Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#751

Post by jfengel » Thu, May 20, 2021, 7:57 PM UTC

Jakobeha wrote: post #128

Material goods: Ear plugs (silicone). Don't waste your money on noise-cancelling headphones, I have $200 ones and they don't compare to simple ear plugs. If you live in a moderately noisy area and you want peace and quiet, get them. They basically just make everything quiet. 24 from CVS = $10. OpenMove by Aftershokz - Bone-conduction headphones. Perfect for running and just good for listening to music. They work, the…

You really liked the OpenMove for running? I've been struggling to find really stable BlueTooth phones. (I liked the Pixel-branded wired phones, actually, but for stupid reasons they no longer seem to work with my phone.)

I run a whole bunch, so it matters a lot. My favorite thus far have been surprisingly cheap ($20) "retro" JLab phones that look like the kind I used to run with before everybody switched to earbuds. Build quality is mediocre but I just want to be able to hear stuff.

I'd be willing to spend $79 on the OpenMove (that's what I see on their web site), but it's a very different approach so it's good to know that it works for you.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#752

Post by paxys » Thu, May 20, 2021, 7:59 PM UTC

$600 espresso maker. Used it every day during quarantine. It has already paid for itself and more, and now the average coffee shop latte tastes terrible to me.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#753

Post by mod » Thu, May 20, 2021, 7:59 PM UTC

thom wrote: post #385

Got an Ooni pizza oven. Not quite as useful during lockdown as I might have hoped but it's given us something to do in the garden, and I can't wait to take it camping and to festivals. https://ooni.com/ I've really ended up liking my Moonlander keyboard. I wasn't initially sold onsplit keyboards at all, and it's taken me a while to end up with a layout I'm happy with, but I've just about caught up on typing speed and…

Adam Savage went on and on about his favorite soldering station in a YouTube video, so if anyone wants a recommendation, search for that.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#754

Post by jfengel » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:00 PM UTC

mynameisash wrote: post #234

shireboy wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Second cast iron. We use ours daily - and it's a handmedown from my grandmother who also used daily for 20+ years. Once seasoned properly, it is non-stick, cleans easy. We just be sure to put a little oil on it after each use. Really the only skillet you need.

I bought a cheapy Lodge skillet -- 12", I think? -- a while back because I succumbed to the cast iron craze and really wanted to try cooking on induction. I figured I'd just upgrade to a bigger skillet when necessary. It's now like 7 years later and my skillet shows no signs of giving up, and I don't think buying yet another kitchen device would make my wife happy. Should have gone with a bigger skillet to begin with…

7 years? It's still brand new!

Just wait until your kids get their hands on it. Mine is literally inherited from somebody's grandmother and it's awesome. Though sadly, its sibling died doing what it loved -- making bacon.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#755

Post by motohagiography » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:00 PM UTC

nfoz wrote: post #736

motohagiography wrote: post #584

Arturia Minibrute 2 and Drumbrute. AKG studio headphones. Got back into music last year leaving it behind as a teenager. For having fun, they're the perfect synths. Yamaha C40 guitar (and weekly zoom lessons from a real master musician) was best value for money nylon string guitar around. Returning to making music during covid was a lifesaver. So glad I learned the basics as a kid.

I find Arturia's products -- hardware and software -- wonderful to use. My Drumbrute Impact is just so fun. I got "Pigments" and it is incredibly fun for crafting sounds; just a beautiful UX.

They really get it. I think their product people are as good or better than Apple. If you are a producer, I get why someone would use something with more features and options, but for someone who just wants an instrument in front of them as a way to be musical and expressive, without trying to replicate genres, I could see these becoming classics.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#756

Post by pllbnk » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:05 PM UTC

arbuge wrote: post #504

Jakobeha wrote: post #128

Material goods: Ear plugs (silicone). Don't waste your money on noise-cancelling headphones, I have $200 ones and they don't compare to simple ear plugs. If you live in a moderately noisy area and you want peace and quiet, get them. They basically just make everything quiet. 24 from CVS = $10. OpenMove by Aftershokz - Bone-conduction headphones. Perfect for running and just good for listening to music. They work, the…

I did ear plugs for a long time but really disliked the discomfort (to me at least) of inserting them in my ears. I found hearing protectors, typically made for industrial purposes, to be much more comfortable and effective. Just do a search for "noise reduction earmuff" for this option. They're obviously not a good solution for sleeping but work well for working.

I think some people have narrow or more sensitive ear canal. Give a try to kids' ear plugs and also see instructions how to insert them correctly (effortlessly by pulling the ear up). I had a issue with foam ear plugs due to the pressure, but kids' foam ear plugs are perfect for me, even for side sleeping.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#757

Post by hawski » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:06 PM UTC

jascii wrote: post #394

For me? An old Sprinter van: Tall enough for a standing desk. Work anywhere, sleep anywhere, chill anywhere!

Sounds romantic (no sarcasm). Is it your home? Where do you live?

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#758

Post by hawski » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:08 PM UTC

omoikane wrote: post #632

Hand-crank flashlights, which were put to good use during the multiple power outages we had last year.

Sounds useful even without outages. How much one has to turn to make it work for an hour? Or is it in minutes?

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#759

Post by Glench » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:08 PM UTC

ultra-jeremyx wrote: post #299

Cold climate mini-split heat pumps * I live in northern New England and used to heat exclusively with wood in the winter time. Very cozy, but hard to maintain a consistent temp throughout the house. The new cold-climate models can operate at 100% capacity down to an ambient temp of -13F outdoors. One in each bedroom, the living area, and home office makes it easy to dial in the optimal temp for the space. No more loa…

Ooh which mini-split heat pumps did you end up getting?

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#760

Post by princevegeta89 » Thu, May 20, 2021, 8:09 PM UTC

gaws wrote: post #700

princevegeta89 wrote: post #603

Hardware: I bought a pair of Kef LS50 bookshelf studio monitors for my desk. I can't live without these. Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro 250 ohm. Another legendary pair of headphones which I use everyday. Also bought a Samsung 32 inch 4K monitor that made a huge difference in my life in terms of productivity

> Also bought a Samsung 32 inch 4K monitor that made a huge difference in my life in terms of productivity How?

By being able to fit 6 windows on the same screen! When I am coding, I have multiple IDE panes, terminal and the browser all on the same workspace. Helped a lot