Pharos pimped!

Beanz

If anyone is in the Melbourne area and wants to see a Voodoodaddy pimped Pharos you can see one in operation at the Oak Room in Ashburton. They use the Pharos for grinding their single origins. The Pharos allows them to run several single origins and swap between them without any waste or emptying hoppers.

Kelsey

It's a little hard to get full info on the Pharos, but it seemed like they were incorporating these kinds of updates into subsequent versions. Does anyone know what the current Pharos is like in comparison to the Voodoo modded variety?

UNM

on 1355720835:

If anyone is in the Melbourne area and wants to see a Voodoodaddy pimped Pharos you can see one in operation at the Oak Room in Ashburton. They use the Pharos for grinding their single origins. The Pharos allows them to run several single origins and swap between them without any waste or emptying hoppers.

That's new I think. Don't  recall a pharos last time I was there and there was only one single origin on offer. Time For another visit

C-man

on 1355721092:

It's a little hard to get full info on the Pharos, but it seemed like they were incorporating these kinds of updates into subsequent versions. Does anyone know what the current Pharos is like in comparison to the Voodoo modded variety?

Good question!  you would think by now they would sell the complete unit ready to go.

Beanz

The standard Orphan Espresso Pharos is documented in detail on the OE website including the statement "We fully recognize and support the concept that the owner  can and will MOD the grinder." My understanding is that OE aimed to provide the best possible grinder at a price that allowed people to own an outstanding grinder at an affordable price. The design upgrades and additions could go on forever but would also push up the price. The Voodoodaddy modifications appear to be the most popular and well documented upgrade. The main difference is that the standard Pharos dispenses the grinds via a funnel, the Voodoodaddy mod uses a stainless cup/ bowl to catch the grinds which is then removed to transfer the grinds to the portafilter etc. Other mods include a graduated scale to assist in dialing in the grinder and resetting, a different method of locking the grind setting and then there is the bling factor of stainless vs plastic spacers The Voodoodaddy modifications are not neccessary but some users prefer to have a different way of accessing the ground coffee, accessing the lower burr for cleaning, setting the grinder etc. This becomes a user based decision and does incur additional cost. The user can have the full upgrade or select the parts of the upgrades that appeal to them. In my case I chose to add the Voodoodaddy modifications. I use the Pharos for espresso and use a LIDO for Aeropress, syphon and pourover. The OE grinders are excellent value for money and the Voodoodaddy modifications are manufactured to an extremely high standard. There are pages and pages of feedback and notes on Home Barista, good Xmas reading if you are contemplating an upgrade

BLrdFX

Galumay! Nice video   I too have a Pimped Pharos (#0520) and love the way it works :thumb:  Here is what I compare it to:

C-man

then if someone bought the standard Pharos without the mods the grind quality would still be the same, just a little more awkward to use?

BLrdFX

on 1355781968:

then if someone bought the standard Pharos without the mods the grind quality would still be the same, just a little more awkward to use?

Not necessarily "Awkward" but the grounds retention is higher if you don't beat on it to get the grounds down the internal funnel.  They used to come with a doctors rubber hammer to dislodge the grounds.  You still hold the Pharos in the same manner as you would without the MOD.  I set mine on a counter and grind away! In a previous Post someone asked why the large tub below the burrs and why not a smaller container to get grounds into a PF.  Simple answer is that the lower shaft bearing that holds the burrs is held in place by a wide bracket and the large container goes over that bracket.  The smaller the bracket the more prone to misalignment I would guess.

Naki^chap

I found the standard pharos fine to use ,I have the voodoodady adjustment nuts upgrade and the stainless bolt covers, I alligned my burrs and tightened the four inner bolts which hold the outer burr so it is locked solid now.

C-man

can you just order the upgrade Voodoo parts?

Ol Grumpy

Yes, Will has several different options that he prices separately, or as a package, depending on your preferences. Also, he can have OE send over a new Pharos to him and he will do the mods for you and ship it on. Or you can order just the parts of choice and DIY. You could say, all options are on the table. You should email him, he is quite approachable and quite affable, although understandably at times he does get quite busy.

C-man

cool thanks Grumps

Kelsey

Ol' Grumpy, I don't suppose you've got a link at all? Unfortunately 'Will' is a bit of a problem word - you get waaaaaay too many search results.

Lacehim

You'll find him on HB Kelsey.  http://www.home-barista.com/member/voodoodaddy/

Ol Grumpy

Yes that's right, after reading Galumays passionate accounts of the Pharos, etc I wanted to check it out for myself so I became a member of Home Barista and that gives you access to Will's email addy. If you want it, PM me and I will send it to you or you can go through the process yourself.... Which is worthwhile if you want more detail by reading the forum. The only thing you won't get from the forum is the cost... But I won't send that because Will was having supplier issues when we briefly corresponded and that may have altered slightly. Btw I also briefly corresponded with the ES-2 creator Wouter as that was also the only way I could find an asking price... :curious but I respect their position.

BLrdFX

He apparently had been having difficulty getting the correct size stainless canister for the grounds catch bin, but as I understand it he is back into production.  The system is so simple that it is a thing of beauty.  I could see someone powering it with a battery operated electric drill motor or some such device, or maybe the wife's Kitchen Aid Mixer???

Kelsey

Thanks Ol Grumpy, Lacehim and BLrdFX - I'm no more than a lurker on HB, looks like I'll have to join up. No immediate plans for the Pharos. I have this thought in my head for some distant future with a plumbed-in lever and a pharos for silent running.

BLrdFX

The plumbed in L-I and a Pharos is exactly what I have.  Next week I should have a video of the operation.

Kelsey

So you've gone the tank option with plumb in kit? And it's sitting there next to a GS/3 no less. How's it all been going for you?

BLrdFX

The Pharos is about as silent as you can get when it comes to grinding beans.  The L-I, once I can locate the correct fittings and get them delivered, should be a good silent partner to the Pharos. The GS/3 might go on the chopping block once I settle into a routine with the L-I.  I will Post much more on the L-I Thread. Life is pretty good ;D Cheers! Stephen

C-man

on 1356562329:

The plumbed in L-I and a Pharos is exactly what I have.  Next week I should have a video of the operation.

that's really nice!  would like to see the video too

C-man

on 1356562329:

The plumbed in L-I and a Pharos is exactly what I have.  Next week I should have a video of the operation.

Silent Lever and hand grinder is at one with coffee.

BLrdFX

on 1356686798:

Silent Lever and hand grinder is at one with coffee.

Ooooohhhhhhhmmmmmmm!!!

Beanz

on 1355722547:

That's new I think. Don't  recall a pharos last time I was there and there was only one single origin on offer. Time For another visit

I dropped in today and Ken advised that he tries to keep 4 or 5 single origins available so give it a try. The cold drip today was sensational, just the go an extremely hot Melbourne day.