This isn't a Mazzer wanna-be, but rather a Mini Killer that won't break the bank.
Positive Product Points
Grind quality doesn't get any better than this and the price is just right. It also looks great next to most machines out there.
Negative Product Points
I wish the doserless model had a portafilter cradle of some sort. The bib is terrible.
Detailed Commentary
OK, before I start I'd like to point out that the MACAP I'm reviewing here is the "Doserless" model. Call me a snob but I don't like drinking stale coffee...let's say something that's been sitting in the hopper for longer than 3 minutes. I know some people claimed that the dosing model sweeps out the grinds pretty well but it always leaves something behind, even the doserless models leave a little.
I really like this grinder a lot and I compared it with someone's Mazzer Mini before making the purchase. Also I've noticed that some people have complained about the Mazzer's inability to properly hold a Spaziale portafilter in its cradle (probably because it's so deep and heavy). So that ruled out the Mazzer for me. The other reasons, besides price, was that the MACAP just looked better next to my La Spaziale S1 due to nice chrome finish. It also doesn't have that cord hanging out of the side like some "frankenblender" machine, I don't know what Mazzer was thinking when they designed their cords on the machines but that just "ain't right" on my counter. A major deal clincher for me was the two-finger worm gear stepless adjustment on the MACAP. I've seen the moves some people have to do on the other grinders just to change their settiings, you have to be a circus acrobat to make an adjustment.
The negatives are minimal but it can use some help in the "bib department". This thing is designed so poorly that I stopped using mine. MACAP needs to call Mazzer for help on this one. It's really not nice to have to slightly lift the front end of the grinder just to slide the bib under the front foot of the unit. This is stupid. The grinder wieghs 20lbs, I don't feel like moving a 20lb weight just to sweep my grinds a little easier. One other negative that I noted above was about the lack of a portafilter cradle, this really isn't necessary since the unit was designed to clip an empty bag on the chute and collect your grinds and go. I just wish there was an option since they have these holes there, which are plugged up by the way, that's a point off in the aesthetics department to me.
In actual use the grinder is FANTASTIC. I've found a way to get every single gram of coffee out of the chute by using a chopstick. I hold my portafilter right under the chute as it grinds and the coffee shoots right into the basket really well with no special home-made attachments. The chopstick, again, works great for distributing the grinds as they fall into the basket at a fast pace and I finish it off with a quick swipe up into the chute and rest falls out neatly. As for that bib, I replaced it with a paper towel since I don't have to move that 20lb monolith every time to clean the counter.
Buying Experience
Chris' Coffee is great. He gives expert "unbiased" advice on anything I'm interested in buying. As a matter of fact, he steered me away from buying certain things that most other sellers would jump at in selling to people for a fast buck. He shipped it fast, arrived in just 4 days coast to coast and extremely well packaged. Once again the delivery company dragged the box behind a truck for miles but the contents were immaculate because of the superb packing.