I have no complaints with mine after getting ser# 0031 shortly after they came out. The portafilter fork came with mine and is removable with a screwdriver which allows me to use the catch tray it was mounted in. I have no clumping and little static. I did buy a dosing funnel from OE to get all the fluffy grinds into my 49mm pf.
-Richard / espressme

Just ordered one this morning, after talking to Kyle at Baratza.

I asked about the new display. He said it's only available on the European models right now. The U.S. models will start incorporating the new display in February, at which time there will be a price increase for the new features. Existing owners will be able to upgrade the display for about $20. He said it's easy to swap one for the other, and that the process takes about 3 min.

Really excited to get the new grinder. I dumped my Virtuoso almost two weeks ago, and have been going through serious withdrawal. I have a pound of Kona Peaberry that a buddy roasted for me in his Genecafe and 2 lbs of Fratello's Competition Blend sitting in the freezer. They're calling to me. (I've almost resorted to just chewing on the beans)

I'm really hoping to notice a significant difference between this and the Virtuoso. I'll let you know when it arrives.

The new display may be easy to add but what about the other improvements listed here like the grinder spout & p/f holder?

The following updates have been implemented in the VARIO home grinder:

- A memory function saves all changes made to the
programmable timer buttons even when the grinder
is disconnected from the power supply.

- The VARIO can now be switched off to save energy
(SLEEP) or switches off automatically when not
used (AUTOSLEEP)

- The grinder's spout has been redesigned in order to
improve the dosing accuracy and the ground coffee
appearance in the portafilter.

- The portafilter holder is now easier to adjust to all models
and sizes of portafilters of your personal espresso machine.

- New Operating Instructions give useful hints and tricks for
the best use of the VARIO as well as for programming and
trouble-shooting.

- In addition the VARIO home grinder is now assembled in
Hamburg in our factory in order to monitor the constant
quality of the final product.

JohnB. wrote:The new display may be easy to add but what about the other improvements listed here like the grinder spout & p/f holder?

Yeah, not sure. Didn't ask about those. The display was my only big concern. Sleep mode is part of the new display.

JohnB. wrote:The new display may be easy to add but . . .

John, wouldn't a simple call/email to Baratza answer the question?

zin1953 wrote:John, wouldn't a simple call/email to Baratza answer the question?

Sent an email last week asking when the latest version would be available over here but no reply yet. I'm in no hurry so if they don't show up until Feb its no big deal.

I just talked yesterday to the vice president of the company and she confirm the 2 months
and the point that every one already out it is very easily upgradable for the above mention price or so

About a month ago they had told me December...oh well.

There has been a lot of talk in the forums about upcoming Vario upgrades. I hope this post clears up any confusion.

In December 2008, Mahlkönig introduced the Vario Home (230V). Due to specific European electrical standards, they chose to stop sales of the Vario until changes were made to the motor and internal circuit board. In October 2009, Mahlkönig re-introduced the Vario Home with the following upgrades:
1. Redesign of the grounds chute to reduce spraying.
2. Better support system for the Portaholder.
3. Improvements to the micro adjustment lever
4. Memory, so that the programmable setting would not be lost when the grinder is unplugged.
5. Sleep mode feature.

In February 2009, Baratza introduced the Vario to the US and Canada markets. Improvements have been made to the Baratza Vario throughout 2009. The Baratza Vario (since serial No 270) includes upgrades 1, 2, and 3. Baratza will be introducing the memory and sleep feature in March 2010. At that time the price for the Baratza Vario will increase by $20.

The Memory and Sleep upgrade is fully contained in the front display panel. Baratza and Baratza resellers will be making the new display panel available to all Vario owners for $20. It is simple to change the display panel. It takes about 3 minutes and requires a Phillips screwdriver. The new boards will be available December 21.
In other words, after the new display board is installed, all US Vario's (after serial # 270) will have all the upgrades announced by Mahlkönig.

I have received yesterday my Baratza Vario. It is actually branded under the Mahlkonig name and it is the European model at 220 volts. The manufacturer's label at the bottom of the unit confirms that it is made in Germany.

sweaner wrote:Baratza will be introducing the memory and sleep feature in March 2010.

I am glad that my unit -being a European one- already incorporates both the memory and the sleep feature which work great, just as described in the User Manual .

I bought this grinder to replace my Rancilio Rocky with doser. I have not used Rocky for a long time and although I was quite happy with the grinding quality, I was soon fed up with the frequent cleaning of the doser vanes and chute not to mention the wasted coffee. Having read in this forum how superior is the grinding quality of the Vario and how well it performs in regards to the minimal grounds retention I made my mind and placed my order.

Although, my experience is very limited with my new Vario, I am already very happy with my decision. It took me some time to dial in and I did the 2mm hex screw calibration-thanks to Kyra- but nothing to complain about. My settings for Espresso are Macro at 2 and Micro at 3.

After moving the pf holder a few millimetres up, my E61 group pf just fits perfectly in its position. I have no static issues although when I grind a double dose some grinds manage to spill out the pf and are collected in the tray. I think this happens when I remove the pf from the holder since I have to tilt it a bit. I guess by practise this well get better. The grind quality is much superior to my Rocky and although a doserless grinder I get no clumping at all.

I am now in the process of breaking my Vario in and experimenting with the electronic timer vs dosing. I will post my findings here.