Sony is the company that we bought our World Band Reciever from as well as our primary digital camera. I used to buy Sony laptops for my guys back when I worked for a living and I always liked Sony's gear.

Of course, now that we are spending our own money, we no longer buy Sony laptops as they are about 50% more expensive than say an HP or a Gateway.

Having said that, we did spring almost $1000 for our Sony Cybershot camera, but our take on it was "If we're coming all the way out here by boat, we want to be able to get some good pictures to remember it by." To date, the camera has performed flawlessly. It has way more functions than I'll ever use, but its nice to know they are there.

Our little Sony SSB reciever only cost $150, but it too has performed as expected. I guess we've had it 5 or 6 years now and it is has held well up to life on the seas. Just recently, the speaker started cutting in and out, but I have yet to look at why. Normally I use ear phones anyway, so it hasn't been a big deal. I assume the wire is probably corroded a little and is in need of a little cleaning.

All in all, its kind of like that old saying - "You get what you pay for."