A small and inexpensive change could really make this machine much better.
Positive Product Points
Looks good. Makes a decent espresso grind. The grind is, as the name implies, precisely variable.
Negative Product Points
The auto timer button falls off the machine. The auto timer has a longer time than the grinder can use - if set for a longer time interval or the entire time the timer is capable of the motor overheats and stops.
Detailed Commentary
The fault with the auto timer is troubling. When the button bounces off for the first time if you are like me you look into the machine where it came from and you find a plastic nob that the metallic button fits on. In itself this is troubling to me, metal on plastic. Mine now has a piece of paper in it to keep the two parts conjoined. Now one might reasonably ask why not just use that front button, it only takes about ten seconds to grind enough to fill a double porta-filter. In my case amongst other reasons, when going tent camping I grind the coffee for a weeks worth or more of espressos for two. That is fair amount of grinding and it is true that this is not what the machine is designed for, however when you utilize the auto grinding timer and the motor comes to a stop from overheating more or less half way through - this is not a well designed feature. It would seem to need a bigger motor or a timer that shuts off after a shorter interval. The fact that the button has probably popped off before the grinding stops ..... not well designed that way for sure.
Now most of the time my wife and I turn out a couple of doubles and even with a couple of folks over for entertaining the machine works very well. I like the grind well enough, and although I know grinds can be much better this was my price point and overall I am quite satisfied.
Buying Experience
I bought this from Espresso Planet in Mississauga Ontario Canada and the service particularly from Joshua who dealt with me was perfect.
