4 ms·

Do you have any commercial off-the-shelf tools in your shop that you dislike, but are the best option available for a particular job?

• s0rce 5y ago
  I'm not Ben but having worked in a lot of labs my answer is pH meters, they routinely are annoying, fragile and finicky but there really isn't a better way when you can't just use paper test strips.
  • bkraz 5y ago
    I agree! I've had the best luck with this one, which is far better than the average pH pen from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Accuracy-Suitable-Testing-Replaceable/dp/B01ESYG6B0 https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Accuracy-Suitable-Testing-...
    • ireflect 5y ago
      What do you think of the Atlas Scientific pH probes?
      • bkraz 5y ago
        Haven't used them. Looks good. Costs a lot more than the Amazon one, so could be different class with different expectations.
• bkraz 5y ago
  That's a good question. A Windows laptop. It's super annoying, constantly updating itself, forced reboots, network disconnections, fragile, yet is required for many CAD and acquisition/control proprietary software.
  • blamazon 5y ago
    On the fragility I have had good results with HP elitebook models with aluminum casing. (Not the ones with plastic casing!) These are common in corporate fleets and so are relatively cheap on eBay.
  • grenoire 5y ago
    I suggest obtaining a copy of Windows 10 LTSC, much better stability and no mandatory updates/forced reboots. Might make it a bit more reliable.
    • causi 5y ago
      Yes, or even one of the stripped-down W10 versions like Ameliorated or Ninjutsu.