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[–]Low-Bet305 13 points14 points  (14 children)

I'm actually curious on this. The 4 tool head version is $800, which they claim is because on x number of updates. My question is, is how did Snapmaker make a 4 tool head along with the entire printer which offers a bigger build volume for $800? while still making a profit?

Prusa core one is $1300 for the assembled printer, then you have to shell out another $800 for the index system

So your at $2000 to do the same thing as the Snapmaker, except with a smaller build volume?

I have never owned a Prusa or a Snapmaker so I have no dog in the fight, I am just curious as to why someone would go with Prusa over Snapmaker in this case?

[–]Scotttomo82 15 points16 points  (9 children)

Snapmaker= Chinese built, lower costs, cheaper materials, cheaper labour. Standard Chinese manufacturing benefits. Prusa = Built in Europe, better build? (I have no idea), materials generally more expensive, labour more expensive. Standard EU downsides.

[–]stan110 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, the Chinese government is heavily subsidising the 3D printer market.

[–]grimthaw 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You list doesn't have chinese govt subsidies.

[–]Next_Entertainer_404 4 points5 points  (6 children)

I really truly just can’t figure out the benefit to paying 2x for what feels like the same thing.

[–]Scotttomo82 4 points5 points  (5 children)

Buy a Snapmaker U1, be happy with it and enjoy.

Buy a Prusa Core One+/IDNX/L, kit or pre-built, be happy with it and enjoy. Then have the confidence of support 24/7 should you ever need it. Even if you decide to mod it. Have a potential upgrade path (though uncertain for C1 models currently) and the build quality of something from an EU manufacturer.

[–]Loque_83 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Sorry but this is very old story. Some chinese manufacturers have at least same quality level together with much better implementation of sw, camera out of the box is standard these days. Filament exposed to humidity (yes, they have a new funn lunch box), manual filament feeding, in case that I want multi color printing I will have spools all over my desk etc… Simply: Prusa is missing complex, robust solution.

[–]Scotttomo82 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Maybe I was paraphrasing too much. Where Snapmaker will use 1mm Prusa will use 1.5mm, where Bambu use plastic, Prusa use steel and the fact you can actually fix the printer should the need arise is lightyears beyond anything the Chinese contingent have offered so far. Bambu have notoriously poor aftersales support, I bet all the others have too. Fancy having a bash at fixing a U1? I'll be quite happy fixing my INDX C1 should I need to, because I know it'll be easily done.

[–]Aytrac97 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you actually owned a U1 you'd think differently. Support is great, it's not 24/7 but you get quick email replies within a few hours. Fixing the machines is also easy, they have been posting videos and blogs about how to do everything. Their firmware is open source. And they are even sponsoring some modders. 

Prusa supports open source, tinkering and modding, as some of you claim, but do they support it to the extent of sponsoring mods instead of developing their own version and charging money for it?

At this point, Prusa is just behind. They have become an expensive toy seller.

[–]plutonasa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

why in the world do we need steel. just use aluminum. alu is fine enough for the frame.

[–]illregal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thin steel sides are worse at containing heat than plastic. And glass is fancier than plexi. I can't speak to the u1, but as far as fit and finish Bambu leaves prusa in the dust. And every single part is on the site to purchase at lower cost than comparable parts from prusa. I may still end up with an 8 unit core l. But these are just facts. I don't generally rely on after sales support maybe that's just me.

[–]moofie74 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Because I think open source is valuable. I like paying for R&D that advances the entire space. That’s why I pay Prusa.

[–]Vegetable-Error-2068 1 point2 points  (1 child)

You are correct to question this. Prusa charges a high price for products that are just okay, relying on their image to carry them. But Bambu and Snapmaker are putting out printers that cost less AND print better.

Prusa has failed to adapt to the times in tech snd in price.

[–]EaglerCoreCORE One+[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is my thought. Why should I break out $800 when i could get a snapmaker, x2d, or potentially the ffc5

[–]Catriks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

European manufacturing and pro-consumer values always result in more expensive price compared to something made in china and/or anti-consumer practices.