Green Coffee Buying Club

Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: harryho on October 21, 2010, 09:02:46 AM

Title: Astra Mega I
Post by: harryho on October 21, 2010, 09:02:46 AM
Are these things any good?

http://www.astramfr.com/mega1.html#1 (http://www.astramfr.com/mega1.html#1)
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: mp on October 21, 2010, 09:12:44 AM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: harryho on October 21, 2010, 09:41:57 AM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???

Does it make a difference?
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: mp on October 21, 2010, 11:57:25 AM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???

Does it make a difference?

For me ... yes ... would not buy it at full retail ... but for $500 or less ... would be a good deal.

 :-X
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Tex on October 21, 2010, 12:00:46 PM
It looks like a well built machine, and it has all the right components. I'm curious about the "kit" that lets you convert it to a 2-group machine!

I always advise folks to check for parts availability before buying any machine. Some makers use proprietary parts that usually carry a high price tag. This doesn't bother some folks, but for a frugal person like myself, it's anathema!
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Tex on October 21, 2010, 12:13:10 PM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???


Does it make a difference?


For me ... yes ... would not buy it at full retail ... but for $500 or less ... would be a good deal.



Now Mike, maybe Harry is another peter and not averse to paying full price? ;)

(http://www.candycreek.com/mm5/images/smPopFan10F.jpg)
:angel:
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: peter on October 21, 2010, 12:26:31 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: mp on October 21, 2010, 12:28:27 PM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???


Does it make a difference?


For me ... yes ... would not buy it at full retail ... but for $500 or less ... would be a good deal.



Now Mike, maybe Harry is another peter and not averse to paying full price? ;)

([url]http://www.candycreek.com/mm5/images/smPopFan10F.jpg[/url])
:angel:



That's true ... I must stop assuming that everyone is frugal like us.

 :-X
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Tex on October 21, 2010, 12:41:18 PM

That's true ... I must stop assuming that everyone is frugal like us.

 :-X


One day I might even buy a new espresso machine.

(http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/1pigflygif.gif)
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: mp on October 21, 2010, 12:48:47 PM

That's true ... I must stop assuming that everyone is frugal like us.

 :-X


One day I might even buy a new espresso machine.

([url]http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/1pigflygif.gif[/url])


I wouldn't want to place any odds on that.

 :-X
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: harryho on October 21, 2010, 01:25:33 PM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???

Does it make a difference?

For me ... yes ... would not buy it at full retail ... but for $500 or less ... would be a good deal.

 :-X

Still doesn't make sense.......

I wanted to know if these machines are any good. If I get it used or brand new, it will not change how the machine is built.

They are local to me. I might drive out there next week to check out their manufacturing operation.
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Tex on October 21, 2010, 04:47:31 PM
Commercial machine ... are you getting new or used?

 ???

Does it make a difference?

For me ... yes ... would not buy it at full retail ... but for $500 or less ... would be a good deal.

 :-X

Still doesn't make sense.......

I wanted to know if these machines are any good. If I get it used or brand new, it will not change how the machine is built.

They are local to me. I might drive out there next week to check out their manufacturing operation.

When you do would you please shoot some pics of the group and boiler assembly?
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Warrior372 on October 22, 2010, 03:57:48 PM
In my experience they are not horrible, but I would not say they are great either. I would definitely not go out of my way to buy one. There are too many other brands of machine, whether new or used, that I would much rather purchase. I have read to many negatives in regards to their reliability and with so many used machines on the market, personally choose to avoid them.

I was very interested in them myself at one point, as I will usually go out of my way to buy things that are made in America, but after doing my homework I am glad I have avoided them. So, I would look elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: Tex on October 22, 2010, 04:07:38 PM
In my experience they are not horrible, but I would not say they are great either. I would definitely not go out of my way to buy one. There are too many other brands of machine, whether new or used, that I would much rather purchase. I have read to many negatives in regards to their reliability and with so many used machines on the market, personally choose to avoid them.

I was very interested in them myself at one point, as I will usually go out of my way to buy things that are made in America, but after doing my homework I am glad I have avoided them. So, I would look elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.

One of the local coffee houses had Astra machines - they were OK except for the electrics. Funny, being 'merican made I expected better from them. ::)

I did like their stand alone Astra steamer! 8)
Title: Re: Astra Mega I
Post by: harryho on October 23, 2010, 07:25:37 AM
In my experience they are not horrible, but I would not say they are great either. I would definitely not go out of my way to buy one. There are too many other brands of machine, whether new or used, that I would much rather purchase. I have read to many negatives in regards to their reliability and with so many used machines on the market, personally choose to avoid them.

I was very interested in them myself at one point, as I will usually go out of my way to buy things that are made in America, but after doing my homework I am glad I have avoided them. So, I would look elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.

Now, that was what I was looking for. Thanks......