Great machine, great value, this machine is a keeper.
Positive Product Points
For the money, this machine is great. It pulls great shots most of the time (I'm sure the bad ones are my fault). This machine blows away my dear old Audrey. I can pull good-great shots 95% of the time now, with Audrey, it wasn't nearly as high.
Steam is endless, it just keeps going, no waiting for the boiler to heat up anymore. Having an HX machine is great. I love the ability to steam and pull a shot at the same time. I originally bought the Office Pulser but returned it because I like to steam and not have to watch the clock for my espresso.
Negative Product Points
The build is not the best. I don't like the cheap plastic drip tray or the cheap drip tray cover (a friend is going to build me a new one). the SS cover on the top fits, but not like a glove. To get to such a low price point some corners had to be cut. Make no mistake, this machine is great, it pulls great shots and steams like a crazyman. I'm not complaining, for the money it can't be beat.
As with all HX machines, if you leave it idle for a long time, you must run water through the grouphead to cool it. Not really an issue, just mentioning it.
It's a bit of a pain to refill the water, you need to lift up the SS metal on the top of the machine to refill. Why can they just cut an area out on top to refill? I plan on running a tube to the "tupperware" so I don't have to move my cups all the time.
Detailed Commentary
I was going to replace the Audrey with a Silvia and then I found out about the Expobars. At the time, Silvia was $445 and the Office Pulser is $675. I wasn't really getting anything new (except the nice SS) with Silvia. The ability to steam and brew at the same time was well worth the extra money.
It's taken me a few weeks to get used to the machine. I can make microfoam easily now. With the 1-holed tip it now comes with, you can make microfoam with as little as 2-3 ounces of milk. For larger amounts I switch to the S24 tip. My friends claim it's the best espresso they've ever had. Crema is wonderful.
Using the Office Control is part of my daily routine and I am very happy with it. Someday I will replace it with a machine that can be plumbed and of higher build quality. I have no plans to buy a new machine for at least 10 years.
Buying Experience
Mostly good. I exchanged my Pulser for a returned, but never opened, Office Control ($636). When the box showed up, it was a Pulser—what a let down. So I contacted WLL and since they didn't have any more returned Office Controls, they sent me a Brand new Office Control.
So, though it took awhile to finally get machine, I'm happy with getting a brand new Office Control for less then that price of an Office Pulser.
