Just wondering if anyone has had the chance to compare these 2 automatic tampers side by side

I have them both and they are both rated at 30lbs but it seems (and this has not been measured by me) that the Acaso might be more pressure than the Espro

The Acaso has a long PUSH and the Espro has a quick release. Not sure that they have the same effect

anyone else had a chance to compare ??

The only time I used a clicker tamper, the missus asked "What's that bleeping clicking?"

IMO, those tampers are a solution in search of a problem.

IF (and that there is a pretty big 'if') you want to practice a 30 lb tamp long enough to do it without thinking about it, using one of these 1500 times and you will tamp at 30 lbs until they box you up and get you six feet from the nearest tamper.
It is an absolutely perfect training tool if your goal is to train someone to tamp at 30 pounds. It's a pretty cool tool if you want to tamp at 30 pounds and don't want to train to do so, as well.
If all you want is a light tamp, or no tamp, or you want to 'feel' the right amount of tamp without machinery, or you have no problem with a bathroom scale on your kitchen (or,<shudder> your coffee shop's) counter, then it's wasted cash.
I like my Espro. Even after training with it and over 3000 tamps, it's still a pretty nice tamp. Weighted well, nice round handle, just like I like 'em. Prolly a bit heavy for daily continuous use in a professional environment, but excellent for training noobs.

I like my Espro. Even after training with it and over 3000 tamps, it's still a pretty nice tamp. Weighted well, nice round handle, just like I like 'em. Prolly a bit heavy for daily continuous use in a professional environment, but excellent for training noobs

I like it too. I think I prefer it to the feel of the Acaso. More like a regular Tamper. The Acaso has to "travel" a long distance and feel its pretty accurate, but the Espro is neater.

I will make a decision in the next day or two which will stay with me.

I'm leaning heavy on the Espro, Just feels better. There really isn't a "click" just very slight letting go

misterdoggy wrote:I will make a decision in the next day or two which will stay with me.

I'm leaning heavy on the Espro, Just feels better. There really isn't a "click" just very slight letting go

Which one did you get? I have the Espro, and I love it. It's one less variable to cope with when dialing in a grind or making any other adjustments.

cafeIKE wrote:IMO, those [ clicky ] tampers are a solution in search of a problem.

+1. I know some folks love 'em, but the Espro left me unimpressed. The novelty factor wore off within a few days, after which I found the click annoying and the balance clumsy. It seemed harder to get a level tamp with the Espro than an ordinary tamper, and I believe a level tamp is far more important than tamping at exactly 30#. I eventually sold it, and never once missed it.

Just my two cents.

RapidCoffee wrote:The novelty factor wore off within a few days, after which I found the click annoying and the balance clumsy. It seemed harder to get a level tamp with the Espro than an ordinary tamper

That seems a bit of a personal observation, and quite subjective, as my experience with the thing is about exactly opposite. Other than the squishiness (which, at this point is almost invisible) I may grab the Espro as often as near any of my other tamps, and it feels really good in my hand, really stable, and probably easier to get a level tam with this than with some of the others.
The most plausible explanation for this is what we found with the Tamper Roadshow. There are lots of different tampers for lots of different hands, and if everyone always liked the same thing there would always be a line.
My best guess would be that a tamper with the same dimensions, and no squish-factor would be jsut as clumsy and uncomfortable for you.
And the Espro (at least mine) has never 'clicked' once in it's life.

Psyd wrote:And the Espro (at least mine) has never 'clicked' once in it's life.

Well, that explains why you like it: you're using it incorrectly.

I dunno. Learning, I applied more and more pressure, increasing the pressure slowly, until the handle met the base. Very smooth, very quiet action. Most everyone but you describes the Espro this way (look at the above posts, too!)


It looks and feels a bit like the Compressore from EPNW;

or perhaps the Bumper from Paul Pratt.


The EPNW Clicker tamp, OTOH, the few time I used it, clicked audibly (unmistakeably) with a physical finality that was fairly conclusive. It was also tall, and oddly shaped.

It sounds and feels like the relay on my Major when I turn it on. The Espro is nothing like that.
It looks a bit like the Ascaso

Are you sure that you aren't confusing the two?
Or perhaps the Macap

Psyd wrote:I dunno. Learning, I applied more and more pressure, increasing the pressure slowly, until the handle met the base. Very smooth, very quiet action. Most everyone but you describes the Espro this way (look at the above posts, too!)

Everyone but me and the CoffeeKid himself:

...the Espro calibrated 30 lb clicking tamper...