Espresso PARADOX.. - Londinium VECTIS Review

[@Horologiist]

1 year ago i looked out to replace my Rancilio Silvia with another machine that allows me to steam while brewing and not to surf for the right temp any longer. I looked the market what fancy machines out there and what impressive tech they provide. PI, PID, ramp up and ramp down, flow control and pressure profiling... Then i realised all this tech is about imitating spring lever profiles. A tech thats around for almost 100 years. Its simple and reliable and if something breaks up one can repair(!) it. At home! Finally i got myself a Bezzera Strega from second market and all i can say is: Its THE game changer! So i no longer focus on tech and things around but on the beans and the drinks.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Yup you nailed it!

[@TF.520]

I'm about to do the same thing. Why'd you go with the Strega vs Pro 800, Londinium, or others?

[@Horologiist]

@@TF.520 one version of the strega comes with a pump. Great if you cant plumb it in.

[@caffeinated_slacker]

Excellent review, you hit all the important points. I own a Vectis from the initial batch (and a Londinium Compressa) and completely 100% agree with everything you said. Well done!

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thank you so much!

[@nelsonnicklebee]

Awesome video! Thanks also for all the Scace data you put in the comments.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Of course! Always looking to add more helpful detail!

[@CaldwellCoffee]

Great overview of the Vectis! I’ve owned 5 espresso machines in 15 years and the Vectis is hands down my favorite one. It’s hard to make bad espresso on it 😄

[@make725daily1]

This video is a hidden treasure I've been looking for! Subscribed, and I'm already inspired! - "Value the journey; it molds you into something extraordinary..."

[@matiasnruffa]

My first espresso machine was a restored '65 LaPavoni. I learned how to make espresso with it, and then bought an Ascasso Steel Duo, which is my daily driver. With that said, making coffee with a direct lever machine is a totally different experience. Is a lot more involved and rewarding when done right.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

It absolutely is.

[@palefire]

Beautifully done!

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thank you!!

[@tcl7563]

Lovely looking machine!

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Totally agreed here!

[@braxtonjens7839]

This is at the top of my home machine list since it's so easy to pull great shots. Also, this machine will probably last forever. "If your like a tweaker", like an adjuster" one of my favorite lines in this video.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

As soon as tweaker came out of my mouth, I had to clarify 🤣 I really enjoyed using this

[@braxtonjens7839]

@@DaddyGotCoffee nice save there! Those dang coffee tweakers! I’ve had a La Pavoni for years now, that I scored at a yard sale. But it’s too manual and fussy for everyday use. And my wife doesn’t want to use it. For now a Breville bambino holds down the small easy to use machine.

[@Spasticuss]

Great review. I want one. I like silence coffee

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

It’s a vibe for sure 🔥

[@orrinbelcher6593]

Love it, beautiful espresso machine, super fun and wonderfully done.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Agreed and thank you!

[@orrinbelcher6593]

@@DaddyGotCoffee You’re welcome sir ☕️😊

[@troyheffernan1261]

Ok, you nailed it on rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. My wife said good morning babe you made hot water this morning. I forgot to put in the coffee. 😂 The tall lever can be a problem for me. But i believe i have a fix for that for the company. A slip over locl cap and a hinge half way up the lever. You can store the handle in the upright position with the lever in the down position. Just an idea for an aftermarket part. ❤

[@cher128bx]

Oh my God!....I am currently in the market for my first espresso machine and watching tons of videos like yours to help me decide which would be right for me. I absolutely would feel comfortable shelling out $2000+ dollars for the Vectis. Actually, I was sold on the $3000 Lelit Bianca but, now my mind has been persuaded toward going for the Vectis. Who knows, ultimately, I might end up owning 2 machines, and two grinders as I have blissfully fallen through the coffee rabbit hole and loving every second.

[@williammackey7243]

Being in the market for a spring lever machine with no pump, I wonder how this compares to the Cremina SL....

[@jameschang2736]

Thanks for the review. Is the maximum pressure 7bar shown in this video 2:30?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Just under 7 bar, yup!

[@TheBrokenEclipse]

Great video! I would love to hear your thoughts on the Odyssey Argos espresso machine (especially the direct lever) after you've tried the Londinium.

[@issythis3642]

Excellent review, Justin! Couldn’t agree more!!! Can you provide details/link for the nifty pressure-reading device you used? Thanks!

[@bolerkai]

I basically only do pour-over, but if I were to get into espresso, this would be a very attractive option.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Totally agreed

[@pdxrunner]

With my small kitchen, the height of the lever is a deal breaker. However, your "emotional" analysis if pulling a shot on the machine is what is missing from most all other reviewers. The process of making espresso is why we are home Baristas. The process, the art, is perhaps more important than the shot. I almost miss my manual ROK, with its work flow. The art if my Lucca X58 HX is in itself a daily morning symphony of heat, water, prep, pull , steam. A dance that I then become the audience when sipping my Latte.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I hear you! The process is def a factor - and it’s brilliant with this one!

[@brownzys]

Ive got the 9barista for myself for christmas and I am incredibly happy with it its simple its beautiful there isnt anything besides ammount and grind size of the coffee to adjust it gives a similar vibe as this. would love to try a vectis especially since it is able to steam milk which would be kind of cool to be a possibility

[@gregorio5543]

Fell in love with levers when I lived in Italy. Something about how they make coffee can’t be replicated. I have a the Gaggiuino mod on a Gaggia Classic that has a londinium profile that’s quite nice but I’m sure doesn’t do the real machine justice

[@nasonwise2904]

I have a vectis and I love it. Quick question: my espresso drops begin with the sides of the basket rather than uniform across the basket. Is it worth troubleshooting to get a nice even pre infusion drip? Also, do you generally keep preonfusion < 10 sec?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I mean if it tastes good I’d say just ride it. I had some doughnut and others spot evenly. Generally, I would wait for spots across the whole basket before releasing the lever. Regarding preinfusion, this really depended on the coffee. For decafs and darks I did it super quick. Light roasts, I’d preinfuse the snot out of it. Sometimes 30+ sec

[@nasonwise2904]

@@DaddyGotCoffeethanks!

[@Jadamson321]

Another Vectis owner here - the donut effect is normal with the included basket due to it's curved sides. It's really nothing to worry about. If you use a more straight walled basket it will be more even but you may not notice much difference in the resulting espresso.

[@jclinton7471]

Nice review. Do you know how many shots you get between refills?

[@BensCoffeeRants]

What did he say it's a 1.8L boiler or something? That's a LOT of shots. I don't think it would be a problem besides for commercial type use. If it uses 100ml per shot that around 12 shots safely I'd estimate (you don't want to run any boiler bellow a min level though!). My La Pavoni Europiccola has a 800ml boiler I've made 6 espresso shots on it on one tank, plus steaming some milk with it! Of course the shots I'm doing on that machine are with 15 or 16g coffee in and about 30ml out. I haven't done this myself but I've seen people say they remove boiler pressure by letting all the steam out (using the steam wand) with the machine off, then they can open the boiler (Seems a bit scary if it's still hot! I'd make sure there's NO pressure/ steam left in there! or just be patient and wait before refilling).

[@Jadamson321]

As a Vectis owner (unlike the other guy who is well off) you can get 4 comfortably, maybe up to 6.

[@steph8408]

Hi Daddy. What's the heat up time and the steam power etc? Also is the spring lever group a version of the CMA group they have in their other models? Cheers.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I dropped some more detailed notes in my description on warm up. Have a peek and if that doesn’t answer your question feel free to follow up ☺️ Regarding steam power… it’s a lot 😂 I would often de-pressurize the boiler a little before steaming to take the power down a little. Re Group - it’s a brand new proprietary group design. I’ve seen some rumblings that it’s actually superior to the CMA 👀

[@steph8408]

Cheers.@@DaddyGotCoffee

[@LorenzoNW]

Are there any advantages to the Vectis over the Argos Odyssey which is half the price and has PID?

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Lever machines are generally very nice and forgiving. I used manual lever machines but never a spring lever, can't you adjust the pressure a little manually by manipulating the force on the lever as it goes back up?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

You can, but it’s not generally the recommended mode of operation. You can only increase the pressure, not decrease, and it’s also not going to be the most consistent or stable. Doable though!

[@Cos27O]

How do you like your Zerno? I’m trying to decide between it and the Honne.

[@AlphaTenkai]

I do believe you can hook this up to a smart switch and schedule out a turn on/turn off time for it although it’s not through the machine itself and to refill the boiler I believe there is a work around for that as well using recycled heat without having to wait as long but I can’t speak on the specifics of it, I would have to reference back to an owners video on it. Even with those two things though this is such a great lever machine, I can’t wait to order mine soon. Argos was a close second but I think the extra weight and faster lead time is worth it

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Yes, I know owners use the steam created while depressurizing the boiler to preheat their water in a milk pitcher etc. Good idea - I just tried to time my refills to when the machine was off

[@AlphaTenkai]

Yeah it would be interesting to know the difference in time between the two and for most home use cases would never be needed anyways, I wouldn’t imagine

[@Jadamson321]

I have mine set up to a smart switch - so it turns on 20 mins before I wake up.

[@iconindexsymbol]

How good is it for light roasts? People like Brian Quan and John Buckman always talk about the “water hammer” on the R24 and others being great for light roast, which the Vectis doesn’t have since it’s dipper fed. Is it still great for light roast regardless?

[@CaldwellCoffee]

I've had good success with the Vectis pulling lighter roasts. You can flash heat the group by pulling water through the group without the portafilter, and then quickly locking in the portafilter and pulling the shot with longer preinfusion.

[@dfk41]

did you miss the fantastic build quality includes the drip tray cover lifting up on the left corner?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

This was shipping damage, not a faulty build. Some context: several launch edition vectis’ (including this one) were damaged in shipping due to poorly designed packaging. Typically they bent at the drip tray. Londinium supplied replacement parts to fix the issue. Most of the time a drip tray bracket remedied the issue. The owner had received this part and I replaced it on this vectis. The drip tray insert itself was also slightly bent but that was not obvious until the new bracket was installed. At the time of filming the owner had not received a new insert from Londinium. To my knowledge the packaging was redesigned and this is no longer an issue. Having worked on the inside of the machine and replaced several parts, I was 💯 impressed with the build.

[@troyheffernan1261]

Right off the bat i liked this machine because the higher temperature will give you the gold cup standard and take the flower taste right out of the of the final product. I do have one question. Parts Accessibility and warranty time?

[@jeffwells0123]

Ultimate workflow in the best form factor for the home! Wish i could justify spending on a second lever when i already have an endgame espresso machine - the flair 58 🤪

[@LightZone9]

I've always wanted a lever machine. In fact, it's been between the Vectors and the Odyssey lever machine. That would be a great machine to review as well. The Odyssey is a Colorado based company. And the price is about 1/2 of the Vectis.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I would love to review the Odyssey!

[@sonorguy1]

The argos is a great machine (I borrowed one for a week), but the lead time is TBD. I still have mine on order. It's tough for me to choose the londinium when it has fewer controls and I don't care about boiler size.

[@caffeinated_slacker]

I have an Argos on order and a Vectis at home. Really looking forward to comparing them. They are very different approaches to a simple dipper design.

[@tcl7563]

Buy both!😂

[@caffeinated_slacker]

@@tcl7563 This is the way 😋

[@felixfilion8811]

Is that a water spout under the level indicator?

[@CaldwellCoffee]

It's the anti-vac valve drain spout

[@sedelstein]

Good review. Thanks for posting. How about milk steaming?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

PLENTY of power. Sometimes I would actually depressurize the boiler a bit before steaming

[@sedelstein]

@@DaddyGotCoffee you mean readjust the p-stat, or just vent some steam through the wand?

[@CH-yp5by]

Finally you review a really good machine thats all about taste as opposed to those Ascaso machines, just a true manual machine that is built to last eons ! You did mention Olympia Cremina and it is the Rolex of lever machines, literally twice the price or more depending on import tax and they also have spring lever version. This Londinium Vectis is the next machine I want to buy, its just amazing and there is a specific minimalistic romance to it, a beautiful counter top piece of art for the house.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I am planning to really open up the scope of machines I review, both higher end and lower! This was a fun one!

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@DaddyGotCoffee Try a Europiccola, basically the same thing as a Cremina for a lot less $$$ :D

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

there's a version of the Olympia Cremina with a spring.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Yup!

[@LightZone9]

And it's beautiful, but at almost 4k....ouch.

[@Rick9482]

Nice machine and priced right and it would be my choice over the Argos even at double the cost. Just the fact that you can use the lever without supporting the machine is reason enough. The Argos is a nicely built but just too bare bones. I've had a Decent for 3 years and not about to change but I do use a lever profile all the time. If your still on the fense about getting a Decent then I simply urge you to take the leap. I can't possibly think any reason a serious coffee drinker could be unhappy with a Decent machine. Infinity possibilities are at your fingertips via the tablet screen.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thank you so much! The only thing holding me back is saving up the cash - will def be worthwhile for the channel but I’m still setting aside the dough to make it happen!

[@anyidulike]

I would totally buy it, if I had an expensive grinder. If not, I would need to tweak the espresso through the espresso machine (different temperatures, pressure etc)

[@RiotBike]

What’s the water reservoir volume like?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

There is no reservoir, you fill the boiler directly and it is 1.8L. This has the disadvantage of needing to cool/depressurize the boiler before filling

[@billweaver2549]

@@DaddyGotCoffee How do you know when it's nearly empty?

[@supervised]

​@@billweaver2549 there is a water level indicator in the front of the machine.

[@wkapteijn]

Love the design and mechanical feel & simplicity of the machine. Honestly way out of my price range. Heat up time is also pretty significant but given how huge the boiler is that is understandable. Any idea of there are similar type of lever machines under a grand?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

None that I am aware of, unless you go manual (ie flair et al). Levers tend to be a little pricier

[@AlphaTenkai]

Only one I know of really would be the Argos (950 usd) but shipping and fulfillment time is TBD until they get on a better timeline production wise

[@TheSiggi10]

I have tried to find the information in this, but i can’t find anywhere if it states how much water can be in the chamber in the grouphead?

[@MayanPatel1]

worth upgrading from my cafelat robot?

[@Spasticuss]

What make is that grey metal grinder next to the londinium?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

That’s a launch edition zerno!

[@Spasticuss]

Ah tnx!

[@jacquesolivierv]

Nice video ! Thanks. looking to replace my bianca for this ! What’s your thoughts? Was looking for the Profitec Pro 800 but won’t fit ( in depth)

[@jacquesolivierv]

Just saw the Ember mug. Assuming that don't fit under the portafilter ? Thanks!

[@regisk1977]

Comment cette machine gère la température ?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I’m not totally sure what you’re asking. It will cycle the heater on and off based on the detected temperature inside the boiler. (Hotter - higher pressure). I did put some temperature data in the description. Temp of shots will generally start off higher than you expect and drop off 15-20 degrees over the course of the shot. Combined with the declining pressure profile the taste is favourable and forgiving. Something common with dipper designs, they overheat when left on for long periods. This one is no different

[@regisk1977]

Merci pour la réponse 🙏 c’est dommage qu’à ce prix là, il n’y ai pas de PID.

[@lolcat23]

What accent does "Daddy" have? I just watched Geoff the accent guy, so maybe my mind was primed for this. But I just noticed how the "u" vowel in "pull" tends towards "pall", also "maximum" moves towards "maximam". Obviously i'm not saying "Daddy" can't speak or that he says "pAAAHll", just that the "u" is moving slightly towards "a". Also, I'm hoping the Meticulous will perfectly straddle the gap between complicated when you want it, simple when you need it (by making a londinium profile :D)

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Ha!! With friends around the world regional accents tend to come up often me and my buds! To answer - I'm Canadian - specifically from Central Ontario! I've noticed that for some things I'm not the stereotypical "canadian" accent but for others I'm bang on lol! And - the Meticulous is absolutely a very exciting release - can't wait for them to start hitting!

[@marcozg77]

It looks cool but I prefer my Flair Pro 2 direct lever. And if I would like to spend money in this price range for a lever, it definitely would be the Cremina.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I’ve always thought the cremina would be my endgame. Getting hands on with this machine has me second guessing that. You know I was pricing out an R24 after this!!

[@munkeescrotum]

nice

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thanks!

[@TheMartinChnnl]

I'd much rather buy this machine that a La Marzocco or a Slayer machine for the home. It's build to last, simple to use and maintain and will give you endless morning smiles... For the price point, it's even much better machine that the much more expensive Olympia Express because it has a spring which does all of the work and also because it's probably way better for steaming. BTW, you forgot to show us how it steams.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Totally agreed! And… it’s got PLENTY of power for steaming! I’d often de-pressurize a bit prior because it’s so intense at full pressure! I might even suggest a single hole tip to tone it down a notch

[@JonneytheKidd]

Absolutely a beautiful machine. But let’s be real here, for the price for their $3.800 machine, you can get a dual boiler ECM Synchronika and still have $800 for a decent grinder.

[@totoroben]

Yes I'm kinda like who has money for these setups for real. I know it pays for itself over time versus getting cups at your local coffee shop, but how many shots are you doing daily to justify such a machine? It's fine to enjoy it and everyone has their own hobbies I suppose, but if you're just doing a home setup I think you can do more manual things and be just as well to make a coffee for yourself and a spouse.

[@idopeso]

It may be true that this lever machines are easer to use. But there's a thing you should have in consideration. Do not let lour face be in the way of the lever when your're cocking it. Don't do it, please. Other than that, you still need to dial your grinder, prep your puck... Still, this seems a nice machine.

[@ende421]

I can see a Zerno there.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

👀👀

[@helipeek2736]

I’ll stick with my Cremina, thanks

[@jacobpetersen5662]

Lance Hendricks obviously has no idea what he is talking about in terms of this style of machine, ha ha ha. Quite obvious he didn't know.

[@acecarolino101]

I find the price too steep

[@Hundredthldiot]

Background music is really distracting.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

seriously?!

[@zypang1447]

ROFL, manual espresso machine with a $1500 water boiler, hilarious

[@BensCoffeeRants]

This is actually their more budget friendly option! There are more expensive ones. Look at the Cremina price! It's a fancier Europiccola basically.

[@nickcooper3494]

Was that a Fracino bottomless portafilter?