Nice looks, I like the 'coffee is ready' notification feature, the first brew was excellent.
Negative Product Points
Water gauge malfuntioned on 2nd use of original purchase and on 2nd use of its replacement. Carafe doesn't pour well when down to last cup, and not as well insulated as I'd like. The electronic programming is not very intuitive, but it's easy to remember after learning. For the price the release button for the swing out filter basket is cheesy - - silver colored plastic.
Detailed Commentary
Water gauge suddenly bobbed and 'split' the second time we used it, so I couldn't tell how much water I'd added. I emptied the reservoir and ran the machine to get the rest of the water out. The gauge looked clear but when I added water the problem recurred.
We exchanged it and have the same problem with the new one. Even pouring water slowly and carefully into the side of the reservoir that's opposite the gauge didn't work out - - although the gauge didn't split its reading when I did that, when I moved the pot on my counter (which is level) the gauge jumped from 7 cups to 7 1/2. Shifted it again and it jumped down to 6 1/2 cups.
Called Krups and though the rep claimed Krups doesn't know about this problem, he gave me the 'remedy' they'd developed for it: pour water VERY slowly into the side of the reservoir opposite the gauge. Uh huh, very helpful. Explained I'd already tried that. The only other option Krups offered was to send the brand new machine to a Krups repair center at my own cost, even though I'd experienced the problem with two examples of the same product.
About the carafe: It's very squat so you have to nearly upend it to get the last cup of coffee out, the lid doesn't operate smoothly for taking it on and off, and the carafe doesn't seem to insulate as well as other thermal carafes I've had. The coffee stays hot enough for adding hot milk, but not for drinking black.
It didn't take me long to master the electronic programming, but the other user in my house found the programming to be so counter- intuitive as to be annoying and confusing.
I was surprised that with all the metal on the machine that the tab to release the swing-out basket was silver colored plastic, it added to my sense that the machine was built for looks alone.
Didn't have opportunity to use the 1 - 3 cup option. On my old Krups I used to swing out the basket so the coffee could 'steep' when I was making 2 cups, so I was looking forward to this feature.
Buying Experience
Bought it in person at J & R. They're being very accomodating. After exchanging it once they're willing to provide a refund instead of doing another exchange, which would seem pointless, or referring us to the manufacturer. I've had this before with J & R, seems like if it's within 14 days of purchase they actually provide *more* than their return/exchange policy states, and are very nice about it.
