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...

RapidCoffee RapidCoffee wrote:...the Espro calibrated 30 lb clicking tamper...

You're quoting the choice of the geek-in-question's 'Best Training Tool' of 2006 pick to suggest that the Espro isn't really that good?
And 'clicking' in that context is a misnomer. What it actually does is, from Espro themselves, "reduces variation in tamping, so you can make espresso exactly the same way each time. How? By hiding a revolutionary force feedback system inside"

'Force Feedback' and 'click' tend to be exclusive. It ain't for everyone, but the vast majority of the folk who have used it either find it great and handy, or at most, fairly pedestrian.
Even those that aren't of the 30# school like the feel, balance, and level tamps over and above the rest of the gadgetry involved.
Or maybe y'all got an earlier development? Have ya tried one lately?
Mine doesn't click. Not even a little bit.

RapidCoffee wrote:Everyone but me and the CoffeeKid himself:

If you keep following that link trail, it'll take you to the reviews from the other geeks on that site, and almost all of them are glowing.

We have to remember here, that each of us are different, and just because it doesn't work for us, that doesn't mean that it is not a good thing to many, many others.
I get that you don't like it, but if it were to go to a vote amongst folk who have used the thing, it would overwhelmingly go to those that thought it was a good thing (tm).

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

My Espro behaves as you describe. The Macap dynamometric tamper, on the other hand, has a click that will scare the cat.

I personally never made a single shot of espresso before I purchased my Espro tamper for my QM Anita.

It has been a very useful learning device and I am certain that it shortened the learning curve for my enjoyment of espresso at home.

The only other tools that come close in utility are EricS's group thermometer and as mentioned the naked portafilter.

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.

Paul,

The Espro for a lot of reasons

1. I like to do the 3 turns after the final tamp and you cannot do it with the acaso as its free floating inside the handle so you turn the handle and the tamper part stays fixed in place. The espro is all locked together and turns nicely.

2. You would not know from its looks that it was anything other than an ordinary tamper

3. The Acaso has a long spring movement and the Espro is just a "letting go" which is just a matter of preference I guess, but I prefer the Espro. Not really a "click" per say, but the noise of the handle hitting the base, I guess some might say it clicks.

I really feel that with either of them, you can feel confident that you are reproducing the same pressure without a doubt each and every time.

I'm glad you like it. I hadn't realized that the Acaso handle turns independently of the tamper. That would make polishing a little tricky.

As far as the whole "click" issue is concerned, I immediately noticed the verbage is consistent with "clicker" torque wrenches and anticipated similar action. I was right. My Espro doesn't make any clicking sounds. If it did, I would still use it. It's been fantastic for me.

HB wrote:My Espro behaves as you describe. The Macap dynamometric tamper, on the other hand, has a click that will scare the cat.

The click is felt, not audible. I do not believe it did anything whatsoever to improve my espresso.

Lo, may the multitudes proclaim its wonders, and verily, may they toss pages of product literature in my general direction, the fact remains: I did not care for the Espro. It is a decent tamper, but I preferred my "manual" tampers. There is nothing more for me to add on this thread, so I shall attempt to exit gracefully while I still can.

As for me, I am thinking of buying it. As a training instrument, to have yet another thing under control. Now I am awaiting prices from three distributors in Europe. Or does someone want to sell one for a bargain?

RapidCoffee wrote:The click is felt, not audible.

I do not believe it did anything whatsoever to improve my espresso.

I did not care for the Espro. It is a decent tamper, but I preferred my "manual" tampers.

Except for the reference to an in-audible onomatopoeia, that's a far better review than the earlier one.
This one suggests that you don't care for the tamper,the last one suggested that the tamper wasn't valuable in any sense, and was actually detrimental.
Cheers, nice edit!

Psyd wrote:Except for the reference to an in-audible onomatopoeia, that's a far better review than the earlier one.
This one suggests that you don't care for the tamper,the last one suggested that the tamper wasn't valuable in any sense, and was actually detrimental.
Cheers, nice edit!

Huh? Do me a favor, Chris: re-interpret someone else's posts, and lay off mine. This is getting old.