DentalBeans wrote:Any updates on the bengle? I've been looking forward to hearing about it - the updated aesthetic prototype designs look awesome. I know last year it was hoped for early, prototype release sometime q3 but not sure if there have been delays.

We're still in R&D on it, but the delivery date for built machines is still April 2024.

Two pieces of news:

• we had more "noise" that we liked on the built in scale, so we've added an accelerometer to the two legs on both sides, and can now subtract vibration (both on the table and caused by the pump) from our measurements.
• we are close to making work, a totally-new way of controlling the vibe pumps. Instead of doing full pump strokes as needed (that's what we do now: about 5x to 10x a second), we're running the pumps at 100x to 120x a second (depending on your electrical hz), but having them move only as much as needed. If we can get this to work, this will dramatically reduce the sound level, as well as massively smooth the water flow. We're still in R&D on this, but it's a big change, and requires totally new pump driving circuitry. But, if it works, it'll be worth the wait.

Any chance this one bit could come back to the DE1 given that it's just the drive circuitry and not the pump itself?

decent_espresso wrote:We're still in R&D on this, but it's a big change, and requires totally new pump driving circuitry. But, if it works, it'll be worth the wait.[/list]

megamixman wrote:Any chance this one bit could come back to the DE1 given that it's just the drive circuitry and not the pump itself?

We don't yet know if it'll be possible to retrofit existing DE1 with this technology, as we don't yet even have it working well enough. We also don't know if the new circuitry will fit inside the existing DE1 PCB area. Just fyi the circuitry to do this is more expensive than the pumps.

Definitely, we can make a new DE1 model in the future, that can incorporate this, but whether we can offer a refit kit for existing DE1s, we don't yet know. If it's possible to do, then yes, we'll offer it.

-john

NetLawMan wrote:After lurking here for sometime, I ordered and received my DE1XL. It's early, but I am pretty happy so far. ... I am getting familiar with the DE1, but I am not fully there yet.

I am using the Decent scale...

I am glad I took the plunge ...

Like you, I suffered paralysis by analysis for almost a year before buying a DE1XL v1.45 last month. As I drink primarily light to light-medium single origin coffees only, I knew I wanted a machine with flow/pressure control and was intrigued about using profiles that would highlight these coffees such as gentle and sweet, turbo, blooming turbo, extractamundo dos, and Rao allonge as examples. Yet, I hesitated with lingering concerns about the build, reliability and software bugs etc. I really longed for a machine with the build, reliability and easy serviceability of a LM machine but wanted an EMP as a minimum. Living in Canada, ordering a Sprecht or Coffeemachinist modded LM LM from Australia seemed too expensive. Luckily I hesitated, as the Decent prices for the machine and shipping in Canada dropped significantly since the 1.45 arrived.

So far, I am loving the machine, paired with an Acaia lunar scale (using DSx skin) and lagom P64 with SSP MP burrs. The shots are generally as good and often way better than SOE I have been served in various cafes around the world. But, I still have a lot to learn. And remarkably I have only had about 3 choked shots and 2-4 sink shots. Knock on wood, the machine is working as advertised so far.

This might not be the correct place to ask, but does anybody have a video of their Decent (any size) with the clear cover pulling a shot?

I've always been curious about what the internals look like in action.

Thanks!

pinky wrote:This might not be the correct place to ask, but does anybody have a video of their Decent (any size) with the clear cover pulling a shot? I've always been curious about what the internals look like in action.!

I saw a video last week on instagram showing a DE1 making a shot, with its cover off, but it was an IG story, so it's gone now <sigh>

The only thing you'd see is slight bouncing of the two pumps. Otherwise, there's nothing to see inside when an espresso is made.

-john

That is an awesome synopsis. I am not there yet. I am still having shot issues. After much trial and error, it appears to be my grinder. I will post here once I have confirmed my suspicion.

Are you receiving some help in diagnosing it on diaspora?

-john

New: read the Quickstart guide from the comfort of your DE1 Tablet

I've now added a "Read DE1 manual" button to the de1app. Videos below show it working (works on Android, Windows, OSX)

In the future, we can use this for context sensitive help too. Youtube video links also work. Pressing the Android < button returns you back to the de1app. This is brand new, and only available on the 'nightly' version of the de1app. Be aware that the manual is large (it is graphics rich), and so if you do a "app update", it will take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.

For the techies: I've made this work by adding a very-very simply web server to the de1app, which (currently) returns the Quickstart guide, no matter what URL you ask for.

I will talk to DE1-owner-and-designer Pulak (I'm working with him now on several projects) about how we might Design the skins to have context-sensitive help. URLs in the manual can have #chapter_title on them, and Chrome will go right to that page.

-john

I enjoy use of my two Decent scales. V1.1 is reliable for my day to day morning espresso a la DE XL.

I also have a V 1.0. The V1.0 sometimes goes of the rails but resumes accurate reading with a reset. I wonder what that is about.

If there were a smartphone based app that replicated the readout and controls of the scale via bluetooth, I would use such an applet. Is there such an application for iphone that you are aware of?