A curiosity, and unless you enjoy bitter, overextracted and burnt coffee, it isn't worth the $75 new price.
Positive Product Points
Small, compact packaging. Comes with both a car cigarette lighter adapter and AC power cord. Includes cups, spoons, even little containers for sugar and stuff.
Negative Product Points
Crappy moka pot coffee, burns the grinds.
Detailed Commentary
Bought as a curiosity off of eBay for $15 used. Mine is a semi-antique, dating the 1950s, but as far as I know, they haven't tweaked the design too much - today's model appears to be identical. I've seen a new one in person, though wasn't able to sample from it.
This device can be bought new today for $75, and unless they improved it significantly, it isn't worth the money. It is cute, it's small, comes with a compact travel bag and can be used in the car or in hotel rooms, etc. Dayglow Orange and stainless steel, my model is.
Brews one or two demitasse (up to 5 oz total) cups of coffee. Works on the pressure brew system with is similar to a moka pot, except coffee delivery is right into the cup instead of the top vessel of a moka pot.
The coffee actually had a tiny bit of "false" crema on top, the few times I used it, but the last bit of pressure from the device blew it all way. It delivers bitter, burnt coffee into the cup - extra strong type. Maybe I just don't know how to use these well enough :-(
Auto shut off feature (even in my circa 1950s version) is sorta cool.
Buying Experience
Hey, it was eBay. They know their stuff.
Three Month Followup
My three month followup: Well, I've only used it two times since, and both times it was like "ugh". This is purely a novelty purchase, and I cannot see myself bringing it on my travels.
An Elektra Micro Casa e Leva, in it's custom aluminum case? That I can see.... even at the 45lbs it weighs!
