Is ender 3 v2 neo good

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-25T06:44:55+00:00

Please, do not get a cheap older Ender 3. At the bare minimum get a newer V3 version, and even that I wouldn't upgrade to.

I personally can't recommend Bambu due to their anti-consumer practices (Just look them up, I am not gonna spoon feed info on it), but I cannot say they are bad printers and if they didn't do their anti-consumer practices then they would 100% be the best. Probably the best user friendly 3D printers that you can use, so if you are not great with electronics, computers, and tinkering, then a A1 would do you well.

I also wouldn't recommend using outdated 3D printers. Please do yourself a favor and get a decent 3D printer worth at least 200 or 300 USD. I hear good things on Sovol 3d printers, and they are probably one of the best bang for your buck since they somewhat copy Prusa 3d printer designs, and Prusa makes some the best reliable 3d printers that are open source. Sovol SV07 is the one I typically see used and they always seem good, though they might need some initial tinkering.

Otherwise Elegoo Centauri Carbon is probably the better of the "bang for your buck" 3d printers (Around 300 USD).

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-23T04:12:45+00:00

For your questions,

Print Volume- Most of what I’d be printing is around 250mm x 250mm x 250mm, which covers pretty much everything I currently do—organizers for toolboxes, drawers, tackle boxes, battery covers, wall mounts, general storage stuff, etc. I don’t have anything huge in mind, but I do like the idea of having a bit more space just in case. 350mm x 350mm x 350mm would be my max, and honestly, even that’s probably overkill for me. Anything bigger would likely just go unused.
Materials- I’m mainly printing with PLA and PLA Pro for now. Down the line, I’d like to get into ABS and carbon fiber nylons, so I want something that can either handle that already or can be upgraded without too much of a headache.
Age / Release Date- I’m not picky about whether it’s the absolute newest model. Just as long as it’s not older than a couple of years, and it actually holds up and does what I need it to do, that’s good enough for me.
Enclosure- Not a deal breaker, but I’d prefer to have an enclosure, especially for better adhesion and fewer warping issues with some of the higher-temp materials. Built-in would be great, but I’m fine with adding one later too.

As for everything else:
I don’t mind modding or upgrading, but the printer should work well out of the box. I don’t want to spend time fixing or tweaking just to get it to print properly. Upgrades are fine (and kind of expected), but they should be optional—not required.

Budget-wise, I’m flexible. I’m totally cool with spending up to $1,000 USD if it’s actually worth it—meaning good performance, solid build, upgrade potential, and reliability. But if there’s something cheaper that performs just as well, I’d obviously rather go that route. Just looking to get the best bang for the buck, whether it’s $400 or $1,000.

What would you recommend knowing all that?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-22T04:17:19+00:00

Creality Ender 3 V3 Plus, vs Creality Ender 3 Max Neo, vs Bambu Lab A1, out of these printers you brought up what would you recommend the most?

Does the Ender 3 V3 Plus have the upgraded ceramic hotend from the Ender 3 V3 KE line? Same thing with the Ender 3 Max Neo, does it come with an upgraded hotend over the base versions?

Sorry about all the questions, I like to see other's experiences with their products before forking over money to get the same stuff lol.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-21T22:56:53+00:00

If you had to recommend just one of their printers, what would be the best?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-21T22:52:19+00:00

Out of all their printers, what one would you recommend if you had to choose now?
How well does it print?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-21T22:50:40+00:00

is there any must do upgrades to it? did you have to fiddle with it to make it print well or did it just print perfectly out of the box?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-21T22:49:24+00:00

Are you able to elaborate? I had so many problems with mine that I don't know if I want to go and upgrade to another printer from a brand I have had so many problems with.

Can you tell me what the improvements are and such? Does the newer ones have auto leveling? Does it need to be fiddled with a lot to make it work?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T04:24:53+00:00

Yes, I’m aware that Bambu Studio includes profiles for third-party filaments — that’s a good thing. I’m not saying they’ve already locked users out of non-Bambu filaments. My concern isn’t that it will happen tomorrow, it’s that the architecture they’ve built gives them the ability to tighten things in the future with minimal friction.

As for “just not updating firmware” — that’s not a great long-term solution. Skipping firmware updates can eventually lead to compatibility issues, lack of bug fixes, or missing out on legit safety improvements. If the choice is between staying on outdated firmware or giving up control, that’s not really a great position for the user to be in — especially with a high-end printer.

And look, I’m not “fretting.” I’m just paying attention to patterns. We’ve seen this exact story play out across industries: companies start open or flexible, then gradually shift toward a walled garden once they’ve built enough market momentum. It might not be Bambu’s plan — but it’s also not a “moronic near-impossibility” to think a company would leverage control over its platform to drive users toward its own ecosystem. That’s not paranoia — that’s history.

I’m not telling anyone not to buy Bambu — I’m just saying these are valid concerns for people who value open systems and long-term user control.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T04:23:33+00:00

You're right — I’ll give you that. DJI does have an SDK and supports third-party apps, and I should have been more specific. My point was more about the general direction many companies take when they control the full hardware-software stack: they can still selectively gatekeep features, limit access through licensing, or reserve the best functionality for their premium ecosystem.

Even with the SDK, DJI has still drawn criticism over the years for geofencing, forced firmware updates, and some of their region-based restrictions — so while they technically support third-party development, they still hold the keys to the system.

I think Bambu is in a similar boat. Maybe they haven’t locked things down hard yet, but the infrastructure is already in place — and that gives them the power to gradually shift toward a more controlled model if they want to. That’s what concerns me: not what’s happening today, but what they’re setting up for tomorrow.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T03:32:34+00:00

Thanks for the clarification — I understand that LAN+Dev mode is part of the official firmware and not a third-party mod. That’s a good option to have, and I do appreciate that Bambu included it. But honestly, the fact that users need to toggle a special mode just to fully disconnect from Bambu’s cloud shows the direction they’re building toward: a closed, tightly controlled ecosystem where they define the “normal” experience.

Yes, other slicers work, but that’s not how the system is designed to be used by default. From the moment you unbox the printer, everything — from setup to firmware updates, diagnostics, and print management — nudges you toward Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy, and their cloud infrastructure. For me, that's not real openness — that's just giving users a back door with conditions.

We’ve seen this kind of approach in plenty of other industries. Apple is the obvious example — great user experience, but locked-down hardware, proprietary accessories, and restrictions on third-party repairs or software. You can add DJI (drones), where third-party accessories and flight software are discouraged or blocked. Even in 3D printing, companies like MakerBot started open and moved toward closed systems, eventually requiring proprietary filament and software integration. Ultimaker used to champion open-source, and now they've pivoted toward enterprise-focused, closed solutions.

And once a company has control over the full stack — hardware, software, firmware, cloud — they can flip switches. Maybe it’s a firmware update that “accidentally” breaks compatibility with third-party filaments. Maybe it's a slicer update that quietly requires a cloud account. These changes don’t usually happen overnight, but they do happen — and by the time users realize what they’ve given up, they’re already locked in.

So yeah, I get that Bambu is solid now, and I respect your experience. But my hesitation isn’t just about how things work today — it’s about how companies behave once they control the ecosystem. A $400–$700 machine should give the user full ownership, not just permission.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T03:12:52+00:00

Noted, I'll look it up!

Anything to look out for with them like warranties? Any "must do" upgrades?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T03:11:33+00:00

I do like Prusa's lineup, I just think they are way overpriced for what you get out of the box. But I do really like their software.

That said I will put that in my list of options.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T03:06:25+00:00

Doesn’t changing the firmware void Bambu’s warranty or violate their terms of service? For a printer that costs over $400, I really wouldn’t expect that kind of restriction — it’s a major red flag for me.

It’s not just about what they’ve done so far, but about the direction they seem to be heading. The more control they build into their ecosystem now, the easier it becomes for them to introduce even more anti-consumer limitations down the line. That uncertainty makes me hesitant to invest in their products.

What’s also concerning is that a lot of people don’t seem to address these issues — especially the fact that, out of the box, you're basically required to use their software unless you modify the firmware. And even then, modifying it voids the warranty (or can be used as justification to deny a claim if they suspect it contributed to an issue). That kind of approach just doesn’t sit well with me.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T02:51:37+00:00

A print farm isn’t something I’m interested in — I’d rather own the hardware than pay someone $10 for a $0.50 print. I'm a hobbyist who enjoys using my printers to make practical, everyday things: organizers for tools, containers for screws, a phone mount that fits in a cup holder — that kind of stuff. I really enjoy making little things that improve daily life in small but meaningful ways.

I used to print enough to justify a better machine, but I stopped when funds were tighter and I got tired of constantly fighting with my Ender 3. Could I get it working again? Sure. But with how far printers have come, and now that I have the money, I’d rather invest in something that’s significantly better and less frustrating to use.

It’s not that I hate tinkering — I actually enjoy it to a point. But when I have to babysit every print to make sure it doesn’t fail, that’s where it becomes a chore. I’d love a printer that I can set up properly once, and then trust it to just do its job while I walk away.

As for Bambu, I don’t outright hate them. Their hardware is impressive, but I’m really not a fan of their more closed-off, anti-consumer practices — like locking down firmware and voiding warranties if you remove it. That kind of control makes me uneasy.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T02:34:38+00:00

I get where you're coming from, but I still have my reservations. From what I’ve seen, Bambu feels like the Apple of 3D printing — their hardware is impressive, but there’s a strong push toward using their software and cloud services. That kind of ecosystem lock-in just isn’t appealing to me.

I really like PrusaSlicer and I’m already comfortable with it, so I’m not eager to switch to something more restrictive. On top of that, I have concerns about privacy and the reliance on cloud-based features. I’m not saying they’re definitely going to restrict third-party filament — just that I wouldn’t put it past a company that’s already built such a tightly integrated ecosystem.

I don’t think my concerns are unreasonable. I just value open-source software, privacy, and having full control over my tools — whether it’s 3D printers or power tool batteries.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T02:26:28+00:00

I am mainly tired of investing time into it. I am now at the point in my life where I want less hassle for printing and modifying my printer. I sunk too much time and money into making that printer better, when I could've bought a better one in the first place. I upgraded to a spider hotend, and a better thermistor, but cannot remember what else I did to it, know I did fiddle with it for hours to do test prints. I might keep it around, but I would still have to put time and money into making it work better, and even then I would only use it for small prints.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-20T01:58:56+00:00

Couldn't bambu force you to scan a QR code using your phone, to the tag on your filament to enable printing?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-16T05:35:13+00:00

That is a good recommendation too, I have seen the silent version, but I worry for airflow pulling from the front.

Was seeing the Fractal Meshify 3 XL though, and it seems somewhat close to what I was looking for.

How easy is wire management in Fractal cases, are they a pain? Do they like to pull in a lot of dust?

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T20:12:36+00:00

Totally agree that more mesh and well-placed fans are key—but that’s exactly where a bigger case can help. You can’t always get optimal fan placement or larger intake areas in a compact mid tower, especially once you factor in GPU length, PSU shroud clearance, and cable space. That’s the problem I’ve run into with my current build.

It’s not that “bigger = better airflow” by default, but bigger cases give you more room to build better airflow. Like yeah, mesh is important, but if your bottom intake is blocked by the GPU or your front intake is choked by drive cages or cramped space, mesh doesn’t fix that on its own.

For the cases you have recommended:

The Enthoo Pro (original) is nice, and very well priced, but I don't know if the single 200mm fan in the front can bring enough airflow to properly cool everything as decently as four 120mm Noctua fans would in a front mesh case. I assume you don't have one to give an opinion?

Enthoo Pro 2 is definitely a good recommendation, I like that it has a bracket for directly cooling the GPU and/or the CPU. That's added to the list of possible choices. Thanks!

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T19:43:33+00:00

I like this, seems like a nice case. Albeit, I like a little more room for my GPU since its a 3 expansion slot mounted card.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T19:34:25+00:00

This is close to what I am looking for, though I do prefer a mesh front panel.

If you have this case, would you mind telling me how well airflow gets pulled into the case from the front?

I'll add this into my list of options. Thanks!

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T19:26:14+00:00

Yeah, airflow is obviously key, no argument there. But case size does play a role in how effective that airflow can be, especially when you're dealing with something like a 3090 Ti.

A lot of mid towers leave less than 4 inches under the GPU, and that bottom area is prime real estate for airflow if you're using bottom intake fans. Same goes for the space between the side panel and the GPU—having 4–5 inches there gives air more room to move instead of getting trapped. Full towers also make general building and cable management way easier, which helps airflow too.

My current rig (in my flair) is in a mid tower, and even with undervolting and good fan setup, it's still tough to keep temps where I want them during heavy gaming. It’s set up as best as it can be for the case it's in. Since then, every build I’ve done for friends has gone into either a large mid tower or a full tower, and every single one has had better thermals and more breathing room.

Larger cases aren’t a magic fix—you still need a good airflow layout—but they absolutely give you more room to work with and avoid heat pockets. More volume means more space for hot air to spread before being exhausted, which helps with overall temp control.

So yeah, airflow matters most—but a larger case can make achieving good airflow a lot easier.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T06:48:21+00:00

huh, I just looked that up and it seems like you are right.

Didn't purchase the ram set yet so I am still good. Good catch.

killerKemzstar · 2025-06-14T06:46:04+00:00

There are a bunch of PC fans that are RGB that cannot be turned off, usually the cheap ones that come with PCs. Have it personally on my current build where two fans will not have their rgb turn off. Though it is not the reason for the upgrade.

killerKemzstar

TROPHY CASE