Claims of "espresso" aren't really true. It also takes a lot of grounds to get a decent sized cup.
Detailed Commentary
Durable: I've had airlines break too many french presses over years. Easy to use: If you can use a french press, you can use this. Completely portable: This has already made its way into my camping checklist because it can make an espresso-ish coffee without a power source. Add that to a Bodum hand frother and a crank burr grinder and you have instant shop-quality lattes while camp mates are struggling with instant coffee and Coleman coffeepots. Oh, and clean-up is a breeze too. . . way better than a french press.
By ditching the included filter holder, everything will fit neatly inside larger reservoir and is held securely in place by the plunger. A big suggestion would be to sell a hand powered burr grinder that could fit in a way as to use the hallow plunger cylinder to drop the grounds into and then store in the same place when not in use.
This little marvel won't replace either your french press or your espresso machine. That being said, it is a really cool gadget that has earned a place on my shelf. Aside from the instructions, I've started using mine for drinks other than coffee. Mate tastes wonderful when pulled from an Aeropress as I'm sure some loose leaf tea will as well. Soon I am going to try and replace the given paper filters with some scraps of cloth that I have and see if that might change the flavor for the better. At the least, it will add a measure of re-usability.
Buying Experience
Overall, very positive. espressoparts.com offers a package deal with an Aeropress and travel adjustable burr grinder that seem madefor each other.
Three Month Followup
All good so far. Both my personal press and the shop's have held up to pretty steady use, both as intended and in some . . . innovative ways.
