The Navigator enters a particularly aggressive house the place a handful of grinders have already set the bar.
The Timemore Sculptor 078S ($799 USD) is one. Its design is glossy and trendy, the sort you’d fortunately omit on a minimalist kitchen counter. It makes use of 78mm burrs and has a clacker system for static. The F74 Navigator’s burrs, on paper are smaller (74mm vs 78mm) however their further large footprint means they supply extra reducing floor. Of the 2 the Navigator is extra strong and beefy, and it has the ionizer coil system and the auto reverse characteristic.
We should not have a Sculptor for testing, although I did borrow one for a number of days simply to see what it was all about. Between the 2, the Timemore is extra fairly, however the F74 is far more characteristic packed, higher general construct high quality, and IMO, only a higher grinder general. It additionally feels prefer it’s constructed to outlast grinders just like the Sculptor.
Then there’s the Choice‑O Lagom P64 ($1,650 USD). This grinder is totally cherished by the fanatic world. It type of began the entire “let’s swap the burrs” pattern. Choice-O is most undoubtedly a boutique model, doing small manufacturing runs. Their QC is trade main and the match and end of all their grinders is past query. The P64 additionally has variable RPMs (200-1400), and a 300W brushless motor. It actually did set the usual for some time on what an fanatic espresso grinder may very well be.
The F74 Navigator almost matches the P64’s RPM flexibility, and maybe surpasses it on burr geometry and dimension. The auger pre-feed and cutter system provides weight on the F74’s aspect of the size. Take into account that it’s half the value of the P64, and that scale begins tipping closely. It’s not as refined or downright “stunning” just like the P64 is, however it delivers innovative (heh) tech and developments that the P64 must catch as much as.
Talking of boutique grinders, the Zerno Z1 ($1,250-$2,000 USD) is as near true boutique and bespoke as we will get nowadays, with customizable touches, and critical burr functionality. The catch, past pricing which might climb via the roof relying on the way you need yours constructed, is availability: chances are you’ll wait months for one. The Navigator, in contrast, is in inventory and able to ship. It could not provide the bespoke enchantment, however in day‑to‑day use, the leads to the cup is likely to be almost similar and the standard quotient on style may even tip the F74’s path.
(NB, we have been in discussions about getting a Z1 for testing and evaluate, and people discussions, whereas paused, are nonetheless ongoing).
Lastly, the DF83 V2 ($650 USD) pushes the affordability angle with 83mm burrs (and third social gathering burrs on this dimension are extra available if you wish to actually experiment). It’s strong, easy, and a favorite amongst price range‑minded house baristas. It does really feel like final decade’s selection device (despite the fact that it’s solely been out for a number of years). The DF83 additionally lacks the Navigator’s variable RPM, which makes the MHW‑3Bomber extra versatile for many who wish to experiment.
In brief, the Navigator threads a needle. It could not match the polish of the Lagom or the bespoke nature of the Zerno, however it delivers efficiency on par, and even perhaps a bit higher, at a fraction of the value. In opposition to Timemore, it trades class for rugged intent. And versus the DF83, it gives further management with out leaping into boutique pricing.
