Hi - newbie here - I have an A1 mini and I really like it. I know the AMS lite is compatible and gives the option for multi colour printing and spool continutation if one runs out - but I am not sure what exactly the AMS lite does? My son said it just looked like a spool holder and suggested I make my own as surely the head on the printer does all the work, like it does with the printer and a spool just hung on the back?
What I am missing? Why is it more expensive than the printer, but looks much less complicated?
It allows for hands free multi-color printing.Each of the spool holders is operated with a motor when needed. At the desired layer the printer pauses and cuts the current filament. Then it is pulled backed out of the hot end and then the next color is fed into the hot end automatically. It purges the next color to remove whats left of the previous color and the resumes printing. Very useful and well worth the money if you plan on doing multi-color prints.
This is a very under-asked and important question.
The simple answer is: profiteering.
The sum of the parts to make is far lower than the price being charged; it is artificially high, and as you pointed out, how can it cost more than something far more complex with far more expensive parts?
I imagine they are trying to force people to get the AMS Lite as part of the combo and penalise anyone purchasing one later.
It is shameful and without justification.
In answer to your main question, and like many have already said, once you go AMS, you do not go back.