Endo wrote:I don't understand why people say the Espro is a trainer or beginner tamper.

Not me. It's a good training tamper and a good tamper period, i.e., it doesn't stand out as a training tamper like the Macap Dynamometric tamper and Clicker tamp do. That said, it's not difficult to learn to tamp with the same pressure using a cheap bathroom scale. According to a former full-time barista friend, the main benefit of such a tamper wasn't the consistency it encouraged, it was the subtle reminder not to "gorilla tamp" before the soreness in his shoulder reminded him.

Thks for all the great replies Guys..I asked the same questions to my barista trainer friend and his reply was "...not really unless you are making large amount of coffees... then go convex, it's a bit more consistent when you cannot put all the attention necessary into the shot. I always go convex but that's just a thing of mine, I know great Baristas that would never touch one. At the end of the day it won't really matter, go with your gut instinct. Keep at it, the consistency of the shot is always the biggest challenge..."
So my final decision is go for convex

Which should I go for? I only have budget for one. My barista trainer friend said " If you want to know what 15 kg feels like you can use a regular house scale to tamp on. Try a few time and you'll get the idea of how much weight you need to put on it. I have been testing the theory of 15kg (30lbs) of pressure and frankly, as long as you get over 13 kgs and less then 20 kgs and you tamp with direct downwards force there is no really discernible difference. I have been testing this thoroughly over the years.
The Espro tamper is a great training tool if you train others (i have one) or you have a cafe with many employees that require guidance and consistency in tamping... but if it is for personal use, you can get much nicer looking tampers for that price if you buy a $20 scale instead."
All comments and advise greatly appreciated...

Alan, I merged your new thread with the old since they're closely related. Hope you don't mind...

blueface wrote:...if it is for personal use, you can get much nicer looking tampers for that price if you buy a $20 scale instead.

Agreed. You could probably find a used bathroom scale at a secondhand store for even less.

It's perfectly fine with me...thks Boss