I bought a really good drill, lifetime warranty on the batteries even. Spent $100 on sale. Great deal. Yeppers - cept they don't make the drill or the batteries anymore. To get any warranty work done you jump through 3 hoops, juggle 4 cars, while hopping on one foot and reciting the Constitution from memory.

Now I buy cheaper stuff that will last about as long, and when it dies, I'm out $20,

As to field gear, I look at what's around, pick stuff that fits my needs and won't break the budget, and if it breaks, I can replace it. I use what I buy, not abuse, use.