Doesn’t boycotting Bambu ignore that they are one of the biggest names in 3D printing with a product that is cheaper and better than their main competitor (Prusa). Frankly, I don’t think anyone is going to spend 2x the amount for literally a worse product (Bambu P2S @ $550 vs Prusa Core One @ $999)
I get all the arguments about the repairability and longevity of Prusa printers, but when someone is saving for months to buy a luxury item I simply cannot see them making all those sacrifices
Turns out, the 3D printing world is thankfully NOT a duopoly. You have Qidi (their Q2 is very competitive from what I have heard), Sovol (makes a lot of good budget printers), Elegoo (lots of people love the Centauri Carbon), and even Voron machines if you’re into those! And a majority of the competitors make good machines that can be on par, and often times cheaper, than Bambu’s machines.
Additionally, Prusa not only is better for longevity, but you will also get far better customer support (Bambu’s support isn’t great)
Bambu is no longer to be trusted as they have been hostile to the open-source community, have blocked third-party software that used to work and hardware that people have bought, and no, putting it under a hidden developer mode doesn’t fix the issue. There are additional restrictions like not being able to access your printer remotely without something like Tailscale!
And given that they already have RFID tags on their filaments, I believe it’s a matter of time before they become the HP of 3D printers and block third-party filaments from being used
TY I’m going to look into those. I appreciate the detailed response, hopefully someone releases a CFW for all the bambu users out there.
The RFID thing i feel like could be rectified pretty easily by just cloning the tag (hopefully), if nintendo couldn’t combat that for amiibos, i doubt bambu will be able to.
The RFID thing i feel like could be rectified pretty easily by just cloning the tag (hopefully)
I don’t want to give Bambu any ideas, but I think they could modify their plastic to require special settings (maybe it requires a lower temperature to print or something, needs a certain extrusion speed, etc.) and ensure that the print settings are automatically set depending on the RFID tag (this already exists, but they could easily disable the ability to manually change some of the print settings given they now have a monopoly on the slicer software), so putting the same RFID tag on another spool would cause the print to look bad. Of course, I believe this is unlikely, but it is still a possibility. At the very least, it will be annoying to rip out a tag from a Bambu spool, making third-party spools undesirable for users.
I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. It won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments, and it doesn’t have a multi-material unit (yet, but don’t buy things based on promises!)
The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit, which could be something you are looking for given that you want multi-colour prints!
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
*correction, Elegoo does now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular!
You can also get the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, which includes the Canvas out of the box and has a very big hat to cover the tubes. Haven’t looked into it too much, so I’m not sure if there are any other changes.
Just as an update, Elegoo did finally release their multi material solution (canvas). I was ready to get my first printer a few months back but decided to wait for this and also to see what the reviews would be like for the Snapmaker U1 with its multiple heads that can do multi-material with much less waste.
All this stuff isn’t so fresh in my head anymore and I need to look into all this again but just wanted to point out Elegoo did release the solution now.
One more thing, looks like they also have a Centauri Carbon 2 Combo (which includes the Canvas) that can be ordered on their website. It has a funny hat to cover the long tubes!
Yeah I’m not gonna lie the way they designed this cooled me off the Elegoo a bit, if just because it looks a bit silly haha. But it’s still great, my step dad has the CC1 and all his prints are great. I’m more interested in making practical parts (for filmmaking) so really I don’t care that much about multi colour but I’m more interested in multi-material (for example so supports can be a different, cheaper filament) and QoL like auto-spool change, and I would still want a multi-colour here and there to make stuff for my kid.
It’s time I look at the whole current landscape again and see if it’s time to plunge ;p
The hat is very funny. I wonder if there will be 3D printable mods that use all that empty space for something (that said, in the 3D printing world, mods for the printers are ubiquitous and I wouldn’t be surprised if that is already in the works somewhere)
Oh, I didn’t know that! That’s pretty cool. It’s on pre-order right now, so it’s not properly released just yet, but it’s quite close to it! It also looks quite unique, being very tiny without an enclosure or a dedicated spool holder. Perhaps this will make it more reliable (like how the AMS Lite was reported to be more reliable than the enclosed AMS)
I think it went on sale and sold out immediately so back to “pre-order” and indeed also the CC2 is there. And good point about the reliability, but then I guess I need to get a filament dryer separately.
If you buy a Bambu P2S, you don’t really own it. Bambu can see and control each file printed, and are suing anyone that attempts to rectify that change.
Excuse my own ignorance on this issue, i was under the impression that in response to the BS they pulled last year they committed to always having the option for a fully offline (but potentially less-featured) printer?
The Jeff Geerling video also highlights how they have been very hostile to open-source developers, blaming OrcaSlicer for the security flaws of their cloud service (?!?!)
Fortunately, there are plenty of 3D printers that don’t pull the same BS. You of course have Prusa, but you also have companies like Qidi, Sovol, Elegoo, etc. that all have very strong competitors to Bambu’s printers.
I get your point, but when a part broke on my Prusa, I jury rigged it, downloaded and printed a replacement part and swapped out the broken part for the (improved) new one. With many other brands it would have been an expensive purchase and I would have had to wait for parts to arrive.
(please someone correct me if I’m wrong on this)
Doesn’t boycotting Bambu ignore that they are one of the biggest names in 3D printing with a product that is cheaper and better than their main competitor (Prusa). Frankly, I don’t think anyone is going to spend 2x the amount for literally a worse product (Bambu P2S @ $550 vs Prusa Core One @ $999)
I get all the arguments about the repairability and longevity of Prusa printers, but when someone is saving for months to buy a luxury item I simply cannot see them making all those sacrifices
Turns out, the 3D printing world is thankfully NOT a duopoly. You have Qidi (their Q2 is very competitive from what I have heard), Sovol (makes a lot of good budget printers), Elegoo (lots of people love the Centauri Carbon), and even Voron machines if you’re into those! And a majority of the competitors make good machines that can be on par, and often times cheaper, than Bambu’s machines.
Additionally, Prusa not only is better for longevity, but you will also get far better customer support (Bambu’s support isn’t great)
Bambu is no longer to be trusted as they have been hostile to the open-source community, have blocked third-party software that used to work and hardware that people have bought, and no, putting it under a hidden developer mode doesn’t fix the issue. There are additional restrictions like not being able to access your printer remotely without something like Tailscale!
And given that they already have RFID tags on their filaments, I believe it’s a matter of time before they become the HP of 3D printers and block third-party filaments from being used
TY I’m going to look into those. I appreciate the detailed response, hopefully someone releases a CFW for all the bambu users out there.
The RFID thing i feel like could be rectified pretty easily by just cloning the tag (hopefully), if nintendo couldn’t combat that for amiibos, i doubt bambu will be able to.
I don’t want to give Bambu any ideas, but I think they could modify their plastic to require special settings (maybe it requires a lower temperature to print or something, needs a certain extrusion speed, etc.) and ensure that the print settings are automatically set depending on the RFID tag (this already exists, but they could easily disable the ability to manually change some of the print settings given they now have a monopoly on the slicer software), so putting the same RFID tag on another spool would cause the print to look bad. Of course, I believe this is unlikely, but it is still a possibility. At the very least, it will be annoying to rip out a tag from a Bambu spool, making third-party spools undesirable for users.
No problem!
I’m looking to upgrade my ancient Ender-5 Plus and have been eyeballing Anycubic for the excellent pricing on multicolor printers.
You seem pretty knowledgeable, any recommendations or things to stay away from?
I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. It won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments, and
it doesn’t have a multi-material unit (yet, but don’t buy things based on promises!)The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit, which could be something you are looking for given that you want multi-colour prints!
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
*correction, Elegoo does now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular!
You can also get the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, which includes the Canvas out of the box and has a very big hat to cover the tubes. Haven’t looked into it too much, so I’m not sure if there are any other changes.
Just as an update, Elegoo did finally release their multi material solution (canvas). I was ready to get my first printer a few months back but decided to wait for this and also to see what the reviews would be like for the Snapmaker U1 with its multiple heads that can do multi-material with much less waste.
All this stuff isn’t so fresh in my head anymore and I need to look into all this again but just wanted to point out Elegoo did release the solution now.
One more thing, looks like they also have a Centauri Carbon 2 Combo (which includes the Canvas) that can be ordered on their website. It has a funny hat to cover the long tubes!
Yeah I’m not gonna lie the way they designed this cooled me off the Elegoo a bit, if just because it looks a bit silly haha. But it’s still great, my step dad has the CC1 and all his prints are great. I’m more interested in making practical parts (for filmmaking) so really I don’t care that much about multi colour but I’m more interested in multi-material (for example so supports can be a different, cheaper filament) and QoL like auto-spool change, and I would still want a multi-colour here and there to make stuff for my kid.
It’s time I look at the whole current landscape again and see if it’s time to plunge ;p
The hat is very funny. I wonder if there will be 3D printable mods that use all that empty space for something (that said, in the 3D printing world, mods for the printers are ubiquitous and I wouldn’t be surprised if that is already in the works somewhere)
Oh, I didn’t know that! That’s pretty cool. It’s on pre-order right now, so it’s not properly released just yet, but it’s quite close to it! It also looks quite unique, being very tiny without an enclosure or a dedicated spool holder. Perhaps this will make it more reliable (like how the AMS Lite was reported to be more reliable than the enclosed AMS)
I think it went on sale and sold out immediately so back to “pre-order” and indeed also the CC2 is there. And good point about the reliability, but then I guess I need to get a filament dryer separately.
Ahh OK that makes sense. So it’s pre-ordering for the next batch, I see.
If you buy a Bambu P2S, you don’t really own it. Bambu can see and control each file printed, and are suing anyone that attempts to rectify that change.
If you buy a Prusa Core One, you do own it.
The boycott just makes financial sense.
Excuse my own ignorance on this issue, i was under the impression that in response to the BS they pulled last year they committed to always having the option for a fully offline (but potentially less-featured) printer?
The Jeff Geerling video also highlights how they have been very hostile to open-source developers, blaming OrcaSlicer for the security flaws of their cloud service (?!?!)
Fortunately, there are plenty of 3D printers that don’t pull the same BS. You of course have Prusa, but you also have companies like Qidi, Sovol, Elegoo, etc. that all have very strong competitors to Bambu’s printers.
The video covers that “option”.
I get your point, but when a part broke on my Prusa, I jury rigged it, downloaded and printed a replacement part and swapped out the broken part for the (improved) new one. With many other brands it would have been an expensive purchase and I would have had to wait for parts to arrive.