Tindra
Query: is Bambu still the standard for “it just works” for 3d printers?
Apr 3 at 12:55amWeb
Show threadChris Petrilli1d ago

@TindrasGrove pretty much. I can't think of anyone that comes close. Prusa maybe? But substantially more expensive, and quickly retreating from their open source commitments.

Bambu printers are just dull tools, and I love them for it.

Show threadRabbit1d ago
@petrillic @TindrasGrove Bambu is still the gold standard (even with their controversy) but all of the Bambu X1 clones with CoreXY are all pretty decent and easy to use compared to earlier generations. My FlashForge A5X is pretty much point and click for setup.
Show threadMoritz Negwer16h ago
@ra6bit @petrillic @TindrasGrove FWIW, I got a Prusa core one recently and it just works (TM). I got the kit version, and it's so foolproof that even a noob like myself could assemble it to a working state without additional tinkering. They are more pricey than the Bambu printers, but for my needs they are a good fit.
Show threadAzuaron1d ago

@TindrasGrove I never got a Bambu because they decided they're really going to lean into "we're surveilling your machine, and it will be very easy for us to decide you can't print certain things if we (or the government) decide."

I got an Elegoo Centauri, and it just works. And I don't let it talk to the internet. It has the technical capability; I just don't let it.

Show threadnotanowl1d ago
@TindrasGrove i have three p1s in the backroom running 24/7 for almost a year / aside from a few software, firmware update bugs / they make specialty items that i get orders for daily
Show threadChester Wisniewski 🇨🇦1d ago
@TindrasGrove I bought one a few months ago and absolutely love it.
Show threadFritz Adalis1d ago
@TindrasGrove @catsalad
They've started locking them down for "security", iirc prints go through their cloud by default now and local functions are limited. The theory is they'll eventually start requiring branded consumables but that hasn't happened yet.
Show threadFritz Adalis1d ago
@TindrasGrove @catsalad
But to more directly answer your question, the a1 mini I got my kid (just before they locked it down, grr) was easy to set up and use, things Just Worked.
Show threadMichael Cook1d ago

@TindrasGrove I would put Prusa in the same bucket.

Bambu is certainly the most popular. I’ve never used one but they do have that reputation.

Show threadOtis1d ago
@TindrasGrove I have been happy with my Creality K1C for about a year now.
Show threadRemy Rose1d ago

@TindrasGrove

I've never actually used one, but honestly I'm not sure if I buy that claim about them? A lot of my library's patrons have Bambus but they still all come to us for printing anything remotely complicated.

Show threadMicah Ilbery ☕️1d ago
@TindrasGrove I bought my kid a bambu A1 w/ AMS lite for Christmas. They have been printing constantly since… except for when it broke down about a month ago. It took me about a week to figure out and fix… and right now because it has broken down exactly the same way today and I now need to fix it again. I used to think that they were the “just works” brand but I’m not so sure now. To be fair, I’m not sure that product actually exists. Either way YMMV I guess.
Show threadI love this, so I1d ago
@TindrasGrove either that, or if you want to avoid Bambu because of cloud shenanigans then the next one I’m eying is an Elegoo Centauri
Show threadKattni23h ago
@TindrasGrove Yes. We have two. They're brilliant.
Show threadChirayu  20h ago
@TindrasGrove Prusa is good too
Show threadOliver19h ago

@TindrasGrove

TL;DR
I have an A 1 Mini and it's great, but I would buy another Bambu Lab Printer, if I were to buy a new one.

The A1 Mini is an easy to use machine that I bought a year ago.
Still works great and I like being able to even print from the mobile app with Items from their Maker World Market.

I'd probably still buy a Bambu, just not a model with the print bed moving. My A1 Mini had a couple of misprints because the print got rocked off the print bed from shaking around.

Show threadOliver18h ago
@TindrasGrove
other than that, I have nothing to complain about.
For larger prints or very frequent use I'd probably go for a Bambulab P1S, or, as someone already mentioned, the Elegoo Cetauri. That one seems to be pretty good as well.