@hthec this may not help because both alternatives I’m going to suggest are a bit pricey and my issue is not the same as yours but I’ll throw in my experience in case it helps at all.
I have arthritis in my right wrist and whilst I love the self levelling tampers, any pressure that ends in an abrupt stop causes pain and means I can’t use my wrist for things I enjoy like tennis.
For my 58mm baskets I use a PuqPress but it takes up a lot of space. I’ve just ordered a Boston Electronic Tamper from https://bosetamper.com/ but they are a bit pricey. I expect it to arrive mid November so I’ll be sure and post first thoughts here. By all accounts it performs well and it will free up some bench space. Durability is the only question that remains unanswered so I won’t be selling my PuqPress for a couple of years at least.
For the 49mm basket I ordered a custom tamper from https://www.malwani.de/english-1/product-information/precision-tamper/ The tampers weigh half a kilo or more and are heavy enough for me to simply sit it on top of the basket and give it a very gentle nudge using Dave’s fingertip technique. The tampers are so heavy that the puck obediently compresses with the slightest of touch.
Wrist pain is a pain in the … well, the wrist I suppose. But as you know if can be quite debilitating and in my case, the more I can avoid using my wrist through means such as the above, the more mileage I’m likely to eek out of it for things I enjoy such as tennis.
Good luck with your tamper selection.
