Big Brand names who are worth the money and deliver great quality products?

Discodog

cj maxx wrote: »

I beg to differ.
As soon as I leave my WiFi zone the wi-fi switch's off.
Same with Bluetooth which means every time I leave the house/ turn off the car I need to go settings and switch settings back on. Sometimes they just turn off and the same with alerts , it just mutes its self!
Same with phone signal,constantly searching and registering with different carriers.
App store not available in your country etc.
It's a Y9 so maybe not the best spec but I'm done with Android and Huawei in particular

You think that has anything to do with Android ?

Huawei Tablets are excellent value. I have a T5 which get consistently good reviews & at €160 for a 3gb 32gb tablet is superb value.

Discodog

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Unless it was an Android One phone I wouldn’t entertain a Xiaomi at all, though I would go back to Android some day probably for Assistant. Maybe if they ever put a battery in a Pixel.

Xiaomi make an Android one but I don't have any problem with Miui.

jetsonx

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Absolute models for consistency. There’s a lot to be said for it.

Agree, say what you like about McDonalds food, but this chain has totally nailed it regarding a uniform experience. In a post-pandemic world, their highly efficient processes and systems will probably make their restaurants one of the safest places to eat. Moreover, they appear to be one of Uncle Sam's less evil corporate entities.

cj maxx

Discodog wrote: »

You think that has anything to do with Android ?

Huawei Tablets are excellent value. I have a T5 which get consistently good reviews & at €160 for a 3gb 32gb tablet is superb value.

Android phones I mean.
Constantly searching for carriers, both Huawei and Samsung have given me problems .

8-10

fleet_admiral wrote: »

I only use wusthof in work, wouldn't use anything else. The wusthof super slicer is a great knife.
Victrinox is lousy
https://www.wuesthof.com/en-us/knife-types/

Best place to buy in Ireland?

Adyx

8-10 wrote: »

Best place to buy in Ireland?

Don't know if they're the best place in Ireland for them, but Nisbets have them.

Schnooks

Some things that work well for me -

De Walt power tools - 4Ah batteries allow a full day's work with heavy usage. Struggled for years with cheaper tools, very frustrating when you run out of charge in the middle of a job or DIY project.

My Sony XA2 phone - almost 2 years later, still going strong, battery great etc. Not the fanciest phone, but does what I need and does it well. Been dropped countless times and the gorilla glass has barely a mark. Also dropped it down the jacks one time. After leaving it dry out overnight (and a serious cleaning!), it was back in action again next day and has performed perfectly since.

Saab 9-3 car with Fiat common rail diesel engine - my 2009 TTiD still going strong with 366,000 km on it. Had to replace the twin turbos, EGR valve, various hoses, brake discs as well as pads, and an alternator and countless other wear and tear items. But the engine itself is just unbreakable. Could afford to change it, but don't see the need.

Apple
Bose

Tommy Hilfiger
Gant
RL

Guinness draught

Tabasco

addaword

John Deere tractors. Had one for ages, great machine. No wonder they have overtaken Massey Ferguson in the past few years.

MadYaker

Bose. I have a 2.1 set of speakers that is 32 years old and still going strong. Loads of the high end audio brands make stuff that will last decades if you look after it. Technics turntables last forever as well.

Clothing brands are more hit and miss. Armani jeans last for ever but wouldnt buy anything else by them. I don't buy much expensive clothes.

Filmer Paradise

Levis.

Been buying their gear for 30+ years.

Never disappointed.

Sony noise cancelling headphones, Bosch appliances, Shark or Miele vacuums, Lexington or Pizuna linens depending on budget - Kitchenaid small applicances are indestructible, All-Clad cookware, worth every cent.

cj maxx

Schnooks wrote: »

Some things that work well for me -

De Walt power tools - 4Ah batteries allow a full day's work with heavy usage. Struggled for years with cheaper tools, very frustrating when you run out of charge in the middle of a job or DIY project.
DeWalt are good alright

Muahahaha

8-10 wrote: »

This isn't a big brand or anything, but the absolute best quality item I've bought in years is the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker

The battery life is ridiculous which is what you want for a portable, and the sound is really good.

Also le Creuset cookware. Biggest brand in cast iron but they last multiple lifetimes and look great. Quality cookware is worth the investment and if you're spending a lot you need the best

Speaking of which, I'm on the lookout for quality chefs knives if anyone has any recommendations

Yeah can agree with all of this. I got that Anker speaker off Bargain Alerts, think it was something stupid like 15 euro and wasnt expecting much but it packs some sound for the price.

Le Creuset kitchenware is bullet proof, in France they pass it from generation to generation as their cast iron pans will last 100+ years so long as you look after them and season them when needed. Huge prices for them brand new but I got two used on ebay for 60 euro, have had them about 10 years now and going strong.

On knives I bought a full set of Wushof a coupe of years back from Adverts for 120. Knife sharpening tool is included so ran them through that and they were as good as new. A lot of chefs use them.

Another product I have that is bulletproof is an almost 20 year old Dualit toaster (the catering version) that does excellent toasted sandwiches too, exactly like the toasties you get in a pub. Every part in them is replaceable with Youtube vids on how to do it. Have replaced one element in that time and it only cost 8 euro. They're up to 200 brand new but used models on ebay are much cheaper and will still last. They're made of chrome and with some metal polish you can get even really old ones to shine up well.

cj maxx

Remington

Captain_Crash

8-10 wrote: »

Yes they are expensive if you dont inherit them or get an wedding gifts!

But you can get them on sale every now and again and build up over time. Their Irish store has a sale right now and you can get a decent size casserole dish for a bit more than €100 and a large one for €200

It's personal preference obviously but you won't ever have to replace one.

In the spirit of the thread, they are the biggest brand in what they do, but they are also top quality.

In my view it's value for money as I dislike the general 'disposability' of modern consumer products. If you know you're going to have to replace something at some stage you accept lesser quality. Then the reasons for spending more money on something that's disposable or not of lasting quality change to spending more just because of the brand name, status or gimmick.

Not saying there aren't more affordable brands than le crueset of the same quality, there very well may be.

Couldn't agree more. I have something similar to the below set that I got from my mum, who in turn got it from my granny. It's several years older than me and still looks pretty much new. The quality is astounding.



https://www.lecreuset.com/8-piece-cast-iron-set

whisky_galore

Kilboor wrote: »

How have we got this far without anyone mentioning the king of brands:

Coca-Cola

Nothing comes close.

Great for cleaning stuff. Not to be taken internally.

Gwynplaine

Sony, Wahl, Hilti. All bulletproof.
As my granny used to say....
"I cant afford to buy cheap things"

Kintarō Hattori

I'll chip in here with a relatively new brand and say the InstantPot. Seems well made, lots of resources, accessories and genuine parts available for it. I can see it lasting a long time i our house.

Kintarō Hattori

8-10 wrote: »

Best place to buy in Ireland?

I've bought a few from Sweeney O'Rourke Ltd in Dublin city centre.

Trigger Happy

Screwpull.
I write this with limited experience as I have only ever bought one of their products. A wine bottle opener. Have had it 15 years now and it is still going strong. And it gets a lot of use!

It's like this one.
Expensive but pure quality.

the beer revolu

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

CrankyHaus

Not sure if they count as big-name but I've always had good experiences with Yamaha, across different products.

For years their outboard marine engines were the standard, leaving Mercury and the rest way behind. We'd have them start every time and run fine all through winter, despite them getting some amount of abuse in a salt-water environment that corrodes everything like mad. The only thing I saw come close to challenge them were Honda outboards.

Have some Yamaha speakers and an active subwoofer and I'm impressed, especially at the price point.

They seem to be a respected major presence in diverse markets like motorcycles and musical instruments.

Lurching

Rega turntables.

I've robbed my dad's one. It's from the early 80's and they're still producing almost an identical unit today.
Beautiful to operate and simple.

NIMAN

Trigger Happy wrote: »

Screwpull.
I write this with limited experience as I have only ever bought one of their products. A wine bottle opener. Have had it 15 years now and it is still going strong. And it gets a lot of use!

It's like this one.
Expensive but pure quality.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

£170 just to get into a wine bottle!!

NIMAN

the beer revolu wrote: »

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

Do you think the newer BMWs would be as well built and last just the same?

Feisar

fleet_admiral wrote: »

I only use wusthof in work, wouldn't use anything else. The wusthof super slicer is a great knife.
Victrinox is lousy
https://www.wuesthof.com/en-us/knife-types/

The Victrinox Fribrox is well enough thought of in fairness.

NIMAN

Have Honda got a mention yet?

the beer revolu

NIMAN wrote: »

Do you think the newer BMWs would be as well built and last just the same?

I really don't know.
I've only ever bought older cars.

Having said that, my brother-in-law has bought a new 320 every 3 years or so for over 20 years.
I think one of these gave him trouble.
He keeps going back for more.

mfceiling

the beer revolu wrote: »

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

Wife bought a brand new 520 d in 2007. After 3 weeks the flywheel went on it. After 4 years and 50k miles the flywheel went again...with the clutch....and the turbo. 5 and a half thousand to repair. After weeks of back and forth BMW covered 4,400 and we paid the rest.
It constantly blew bulbs...I mean every 3rd or 4th day it needed a bulb. The tailgate worked intermittently then stopped completely. The flat tyre sensors used to beep to say there was a flat wheel....there wasn't.

It was the greatest heap of scrap we ever owned. It was stolen after our house was broken into. We joked that it was probably only a mile away because it would have broken down.

Check out the "timing chain issues on the N47 bmw diesel engine".

Entire engine has to come out to access the chain which is a weak part. BMW tried to keep this quiet but eventually had to admit liability and compensate owners for the cost.

Never again would I have one on the drive.