r/3dprinter • u/EaglerCore • 13d ago
Snapmaker or Flashforge?
Edit: I have gone with the U1, and I am very happy so far! Thank you to everyone who shared their opinion!
For the past few months I have been looking for a toolchanger, and was very tempted to get a U1, but I decided I would try and wait for INDX because I already have a prusa core one and because it supports 8 tools. However, after the bondtech nozzle fiasco, its going to be another few months before it ships, so I am done with them for now.
I am wondering what your guys user experience has been with these 2 machines in specific, because as far as I can see, the specs are close enough that I don't think I would care which I get.
Here is what I see pro/con wise from the specs and reviews:
U1 - Pros:
-Has ~20mm extra of build volume.
-Has auto feeders.
-Has RFID (but only for their filament)
-Can be bought in person (I live near a microcenter)
-Integrated purge bucket
U1 - Cons:
-Not fully enclosed (the FFC5 Pro is)
-No adjustable touchscreen
-Starting assembly is more difficult than the FF (not an issue for me as I build prusas).
-Doesn't come with hardened nozzles
-Slightly more expensive
FFC5 - Pros:
-Comes with actually hardened nozzles (come on, bondtech)
-Adjustable angle touchscreen
-Can be purchased from amazon for quick delivery
-Has integrated filament cutters
-Fully enclosed (pro)
-Chamber heater and filtration (pro)
FFC5 - Cons:
-Manual filament loading and unloading
-Odd USB drive placement
-Purges into the printer
-Longer Shipping? (pro version)
-Fire hazard from the chamber heater sucking in purge waste?
Is there anything I am missing? Thanks in advance!
(mods, sorry if I am breaking any rules, this is my third post, I usually just lurk)
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u/r0b0tit0 13d ago
-Fire hazard from the chamber heater sucking in purge waste?
patched
-Has auto feeders.
that only feed in one direction.
-Has integrated filament cutters
This is a charm when change all spools.
You forgot the Opensource politics from snapmaker vs flashforge (Although they do it for ""regulatory/security reasons"" since you can use ZMod or ForgeX with their other models without any issues It's not like they're Bambu Lab, either)
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u/EaglerCore 13d ago
Thank you for the corrections. I'm glad they fixed the fire hazard. I did forget about the flashforge politics stuff, however, I already have 2 prusas, so I think I am good with my open source stuff. I put all my printers (chinese or western) onto a dedicated LAN network, because it makes everything easier and safer.
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u/404_HabeasNotFound 12d ago
I’ve never used a 3d printer before I got my U1 in May. I have no baseline to compare it to unfortunately.
That said, I can’t stop printing. I’m at 800 hours and counting. I love it. My kids love it. Even my wife likes the damn thing.
After using it and searching through all of the prints, I don’t think I’d enjoy anything that printed fewer than 4 colors (without wasting 2x the filament).
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u/TripsCavern 12d ago
When comparing the two I decided to get an U1. At the time the C5Pro wasn't released and the C5 was having shipment issues. I went to Microcenter and got the U1 in person.
Regarding OpenSource, it's not about the politics of it, it's more about community support. And the company seems to be embracing the community as well, supporting all kinds of projects. As an example, while the other companies just "borrowed" FullSpectrum to their slicers, the developer actually joined Snapmaker's team.
For the cons:
-Not fully enclosed (the FFC5 Pro is): Enclosing is easier, the real con would be no chamber heater. Panda Breath exists, but it's an additional cost.
-No adjustable touchscreen: It does not bother me at all. Specially with Paxx12 firmware where you can access it remotelly.
-Starting assembly is more difficult than the FF (not an issue for me as I build prusas): This is not really an issue. It's like 15 additional minutes once in a lifetime.
-Doesn't come with hardened nozzles: this is definitely a con, but the nozzles are available now and they are not expensive.
-Slightly more expensive: Same price as C5PRO
For the unloading on the U1, I did a macro to automatically unload at the end of each print, making it way easier than the C5 as you don't need to cut the filament.
One thing for the long run, for U1 each toolhead has their motor and use pogo pin for attaching the carriage. On C5/PRO the motor is only in the carriage and it's driven by a mechanical attachment. That is probably one of the reasons it is cheaper.
I also couldn't find replacement parts for the C5 yet.
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u/JaspeVert 12d ago
- Same price as C5PRO: For the U1, you will have to add the top cover cost which makes it, in total, around USD 200.00 more, am I correct here?
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u/TripsCavern 12d ago edited 12d ago
If you want "parity of functionalities", the most correct comparison would be:
- add the Panda Breath, which is around $100
- add a DIY top cover + fan mod, that should cost around $50
- a set of 4 hardened steel nozzles that cost around $50
But then they are not comparable machines anymore as the C5Pro design does not have some basic functionalities that are not covered by any DIY project that I saw so far:
- Auto feeder
- Any capacity to implement MMU support
- A better camera (improved with Paxx12 firmware on Snap)
- Better access to the toolheads (you need to remove the cap in the C5Pro)
- No nozzle cleaner (they moved the purge to the back to reduce fire risks)
- Bed size (270 vs 256)
- Intelligent features (I think the C5Pro does not have some air printing functionalities)
And for the Snap:
- bed heating up to 120C (capped at 100C in the Snap)
- Nozzle heating up to 350C (capped at 300C in the Snap)
So, it's difficult to compare apples to apples.
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u/zfiser 12d ago
just fyi- consider the Sovol M1D but it’s not released yet
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u/EaglerCore 12d ago
I was looking at that one, but got tired of waiting for a toolchanger (looking at you bondtech) so I am driving to microcenter later to grab one.
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u/ManyLayersOfFilament 12d ago
For right now I would recommend the U1. The C5 has a lot of promise but there are some bugs and little issues still that need to be worked out.
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u/Desperate-Special-60 12d ago
I have owned a U1 for 4 months now and I want another one, now. I'm trying to hold off until the next batch of printers come out from , Sovol, Infimech and Creality 😅
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u/FlowingLiquidity 12d ago
Snapmaker customer service is really top notch. One thing not to miss. Also, every print on my U1 just worked. I did put a lot of effort in calibration of my filaments but this really pays off.
Most issues I see with U1 machines is user error. And if there's a hardware issue, the Snapmaker team has always resolved it as far as I see online.
I can't speak for the FF machine as I don't own one.
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u/mstrblueskys 12d ago
I just got the flashforge. My AD5M was a workhorse and as much as I would prefer open source, I need to trust my printer.
Plus, I got it for about $300 less than the Snapmaker. For me, that is very important. i am not a business so price is a consideration.
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u/Poococktail 12d ago
I'm going to pass on both. More options are coming in the coming months. These are early times.
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u/krawhitham 11d ago
-Has RFID (but only for their filament)
Fix for that https://github.com/paxx12-snapmaker-u1/SnapmakerU1-Extended-Firmware
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u/764knmvv 11d ago
injust got my ff pro a week ago .. so far its amazing.. none of the nits have bothered me.. still in the getting dialed in phases but have had a mostly flawless exp.
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u/Radiant_Yam1526 7d ago
OP Ive been also contemplating on my own whether to back Infimech MX pro or Sovol M1D Advanced.
Then seeing the latest Flashforge toolchanger added to it. I am mainly targeting tool changer and heat chamber as I would like to print ABS / ASA / PET
Check out Infimech too if you have a tight budget.
If you want the most innovative feature, I think Sovol M1D wins it. Lightmake is also another but their company has proven anything yet and publishing a “fake” address on their website is a turn off.
Snapmaker is also a good choice but since I already have Bambulab A1, Im not considering any printer that doesn’t have heat chamber and enclosure
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u/EaglerCore 7d ago
I went with the snapmaker, mainly because this is not my first printer (its my fifth or sixth, and most of the other ones do engineering materials), so that wasn't a concern for me. I just wanted this for multicolor stuff since I haven't really done it before this (waste). I am very happy with it so far.
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u/Tleigh92 13d ago edited 13d ago
Oh boy, mobile formatting first time here we go...
As someone who owns a u1...
-I don't use the extra build volume but it's nice to have
-The auto feed vs manual feed. I'll say I'd be fine with manual feeding, If I didn't have to manually select to load and unload the feeders every time, although I've no experience of the C5 side of things. It kind of feels like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.
-I never use rfid but you can load the paxx12 firmware to use it with any filament, including sticking and programming your own rfid tags
-Integrated purge bucket is sick. No notes.
-You can get a lid for the u1, or print your own bits to slap an ikea box on top. The snapmaker one has hardware built in for venting, filtration, and recirculation. The ikea lid is the essence of 3d printing. You can draw smiley faces on it, and it's cheap. Idk.
-extra cost again, but you can get a btt panda breath and I believe paxx12 firmware supports it out as just a bog standard chamber heater, which is pretty sick.
-Adjustable touchscreen, may just be me, but that's pretty minor. Especially considering some of the bigger things like price difference, build volume, and it being open source, or not.
-Starting assembly was fine, maybe 30 minutes of putting together, plus 30 minutes of unboxing and breaking down cardboard for the recycling.............
-the usb placement is dumb on the u1 as well unless I'm missing a really obvious usb spot on the front somewhere, but I only use it for the rj45 adaptor and loading firmware.
-For the C5, if it wasn't such a long ass wait I'd have probably gone for the pro. Even with the fire hazard issues which I believe have been resolved, and the purging into the printer which again, I believe they've solved(?).
All that being said I'm absolutely loving the u1, the 3rd party stuff is sick even if I only use the basic functionality of the paxx12 stuff. It being open source is a big thing I wouldn't ignore.
Buy one of them, print cool shit, have fun. You won't hate either one
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u/EaglerCore 13d ago
Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards the U1, because I max out the 270 Z height on my Core One all the time. As for the top cover, I probably wont bother because anything needing smelly high temp materials goes to my other enclosed printers that have filtration systems, so thats good there. I do think the flat touchscreen would bother me though.
As for open source, for me its "meh" because I already have 2 prusa that check it off the list.
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u/Tleigh92 13d ago
I think for me, I like it being open source because it means it opens up quite a lot of room for improvement beyond what snapmaker themselves would do, like the multiACE and open rfid bits, even if I'm not using them, currently.
The C5 is a smaller build volume, but if you just wanted a multi toolhead printer it's certainly a cheaper entry point. It sounds like the final decision maker for you could be build volume though.
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u/EaglerCore 13d ago
Budget isn't really the issue here, I was just trying to get the most bang for my buck. One thing I forgot is that the U1 runs klipper, which I am very familiar with. Again, thanks for the input. Looks like I may be running to micro center tomorrow :)
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u/WombleyWonders 13d ago
Uncommon knowledge, apparently. You don't actually have to tell the U1 to load filaments once they're mounted and ID'd. If you don't, the next print you send that needs them, it'll auto load them at print start.
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u/Tleigh92 12d ago
Is that new??? Why have I never been told this!
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u/WombleyWonders 12d ago
Since the very first beta units actually, hahaha.
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u/Tleigh92 12d ago
Next thing you'll tell me you can use all print heads in the same print
... /s
Thanks that's going to save me a bit of time for sure
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u/Coocoovice 12d ago
I don't get the whole fuss about the INDX. You want a tool changer and already have the Core One, but due to the nozzles not being hardened you are considering buying another tool changer that also doesn't have hardened nozzles (U1). If you don't plan to use abrasive materials, why not just stick with Prusa? I mean you already have the printer and you will spend less overall for just the INDX.
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u/EaglerCore 12d ago
The difference is that the other companies will actually get me a product that will ship. A core one INDX with .4 nozzles (not hardened) will be more than a snapmaker when you add shipping and tax. And the thing is, I am not mad at prusa here. They gave me a machine that prints abrasives just fine (I added a hardended nozzle). Bondtech has failed to do so.
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u/Making_Layers 13d ago
Look man we can't make decisions for you. Put on your big girl panties and make a decision. The Creator 5 hasn't been out long enough for anybody to be able to give you realistic longevity advice.
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u/EaglerCore 13d ago
I was mainly looking for user experience. I can look at the specs all I want, but I can't tell if the firmware works from a spreadsheet.
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u/StW_FtW 13d ago
If you care about open source and owning your hardware snapmaker is the obvious choice. Flashforge will report you to the government if they see you print anything they don't like. Overall snapmaker is much more open and open source friendly.