Nice work, as always. There are two things I think you might add when you do the detailed review. One is, as another poster said, to mention whether the grinder has something like the Mazzer's mechanism to take the play out of the threads. In other words, do you get the same shot times when you come to a given setting from each direction? The second would be, with a stepped grinder, to mention the size of the steps in microns of burr spacing change per step. The Rocky, for example, has 90 detents per revolution and 1.25 mm pitch on the burr carrier threads, so the burr spacing changes by 13.9 microns per detent. A useful metric for comparison. Thanks again for the great work.
Posted Mon Aug 9, 2004, 2:38pm Subject: Thanks for the review
Mark, Thanks for the time and attention spent in researching and writing this first-look review. An M4 I ordered from Chris' arrives tomorrow and I feel like I already know it :-)
We applaud you for a good job on the Macap First Look. Although almost all items are on the mark, we would just like to point out a two 'minor' details that were overlooked and would avoid any confusion by the coffeegeek community...
a) There are three holes on the front portion of the doser. Macap has included a tamper which can be assembled (only 2 holes required) into the doser, and
b) Limiter on grind adjustment wheel - this item serves a dual purpose. It actually needs to align with the open slot in the bean hopper to prevent the accidental removal of the bean hopper by an unsuspecting person.
I'm surprised you didn't mention that Macap is best known in the US for their automatic tamper.
I'd really like to see a comparison of profesional grade grinders that are reasonably priced including the Mazzer Mini, the Macap and the Cimbali Jr grinder, the Pasquini Moka, the Rancilio MD40 grinder and possibly the La Pavoni proffesional grinder that 1st-line sells.
The reason I say this is because I have not been impressed with the Mazzer (especially since it isn't available without a timer anymore,) while the Cimbali Jr is probably the best. The Mazzer is harder to clean and noisier than other profesional grinders that I have used in my limited experience. I have a Mazzer Super Jolly but it is my understanding that all Mazzers are built basically the same other than the electronic doser model.
The only Mazzer I think would be really worth owning compared to other professional grinders is the Mazzer Robur or Mazzer Kony that both have connical burrs.
NeoMatrix Senior Member Joined: 7 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Princeton, NJ Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Andreja Premium Grinder: Robur
Posted Sun Nov 28, 2004, 2:24pm Subject: Re: Macap M5 Dosing Espresso Grinder
randyr Said:
...I'd really like to see a comparison of profesional grade grinders that are reasonably priced including the Mazzer Mini, the Macap and the Cimbali Jr grinder, the Pasquini Moka, the Rancilio MD40 grinder and possibly the La Pavoni proffesional grinder that 1st-line sells....
Thank you for this 1. impression review. Now it's almost a year to date since this first impression was published, vhen can we expect the full detailed review?
I had just about settled on the Mazzer Mini after almost settling on the Rocky - now I find this!
The thing that has me going about the M5 is the comments by Mark about the Doser. A machine at this level that sorts out the doser issues such as left over grinds etc would normally have my vote. If only the M5 had stepless grind adjustments then I would be sold no doubt.
I'm too used to the stepless adjustments on the Lux that's built into my Imat Mokita Combi.
Anyhow, when I make my mind up either way, it will be a welcome adiditon to the Vibiemme Domobar Super in August :D
deylat2 Senior Member Joined: 9 Aug 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sat Jan 13, 2007, 10:02pm Subject: Re: Macap M5 Dosing Espresso Grinder
I am quitedisapointed tht nomntionwas mageoftheabilityoftheM5 togring coffee beans oreither drip mrthods nor "Frenchpress" coarde grinding. espresso maybe thedomin ofpreference for true coffeeafficionados butsubstantially morecoffeeisconsumed as standard coffee cupsthan is esoresso, additionally someofus findthat"Turkish/Greek coffee isth bestwaytoenjoya mallshot and nothing eerseemstobesaidanboutexpensive grinders beingableto grindtotheultra finepowderrequired for the Middle-eastern prefered drink. Mysupermarket monster grinder has a setting forTurkishm,whichItried buttheresult was closer toth medium fine grinds needed for mypour over manual coffee drip units; longdicontinued plain manualsand a pouroverinto a thermalcaraffee thtakllow mevariabletimingofthe extrction bymanupulatingtheopeningofthe crdude thougheffectiverelease valve.The recommended 4 minute timingyiels a brew a bitanemic formytatsteandI go fora seven toten minute extraction, dependingonhecoffee andthereis no need to : think ofChemexwith adjustabletimingt. itis not a simplepush a button dealandrequiresmy 10 minute attention but mycoffee is unequaled by anyautomatic dripolator andI've tried and discarded a coupleof gozensofsuch machines in all priceranges, noneever couldextract all I wanted from mycoffees: notonly cnI brew as littleas one mug( 12 to 14 Ozs butI gaetbetter resultdfrom, let'ssay,a $10 Mexican Chiapas than other get froma pricey MokhaSanaani or a ridiculoudslyiverpriced Jamaica Blue Mountain orequally pricey true Kona. The best I ever brewed were the weeklyrandom offerings of roastd coffees by Sweet Maria.( my apartment isnotconducivetohomeroasting.as an aside,I have found sweetMarias' offering equalorsuperior toeither Intelligentsia orPeets , nevermind Star bucks and Sattle's Best, neither merit myattention(offering prefround"gourmet" coffee tellsthetale! Longrant butI said my mind ...
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