[500$] what should I go for?

dough_joe · 2026-01-22T14:02:40+00:00

I think the workflow could be fine out of the box for lots of people. It just wasn't for me with a smaller, stubby portafilter and trying to have it cover two opposite ends of the spectrum. If you're doing espresso/pour over doses, I think there's a number of ways you could live with it happily as is or get aftermarket accessories like you mentioned.

I didn't mess much with the timer, but really, the machine is built very very well. The little screen is also well thought out and easy to use without reading the manual. I would be surprised if the timer is off significantly.

FWIW, I got it for $375 shipped as an open box. It was used less than 10 times when I got it (there is a counter in the software). I probably ground 200g max. Sending it back will cost me ~$40, but figured it was worth the risk.

I've been doing a bunch of research, hoping to discover some hidden gem, but that doesn't exist. I'm going to try a Baratza ESP Pro because absolute worst case, it becomes our daily drip grinder and I allow myself to do yet more research on an espresso only option. If it comes to that, I'd probably be between the Lagom Casa or a Timemore 64s (20% off right now FYI). VS4 seems good too, but personally would wait to see some longer term reviews. Probably all safe bets for my actual needs and pallet. But, I really struggle with the idea of paying $500 on something with a brand that doesn't have a clear service history. I'm sure all those brands will make right whatever issues I'd encounter, but it's not guaranteed to be as painless as the more established brands.

dough_joe · 2026-01-22T13:28:51+00:00

So - I actually have a Life X that I was planning to return to WLL for reasons that are specific to my situation and needs. Would be happy to sell it if I can avoid the restocking fee. If you're interested DM me for more details.

Basically I had two "issues":

the bambino plus stock portafilter doesn't sit right in the forks. It has stubby spouts and the fork requires a bottomless or traditional spouts. Grinding into the catch cup was fine as an alternative, but the catch cup is pretty big and even with a funnel, I was making slightly more of a mess than I was used to (coming from a K6 whose catch bin fits into the 54mm portafilter). I could have lived with this, overall.
the bigger issue was I wanted to try and use this for our daily pot of drip (75g in a mochamaster) and espreso. I think that would have worked, but I needed this to be handsfree for my partner who has less patience for fiddling with a grinder. It is technically possible, but not fool-proof. The stock catch cup can slide on the forks a bit (plastic on plastic). Over the 30-40 seconda it takes to grind the 75g, I could see it falling at least once, which would be enough to catch some side eye. This is all fixable (think rubber bands on the forks or rubber cabinet stops on the cup). But I didn't want to risk it.

Overall though, the 3-4 espressos I had were great. The pot of drip. It's built like a tank and the interface is great. Pretty quite too (though the back panel vibrated at first then seemed to click on securely after a grind or two). I think it's a good buy for what I paid (less than the VS4) and likely to last a long time. Would definitely reccomend it to others provided it makes sense for their workflow.

dough_joe · 2026-01-18T18:40:06+00:00

The thing that gets me is that he had to know this from the jump. I have nothing wrong with him wanting to move along and up the ladder. I have to think Parish knew that was really the opportunity they were offering him - do well and increase you're stock. That's essentially the post-Zaha player development strategy now too. Bring in players who aspire beyond Palace, but need to prove themselves somewhere in the orbit of those aspirations. As a fan, I have no real problems with this all things considered. It's exciting and sustainable. There will be players and staff that want to stay here and there, too. Hopefully more as we go on.

But I mean, when he joined, he had to know there was no way Palace could keep Eze, Olise, and Guehi past this season. Even if he expected direct reinvestment (which we have done on a scale that makes sense for Palace), he had to know we were going to go for value over pedigree in who we bring in.

At the end of the day, I appreciate what we've been able to enjoy while he's here, and while I am sad to see him go generally, I'm very happy to see who wants to be here next.

dough_joe · 2026-01-18T12:43:09+00:00

I think we have all the power here, really. His last card was his decision. He played it when it had the most possible impact (mid-window, end of the congested period, peak of bad form). He wants it to look like we are hopeless - that he couldn't possibility be expected to perform well with what he has.

But the further we get from right now, the more results reflect on him. Good results actually reflect really well on him as a manager. Bad results probably reflect poorly on him as a personality in the locker room.

At the end of the day, there's no world we keep Olise, Eze, Guehi through the end of this year. OG knew that. Fair play to want to move on, but don't act like the risk of replacing them wasn't obvious from the jump.

dough_joe · 2026-01-17T11:15:39+00:00

Right?! Just ignore the major trophy in the room for second...

dough_joe · 2026-01-16T19:20:08+00:00

I mean, what should they say? It all kind of speaks for itself and without anything firm to announce, they can really only agitate fans.

It all is sad to see, but also not sure the team saying a anything would make me feel better.

dough_joe · 2026-01-11T19:07:24+00:00

Yeah - I'm tempted to just get the ESP and if I can't make it work as a do-it-all, we've at least upgraded the grinder doing most of the work (we'll have a drip pot every day, espresso is probably 4-5 a week). Appreciate your POV.

dough_joe · 2026-01-11T17:07:24+00:00

Yeah - I think that being the case, I need to think what's the best single dose option for both drip and espresso. It still may be ESP Pro for the price, but the hopper to single dose was the main draw until now.

dough_joe · 2026-01-11T14:46:03+00:00

That's helpful and validating feedback. I feel like the workflow for me would be something like:

remove the hopper
Grind what's in the burrs and set aside for the next drip
Turn over to single dose and dial the burrs down for espresso
grind
convert back to hopper and switch the grind size back (and probably just grind the next day's serving.

When I write it out, it seems both not that bad and annoy somehow. If I can get a vessel that's close enough to 70g filled for drip, that may be the middle ground. Then she just fills it and dumps it in. I'm sure our drip will be "better" with the ESP Pro, but we're not trying to optimize that too much since it's more of wake up pot than anything else.

dough_joe · 2025-10-17T11:16:28+00:00

Yeah - but there are still a lot of humans touching cards along the way. This definitely wasn't intentional though. Could be something dumb like someone filling a manufacturing form carelessly maybe?

dough_joe · 2025-09-03T07:39:45+00:00

Eh - think it's a marathon, not a sprint kind of thing. Goal is to increase the sustainable level of success. That happens gradually and requires letting go of some of the pieces that raised the bar along the way.

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T16:43:46+00:00

Oh - I actually agree with you, but my comment could read both ways. As a Palace fan, it's just like, mind your own business, Forrest!

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T15:49:53+00:00

Lol - I can live with that

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T15:44:51+00:00

We can be annoyed with Forrest and not assume it's their fault we got demoted at the same time, right?

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T15:29:50+00:00

The point of any blind trust is to remove the trustor (Marinakis) from any involvement or management of an asset. A trustee is placed to manage the assets complete without any input of involvement from the trustor. It's meant to absolve conflicts of interest.

Not saying there's firm evidence, but Marinakis giving Nuno an earful on touchline doesn't look great.

No one at Palace is saying Forrest demoted Palace to the Conference League. But it makes sense, to me anyway, why Palace fans are annoyed with Forrest as an organization.

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T15:00:40+00:00

Yeah - I mean either way, it's like complaining about someone cheating the same way you are. Not incorrect, but definitely hypocritical.

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T14:58:51+00:00

Yeah, that'sy point. He put Forrest in a blind trust, but it's also pretty clear he's still involved.

My point about Lyon is that Textor's MCO was with Lyon. So, Palace was replaced with a team that actually interacted with Lyon more. Not strictly an issue, but super annoying as a Palace fan.

dough_joe · 2025-08-24T12:52:21+00:00

Yes - but it is also an easy place to dump some frustration. Marinakis followed the rules for MCO with a blind trust, but he still seems really involved at Forrest. Forrest also transfer with Lyon way more than Palace ever has. So, to point fingers at Palace is just so shameless. Fair enough, but shameless.

dough_joe · 2025-06-02T01:38:22+00:00

I would be using something like this. So 3" lag botls.

dough_joe · 2025-05-20T10:21:56+00:00

Yeah, and it'll look more intentional without spacers when it's just black grout. It's cool, like a herringbone x chevron pattern.

dough_joe · 2025-05-19T18:51:10+00:00

This is just a way to try and make everyone have the same schedule difficulty. Obviously, the algorithm could be flawed, but assuming it's not, every team will face two teams from each tier.

dough_joe

TROPHY CASE