I would buy this again. I would buy this for a friend. I would buy this for a second home if I had one. I want to go home and make coffee with it right now!
Positive Product Points
Excellent coffee. Easy to use. Fun to watch. Elegantly spartan.
Negative Product Points
Plastic parts seem a bit cheap. Drip stop could be better.
Detailed Commentary
I love this thing. I like watching it make coffee. I think it is kind of ugly, but like a Saab, it has it's own aesthetic appeal. It's spartan nature (no timers, steamers or other gizmos) are appealing to me. But the most important thing is that it makes the best cup of coffee I have ever had. The flavors and complexity I get are astounding and as a result I have moved from stronger roasts to more subtle varieties wherein I can explore the aroma and flavor. My previous Capresso also did a great job but I mainly made darker, thicker coffee and often found lighter roasts boring. Not anymore. Bring on the Mocha Java and hold the French Roasts. I actually look forward to making my coffee in the morning and will get up extra early just to have the opportunity. My only complaint is that the plastic elements seem a bit cheap. The filter holder has thin regions and one already broke when it hit the floor (nothing structural, just a small chip in a rib). This would not have happened if the ribbing were thicker and/or the material was higher density/durable.
Buying Experience
I shopped at Taylor Maid in Sebastopol, CA. The base price was a little higher but they gave me excellent service and we even brewed a pot of coffee with the floor demo. They threw in coffee, filters and cleaner so net-net I was more than happy to spend a little more for the personalized service.
