Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I'm gathering information for my first 3D printer and I believe the i3 MK3S is the best fit for my needs, but before I make a purchase, I want to know--is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S? Are there any major hardware changes or breakthroughs coming soon I would want to wait for? Is the i3 mature enough that a machine bought today won't be immediately outdated?
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
The 3S upgrade was released two months ago so it is unlikely another upgrade is going to come out over the next few months. This has been asked before with the general response being that it's never really a bad time to buy a PR printer. I'd say if you're settled on a Prusa, go for it, and enjoy many months more printing fun than if you wait for a future upgrade that may or may not happen, especially knowing "B", below.
You should also consider that:
a) a newer printer does not automatically make your current printer worse. the Mk3(s) is a great printer in all regards and will continue to be so even if it's not latest and greatest.
b) In all likelihood there will be an upgrade kit released to upgrade the 3S to a 4 or 3.5 or whatever. So even if that does happen and the upgrade has features you need/want, then you aren't out having to buy a new printer, only the upgrade kit. (However, we really can't speculate what said upgrade would be, nor whether such a change is major enough that it is economically practical).
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
so far prusa has been real good at releasing upgrade kits/partfiles for every upgrade. also there is a huge user community that has lots of "unofficial" upgrades to every version of the printer. one nice thing about the prusa designs being opensource is you have almost unlimited options to tweak your printer however you want
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
It's definitely a good time to buy it.
- It's available in stock.
- The firmware is pretty stable
- And as it was mentioned before, PR provided always an upgrade kit so far.
Even if PR will release MK4 later this year (what I really doubt), it will be most likely out of stock and with long waiting period. And with all the minor issues because it's new.
So if you really already decided that MK3S meets your requirements, go for it.
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
Excellent, thank you, that puts my mind at ease.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I just purchased one about an hour ago with the steel sheet. I did not see any mention of delays other than the 2 to 3 days till ready to ship comment. Once purchased however there is a comment saying delayed and no further information. When you go to the FAQ on shipping times it doesn’t help me. Is the steel sheet the reason for the delay? If so I would not have selected that but there was nothing to make me believe that it would cause this. Two or three days or a week not a big deal, but waiting a month, no thanks. I see no real way to contact a human to clarify either.
I hope the rest of my experience is not like this.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
There is a live chat if you are signed in to the store.
But don't worry too much, steel sheets have been in stock pretty regularly now; mine shipped about 2 or 3 days after I'd ordered it so I doubt that will add any appreciable delay to your order.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
Thank you vintagepc!
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I bought an original Prusa 1.75mm printer (mk1), before any body knew there was going to be a mk2,
later I upgraded to mk2, then
I added MMU(v1)(before anyone knew there was going to be an MMUv2.
an upgrade to the mmuv1 was advertised and I pre ordered... this never came to fruition, but Prusa changed my order at no extra cost, to an mmuv2 upgrade...
then I got a Mk3.
which was upgraded to mk3s for free, when the MMU2S upgrade came out...
Prusa have always come good for me
a firmware upgrade for the mk2 has recently been released, but it's working hard at the moment, so that change is on hold,pending free time.
if you wait for the mk4, then you will worry about the possibility of a mk5 and never get to enjoy ownership!
regardsJoan
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: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I agree with all the above. I've been running my MK3S for a few months and love it. If/when an upgrade comes along for the MK3S, you have the option of either ordering the upgrade or staying with what you have if everything's working for you. Unless an upgrade is badly needed to fix a glaring flaw, I tend to wait a bit anyway to make sure there are no reported troublesome issues. That includes firmware upgrades as well.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I will be ordering my first printer tomorrow. I was only waiting for the powder-coated plates to be offered with the kit again, also free shipping now. 👍
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
With free shipping worldwide now is definitely a good time to buy a MK3S kit
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
With free shipping worldwide now is definitely a good time to buy a MK3S kit
Yup. I paid $78.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I know I ordered five days too early. Missing out on the free shipping. Kicking myself.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I will be ordering my first printer tomorrow. I was only waiting for the powder-coated plates to be offered with the kit again, also free shipping now. 👍
Irshable,
I have both types of plates. Mine came with a PEI plate and I just got Powder Coated plates. I like them both for different purposes and the adhesion/cleaning methods differ greatly. I also ordered extra nozzles and filament. I planned on being busy.
Food for thought since shipping on the printer is free. Not sure about the accessories. 😉
Robin
I am the inveterate tinkerer. I can tink up most anything.
RE: Is now a good time to buy an i3 MK3S?
I will be ordering my first printer tomorrow. I was only waiting for the powder-coated plates to be offered with the kit again, also free shipping now. 👍
Irshable,
I have both types of plates. Mine came with a PEI plate and I just got Powder Coated plates. I like them both for different purposes and the adhesion/cleaning methods differ greatly. I also ordered extra nozzles and filament. I planned on being busy.
Food for thought since shipping on the printer is free. Not sure about the accessories. 😉
Robin
Ordered this morning. I went over my "Novice Printer Budget" in order to make the jump to a Prusa so I'm hoping the PC will work well enough for ABS and PLA.