This grinder, at 150 dollars, embodies "Bang for the Buck" and you cannot go wrong in choosing this product!
Positive Product Points
Solid construction
Quiet operation
Good grinding quality/consistancy
Push-button, timer
Not much static
Negative Product Points
Smokey-colored bean hopper makes it hard to see grind level (looks nice though)
Had some trouble with reaching finer grind settings -- emailed Baratza support and they helped me work out the problem
Bean flow can be a bit finnicky sometimes
The little rubber feet are packaged poorley and easily lost.
Detailed Commentary
I bought this as my first burr grinder for my Solis SL70. As it arrived, I was very impressed by the weight of the box. Opened it up -- grinder, instructions, three rubber feet.
*counts on fingers* Three feet.. four corners.. hmmmm...
Had my mom fish through the box and she found the last one (then mumbled about 16 year old boys and our lack of work ethic or something o_o)
So I set up my grinder, poured in beans, and started grinding.
First thing I noticed was very nice grind consistancy, as well as a very nicely fine grind setting that matched perfectly to my machine. It really allowed me to get those nice 25-27 second pulls with a good 30 pound tamp. I don't think that for 150 dollars I could find better.
Its very sturdy, and even though its made of plastic, leading you to think it has the durability of metal.
About my grind setting problem:
Basically, I lost the ability to move my grinder setting past "espresso" after having it set to drip. This was forcing me to put the bulk of my 200 pounds into my tamp to try and get a decent shot lenght! After talking to support, they suggested I make sure the actual grind selection ring insde the hopper-retention slot was in the proper position, as well as running the grinder while adusting. This was sucessful, and I'm again enjoying great shots.
Buying Experience
WholeLatteLove was great! Free shipping, fast enough, they didn't package my brew pitcher I ordered -- after a brief phone conversation a new one was on its way, free. I suggest them, A+ rating!
Three Month Followup
Well so far so good! Its grinding is still consistant and fine. I'll just mention that it is a bit of a bear to really clean this thing out.. but not enough to cause me to advise against buying it. I still love it, and suggest it highly.
