Spracht Konf-X Buds Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds.
Lifetrak c410 watch - battery life more than 6 months.
Moleskine Classic Notebook, Large, Squared.
Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
941–950 of 1001 posts
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#942Automatic 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
I love mine too, but $600 service every 10 years can be a frustrating concept for some.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#943Coral 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 ). 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).
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.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#944* After breaking numerous glass ones: https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Columbia-Stainless-Thermal-17-O... * 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…
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-Bistro-Piece-double-Latte/dp/B0...
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#945Google 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.
I've found Feedly quite good - better in fact than I ever found Google Reader. I'm sure you have already tried it, but if nothing else, I'd be curious to know why you found it wanting.
That's the one I use. That's what I had in mind: doesn't reliably keep track of what's read and what isn't, has a bunch of add-on search functionality that prompts to upgrade. I'm not doing deep text search, I'm typing the name of the feed because I can't remember where I put it in the folders they mandate when I add something new.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#946Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 sto…
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 sur…
I actually find the Chemex as simple as the Aeropress. It has replaced it for my morning coffee.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#947For 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 :)
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#948Zojirushi SM-SA48-BA Stainless Steel Mug, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGTTG -easy to clean -great ergonomics -best heat/cold retention vs. other products
We have several similar Zojirushi products at home (SM-KHE48BA) and I'm convinced that they violate the laws of physics somehow. I've never had a vacuum flask that works so well.
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#949Probably a Le Creuset dutch oven. Versatile, lasts forever, simple.
Almost any Le Creuset cooking pots
Re: Ask HN: What're the best-designed things you've ever used?
#950Lowden 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.