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Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?
- coreymgilmore 13y agoChromecast (if technology related, since this is on HN).
- whichdan 13y agoChromecast is quite nice for the price point, but if you use Amazon regularly, a Roku will get you far better mileage.
- teamonkey 13y agoAny particular reason?
- coreymgilmore 13y agoChromecast is first and foremost, a great product. It is very simple to use and setup is a breeze. Then, it makes use as simple as using the YouTube/Netflix/Play app on your phone/tablet. There isn't any new learning curve associated with it. Then, the price point is just great. $35 is a steal for what it does. It is also very thought out. It is very small and was the first product that I can think of that is just an hdmi dongle. Also, if your TV allows it, Chromecast can turn on your TV and switch the input to itself. Way too easy.
- erikig 13y ago2 tech things if you don't have them: - An external 24" monitor if you don't have one - An SSD for your workstation The improvement in productivity is well worth the $100.
- sehr 13y agoAny recommendations monitor-wise?
- toomuchtodo 13y agohttp://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=210-ACHO http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&c... Yes, I know, not $100. Sorry for breaking the rules. I don't know any "good" $100 monitors.
- erikig 13y agoI know it is a break from the $100 budget but a 4k (3840x2160) monitor is almost a necessity for me right now. I have two Seiki 39" each of which has replaced four 21" monitors.
- phinnaeus 13y agoI just bought Dell's UP2414Q, a 24" UHD display. Never going back.
- markbot 13y agoThis is the one (or two, if you have the desk space).
- toomuchtodo 13y agoThoughts on the 50 inch version as a monitor? http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-Digital-SE39UY04-39-Inch-Ultra/dp/B00DOPGO2G http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-Digital-SE39UY04-39-Inch-Ultra/d...
- cookrn 13y agohttp://tiamat.tsotech.com/4k-is-for-programmers http://tiamat.tsotech.com/4k-is-for-programmers That author has some interesting thoughts on 4k in general as well as the Seiki brand.
- erikig 13y agoIf you like larger copy on your workstations 50" may work really well it equates to roughly four 25" monitors in a two by two setup. I found the 50" version a little too large for my purposes I have my monitor wall mounted about 3ft in front of my face and 50" would create the Wimbledon effect.
- projectileboy 13y agoDremel
- IvyMike 13y agoIf you cook at all: Infrared thermometer. How hot is that pan? Is my oven thermometer accurate? I'm proofing yeast, is this water too warm? How cold is my freezer? Is my smoker ready? Is that caramel done? I got a cheap $15 one and I use it nearly every day.
- stevekemp 13y agoI get how this could be useful for things, like checking the inside of a steak. But my only concern is that I've cooked my whole life without worrying about temperature. I have now learned how something "cooked" looks, and how long it should take. So if I were to get a temperature reading I'd have no knowledge of what the correct result should be. I guess what I'm saying is that it seems like I'd need to retrain my whole cooking experience, which doesn't seem like it would be worth it.
- IvyMike 13y agoChecking a steak (or most foods) for doneness is something it can't do, though--it can't see inside food. (You could get an "instant read" probe thermometer, like the Thermapen, but I did not recommend this because I don't use it that often for exactly the reason you mention: I usually have a good intuition if something is done or not already.) Some more examples: If you want to make sure the oil for frying the chicken is at the right temperature, which is something you may already do with a conventional thermometer, this will make that faster and easier. Wine experts (of which I am NOT one) have a whole "optimum serving temperature" list. The infrared thermometer is an easy way to check that. Beer, too. http://www.bettertastingwine.com/temperature.html http://www.bettertastingwine.com/temperature.html I mentioned checking your oven thermometer (which are notoriously poorly calibrated), but another use is finding hot/cold spots in your oven. I don't do anything with chocolate, but if I did, I'd check the temperature with this. When I make coffee or tea, I bring water to boiling... but then you're supposed to let it cool a bit, somewhere in the 180-200 degree range.
- a_bonobo 13y agoAn ebook reader. Both the cheapest version of the Kobo and the Kindle cost around USD60-70. I've gone from reading ~10 books per year to reading ~80 books per year, just because I always carry that thing with me since it's so small and light. I also save a ton of money since printed books are so expensive in Australia, and out-of-copyright books are free. The formatting of technical non-fiction books for e-readers has come a long way, too.
- toomuchtodo 13y agoSeconded. I love that I can backup my entire library to S3 as a zip file, and that I can carry my entire collection of books with me in my Kindle (vs the mammoth bookcase full of hundreds of books I used to have).
- crystalmace 13y agoI agree a ton with this. I liked to read before getting an ereader, but since then my reading has grown exponentially simply because it is so easy to put new books on it. Now I am rereading a lot of books that I used to love but couldn't make it to a library to borrow. I've also started reading new books too, simply because it is less of a commiment to get them now.
- yelnatz 13y agoYou got my attention. Which reader do you recommend?
- a_bonobo 13y agoI have a third-generation Kindle 3G (edit: [2]), and I'm happy with it - since I never used a cover I got a few broken "pixels" on the display, but these are not very annoying, they look more like ink smudges. I'll probably get the new Paperwhite next (and definitely with a cover!). For software I use Calibre, I have never used Amazon's own thing. If I buy from Amazon I use the USB cable and Calibre to transfer it, the WLAN/whispernet is always off. That way battery lasts for about a month and I don't get any "unexpected surprises" from Amazon [1] I have held the Kobo in store and it's pretty much identical in terms of dimensions/clarity/weight. Not sure about the rest. [1] Like this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18amazon.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/technology/companies/18ama... [2] Here's one on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-with-Keyboard-and-Leather-Case-/281292469021 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindle-3rd-Generation-WI-FI-w...
- bmajz 13y agoConsidering the benefits of exercise, a pair of running shoes and some resistance bands could go a long way. Those two small purchases helped me get in shape faster than any gym membership that I had in the past. That said, everybody's exercise preferences are different so get whatever you need to become active.
- kzisme 13y agoHave you ever dealt with shin splints if so, how?
- bmajz 13y agoI have. Actually, that was the major problem I had with running until recently. This breaks the $100 rule but these shoes really made life easier for me: http://www.zappos.com/asics-gel-kayano-19-neon-green-lightning http://www.zappos.com/asics-gel-kayano-19-neon-green-lightni... Paired with some Dr. Scholl's sports gel inserts and a very slow rate of increase in distance and I was able to get to the 5K level. I always denounced expensive shoes as heavily marked up brand mongering, but at least for athletic performance you really get what you pay for. I would recommend hitting up a real shoe store and getting fitted with the right shoes by a pro.
- kzisme 13y agoI also agree with spending decent chunks of change in shoes, beds, and anywhere else you spend a large portion of your time. I'm trying to get into some sort of physical shape, but running is challenging to get into for me.
- bmajz 13y agoIf you have access to a recumbent bike or elliptical, doing HIIT can be quite effective. It's done wonders for me. I actually started getting in shape with the basic cardio routine from Power 90. It's really easy to do anywhere and does a pretty good job of working up a sweat. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VEVVIA http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VEVVIA Stick with it and hopefully you'll find something that works for you!
- imkevinxu 13y agoFound this compilation of links on Reddit, there are actually some good suggestions inbetween the joke suggestions http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/10yu3d/what_100_item_has_the_single_greatest_ability_to/c6hyr1q http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/10yu3d/what_100_i...
- throwaway5752 13y agoA halfway decent burr grinder for coffee.
- johnatwork 13y agoI just ordered a Hario http://www.hario.jp/coffee/grinder.html http://www.hario.jp/coffee/grinder.html
- jcnnghm 13y agoA Leatherman Multitool I recommend the New Wave, though I also have a Charge TTi. I find myself using them all the time, and they last a really long time. I still have, and use regularly, the Leatherman Super Tool that I got in the mid 90's. I keep one in my office, one in my care, my girlfriends car, and one in the utility room. Really nice to have a solid multitool nearby whenever you need one.
- carsongross 13y agoA good folder knife. I like benchmade.
- gesman 13y agoI love and use bechmade, although looking for harder steel, in particular ZDP-189. Unfortunately only Spyderco makes these and they are priced right but looks too ugly for my taste. I think i might adjust my taste to shapes as my taste to steels is too rigid :)
- hkmurakami 13y agoA power strip. But everyone here probably has one :p
- yesimahuman 13y agoFor men: A beard trimmer is one of my favorite cheap buys. Never shave again: http://www.amazon.com/Remington-MB4040-Lithium-Rechargeable-Mustache/dp/B005PUZZR8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395896179&sr=8-3&keywords=beard+trimmer http://www.amazon.com/Remington-MB4040-Lithium-Rechargeable-... Beyond that, I'd say the aeropress coffee maker: http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395896241&sr=8-1&keywords=aero+press http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Make...
- thaumaturgy 13y agoI have that exact trimmer. It plucks almost as many hairs as it cuts. I keep meaning to write a sardonic review of it but never get around to it.
- WorldWideWayne 13y agoI use a Gillette Fusion Proglide which is a normal (4-blade) razor that also vibrates. It's the best shave I've ever gotten. http://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Fusion-Proglide-Power-Razor/dp/B003987CL0 http://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Fusion-Proglide-Power-Razor/d...
- stevekemp 13y agoThe aoropress is great, but I do find the price of the paper pretty annoying. I've now switched to one of the many metal-filters, which makes me happier.
- psyklic 13y agoThe official filters are $2.99 for 350 on Amazon, so 0.85 cents per filter (for up to 4 cups). $2.99 for a year's supply seems pretty reasonable to me.
- stevekemp 13y agoYour volume is off a fair bit for us. Assuming you don't reuse them my wife and I will make 8-12 cups a day, which means 350 will last for around 35 days. Or basically a month. Additionally the filters cost £3.99 as "add ons" at Amazon.co.uk, or £6.99 when purchased alone. So trade-off is clear one metal filter costs the same as two packets of papers. (Yeah, tried to persuade my wife to recycle, but she preferred the simplicity of pushing out the puck into the bin, so that was a losing battle.)
- nereus 13y agoA vintage road bike. A lot of secondhand bikes go really cheap and only need a little attention and your on your way to cheap and healthy transportation.
- bichiliad 13y agoSeconded. Plus, steel frames are super durable, and have a nice amount of give to them.
- seferphier 13y agoi would say mechanical keyboard since we spend so much time on the computers. but the great mechanical keyboards are over $100...should be able to get a second hand one for cheap.
- hsx 13y agoI have a Vortex KBC Poker II with PBT keycaps, probably one of the best purchases I've made in recent years. I blew off buying one for a couple of years because it was "just like any other keyboard" - not true. They switches (I have Cherry MX Reds) make it a joy to type on! I should have added that I got mine for about $120, including shipping.
- lowmagnet 13y agoThe abs/backlit Vortex Poker II is on massdrop, with the lowest level at $94.99. I'm typing on it right now (except I swapped in DSA PBT keys) and it's super nice.
- samwilliams 13y agoAn excellent suggestion. I have had Zalman ZM-K500 mechanical keyboard since September and I can honestly say that I love it. It is also substantially less than $100 (£37) [0]. The quality is not quite as nice as some of the more expensive mech keyboards out (the labels on my meta keys are rubbing off extraordinarily quickly...) there but it is leagues ahead of any of the membrane based keyboards I have tried. [0] http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-ZM-K500-USB-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00A53LCQ8 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-ZM-K500-USB-Mechanical-Keyboa...
- zimpenfish 13y agoOddly, I've been using the same keyboard since about the same time. Would have to agree that it's a nice keyboard for the price.
- theshadowmonkey 13y agoDas is a little over $100. But, I absolutely love using it.
- tdicola 13y agoRaspberry Pi - seriously fun gadget with a ton of potential. Hacking on one gives me the same kind of joy I had hacking on QBASIC programs as a kid.
- rfelix2121 13y agoAn Inka Pen. The older, metal ones, not the new terrible ones that Nite-Ize makes: http://www.amazon.com/Nite-ize-Stylus-Carbon-Fiber-Stainless/dp/B000YH5V9O http://www.amazon.com/Nite-ize-Stylus-Carbon-Fiber-Stainless...
- scott_karana 13y agoFailing an Inka pen, there's always the Space Pen, or for budget inclined, the Zebra F-301 (and Compact version of the same)
- ryannevius 13y agoA "dumb phone," and ditch the smartphone.
- jedrek 13y agoTo what end?
- hsx 13y agoSome people find that they're able to get more things done when they don't have the distraction of a smartphone in their lives.
- stevekemp 13y agoYeah I reverted from an Android to a Nokia 301. A week of batter life in my usage, although the specs claim a month or something silly like that. But these days it probably doesn't matter what phone I use, as I leave the thing at home as often as I take it with me. Now I'm no longer on-call, via SMS, I just don't need the distraction.
- lowmagnet 13y agoLacking in discipline/highly distracted, tbh. I have an iPhone 4, which is more than capable. I often go days without checking anything on it. Then I go into the kitchen at work and see people getting coffee while checking their email. wat.
- ereckers 13y agoI've been thinking about this a lot lately. I'm just not getting value out go my smart phone and the only times I seem to want to use it my connection is terrible to non existent. And I live in San Francisco.
- matt_s 13y agoOr a dumb smart phone. If your phone plan has expired, unlock the device from the carrier and move to a pre-paid carrier. Yes it will cost more per text, call and MB used but it will give you convenience of smart phone with a $10 or $20 month bill instead of $75 or higher with unlimited data distractions. It made me think about the bandwidth hog the corporate email was too, even for casually checking. So I removed that account from the phone. When I choose I can listen to internet radio or surf the web and if I use too much the annoying balance notification is a good indicator that I should be doing other things.
- monksy 13y agoFloor jack for your car and a battery jumper. You never know when your battery is going to go dead or when you'll need to change a tire. Trust me... just happen tonight.
- kranner 13y agoI'd add a foot-operated pump and pressure gauge to that. Often more convenient to just top up the air and drive to the nearest garage. Also lets you maintain your tyres at the right pressure, which is good for fuel efficiency.
- monksy 13y agoI'm adding the foot operated pump to my list. I completely forgot to mention a pressure gauge.
- HeyLaughingBoy 13y agoI'm lazy. I use my 20 gallon compressor :-)
- longlurker1000 13y agoon topic: a wireless headset for your computer/phone. even for watching movies, this has been essential (think cooking while watching videos) off topic: As a long time lurker, this news item feels too reddity for what was originally a software vc community. I understand that HN is getting more popular, and it's attracting broader content. However, Reddit has subreddits, so I can filter out the banal. Please don't let hacker news become digg.
- scott_karana 13y agoI can see where you're coming from, but even the off-the-wall suggestions are awfully relevant for hackers/tech. Infrared thermometer for cooking is a fantastic example of using industrial-aimed tech for culinary perfection...
- kschua 13y agoAn Mp3 player with radio. Great for listening to music and podcast whilst driving or travelling on the bus. Yes, I know most smart phones can do that, but not everyone owns a smart phone, and I prefer not to drain the battery on my phone
- robobro 13y agoI got a $20 pay-as-you-go phone with a radio and MP3 player built in. It's used for when my smart phone's dead and I really need to make a call / text, or when I just want to listen to music. I'd recommend that even more strongly.
- wunderlust 13y agoA midi keyboard. If you already have a computer, then adding some free software and a midi controller gives you endless possibilities for exploring music creation. A tournament chess set (vinyl board, plastic weighted pieces). Chess is an amazing game and a portable set will let you play more often and with more people.
- Eliezer 13y agoA slidebelt ($28). I recently bought one and it's superior to any belt I've ever owned. It instantly tightens if I want to run, and with only slightly less effort loosens. It's exactly the right tightness, no holes. If you're losing weight and the belt is sticking out too far, just take it out of the buckle, cut, replace it within the buckle. And since the makers don't have to worry about variable belt lengths, they can make it up for it by offering a variety of buckle designs and belt colors. It is Correctly Designed and a joy to use. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-SlideBelts-Mens-Genuine-Leather-Adjustable-Ratchet-Belt-without-Holes-/191039554947?pt=US_CSA_MWA_Belts&var=&hash=item2c7ad84583 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-SlideBelts-Mens-Genuine-Lea...
- rebelidealist 13y agoThis type of belt is really popular almost the standard in Asia.
- bmajz 13y agoWow, this was insanely well timed. I was in the market for a decent belt and just bought one!
- pritambaral 13y agoI'm Indian, and surprised that this the top suggestion. Slide belts are ubiquitous here.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- MetaCosm 13y agoand... ordered.
- alexgaribay 13y agoOrdered 3! Great suggestion!
- jfoster 13y agoA Fitbit Flex. I was a bit overweight when I got mine, and it got me within the normal BMI range within 3 months. It's a very simple product (essentially just a Bluetooth enabled pedometer) but the lifestyle improvements (if you are motivated by the goals) are massive.
- kzisme 13y agoHow exactly did it make you lose weight ? What goals/things does it do to promote a healthy lifestyle?
- jfoster 13y agoIt has functionality where you set up a food plan. You tell it your target weight, current weight, and pick the difficulty. Based on that, it tells you when you should reach your target and how many calories in deficit you need to be each day. You log what you eat and the caloric cost of that food, and it helps you see whether or not you are meeting your target. Don't get me wrong, there are some downsides. The app can be a bit clunky and buggy on occasion. Some parts of it could be significantly improved. It also requires some dedication to your goals. There have been times where I accidentally ate a bit too much that day and have to go for a walk at 10pm at night. The main benefit of it overall in my opinion is that it takes (most of) the guesswork out of getting to & maintaining your desired weight.
- borplk 13y agoI like the idea but I'd want one that keeps the data locally. Is there such thing?
- a_bonobo 13y agoPremium membership with Fitbit ($60/year) allows for export of the data http://www.fitbit.com/premium/export http://www.fitbit.com/premium/export Withings Pulse has a data export function too: https://withings.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201488977-How-do-I-export-share-my-data-from-the-online-dashboard- https://withings.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201488977-How...
- asadlionpk 13y agoA Raspberry Pi. A tiny computer running on 5v. Many possible uses, something for everyone.
- Pitarou 13y agoA fountain pen. I grew up using pencils and ballpoint pens. I swore off fountain pens after some frustrating, messy experiences. In hindsight, I think I still lacked the fine motor skills necessary to get the best out of a fountain pen. I took an interest again when I started working on a website selling fancy $2000 models, but the one I bought was less then $10. In my downtime I retrained my hand, and learned traditional copperplate-style handwriting. Now, the simple act of signing my name is a completely different experience -- it feels like an act of craftsmanship. But do buy a CHEAP one first. If you're used to writing with a ballpoint you'll be putting far too much pressure on the paper, and you'll probably ruin a nib or two before you get used to it.
- balac 13y agoI wrote with a fountain pen throughout secondary school and wouldn't mind giving them another try. Do you find that for quick note taking the ink dries fast enough?
- Pitarou 13y agoI've never had a problem, even when writing a 5-page composition in an A3 notebooks. But it's possible that the nibs and inks at my local stationery shop, here in Japan, are a little different to the ones where you are.
- falcolas 13y agoI recommend the Pilot Varsity. They are disposable fountain pens, with one of the best nibs on the market, even when compared to many other sub $100 refillable pens. Good enough that a lot of folks have modded them to become refillable. They do lay down a lot of ink, though, which will bleed through thin paper. However, with a decent notebook, you won't have any issues. Moleskine, unfortunately, is not a decent notebook in this regard. Bic has just started to release disposable fountain pens as well, and while the nib isn't as good as the Varsity, it's better than my $60 Schrade fountain pen's nib. It doesn't lay down as much ink as the Varsity. I have had some issues with drying times, but the ink is typically dry within a minute for my thickest ink blots. In short, there are some good quality, cheap and disposable fountain pens on the market right now.
- jcslzr 13y agoA spotify subscription, any song ever at your fingertips, all day. I just hope those guys do the same thing with movies.
- samelawrence 13y agoRdio tried with Vdio. Didn't work out and they shut it down.
- tomcam 13y agoRice cooker
- shubb 13y agoHave you tried a slowcooker? It makes making thick stews out of cheaper cuts of meat or beans really quick and easy. My cooking got a lot healthier after I got one. Beef stew: Onion 2 leeks Carrots 6 smallish potatos >Slice them all up into inch cubes 1kg stewing beef (cheap) 4 beef stock cubes in a teacup of boiling water *2 cans of guiness (10 min prep) Put the lot in a slow cooker. Turn it on before you head to work. Take it off when you get home 10 hours later. You now have 4 dinners worth of healthy stew!
- Semiapies 13y agoBoth are excellent suggestions and can work together well.
- budman 13y agoI know it says "everyone", but for any male: a top quality shaving cream to try for while. I used to think Edge, Barbasol, etc was good enough and the boutique ones were for snobs and no difference. Then I tried a few. Like night and day difference in closeness and after shaving comfort. You will not go back. Not even that expensive considering you can use less per shave because of the quality. The two best I have ever used are both fairly affordable and don't even need a bowl/brush: men-u Shaving Cream: http://www.men-uusa.com/men-ushavingcream33oz.aspx http://www.men-uusa.com/men-ushavingcream33oz.aspx Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream: http://www.kiehls.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-kiehls_us-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=236&bookmark=384890 http://www.kiehls.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-kiehls_us-Si...
- falcolas 13y agoWhen you're ready to go the next step, a safety razor will go a long ways towards a better, less irritating shave as well. 6¢ blades mean you're not as inclined to use them past getting dull, less plastic waste, and a stupidly close shave.
- samelawrence 13y agoAlso feels awesome to shave with a solid piece of steel rather than some 9-bladed rubber-gripped FlexxxoBlade9000. 1936 Gillette DE FTW.
- wowfat 13y agolaptop stand with an external keyboard http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-SmartFitTM-RiserTM-Laptop-Cooling/dp/B0007YB8NM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395903756&sr=8-1&keywords=laptop+stand http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-SmartFitTM-RiserTM-Laptop...
- rahimnathwani 13y ago- Paul Mitchell 'The Conditioner'. It's a great substitute for hair gel _and_ shaving foam. I've been using it for 20 years. - Pilot GTEC-C4 pens (great paired with Moleskine notebooks) - An external USB battery pack - A headphone splitter cable - Hearos earplugs (the blue ones)
- mattwritescode 13y agoChromecast, its just awesome and you get quite a bit of change.
- serverhorror 13y agoTwo 43 USD notes and for the remaining change some chocolate ;)
- jussy 13y agoA towel
- mdisraeli 13y agoFroody!
- jasonkester 13y agoGood Kitchen Knives Ideally, a whole block of them, but all you really need is one, and that'll run you less than $100. No more laboriously sawing through an onion with that flimsy dull serrated piece of worthlessness. A good sharp knife should glide right through anything you care to stick between it and the board. Onions, tomatoes (without squishing), probably even your thumb a few times until you learn how to use it right. Zwilling J.A. Henckels are my choice. Not overly expensive. Overly good at chopping things in half. Sorted.
- eshvk 13y ago+1 I would also add some personal opinion and say that all you need is a paring knife and chef's knife. Maybe a sharpening block. And Zwilling is my choice too.
- b_t_s 13y agoalong the same lines: one of those diamond sharpening rods. $15 at walmart, 5 strokes on each side before every use, and you've got a 9 inch scalpel that you'll never have to take a real whetstone to. Also, the knife doesn't have to be great, just not junk. I'm using the best knife I could find at the the local dollar store(like $30 marked down to $6), which is great, but my $20 for the entire block ones from walley world just refuse to take a decent edge. Look for a rigid, tapred blade(this ought to be tempered steel), as opposed to a flexible uniform thickness one(junk sheet metal). http://www.walmart.com/ip/Smith-s-Interrupted-Surface-Diamond-Sharpening-Steel/9224932 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Smith-s-Interrupted-Surface-Diamon...
- palidanx 13y agoMy 2 cents are a 8" or 10" victornix chef knife http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Fibrox-8-Inch-40520-5-2063-20/dp/B000638D32/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395941747&sr=8-3&keywords=victronix+10+inch http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Fibrox-8-Inch-40520-5-2063-... My local butcher uses it so much it turns into a boning knife.
- johnatwork 13y agoMAC knives are also good. But I think the main thing is to keep them sharpened.
- eshvk 13y agoIn the Summer of 2011, I was working at Mozilla. My first exposure to an open plan office. I decided (for a poor student) to spend an insane amount of money on a pair of headphones so that I could get more productive: The Shure SE 215 in ear phones for $99. Since then, I have used them everyday. Backpacked across 3 continents. Taken them to the gym. Used them like crap. Yet, they still lasted. I went through 4 different phones in the mean time. Finally, yesterday I broke down and bought new replacement cables; the cable had started fraying from within. Now, I work for a company which has a lot of music buffs. So I may actually upgrade to something that is a whole new level in music quality. But a part of me will really really cherish these earphones. (P.S: I don't work for Shure. The only damn product that I have ever written a review for Shure. :|)
- WiseWeasel 13y agoI found these Panasonic RP-HTF600 over-the-ear headphones to be pretty amazing: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004MMEI8W http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004MMEI8W With 50mm drivers, they're the best sounding headphones I've ever used, and they're a steal at $32.
- falcolas 13y agoI can't rave about my Shure 535 IEMs enough. I'm even about to spend the $2-300 to get custom molded fittings for them Near-reference quality sound (a little too warm, though it hasn't been an issue so far), great isolation (about 25db), and they are hard to have randomly pulled out of your ears. Granted, this is well out of the $100 ballpark, but they're still fantastic. If you're looking for reference quality sound at under $100, look into the Etymotic in-ear headphones. Ridiculously good, though they are a bit weak on the low end of the spectrum (not enough that you won't feel bass on real punchy songs, but enough that they don't sound like any other headphone on the market).
- eshvk 13y agoSo I am really tempted to get the SE 535s (because they seem like the next level up from the 215s which also fit me really well). The only thing that is stopping me is that the idea/hope that the Westones would be better. Did you do any sort of comparison between the two?
- sphildreth 13y agoAt least once in your life take the $100 and break it into 5 $20. Then find someone who you appreciate (Police, Fireman, EMT, Preacher, Teacher, etc.) Walk up and give them the $20 and say something simple like "Thanks for what you do, let me buy you lunch". It's an awesome experience to see someone receive unsolicited gratitude.
- gesman 13y ago...or don't break it and use "as is" for someone you appreciate.
- uptown 13y agoIt's WAY under $100, but I use my "Dorcy 41-4750" flashlight regularly - and it's easily the brightest, and best flashlight I've ever owned.
- mdisraeli 13y agoAn instrument - you can actually get perfectly reasonable starter version of most instruments for around that price point if you shop around, which will work fine when it comes to gigging too. Guitars, Basses, Midi Keyboards - you might have to shop around, but it is possible to get within the price limit. I've been learning bass for the last month and a bit, and it has made a big difference to how I feel about myself and my confidence that I can pick up an entirely new skill from scratch, and that I can make music. With things like LMMS and Hydrogen available, and lots of royalty-free free sample packs available, it is entirely possible to write and perform music on the cheap. And if you're still not convinced? The tech industry seems to want us to be 'rockstar' developers, devops, admins, growth hackers, etc... so why not literally become one too? ;)
- palidanx 13y agoA digital kitchen scale (something like ) - http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395941458&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+baking+scale http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Sil... Measuring all of your flour, sugar, etc in grams will improve your baking a 100 fold. (It now assumes your recipes are based in ratios and metric though).
- ASquare 13y agoSlow cooker. A few minutes of prep in the morning = at least 5 days worth of food by the evening.
- esw 13y agoA 10" Shark prybar. They're under $20, and it's one of the most-used items in my toolbox.
- firebones 13y agoA Space Pen + Field Notes notebooks. Pen is great for all those times you need to write; Field Notes notebooks slip into any pocket and are good for any freehand note taking.
- cko 13y agoA comfortable, well-fitting pair of pants. Pants are the foundation of any outfit. I'm personally searching for the perfect pair, because I only want to own one pair.