Elegoo Mars 2 Pro HONEST review + Mars original comparison - by VOGMAN

[@ajc4477]

You're pretty much the only one I'd trust to review these machines - thanks mate.

[@vogman]

That's very kind. I just speak as I find and I speak as a "user" rather than an expert. But if you can live with that, I hope I get something useful across 😁

[@octapc]

Totally agree

[@vogman]

😁😁😁

[@shaunbambrough]

Thanks for the review! I've just ordered the pro 2 (girlfriend offered it as a christmas gift) and I became a patron of Archvillain because those models are INSANELY good.

[@Bakamoichigei]

4:20 I actually _like_ the front-mounted USB and wish my Photon had one... The trick is that I use SanDisk 'Cruzer Fit' thumb drives which literally only stick out 6mm when installed, like one of those tiny Bluetooth dongles, and come in capacities from 8 to 64GB for under $15. (They're actually lovely little drives, and aside from using with printers and things they're fantastic for anything from carrying around your portfolio to using as OS install media, and they're practically cheap enough to give away.)

[@vogman]

Ah, yes, but if I keep complaining, maybe they'll supply us with those thumb drives instead 😁😁😁 Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Bakamoichigei]

@@vogman Haha! That _would_ be nice...though I somehow suspect that Elegoo and Anycubic's pack-in Chinesium thumb drives cost them like 0.1% as much, so I won't be holding my breath on that one. 🤣

[@bloodbowltactics4257]

I also prefer the front USB port and that was one of the reasons I went for this machine. I've got it next to a wall and on the other side I have the Elegoo Mercury Plus wash and cure machine. Having the USB on the side would be a right pain and take up more of my limited worktop space than necessary. The physical footprint of the Mars series are smaller than most of the competing models too and none of those have a front USB port. It's not in the way of the screen at all and as you've mentioned you can use a smaller USB drive if you find that it is. That's far easier and cheaper than it would be to make my house bigger! So many reviewers just seem to be parroting each other about having it on the side without really thinking of the limitations.

[@thunbergmartin]

I've slept on the development of these resin printers, sure I've known that they exist, but holy smokes! This is insane, the quality is really unbelievable and the machine has a really appealing price. I assume Im having somewhat of an equivalent reaction of a grandpa, relating video games to pong and seeing for the first time modern graphics, I love it! And also great video, good work, really informative with the minis and the primer colour!

[@vogman]

You're not alone Martin. I genuinely did the same. Then one day it was like a light bulb going on. Honestly, resin printers are amazing! 😁😁😁

[@rootbeer666]

I've had them side by side, 2 and 2 Pro. The differences are again, subtle. 2 doesn't have the useless filter but 2 Pro gets a beefier power supply, 2 has a plastic resin tray while 2 Pro gets an aluminum, same deal with the build plate, plastic hardware on the 2 while aluminum on 2 Pro. The most shocking difference is build plate color. 2 Pro is painted silver on the build surface while the regular 2 is black. 2 Pro also gets a few more milliliters of vertical travel. Both have the annoying gasket around the cover. I bought 2 Pro on sale for mere $200, it was worth it. I have my reservations about that fan and filter, perhaps disconnecting the fan and taping over the holes would be the wise thing to do.

[@EJTechandDIY]

I just got my anycubic mono x and im so happy to join the resin 3d printing world, coming from fdm the quality of the prints blows my mind.

[@vogman]

It does, doesn't it. There's such a massive difference. And the Mono X is a fabulous place to start. You can print small and large, and both with detail 😊👍

[@gearbot1001]

This is the kind of review I was exactly looking for. Thank you.

[@vogman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wyattcon11]

Thorough as always! You always manage to answer my questions that others seem to love glossing over. Best example "Is the carbon filter replaceable? No." Keep up the good work!

[@vogman]

I've worn face masks with carbon filters and they always seem to say, "replace after xx hours of use," so it just seemed an obvious thing to look for, but thank you 😁

[@maibster]

Man your videos are just great! Just so honest

[@jayinthesky117]

hmm seems like everyone's disappointed with the machine. I mean cutting time in half and doubling life on-screen sounds like the best thing ever. In the cnc world if you can cut lead time in half you're a pro....

[@vogman]

I like your attitude. You're right, this is a positive thing 😁 The problem is there's a model in-between the Mars and the Mars 2 Pro and that's the Mars Pro. So when you look at the variations between these individually, there's really not much. I guess we're all a bit spoiled by this great technology and are used to being amazed by frequent changes. 😊

[@jacewilliams7135]

The Mars Pro doesn't really cut down much of the print time. The biggest advantage of the 2 pro cutting down print time is really all I'd need to pick that over the other 2.

[@ProfessorPolygon]

Hey, I see in your comparisons between the mars and mars 2 pro that there are ripple/layer lines visible on the 2 pro prints. Especially visible on the shield at 7:28. I am having this issue with mine and even with anti aliasing settings I can't get rid of those lines. On the original mars it looks like those lines aren't there at all!

[@cameron9915]

Ended up getting one and the detail is phenomenal and very happy with how it prints. Definitely sticks too much to the build plate on the rook test print settings so I'll probably mess with those or put prints at a 45 degree angle. However, very happy overall besides my rookie gouges on the build plate lol. That being said does anyone have good resin profile settings for the abs-like grey resin?

[@vogman]

These are excellent printers. I'm glad you're enjoying yours.

[@4hmza]

No Idea Why but this reminded me of watching How It's Made ages ago !! Love it

[@slimjim7411]

A little contact cement around the bottom edge of the cover would prevent the rubber seal from being pulled off and into the resin.

[@griffo5]

Are these still good ? Anything conoarable for the price . Used good ?

[@Jongo-e5n]

Which one 3D printer suitable for gold smith shop? I mean brand ?

[@Shimesaba_love]

Im wondering if I should get this its fast at printing but doesnt have 4k lile other company printers...

[@TengizAdamashvili]

that water washable resin says it needs 8 seconds exposure time, did you really print it with 2s and it came out ok?

[@suongdiep7261]

Can this machine print resin bluecast x one? thank you

[@Liamon96]

I'm looking to pick up a resin printer for miniatures. Which would you recommend and do you recommend buying a curing machine or should I just stick with the printer at first?

[@vogman]

With any resin printer, you'll always need a UV curing station, even if it's a simple home made version like a box lined with foil and a UV nail lamp. As for the printer, honestly most modern resin printers will please you, including the Mars 2 Pro which is my go to printer. You can get some which print to and even finer standard, but this difference usually needs to be seen through a magnifying lens.

[@Liamon96]

@@vogman Thank you for the quick response to both my comments! I'm getting a Mars 2 mono as my first printer which I've been told is a good starting printer. You have definitely gained a new subscriber my friend!

[@vogman]

You won't be disappointed. It's a great printer 😁

[@lindawatkins09]

How do you find the free prints? I can’t find them

[@SilenceGProd]

what black primer are you using? It looks amazing. I've been looking for a good and affordable primer for minis but most of what I have tried erases detail from the prints. :(

[@cameron9915]

So I've heard complaints about not many resin profiles, as well as an easily scratchable LCD screen. People have complained about failed prints but I believe this may be user error with the bottom layer exposure times. As someone who is about to purchase their first printer after working with others, I cant help but think I ought to get the regular mars pro as the safest choice. I'd love to hear external input!

[@vogman]

Actually I'd recommend either the original or the 2 Pro, with a bias towards to 2 Pro as it's the better machine. The Mars was no different in terms of a scratchable screen. I think all printers are to an extent. If you watch my review of that printer ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7UdGyBqbSCsM0 ) you'll see a very simple Tape fix that resolves that problem. New printers never come with resin profiles... these come later as folks share their settings and ChiTuBox updates the same. If your were to buy the 2 Pro, right now I recommend Elegoo Resin and use the settings I shared on this video - you can see they work fine. By the time you've emptied the bottle, there'll be hundreds of shared settings out there for a variety of resins and with those come the answer to most failed prints. And why not the Pro? Simply because it wasn't Elegoo's biggest success. Some had screen problems which has led to the speedy production and release of the 2 Pro which resolves these. If you get the 2 Pro and you have problems, drop me a line, I'll happily try and help. Level the plate properly, use Elegoo resin with the setting I use here and, chances are, I'll never hear from you. But the offer stands 😊👍

[@KieranShort]

VOG, is there any practical printing purpose for a resin printer, which would be an improvement over an fdm printer? All I ever see is models, jewelry, trinkets. I'm a practical printer with an fdm. I salivate at the detail of these printers, it'd just be nice to have such amazing looking prints. I'd probably print a couple of trinkets, but that's not really my main bag... Delamination can be a bugger with fdm, but I don't know a lot about resin strength.

[@vogman]

Once you go resin, you never go back 😁 Every time I print a mini to show off a printer, I feel a little guilty. I always think that folks, like you, must be looking and thinking, "Is that all?" and that failing is mine, not the printers. As luck would have it, I was chatting with someone the other day who was actually thanking me for introducing him to resin. He works in the Film industry specialising in props and effects, with a particular lean towards electronic engineering. He marvelled at how these printers had made his life of prototyping so much better, thanks to their great accuracy. He shared with me this video of a winch mechanism he developed for a purpose he couldn't disclose: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3nbdGeDjcZkaMU The point here is that the practical implications are limitless. Only my imagination gets in the way of displaying that. I will say this though... for strength, resin sucks and PLA wins. But there are speciality resins around that take care of that problem too. I have got one that I really must get around to reviewing, but again my imagination gets in the way... what demos could I do to prove it's worth...? I hope this helps 😊

[@aqhan]

I'm about to buy my first ever resin printer.Do you think this is a good choice? I'd love bigger printing area but budget is an issue.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

10:10 - Yeah, that's what people tend to overlook. Faster exposure times certainly help, but the mechanical movement time doesn't change (or actually increases slightly in this case).

[@vogman]

It's often the way. Every PC I've ever bought is faster with more memory than the last. At which point every software company makes their programs more demanding and memory intensive, slowing down my new PC 😁 At least here there is a real speed improvement, but I didn't want folks believing it was 3 or 4 time faster.

[@grotwurksmekshop6607]

Question on the Dwarf print. What was the time difference in prints? Did you take advantage of the faster print settings?

[@vogman]

I can't remember to be honest... I did say in the video I thought.

[@AlexBabcock-hw9iz]

@@vogman You did 2.5 compared to 5 hours guess they didn't watch the whole vid.

[@dreamernah9268]

If you had to pick a printer to start with would you pick this or the Creality LD-002H

[@vogman]

I've no experience with the Creality so it would be unfair of me to try and compare. I can say that the Mars impresses me though 😁

[@dreamernah9268]

Yeah fair, I'm wondering if just go saturn or get a Pro, as can get both locally just one is double the price.

[@blevintastic]

Hi VOG, Ive just finshed watching both this and the mono SE video, first off love your presenttation style thank you, Im trying to decide wether to stump up the extra £100 for the Mono SE, first printer light industrial toe dip into resin prints. in everyday use and set up each time is the Mono worth the extra? Im leaning toward the Mars 2 just beacuse the tanks are cheaper 2 for 45 vs 1 for 50 on the mono but the Mono keeps winking at me with its dual rail!

[@gringomann1]

Great video,i don't have a printer but interesting in this one for chrismast present,lol. The fan in the Mars Pro is that even loud as in this one?

[@vogman]

I don't think any of the fans are that loud to be honest. If they are, they're faulty. And if you're looking for a good entry printer, the Mars 2 Pro is an excellent choice 😁

[@cameron9915]

Haven't printed in a while, brought out the machine and dusted really well and homed everything correctly but my print stuck to the fep. Going to replace the fep but not sure what the issue was

[@vogman]

A print on the FEP is one that didn't stick to the plate. Clean everything very well with IPA. Then level the plate (this is critical). Make sure the room temperature is minimum 20C (resins don't like the cold). Use a good resin. I like Elegoo resins. They're cheap and good quality. Make sure you use the correct settings in the slicer. Honestly, that's it. It should work for you 😁

[@ImaginationToForm]

I have Mars Pro and hadn't had any issue with the USB Port being in front. My casket doesn't seal that well also. I'm saving up for a 4K Mono screen printer next. EPAX E10 shows an 5K model coming.

[@vogman]

If it sticks out and can be walked into or knocked, I'll be the guy that walks into it 😊 Hence the reason I like things safely tucked away. I haven't had the pleasure of Epax yet but they sound an excellent choice.

[@ImaginationToForm]

@@vogman ah excellent point. I set my printer back from edge

[@skywardsoul1178]

Comparing this to the useless Photon S I have, both look great. Cheers for the review. The improved FEP sounds interesting, as excessive FEP adhesion and delamination is the issue I have with my Photon.

[@TheDronzDr]

Great review. I just started resin printing. And bought a Elgoo Mars. Hope to learn the slicer. I been printing on FDM for 6 years. Hope I made a good choice for my first resin printing.

[@rogermarlow5884]

How would you say it compares to the Phrozen you recently reviewed?

[@vogman]

It's good Roger, but it's a third of the price of the Sonic 4K. It's in a different league. Now that doesn't mean you won't be thrilled by it, but it does mean it can't be expected to match the metallic quality of the S 4K. The S 4K is a lot of money, but for what you get it's cheap as chips really. But if you're patient, give it six months. Phrozen's thrown down a 4K gauntlet and I'd bet my mortgage all the other companies are trying to catch up 😊

[@yourgirlsbestfriend7306]

Can yu 3d print inside the house?

[@robinyilmaz1155]

For casting purposes, would it be possible (and beneficial) to print the sprue with all part attached in one go?

[@vogman]

Yes, I often include the sprue in my design. Some folks even print the entire casting tree, but I think wax is the cheaper way to go 😁

[@UnlikelyVentures]

It took far too long to get a resin vat with a fill level indicator. I'm glad someone is starting that trend.

[@vogman]

I completely agree. I wonder how many printers were ruined by the overspill...

[@EJTechandDIY]

the anycubic mono x also has a level indicator. and the photon SE has one even better

[@vogman]

Really? My Mono X hasn't...

[@EJTechandDIY]

​@@vogman Yes the one I got has a line with the MAX on it just like this mars 2 pro

[@vogman]

I've been robbed! 😉👍

[@nikond90ful1]

Thanks for the video. Love the content. I have a Ender3 and a Tevo Tornado, but was blown away by the Quality of the prints when I got the Creality LD-002R. Keep safe and stay well

[@vogman]

I've not tried the Creality, but I had one of their FDM printers, so I would hope for good things. But I'd glad you're enjoying the world of 3D printing Colin 😊👍

[@sippinsmokin6612]

What would you suggest between the mars 2 pro and the photon x? I’m torn

[@vogman]

Do you mean the Mono X? In honesty there's no real difference in print quality there but the Mono X will give you the opportunity to print bigger. But the choice is yours 😁

[@menlive8326]

How many grams of prints i can print out of 250 ml bottle.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing! You are going to need to run that yellow liquid in your standard model using the same files. That way you eliminate the improvements in the 2 Pro and we can see the changes in the liquid only.

[@vogman]

I'll be honest Craig, I've already used the Yellow on the Mars - just in case. I didn't notice any improvement. I think it's fair to say the 2 is a better printer, but the differences aren't major. Thanks for your input 👍

[@pseghers]

Loved the video. Also watched your review of the Mars 3. Of the 2, I’m leaning towards this one. I don’t want to be locked into a software if I go with the mars 3

[@menlive8326]

Again same question. How many pieces i can print in 250 ml bottle of resin. If i cast 4gm of gold ring from a printable ring. Real question is how many prints of small ladies ring i can print in 250 ml resin bottle. Is this resin is cost effective or not.

[@Floridaman458]

Hey I'm gonna be purchasing either the mars 2 pro or the sonic mini 4k. Gonna try to do some jewelry, and maybe a few other things. Which is my best bet? Watched a guy called "online empires" make diamond and regular Cuban rings. I would like to copy him. Thanks!

[@TroutabdDerby]

VOG, Can you tell me if ELEGOO will be coming out with a 4k version of the Mars 2 Pro Mono ? I need to get a good reliable printer but didn't want to buy one now if the newer more high res versions will be coming out soon

[@vogman]

I've certainly mentioned to them that I'd like to see them make one and as Phrozen has it's 4K Mini on the market, I'd be amazed if they weren't 😁

[@shardperson3777]

Hey, i know it's off-topic but what would be the cheapest wax you would recommend to cast in silicone molds in order to make copies of resin-printed parts and be able to do investment casting without castable resin or any fancy wax injection machines?

[@vogman]

The wax itself is pretty well priced in fairness. This is what I used - www.cousinsuk.com/product/injection-wax-flakes. You can certainly use those waxes in my very cheap home made injector - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnq8mmdupb6opKM 😊

[@Larry_Is_Printing]

VOG, what is the differences between the Mars 2 and the Mars 2 Pro? I have been reading on them both and don't really see any. Thoughts?

[@vogman]

I'd no expert on the 2 having never owned one, but the big change is the Monochrome screen. These reduce the exposure times by more than half and extend the screen life. If you're deciding between the two, I'd advise the 2 Pro, but ultimately the choice is yours.

[@preddes6522]

Phrozen Sonic mini 4k vs this... which is the better option?

[@vogman]

I've not sampled the Phrozen Mini so I can't be sure 😁

[@gingerfreakstudio6362]

Not only the lcd was upgraded but also the UV light source, that prevent light bleed compare to the original mars. Elegoo posted a explanation on their Facebook recently ;) and print speed mostly depend of your settings (lift speed, etc).

[@vogman]

I wish I'd seen that article. It sounds interesting : )

[@panzershock441]

Did you happen to find a way to replace the carbon filter?

[@vogman]

No, sorry : )

[@AndrewCoyte]

I saw some reviews that say the screen protector can fail and resin scratches the screen due to not being tempered glass. Did you experience this at all?

[@vogman]

It's not a problem I've personally experienced.

[@ilikenothingtoo]

Some low profile usb sticks would make you enjoy the front usb slot.

[@Relestan]

Out of the printers u have reviewed what is the best one in ur opinion? I'm considering buying one and my end goal is jewelry casting. Thinking of either the photon s or maybe the Mars 2 pro.

[@vogman]

I like the Photon S but I probably like the Mars 2 Pro more, BUT that is just a personal preference. I don't like printers with hinged lids as I find them restrictive. Despite having a dual rail, from memory I'd saying the Mars 2 Pro has printed better than I ever achieved on my Photon S. However, don't forget Anycubic has recently released the Mono which should stand up well to the 2 Pro. In fact, Anycubic are sending me one to review and it should be here in a few days. So if you can wait a week or so, I should be in a better position to guide you. 😁👍

[@Relestan]

@@vogman ok thank u for the reply. I appreciate your opinion. I'll wait for the review and then research it further.

[@MaheerKibria]

I've heard from a lot of places that the LCD doesn't have a glass top and therefore scratches easily and that the LCD is not user replaceable at this time. Can you confirm this?

[@vogman]

You're not the only one to ask that. I have to say the unit I have here certainly feels like glass to me : )

[@Jordan-rb28]

So would you recommend the Mars 2 Pro for the added conveniences (and how much cooler it looks) over the mars 2 original? I'm a college student on a budget starting another jewelry business so I don't have a ton of money but I wanna know if the quality and all the other factors makes it worth it to you. Thanks!

[@Jordan-rb28]

As in is it worth it for the extra $80 ish over the $220 Mars 2?

[@vogman]

Hi Jordan. I really like the Mars in all its shapes, but obviously the best in my mind is the Mars 2 Pro. It's an excellent machine and the Monochrome screen means faster printing. If you already owned a Mars, I wouldn't recommend upgrading as the difference isn't massive, but if it's your first, the 2 Pro will not disappoint and will still be a worthwhile printer after two or three more upgrades come and go 😁

[@carllatham9844]

i found my rubber also caught the two alloy vat holders but i rotated my cover 90 degrees that seemed to solve my problem

[@vogman]

I did try that but mine seemed pretty square... but luckily working without it has made no difference 😁

[@tornapart75]

Nice review..but the print comparisons would have held more sway if you had used the exact same file and exact same resin on both printers.

[@vogman]

True... but the problem then becomes one of boredom. If my regulars see the same thing printed over and over again, they lose interest. But for consistency, I always perform a standard AmerLabs Town test print on every printer and every resin I test 😁😁😁

[@stl3impressao3d32]

Elegoo Mars 2 Pro vs Anycubic Photon S, which one would have better quality? Could you make a video with both printing PowerResins?

[@vogman]

Well the Mars 2 Pro has monochrome which is faster and longer lasing the the S. If you're looking at Anycubic, a closer match for the 2 Pro is the Anycubic Photon Mono SE. As for resins, I don't have any 😁

[@xTheZapper]

The usb on the front could be there to accommodate a build farm where you'd have many printers side by side.

[@vogman]

Probably, but of course MOST of their customers won't be doing this 😊

[@Kyleavb]

Glad I found your channel! Love all the videos and appreciate your reviews and educational videos

[@vogman]

Great to have you here Kyle 😊👍

[@yo2sxm856]

Thanks for this review...i'm new with the 3d printer, I'm interested to make 1/144 scale pieces. Do you think is the right one for me to purchase please ?

[@alberich3099]

1/144 display figures? Any 3d resin printer at the moment is very well equiped to do the job. I use it for DnD minis and bits for my Warhammer army, and appart from the normal haveing to play around with the settings and getting the best resin for my needs I have to say my Mars 2 is just right. If you are not so keen on time, I'd go for the Mars 1 or Mars 1Pro - as the main difference is the screen. The 2 screen is monochrome which nearly halfs the time of the print. But costs roughly 40 euros more. So if time is not your problem and you let it print while at work (or school or what ever) the 1Pro is fine as well. That si something you may want to consider as with 1/144th needs small ditails so your layerhight will be tiny leading to more layers leading to longer printing time.

[@ajlbeer]

Your reviews are so great. I really appreciate your thoroughness and honesty. And you're clearly quite experienced with printing. You've helped inspire me to buy my first resin printer. And my only constructive criticism to you would be to upgrade your camera :^P Your camera often seems to have some softness or blooming, might be that your lens is a bit smudged. But please, don't take that criticism the wrong way, as I'd still watch your videos if they'd been done with an old VHS camera. Great stuff!

[@vogman]

Thanks for the kind words 😁 You're absolutely right about the camera. A new one is on my wish list. Currently I'm using an old iPhone 5 😮 I face to major problems... the first is budget which currently consists of a wallet full of air. The second is a lack of knowledge on cameras as a whole. Every time I try to research the subject, it seems to suggest my iPhone 5 is still pretty damn good. Then I go into a tailspin and give up 🥴 👍😁😁

[@ajlbeer]

@@vogman well I really do appreciate what you share with us. Sent you $40 usd. Not much, but I figure it's like buying you some resin or treating you to a decent lunch and a pint. The iphones and android phones really are the best for this kind of photography, in the sense that they usually do well at focusing at close distances, and the newer phones even have good video stabilization. I do a lot of photography, but not so much video. That said, I've had great success with the new gopros, as they have excellent image quality and image stabilization. Thanks again! Keep up the really fine work!

[@ajlbeer]

oh, and p.s. get a little lens cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Clean your lens on the iphone often. It is SOOOooooo easy to smudge those lenses and then everything looks just ever so soft and bloomy.

[@vogman]

You are VERY kind, thank you 😁👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@vogman]

I'll make sure of it 👍

[@loken9124]

Glad i found your channel, ive been looking at getting my first printer, between this one and the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono which would be the better option, or if there's a better one you would recommend over these two im all ears :)

[@vogman]

Both excellent machines with similar printing abilities. I find the Mars 2 Pro slightly faster than the Mono SE and I prefer a lift-off lid as it's easier to access. But honestly, the choice is yours 😁

[@loken9124]

@@vogman thanks for the advice :)

[@robertfrayer6711]

I like your reviews because you even give the downsides to what you test.

[@lizzards5556]

Can’t decide between this one and the photon s. They seem about the same except the photon is abit more expensive and seemed to have abit more settup time. Got any opinion regarding the two? Asking anyone else reading this too. Thx!

[@protowave6393]

Have you noticed any gird lines on your prints or any holes? Some customers are experiencing fatal print flaws because of the new UV array.

[@vogman]

No... that's why I showed the paper test on this video. I'm aware of Elegoo's previous 'gridline' issue, so I was looking for it. Thankfully there were no issues I could find here 😊

[@KyleTO7]

Awesome review. I love that it has air filtration system but it does look very inaccessible. I wish more printers had air filtration. Are you having any issues with the LED light giving off a pattern on the prints? Also is your screen made of plastic? I've heard a lot of people have gotten large permanent scratches on their monochrome panel due to it being soft plastic.

[@vogman]

As you saw in this video, I deliberately did the paper test to look for any unwanted grid patterns, and the LED seems to be performing well. No unwanted patterns that I could determine : ) As for the screen, I'd have to say it felt like glass to me. I did spill resin on it and spent a few minutes cleaning it, so I think I would have noticed if it was plastic.

[@HunterValleyDan]

Nice honest review again Geoff!

[@vogman]

Thanks as always Dan 😊

[@JorgeMartinez-in9xy]

Im buying my first 3D printer and Im between the Mars 2 Pro and the Phrozone mini 4K. Which one would you buy? Btw great videos!!! Tks a lot

[@vogman]

Jorge I really can't answer for certain... I've seen the Mars 2 Pro. Excellent 2K machine. I've seen the Phrozen Sonic 4K. Amazing 4K machine... I haven't seen the Mini 4K. I would GUESS it's a great printer. It's specs are pretty similar to the 2 Pro except it has that wonderful 4K screen. The price difference isn't massive and Phrozen told me this morning that it's been a blazing success for them, and I'm not surprised. Which would I buy? Based purely on speculation (no real experience) I have to say the Mini 4K calls to me. BUT... the you'd still be happy with the 2 Pro... just look at the models I printed here... 40mm and you could see the buttons on his boots!

[@JorgeMartinez-in9xy]

@@vogman Tks a lot!!! And best regards from Mexico

[@edgotbait]

As always a good honest review But not enuf change for me to upgrade I do like the shorter print time how ever

[@vogman]

We're spoiled 😁 Just over a year ago I was waiting 15 hours for an FDM print. Then it became 6 hours for a Resin print. Now it's 2 hours. How quickly we get used to these upgrades 😊 But I agree, if you've got a good printer right now, buying this one makes no sense as it's not got enough appeal. It needed a little more... something. A 4K screen would have made a massive difference. But that will come, so yes, wait patiently 👍👍👍

[@brianpitts4006]

Would you recommend this as a first resin printer in its price range vs the others? Thanks

[@vogman]

The one subject I tend to avoid in my reviews is price... this is because it changes so frequently and also because it's often a very personal matter. I will say I was very pleased with the results of the 2 Pro and I think you would be also. I'm going to be reviewing the Anycubic Photon Mono in a week or two. This is Anycubic's answer to the 2 Pro. Whether it's better / worse / the same, right now I don't know. If you want to wait a couple of weeks for comparison, that's up to you. 😁👍

[@patrickweggler]

Great review! Can you compare it to the anycubic photon mono se, which has the same features but is 80 Euro more?

[@warmesuppe]

Hey VOG, very much enjoyed your vid and of course your channel. I am a little bit undecided about the mars 2 pro and the anycubic photon mono (without the x). The anycubic is 100€ cheaper. Do you mind telling me your opinion of great wisdom?

[@vogman]

If you can give me a couple of weeks, I'll be able to say for sure. I'm awaiting for one from Anycubic to review. At the moment I've only seen the Mars 2 Pro which did achieve some impressive prints... but I do like Anycubic and they make excellent printers... so until I've had one in my sticky fingers, I just can't advise. Sorry.

[@warmesuppe]

@@vogman Nevermind, thanks for the extremely fast response! Have a great day ;-)

[@sambooo07]

Just make sure of one thing: even though it should be done always that you finish using any resin, even more in a case like this one you have to filter your resin with a paint strainer, as it seems (and makes sense) that the fan from the filter will generate a minim (but still present) dust inside the printing area, so in order to avoid this messing your resins (and of course, bits and rest of supports or failures)... My humble advice for that factor. Great review!

[@Adrian-mu8gg]

i hv been printing on 0.025 and 0.5 layer height. After a bit fo trial and error, the exposure time for both layer height are near identical and i m not sure if it's ok. both 0.025 and 0.5 layer height both work well with 3s exposure it sounds weird. Can you share your settings?

[@vogman]

Adrian, there are no wrong settings, only settings that work. If it gives you the results you're after, then it's perfect. You can always try to reduce exposure to save time and energy, but in honesty, if it works, don't fix it 😁

[@johngrant5749]

Any idea of price as the Amazon link says not available?

[@vogman]

I think it came and went on Amazon in UK and the US in September, but I could be wrong. I believe the price was around $300.

[@johngrant4902]

Cheers, not a bad price then.

[@DanielXStaub]

Assuming they were the same price and the Mini print quality was the same your "Phrozen Sonic 4K" what printer would you prefer, "Elegoo Mars 2 Pro" OR "Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K" ?

[@vogman]

I can't really answer that as I haven't seen or used the Mini... but if we ASSUME it prints as well of the Sonic 4K, then it will print better than the 2 Pro. But with that said, it's hard to tell the difference by eye... you need to magnify to see the differences. Plus the 2 Pro will give you taller print potential. It's all a matter of choice. Decide what it is you'll be printing and how important the various features are to you. Then take the plunge. In honesty, both are excellent makes 😁

[@gozukipl]

I like your video and all things went through. Well explained. But I’m little bit torn between Anycubic SE vs Elegoo Mars 2 Pro. What would you suggest me? If you could? Better to go with Mars 2 Pro and don’t bother with Anycubic? Still Elegoo will be cheaper and for start this would be my first resin printer. I’m happy with my FDM but have needs for small prints where quality is important, buttons, details, prototyping some spheres. Especially interested in different transparent resins as well like washable resin. My room is my office room and it will be difficult to get better ventilation so I’ll be starting with water washable resin and need to work out ventilation after I’ll be sure how much fumes it will produce. Plus thinking about investing into carbon filter air purifier or something.

[@vogman]

Elegoo has just released its Mars 3, so I would imagine now is a good time for the Mars 2 Pro which is an excellent printer. But in fairness so is the Anycubic SE. You would not be disappointed with either printer and you'd find plenty of detail there, certainly far more than FDM. The difference will surprise you. As for ventilation, this is a tricky one. I always recommend that people print in a ventilated area, but personally I never bother. The smells of resins don't trouble me at all. However I have a friend that suffers terribly with headaches. For that reason it's best to be cautious. But as long as the room isn't too small and closed off, I think you'll be fine... but keep the door open 😉😁

[@gozukipl]

@@vogman thanks for your answer ;) I’m allergic and have constant sinuses issues during summer or cold days. Plus I’ve been worry that as a kid I had asthma. But hope I should be ok. Sometimes can smell little bit of filament from my FDM but this is little bit and mostly from samples because my way to go is Polyterra which has basically no smell at all. I missed Mars 2 Pro deals last day so I’ll wait for another one and start with Elegoo. One in worry is no protection on screen but looks like Anycubic has one and looks like resin can drop on vat. Will give it a go as so far don’t need Saturn or Mars 3 which I expect will be released within 2-3 months - who knows ;) Mars 2 Pro should be enough for my needs and later who knows. Plus my space is limited. Definitely want to invest in extra air purifier carbon activated as I have to kids at home and one is only 3 weeks old ;)

[@Dongerino.]

Great review! I have a question, how many figures in that size can you print with a 1000g bottle of resin? The resin seems to be the biggest pricepoint in my opinion. And another one: should i buy the Mars 2 for 230€ or the Mars 2 Pro for 300€? Are these upgrades worth the 30% higher price?

[@vogman]

Difficult questions... I can't say how many prints and it depends on what you're printing. As for the Mars, I've no idea. The differences are small between all models frankly.

[@Dongerino.]

​@@vogman Thanks for the reply! Or would you suggest another printer in this price category? I have viewed a few videos and they all seem to have some small differences in usability (and speed, imo the biggest factor) but not many in printquality. I will use the printer, i would think twice a month, for Figures or Stuff i modeled myself, mostly smaller things. I already had a PLA-Printer but i was permanently disappointed with the results and the amount of re-leveling the bed, failed prints costing me 14h of electricity and tons of filament so, i know how to handle these files etc.

[@tritun5154]

Can I run these in the basement of the house or are there too many fumes? I’ve seen another saying left over night it stunk up his whole workshop

[@vogman]

I can't answer that because I think its an individual thing. The smell doesn't bother me personally. I've got 5 resin printers in one small room and whilst I can smell it, it doesn't overpower me or anyone else in my family. I always joke that if you've raised kids, you've already dealt with much messier and smellier problems. Personally I don't have any special ventilation equipment and I don't even open a window or door, BUT to be safe, I always recommend everyone should at least have a window open.

[@GolemOfTime]

So I have the opportunity to get an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro OR a AnyCubic Photon Mono 4K as they're currently about £200. What would you personally recommend? I really enjoy your videos btw, they're really high qulaity.

[@vogman]

I seem to remember they both have a similar xy resolution (probably 50 microns), which means you'll get the same quality print from both. So then it's as simple as both can print small, but only one can print big. However, the choice is yours 😁

[@GolemOfTime]

​@@vogman They actually both have the same sized build plate and the photon mono has a xy resolution of 35 microns apparently. I'm just hesitant to get it because I've heard the Mars 2 Pro is more reliable and currently is at a much greater discount than the anycubic. Thanks for the advice though! It is very much appreciated.

[@vogman]

I do apologise. I read it as Mono X. Sorry! The Mono 4K is a different machine again, one I'm quite fond of. If you look at this video I did just this week, I was pointing out that very printer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6qZaYp_aaermpo You're right about the resolution. Of the 2 I'd favour the Mono 4K for quality, though I'm sure it's plate was smaller than the Mars 2... still my memory... I could be wrong 😁

[@BlazeOGlory]

I can see your point. If I didn't already have the original and I was looking for a resin 3d printer I would definitely give this a look see. The faster print time would have definitely helped with printing the Thermal Blade (like made it take several days less)

[@vogman]

The size of that thing I'm not surprised 😁👍👍👍

[@BlazeOGlory]

@@vogman Haha. You haven't even seen it yet. Did you just assume it's going to be huge because I made it? (Which I mean fair play haha)

[@vogman]

Is it not the huge sword I saw in one of your videos? Oh no, that was the Black Knight sword. Sorry 😁😁😁 You're going BIGGER than that?

[@BlazeOGlory]

@@vogman Eventually yes, but the thing that I am in the process of making now (and I'm ashamed to say have been in for 4 months) is the Thermal Blade from Subnautica. It's a futuristic knife that the edge glows red with heat (I wanted to do it with thermal wire but that didn't work so I modeled it with channels for LED's). It'll have internet connectivity and I'll be able to control the color that it glows. That is IF I ever finish making it because I keep running into road blocks haha

[@vogman]

Sounds great!

[@MrNlce30]

Can you upgrade the screen on the original Mars to a monochrome screen? If so then that might be the better upgrade path. Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@vogman]

I don't believe so. I'm sure I read somewhere it's a different fit.

[@johnmccanntruth]

Looked like a good honest review to me. How would it compare to your new favorite, or is that a fair comparison?

[@vogman]

My current favorite is the Sonic 4K but in fairness it's 3 times the value of the Mars 2 Pro, so it's an unfair comparison. BUT the Mars 2 Pro still produced some really nice prints here 😁

[@bonkbonk92]

Looks good! I had considered this printer when shopping around. But I figured the Anycubic Photon Mono SE was the best bang for the buck and pre-ordered it. I only saw one bad review for the mars 2 pro recently that talked about the LCD mounting being weird and not so great. But other than that if seems like a great machine! I think it's technically cheaper than what I ordered, but we'll see how it goes.

[@vogman]

Anycubic are always a good choice, as are Elegoo. As a market, we're spoiled by some good choices really 😊

[@bonkbonk92]

@@vogman oh by the way. I messed around with Lychee Slicer by Mango 3D recently. Gotta say it looks really nice, though I haven't gotten my printer just yet... They got a free one and like a $3 per month one with more features. I guess it's like a whole new fork of ChiTuBox. Anyway just wanted to tell you about that in case you felt like trying something else out. I'll eventually be trying all the slicers and pick whichever I like best.

[@vogman]

Great minds think alike Matt. I'm already playing with it. There's some nice features there. Watch this space 😁

[@cavemanworkshop]

4:26

[@vogman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KieranShort]

Great review. The detail is definitely better. I would've used the same resin tho, to be sure. The speed increase, coupled with improved detail is impressive.

[@KieranShort]

Oh, and you can get smaller usb sticks if you're prone to knocking things.

[@vogman]

I have used the same resin since in the original Mars and the results were the same. The victory belongs to the printer and not the resin 😁

[@KieranShort]

@@vogman it is a noticeable difference, and I'm watching on a Pixel3 phone.

[@shaidor]

Hello mate, just found you ! i really like your videos and your voice. I currenly wanna buy my first resin printer and i don't want to give more than 350$, can you suggest me a good one? I am looking for ease, comfort and the highest possible quality.

[@vogman]

I'll be frank, I don't like saying "buy this printer" because we all have different preferences. I tend to review what I see and let folks make their own minds up 😁 With that said, the Mars 2 Pro is a VERY capable printer and comes in at the price you're saying - amzn.to/3j1a74a If you saw my Thrud cast video with FAQs ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqbQd4hnrbebiM0 ) I admitted that the Mars 2 Pro was my go-to printer. I really can't explain why... I just find it easy to use, very reliable, fast and capable of great quality prints. Honestly, you could do a lot worse.

[@shaidor]

@@vogman You are awesome mate! Thank you a lot ! I will check the video that you post. Keep up your great work ! Have a nice day!

[@ChatterontheWire]

Thanks for the review, was just looking at these in the last few weeks.

[@vogman]

I hope it was helpful. If you have any questions, you know where I am.

[@freedoomed]

I put a couple drops of super glue in the rubber seal and it stays put nicely now.

[@vogman]

I considered glue myself but, if I'm honest, I think the job of securing it properly belongs with the manufacturer. But I'm sure we both agree it's a good printer 😁

[@freedoomed]

@@vogman definitely needs a better solution from the factory. definitely a good machine

[@lonepecheurboussac1249]

brilliant review thanks

[@MrChristophersilva]

Very informative and well done, Thanks

[@vogman]

Thanks Chris. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Seoz]

Looks nice. I'm considering to look for printer for miniatures soon (still no place in my tiny rented apartment now :( ) I will take this printer in consideration when I will move to new place :D

[@vogman]

You'll love it. As you can see, there's plenty of detail on the 40mm minis. And in fairness, the Mars is a nice compact unit. It doesn't take up much room and it's light enough to pick up and hide away in a cupboard 😊

[@patprop74]

Any way you look at it. for a sub 300$ Resin printer that is pretty decent, Both are an outstanding choice. I hate to remind everyone but just a few years ago if one wanted an almost affordable resin printer,( other than a Formlabs) you simply had to make one yourself, most of the time, it was with a DLP projector, which cost 2 to 3 times the price of a Mars or any other sub 300$ printer and you needed a dedicated Laptop attached to it at all times.

[@vogman]

I was saying much the same thing earlier. It's amazing how quick we get used to things. We're spoiled by the amazing strides these printers have taken in an incredibly short time and, let's be fair, at a reasonable price 😊

[@bansheemopar]

As I understand it, the linear rail is the thing that makes it pro, and the monochrome screen is the mars 2 thing. The Mars pro had the old screen but linear rails, so I think the MArs 2 will have the monochrome screen but no lienar rails.

[@Rafael-nx2fs]

The mars 2 has linear rails. The only difference to the pro model is the missing carbon filter and a slightly smaller z-axis. www.elegoo.com/de/products/mars-2-mono-lcd-resin-3d-printer?_pos=3&_sid=a4bd8edb8&_ss=r

[@makermonkey3d782]

Thank you sir your input is greatly appreciated.

[@vogman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Julzilla]

Another great review VOG. It's a pity they didn't go for the 4k screen but from what I have seen on the market at the moment, 4k screens almost tipple the price on these printer which is disappointing. Also I can see some horror stories with that fan placement for the filter, printer death by resin overflow, yikes!

[@vogman]

I guess that's why the Max Level indicator is finally there, but I fear you're right. One quick spill and - ouch. 👍

[@IngotJoe]

Great review, thanks.

[@vogman]

Thanks for watching!

[@rogg0224]

Do you think it's worth the extra 70 dollars for ELEGOO Mars Pro instead of the ELEGOO Mars?

[@vogman]

I've never sampled the Pro but in honestly there's not a great deal of difference between the original Mars and the current Mars 2 Pro. Obviously of these too I prefer the 2 Pro. It feels a little slicker and the Mono screen makes it much faster 😁

[@rogg0224]

@@vogman I've bought the 2 pro by now