Same product for less $$$... Click on Grackel Bird to read the rest of this review for more... Thnx
Positive Product Points
This machine has all the qualities you would look for in a superautomatic. You can adjust the grind and dosage. You can easily clean the brew unit.
Negative Product Points
It's a superautomatic.
Detailed Commentary
when it comes down to it, superautomatics aren't as good as a traditional machine. But... they can work well if you buy fresh coffee and you know how to make good coffee in a traditional machine. BUY LOCALLY... IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Most people that buy these things know very little about espresso and become VERY frustrated. THIS IS NOT A ONE CUP COFFEEMAKER! I work on these everday and I am certified by Saeco, Gaggia and Jura. I do like the Juras better because the Swiss make things so easily accessible as far as repair work goes, but I'd say the Vienna Deluxe and especially the rapid steam version are worth buying if you have minimal cash. These machines "Must" be descaled at least 4 times a year. I personnally don't mind distilled wate , so I'd say you're best off using it because you get less scale. If you're thinking about buying a traditional machine, go with a Rancillio Sylvia. They are the best bang for the buck. They are right arounf $500 and work and last longer than any other unit I've seen that costs $100s more.
Buying Experience
Don't trust Coffee Geeks. All of these machines are basically made from the same manufacturer. They work the same way. If you know anything about coffee, it always depend on what coffee you are using... what time of year. .. and on and on... It's hard to give much weight to many of their reviews. And from a Service Technicians point of view, I have a hard time seeing where they are coming from on almost all of their reviews. The parts for all the superautomatics are made by a single company in Switzerland. Jura, Saeco and Gaggia (also Saeco) buy their parts from the same place and assemble them in their own countries. It's not hard to see by the reviews that Coffee Geeeks has their favorite "industry" friends. I haven't seen another website like this, but there needs to be one. These guys are full of it. By the way... Francis Francis has the same parts as the cheapest crappiest Saeco traditional unit. Cheap Saecos can sell for $120... Francis Francis sell the same machine with a "very rustable" metal body for $700. THAT's JUST NUTS. I LOVE coffee, but I hate how snotty this industry is.... unbelievable. I'll take mine in AZUL.
