Welcome!
Upgrade in which direction? I assume espresso right? Budget?

budget budget?

I like the way you think! Go for it
But since you are ready to splurge on a good grinder, the latest comparison by socraticcoffee is showing that the SmartGrinder is a serious performer even when placed next to the coveted Malkhonig EK43



This is a comparison done on espresso level grind settings. Just look at that particle distribution curve for uniformality

It's more on consistency of grind. The graph can be a good indication of uniformity but we don't know how it will perform across different grind settings
As for durability, commercial grinders would probably outlast it since there's still plastic parts within the grinder. But the cost is 10x difference
You are looking at home use or cafe?

NS recently launched the NS Oscar II. Do check it out, its really quite an update from the old Oscar.

Dankoff should be carrying them, but I think it only starts selling in Europe end of Jan 2016, so not sure when it will reach our shores.

As for Breville Smart Grinder, I've been using the older version BCG800, seems to be quite consistent and easy to use.

Exactly! When it launched in Italy, I immediately messaged Dankoff when will it be available... but he has no firm dates then.
It's a complete changeover... talking bout VW Beetle > Chevrolet Camaro level Bumblebee!

Oscar i bought from lighthouse coffee near sg pinang, penang. Im staying in penang. Cost rm 3.6k b4 gst with free gift, pitcher, thermometer, tamper, 2 espresso cups, knock box. ZD-16 i bought from taobao, small box sea freight, less than rm500 if not mistake.

Was interested back when it was launched...
Am using Breville now, but have to temporarily give up coffee, posted my setup here for sale:


WTS Breville Espresso Set

Perhaps when my condition gets better, hopefully within a year's time, I can convince my wife on the OscarII.

That said, still having doubts selling off my Breville. I've done some survey in my neighbourhood forum, seems like quite a number of people interested on "take-away"/ Grab and Go Espresso based drinks... could turn it into small business instead of getting rid of the machine cause I can't drink.

Yup, limited place for equipment here. Have u tried lighthouse? I plan to get compak grinder from overseas during next holidays traveling.

If budget is not issue, then u can wait for oscar II. It looks expensive

From what I see in Elektros Italian Website, the price increment seems to be small 

Isn't the antivac more of a convenience feature rather than performance? It's so that you can turn on the machine and walk away versus having to purge the steam to get the boiler to actual real brew temp?

KL region can try Dankoff, sri kembangan
Penang can try lighthouse, sg pinang

I have problem with weak crema, got my fresh bean from my espresso lab, bean is fresh, around 2 weeks old.

i got myself with a unpressurised basket. using my hand grinder to grind to the finest(took really long time to grind it though) , tamp it and pull the shot. Surprisingly it over tamp at the first time.

Second time adjust the grind about 1/4 turn from finest to course, tamp at the same pressure. this time still under tamp, the coffee came out too fast with very weak crema.

Im expecting myself to get a nicr crema like tiger stripe, but fail to do so, but havent give up yet. My machine is Delonghi ecov 311, since the Delinghi EC 155 wit upf can do a nice crema tiger stripe, i believe my machine can do it too.

Any idea what will be the problem? is it because of my coffee not properly grind enough? feel like wanna get an electric grinder.. tiring of grinding with my arm... lol
[attachmentid=5927155]

so need to keep try and error? cause i thought unpressurised basket need very fine texture.

EC155 same specification as Eco 310/311 right?

Sounds like a good buy, I’ve always preferred shiny metallic to plastic ABS. Don’t think it will be approved by my home minister though, not unless I start turning my current one into a cash cow.