List Price: $250.00 Our Price: $218.00 You Save: $32.00 (13%)

Product Description

So what's the best part of cappuccino anyway? The rich creamy froth of course! Wouldn't it be nice to convert your morning mug of coffee into a sumptuous frothed experience? This ingenious machine brews piping hot coffee into an insulated carafe. It also has a frothing attachment which allows you to give your coffee a cappuccino style top! And you can even froth hot choclate using the same frothing attachment.

Loaded with convenient features, this coffeemaker not only brews ten 5-ounce cups of coffee directly into a stainless-steel vacuum carafe, it also delivers up to 32 ounces of hot milk and froth for cappuccinos, caf¨¦ latt¨¦s, and hot chocolates. The carafe is virtually unbreakable and keeps coffee hot for four hours without a warming plate that can turn coffee bitter. Other features include a digital clock/timer for programming the brewing cycle up to 24 hours in advance (automatic wake-up coffee!); a drip-stop to pause the brewing cycle for 20 seconds if the carafe is removed for a midbrew pour; two brewing cycles (3 to 5 cups or 6 to 10 cups) for maximum coffee flavor; a permanent gold tone filter that eliminates messy paper filters; and a push-button, swing-out filter holder.

The milk-frothing system dispenses hot milk and froth directly into a cup and uses a separate heating system from the coffeemaker and a milk container separate from the water container for brewing coffee. (A flexible hose can be used to siphon milk directly from a carton of milk instead of the milk container.) The machine automatically switches to a stand-by mode for steaming when the brewing cycle is complete. However, milk can be frothed for, say, hot chocolate without brewing coffee. A knob adjusts milk flow, milk temperature, and the amount of froth, permitting precise control for individual taste. An instruction video comes with the machine, which measures 14 inches high, 11 inches wide, and 12 inches deep and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack

Customer Reviews:

• Just what I wanted
  We had been using a mini hand-held frother every morning along with microwaved milk to make our lattes, so this was the perfect machine for us! We watched the CD that came with it and found using it to be very simple. The only thing I have discovered, which might be helpful to others too, is that if I don't rinse out the steam pieces just before using the frother, many times the milk doesn't come through, only steam for some reason. (I do rinse the pieces out after each use and let the steam come through for several seconds as the manual says to do). So I have added this step which is not a big deal and it's great! What I am amazed at is how hot the coffee is--far hotter than our previous thermal coffeemaker was even though we preheated the carafe with hot water each morning. We have used the Capresso daily since the end of June 08 and love it!...more info
• Capresso 471 Coffee TEC 10-cup coffeemaker and FrothXpress
  This coffeemaker is quite convenient and makes the best home-brewed coffee I've ever brewed. It brews the coffee to a perfect drinking temperature. I use the FrothXpress for a nice change of pace. It quickly heats milk to an acceptable temperature not appreciably reducing the coffee temperature. Make sure you froth the milk into your empty drinking cup first or you will clean up splattered milk on the maker body. Cleanup is easy, with most pieces removable and dishwasher safe. The Froth XPress cleanup is quite easy as well.
  
  This is for the serious coffee drinker. You can save $30 by getting the coffee maker only Capresso model. However, the FrothXpress makes a great cup of hot chocolate as well as some great au laits. The stainless steel vacuum insulated pot keeps the great flavor and temperature of the coffee for as long as I need it. I have used this coffee maker for almost 18 months with no problems whatsoever. However, I never use the Auto feature as some who are experiencing leaks do. It takes 5 minutes to brew a pot, so why bother? ...more info
• LOVE IT!!
  I read many reivews, checked Consumer Reports and finally decided on the Capresso TEC Froth Xpress. Even after reading all the reviews about how difficult the frother is. I have had my machine for a two months and the frother worked from day one without any problems and it's been working every day since. I live in Chile right now and have to run it through a transformer, so haven't been able to program the clock and use the automatic feature - I unplug it after I use it. The milk froths perfectly. The Carafe keeps the coffee hot/warm as stated. It makes great hot chocolate! I have absolutely no complaints. ...more info
• Fabulous coffeemaker!
  Do not hesitate to spend the money on this coffee maker. It is the best machine we have ever tried (and we have tried a lot of them) in this price range and even a higher price range.
  The coffee stays hot for many hours and the brewing is fast. If you use regular grind you will need to use a tad bit more due to the fast brewing time but if you grind use a bit finer grind and you won't need to up the coffee amount.
  The frother works great and warming a cup under the steam nozzle makes for a nice bit of 'gourmet' coffee consumption!
  I find that I need to use baking soda in the carafe every couple of days to keep that 'thermos' taste from developing but that is the only real maintenance other than simple cleaning.
  A great machine and Amazon had the best price on the web!...more info
• Best coffee maker ever!
  We've had a Capresso machine before this one, but there were a couple of annoying little plastic parts (the stop-drip lever, for instance), that required replacement a few times. Nonetheless, the actual machine brewed good strong coffee, so we were overall pleased, though we wished the plastics would get a strengthening or something.
  
  Along came this one with the froth attachment -- it's built much more solidly. We'll have owned it for two years this December. We had to return the unit once, within about a year of purchase, because of some internal electrical quirk, and we got a new machine in quick time(Capresso's customer service is excellent). Otherwise, it's stood up to our abuse, and that's a huge thing. We routinely go through four full pots of coffee every single day in our house -- and it can be doubled if we have guests. We are hard on any machine, just due to the amount of use. This machine just keeps on brewing and frothing. The stainless steel carafe is a winner also. And we don't have any problem with the coffee temperature -- it's perfect.
  
  The frothing parts are easily clogged up -- rather than get obsessive about washing every part after every pot, we keep a glass of hot water next to the machine and just keep the parts soaking in the glass, which keeps the milk deposits from setting.
  
  The coffee is good and strong (chewy, if you like it that way) and the frothing attachment will spoil you for coffee any other way. This is a great way to wake up!...more info
• best machine on the market
  After searching for a coffee machine that performs as advertised, I am now the owner of the best machine out there!! It is sleek, not bulky,and the parts are all high quality. I especially like the fact that you don`t pour any liguids directly into the machine. The plastic canister that holds the milk for frothing can be stored in the fridge, and the water basket lifts out to be washed.... This machine comes complete with a video to make it even easier. The frother is perfect and my kids love making hot chocolate [4 cups in about 12 seconds]!! ...more info
• The best latte I have ever had.
  I researched and read reviews for weeks before deciding what machine to buy and I finally settled on the Capresso 471.02 CoffeeTEC. I was worried about some of the reviews that I had read and after making my first latte within 30 minutes of taking it out of the box I just had to write a review and comment. I placed the machine on my counter and popped in the brief but educational video. From there I made a latte!

  One of the comments is that the carafe's opening is too narrow for cleaning. I wash my dishes with one of those sponges on a handle so it was no problem and this carafe's opening is more than twice as big as a typical thermos opening! There is no plastic taste to the coffee and the frother does a phenomenal job. I have been frothing milk with my Krups cappucino maker for six years and I thought I was pretty good at it - well - I'm a changed person! I'm so happy with this machine that I have no regrets about it's price. Buy with confidence!...more info

• horrible plastic odor and taste
  The plastic water tank had a horrible chemical odor and taste which worsened with additional brew cycles.
  Capresso was contacted and stated this was an identified problem, they mailed(free) a replacement water tank.
  This tank initally appeared fine but the malodorus smell/taste(slightly less than the first tank) returned with additional brew cycles. The plastic was not inert and the item was accepted for return without any problems. ...more info
• I was skeptical but all those thoughts have been dispelled!!
  What a great machine and worth the price. I now have this machine for a month and everything works splendidly. The frothing mechanisms work marvellously. I was concerned about the negative reviews and so after each use, I flush the system through with water and also through the frothing pieces. At the end of 2mths I'll flush is with Durgol and I should be able to have my machine around for a long time. Its really easy as 123!! There is no hassle about this machine and I have no complaints....coffee brews perfectly each time and I can't get over the frothing system. I have also added my cold chocolate milk mixture and have it heated perfectly and frothed. The coffee really does stay hot for about 5hrs if you keep the lid on tightly. I have even checked it after 10hrs and its still above warm but thats just for arguements sake...who really needs coffee to remain hot for that period of time. I think 5hrs is more than sufficient. So bravo to Capresso for this little kitchen wonder!!...more info
• The best, period.
  I purchased this coffee maker 6 years ago. It has been used once or twice a day since then. It works perfectly. The brew cycle is fast and the carafe keeps coffee hot for hours. I could not do without the removable water container which allows the machine to remain against the back of the counter. Every so often I use Dip-It coffee maker cleaner. This is available in many grocery stores and does a superior job compared to white vinegar and besides, who wants their coffee maker smelling like a hot salad? If this machine were to stop working I would not even consider looking at another coffee maker regardless of the price. ...more info
• UNLIKE ANY OTHER!!
  WE LOVE THIS COFFEE TEC!! WE HAVE PURCHASED 3 FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR FAMILY! AND WE TRAVEL WITH IT, YOU JUST CANT GO BACK TO ANY COFFEE MAKER....more info
• Very impressed
  I found this machine to be very easy to operate and so far has been exceptional
  
  The automatic timing is easy to set and has functioned perfectly for the last eight months. The machine brews a good good cup of coffee in a reasonable time. The carafe keeps the coffee hot for several hours.
  
  This machine is very impressive....more info
• I own it- outstanding!
  Purchased in 2000- this is the best coffee maker ever. Easy to use and durable. Turns regular Folgers into a Great cup of coffee. Well worth the price....more info
• An outstanding product!
  The best coffee maker I have owned! I've tried a variety of moderatly priced coffee makers, but until now I was never satisfied. It keeps coffee warm for hours, and with the flexibility of steamed milk, you have a variety of drink options. It is well designed and easy to use. A really great product....more info
• Very durable
  I have had this Capresso coffeemaker about 8 years. Works and looks as well as it did new. Great coffee. Love the timer and frother. Worth the investment....more info
• Broke after 2 months and Customer Service was Horrible
  I would rate the actually coffee pot very highly...if only it would work. For 2 months after I got it, it made delicious, very hot coffee, and the thermal carafe was fabulous. I didn't use the frother...just didn't really need it. But after 2 months, I poured the water into the reservoir as usual, and it just wouldn't brew through. In fact, it did nothing. I made sure everything was on, tried unplugging and replugging later, several attempts and days later, still nothing. So I called Capresso's number on the warranty information, and with only a couple of questions asked, was told a relacement would be sent to me within 48 hours. The conversation gave me a sense that this was not the first time they had heard of this. They never even asked for proof of purchase date on it! So a week later, I've still heard nothing and call back. I was told the sent the shipment by Ground, which in my mind is poor customer service right there. If your product breaks after 2 months and you want your name as a company to look good, wouldn't you want the customer to receive the replacement ASAP??? So they're sending it ground and it will arrive in 3 weeks on May 19. Well, on May 23, it is still not here, and upon investigation we find that UPS "Ground" has lost the replacement coffee maker, but they are showing that it did NOT get delivered. O.K., so Customer Service Mistake 2: Capresso informs me they cannot send me another unit until UPS has LOCATED and returned the original unit! Here again would be a perfect opportunity, and most great companies like Apple and Bose would have done just this:apologize profusely for the inconvenience and promise a new one will be sent out next day air. Problem solved---you'll always trust them to shop with again. But not Capresso. I have now been completely without a coffee maker for well over a month because of all this red tape. And if you are a true coffee lover, you can just imagine what that has been like.
  Bottom line: coffee maker great IF it works. Capresso Coffee Brand Name the worst at fixing their own problems. I will never never buy Capresso again....more info
• Finally had to replace my Capresso CoffeeTEC
  After using the Capresso CoffeeTEC for the last 5 years I finally had to replace the unit. One morning I woke up to water all over the counters and floor. It doesn't happen all the time but it sure makes a crazy mess in my kitchen with 10 cups of water leaking. I got it as a gift - so now that I've had to replace I'm not going to spend $200.00. There was enough about it that irritated me that I'll find another product.
  
  I hated that there wasn't a warmer under the carafe. I know that an earlier opinion post said that it kept the coffee warmer then his Mr. Coffee with a carafe warmer. I'm the type that will have a cup when I wake up and then maybe an hour or two later - and mine was considerably cooler then the first cup. I ABSOLUTELY hated the pieces parts that come with this maker. Why couldn't they engineer it better? Straws, spouts, plastic pieces - it's just all so confusing. I never could remember how to reconfigure and ultimately used parts for the milk warmer that I'm sure weren't intended for that use. But hey - I got warm milk. The filter was hard to get back into the precise spot and I always fiddled with it after cleaning it. Finally resorted to paper filters. This coffee maker is just tall enough to fit under the upper cupboards which means that when you want to fill it up with water you have to pull it out toward you which wasn't a huge inconvenience but it was bothersome at 5am - which exacerbates my grouchiness. The on/off and other controls take some getting used to - so if you have guests be sure to leave them instructions if they happen to wake up before you. One of my guests last year actually gave up and went for the 10 year old sanka I had next to the coffee grinds. that made him more grouchy too. I guess it could be just slightly more user friendly to get a cup of coffee. I never got the design of the frother area either. If you have a taper coffee cup it never fits right in the little area. The picture of the newer version looks like they may have improved that though.
  
  The one thing I did love about the design of this coffee maker was that the filter was a push button/swing out design that was easy to use. Unfortunatly as I said early it really didn't matter because I had to pull it out from the counter in order to fill it up with water.
  
  Oh one last thing. If you have skiddish animals or kids - take them out of the room because this thing sounds like a demonic death rattle when you're useing the milk frother/cleaner feature. Holy heck it's loud and steamy. eeeek. ...more info
• High Quality Coffee - User Friendly
  I bought this coffeemaker after doing my homework on what a coffeemaker should be. This coffeemaker meets all of the requirements...
  High temperature
  Duration of brew cycle
  Thermal Carafe
  Goldtone filter
  
  In order to make a great cup of coffee, you have to bring the water up to a high temperature for a specific amount of time. And after that, you can't continue to "cook" it on a standard hot plate like most coffeemakers do. Also, the filter allows all of the flavorful specs of coffee to go into the pot. This is something that most people miss and never realize with a paper filter. One other factor that I almost forgot is this, you should put 2 tablespoons of the ground coffee for each 6oz of water. I didn't do this for a long time because I didn't like strong or bitter coffee. But what I have found out is that you will have foul tasting coffee because you don't add enough coffee. I promise you that your coffee will taste better with the right amount of coffee as opposed to less than what's recommened. This coffeemaker will make any coffee bean better than with a standard coffee pot. This is because all of the reasons I just stated.
  
  The other factors that you'll need to consider are the water, beans, and grind size that you use. For the proper grind, you'll need to buy a good conical burr grinder.
  
  As for the features of the coffeemaker, I like that you can program it to brew at a certain time. It also has a setting to make smaller pots of coffee. What this basically means is that the water is held in the filter longer so that it can extract more of the coffee essence. With a standard brew cycle the water goes through the beans too fast and doesn't take full advantage of the coffee flavors. In all honesty, I don't use the frothing part of the coffeemaker that often because I just don't care for it much. There is nothing wrong with it, but I find it more trouble to keep it clean than it's worth.
  
  As far as durability, I have to say that I haven't had any problems with this coffeemaker. I actually bought it used almost a year ago. When I first got it, the water poured out all over the counter as soon as I put it in the water dispenser. After I opened the coffeemaker up, I found that the hose that connects to the water dispenser had become disconnected. It was an easy fix and I haven't had any problems since then.
  
  In Summary:
  I recommend this product because it is one of the few coffeemakers that actually does what a coffeemaker is supposed to do....more info
• Great coffee and scrumptious lattes and a fantastic Amazon price!
  I've been looking at the CoffeeTec for 3 years now and just couldn't bring myself to spending $200 for a coffee machine. Plus, over the time I spent considering this Capresso, it seemed that every glowing review was offset by a negative one.
  
  I had looked at eBay, the Capresso site, and other coffee sites for the best price. By serendipity, I discovered that Amazon had the white CoffeTec at a much lower price than the black model and beat every other site's price by a mile. Being frugal and practical, I yielded on color to get the capability and am SO HAPPY that I did!
  
  First, the white CoffeeTec blends better with my kitchen. Second, it makes fantastic coffee. While I am not a coffee aficionado, I know what I like, and the CoffeeTec delivers a hot cup of coffee with no bitterness. The steel carafe amazingly keeps the coffee warm for a few hours. This is probably heresy for coffee snobs, but I'll zap it in the microwave for 30 secs. to warm it if it's too cool to drink. Third, the latttes are great! Despite having several parts to clean after steaming milk for lattes, the task is not time-consuming or onerous.
  
  I highly recommend this machine -- it's been great for the past month, and I hope it provides great coffee and lattes for years to come. I promise to update this review if the CoffeeTec craps out after a few months of use. ...more info
• Very durable
  I have had this Capresso coffeemaker about 8 years. Works and looks as well as it did new. Great coffee. Love the timer and frother. Worth the investment....more info
• Great Coffee
  We love this coffee maker, especially the stainless steel carafe, which keeps the coffee very hot but doesn't allow it to overcook or get too strong as a carafe on a heating element would....more info
• Going Back To Krups
  I bought this coffee maker about a year and a half ago. While the coffee brewing part of it works according to the claims, it takes about 2x the coffee that my old Krups makers used (I have had three of those over the course of 20 years).
  
  When I only want to make a half pot, the coffee is cold. If I make a full pot, it stays hot for about an hour. Not a good thing if you want a cup of coffee say after lunch.
  
  The frother apparatus has been nothing but frustrating. It does not make nice dry foam like a real espresso maker, but I did not expect that. However I did expect to not get basically very watery hot milk with a few bubbles. I can make better froth with a whisk and a saucepan. Without the water. And the many many pieces are a major pain to wash, dry and reassemble and if you don't assemble them just right you get nothing.
  
  We like to set the coffee up before going to bed. Consequently the water in the reservoir can be quite cold, as is the reservoir. We have found that if we make coffee in the morning and fill the carafe with hottest tap water available, and let it get good and warm, the coffee will stay hot longer. But I did not pay nearly $200 to not be able to take advantage of the programming feature, nor do I appreciate letting the tap run a good 3 or 4 minutes until the water is fully hot.
  
  Basically, I quit using the frother after about 6 months and went to the stovetop/whisk method.
  
  The coffee maker began leaking water from the same two locations, drenching the counter and some things on it. The unit was easy to repair, but the design internally is such that leaks at the point where the filler hose and the hose to the drip basket will eventually leak.
  
  I did not bother to contact Capresso about the leak. I just took it apart and fixed it. Others who do not have a knack for electronic repair will be faced with paying to get it fixed.
  
  I would not recommend this for people who want a machine that is easy to clean, is economical on coffee and that will fit under the cabinet overhang (mine does not). The height is not as much a function of the machine as it is a result of our homebuilder, so I cannot blame that on the Capresso, but it is something one should consider when buying this. ...more info
• Excellent Coffee maker and frother.
  The thermal carafe portion is just awesome. You no longer have a hot plate to worry about. Coffee has stayed warm for ever 6 hours and was still hot when poured and had to cool before drink. Frother / steamer is very smooth and easy to clean. Highly recommended....more info
• I like it!
  It makes a fantastic pot of coffee without cooking it. That was my goal. It helps that the stainless steel pot isn't so easily broken in the sink as so many glass ones... And I appreciate the ability to froth the milk. I haven't tried the half and half, as they recommend not to, but oh well. Half and half beats skim, right? I thought the skim thing would be an incentive for me to lower the dairy fat in my life... but NO. Don't sweat the talk of the frother being difficult. If you can can handle basic kitchen gadgets, this should pose no problem in cleaning or operation....more info
• Meets all expectations
  This a great machine that makes great coffee! I'm so impressed with the flavor and temprature of the coffee. The milk frothing feature is excellent! I am very, very pleased with this machine....more info
• Great coffee maker with many options
  Great feature set. Everything works the way it should. It feels sturdy and worth the price. The frother involves a learning curve, but it works great once you figure it out. I've had it for a little over a month and use it to auto-brew my coffee everything morning. ...more info
• Tried and Tested for three months...so far so great!
  I would concur with the other fellow from Rochester- this machine is worth the price- the frothing mechanism is awesome and works consistently. The 4 rather than 5 stars is because of the fact that if you have lots of folks to froth for- you will need to put more water in the reservoir (to create the steam) this is something I figured out by trial...and now when it doesnt froth, I just check the res- and sure enough, it needs more H2O.
  Also, I would like the spot under which the froth comes out to have more clearance (i.e. so I can put a big bucket there and leave it to froth on its own. But as it is now, only a cup can fit there and you can spoon the froth into cups- making enough for about 2 (maybe) lattes.
  
  But makes excellent coffee that stays hot for a long time. Cannot pay this little for this type of machine with this capability. So- all in all- I am very happy with it!!!!!!!!!!!...more info
• Coffee Lovers Best Friend
  I received my Capresso as a gift over 6 years ago and it is still as good as new! I love the auto set and it brews coffee fast and hot! It is easy to clean and the removable water container is an easy way to fill the machine with water. I highly recommend this coffee maker. Capresso is a great company and has replaced parts I needed (new filter and basket I broke) quickly.
  Makes a great gift! ...more info
• We can't live without our Capresso
  We bought this to replace one that died after twice daily use for about 3 years. We would have sent it back for repair, but we needed a coffee maker immediately, so we tossed it and purchased a regular drip coffee maker. But, my husband and I missed our Capresso TEC so much, that after a month we went and bought another one.
  
  Pro's: Really delicious, foamy capucino.
  Con's:
  1) You have to make sure you follow the instructions regarding cleaning the machine and connectors and decalcify it regularly.
  2) Only use skim or 1% per cent milk
  3) sometimes the steam doesn't come on right away
  4) The coffee stains the inside of the carafe unless you wash it very well immediately after each use. It's not good to let the coffee sit in there for any length of time. But the Capresso people advised me to use denture cleaner in the carafe, so I soak the inside of the pot every couple of months with a denture cleaner over night and it comes out like new.
  5) The coffee will be hotter if you run hot water in the carafe before brewing. Otherwise, it's not piping hot. I don't mind, some people do.
  
  I find the extra trouble worth it. My husband and I love flavored coffees and we use them in the Capresso. We find that the flavored coffees taste much better than with a drip machine. Some people just like plain, hot coffee. It's not for everyone, but a lot of my friends love my coffee and have gone out and purchased their own Coffee TEC's.
  
  ...more info
• Great!
  Great coffee maker. Froth is a bit of a pain with all the pieces however well worth the effort. The coffee stays hot for 6 hours and tastes great. I will own a capresso forever......more info
• FINALLY!
  OK, we love coffee . . . this is the first maker since our old Starbucks Barista version died that surpasses what we had - Braun, Cuisinart. Capresso makes a 500 model that doesn't have the steamer - I would suggest it also to save a few bucks. The controls are elegantly implemented, the dripless carafe is brilliant (REALLY!FINALLY NO DRIP!!!) and the steamer which originally was an indulgence is just too much fun.When we set it up there was a fitting on the steamer that was not sealing correctly - Capresso immediately sent us another entire body - it was just a painless great service experience. I do not work for this company - but will definitely suggest their products in the future....more info
• A Competent Coffeemaker w/Valuable Unique Features
  We've been using our new Capresso CoffeeTEC 10-cup coffeemaker for roughly 30 days. We are impressed. Though priced ...higher than many coffeemakers - it is worth the extra expense. We have owned an array of coffeemakers including most recently a Krups w/carafe. The first notable plus is the overall manufactured quality of the total unit. Though mostly plastic, like all coffeemakers, the moving parts appear and feel substantial - a near commercial grade level. You get the sense this device will last a long time. The next plus is the carafe. Of the several carafes we've owned, the Capresso carafe is the best. And the carafe does hold the coffee hot for at least as long as the marketing materials suggest. The next plus is such a simple matter but it's made a difference - the brewing water reservoir is a separate unit which you remove from the maker, fill with water and return to its position. No more trying to pour water into the maker at 6am and hitting the counter top! Regards the most important demand, the Capresso DOES make an excellent cup of coffee. Finally, the valuable unique feature is, of course, the FrothXpress. If you like hot frothed milk w/your coffee - there is no better coffeemaker on the market anywhere near this price point. Though the "plumbing" for the frother is unusual, we've found it easy to assemble/disassemble and clean. I strongly suggest that you read the directions on this function and experiment a bit. It can be a little touchy but once you understand the frother specifics, it works great. The only negatives from our perspective are: [1] the included gold coffee filter is cheap - but easily replaced, and [2] the FrothXpress utility cycles on and off post brewing [does not stay on constantly, which makes sense] and seemingly is never ready to perform when I'm ready for my second cup. So, I spend a few more minutes each morning in the kitchen. Once again, we rate this coffeemaker as EXCELLENT for its own features and by comparison to other manufacturers....more info