It seems that Lelit has made a few changes with the updated Mara X (some a bit confusing), so I thought it might be useful for potential and current owners to list the differences we know about, and maybe add more if we find them in the future. I am not sure what the cut-off date between V1 and V2, but it seems the V2 is from late 2021 (maybe around September? This is still to be confirmed). 1\. **Lelit’s Logo**. The new machines have a black printed logo instead of the classic red logo which sits proud. This is just aesthetics, and if anything seems like Lelit is cutting costs with the printed logo. In any case, it’s insignificant. [URL=https://i.imgur.com/8axaSpv.png][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/8axaSpv.png[/IMG][/URL] 2\. **OPV discharge.** The original version had the OPV discharge water routed to the drip tray. Many owners moded their machines to re-route the OPV discharge to the pump. The new version comes from the factory with the OPV discharging to the pump (A V2 machine is the same as a moded V1). Anyone who has the original version that still vents water to the drip dray can easily rearrange the tubes so that it will be the same as the newer machines. [Instructions on how to do that can be found here.](https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/142-lelit-mara-x-opv-mod-improved-updated-version-2022) 3\. [Edited following @"DavecUK"#1 comments below:] **New Xcoffee mode (Coffee priority with no steam boost) replaces Steam Priority mode:** **V1** has a Coffee Priority mode (position 1 on the switch on the right side of the machine) and a Steam Priority mode (Position 0 on the switch). In Coffee Priority mode the machines keeps the set temperature for brewing, and requires a Steam Boost to bring the temp up for steaming pressure. In Steam priority mode the machine behaves like a classic HX - it keeps a steady temperature for steaming milk and requires cooling flushes to bring the temp down for brewing. **V2** has an Xmode steam (position 1) and Xmode coffee (position 0). Xmode steam is similar to Coffee Priority mode in V1: The machine keeps the set temperature for brewing, and uses a Steam Boost to bring it up to steaming pressure. (targets may be a bit different, see below, but the general idea is the same). This mode is for making milk-steamed espresso drinks. Xmode Coffee, however, is new. It is essentially the same as Coffee Priority/Xmode sream but **without the steam boost**. It is meant for making espresso drinks when no steaming is needed. The advantage is that temperature stability is even better for brewing (like a single boiler machine with PID). It also enables making back to back shots without worrying that Steam Boost will make the temperature too high for brewing (requiring wait time/cooling flush to bring the temp down). (note that the names of the new modes on V2 may be a bit confusing, because the Coffee Priority mode from V1 is now called Xmode steam, and the new mode is called Xmode coffee). [URL=https://i.imgur.com/Nkki1vZ.png][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/Nkki1vZ.png[/IMG][/URL] 4\. **Software updates.** This is trickier to compare, and more information is needed. In Coffee Priority mode, Mara X is known to cleverly juggle between keeping a steady set temperature in the group for brewing (without needing a cooling flush), to having enough steam power for frothing milk. It does that by starting a Steam Boost once the machine is used (lifting the lever or purging steam or water). The new version seems to have a different set of instructions in the firmware to achieve that, but it is yet to be clear what these changes exactly are and how they effect the use of the machine. [Edited following DaveC's comments below]: Steem Boost in the Xmode steam might be a little longer than in V1, to give a bit more steam power. More information about the tweaks in the software and potential option to upgrade the V1 to V2 software by replacing the Gicar box can be found in DaveC's messages below. This is a some information about V2 sent from Lelit to @"RobertRo101"#379: [URL=https://i.imgur.com/9DY4ibj.png][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/9DY4ibj.png[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/L7sqnfz.png][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/L7sqnfz.png[/IMG][/URL] 5\. **Anything else?** Please share.

I think Lelit "may" have confused people slightly here….not 100% certain. **In discussions with them over a year ago, I suggested that the machine might be better having:** * a pure coffee mode no steaming, so the temperature in the HX can be exact new position 0 * Steam Boost mode, which is like the old system of steam boost (the old position 1) This meant loosing the pure uncontrolled HX mode. The main reason was because I never used it and really couldn't see why anyone would use it unless they were buying an HX machine for a different use scenario than MaraX was intended for. Mauro liked this idea and I believe may well have implemented it with the new model. *Ideally of course a 3 position side switch or a second switch would have been nice to have Xmode Coffee, steam boost and pure HX. I wasn't sure the software was capable of that.* The Idea was that Xmode coffee was for the none steamed milk drinker, if someone wanted milk you could switch it into "Coffee Boost Mode", which I think they have called Xmode steam. So to summarise for the new machine, I think: **Xmode Coffee (Position 0)** - This is like the single boiler PID controlled machines giving you 3 very stable temperatures (I-0-II), minimal chance of overheating, no steam boosting, you can go back to the machine after 4 minutes or 8 minutes and it's at the right temp. **Xmode Steam (Position 1) -** The old steam boost we all know and love, and used to be position 1 on the old machine. HX mode in position 0 having gone the way of the ark. **The clues are here** [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/xreZBtN.png] **I believe the confusion is here** [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/cjUh5ud.png] I'm waiting to hear back and will let you know. If I am right, they simply need to reword the user guide slightly.

@"DavecUK"#p8395 - Dave, have you got the Xmode positions the other way around? Should it be Xmode Steam (position 1) and Xmode Coffee (position 0)? (As per manual). in your explanation I think you got the “xmode” positions the other way round. 👍

@"MediumRoastSteam"#p8399 not now 🤣

I got a reply which states my belief about the new functions is correct.

Just to add some clarity for this. **Switch Position 1** is similar to the old setting where it boosts the steam when you extract for lattes and gives a decent steam boost, I think 130+ for a bit longer than before. Of course the same issues of overheat applies as in my review, where if you don't make coffee after coffee…and wait you will have to flush. **Switch Position 0 -** used to be HX mode, but that has gone and this is special coffee and espresso without milk steaming mode… To give better stability and less overheat, with the heating element of during the shot and only boosting slightly to service the needs of HX recovery. I would think you can still steam in this mode..but it would be limited to small quantities of milk and be slower. I must remember to ask for a revised Gicar box to try it as I am not sure I have one…I have lots of different programmed boxes. 🤣, but not quite this.

Just to point out, those are the only pages from the new manual that they have sent me. I don't have any other pages and don't know if there are any other differences, other than those stated above. They have confirmed that the new software will make the machine warm-up quicker, but they did not go into detail.

> @"DavecUK"#p8448 Just to add some clarity for this. > > Switch Position 1 is similar to the old setting where it boosts the steam when you extract for lattes and gives a decent steam boost, I think 130+ for a bit longer than before. Of course the same issues of overheat applies as in my review, where if you don’t make coffee after coffee…and wait you will have to flush. > > Switch Position 0 - used to be HX mode, but that has gone and this is special coffee and espresso without milk steaming mode… To give better stability and less overheat, with the heating element of during the shot and only boosting slightly to service the needs of HX recovery. I would think you can still steam in this mode..but it would be limited to small quantities of milk and be slower. > > I must remember to ask for a revised Gicar box to try it as I am not sure I have one…I have lots of different programmed boxes. 🤣, but not quite this. @"DavecUK"#p8448 - Thank you very much for clarifying this Dave! This makes a lot of sense: Mode 1 stays the same (maybe with a stronger steam boost?), and mode 0 changes from a standard HX (which isn't useful for most) to a No-Steam-Boost-Coffee-Only mode. Yes, the names in the images they sent to @"RobertRo101"#379 can be confusing (Coffee priority now called Xmode steam, and Steam Priority replaced with Xmode coffee). Maybe they have not yet finalized the V2 manual and this is why @"RobertRo101"#p8468 got the V1 manual? Is there an option to update V1 software to V2? If someone buys a new Gicar box and replaced the old one - will that machine work as a V2? I am sure some people might be interested in that.

> @"Doram"#p8471 Is there an option to update V1 software to V2? If someone buys a new Gicar box and replaced the old one - will that machine work as a V2? I am sure some people might be interested in that. I would imagine it should work fine, expensive, but it would work….and of course you still have the old box.

Does anyone here put their hands on a MaraX with a black logo? Also, any idea if (and when) it will be available in North America? Lelit’s website shows the new black logo but still mention the original Coffee modes (brew and HX). Does anyone know if it’s because the changes are not yet available at all?

@"Snooze"#p9103 I don't, although I would like to get my hands on a Gicar box with the new programming, ako I can put it into the existing MaraX I have. I did suggest the new programming after all. I must remember tomorrow to sort that out.

Lelit Mara X V1 and V2 – the differences

Snooze

portafilter

Now that think about it, I tried a machine that had all the general features change listed in the PDF (copied below) except the black logo:

General features*

• Hot water and steam taps with LELIT logo embossed and visible from above. They are longer than the former ones, therefore the wands will not touch the body of the machine, preventing any possible scratch.

• IMS filters made of 304 stainless steel: 1 dose (9-11 g), 2 doses (16-18 g), 2 doses PLUS (18-21 g), blind.

• Water tank with LELIT logo embossed.

• The OPV drain system discharges the water back into the water tank instead of the drip tray. In this way, the user needs to empty it less often and the water consumption is halved.

• New silk-screened logo displayed on the front to give the machine a new minimalist look, in line with the company’s rebranding.

The Xmode change is not listed as a feature but only explained later on.

@DavecUK, or anyone else who may know, except the serial number and the black logo, are you aware of a way to verify if a machine has the XmodeCoffee change?

They mention in the manual that the power led would blink at startup: was the previous version doing that too?

DavecUK

Snooze @DavecUK, or anyone else who may know, except the serial number and the black logo, are you aware of a way to verify if a machine has the XmodeCoffee change?

I would say the best way is to switch in away from 1 to 0 on the right hand switch under the tray and see if the steam goes up and stays there…then you know it’s the old software and is working as an HX machine. When I get the stuff I shall put a video up before I change out the Gicar box

RobertRo101

No, the V1 had a different way of confirming the coffee mode. Mauro has a youtube video about it, the two lights for temperature and water would stay on for 5 seconds (or something like that).

logjames

Anyone know what “Hot water and steam taps with LELIT logo embossed and visible from above. They are longer than the former ones, therefore the wands will not touch the body of the machine, preventing any possible scratch.” actually means?

The wands on my Oct-2020 machine have an engraved (as opposed to embossed) Lelit logo on top, and the elbow of the wands will not touch the front of the machine, but you can articulate the arm in such a way so that the tips of the wands could touch the sides of the case. Do these new wands completely eliminate the wands from touching any portion of the case?

ianIdn

authorized reseller in my country sent me this video
to explain the software update in v2. I’m planning to buy marax, but still not decided yet between marax and bezzera bz10

jmimac351

If anyone receives confirmation of when / who will have this machine in the US with the revised software, please share. Thanks.

randyr5

I talked to Jim at 1st-line.com and he wasn’t even aware of the changes/new software for the MaraX. He said it could be a few months before it hits the US market. His machines right now have the upgraded OPV drain but nothing else.

Snooze

DavecUK are the changes for the Xmode only a Gicar software change with the same Gicar or there is some hardware that need to be changed/added too?

Thanks!!

DavecUK

Snooze are the changes for the Xmode only a Gicar software change with the same Gicar or there is some hardware that need to be changed/added too?

Just a Gicar box change. I have a replacement box for mine and will be wiring it in soon…I’ll make a video.

Snooze

DavecUK ok great. Is it the same Gicar but running a different software?

I’m asking since the distributor said they could reprogram a V1 with the new software.. but they’ve had incorrect information previously so I doubt that their information is reliable.

DavecUK

A Gicar box can be programmed using the correct procedure, and although I know exactly how, I don’t have the programming kit to do it…or I might not. The one thing I know for sure, Lelit don’t give any Retailers the ability to reprogram anything.

I would imagine the Retailer would simply replace the Gicar Box and perhaps that what they mean….maby they assume if they send the old box back to Lelit they will be credited for a replacement. I have no idea. Not something I get into.

My view is if you already have a MaraX, wait till the Gicar box fails, then replace it with the new box/software. You can be assured that such an approach will result in your Gicar box never failing (that’s how it works). Or bite the bullet, get a new box and keep the old one as a spare. The MaraX already works pretty good…this is just fine-tuning, and it does remove the pure HX function (which I never used but YMMV)

I also have no idea of the Retail cost of a MaraX Gicar box with the new software…or even if retailers have them yet.

Snooze

DavecUK ok thanks a lot again Dave. I’ll dig a bit more on that with the retailer.

As usual, your help is of extremely useful and valuable. I like this forum!

jmimac351

I reached out to Chris’ Coffee and they claim to have had the V2 for months. Red logo. I’m not convinced. I’ve also reached out to Lelit to see what they say about availability in the US. The “single boiler espresso” and switchable steam functionality is exactly what I want. I only wish it were fully polished.

DavecUK

jmimac351 Giphy - mmm GIF

jmimac351

DavecUK

jmimac351

UPDATE: Cristina at Lelit responded to a message I sent over the weekend and says 1st Line will have the Mara X V2 “shortly”. Jim at 1st Line was copied on the message and said to check the website in 4-6 weeks for updates. So, it sounds like Jim at 1st Line is now in the loop on the updated version - if he wasn’t already.

MisterH1337

Does anybody here have this new V2 gicar besides me?

Wanted to confirm if when moving the temp preset switch from 0-1-2 position, the temp LED indicator blinks or not.
With the V1 Gicar, every change of temperature preset caused the temp LED to blink, but on the V2 it does not. Weird.

@DavecUK Have you had to chance to wire up yours?

DavecUK

MisterH1337 @DavecUK Have you had to chance to wire up yours?

I have not done so yet…

Giphy - In A Box Reaction GIF

MisterH1337

@RobertRo101 Hey, if you can confirm whether your v2 behaves like my upgraded to V2 machine when changing the 3 way microswitch?

I want to know if its normal or the technician miss-connected some wires

RobertRo101

MisterH1337 Mine doen’t blink.

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