Don't forget you have to pack also the kettle in that space

If traveling by plane for a few days, I don't even think about carrying 3-4kg of coffee gear with me

If traveling by car, packing assembled Flair takes less space than dissembling it and taking it in the case as I don't need to take an extra item (the case) and other stuff just fits around it in the suitcase. But even then I don't bother with kettle which I don't need even at home. A small all-in-one cezve used for preheating the cylinder and heating the water is a) much smaller b) faster c) has temperature as precise as the most expensive kettles out there by simple temperature surfing method ... and its precision is certainly better than the precision of the temperature of preheated cylinder which depends a lot on the timing ... generally, with that simple gear, I'm almost always within about 1°C tolerance of required brew temperature ...

There's always the issue of trains and coaches, where the weight is not necessarily an issue (obviously only to a point, but you don't have any strict arbitrary weight limit), but the space and general ergonomics still matter. Personally I'm ready to take 4-5kg of coffee gear with me on a train, but only if I can disassemble everything so it doesn't take too much space.

malling wrote:The problem is that you probably would want it more protected then that, ...

Aren't clothing around enough protection?
Do you prefer a custom case with a lot of foam filling the precious space around the machine, instead useful stuff ?

Serious question, do you guys usually bring espresso equipment when you fly? Sounds like a pain if you're going to be moving from place to place often. I have a robot which I'll take up to my cabin if I'm going to be up there for more than a few days, but that's just by car. To me part of the fun of visiting a new place is trying the cafes.

I also do not understand this thread's obsessing over how portable the 58 is. It was not designed to travel.

I find that even the smaller and designed-to-be-portable Flair Classic is just too big to take with me when travelling. I almost always never do and much prefer the Handpresso for this purpose. I've been travelling with it (and a Hario Mini grinder) for years. The Nanopresso is also ok, but I use it less often. Both don't provide espresso that can match the Flair, but one that's clearly better than what is served in most hotels.

BTW, a few months ago I bought a 1Zpresso JX Pro grinder to replace the Hario, but alas, no travelling with the pandemic still around. Maybe I should try it with the Handpresso and imagine that I'm travelling abroad

Apologies for the perhaps daft question - which may also be trite - however, I might find myself "downgrading" from my current setup later in the year. Is there any kind of data or anecdotal evidence on how well can a manual lever (I understand the Flair 58 is new, but I would imagine that an older Flair *used correctly* would have the same potential for quality in the cup) do at extracting very light roasts, than a flow control E61 machine. I suppose one could reduce dose and thereby achieve higher ratios, but I am trying to understand if all else equal, I am going to have a "ceiling" when it comes to extraction* I can achieve with a Flair vs eg a Bianca.

*and yes, I fully understand that higher extraction is not always better, but I like the idea of being able to enjoy very light roasts and their floral notes once in a while, and I am keen to understand whether this is achievable.