I bought one of these ... It makes using the Aeropress a little less messy but all of their videos and documentation imply that it needs quite a lot of force to open the 'valve' in the middle. Not with mine! As soon as put the plunger section into the outer section, I can hear and feel the valve open.

Could mine be faulty or is that just the way they are? I tried asking them the question but just got back some boilerplate text on how to use it .. not at all useful!

The same on mine

That is comforting to know. I actually quite like using it mainly because it is less messy than using the Aeropress the right way up - although I usually use it inverted with a stainless steel filter!

I now have quite a good compact travelling kit (I travel a lot!) with the Aergrind which does fit nicely inside the Aeropress. I have discarded the funnel and that stupid stirring stick! I just wish that the so-called 'tote bag' was a little bit less flimsy. I may have to fabricate something similar from some stronger material.

Used with a paper filter it makes using an Aeropress a lot easier and less messy, but the fact they even hinted a the word espresso in it's description but be only a reflection of that word as used on the original Aeropress box as it seems to hold no more pressure than the paper filter with the original cap.

Ira

My AeroPress is easier to press down with Prismo than with some other (both Able filters for example) metal filters. I still am very happy with the results I'm getting with Prismo, but calling it even espresso-like is hardly the truth. It produces good coffee (if accompanied with a good grinder obviously) and that's about it.

And what is "espresso-like" in the first place? To me it sounds that 'espresso-like' isn't espresso.
They used to call moka pot "espresso-like". What a joke! And it seems to keep coming back with any new gadget.

What's wrong with calling it "strong filter coffee"? Oh yeah, the fact that you're trying to sell a nickel-and-a-dime-solution to people who should rather get a few thousand dollars worth of real espresso gear to get what they want.

I do like my Prismo though.

The main benefits seem to be that you don't need to invert and also prevents leaks from the sides when pushing down. Otherwise it's just a normal Aeropress. Downside is that it doesn't fit quite snugly on the Aeropress funnel and seems a bit messier to clean.