User Centered

At one point, I rendered unto the heavens a public proclamation asking for a travel mug that was able to be sealed like a Thermos, but would still allow to to get access to it without unscrewing the lid (like a Thermos). It doesn't seem like that difficult a task, but I still can't find anything like that at my local department stores.


So you can imagine my pleasure when I heard (about a year and a half late) the buzz about the Brugo Mug. But spill proof isn't even its best trick- this mug has a "Perfect Temperature Zone" chamber that keeps the liquid cool enough to drink even if it has just been brewed. I immediately emptied my wallet.

While waiting the extremely long two weeks for this coffee crypt, I found out that it was given out at the 2006 Oscars, and I read a few reviews- some good, and some not so good. I was hoping I would end up in the middle somewhere.

It has three settings: Locked is spill proof, Tip & Cool allows the cooling chamber to do its magic, and Sip works as any other coffee mug on the face of the earth.

My thoughts:

• I would say this is more spill "resistant" instead of spill proof. I want something that will seal up completely but still be easy to get at (no unscrewing). The "Lock" function doesn't 100% close off the flow. This is a big minus for me, but it would be sufficient if you placed this in a bag/cupholder that would hold it upright, or if you're just running from bus to train or something. You're in for trouble if you want to just carelessly throw it into a bag and let it jostle around with your morning sales presentation.
• Tip & Cool err- "Perfect Temperature Zone," does indeed work pretty well. There is a noticeable difference in the temperature when you have this setting activated. I'm not an expert in thermodynamics, but I'd say putting it in its chamber away from the other hotter coffee would allow it to cool quicker, but immediate drink-ability was not something I was expecting. Here's some nerdier sounding thoughts on how this *may* work.
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• Ok.. this next one is a minor gripe as it's not really noticeable, but there are two plastic tabs on the base and lid that align to indicate to the user that the lid is properly sealed/aligned (I believe it also is required for the cooling chambers to work right). In any event, the two plastic tabs jut out right below the sipping point... the point closest to your lip. I'm not saying its likely you'll scrape it when drinking (although I have), but of all the spots to put this why there?! Why couldn't this tab be place *anywhere* else on the perimeter of the cup? Like the 12 o'clock position from the sipping point?
• Sip is the operative word for this cup- there is no "drink." Sip is the most free-flowing you can get and it seems limiting especially when you're in the "Tip & Cool" mode. I guess that chamber isn't all that big.
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• Odd and ends- great industrial design, it looks and feels pretty solid, the lock/sip/sip&cool selector seems difficult to move. The instructions say it should become easier with hot liquid in it, but I found that not to be true. It is not something you can operate one handed. Finally, it doesn't really keep the coffee as piping hot as I'd like... it's pretty much ready to drink without the cooling chamber in arguably the same amount of time as my other travel mugs.

Diagnosis? A lot of trouble to go through to be able to immediately drink you coffee instead of waiting a minute, but maybe my coffee venues aren't making it as hot as others. I'm going to keep this mug around for awhile but keep my eye out for the next best thing.