Avoid Bambu printers, they are locking down everything and a firmware update blocked the use of third-party software (e.g. OrcaSlicer) and hardware (e.g. the Panda Touch display for the P1 series). I have an A1 myself, and I wouldn’t recommend it anymore. There are also better value options from other brands nowadays! I believe Creality is also a brand to avoid based on what I’ve heard online
I know the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a very good value, even better than the A1 since it is CoreXY w/ an enclosure. You also have the version without an enclosure for even cheaper. Sovol makes some excellent options, as does Qidi (in particular, they’re known for making very good value printers that work well with engineering-type filaments).
And of course, if you want the best reliability, support, and repairability, you should look at the Prusa. Their Core One is their flagship and is CoreXY, has an enclosure, and will later support an multi-toolhead upgrade (the INDX)! You also have their older MK4S+ (which is a bedslinger) as well as their Mini (which has a smaller bed size and is a bedslinger), as well as the XL if you need a huge bed area w/ 6 toolheads (very expensive though)
I mean I like prusa but for some the high price (what is it like 2x or 3x a bambu) isn’t worth the upcharge. So some would rather deal with the proprietary nature and spying nature of bambu (until it actually affects them ofc).
Looking to one day get a prusa myself in the future to replace my elegoo neptune
I don’t think the upcharge is multiples, but it is significant comparing the X1 Carbon to the Core One. If you want better value machines, I would look at other brands (but you also have to consider the long term value and the openness, how much is that worth it to you?)
But I would avoid Bambu. They are no longer the best value, they are not open, and they are not as reliable either (it does not “just work”, the nozzle has clogged on my A1 and needs to be replaced, and regular maintenance is needed e.g. cleaning the bed like any printer), the worst of both worlds as I see it.
The X1C isn’t even in production anymore. The X2C would be the comparable printer to the Core One and the X2C is quite a bit cheaper.
I started with Prusa (MK3), bought a Bambu (X1C), then bought an XL for real multi color printing. The Bambu takes ages to print anything multi color and it produces so much waste it’s sickening. I rarely use it anymore and will never buy a Bambu again based on how they treat their customers. Buts it real hard to not recommend them to people because they are affordable and they do “just work”. I’ve rarely ever had issues with mine.
Avoid Bambu printers, they are locking down everything and a firmware update blocked the use of third-party software (e.g. OrcaSlicer) and hardware (e.g. the Panda Touch display for the P1 series). I have an A1 myself, and I wouldn’t recommend it anymore. There are also better value options from other brands nowadays! I believe Creality is also a brand to avoid based on what I’ve heard online
I know the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a very good value, even better than the A1 since it is CoreXY w/ an enclosure. You also have the version without an enclosure for even cheaper. Sovol makes some excellent options, as does Qidi (in particular, they’re known for making very good value printers that work well with engineering-type filaments).
And of course, if you want the best reliability, support, and repairability, you should look at the Prusa. Their Core One is their flagship and is CoreXY, has an enclosure, and will later support an multi-toolhead upgrade (the INDX)! You also have their older MK4S+ (which is a bedslinger) as well as their Mini (which has a smaller bed size and is a bedslinger), as well as the XL if you need a huge bed area w/ 6 toolheads (very expensive though)
I mean I like prusa but for some the high price (what is it like 2x or 3x a bambu) isn’t worth the upcharge. So some would rather deal with the proprietary nature and spying nature of bambu (until it actually affects them ofc).
Looking to one day get a prusa myself in the future to replace my elegoo neptune
I don’t think the upcharge is multiples, but it is significant comparing the X1 Carbon to the Core One. If you want better value machines, I would look at other brands (but you also have to consider the long term value and the openness, how much is that worth it to you?)
But I would avoid Bambu. They are no longer the best value, they are not open, and they are not as reliable either (it does not “just work”, the nozzle has clogged on my A1 and needs to be replaced, and regular maintenance is needed e.g. cleaning the bed like any printer), the worst of both worlds as I see it.
The X1C isn’t even in production anymore. The X2C would be the comparable printer to the Core One and the X2C is quite a bit cheaper.
I started with Prusa (MK3), bought a Bambu (X1C), then bought an XL for real multi color printing. The Bambu takes ages to print anything multi color and it produces so much waste it’s sickening. I rarely use it anymore and will never buy a Bambu again based on how they treat their customers. Buts it real hard to not recommend them to people because they are affordable and they do “just work”. I’ve rarely ever had issues with mine.
But it isn’t 2-3x…I never said they were price comparable, I noted that they were more expensive, but not multiples of Bambu’s pricing!
Better value options exist on the market now, like the Elegoo CC and Qidi’s lineup
If you already have a 3D printer, you might be interested in printing some of the parts of a Voron kit!