New Lelit Mara X3

Inspector

https://bellabarista.co.uk/products/lelit-marax3-pagaia?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=MaraX%203&_kx=1jaXmJzIe9VyGNMb7myvtCP6E9DFXNfCmGhxVtFZItU.STr3Hq

MediumRoastSteam

I saw that as well. Interesting that thinggy (they called it “paddle”) on the side, range and how accurate that is.

Legendofthejive

Not sure I’m a fan of shape of the new knobs 🤔. In the video Marco states that the pagaia flow control system will eventually pass on to other Lelit models in the range. So we may see a a new Bianca at some point in the near future? Would be interested to see how this would compare with the flow control padel already on the Bianca and those Mx owners that have added the flow control padel. Would there be any extra benefits v the flow control padel, or just same, same but different so no point?

MediumRoastSteam

It feels a little lame. £400+ for err… a paddle which modulates the pump. As Lelit haven’t recently released anything meaningful, I was expecting more from Lelit/Breville. Maybe they will. Fingers crossed for the next Elizabeth. 😉

Cuprajake

£1500 for a mara makes the liz look even better

FadedFrontiers

Lelit looking to compete with Profitec in the overpriced small machines category

delta76

FadedFrontiers inflation! We must help those poor companies make a profit.
/s if not clear. Hard pass for me, even though I am not looking to buy and will not buy an E61 again, I can’t see myself recommending this. Modest new features and some minor cosmetic changes yet significantly price jump.

Tr90

The Mara x was £900 when it came out wasn’t it? It’s taken them 6 years to put a paddle on it for an extra £600. And it’s still one of the few options at the price!

delta76

Tr90 there was a v2 some time in 2023 with increased price.
I don’t keep track of it but everything has been getting more and more expensive in the last 4 years. Of course inflation and corporate greed, but I can understand how Lelit set RRP higher. It’s common tactic to get the most out of eager buyer, and will gradually reduce in price. People will more likely buy a £1,249.96 machine discounted to, 1100 for example, than the same machine at 1100 RRP, no discount.

MediumRoastSteam don’t think it has much to do with Breville as new owner. Even if Lelit is not bought I can see they would increase the price. They have introduced black/white version of Biance/Mara X with higher prices and jack up price in US before the take over. This is pretty much aligned with what they have been doing

MediumRoastSteam

It would be interesting to know more about that paddle - or is it a potentiometer?

I mean, if the pump has been kept the same and the paddle is regulating the voltage to the pump - can I mod it myself with a voltage regulator?

I struggle to see £400+ worth of innovation.

Suppose we are experiencing first hand the Breville take over…

dfk41

MediumRoastSteam I never understood the attraction of a paddle. When first introduced I immediately thought, how do you replicate an exact shot into a process that already has so many variables? If there was some sort of display (there may be as I have not looked that closely) with numbers then I can start to see through the fog. It just sounds likea traditional Unique Selling Point lifted from the 1970’s. Still, no doubt across the world vast swathes of people who need the latest new thing will be opening their wallets (or not)

delta76

dfk41 the paddle is never meant to replicate an exact shot. Not in a practical sense. People shared “profiles” for Bianca flow control, which I tried once or twice and never again, because it not precise nor repeatable. The most realistic usage, for me, is to save a shot, most likely when the grind was too coarse, but I usually just let it be.
But as long as the marketing of “this paddle looks fun” and “possibilities are endless” is working, people would buy it.

MediumRoastSteam

delta76 - I was mainly referring to the paddle. Meh…

dfk41

delta76 The Breville/Sage range is very successful. The Dual Boiler could be up there with any coffee machine. It is extremely capable. But, as far as I am aware the only development it has undergone is the fitting of pressure joints throughout to save having to use O rings which are guaranteed to fail.

The point I am making is that Breville are not known for innovation so the addition of an outdated paddle to me, is enough to confirm that they would not make it to my short list despite me owning an Elizabeth. Can you imagine the worlds reaction to a car manufacturer announcing the arrival of their latest updated verion of car X with an innovative 5 speed gearbox?

Cuprajake

delta76 agree but even then, how often do you grind like that, not very often,

on the bianca i found the solenoid feature more helpful as its repeatable

delta76

dfk41 I was only saying/explaining that paddle is pretty useless to me. but it looks fun and the shills will still say it as making a whole lot difference. New buyers with their honeymoon period will also speak excitedly about it too and that is usually enough to convince people.
Pretty much “if it sells”

delta76

Cuprajake for me pretty often as i change beans a lot. But i can see other people changing much less than me.
But we both agree that the paddle is more fun in idea than in reality. After my honeymoon period I did not use it that much to worth the hassle (lubing, replacing orings, calibrating, and eventually repairing)

Cuprajake

oh really, im always swaping about lol