Review on Leviton 80703 1 Duplex Receptacle Standard by Bryce Marshall

I took the opportunity and bought this wall plate hoping I would like the look (black wall plate + white switch = good contrast). Times have of course changed. I'm used to old school "bakelite" (thermosetting) plates that crack if overtightened. They represent a new breed of "unbreakable" wall panels. It's not a bad product and it will work; the color is a nice deep black and a screw of the same color was included in an easy to tear cellophane wrapper. Unfortunately, it's also made from a somewhat flexible and very shiny thermoplastic that will show all the dimples and bumps in its surface when you tighten it. And this will happen because they are not rigid, and I have yet to come across an outlet or switch whose face is just above the surface of the wall on which it is installed. From an aesthetic point of view, it makes me angry. >.< I ended up replacing it with one of the flimsy thermoset wall panels I've always had a love-hate relationship with. Yeah, it's not as strong or fireproof, but it looks a heck of a lot better than the Rubbermaid thing it replaced. That being said, if I needed something shatterproof, more forgiving over-torque, I'd go with a steel wall plate. . It's not much more than those things and to be honest I feel like I really overpaid for this record considering the materials used in its construction and the quality of its looks. But whatever. The days of "bakelite" 99 cent wall tiles at your local hardware store are fading fast. Once a concession has been made to "improve" something, there is no turning back. Glad Leviton I gave three stars because I really wanted to give one.