Cra*tree

[grumpyjohn01]

Has anyone else noticed how utterly terrible the latest Crabtree basic range of accessories has become? I took some FCUs back today as they were simply atrocious, no better than generics. Its a shame as I have used them as my go-to for many years but am now looking for another brand for van stock etc any recommendations for value for money?

 

[nicebutdim]

We have BG decorative accessories in the kitchen as they offered grey inserts on sockets, rather than just the usual black or white options.

Didn't expect much from them, but no issues over the years with switches and sockets feeling more robust than many more expensive options. Also fitted a USB socket, which is used regularly and outlasted the other USB sockets in the house which have all failed on one or both ports.

 

[Dartlec]

We have BG decorative accessories in the kitchen as they offered grey inserts on sockets, rather than just the usual black or white options.

Didn't expect much from them, but no issues over the years with switches and sockets feeling more robust than many more expensive options. Also fitted a USB socket, which is used regularly and outlasted the other USB sockets in the house which have all failed on one or both ports.

Some of the the LAP metal range are made by BG I believe, and have used them a few times because their socket inserts look so much better than the alternatives at that price. Nice grey rounded instead of white or black square stuff that looks horrid.

The normal LAP ones are made by someone else I think with horrible terminals low down that are a real pain...

 

[nicebutdim]

Some of the the LAP metal range are made by BG I believe, and have used them a few times because their socket inserts look so much better than the alternatives at that price. Nice grey rounded instead of white or black square stuff that looks horrid.

The normal LAP ones are made by someone else I think with horrible terminals low down that are a real pain...

I wouldn't ordinarily have considered BG, were it not for aesthetic appeal meeting the other half's demands. Certainly wouldn't rate them as being top quality, but more than acceptable and much better than reputation might suggest.

Black or white insets stick out like a sore thumb, whereas grey blends nicely into a brushed steel finish. No insert visible around switches is also a bonus

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Quick update: According to a local wholesaler the Crabtree FCUs in question had had their manufacture 'outsourced' due to Covid or Brexit or whatever and the complaints have been many. They now have fresh stock of apparently better quality units. Have yet to try them, have to say my confidence is shaken.

 

[Alla Musica]

Quick update: According to a local wholesaler the Crabtree FCUs in question had had their manufacture 'outsourced' due to Covid or Brexit or whatever and the complaints have been many. They now have fresh stock of apparently better quality units. Have yet to try them, have to say my confidence is shaken.

Sorry for digging such an old thread - have you had your new Crabtree FCU, and how does it fare?

 

[freddo]

The latest version of the Crabtree FCU is terrible, the terminals are so small now, real cheaply made garbage.

 

[Alla Musica]

The latest version of the Crabtree FCU is terrible, the terminals are so small now, real cheaply made garbage.

Did you mean the Capital or Instinct series - and could you take me a picture if possible? I'm just curious...

 

[OnlQQker]

It's getting to the point where you might as well go into Wilkinson's and pick up there 99p switches.

But I think even they might of closed down now?

Off topic but I just purchased a 1960 piano from Ebay for 99p, the new ones cost in excess of 16k and apparently the strings are breaking because they are using cheap strings, and the strings once torqued are in access of 30 000lbs (that's over 15 ton, and worth remembering if you are ever asked to break one up)


In most cases, each of the piano strings has a tension of 160 to 200 pounds, which in total is about 38,000 pounds How Much Tension Is On Piano Strings? Piano String Tension - https://soundsfunny.org/how-much-tension-piano-strings/

 

[Dustydazzler]

Haven't seen 99p switches, but ALDI once did 99p double sockets and they were fine

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Sorry for digging such an old thread - have you had your new Crabtree FCU, and how does it fare?

The QC issues I was complaining about have been resolved some time ago, & I am still using Crabtree Capital as my default brand..They are not what they once were but are perfectly serviceable and decent vfm

 

[Alla Musica]

The QC issues I was complaining about have been resolved some time ago, & I am still using Crabtree Capital as my default brand..They are not what they once were but are perfectly serviceable and decent vfm

Nice to hear about that. In my best knowledge yours isn't the only case where Crabtree finds itself having to improve the design. I've seen someone else on the forum complaining about the plastics of the Crabtree 2000 series light switch delivering electric shock. The problem was subsequently resolved in their 4000 series (aka Capital). But hopefully, Crabtree would not disappoint us in any way given its reputation!!