I bought this machine after owning a Mr. Coffee steam espresso machine. I bought it off of Ebay, and paid only 60.00$. Moving up from a steam machine was a big difference. I enjoyed making "real" espresso and fixing drinks. My only complaints were the pressurized porta-filter basket and steam wand attachment. I have since upgraded the porta-filter basket to double shot replacement basket made for the Solis SL-70. It works great and will accept a very fine grind. Now all I need is a tamper that will fit correctly. I love this machine, but not because it is incredibly great. If I had paid more than I did I would have felt cheated. I love the machine because it will be instrumental in helping me chose my next, something all metal with no frothing attachments or a pressurized porta-filter basket. Probable the Ranchillo Silvia. I have a Solis Maestro Grinder and it works great.
The machine includes a timing circuit, that stops the extraction itself. but I never really used it. I prefer to stop extraction myself.
