I mean, first and foremost. I think as a printer, the H2D didn’t compromise. It seems like a top tier bit of kit. I think there’s certain limitations to the cutting/laser aspects because of the naturally smaller size of a typical printer bed.
With that being said though. I don’t have space! I think a lot of people that poo poo this combo, kind of turn a blind eye to the world beyond themselves too.
I have a Cricut. In fact, I have two of them. I like those devices well enough, but they are kind of bulky and awkward in the space they take up. I rarely use mine because of that.
I’ve wanted to try out laser engraving/cutting for awhile. I certainly don’t have the dedicated space for a typical table top unit.
This Combo gives someone like me a lot in a tight package. It gives me an avenue to dabble with laser engraving/cutting, without having to setup a dedicated space/unit. (filtration would be important regardless if I did this or a stand along unit. I would likely use it little enough that keeping the machine clean wouldn’t be a burden) I would use the plotter/cutter stuff too. The things I’ve done (on the cricut) aren’t huge, so would fit fine in the build envelope. For as little as I use it too, it’s ideal to be combined with the h2d because it gives me quick access without taking over what’s most important… space for my 3d printers
I do think it’s kind of a weird combo and a little bit out of left field. I see the value though, and I’m happy that at it’s core it’s still a solid 3d printer that hits all the marks I was looking for. I see how it fits into their target customer base and strategy, as I understand it.
When I think about people like my mom, then everything about the H2D makes sense. Complete and utterly unyielding sense.
That is an incredibly expensive laser to use for only “Height Measuring” and a blue light cannot mark steel as demoed. So, that has to be incorrect if the demo was true.
How is it a bargain when you are paying almost $600 for the second extruder/nozzle?
For example, a Creality K2 Plus Combo is $1500, while the H2D with AMS+ combo is $2200. The K2 has a larger usable build volume, while the H2D has the second nozzle and a heated material system. So, say the material system upgrade is worth an extra $100, and that means the 2nd extuder/nozzle is $600.
The problem with the H2D is you are also paying for the ability to add a laser, a pen, etc. If you don’t want any of those, ever, then the price difference is way too much.
Since the H2D is not in the “Professional” line like the X1E, we should see Black Friday (or anniversary) deals around $1700 for the combo. At that price, it will be a bargain.
For those that want/care about dual nozzles, it’s a good deal. I would be more apt to compare the H2D to Ultimaker’s offerings.
Base S3 will run ya 4-5kish.
Haha, they call this a large format.
The S5 is more the H2D’s size, but runs closer to 8-9k.
I do very much want dual nozzles. Overall I like the features/quality/experience that Bambu offers better, and trust them more on those fronts. While they can fail me, for the moment things seem to fit what I’m looking for/need and my experience with the X1/P1/A1 Mini gives weight to that leaning. The K2’s lower price is attractive, but overall it just lacks what I like about Bambu at the experience they’ve crafted with their printers.
I believe Ultimaker’s cost comes from customer service and customer relations.
I was trying to find something out about ultimaker once. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but I remember this forum post I came across where the ultimaker devs more or less helped this customer implement some custom thing they were trying to do with their printer.
So, I think between their reputation for customer service, and just seeing how far they’d go for an individual customer. I think that’s where the cost goes.
Although, with that being said. I also feel that Ultimaker is one of those companies that benefited from the stagnation of the market. I think there’s been a number of costly 3d printers that in the light of Bambu, don’t really hold up as well anymore. Bambu is coming at it with full force, and even with excellent customer service and relations from other companies, their machines still fall a bit short to Bambu’s aggressive push forward.
Although on Bambu’s part, I suspect part of it is a combo of loss leader strategy and mass production.
I believe bambu are still the new kid on the block and they are proving to be better at it , just with the innovations ,price, they havent just settled for one or the other they bring the whole hog ,for me thats a big difference between all the manufacturers, have they had issues ? course they have but many are being deliberatley blown out of proportion and purely out of spite , some attacks are deliberate , some just wanna say “look at me” i think they hit a nerve , when, like you`ve said, they appeared in a stagnant market . ( before my time, but i do take the time when/now im here )
There are no safe lasers. Just sayin. As a novice, get a small 5w diode from a xtools, cheapest you can find, good pair of glasses to protect your eyes as the diode lasers are the WORST laser for eyesight. It’s a real thing. Play with it and if you get good, sell it and buy another bigger. OR go to your local makespace and LEARN about lasers. That’s free
Oh yeah, I get it. I focused on the reasons you might not want all those extra features. But like I said, if you have space or budget* constraints, I’m sure that’s the target market, and it could make perfect sense.
Just be sure you really want that stuff, if you didn’t want it two days ago. Or better yet, make sure there isn’t a better product that does the same thing out there. I won’t deny there’s value, but it has the smell of an “upsell”.
And I still stand by the concept that usually dedicated/specialized stuff works better than “X in 1” generalized thingys.
(*I thought I was safe assuming that laser dedicated cutter/engravers were more expensive than this add-on… but a quick search on Amazon indicates… maybe not. Unless they are cheap junk and H2D’s laser thingy is better?)
