Jason1wood Ha! I was basing my thoughts on looks and nowt else! I find it interesting that so many entrants have stayed at around the 64mm level and not followed the Kafatek 98mm route. I wonder if they know something that we do not? I know at least 2 Kafatek owners who went to them from well known and respected grinders who really are wowed. My days of spending big are behind me now! I would possible buy another Evo if the right chance came up though. Those 54mm groups are not to. be beaten!
The Zerno has arrived š
Definitely looks a lot nicer in proportion than the Philos.
Iāve no plans to change as Iām incredibly pleased with the Philos and Hoffmanās very honest review of the Z1 confirmed my position on that, but it does make you wonder why the Philos is so enormous when the Zerno is basically the same grinder but far smaller and neater looking.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
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Very nice ! - i was tempted with the Zerno even had one in the basket and then chickened outā¦
I do like the look, build and size of it !
@drdre89 are you in the UK?
What was the final cost if you donāt mind me asking?
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
MattH did exactly the same š
I own a Kafatek MC5, my buddy owns a Kafatek Max, my other buddy owned a Zerno. We all got together and did a grinder swap and coffee tasting. Conclusion in short form was the Zerno just isnāt in the same league, from build quality to coffee flavor, and was sold the following weekend. The 98mm flat outshines the smaller burrs in flavor separation and clarity on lighter to medium roasts and the 71mm conical outshines in body and taming bitter astringent medium to dark roasts.
Then thereās the whole build quality and motor differences conversation but again, the Zerno doesnāt really belong at the table of 2-3k grinders.
I donāt own a philos but the motor difference between it and the zerno is enough for me to say the philos is better built. I think I have an electric pencil sharpener with a quieter more powerful motor than the zerno
Interesting view. Thanks for that. š
mykm
Kafatek Max retails at approx $3600 USD + shipping. I think the MC5 is around $2500 + shipping.
My Zerno was around $1500 USD + shipping. Iām in Australia.
I donāt know why youāre comparing the Zerno to those Kafateks as obviously first of all price wise, they are definitely not in the same league. Apples and oranges.
Obviously you would hope the Kafateks tasted better paying thousands of dollars more !
The Zerno looks fantastic on the coffee bench. Sleek design and changing burrs is really easy. Will try the Mazzer burrs soon and see how the compare to the SSP HU.
Yeah agree, the zerno was 2k us$ with all the burr options and case and everything so not wildly out of range of the mc5, plus the wait was longer for the Z but again I agree itās not worth bringing up as a comparison
What I do not understand, is if is just another 64mm grinder using widely available burrs, what makes it stand out at the price point? I mean coffee is about taste, burrs are about taste. After that, it is aesthetics and type of motor etc etc. It is a bit like going to Harrods and paying Ā£2.25 for a Mars Bar
drdre89 It certainly wins the looks competition!
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Nothing makes it stand out per say, its just pushed very well
Hoffman even has a vid lance was a big fan too from memory
My only worry is that it seems to be an ever changing product, and people get a different version every order, which is good and bad in my eyes, in that way i liken it to the decent were each version is the best for a few months
Looks nice, sounds under powered imo, and a little faffy
Personally dont like the way you buy either zerno or kafatec which seems to be a lottery, but also adds to the hype and the selective/exclusiveness of it.
But as i always say if you can afford it then go for it
Happy for those who want to go down the whole auger route but not for me,
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
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Cuprajake Hoffman even has a vid
He had some pretty scathing criticisms buried in his vid. The video sort of glosses over them and judging by the comments people took it as a positive review but those critiques he made are pretty bad in my opinion.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
The reason I bought the Kafatec was the burrs. The big Mazzer conicals are not in many grinders that single dose and tick all the needed boxes. Of course, then when I decided to make my mind up for once and all and started to research the grinder I realised the MC6 had switched out to their own in house designed exotically names Shuriken burrs. On paper their rationale sounds good but they have not convinced me yet that the flavour profile is suited to my taste buds. Perhaps using the Zero for so long, I just need a bit of time. As far as looks go it is industrial but does not float my boat one way or the other. So my earlier point was if you can buy the same burrs in multiple grinders, why choose the one that you did. The answer seems to be looks and belief in opinion pushed on you by others. But money and choice makes the world go round and remember, you do not have to justify your purchases to anyone except the mrs!
Dusk An interesting point and extremely rationalā¦ā¦but is that the case? If you ask ten people to watch a video of a robbery, then ask what colour the van was they pulled up in, you might be surprised at the varying answers
Another reason I like the Philos. Yes itās 64mm but had a (very good!) new burr designed specifically for it.
Did I mention I like the Philos? Wasnāt sure if Iād mentioned it at all yet. š
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
HarveyMushman ill admit i only skim watched, after his duo vid i kinda lost a bit of respect for him..
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
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i prefer the look of the Philos. the Zerno has a certain Chinese look about it but its an astronomical price for that!!
looks are obviously subjective but thereās no pull for me.
the philos looks and feels like it will last a lifetime
mykm Conclusion in short form was the Zerno just isnāt in the same league, from build quality to coffee flavor
thats good to know.
would like the same unbiassed comments comparing to the Philos .
HarveyMushman Definitely looks a lot nicer in proportion than the Philos.
isnt it strange how we all see things differently :-)
to me it looks like ā whats the cheapest stand we can come up with to stick this pringle can onā - maybe a bit harsh!!
Zerno - Sir No
Ade Smith. ACS Evo Leva v2. Kafatek Flat max 2, ssw 2024. Mazzer Philos, Craig Lyn HG-1 prime., WW key mk1.