Gee, an honest review?

Dry_bean.

Seems the sponsors on another site have nothing bad to say about the Gee, this review http://theotherblackstuff.ie/machines/gee-in-review/ paints an entirely different picture, or is Breville the new Gee, it's difficult to keep up. ::)

Unknown

Interesting Dry Bean, Seems to be a review of an Irish machine. What are your own observations?

Bottom Line

Thanks for posting that. Sometimes people ask me what sort of machine to get. I'll take this one off the list or say to have a look but beware. I have only heard good things or nothing on the Gee. Particularly nothing in the last few months other than "for sale - $500 or best offer". When launched it was the "Silvia killer". Doesn't seem to have lived up to that. Would have been nice if it did. There is a market in that price range where a machine could get past the issues that the Silvia has (Temp control, waiting for steam). Hopefully the new Br evil le does but the ones pushing it pushed the Gee too.... so who knows? One issue that the Silvia has answered that the Gee or the pre-production Breville, is longevity (and part availability) in the real world. That answer will always be a long way off.

Unknown

I'd look at it Bottom Line as it's much better than the review, which sounds like a faulty machine to me. I have one and it works well as a traveller. The finish is fairly average, but it will produce better coffee than a non PID Silvia does- unless in the hands of an expert. 2 sold on eBay a couple of days ago for $500 each and the sellers are back again at $750 buy it now. Keep your eyes peeled for a bargain.

Unknown

I think it all comes down to the review, who is writing it and how independent they are Bliss. When there are gaping omissions in areas like build for example, you have to wonder what the reviewer's motivation and bias may have been. There are plenty of incentivised advertorial "reviews" out there, but in general bellabarista reviews seem good. For me, a new owner review also carries little weight. Of course they will be happy with their purchase. If the item gets sold soon after, maybe they weren't happy after all?

Dry_bean.

on 1303268248:

Interesting Dry Bean, Seems to be a review of an Irish machine. What are your own observations?

Seems to me that them that sells/sold em reckon they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, have seen very few owner reviews extolling the virtues of the Gee. As far as I'm concerned it's an ugly roughly finished rectangular box, with very little too recommend it besides hype from the sponsors selling them, even that seems to have slowed/stopped now that Breville have throw their hat into the ring. ::)

Unknown

@ BlIss....Too true. Too true.....  ::)

on 1303274320:

As far as I'm concerned it's an ugly roughly finished rectangular box...

Thanks for clarifying that you have no first hand experience with the machine. There are good and less than goo reviews of the machine by a variety of people with first hand experience. I agree that they are no oil painting, but at $500 on the bay recently, they are a good entry level machine and hugely undervalued.

Bottom Line

on 1303270696:

I'd look at it Bottom Line as it's much better than the review, which sounds like a faulty machine to me. I have one and it works well as a traveller.

May just have to! I was pondering about them a while back to use as you are - a traveller. I have only seen one in real life, haven't used one. To clarify on my first post, I tell people who ask to put it on the list to look at, I don't recommend it as I can't (haven't used one). I too like reviews by people like Greg Pullman. His one on Silvia/Sunbeam helped me choose the Silvia as it met MY requirements. That story about the Shuttle SUCKS >:(. I read through Luca's review and thought some of issues could be fixed at the Agents end (high temp and spout position) in which it would make a good machine especially on price. Really sucks if one of those sponsors is one that claims to do that to machines he sells.

Dry_bean.

on 1303270837:

I actually like the reviews of Alan Frew and Greg Pulman as well as a few  other respected coffee people both here and OS.  

So do I, both Alan and Greg are very good reviewers, interesting to note neither has had a chance to review the Gee.

Unknown

on 1303275238:

Dear  chrisen  (2mcm / Talk_Coffee  / Chris) So we agree to disagree, no big deal, just be up front.

Dear AM/Anger Management/MarkW/Compdad/one of the QLD lynch mob...We actually agree, although you no doubt disagree.  ::) FYI, our final GEE sold quite some time ago. We have not ordered more- not because it's no good but because it is selling poorly. So be it. Chris

admin

Previous post modified - Chrisen - please keep it civil. thanks A

Unknown

No worries.  I trust that request applies to all members and earlier derogatory posts will also be examined.

admin

yes mate, will look through and one of mods will modify as necessary. A

askthecoffeeguy

looks like a tricked up Gaggia Classic with build quality to match - and while it might be more heavily spec'd I for one would be reluctant to part with my hard earned for what looks like not a great deal of pulling power - for my money I'd be looking at a second hand single group commercial machine in good nick, or even the trusty sunbeam cafe series, which has it's detractors I know, but at least it looks the part and you can steam milk and pull shots at the same time...

Koffee_Kosmo

I looked at single boiler machines like the Silvia and quickly past over them to a HX Now I know that people are on a budget and can see the attraction but in my opinion its false economy In most cases I can make better coffee in an Ibrik, but I have had 45 years experience An IbriK costs $20 or less and the resale value is good KK

E61

For me, a new owner review also carries little weight

Some of us are painfully aware of that Chris.... but it seems to me you have been happy to use new owner review/ comment / feedback / opinion when it comes to machinery you have included in your range? I think you need to give users some credit. I find that people are now more informed about machinery than they have ever been. Because there are far more options than ever before owners research much more than they ever did, they come to forums to ask questions, (sadly only to be discounted sometimes by industry personalities) they collect data and analyse specs and they test machinery before they make a final decision. Surely a new owner should be paid the courtesy of acknowledging that their opinion has merit and worth?

askthecoffeeguy

on 1303309604:

For me, a new owner review also carries little weight

Surely a new owner should be paid the courtesy of acknowledging that their opinion has merit and worth?

If you look at Coffeegeek a substantial amount of the machinery reviews there are generated by enthusiastic owners of new machines, who still seem quiet capable of pointing out defects in the machine To me a new owner review generates a starting point for discussion, and subsequent reviews tend to be better detailed, and or the new owner can make more informed comments later down the line (three months later / one year later) etc Why shouldn't the owner of a new machine share the excitement of their purchase? Coffee is a passionate subject and I encourage to share their enthusiasm! P

Unknown

Hi Matt, It's noble. It really is, however when you have a case of an owner of a new or near new machine who waxes lyrical and then moves on soon after, you have to question what went wrong? On the other side of the fence here is a WA bloke- Cooper. He got a new mondiale and loved it. Soon after he realised he didn't like it at all. I spent countless hours on the phone with him remote diagnosing and trying to help him modify the machine so it doesn't require a massive flush and produce and acceptable result, all to little avail. There are many stories like this. You buy a machine, then your numbers come up so you grab a Synesso/Speedster/Nameyourupgrade? That I get. You buy an "X" and sell it in the not too distant future to buy a similar machine of a different brand... ??? @ Pat- share the passion, definitely. Also be honest if you're coming from nowhere, but hoping to go somewhere. There are plenty of long time espresso machinery users who sadly really can't tell the difference between good and awful. Many of them would benefit from a little research in appropriate forums and/or some training..

Dry_bean.

on 1303309604:

For me, a new owner review also carries little weight

Some of us are painfully aware of that Chris.... but it seems to me you have been happy to use new owner review/ comment / feedback / opinion when it comes to machinery you have included in your range? I think you need to give users some credit. I find that people are now more informed about machinery than they have ever been. Because there are far more options than ever before owners research much more than they ever did, they come to forums to ask questions, (sadly only to be discounted sometimes by industry personalities) they collect data and analyse specs and they test machinery before they make a final decision. Surely a new owner should be paid the courtesy of acknowledging that their opinion has merit and worth?

Welcome to the forum E61, excellent first post, I agree with your sentiments. ;D

Vinitasse

on 1303332734:

There are plenty of long time espresso machinery users who sadly really can't tell the difference between good and awful.

Just might define a decent sized share of  the target market for shiny new, and yet to be released, sub $1500 machines

Lacehim

Great review there.  Nice sense of humour thrown in.... Loved the cup warmer comments... Personally I can't comment on the machine and I've always turned folk towards the Lelit/Silvia range to start out.  While not perfect they are a proven investment for a newbie.  I haven't seen any second hand Gees sold as yet. A little OT I know but I do go on about the "investment" part here and there.  I think it's good for a newbie to buy a machine and be able to sell it a few months/years later when they upgrade and recoup a substantial part of the money they put in.  The machines are good for many more reliable years use.  Other mass marketed machines seem to last a few years and then contribute to landfill.  Not good for the owner (hip pocket) or the environment.

Dry_bean.

on 1303882243:

Personally I can't comment on the machine and I've always turned folk towards the Lelit/Silvia range to start out.  While not perfect they are a proven investment for a newbie.  I haven't seen any second hand Gees sold as yet. A little OT I know but I do go on about the "investment" part here and there.  I think it's good for a newbie to buy a machine and be able to sell it a few months/years later when they upgrade and recoup a substantial part of the money they put in.  The machines are good for many more reliable years use.  Other mass marketed machines seem to last a few years and then contribute to landfill.  Not good for the owner (hip pocket) or the environment.

When I bought the Bezzera 18 months ago I sold my well maintained 9year old Silvia for $450, just short of the original purchase price, the new owner tells me its still going strong.

grahamh

there are honest reviews and other reviews like the reviews ive read on the new breville grinder and there new coffee machine written buy people associated with the product or marketing, or friends and family of such, or people trying to make money on selling the products

beanflying

Spin is a wonderful thing. Usual thing with anything you read on the net is have the BS filter fitted which weighs comments made knowing who is selling or has an interest in seeing it sold and or owns said product and only sees the rosy side of it. Not seeing negative comments about a product should trigger alarm bells as NO machine/car/device made of any type is perfect so it is only proper to talk about any niggles. On the Gee thing put it into the category of a Tweakable tank like 6910 Sunbeam for performance. So good shots and OK steam.