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Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

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Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#511

Post by throwanem »

mohoyt wrote: post #455

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.

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!

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#512

Post by monodeldiablo »

tyho wrote: post #310
dcw303 wrote: post #209

The Casio F-91W Digital wrist watch 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…

They might only claim to be splash proof but I have dived to 30m with mine over a 10 times and to 20+m probably over 50 times and it's still going strong.

Spent six months surfing, swimming, and sweating through the tropics with an F91W strapped to my wrist. I bought it because it was cheap and I was poor, but I fell in love with it instantly. Lightweight, durable, and accurate as hell, it was the perfect companion.

It's a shame the strap's shitty, though. I noticed a nick along the inside edge one day and thought nothing of it. Got off the bus in San Jose and it was already torn halfway through. By the time I found a place to stay for the night, it was gone. I damn near cried.

I don't have that kind of attachment to watches orders of magnitude more expensive.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#515

Post by js2 »

hkmurakami wrote: post #138
FreakyT wrote: post #27

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 clo…

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.

Ugh, my 2016 CX-9's infotainment system is the worst thing about the vehicle. Mazda has tried to cram way too much into that stupid dial control.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#518

Post by jat850 »

CodeWriter23 wrote: post #482

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.

Estwing absolutely makes the best hammers. Had the same one since I was 12.

Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?

#519

Post by baby »

idonotknowwhy wrote: post #446

#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/ 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 Gamecub…

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 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.

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