Best and worst tech buys: Tell us and win

[CoolBug]

So? My entry was in on time. I was just passing a comment about some equipment a poster mentioned.

This is such an interesting topic that I think the thread should be continued. Then we can be sure what makes/models of equipment to avoid. Its quite plain to me that Blackberrys do not rate too highly

I disagree.

There will be plenty of awesome gear that just doesn't suite some people or their life styles.

It's opinion based so take them with a pinch of salt

I've seen some TF101's here as worst buy and I'm loving mine, definitely one of my best buys.

Sometimes what makes people hate a brand of gear can be very trivial and not always good judgement, like a faulty device can persuade someone against an entire brand.

Although there was only a few TF101s as worst buy, lots and lots of BlackBerry

[CoolBug]

A gas heater going off by itself is bad news. If you don't freeze to death, you might asphyxiate. I am 99% sure you have a blocked pipe somewhere. Check the pipes from the regulator to a "T" piece. Use a blower or a garage tyre pump to blow them out. Then check the panel selector/ignition control. Are these tight and ok? If you are not smelling gas, then there is a blockage. Gas heaters are extremely simple devices, but have no safety equipment in them at all.

Also try a different regulator

I also bought a really really bad goldair gas heater, I couldn't get it to remain alight once after I held in the starter thingy.

Returned it to Macro, they had a couple more of these goldair heaters in the returned section

Went to Lifestyle & got a gas heater there for cheaper, and it has the 2nd electric heater option for when the gas runs out, also has a fan to circulate the warm air better

[chrisc4290]

Geez, these gas heaters must be made cheaper and cheaper. My original gas heater was a really old fashioned one, made in Spain. Still, it had a magnetic one-way valve that would only continue the gas flow once the pilot light was lit. The ones sold today have a thin diaphgram which relies on gas flow to keep it open. Thus you have to hold down the gas over-ride for far longer when you are operating the ignitor before the flow is sufficient to keep it open. I have a friend who designs gas safety equipment f for restaurants and he showed me how these worked. Often, the diaphgram is so flimsy that any trace of moisture in the gas makes it shut off and your flame goes out.

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I think this topic is still quite valid after the comp has ended. Might be very subjective to the person posting it, but doesn't basically every that is posted here fall in to that category?

I vote for thread name change only: "Best and worst tech buys: Tell us and don't win"

[Fudzy]

MyBB should have like a local hardware wiki for opinions, tips etc. There are lots of South Africa specific products and model numbers out there and we can contribute quite a lot to the consumer market out there.

[flashsa]

I forgot about the competition completely... have been following this thread with big interest to see what's good and what stinks..... Blackberry and DSTV deserve their "worst" mentions

[eehellfire]

Has the winner been announced yet?

[Rouxenator]

Has the winner been announced yet?

There is no winner, and no losers - just good consumerism. We all win.

[zululami]

and the winner is...

[creeper]

and the winner is...

......................not yet announced.

[themba990]

A gas heater going off by itself is bad news. If you don't freeze to death, you might asphyxiate. I am 99% sure you have a blocked pipe somewhere. Check the pipes from the regulator to a "T" piece. Use a blower or a garage tyre pump to blow them out. Then check the panel selector/ignition control. Are these tight and ok? If you are not smelling gas, then there is a blockage. Gas heaters are extremely simple devices, but have no safety equipment in them at all.

Also try a different regulator

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a closer look

[McGuywer]

Best buy:

Apple iPad

[kimbo]

I think this topic is still quite valid after the comp has ended. Might be very subjective to the person posting it, but doesn't basically every that is posted here fall in to that category?

I vote for thread name change only: "Best and worst tech buys: Tell us and don't win"

+1

[kimbo]

MyBB should have like a local hardware wiki for opinions, tips etc. There are lots of South Africa specific products and model numbers out there and we can contribute quite a lot to the consumer market out there.

I like this.

[chrisc4290]

Yes, and if you are a general computer workshop person, you will have been given some items to repair or at least sort out what went wrong, so should be in a position to provide a worthwhile comment.

The most prevalent problem as far as I can see: Gap between chair and keyboard too great.