Many talk about the Vita-Mix blender as the best choice but who can afford one?

Looking for a cheaper but comparable alternative that will feed my body without starving my wallet.

Has anyone tried the Power Mill blender?

I would be interested to hear of your experience.

Anyone know how the Power Mill compares with the Vta-Mix?

Thanks,
Neo.

Thanks, looks interesting!

Can it handle whole fruits and vegetables like the Vitamix?

Brett.

Last night I went out and bought the new Sunbeam Cafe Series blender and I have to say that it is AMAZING and JUST AS GOOD AS THE VITA MIX!!!!!!!!!! (although his maybe a little premature enthusiasm because i've only ever had the pleasure of using a vitamix once..) Anyway..as soon as i got it home i whipped up a green smoothie..chucked ALL the ingredients in at the same time and only needed to put it on the lowest setting for about 10 seconds and it came out as smooth as VELVET!!!

I got it from David Jones for $187 plus Sunbeam are giving $20 cash back at the moment.

I was soooooooooo excited by the result, i've been jumping around the house and threatening to turn my kitchen into a raw cafe...my family don't quite get the excitement. 

erthmum i share your excitement!
I've had a sunbeam cafe series for about a year now and it is awesome.  i use it most days, and we frequently create new amazing recipes in it.  mostly nutmilks, green smoothies, soups. The only disaster we've had was my 1yr old tossing the clear bit of the lid out the car window (never found it) but was easily replaced.

violet

the l'equip 228 is your best bet. It's a very highly rated power blender and will chomp up everything a blendtec or vitamix does. Although, it will do it a little slower. Also, it has an incredible warranty.

Here's a link to L'Equip Europe's website.

http://www.lequipeurope.com/products.htm

Well, my blender kicked the bucket! Any way i ordered in a replacement part, didn't want to throw it out yet engine is still good for a few for smoothies. it was the blade that wore out.
We use the Sunbeam Cafe Series at the cafe and i do lots of green smoothies when  i am there, and other types. It has my thums up, if it can hadle heaps of smoothies every day in a cafe then at home it will last for ever. it is about $200. i think i would get that one next, will see when the need arises.

im loving the wisdom I get from all you raw wise ones. As im just recently raw so all this info is amazing...and Id just like to share that I got my compact juicer today and wow.....how excited was i to rip open that box and make my first compact juice...I was in total bliss as I savoured the sweetness of my carot, celery and apple juice...yummo!! Ill put the  cafe series next on the list but only when my breville something or other dies!!! So far its doing the trick just gotta blend everything in the right order. The Poor old thing its never worked so hard.

Ok, its defo nothing like a vitamix, but the 10second rocket i bought cheap online does everything i need. No, it doesnt heat soups and it doesnt pulverise.

But, it does a good job for how little i spent, i can grind my flax seeds, make dips, yummy smoothies, nut milks (if i can bo bothered, lol). Its probs not velvety smooth but all my greens blend up just fine. Blending greens with water first makes a big diff. It doesnt work as well on things like snow pea sprouts, but for rocket, baby spinach, chichory, celery, parsley (their my standards) works just fine.

Must say but, the powermill does sound good looking at the site, might be one to keep in mind for when i do have the money for a good one.

Wow, 15yrs for the vitamix? That does make it more affordable, ive had a few 'good' blenders (standard shop bought ones) and they seem to last about 3mths with my abuse, thats why im impressed with the 10second rocket, i abuse it something horrid and its lasting.