What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
Hi,
I have been using a Prusa mk3s recently through my school and am thinking of getting my own now. I am on the fence between getting an mk3s+ or mini+. Price isnt so much of a concern except I am worried I am going to get the mk3s+ and then be disappointed when an mk4s comes out right after. I also like the design of the mini+ better with the screen etc. Any recommendations on what I should do?
Thanks.
RE:
I had a similar situation and recently ordered the MK3S+. I like the Prusa Mini but wanted direct drive extruder and dual Z lead screws. I already have an Ender 3 V2 which has a Bowden tube and single Z axis lead screw, as does the Mini.
I posted a similar thread here recently wondering if I should wait for the i4 or buy now and possibly upgrade with 32 bit board and screen later. Since that time I've started running OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi connected to my Ender 3. Now the a nicer display screen like the Mini has is no longer a want for me. I can't imagine not using OctoPrint and uploading jobs directly from the PrusaSlicer 😀
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
...Any recommendations on what I should do?
Thanks.
"Mk4s" (or whatever called) hasn't even been mentioned by Prusa... so thinking about that is kinda pointless. So, if you wish a Prusa printer, then there's only Mini+ and Mk3S (or if money is no concern, the upcoming XL).
But that's not how 3D printer (or any tool) should be bought. You need to answer yourself, what kind of prints you wish to make. And "..a little of this and that.. different filaments... maybe something bigger now and then.." is not really an answer.
Many, who have both printers (and print more than I do) will tell you, that 95% of stuff they print, could also be made with Mini+. And I agree on that. My opinion is, Mini+ is most rational decision for first printer. You only decide for Mk3S if you're sure Mini+ can't do what you need.
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
Yea thats what I was thinking. I guess I was just mostly wondering whether I was going to be making a mistake I would regret by getting the Mini instead.
My current plan is to get the mini and upgrade to a direct drive extruder then if I like and use it a lot I will sell it and get a mk4(if its out by then). Thanks!
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
Yea I think I am probably going to get the Mini and upgrade to a DD extruder. My thinking is that if I like it, I can always sell it and upgrade to the mk4 when its announced (assuming it will be at some point).
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
Keep the parts for the bowden extruder when you convert to direct drive, as some folk like original equipment and think upgrades devalue the printer.
you can resell, including the bowden extruder...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
By the time you get a mini and add a DD extruder, you're just about at the cost of a MK3S+ kit. Get the MK3S+, and you'll be happy. No upgrades required, and it'll print anything.
To paraphrase what we say in the CNC world: Get your second printer first. You'll save a lot of time, trouble, and money. I put lots of time and money in my first Creality CR-10S. I got tired of always 'upgrading it'. I spent more time fixing instead of printing. I added up the cost of all the upgrades. I spent more than the cost of a new MK3S kit. It prints day in, day out. The only fixes are my screw ups (can we say 'blob of doom'). I print FLEX, PLA, PETG, Glow-in-the-Dark, and Carbon Fiber. No problems, very little calibrating.
RE:
I voted for the MK3S+.. just went through that decision process.. Larger print area.. really well debugged design as this is what their farm is based on.. I bought the kit and its performed really well in a month with an absolute novice user (me).. I also got a Pi4 and, although more expensive than it should be, is a real nice feature. However, be aware it is not an integrated product with Prusa and so lots of 'gotchas'.. like.. no tracking of printer hours/filament or other stats through the comm port.. No real recovery from power failure.. So if you print a 24hr job and you get a flicker at hour 23 .. you've lost it all.. (I do those jobs through the SD card).. So I'd say that Prusa really needs an MK3S+ with an upgraded controller board that can provide a) wireless communication for remote job entry b) camera support c) power failure for remote jobs.. but it isn't even discussed yet.. and once it comes out, you want to wait until Rev2 to shake out problems.
RE: What to get. Mini+ or MK3S+ or wait?
Sorta in the same boat. Much as I really want to do an impulse buy, I am trying to wait. Mini+ with a Bondtech direct drive or the Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro are very tempting to me at the moment. As interim toys,however, while waiting for next gen things to come along and any issues with them to be shaken out.
The Prusa XL looks interesting to me, especially if laser and spindle modules come along to help justify the higher price And I wonder how much of its tech flows down the line to the smaller machines. Modular/swappable heads and new direct drive sound great, but a smaller format would be more to my personal liking.
Also, a very attractive black box for me at the moment is the AnkerMake M5. It could be very interesting, but at the moment it seems more preproduction marketing hype than user experience/details. Certainly looks nice, and very nice connectivity options, but can wonder about general maintenance and accessability issues, the limited temp range quoted, and how proprietary it will be in parts and networking. Only full production and time will tell.