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

woodbar

Yes, I have fitted the red one, so 8mm.

Don’t know why I typed “blue” - maybe gremlins, fairies, senior moment or the heat caused the error!

cirus

zellleonhart

Hi, also received a new probe with the new gicar V2, do you finally install it?

Your new gicar stabilize temperatures in coffee priority mode (switch position 0)? Mine don’t, after a shot temperature increase and decrease very slowly..

zellleonhart

cirus I did not install it because my current probe seems to be working fine. But yes the newngicar stabilize slower. I have not tried waiting for it to restabilize so I don’t know how long it takes, but say after a shot, the steam boosts kick in and I frothed my milk nicely. Then I did a quick flush for cleaning - the steam boost kicks in the second time and further increase the shot temperature.

I think the window of time that the second shot is within good temperature is very short, probably within just 3 minutes after the first shot.

cirus

zellleonhart

My reseller of the gicar send me a mail and say that Lelit advise to install the gicar and the probe together.

Maybe improving the temperature stability? I’ll try this weekend..

cirus

Hi, in the V2 software, xcoffee mode (position 0) the steam pressure is 0,5bar (92°C), after a shot increase to 1,5bar and temperature up to 95°C. I have to wait 15min to reach again 0,5bar and temperature stability. The new software must improve temperature stability right? In my experience i can’t see the difference with the old software.

cirus

zellleonhart

cirus Please update us how it goes. By the way, this probe is supposed to be install on top or below the steam boiler?

cirus

It seems to be the probe on top (ref 9600092)

woodbar

Well, BB finally got some stock yesterday and mine arrived today in the post - excellent. Did not bother to ask them if it was a V2 version as I was told a month or more ago that all the new stock would only be V2.

There was no info included advising the uninitiated of the changes to the modes and of course no temp sensor included?

I note this is now V1.10 08/06/22 so I wonder what has changed? Might get it fitted tomorrow if I don’t melt in the heat beforehand!

zellleonhart

woodbar from the comment section in the video below, lelit insider said the software is the same. I read another comment asking the same question (but I can’t remember which video), in which he said there is just some small changes in the pilot light (I suppose LED).

woodbar

In case you are wondering - no, I have not fitted it yet - to blinking hot!
Planned for tomorrow whilst it is raining outside and a bit cooler🙏🏼

cirus

So, i installed gicar and probe together but no change. Pressure still increase after a shot and stay at 1,5 bar for 15min (Position 0 coffee priority mode). Finally new software is disappointing, like V1 software there is a little window of 3-4min to pull another shot after you have to wait 15min..

DavecUK

cirus What happens if you have the switch in the other position?

The probe change I would not expect to make any difference, it’s purely a software change in the Gicar box to remove HX mode and replace it with a more dedicated coffee only mode, with very weak steam and an enhanced steam boost mode for the old coffee focussed mode.

woodbar

cirus Finally new software is disappointing, like V1 software there is a little window of 3-4min to pull another shot after you have to wait 15min..

Hmmmmmm, that’s cheered me up no end, just spent £85 and might work the same as the old one!

I must try it out tomorrow.

I seem to remember, from the dim distant past, that some machines had the connections transposed on the mode switch from the factory? Maybe what DavecUK is wondering in the above post - although I would think you would have found out about that before now if that was the case?

Oops, sorry, missed the 2 later posts!

Of course the other possibility is that someone in Lelit has had brain fade and the later batch of V2 actually contain V1 firmware? I know from experience how easy it is to mix up files with cryptic names and I note my units “code” and part number are different to previous shots of the V2 unit?

cirus

In the other position, similar to the position 1 of the old software with more steaming pressure

cirus

If new software bring a coffee mode with weak steam why pressure increase to 1,5bar after a shot??

cirus

The power led blink 5 times in position 0 at starting machine with the V2 software

zellleonhart

To visualize easier, here’s a quick refreshment of the difference:

V1 software
Position 1 - Coffee Priority Mode (Stable temp with steam boost)
Position 0 - Steam Priority Mode (Classic HX)

V2 software
Position 1 - Coffee Priority Mode (Stable temp with improved steam boost, meaning it boosts more reliably and consistently)
Position 0 - Coffee Only Mode (Steam boiler is disabled during brewing)

In my experience using Position 1 (Coffee Priority Mode) in V2, the steam boost is much more reliable now and I have never encountered any weak steaming or boiler auto refill during steaming. The cons is that since the steam boost is longer than in V1, it seems to take longer for the group head to stabilize back to the target brew temperature (but I have not tested how long).

@cirus I don’t think it is stated anywhere that V2 software will improve the waiting (cool down/stabilizing) time after pulling a shot.

wibblemonster

Received the V2 Gicar from Bella Barista last week and installed it over the weekend. XSteam mode (switch set to I) is a massive game changer. Whereas before you were standing looking at the pressure gauge as the machine pondered whether to boost or not, and when it did boost it pulsed the heater element on/off… now the steam boost really does boost and ramps almost immediately up to around 1.6bar and keeps it there during the boost period. The boost period and temperature regulation/stability also seem to be controlled better and improved with no more, will it actually stop boosting and for how long moments. And the absolutely infuriating boiler refill mid-steam seems to have been eradicated. Yes, the downside is a longer cool down period and the grouphead temperature ramps up quicker but nothing that a decent workflow and maybe some flushing can’t control. I’ve still to properly test xcoffee mode (switch set to 0) but from looking at the Lelit Insider video and some initial tests to me this actually resembles the old coffee priority mode but with much improved temp regulation. The thing to remember in xcoffee mode is that the boiler element is only off during a shot. The moment you put the lever back down the element will come on to bring the temp back up, and as a result will also bring the boiler pressure up as well.

zellleonhart

wibblemonster This is interesting, meaning in xCoffee mode (switch 0) I should be able to still steam but perhaps with lower steam power. Do you know if there is any kind of steam boost after pulling a shot AND lowering down the lever? Wondering if I should use this mode if I am planning to pull 2-3 back to back shot but with the need of steaming as well.

cirus

Thanks sharing your experience, i agree with you, for steam power it’s better but in xcoffee mode no massive change from V1 software.

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