to the EL-506W model now, still recognizably the same lineage as your 5813 or my 506C.

</comment></comment><comment><USER287> HP 48G

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_48_series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_48_series)

<comment><USER288> HP 28S.

</comment></comment><comment><USER289> I have a thin, fold-out, apx 2 inch box cutter knife that fits perfectly in my small jeans pocket. I need it around work all day long and it's always there for me and I don't feel it otherwise. It locks when it flips out too which I appreciate, and there's a button to press to safely fold it back in. It just has such an elegant, simple, and safe design, I love it.

<comment><USER290> You mean a tap knife?

[https://www.amazon.com/Internets-Best-Cutter-Utility- Retract...](https://www.amazon.com/Internets-Best-Cutter-Utility- Retractable/dp/B01MG24EIJ/ref=pd_lpo_328_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VA06EMWQCX2CQW766X0R)

</comment></comment><comment><USER122> My Tag Heuer watch[1]. Extremely well made and beautifully designed and crafted. Had mine for 13 years (daily wear) and it still looks fantastic.

[1] - [https://storage.googleapis.com/attachments.outofpawn.com/att...](https://storage.googleapis.com/attachments.outofpawn.com/attachments/30720/large/IMG_0078__2_.jpg)

</comment><comment><USER291> emacs.

it's designed to grow and change, and it does so. It has the Quality Without A Name.

<comment><USER292> Great Christopher Alexander Reference

</comment></comment><comment><USER293> I haven't used a Mac in a long time but BBEdit left a lasting impression on me. I really quite like it, but I use Windows mostly :(

</comment><comment><USER294> The first thing I though of was a Trangia Stove [0], simple and clever design, cheap to run, has saved me a few times in the bush and built to last (still have the one I inherited from my father).

[0]: [http://trangia.se/en/camping-stoves- series-27/](http://trangia.se/en/camping-stoves-series-27/)

</comment><comment><USER295> The Nexus Prime. I have been using this particular mobile phone for so long, because of its clean physical design and stock Android experience. [https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-I9250-Galaxy-Nexus- Unlocked/d...](https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-I9250-Galaxy-Nexus- Unlocked/dp/B005ZEF01A)

</comment><comment><USER175> 1\. Apple iPhone 4 and newer (hardware & software)

2\. Commodore 64 (greatest desktop PC design for many reasons from hardware, software and documentation)

3\. Apple Macbook Pro 2016 and all unibody MBPs (hardware)

I also really like my Victorinox Waiter Swiss Army Knife. The corkscrew is better than on my Leatherman and I use these at least once a week as we take a bottle of wine out to dinner.

</comment><comment><USER296> I'd have to say my Moto X first generation was the best phone I've ever used. I leave for other phones or break the screen but always go back to it and buy another one used. It is just the perfect size and fast and everything works as it should (except for a few flaws like the headphone jack which craps out after extended use).

<comment><USER297> I LOVE my frist-gen Moto X Had it 3 years and don't want to give it up.

</comment></comment><comment><USER298> Stokke/Variable rocking kneeling chair.

[http://www.arredamentisartori.it/wp- content/uploads/2013/05/...](http://www.arredamentisartori.it/wp- content/uploads/2013/05/Variable_Leather009.jpg)

After all the pricey Aeron crap that is actually _bad_ for my back, this works.

<comment><USER299> I've heard it said that this is bad for your knees, but I don't know one way or the other.

</comment></comment><comment><USER75> Tupperware orange peeler

</comment><comment><USER300> Lowden acoustic guitars. Never found anything to match the design (never mind sound) of my '82 L23.

La Pavoni coffee maker. Replace O-rings and give it a service every couple of years and it'll last forever.

Copper cooking pans, especially old ones by Leon Jaeggi. Amazing cookware that will last forever, given the odd retinning.

</comment><comment><USER290> Kinesis Advantage

\- Ergonomic layout

\- Cherry MX Brown mechanical switches

\- Key remapping

\- Keyboard layout switching (QWERTY/Dvorak)

The best keyboard I've ever used. Not cheap though ($300).

</comment><comment><USER301> I'm not affiliated in any way with this website, but I've been purchasing products recommended by www.ConsumerSearch.com since 2007 and I've been extremely pleased with all of their recommendations.

Some of those recommendations have been with me for 10 years and the designs are still easy on my brain.

</comment><comment><USER302> DJI Mavic Pro. Its flying capabilities are remarkable, the 4K video looks almost surreal, and all fits into a pouch the size of a _medium-sized_ camera pouch.

Also very impressed with the build quality of various USB extended batteries, "bullet-proof" USB charging wires, and wall chargers from Anker.

</comment><comment><USER224> The Red Solo Cup.

[http://www.slate.com/articles/business/branded/2011/10/red_c...](http://www.slate.com/articles/business/branded/2011/10/red_cups_how_solo_s_disposable_drinking_vessel_became_an_america.html)

</comment><comment><USER303> A 1982 Toyota Landcruiser we just bought to take a road trip with.

[https://clipboard- dvdv.s3.amazonaws.com/WhatsApp_Image_2017-...](https://clipboard- dvdv.s3.amazonaws.com/WhatsApp_Image_2017-02-20_at_14.02.18.png)

Great car, easy to work on, easy to fix and simple.

</comment><comment><USER304> Canon 5D3 - feels exceptional in your hand, takes fantastic photos out of the box, and with all the more advanced features just as accessible for when you need them.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket - so light, stuffs into it's inner pocket, sufficiently warm, windproof and layerable. Pretty much perfect.

<comment><USER96> That looks like a solid jacket. I've been using a ski jacket (also Patagonia) that's also light, warm, windproof, and layerable, but also not small or compactible and thus inconvenient as hell when it's not needed for all parts of a mass-transit commute. I'll have to check that out further - thanks for the tip!

</comment></comment><comment><USER305> Herman Miller Embody chair

AeroPress

Muji pocket notebooks

<comment><USER281> Love the Embody. It's something I recommend 100% when people have chair issues. Had it for probably 5 years and it should easily hit the 12 year guarantee they give.

Issue: cats love it too, so I often have a towel on it to protect against their scratching tendencies. Looks less sexy but whatever.

</comment></comment><comment><USER306> Back in the 92, this was by far the best TV. Best remote, best everything, and worked seemlessly with a motorised stand, using the same remote.

Beovision MX6000

[https://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=641](https://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=641)

</comment><comment><USER307> Minaal Backpack - [https://www.minaal.com/](https://www.minaal.com/) I got the version 1.0 with kickstarter and have used it almost daily ever since. Lovely bag with thoughtful design for daily work use or as a weekend bag.

<comment><USER308> I have both the 1.0 and the Minaal Daily - I actually love the Daily even more since it's the perfect size for commuting or weekend trips. I use it daily as my "office in a bag", and love how accessible electronics/papers are.

</comment></comment><comment><USER309> My Amazon wishlist just grew a lot.

</comment><comment><USER310> Bonavita tea kettle. Set the temperature exactly.

[http://bonavitaworld.com/products/10l-digital-variable- tempe...](http://bonavitaworld.com/products/10l-digital-variable-temperature- gooseneck-kettle)

</comment><comment><USER245> Nikon FE manual focus SLR. Every control a real photographer needs, nothing you don't, and the match needle exposure meter works better than anything else ever invented. Tough—mine is 35+ years old and works like it's brand new.

</comment><comment><USER311> The Jonas peeler for peeling fruit and veg

[https://www.amazon.com/Linden-Sweden-Jonas-Peeler- Original/d...](https://www.amazon.com/Linden-Sweden-Jonas-Peeler- Original/dp/B00176JEY4)

</comment><comment><USER312> Zebralight H52 headlamp with eneloops [http://www.zebralight.com/H52w-AA- Headlamp-Neutral-White_p_1...](http://www.zebralight.com/H52w-AA-Headlamp- Neutral-White_p_120.html)

<comment><USER132>
      > eneloops

Kind of amazed at eneloops, usually moreso than whatever they're powering

</comment></comment><comment><USER313> My Alclair Audio custom molded IEMs. You literally haven't heard music until you have a custom pair of IEMs. I'm blown away what I hear in music that I couldn't hear before.

*Also protects my hearing from loud drummers

</comment><comment><USER314> good old Nokia phones with buttons which only does one thing exceptionally good

</comment><comment><USER315> Muji kitchenware. Their bowls, spoons, forks. High quality steel, beautiful dull-silver finish, even and smooth corners, no unnecessary crevices or embellishments. Just perfect. The off-white ceramic bowls, whew.

</comment><comment><USER316> Lenovo x220.

Upgrade ram, add a mSSd. Rockstar

</comment><comment><USER317> This is the most satisfying thread I have read in years :)

My contribution: Pilot Frixion pens. The ink erases with heat, which can be applied by rubbing the other end of the pen on the paper.

This pen has eliminated my need for pencils.

</comment><comment><USER318> I always loved the Apple G3 Powerbook for it's design. It has the silhouette of womens hips and is a piece of simplistic beauty. Also loved the two shades of spy-black they used for the body :-)

</comment><comment><USER319> AK-47

</comment><comment><USER320> Linotype Line Casting Machine [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linotype_machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linotype_machine)

<comment><USER103> I just ran across a video on how those work (through the History of Information website -- a dangerous timesink but an absolutely fascinating site).

The flow of matrices, keyboard, roman and _italic_ typefaces, justification, casting, and return mechanism for the matrices (keyed by teeth) is absolutely fascinating. A study in mechanical logic.

Even the automated linotype -- via punched tape -- was only a bolted-on (literally) extension of the original.

Here: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHiddZOfa8](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHiddZOfa8)

</comment></comment><comment><USER321> Oberon/F on the 68K Macs was the sweetest IDE I've ever used.

</comment><comment><USER322> Thinkpad X220.

</comment><comment><USER323> Probably a Le Creuset dutch oven. Versatile, lasts forever, simple.

<comment><USER230> Almost any Le Creuset cooking pots

</comment></comment><comment><USER324> Ortlieb messenger bag: [https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Messenger%20Bag/](https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Messenger%20Bag/)

Have had one for over 10 years now, used it for bike commuting in Seattle, motorcycle commuting in Rwanda and a grocery shopping in Ecuador. It is pretty much indestructible, to the point that I wonder how they can afford to make it. The velcro is starting to stick less now but otherwise it is perfect and that seems repairable.

Gaggia Coffee Deluxe & Haro Slim Grinder: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001KOA4Q/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001KOA4Q/)

For roughly $400 you can get yourself a setup that will make you better latte's than 90% of coffee shops. I have a souped up PID'd Silvia with a super fancy burr grinder as well, which is also great, but the bang for the buck of the Gaggia is hard to beat and it is serviceable, so you can take it apart and descale or repair it for decades to come. The hand grinder has enough adjustability for this class of machine, produces a super consistent grind and adds a fun routine to your morning.

Dell USB-C Multi-Adapter: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012DT6KW2/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012DT6KW2/)

Ethernet, VGA, USB-3 and HDMI in a tiny little adapter which has a cable that folds on itself. This is a pretty perfect companion to the new MBP's and works without drivers. Really nicely done and has been reliable for me, always keep it in my bag.

Swiss Tech Utility Key: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001EFSTI/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001EFSTI/)

Always have it on my keychain, passes security in airports, super handy. Really see no reason to NOT have one of these.

Leatherman Wave: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JCN6C8/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JCN6C8/)

Others designs have come and gone but I've had one of these for 20 years and it is still going strong. Super sharp blades that keep an edge, one handed opening and tools that actually work. I really don't think anyone has improved on its design since introduction, it is the type of thing you can hand down to someone.

<comment><USER96> > Swiss Tech Utility Key

I had one of these for a while, but came to much prefer the Leatherman Squirt S4, in large part because the blade on the Utili-Key is extremely sharp and ideally placed to slice fingers if the tool is not used with the most exquisite care. Ask me how I know.

The Squirt won't pass security screening, but I've never had trouble with it in checked baggage. The closest I've come to having an issue was when I forgot to take it off my keyring before reporting for jury duty last year; I was of course relieved of it before being permitted to pass the entry checkpoint, but was also able to recover it when I departed, with the thanks of the city and no panel assignment (again, dammit!), at the end of the day.

</comment></comment><comment><USER325> Nest Learning Thermostat: [https://store.nest.com/product/thermostat](https://store.nest.com/product/thermostat)

</comment><comment><USER326> Davinci Resolve is a fullly featured professional video editing and color grading suite. The free version has pretty much much everything I'll ever need For video editing.

</comment><comment><USER327> My dad's old stereo receiver from the 70s. It was easy to connect an MP3 player invented decades later.

By contrast, my 5-year-old car has a useless built-in GPS that can't be replaced.

</comment><comment><USER328> Any of the Olympus cameras designed by Yoshihisa Maitani - pen F and original OM-1 being particular standouts. Simply wonderful objects to hold and even more fun to use.

</comment><comment><USER329> Post-it notes

</comment><comment><USER330> Hewlett-Packard products before they started making PC's.

</comment><comment><USER331> Most Patagonia products. The last 5-6 years they've greatly increased their range of offerings with no noticeable diminution of quality (from my perspective).

</comment><comment><USER31> Netbeans.

Sublime text.

KDE 3 and KDE 5.

My fathers old IBM 486. (Had working suspend resume back in 95.)

The G3 back in military.

</comment><comment><USER86> 2013 15-inch MBP served me very well.

Was the laptop I was most happy with.

</comment><comment><USER332> HP 32SII scientific calculator. I had one in high school (not sure what happened to it), recently picked one up on ebay and haven't regretted it!

<comment><USER102> I'd suggest the HP-16c programmer's calculator. It was small, programmable, and did calculations and conversions in hex, octal, decimal, and binary. At the time I bought one, the early 80's, I was doing embedded programming in assembler the thing was a life saver. And what's cool is that I still have it and it still works.

</comment></comment><comment><USER333> Happy Hacking Pro 2 keyboard

Fuji X-T1 & Fuji lenses with manual aperture rings (e.g. 23mm, 35mm..)

Eames chair

Slayer Espresso machine

ACME cups

Audeze LCD-3

MacBook Pro 2015

Emacs (especially org-mode, but the open-ended extensible design in general is genius)

Engineered Garments parka

</comment><comment><USER334> National Microwave, still going strong after 30+ years

</comment><comment><USER335> A babyzen yoyo stroller. Folds down to a size of a backpack so can easily bring it on board airplanes. Really light but still has a strong frame.

</comment><comment><USER336> * grep, sort, uniq ... * Microsoft Natural Keyboard

<comment><USER86> Agreed.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Natural_keyboard#/me...](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Natural_keyboard#/media/File:MS_Natural_Keyboard_Elite.png)

</comment></comment><comment><USER337> \- Victorinox Classic SD Pocket Knife

\- Japanese toilet roll holders

\- 3M Command Strips

<comment><USER338> One step better is the Victorinox Swiss Army Manager Pocket Tool. Adds a bottle opener, philips driver & pen in a slightly thicker package. [http://a.co/gsud2iY](http://a.co/gsud2iY)

<comment><USER337> Looks good! I like the SD though because it's cheaper and I'm constantly repurchasing them due to forgetting them when I go through security at airports.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER339> For me it is Nokia 3310. I could not afford it as a kid but I always "borrowed" it from my dad and play with it for a while :)

</comment><comment><USER340> Swagelok - literally everything in the catalogue.

</comment><comment><USER341> 1\. I have products from Bang & Olufsen to be exceptionally well designed. Sure, they cost fives times more but IMHO its worth it.

2\. Nokia 3310

</comment><comment><USER342> \- the Ableton Push 2 controller \- the iPod mini

</comment><comment><USER343> Yamaha KX88 keyboard. It was super heavy but excellent key "action". My SY08 is close but still not the same.

<comment><USER344> I would also mention Korg SV-1 [1]. Despite being quite new to be judged, I think KORG managed to deliver a very nice UX. They removed a lot of features found in every keyboard but they managed to make it more fun and visually attractive.

UX of musical instruments is amazing: whereas some companies are creating crazy new designs (e.g. the Teenage Engineering OP-1 mentioned in this thread), others are going back to old but solid designs of the '70s and before.

[1] [http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/sv_1_black/](http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/sv_1_black/)

</comment></comment><comment><USER345> Pentel Client Pens. Go-Ruck Slick backpack.

<comment><USER346> On the pen theme: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Pen

<comment><USER246> By far the best ball point pens.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER347> Conn 79H Trombone. Just gorgeous sound, beautiful design, and even the trombone case just seemed right. Still love it.

</comment><comment><USER348> Spracht Konf-X Buds Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

Lifetrak c410 watch - battery life more than 6 months.

Moleskine Classic Notebook, Large, Squared.

</comment><comment><USER349> The Leopold FC750R(T) mechanical keyboard.

</comment><comment><USER350> I would go with Kindle and apple macbooks!

<comment><USER350> Why downvote? Could you please tell me the reason for downvote?

</comment></comment><comment><USER351> Vitamix Blender - The power of a lawnmower, easy to use, easy to clean, 5 year warranty. It's a power-tool.

</comment><comment><USER290> \- Kinesis Advantage

\- Darn Tough socks

\- Microsoft Surface Pro 4

\- Instant Pot

\- ChefSteps Joule

\- Hydro Flask

\- Tom Bihn 25

\- GORUCK GR1

\- ThermoWorks ThermaPen Mk4

\- humangear capCAP

\- Leatherman Wave

\- Leatherman Squirt PS4

\- Victorinox Bantam Alox

\- Google Chromecast

\- Fisher Space Pen

\- Herman Miller Aeron

\- Buff Merino Wool

\- Lace Anchors

</comment><comment><USER326> A one-hour kitchen timer. Turn the dial to the desired time and that's it.

The dial also shows the remaining time.

</comment><comment><USER352> Sega Genesis/Mega Drive as a kid. I mean that console looks great even by today's standards :)

</comment><comment><USER246> Pilot Hi-Tec C PakBoat Canoes Leica MP Opinel No. 6 Lems Boulder Boots MSR Wisperlite

</comment><comment><USER353> Bic Cristal Ballpoint pen. Blue.

<comment><USER246> Pilot Hi-Tec C's are better having used both.

<comment><USER353> The fact that a box of 100 blue Bics is (presumably) much cheaper than the Pilot equivalent is an important part of the design for me.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER354> Japanese toilet bidet...so clean

</comment><comment><USER355> First of all, this thread is fantastic. If I wasn't designing and building interfaces, I'd love to give industrial design a shot. There are so many seemingly mundane things that we take for granted. Here's a few favorites:

YETI Rambler - <USER3>

[http://yeti.com/rambler](http://yeti.com/rambler)

I've owned so many different insulated coffee mugs, but this is by far the best I've owned. What's particularly interesting to me about this one is the open top, I can drink from it like any to-go coffee, but the temperature stays warm for hours. Alternatively, I've filled it with ice and water and had the ice last my entire workday.

—

Mochi Drawstring Backpack

[https://www.mochibrand.com/](https://www.mochibrand.com/)

Drawstring backpacks tend to be pretty fickle. Often they get tangled, jam and break. I've had a Mochi drawstring back for the last three years and love it. The strings are much thicker on the Mochi. I'm not sure what is different about the design of the strings, but I have not once had a jam—not in three years.

—

Withings WiFi Scale

[http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/new- scales](http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/new-scales)

Ever since I wrestled in high school, I've been obsessed with my weight. Maybe it is a little compulsive, but I weigh myself two or three times each day. Withings has an app keeps track of your weight, body fat percentage and BMI over time. I find it fascinating to see the fluctuations and averages. You can see what the app looks like here.

[https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/health-mate-steps- tracker/id...](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/health-mate-steps- tracker/id542701020?mt=8)

—

Logitech K750 Solar Keyboard

[https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-solar- keyboa...](https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-solar- keyboard-k750-mac)

I'm certain everyone here has their own opinions about keyboards. I'm a huge fan of the Logitech solar keyboard. I got sick of changing the batteries on my Apple keyboard every few months so I bought this keyboard. What's amazing is that even a room with very little light, the thing has been running without issue.

—

Timex Weekender Watch

[http://www.timex.com/men/collections/weekender/](http://www.timex.com/men/collections/weekender/)

Watches are pretty subjective, but I think the weekender is a fantastic buy for the money. You can generally find them for $30 to $40. You can purchase a few different nato bands, and it's like you have several different watches! One caveat is that the watch is incredibly loud. I love it because it reminds me of the clock at my grandmother's house in the country. If you're sensitive to loud watches, it's probably not the right one for you.

<comment><USER356> RE: The Withings WiFi Scale. I bought one in early-2011, which I think is when they first came out. I have been using it almost-daily since then, six years ago. Zero issues whatsoever. I change the batteries about one a year or more it seems, and plug it in to change the wifi settings when I move to a new house or something. Absolutely flawless and now I have six years of weight data easily accessible. Withings even allows easy export of that data to a spreadsheet, so I do that every year or so just so I have a backup.

The newer Withings scales have some newer features, but I have been unable to justify the purchase because the one I have is indestructible.

</comment></comment><comment><USER357> Vim.

</comment><comment><USER358> Dell ultrasharp monitors

Logitech trackballs

Macbook pro (2016)

prismacolor pencils

ikea furniture

<comment><USER359> I bought a pair of wireless Logitech trackballs for home and work. Both died at about the same time, and when the warranty replacements died (for a total of 4) I switched to Clear Superior Technology.

<comment><USER360> Came here to post about Clearly Superior Technology trackballs. So so so much better than anything else I've ever used. I'm actually sad that most people don't know they exist.

<comment><USER358> I've never heard of them. They look less conformable than the trackball's moulded fit that, I find quite comfortable, this is not the case I gather?

Whenever I don't use a trackball for any length of time I get wrist pain, so if these are more comfortable then I'm interested in trying one.

<comment><USER359> Ergonomics is very personal. I rest my palm on the CST trackball so my wrist is in a (near) neutral position and fingers are positioned with easy access to the controls. I manipulate the ball itself with my pointer and two other middle fingers usually with the phalanges proximales part.

<comment><USER358> thanks, I prefer the trackball using my thumb. I did try one of the logitech ones that you use your fingers with but it didn't really suit me. I'd guess I'd have the same issue with the CST one, though I am curious to try one now, I'll keep an eye out.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER361> Canvas LMS. Coming from blackboard, Canvas is a god-send.

</comment><comment><USER362> \- Thinkpad 701C(S) w/ butterfly keyboard

\- Shouter (for Android)

\- Amazon Kindle

\- Leatherman Wave

\- Collapsable Electric Kettle

\- Esbit Stoves

\- Merrell Hiking Shoes

\- Moleskins

<comment><USER363> Butterfly keyboard demo: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLj3aCfqzOM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLj3aCfqzOM)

</comment></comment><comment><USER364> Fender American Made Stratocasters

Amish rocking chairs

Audio cables by Monster

Timberland shoes

Chicago thick crust pizza:)

</comment><comment><USER365> Macbook Air 11" (I'm writing this with it)

</comment><comment><USER366> Nokia 1100 - World's best selling mobile phone

</comment><comment><USER367> Grado headphones.

<comment><USER368> My SR-80s have what many reviewers (and I) say is the best sound for anything under $1k (and these were under $100).

That said, they're poorly designed mechanically, and they use lower quality materials - especially the type of plastic. The way the speaker unit attaches to the head piece is just a little pole of metal (textured at the end) stuck into a plastic hole, and the hole can eventually stretch. The result is the speaker unit falling off the headpiece... and there's really no way to fix it. Superglue is a short term solution, and it's hard to get the angle of the can perfect.

My point of saying all this is that the sound engineers did a great, great job, but the product/mechanical design guys - or maybe the production guys after them, ruined it.

<comment><USER288> My SR60's broke that plastic yoke -- I wound up replacing the part. They lasted ~20 years until the Y junction of the headphone cord started having intermittent faults.

I was going to replace the cord with a detachable mic + volume cable, but wound up just getting a set of SR-80s.

Sound wise, I think the high end Sennheisers have better balance and are a bit more comfortable. A little clearer treble, not as heavy bass. But either way, they're really good for the price.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER369> Logitech MX Revolution mouse, c2005.

Gone but never forgotten.

</comment><comment><USER370> A violin. 200 years old and it still worked.

</comment><comment><USER371> The thermomix: [http://thermomix.vorwerk.com/home/](http://thermomix.vorwerk.com/home/)

</comment><comment><USER372> This little game called Pokemon Yellow.

</comment><comment><USER373> Casio FX-4000P and FX-7000G calculators

</comment><comment><USER374> Knife and fork

<comment><USER193> chopsticks!

</comment></comment><comment><USER375> Toyota Corolla Wagon

Ikea all steel espresso maker

DC3 aircraft

90s era steel mountain bike

</comment><comment><USER376> Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair

</comment><comment><USER377> Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic keyboard

<comment> jon-wood I really wanted to love it but its just not quite as good the old natural keyboards. The separate numeric pad is never where I want it, there's not enough key travel, and _that awful escape key!_

</comment></comment><comment><USER378> iPod with the spinning click-wheel

</comment><comment><USER379> The Logitech M235 wireless mouse.

</comment><comment><USER152> Any pre-Fiorina HP Laser Printer.

<comment><USER263> LaserJet III was the peak, I worked for a company that sold a ton of them and everything after that had much higher failure rates.

<comment><USER95> In-office, the II seemed like a battleship.

I bought a 6MP second-hand at a university IT sale and that thing kept trucking for _years_ afterward. I'd still have it now if I hadn't moved countries.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER270> I've been reading this thread since I clicked on it 3 hours ago: every contribution/comment. Wonderful stuff, I've learned SO MUCH. Time to give back — here are my faves:

— Fiskars all-purpose scissors (they make a L-handed version for weirdos like me, such a delight after growing up with R-handed iterations): [https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-All-purpose-Left-hand- Scissor...](https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-All-purpose-Left-hand- Scissors-12-94508697WJ/dp/B00006IFN8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487611853&sr=8-2&keywords=fiskars+scissors+left+handed)

— Fiskars scissors with non-stick blade coating (wonderful for cutting tape) [https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Non-stick-Titanium- Softgrip-S...](https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Non-stick-Titanium-Softgrip- Scissors/dp/B003YNI688/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1487611894&sr=8-5&keywords=fiskars+scissors+all- purpose)

— iPod nano Gen 7 [latest] (FM radio; Podcasts; video; photos; bright 2.5" screen; super-thin & light; beautiful esthetically; Bluetooth lets me run with my music without wires) [http://www.apple.com/ipod- nano/](http://www.apple.com/ipod-nano/)

— BlueAnt Bluetooth earphones: ≤1/6 the price of AirPods/Beats wireless; comfortable; good sound; easy to sync & operate; lightweight; they stay in; connecting cord so you don't lose one earphone; cool looking IMHO) [https://www.amazon.com/BlueAnt-Pump-Wireless-Sportbuds- Black...](https://www.amazon.com/BlueAnt-Pump-Wireless-Sportbuds- Black/dp/B00ISRUFXY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1487612394&sr=8-10&keywords=blueant+bluetooth+headset)

— O'Keefe's Working Hands cream (unbelievably effective, best thing ever for cracked/chapped skin) [https://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Hand- Cream/dp/...](https://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Hand- Cream/dp/B00121UVU0/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1487612691&sr=1-1&keywords=okeefes+working+hands)

— DuraScoop Cat Litter Scoop (the Maybach of litter scoops) [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DCAAP4?psc=1&redirect=...](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DCAAP4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00)

Easton Bat Weight (so many uses around the house: paperweight; equipment/furniture support; door stop; small item container; weapon in extremis; I could go on) [https://www.amazon.com/Easton-Bat-Weight- Royal-16-Ounce/dp/B...](https://www.amazon.com/Easton-Bat-Weight- Royal-16-Ounce/dp/B0000C8WFB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487612891&sr=8-1&keywords=easton+bat+weight)

Trombone paper clips (so much better than regular ones, it's not even funny, plus they look cool) [https://www.amazon.com/ACCO-Regal-Length- Silver-A7072130/dp/...](https://www.amazon.com/ACCO-Regal-Length- Silver-A7072130/dp/B001RRZ71C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487613049&sr=8-1&keywords=trombone+paper+clips)

— Rain Design mStand Laptop stand (functional; beautiful; lasts forever) [https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Design-mStand-Laptop- Patented/dp...](https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Design-mStand-Laptop- Patented/dp/B000OOYECC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487613107&sr=8-1&keywords=rain+laptop+stand)

— Pioneer Kuro Elite Plasma TV [2007] Yes, it cost $5,000 10 years ago — still works perfectly, never had a single problem, picture is sometimes 3-dimensional it's so lifelike; as good as ANYTHING at the very highest end today INCLUDING LG 4K OLED and top-of-the-line Samsungs.

— Stagg Pour-Over Kettle with Integrated Thermometer (if you're a fanatic about your coffee and demand the water be 200° ± 5° when you pour, this is your baby. Beautifully designed, a pleasure to use) [http://fellowproducts.com/shop/stagg/](http://fellowproducts.com/shop/stagg/)

</comment><comment><USER380> CygnusED

<comment><USER95> Now there's an editor I haven't heard about in MANY years :)

</comment></comment><comment><USER381> A door.

</comment><comment><USER382> DrRacket IDE. Definitely.

</comment><comment><USER383> SFML (2D game framework)

</comment><comment><USER384> Fender Rhodes

Sennheiser HD650 headphones

Uniqlo knitwear

</comment><comment><USER385> paperclips. easy to use / can be hacked.

</comment><comment><USER386> Paper and pencil

</comment><comment><USER387> T-72. Is great.

</comment><comment><USER388> Ducati Monster

</comment><comment><USER389> "The C Programming Language" by K&R.

</comment><comment><USER390> spoons are pretty well designed

</comment><comment><USER391> Books.

</comment><comment><USER392> velcro

</comment><comment><USER393> Macbook Air

Nokia N95

</comment><comment><USER392> velcro lego

</comment><comment><USER394> Meta: /r/buyitforlife has a lot content in this vein.

<comment><USER395> Full URL: [https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/)

</comment></comment><comment><USER396> Any Toyota truck/car with a 22R engine, with manual transmission.

Old cast iron cookware

Flobee (Laugh, but it cuts hair. You need to experiment with the extensions though. For those that despise the annual haircut, hate the small talk, and that lying response at the end of the ordeal, "It looks great!"; pick up a old Flobee at a garage sale.)

In my world, a old IWC watch with a 853 movement. (I do watch repair, and this might be my favorite movement. The older IWC's don't look flashy, but that movement is well engineered. I can wear my old watch anywhere; only I know what's under the crystal. I never worry about theft.

3/8" Snap-on combination metric/standard ratchet set. The one with the deep sockets, and the standard sockets. Only buy used though. It comes in a red case. (I once went to automotive school. Much of Snap-on is overpriced, but this ratchet set has served me well.

</comment><comment><USER397> 1\. Macbook Air 2013.

2\. Herman-Miller Embody Chair (best chair if you have lower back problems).

3\. Apple Airport Time Capsule (best backup device + router).

4\. Epson L565 + WiFi. Absolutely great printer/scanner. Easy to configure and use.

5\. Merkur-33C Classic (best safety razor in my opinion).

<comment><USER398> +1 for the Herman-Miller Embody chair. Crazy expensive, but far cheaper than medical bills. Aeron and most other ergo chairs never worked for me (properly sized and all).

</comment></comment><comment><USER399> As much as I'd love to say iPhone or my MacBook Pro, I'd have to say the best- designed thing I've used is probably my Nikon D3x, their top-of-the-line professional SLR.

It does exactly what I want, and is so perfectly designed.

</comment><comment><USER87> Dyson vaccum cleaner

</comment><comment> red-indian Bostitch No-Jam Booklet Stapler

Trombone

Violin

Dozuki Saws

Atlatl

</comment><comment><USER400> A spoon.

Too bad there is none.

</comment><comment><USER401> Magick in Theory and Practice

Tractatus Logico Philosophicus

Discipline and Punish

The Ethics

Beyond Good and Evil

The Gay Science

The Master and Margarita

The Prince

A Book of Five Rings

The Book of Changes

A Hero of our Times

At Swim Two Birds

</comment><comment><USER402> Ok, this corkscrew:

[https://www.amazon.co.uk/MONOPOL-Bell-Corkscrew-BAROLO- Germa...](https://www.amazon.co.uk/MONOPOL-Bell-Corkscrew-BAROLO- Germany/dp/B004E1RZY0)

(Note this appears to be a later design, slightly less pretty as the original IMO)

My parents bought one of these years maybe 15 years ago and I was always fascinated how he thread was so smooth, well machined and balanced that you could unwind it and it would smoothly wind back up under its own weight. When it hit the bottom the momentum would allow the inner thread to continue winding so it would bounce a couple of times.

Years lately, and we don't get many cork bottles in NZ any more, but I still like to get it out occasionally to check that, yes indeed, it still does it beautifully.

A simple thing, made well.

<comment><USER61> On that note: the Stelvin! No more cork rot and far less spoiled wine.</comment></comment>