Brett H wrote:
For that kind of money I want a PID like the Izzo Gruppo. Also, a 7l boiler isn't domestic territory so running costs will be up. I've seen one of the early ones in the flesh. Pretty rough really. I'm sure they've much improved their manufacturing and QC but the price has gone up accordingly. I reckon if you emailed some Aussie sellers that you have $5400 + import/customs tax to spend on a lever they'd come back with some pretty interesting options. I'm not anti these these guys or importing, I just reckon there's much better out there for less dollars and less risk. Do your homework!
Brett, I am not sure if a PID on a lever will deliver the same effect that one does on an E61 grouphead. If you are always playing with temps, and various roast levels, the machine you own is perfect. Commercial levers deliver stability and repeatability. They also prefer coffee that has been roasted for espresso. As to this machine, beauty (as always) is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer the style of the old levers from the 1950's, and do not really like the square box shape of modern machines. I do realize that the box shape is to keep manufacturing costs down. The lever is not a new machine, they have been in production for decades, and a few companies in Italy make fantastic machines. Buying this machine, means you forfeit our generous consumer laws. The L1 represented savings (and targeted a different niche market), hence its early popularity, and why people "imported" it. This machine is in a different league with very stiff competition. As Brett said, if you want a lever, and have the dollars, then contact the Aussie importers of Izzo, Bosco, Victoria Arduino etc. I am sure they will offer competitive pricing, and most importantly, product backup and local warranty. Also, if you are going to drop that sort of coin on a machine, then you would definitely want to touch and play with it in person, before committing to buy it. Each machine is different, and some quirks may irritate you down the track. A steam wand on the RHS is something that I despise, for instance.
