I think it’s finally upgrade time. While I love my Neptune 2, it definitely has its issues.

Ideally, my next printer would have:

  • Built-in auto leveling, so I don’t have to install a BL Touch
  • An enclosure
  • Be slightly larger than the Neptune 2
  • Open source firmware
  • OctoPrint support

I was looking at the Prusa MK4, but it seems like a high price for what you get. Any recommendations?

  • @GlitzyArmrestOPEnglish
    1•3 months ago

    I probably won’t be going for commercial use, just hobby stuff mainly. It would be neat to do some nylon stuff but that’s probably as crazy as I’d get.

    But yes, ideally my budget is $450-1200 (wide I know, but I’d like to explore my options).

    • @[email protected]English
      2•3 months ago

      I don’t think the MK4 is a good value in this case. You are already familiar with setting up and maintaining a budget printer as such it just works of Prusa isn’t as critical.

      The answer might be your current printer: Octoprint and opensoucre are possible, bed leveling is build in, enclosure can be build but not ideal for bed slinger and size upgrade is the only point not feasible.

      What are you looking for if this isn’t an option?

      • Enclosure -> coreXY, etc. | no bed slinger
      • OpenSource -> no BambuLab P1S
      • OctoPrint -> this is rough. Most printers ship with Klipper. Maybe a DIY-kit so you could choose.
      • larger than neptune 2 -> larger than 220x220x250mm

      pre-built options?

      • $400: Kinggroon KLP1: smaller (220x220mm), no Octoprint
      • $600 FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M Pro: no OctoPrint (klipper), identical printvolume and only klipper part of the firmware is opensource
      • $600 creality K1: no OctoPrint, identical printvolume
      • $700 Qidi Tech X-Plus 3: no Octoprint
      • $900 Creality K1 max: no OctoPrint
      • if you are lucky and max out the budget a used E3D tool changer could be possible (don’t know if Duet 2 [reprap firmware] is compatible with OctoPrint)

      DIY-kits (most if not all of them are $1000+)?

      • Voron
      • VzBoT
      • RatRig v-core
      • HevROT
      • BLV mgn cube