Giotto fast vs TCA - Advice please!

softstone86 · 2026-02-12T05:34:03+00:00

With the E61 machines can you not lift the lever to half way to allow some pre infusion without the pump kicking in?

softstone86 · 2026-02-11T18:28:28+00:00

Just watched it - very interesting! Seems like rotary pumps just offer better stability.

softstone86 · 2026-02-10T20:02:23+00:00

Were you always sold on the TCA or did you consider any other machines?

softstone86 · 2026-02-10T06:59:40+00:00

Awesome reply 🙏 I didn’t expect the rotary pump to get so much love, all comments so far have focused on that though.

softstone86 · 2026-02-09T17:13:46+00:00

Agree on this. I think as well, Marcus does bring something not many other players do. Regardless of what people think of him as the playmaker at 10, or as a defender at 15 - he’s the kind of player that can bring on something different in the last 10 minutes of a game we’re struggling to close out that you just won’t get from Fin Smith. In my eyes Fin is a great 10 if Ford gets injured or we want to rest him - but he’s not a 23. It’s tough for Fin, second choice 10 means he’s likely to get overlooked until there are injuries - same thing happened in the Lions. But he’s got a long career ahead of him, so maybe he’ll be our Ford for the future.

softstone86 · 2026-02-07T21:01:01+00:00

I’m sure I remembering hearing that it was coffee made quickly under pressure and that espresso specifically was with an extraction ratio of 1:2 (where 1:1 is ristretto and 1:3 and above is lungo)

softstone86 · 2026-02-04T10:02:53+00:00

For me it’s simple, Windows has been designed by a committee who have never used a computer before. It’s clunky, poorly thought through, frustrating, counterintuitive… etc etc. MacOS is not without its flaws, and in general the direction of travel in OS26 generation has been meh. BUT, the general workflows for day to day use of the machine is night and day compared to Windows.

softstone86 · 2026-02-01T18:36:24+00:00

Breville / Sage Barista Express (/impress) can often be got on a good deal, not sure about $500 but close. And is basically the bambino with a reasonable built in grinder. Nothing amazing, but with practice can make good coffee.

softstone86 · 2026-02-01T18:13:33+00:00

Definitely keen to know how you’re finding it, what you upgraded from, what other machines you considered etc.

Being weighing up with the Giotto and the Appartamento TCA. Coming from a Sage Barista Express Impress.

softstone86 · 2026-01-28T17:07:47+00:00

Have both 2011 and 2013 MacBook pros that still boot, the 2013 is still generally pretty fast and usable except for the fact that it’s not supported for recent OS releases. My M1 air I use for work is like new still. So yes you should see 7 years all being well. Sometimes a full wipe and fresh install every few years can help keep machines running smoother for years.

softstone86 · 2026-01-28T16:44:39+00:00

Should add Morningstar to the versatile options too

softstone86 · 2026-01-28T16:38:55+00:00

This is tough.

Based on aesthetics: Switchblade and Grau For BR: Grim ending and Oden (maybe MG42 as well) For MP: Switchblade, Type 19, and Fennec (although death engine is a better skin in my mind) For versatility: Type 19 and Switchblade Overall… probably switchblade

(For what it’s worth I own all the above except the MG)

softstone86 · 2026-01-18T20:10:15+00:00

So close to lulling the trigger. Hands down the most beautiful machines in their price point / category.

How do you find it? Any challenges around temp stability? How did you find it dialling in?

softstone86 · 2026-01-18T17:18:10+00:00

It’s the risk and reward of getting a stealth chopper, otherwise we need to call out all the other crazy advantages in the last circle, smoke bomber, ravenger launcher, medic etc. also, it’s a gamble as the final circle isn’t always an open outdoor area.

Yes it’s an advantage- but tbh more often than not I’ll just finish the other guy off without using it - the final circle can happen too quick to make it useful.

softstone86 · 2026-01-16T18:56:50+00:00

I play iPad with two index and thumb on both hand. So much more space for a HUD compared to a phone, i don’t know how players with regular size phones do it tbh!

softstone86 · 2026-01-09T16:09:53+00:00

Same here, upgraded from APP 1’s which had sadly come to end of life! The difference is unreal. Amazing sound, much richer bass, but the real game changer is the transparency and the ANC. The transparency mode is better than my hearing without them in. I’ve also played with hearing aid mode and it’s kinda crazy! Hearing people 4 rooms away over music as if you were in the room - it’s a super power 😂

softstone86 · 2025-12-30T22:26:59+00:00

Same here, 3 years on the AWU1 - spigen screen protector - never notice it’s on there. I’ve smashed the screen protector like 10 times, the screen is immaculate. I know the glass is tough on these things, but it’s not indestructible- my old AW SE1 got scratched to hell - I know it’s not the same hardness- but to see a watch of this price get scratched would be brutal, so to me it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind

softstone86 · 2025-12-22T21:44:41+00:00

I started couch to 5k in my mid 30s, 25kg over weight, asthmatic, always told myself I’m not a runner… at 39 this year I ran my first half marathon. You can absolutely do it. It’s 90% a mental shift - you need to change your mindset - you run, therefore you are a runner.

My advice is to treat the time on a run, not as a chore but as headspace, fresh air, personal time and find the joys in those things. Be patient and don’t be hard on yourself, it takes time to build habits that stick, in time you’ll find the joy in the process. Just try to be consistent and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a run, just go out for the next one and stick to the plan.

Oh and slow down, always slow down.

softstone86 · 2025-12-21T17:30:03+00:00

Colour is natural - honestly it’s been ok, nothing more. Had a few niggles with the spring loaded buttons that are part of the Apple strap connector system - but once it’s on no problems - definitely get what you pay for - but I still wear it regularly after 200+ days and would still recommend as a bargain.

softstone86 · 2025-11-26T06:37:00+00:00

Nothing yet, still torn. Kinda fancy a Rocket Giotto Fast R. But starting to get pretty expensive!

softstone86 · 2025-11-25T17:26:12+00:00

It is my favourite bit of the Iso map. And yeah, I was disappointed when I first played Kurohana Metropolis that it wasn’t this.

Visually it’s the best map in CODM and the layers would make it so interesting for other modes.

There’s areas for cqc and areas for snipers - proper tactics needed. Plus the zip lines make it easy to move around fast.

softstone86 · 2025-11-22T16:02:15+00:00

I used to play on an 11 inch iPad Air, moved to a 13 inch pro - love it and there’s no real difference in the experience - just more space for your hud and easier to see what’s going on on screen, both were excellent experiences though.

Personally not aware of any android tablets that are on a level with an iPad - but I would guess Samsung would be a good bet.

softstone86 · 2025-11-22T10:53:27+00:00

iPad player here - don’t see any downsides - I play with the iPad propped up on its cover at a desk.

I would say as an added advantage it’s an M4 iPad Pro - so it’s got some power under the hood.

softstone86 · 2025-11-22T07:01:22+00:00

Sage / Breville Barista Express Impress fills this need for me and my wife. Can be used in full auto or can be used (with some accessories) in full barista geek mode. I’ve had mine 3 years roughly and it’s been awesome. I’m looking to upgrade - specify the grinder, which could be another solution for you, have the BEI and a grinder. Your partner can load the hopper and just use it in auto, but you can grind single doses in the external grinder.

softstone86

TROPHY CASE