Recently bought a Chi iron for $49.00 and I do like it. I kept having problems with fabric catching in the steam holes while ironing open my seams, especially the tips on HSTs. Went looking for an iron that had a soleplate without holes and ended up with the Chi because of the tiny holes and it's reasonable price. The science of a ceramic soleplate is beyond me but it didn't put me off, and I also like the ten foot cord.