Jerry,
I was wondering the same thing.
Many of the products on the top portion of their list do work well.
I and others have always felt that pressure assist toilets perform well.
The Flushmate equipped tanks are similar in performance with the 3" flush valve of the Toto Ultramax and other G-Max Toto's.
However, not everyone likes the sound curve on the pressure assist toilets using the Flushmate. .
Some do, and some don't.
I call it the Tim Allen, "Home Improvement" syndrome.
"More Power! Arhgg! Arhgg!"
Their 2005 report give the Eljer Aqua Saver with the PF/2 pressure assist thier best buy.
Everyone that has one, knows that it takes two flushes to get rid of the paper and small bits of waste that the pressure jet breaks up.
That's right, a two flush toilet gets their best buy ranking.
They test indestructable baby wipes, sponges and balls.
Home owners flush with toilet paper, and poop.
Both of these items break apart when flushed and become small bits that float.
The CR test doesn't tell them how the toilet performs in "real" usage.
Real usage does tell you that.
I like to install these in my home and give them the good old fashioned "road test".
Noise becomes a real issue.
When you consider that maybe half of the population sits down while flushing, Maybe in a large warehouse and surrounded by other men flipping levers, it's not a big deal.
But many use their toilet in the quiet confines of their own home and like the privacy and predictability of the G-Max noise curve.
You will note that on their page, they list the Toto Carlyle toilet as very good at waste removal while they list the Ultramax as only "fair"
Both of these models are almost identical in form and function.
What happened to their testing methods?
How can such "similar products" that get the G-Max rating test out so differently on their tests?
It's hard to accept that the highest rated model by plumbers and consumers is only "fair" while the companion model rates a "very good"?
CR rates the Kohler Wellworth as one of the better models, yet MaP testing gives them a rather low 125 to 250 gram rating.
The Toto Drake will move 900 grams and the Toto Ultramax moves 700 grams.
These numbers are a lot better than the Wellworth ratings that they are so proud of.
The CR 2005 also admits that the Briggs Vacuity doesn't do well.
Like that was news to anyone else.
Homeowners and plumbers feel that the G-Max Toto toilets with the 3" flush valve are the all around best.
It clears solid waste well.
The bowl is deep enough that the waste is covered until it's flushed down.
Workmanship and quality are high.
Repairs are simple and can be done without tools.
A fill valve is $8, the flapper $10 and a repair cap for the fill valve is $2
The report I've provided is based on homeowner and plumber feedback.
It's hard to argue with what people truly like.
The Toto has been selling itself. Most of it is repeat business.
Or maybe, this is just some unfinished business between them and I?
Read the link below for more on that.
Terry Love's review on toilets