[tyingq]

Aside from the mechanical pieces on this one, the signs are mostly LEDS and shift registers. Good LEDs with good heat sinking and rugged 5vdc power supplies are really all that's needed for a good sign. Plus keeping water out.

The modules themselves are fairly commoditized at this point. As long as you buy ones with name brand LEDs (Cree, etc), they are very resilient.

Signs you see that have issues are usually just the cheap modules with generic LEDs.