Within the CoffeeGeek lab area, now we have entry to over 30 totally different scales to be used in our analysis of espresso and espresso. These vary from $12 Amazon specials, to $250 Acaia Lunars, to a $750 Adam Luna Precision 2.6kg scale. Regardless of that selection, two scales see essentially the most use: the Bookoo Themis ($130) and the MHW-3Bomber Mini Dice 2.0 ($35).
The Mini Dice doesn’t outperform the Bookoo Themis or Acaia Lunar in accuracy, options, construct high quality or readout pace. Nonetheless, one key function units it aside and makes it the popular scale sitting subsequent to our check espresso machines. It has an auto-on operate that prompts and tares itself each time an object weighing 100g or extra is positioned on it.
This function makes it particularly helpful in our fast-paced check surroundings, the place responsiveness and hands-free operation matter.
The Mini Dice has its quirks. Our full evaluation covers them intimately, however essentially the most uncommon design alternative on the unique mannequin concerned the tare and timer capabilities. Most scales assign the right-side “T” or “tare” button to zero out the size; MHW-3Bomber did the other. The suitable button, marked “T,” controls the timer, whereas the left button, with an influence image, handles taring. This setup felt unintuitive.
Prior to now 4 months, MHW-3Bomber redesigned the size to repair this challenge. In addition they made different modifications, however not all for the higher. In a technique, they really made the size worse. Let’s have a look at that.
The Modified Design of the Mini Dice Scale
As talked about, 3Bomber modified the button structure and capabilities on this scale, however are nonetheless married to the letter “T” indicating a timer operate. They merely moved the T from the proper facet, to the left facet, and moved the ability indicator change over to the proper.
Which means that the proper facet energy button nonetheless controls zeroing out the size (a number of milliseconds’ press will do it), and lengthy urgent it should energy off the size. The T button, moved to the left, begins and pauses the timer. An extended press (round 1-2 seconds) will zero the timer out.
One welcome improve is the LED show, which is noticeably brighter than the unique. Our new white unit, positioned subsequent to an older black mannequin, is considerably brighter, making it simpler to learn in varied lighting circumstances.
Then comes essentially the most puzzling change: the auto-off operate. After I purchased a brand new white Mini Dice 2.0 for our lab final month, I seen it might not flip off by itself. I might use it, go away for 15 or 20 minutes, and return to search out it nonetheless powered on. Initially, I assumed the unit was faulty or that there was a hidden setting to allow auto shut-off.
However nope; that is merely how MHW-3Bomber redesigned the size.
The most recent Mini Dice 2.0 now stays on for half-hour after its final use, and an unimaginable 40 minutes if the timer is operating. Worse but, there isn’t a option to disable or modify this setting. The result’s a brilliant show draining the battery lengthy after use. Since most espresso scales shut off routinely, customers will typically neglect to show this one off, resulting in a battery that lasts days as a substitute of weeks.
After I reached out to MHW-3Bomber, they defined that this prolonged auto-off time was intentional and designed for business café environments. They argued that, whereas half-hour could appear extreme, they imagine the longer auto-off time prevents disruptions in busy cafés by protecting the size prepared to be used.
The issue with this reasoning is that it doesn’t actually make sense. In a very busy café, the size wouldn’t sit unused for 25+ minutes at a time. If something, baristas would use it each couple of minutes, making such an extended shut-off interval pointless. A 5-minute auto-off setting is extra affordable (maybe even stretching it to 10 minutes taking their reasoning under consideration), however half-hour appears extreme and needlessly drains battery life.
Including to the frustration, the size’s USB-C charging system is painfully sluggish. It could actually take as much as 4+ hours to completely recharge, which makes even much less sense in a high traffic café surroundings. If MHW-3Bomber really designed this scale for business use, forcing baristas to attend this lengthy for a full cost is counterproductive to the design ethos.
To their credit score, they acknowledged that they’re listening to suggestions and acknowledge the impression on battery efficiency. Future updates might handle this challenge. Ideally, customers ought to be capable to customise the auto-off time, but when that isn’t doable, 5 minutes must be the usual, with a most of 10 to fifteen minutes if the timer is energetic.
Regardless of this challenge, we nonetheless assume the Mini Dice 2.0 is a unbelievable little scale, and like that they did transfer the zero-out operate to the extra standard proper facet of the size. That’s the reason we’re discussing it in such element; most scale updates don’t even get a point out on CoffeeGeek. We wished to spotlight this transformation as a PSA for anybody contemplating the Mini Dice. It usually lists for $45 however often sells for $35 or much less, making it top-of-the-line values in espresso equipment. Nonetheless, if you happen to plan to purchase one, practice your self to show it off manually with a two-second press of the ability button, or be ready to do a 3-4 hour cost at the least as soon as per week.
