The first: the total GV8960 is very well made. The automatic retractable cord and the ability to stow the cable / steam hose to save space, are well thought out.
The power cord is long enough, who has a long way to the socket, requires an extension.
To operate: the iron itself can adjust anything, this is only about to press buttons on the station itself quickly the temperature of the hand during ironing rules is not here.. At the beginning getting used to. The buttons on the station are very clear, there are three levels, low, medium and hot. Sounds first little, but enough. The soleplate is not hot at most, most of ironing work going on here over the steam. And so you can quickly switch between cotton and silk.
Otherwise, there is an eco-function, is to be saved with the current. Since I have found only a minimal difference when ironing. Whether because less steam is generated, or the iron is less heated, on the sole, I can not tell. The ironing results were certainly good.
Heating is very fast, within two minutes and there you go.
The Tefal irons have long been equipped with a descaler sticks, from the idea similar in this model. Unfortunately, this system has never worked in our very hard water. Sometime ever came of lime to the steam nozzle rausgerieselt. How that will be here, remains to be seen. Since you can but shake the Kalkbröckchen, has never bothered me. In the manual it is pointed out that the station must not be filled with decalcified water from the Brita system. In most Entkalkersystemen the lime is replaced by another mineral, eg potassium and this also leads to problems in the steam generator.
Distilled water may be used, or normal tap water.
The tank can be filled and emptied completely again with a little shaking slightly.
The station will turn out as promised after about 8 minutes. A very good thing that I do not want to miss. An infected and forgotten iron can thus put no more house on fire.
The iron is generally good in the hand, and slides coated with the sole very easily on all materials. The temple mountain has never been done so quickly, here is an ironing system really enormous advantages compared to any other iron, but is just more expensive. Still, I had known how quickly it comes with such a station, I would have brought such a part years ago. Especially for my linen tablecloths that were never really smooth. Here you can see the old heirlooms like new, and even without laundry starch.
Now the downside: First I noticed the really high weight already unpack and there was no Waser it. Now is here a ironing table, the ironing systems endures. However, we place the refilled station on the shelf, the table to its knees, as an overloaded car. May look funny, but makes no sense in the long run. So pulled out the stool and on the station parked right next to the ironing board.
The hose of the iron is thus dependent but the side of the table and slips down when ironing the clothes constantly rum. Especially tablecloths it is annoying because the fabric sheath of the cable hangs on the bracket piece and this entrains in the bracket and moving back inside puckers.
Very annoyed I was at the beginning also the incredibly pungent chemical odor which emanated from the iron. After a few hours ironing on the balcony the smell is now but really as good as gone. I would like to see still another solution.
The sole is coated with palladium, which a Teflon-like effect produced and the already mentioned slide easily allows each substance. Nickel allergies should but look for another coating as palladium capable of initiating contact allergy in nickel allergies.
The instructions should be noted that the sole should not come into contact with metal. In fact, the brief contact with the metal shelf of the ironing board has led to minimal portions of the coating are chipped in the area of the sign immediately. Here the iron has a weakness in my eyes, because in reality every now and a metal button comes up. And the sole, this obviously is not well put away.
Conclusion: a very high vapor pressure, very fine and relatively dry steam are ironing a dream and ironing is very fast, especially during difficult fabrics like cotton or linen.
The iron is comfortable to hold. It upset the heavy weight of the station in the filled state and the little innovative steam hose guide. Despite some improvement potential I have never ironed as fast and smooth and easy operation can also convince. Overall, there are good 4 star and a buy recommendation.