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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?

#781

Post by tacostakohashi »

PascLeRasc wrote: post #737

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,…

Yes, AeroPress is great for the simplicity. Although the coffee is not the best in the world, it works out well per unit of effort.

In particular, the good thing about AeroPress is that if you get distracted at any stage of be process, it's not a disaster. Unlike, say, a Moka pot where you have to monitor it and take it off the stove during a small window of time between the coffee being done, and the whole thing getting way too hot and destroying the rubber seal.

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

#782

Post by summarite »

dri_ft wrote: post #401
mdip wrote: post #362

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?…

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?

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!

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

#783

Post by iwintermute »

armandososa wrote: post #674
jwolfhn wrote: post #141

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).

+1 I have one older model with the big buttons on the sides of the device while my wife has a newer one with a touch screen. Sometimes I wish the contrast on my screen was better, but I will never trade those big physical buttons for a lousy touch screen.

I also started with the first model - full physical keyboard and great physical buttons on the side. Than I switched to paperwhite - and although now I had back-lighting I really missed physical buttons. Now I have voyage - they returned "buttons" - with haptic feedback but I've discovered that the new screen that's flush with front panel really just enables easy swipe to change pages - works even better.

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

#784

Post by summarite »

dredmorbius wrote: post #776
i_don_t_know wrote: post #317

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.

The household has been stove-shopping since late November. I've discovered a few things: 1. A major manufacturer and appliance dealer have managed to deliver 3 DOA appliances. 2. There are no gas stovetop/oven combinations which don't have electronic controls. Certainly nothing for less than $3,000 (and the budget is about 1/6 - 1/2 that). 3. It is oh so easy to screw up a design with a simple oversight. The GE oven…

Just to mention that you seem to be suffering from the consumer version of feature creep. Eg your number 4 is easily solved by simple metal inlays you can buy anywhere - or even make yourself.

Don't look for perfection by comparing the best of each. Sucks that none of them are perfect perfect for you but people have different needs/wants/tastes.

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

#785

Post by amk_ »

i_don_t_know wrote: post #317

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.

Seriously, that plus a hard OFF switch on the front.

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

#787

Post by ArlenBales »

The FlipBelt - 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.

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

#788

Post by MisterBastahrd »

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

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

#789

Post by [deleted] »

Steel_Phoenix wrote: post #636
i_don_t_know wrote: post #317

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.

The last time I bought a microwave I had two feature requests: Two knobs, one for time, one for power. An inverter so it would run at that power instead of just turning on to full power for a while and then turning off and on again, which ends up scorching food and blowing fuses. Apparently, this was too much to ask. I get the impression one company has the patent on the inverter tech, and they refuse to put a simple…

[deleted]

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

#790

Post by lobster_johnson »

bungle wrote: post #504

Fiskars Axes: http://www.fiskars.eu/products/gardening/axes/splitting-axe-... Barbour Jackets: http://www.barbour.com/eu/categories/mens/waxed-jackets/barb... Camper Shoes: https://www.camper.com/en_FI/men/shoes/peu/camper-peu-17665-... Stihl Chainsaws: http://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great-range/Chainsa... Genelec Speakers: http://www.genelec.com/8351 Desktops: Mac Pro 1st Generation Laptops: Macbook Pro Ph…

Fiskars also makes excellent scissors [1], and their "Heritage" series is apparently still manufactured in Finland.

I grew up with the solid molded one, in classic 1970s orange. The current "original" one is a rather cheap-looking matte presumably made in Asia, but you can get the Heritage-series fabric scissors [2] (they're fine for things like paper and cardboard). They come in both left- and right-handed versions.

[1] http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafting-and-Sewing/Scissor...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Inch-Heritage-Seamstress-Scis...

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