OK so I'm gonna really really love this *for what I need it for* (knit shells, sweaters, T's, shelf-stuff, some heavier cotton pants perhaps (untested pants). First, as reviews get switched between different versions of an item, I will share I purchased: Steam Fast SF-680 Digital Fabric Steam Press, April 2015. I need to shave off some a.m. gettin out the door time, so I first got this press, and next I may get the 30-45 minutes pants creasing press still thinking on that one. I opened this box (wide, but not too heavy or awkward in case you were wondering), and I had this item working in five minutes. It's not too heavy really it isn't (I was a little concerned about that initially). Only two pages of a small manual really applied to "use" and they were very well written. Skimmed the manual and in only minutes I was confident enough to steam blast my way through a sleeveless cream sweater. I wear very simple clothes to work, and alot of knits - thin sweaters etc. I don't often wear woven shirts with collars, so I won't be using it for those. I like my knits folded like on the store shelves -- so today I folded half and flattened (steam-shot lower, count to 8 and lift), folded half again and flattened (steam shot two lower, count to 8 and lift) - bam-bam-bam top done and just like new off the shelf! How awesome! Used wool setting for all, no issues no scorching, no wierd creasing, no burns. Steam puffs out fine. Some reviewers noticed loud popping noise, and yes I heard a total of "three" mid-range pops but that may very well be something metal underneath just reacting to a very fast heating up/cooling down. My little handheld steam iron does that but tiny-tiny pings only so it may make sense - bigger metal plate makes bigger popping noise. In my case, I had press on a total of 15 minutes, heard three pops total. Not unsettling, and likely wouldn't have noticed them had I not read the reviews before buying it. Actually, it says 8-10 seconds down, but counting to three did just as well with my knits. Started with "wool" but turned it down to "silk" The three lowest choices including "silk" allow no steam shot, but one wouldn't want that anyway on those. Tried a shirt, used a little Bounce starch, they came out ok but gonna need a little flattening practice on them, and I don't wear them often so I may just twist around and use the regular iron 5 times a year smiles. But the knits? Oh baby, am I gonna love this thing. Some reviews have mentioned you really really need the stand due to instability lifting/lowering the handle. Stand is sold separately here for like $50. Happy I didn't get it, because for me its just not necessary. For me, this press fits totally great on the top of my front-load dryer, extra room all around it, I can even pull out the top-side lint trap filter with no issues, and even with the steam press open. In fact, I have two shelves sticking out over my dryer and there's still plenty of room for this press sittin there totally open. Weight on the dryer top is fine, balance is fine, and press is seemingly built tight as a drum no issues with instability using it/opening/closing. So in my case, I needed this for morning "speed", "fit" in a convenient room, "safety" (steam, burns) as I'm gonna be using it quickly, "durability", a few years of no-drama working as advertised, and of course not burning my clothes or me unpredictably. So long as it keeps working like it did today, I'm thrilled with my purchase. Final thought: I took 2 suit jackets/matching trousers to the dry cleaners three weeks ago - the best dry cleaner in town they say. I paid and retrieved my plastic-draped goods and happily headed home. Hung em up at the house, and the morning of an awards ceremony three days later I pulled the plastic off to find it seemed like they cleaned them but did not press them - the collars were not flattened, the pants had no seams. Really? My response for my time, money, and initiation of "Plan B"? First time shame on you, second time its on me, so to avoid future drama I came to Amazon and done done and done. And this is also why I am a card-carrying Prime/2-day shipping included member as well. Hope that helps someone, and wishing all well!