Adjustment takes some getting used to. Small turns can make a big difference.
I'm growing tired of spanking as well. Wish they had given grounds removal a bit more thought, but you can't beat the taste/$.
Yeah, got pretty close this morning and I am quite impressed with the flavor nuances it adds.
I will be printing a sticker or two this weekend to help be with dialing it in.
It seems some guys have been experimenting with silicone spray with great success. I plan on ordering some of that and the roller bearings from Mcmaster Carr. They are said to make a 25% difference in turning force.
A pharos owner reporting here..
Just found the goodness here..haha
As compared to the 1st gen Pharos, I believe the current iteration of Pharos is much more useable. Not that PITA to use anymore. The double adjustment nut, funnel, stabilizing pad, and scale(DIY) make the most dramatic improvement to the Pharos. With the scale(or sticker), the adjustment is actually very repeatable and easily fine-tuned. I can go to French Press and back to exact same setting no problem, unlike Baratza Vario from my experience.
In regards to retrieving grind, I think weather/bean makes a huge difference. Currently, I can retrieve my grind super easily with a few shakes. Could be also because the burrs are broken in. (Maybe?) If you you a plastic cup or container, you can mouth-to-mouth
seal it under the bottom plate with the hole, and let the whole Pharos heavily thump on the cup. This will dislodge most coffee without spanking. The sillicone spray sounds like a good solution too if it works as suggested.