I like to buy good quality products which are reliable and durable.
I was wondering what are some of the best built quality products/brands you ever bought? Which lasted for years (high life expectancy compare to direct competitors)? which are also good value for money?
You shave everyday ? Now I feel dirty
Same here. Got an Asus Zenbook UX32VD that I upgraded with an SSD and some RAM from day one. Still going strong.
+1 for Asus Zenbook. By far the longest a piece of technology has lasted for me… as long as I tighten the screen hinges from time to time it does the job.
I had an entry-level Braun shaver which I used for a solid 14 years. I did nothing to look after it either – never really oiled the blades. It was made in Germany, but I think these days entry-level Brauns are made in China.
I felt bad by not rewarding the company with return custom when I replaced it recently with a Panasonic. But 50% off is 50% off.
My wife bought me a top of the range Braun. It can't take my southern European beard .
I have to wet shave afterwards. What's the point.
I found my VOSS bottle discarded on the streets. Can't afford to pay full price for a glassish bottle
I lu-urve those Voss bottles, makes me feel really "in time" or "elysium"
Logitech Z623 bought 2012 so 4 years still works.
even survived my dog pissing on the sub woofer one day :(
LG refrigerator 12 years old never needed repairs was bought factory second with huge dent in bottom right corner of the door, moved house 4 times in that time gave it away on a Facebook buy sell page was still working too. just wanted a new fridge is only reason for getting rid of it.
aaaaaaand the new one you get breaks 6 months after you get it and you realise you should have never sold it…
My mate got an old Logitech speaker from someone for free. He used it for a while and later gave it to me. I also was able to use it for a few years. Every Logitech product I've bought has been great: speakers, mouse, webcam, keyboard …
I've had a mixed experience with Logitech. Z623 speakers are about 4 years old, but have some issues. Had a few Logitech keyboards and mice die on me as well, could just be the wireless ones, which I've stopped buying. I do have one Logitech Marathon Mouse that's about 8 years old and still works well though. Guess it's just luck.
Ive had no luck with Logitech products. I personally don't rate them very highly. Overrated.
Logitech Marathon Mouse that's about 8 years old
With a name like that, I'm not surprised!
My Logitech z680 speakers from 2006 still working, connected to my lounge room tv for movies and sound great
Would have to agree here with the Z680s. They don't make them like these anymore. I have upgraded numerous times over the years but these speakers from 2003 are still going strong.
Can also vouch for Logitech speakers. Bought a 2.1 system for my PC around 2006/7, worked great every day. Moved overseas 2 months ago and gave them to my dad. AFAIK still going strong.
You moved overseas and you are still lurking kn OB, that's dedication
Bought a Logitech MX518 in 2008… still going strong. :) While I bought plenty of other gaming mice over the years, this one just feels more robust and sturdy.
MX518 is quality, had mine for so many years
The back light for the lcd readout of my Logitech z5500 5.1 died so I can't read it in the dark anymore. Apparently it's a pretty common problem. Apart from that, I've been hard boiling eggs in front of the sub for 7 or maybe more years now.
I just wish they would release a model that accepted 5.1 lpcm via HDMI.
My backlight is still alive happily. I also just replaced the centre front with a Boston Acoustics one, not because I really needed to but because it was 66% off.
But they're still very capable of rattling all of the door handles in my apartment or making my next door neighbour come and ask me to turn my TV down.
my z5500s are fine except one of the speaker outputs from the sub have stopped outputting sound >:(
now they sit in the garage gathering dust.
between us we could make a perfectly working set
I wouldn't mind a satellite speaker if you have one surplus. One of died. I'm in Brisbane but happy to pay your of of pockets.
@fatty: i live in ipswich, work in brisbane. make me an offer and i'll consider it. i'd honestly rather sell the whole lot but don't expect you to want it all
I had a sub die on a smaller set if logitech. Speaker wounding fail. Common. Unfortunately, very difficult to buy sub woofer speaker drivers in that size.
I have had my Logitech Z5500 5.1 for a very very long time as well, I suspect close to 10 years?, and it hasn't missed a beat and everything with it still works 100%. I think I paid about $200 for it back in the day. It is without doubt the best "computer peripherals" investment I have ever made. :)
Same with my z5500 speakers which are 5 years old. The sound quality and power for something @ $300 is very impressive.
Unfortunately their mice are hot garbage. A G9 ($150) G9x ($100) and G500s have all suffered the same fault, being the left click button always double clicking. 1 was even under warranty and logitech snaked out of it cos the receipt was faded. I bought a funk mouse from massdrop and its going good so far. No more logitech mice for me.
Ive had zero problems with logitech mice i prefer them over anything else.
i currently have MX master ,G402,G502,G602 and none has any problems.
Hmm, im just real unlucky I guess. I would have forgiven them, but they flat out refused to help me or acknowledge the faults.
For instance just now, I pressed submit once and this happened on the g500s because of the double click fault.
I've had 5 Logitech mice and every one of them had one or more problems. A couple were discounted so maybe they were factory seconds or something.
The predecessor to the Logitech Z623, the Z2300 released in 2004.
14 years and still going strong. Love my speakers.
we have a Bosch ceramic cooktop, wall oven and range hood and they have been working flawlessly for over 10 years. made in Germany.
If I bought an oven setup that lasted less than that I would be pretty damn angry. Properly maintained (as in, clean it more than never, which most people don't) an oven setup should last at least 20 years, if not more. My parents house has a Smeg oven and stovetop that is older than I am.
I have a Bosch wall oven that I put in only 3 years ago but the thing rocks, always cooks stuff well, fast heating, lots of features.
I didn't actually buy it but work bought me a Codi branded laptop backpack when I started in 2005. It looks brand new today still after me using it every day for 11+ years. The quality has been exceptional. All of the zips are perfect still, all the straps work, no broken clips. This things has simply amazed me for daily workday use as well as many plane trips around the world etc. I don't know if it's made in the USA, but certainly has that feel to it.
This is it: http://www.cnet.com/products/codi-the-maxpak-notebook-carryi…
Everyday for 11+ years sound very impressive.
Sony vaio pro 13 laptop still kicking after 4 years+. When I bought it, it was on WinXP now on Win10, no hardware issue what so ever.
I have added extra ram and change to SSD HD to speed up tho.
i don't see what's impressive about a laptop lasting 4 years.
I bought a 2012 MacBook pro this year and it's kicking ass. Getting a laptop 4yrs ago that still ran XP is probably the strangest part of his story.
A laptop should outlast its practical use. eg. I have a HP business grade laptop that sits in the boot of my car. I keep it around for its com port. It still works, just that the uses of a 2gb single core 1,024 x 768 laptop is limited unless its for that rs232 port.
I use a few usb rs232 adapters. They have failed on me while on the job. If I'm on a mission critical job would you trust a $4 made in china dongle?
I don't. I have backup. That's the laptop.
Well, what so impress about? Two of the work mates got a ACER/ASUS laptops, within a year;
Keyboard need replacing, keys pops out.
MB need replacing.
Hinged cracked.
That's just pretty bad.
Things like keyboard doesn't even covered by the warranty.
Oh well, EVERY laptop i have used easily lasted at least 6 years. Big deal…
My Asus has been going good for 6 years now. Bought in Feb 2010, HDD upgraded to SSD & more RAM.
Braun series 6 shaver, IBM Thinkpad, Flagship HP Pavilion 17", Hp Elitebook 15, Dell Latitude 14 7000,
Bosch Drill and washing machine.
How long did you use them?
Sorry, it's a Braun Series 7 shaver and I thinK i have had it for 5 years. Still works great.
My old thinkpad I used for 5 years. HP laptop I used for about the same time. The elitebook and latitude is what I use now.
The Bosch drill is 5 years old and the Bosch washing machine I used for about 9 years.
Toyota. Runs so well and never breaks down.
I did some research on cars a few months ago. And Toyota is usually among the most reliable vehicles. Apparently Lexus also are good, which is the luxury vehicle division of Toyota.
Lexus is a great buy.
German levels of luxury, but with Japanese reliability and repair costs.
By luxury, I refer to NVH (noise vibration harshness), interior refinements, safety etc, repair costs refers to anything mechanical basically having Toyota part codes. Just watch out for unique Lexus parts as these carry a premium (eg body panels), and high cost new.
what I did was buy 5-7 years old nearing bottom of the depreciation curve at 30% of new price, with service records it will be one of the most reliable cars on the road, still with all cutting edge safety features.
lexus are very good my firend 30% very much like BMW.
how do I find out they are unique lexus parts in the Lexus cars?
My Prius is ancient and has a shitload of KMs, but even after neglecting it for service for ages, all it needed was new brake pads, as expected, and one time I had to replace the fuel filter, as expected. It's been (profanity) rock solid, one of the best 3 things I've ever bought.
How long you have the Toyota?
Last one was 25 years old yaris is 10year now.
I hate my boring toyota because it took so long for a major issue. the wife reluctantly gave in and let me buy my gen f2 clubbie. Much more exciting than the toyota.
While Toyota has a deserved reputation for making dependable appliances, there are 'non boring' Toyota models, such as he 86 and Aurion.
If you're prepared to buy an older vehicle, some of which are becoming collectible (just need to find one not beat to hell), your list includes MKIV Supra, SW20 MR2, AW11 MR2 supercharged, AE112R Turbo Corolla Sportivo, Sprinter Trueno, Soarer JZZ turbo, Caldina, Celica AWD turbo GT4 etc
All far more reliable than a clubsport. I've known 5 guys with them and all pretty much fell apart or had major issues. Stay away from Holden and Ford rubbish. They're among the most unreliable cars.
http://performancedrive.com.au/holden-ford-least-reliable-br…
@imurgod: you must have misread. I said the Clubbie was "exciting" and its not my daily anyway.
If I wanted reliable I would keep my boring toyota which actually has issues and not even 10years old yet but alas I think it has to go to make room for something new.
Sorry you bored me at 86 and aurion.
Fair enough. Out of curiosity, why a falcondore instead of something like an Audi, BMW, alfa, etc.
@imurgod: whoa alfa, beautiful cars but reliability is a lot worse than a falcodore. I owned a b6 s4 audi about a decade back, a v8 in a small wagon wasn't common and i absolutely enjoyed it but it developed reliability issues so had to let it go. The current s4 is only a 6cyl and too small for my needs
I've always been a v8 revhead so figured i would buy the falcodore before Holden pulled the pin. I also test drove the f10 m5 but it was very pricey and the dealer wouldn't budge and for similar pricing i would rather an Aston martin however Im not made of money and the wife wouldnt approve so I'll save that option for a mid life crisis.
Fair enough. None of the cars I mentioned are reliable, I was just interested why one over the other. I love Alfas because they scream style and European engineering but I don't have one because they're expensive to maintain. Luckily for me, my wife doesn't get a say. She got her soccer mum SUV (super reliable CR-V)
Need the wife otherwise I just buy stupid shit especially because of ozbargain. ;)
b6 s4
World of pain if one of the four belts let go. Bastards are up against the firewall. Big $$$.
Good job it's out of your life.
@USB-V:
Funny you say that, just before warranty ran out the tensioner and chain were causing all sorts of noise and vibrations. Took it in to Audi they stalled for a bit and gave in. +$10k repair job.
I sold it not too long after
Owned a 91 Toyota Soarer V8 UZZ30 for 15 of it's 25 years. Extraordinarily high levels of design, materials and quality construction made it a rewarding vehicle to own and drive year after year. With an over engineered, understressed V8 engine, thicker galvanized sheet metal and factory stainless steel exhaust system it is a car built to last without being boring. Easy on the hip pocket with only a few relatively cheap maintenance items outside of standard servicing over the years.
So hard to part with, but family needs finally forced the decision. Will always be glad I had that machine.
speaking of toyota, what happened to the avalon? why was it replaced by an 'australianised' aurion in au?! the 2015-16 avalons in US look so good, and look at their australian equivalents. goofy.
poor sales
A lot of midrange audio gear is well engineered and seems to last forever. I've got some Mirage speakers (made in Canada) that are 21 years old now and are as good as the day I bought them. The rest of my hifi kit is from Linn and will probably outlast me.
I also have had a good run with Dell Monitors, I've got a really old (probably 10 years) 22" LCD that works great, and my 30" is fine too after 4 years of use. I had a 24" model (2007FP??cant remember) and it too was great, except the power button failed.
I've generally found sound equipment lasts a long time. I have Mission speakers and a Denon amp that are all 15 years old now. The in-laws have B&W speakers which are about as old as me, 30ish years.
In terms of old/antique speakers, the first things to go are usually the foam surrounds (if made of foam) on the woofers, but it's possible to replace those. Tweeters usually don't die unless you drop or overpower them. The internal electronics (the crossover) on older speakers are passive, so the capacitors may age over time, but other than that there is nothing inside the speaker to break.
Newer all-in-one speakers use active crossovers and more electronics (eg bookshelves with amplifier built in), which adds another point of failure. New passive speakers are more or less the same as old passive speakers, so those should last a long time too.
Your 24" Dell monitor would have been the Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP? I have had mine since 2007 and I am still using it as my primary monitor. I work from home nearly everyday and it is used for more than 10+ hours a day. It is simply an unbelievably well built product from Dell. I actually bought the 2005 Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW model but after two years, I had issue with its power button. So Dell replaced it with the Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP.
Yamaha EF1000is Inverter Generator - pounded it like a trail-bike, five years traveling, pounded, pounded, pounded that thing, likes it really rough!
Pentax 200D DSLR. Two dozen+ weather seals at entry level price, makes this a real keeper too!
How long do you have the Pnetax 200D DSLR?
Around 6 years now… A lot of use in dusty enviroments. I put it on the ground or other flat surfaces a lot
I've only had to take miminal precautions with it our in the field…
Nothing short of a force 5 gale on a sandy dry beach will touch it…
IMHO The weatherproofing makes it stronger, more shockproof, a whole lot of things more….
Great camera, no live view, no movie, current model has but people complain about needing extra batterys whereas i learnt on film so all good…
you didnt mention the quality product you bought?
My first DSLR camera was a Pentax K100D for $600 price match at Teds Camera House in 2007. Second DSLR was in 2011, a superceded Pentax K-x for $449 at OfficeWorks.
The Pentax K100D was built solid. It had inbuilt image stabilisation built into the camera body (unheard of for non professional cameras). Came with a Sigma 18-50mm which was made in metal not plastic. Worked with rechargable AA batteries and SDHC memory cards >2GB. The competitors cost +50% more, did not have image stabilisation, needed custom batteries, required proprietary memory cards. Even the Australian Photography magazine displayed photos which were taken on Pentax K100D (but using better lenses).
My Pentax K100D was in use by me and my sister from 2011 to 2015. Its still being used by a family friend. When I upgraded my Pentax K-x my sister owned the K100D to photograph her three toddlers. I got the K100D back in 2015 it suffered multiple drops off the dining table from her young children. The only damage was the Sigma lens where 1/4 of the edge for the lens hood had snapped. To this day the K100D is in daily use by a family friend who posts regular photos of her daughter to Facebook.
The Pentax K-x is still my main camera and in use today. It fell out of my lap from an SUV onto the road onto its lens and then cartwheeling away. The K-x suffered minor body scratches and an ugly road rash on the tip of its plastic made Pentax kit lens. It spent hours below -10 degrees Celsius in snow and sleet taking photos in North Canada (eg. of Aurora, dog sledding, ice fishing, snow play). The sensors and image stabilisation continued to work fine for both K100D and K-x after they had been dropped.
yep, they are a good camera… My eldest ran over my 200D in his trayback ute, broke the shroud and left a tyre mark on the bag but all good…
Engel fridge.
Been everywhere. Worked hard.
Never missed a beat.
How old is the fridge?
mine > 20years, but I seen em >30 years still going strong.
Engel is the only brand my truckie mates will own! :)
Good to have a long lasting fridge, but one thing to note is modern units are much more energy efficient. Sometimes it's worth upgrading even it's it ain't broken.
Engel - "Legend in reliability" is the slogan
BD25 or 35?
39 Litre engel like this. I think BDxx is the model of the Danfoss compressor inside. don't know mine.
yep, the motor, you have the BD25. I had a 60 Litre one with the BD35 motor, darn good unit it was…
Eneloops, because they have lasted for so many years. Then again, I've never opened a single packet.
Lol at least we'll be prepared for a global power outage lasting a few centuries.
12 years ago i bought some rocks for the garden. Still as good as the day I bought them.
I bought some from Aldi but they were full of hotdog buns and went moldy.
That's pretty good. Mine tend to fade and get full of dirt.
My Asus Zenbook is nearly 4 years old and I feel that I don't need to replace it anytime soon.
Got this Braun electric waterproof shaver. Gets a workout everyday for over four years now and still going strong, even the battery still lasts around 2 weeks.
I also find Grosby shoes quite good. Cheap and seem to last me over 2 years even if being worn 5 days a week.
VOSS water bottles are decent too.