Long Term Review - Anycubic Photon S

The Anycubic Photon S was one of the first affordable resin 3D printers giving us war-gamers a new avenue for mini acquisition. How does it hold up after 2 years, is it still worth picking one up if you were to come across one? Here's my long term review for the Anycubic Photon S.
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[@lostsanityreturned]

A bit misleading to say the screens are cheaper... they last just over a quarter of the print time, and the prints take longer. A 4k mono screen is substantially cheaper, faster and will be less disposable.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Agreed. My experience with mono LCD's at the time of making this video was limited, but I've definitely come around to seeing the cost benefit with them now as the longevity compared to RGB is massive. I'd recommend to anyone now just go with a mono screen printer, especially with how much they're coming down in price now.

[@M_S-mj1zv]

Yup I was about to fact check this myself lol

[@termitegangbanger23]

your videos look so good i have no idea how you only have 1K subs

[@RedsGoneGrey]

Yet another great video mate. You are consisitently knocking out beautifully produced, well written, and helpful videos on great topics. By far the stand out here for me though is the music, abosolutely EPIC! Would love to hear more of this. Can never have enough prog metal, Tool take too long between drinks!

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Well thank you very much for those kind words :) I will finish recording these songs one day and get them uploaded here on KZbin for people to enjoy, but I totally understand why Tool take as long as they do lol - I am never completely happy with the arrangement or the tones, and the production stage has the potential to drag on for years, especially when you're self producing with no studio deadlines. The two songs used in this video for example are over 10 years in the making at this pont haha. Comments like yours though are a great encouragement though to get on with it and get it done!

[@Nurwin1]

I have an Anycubic Photon. I've upgraded mine to a 2k mono screen and it's a made a big difference to quality and mainly speed of prints. What i do like about these printers is that they have self- levelling feet, it's made of mild steel so is very sturdy, the vat is aluminium not plastic. It fits a relatively small space so ideal for those with limited space. The front cover opens up on a hinge and isn't an annoying plastic box lid like the mono or mono x or any of the other anycubic printers. But what i really like about it is it's cheap and with a small build plate you really do focus on what you want to print rather than mass printing, wasting resin and never finishing a project. Just saying!

[@cp1cupcake]

I don't know it its just me finding it weird, but the price for the Photon S hasn't changed over the past year on their website aside from sales. Speaking of those, I got mine last black friday for under 100 USD.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Good to know they can still be had new for under $100! I thought they were permanently sold out.

[@cp1cupcake]

@@OnceinaSixSide at the time it depended where you purchased it from. the sale was just us/jp

[@stianbulandlie2711]

About to buy a new screen and also considering just buying another small resin printer on sale to replace the whole thing. Just now I saw Chitusystems sells a Mono screen upgrade for the Photon S wich is intriguing

[@evilme73]

Love the Tool vibes... banger

[@trevclaridge]

Do you think you could share your print settings? I have this printer and over the last month or so of earnest use, I've had serious issues with supports failing. Had a lot of advice given in various discords, but almost all advice there or online is for Mono printers. I'd also be curious of your support setting; I've only really been dealing with pre-supported models, like the One Page Rules models I see in your showcase shots.

[@grantmathieson650]

0:55 those walkers look sweeeeeeet.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Here's where to find em if you want some for yourself! www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/sci-fi/feudal-guard-walker-mk2

[@NinaONO001]

For those wondering you can upgrade the screen and the motherboard to 2k mono for around 70$ on chitubox

[@Durkan34]

I've upgraded my o g photon with this. Game changer. It's at least twice as fast.

[@Drakio95]

Huh. I expected you to encourage buying used Anycubic's Photon S to people that were getting started in 3D printing since it's so cheap. Anyway great video :)

[@OnceinaSixSide]

I think it's better to have a warranty and manufacturer support when you're getting your first machine, unless you're a hardcore tinkerer and prepared to get your hands dirty. Thanks for watching!

[@scannerbarkly]

Something about the "almost but not quite Tool" intro music is just fantastic. lol You sly dog.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Haha cheers

[@grantmathieson650]

The dots on the die in the icon are incorrect and its bugging the jebus out of me.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Lmao I had no idea

[@kurtcrean]

Hey, what fan did you use to upgrade? Mine is so loud, I am pretty sure it died a year ago haha. Planning on doing that and upgrading to a Mono LCD screen for around $79AUD which seems amazing cutting layer times by like 80+%

[@spartan9933]

I can't believe that you manage to print that massive tank with that printer.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

It was a mission! Took over a week to print and a lot of gap filling and sanding to get the parts aligned and looking neat. It's definitely possible though to knock out big projects like that on a little printer :)

[@skateerdud]

They are using two linear rails, folded in. The two humps you see on either side of the Z-screw are the sides of the rail, and the head has two linear bearings pointing in. Other than that this review was fucking excellent

[@chuppath1ngy]

Another outstanding video! I just looked up how pricey my Phrozen 4k Mini screen will be and it's around $99 USD! SHEESH! But may soon grab that with my hobby budget just in case; luckily I don't print a ton as of late. That said, got a link for that sweet tau hover tank by chance? The one in the intro? Edit: Nvm, found it on CGTrader from another link you posted!

[@OnceinaSixSide]

It's always a good idea to have a spare LCD ready to go! Nothing worse than waiting for a replacement to get shipped out when you're halfway through printing some big project. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and found the tank :)

[@agnpaints2663]

This was my first printer too. Got it second hand and the rail broke after around 20 minis….never managed to align it to be straight but it was a good printer whilst it lasted

[@zuko9085]

You should add an affiliate link to the product in the description.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Thanks for the tip :) I'm looking into affiliate stuff at the moment and learning what's involved so I'll hopefully come back and update it soon with something.

[@ajc4477]

Did you see the upgrade kits for this machine? Still only 2k but mono. They're only about $60 on Chitu systems website.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

I did! For the price it looks like an amazing upgrade for this machine. I wish I knew about them when making this video, I could have mentioned it but in any case I'm thinking of grabbing one at some point to try out.

[@ajc4477]

@@OnceinaSixSide I upgraded my OG photon with one of these upgrades and it's a fast little machine now. I had previously installed a UK made dual linear rail kit so I'd say it's on par with a modern machine - bar the 2k resolution. The prints are still very acceptable all the same.

[@brandonchaplin9782]

Was looking at one of these before getting my Photon Mono. Have absolutely beat it to shit over the last year. Looking at the 4k though and either repairing and selling the mono or just keeping it as a spare

[@TheGtech83]

Aliexpress is selling mono lcd upgrades, look interesting, turns it into mono SE version

[@juanpablorey7960]

Where i can buy that LCD screen? Because I have that printer and it seems that my screen shot. So I am trying to replace it. Can you give me any advice on that?

[@michaelsorensen7567]

OMG you have the buttermilk bob model 🤣

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Haha

[@AUTOSHOT09]

I have a Photon S! What are your print settings for the minis you printed? They look great! Also, what slicer do you use?

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Cheers! For the longest time (and for most of the prints on screen) I was using Chitubox, but I've recently switched to Lychee. I don't have the settings on hand at the minute but off the top of my head its like 11.4 seconds normal exposure for the Anycubic standard resin, 5mm lift, 40mm/m lift speed, 8 burn in layers at 40 seconds each.

[@lego1168]

@@OnceinaSixSide what layer height do you use?

[@chrisfrank5129]

Thanks! Just bough two on sale for $99 each!

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Score! Happy printing :D

[@huseyincansipahi6893]

Hello, I am using the same device and the same resin, but your prints are amazing, can you help me with which program and at what value?

[@thejdi]

Photon Mono user here, in the years that you've been printing what resin have you sticked with? What is your goto? I am a year in and I still can't say I've found 'my' resing.

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Honestly the very first resin I ever bought I'm still using to this day! Anycubic Standard resin, it just works so well and its dirt cheap I've been very happy with it.

[@Haemorrage]

I can’t get anything to finish printing on mine

[@OnceinaSixSide]

Sorry to hear that! How exactly are the prints failing and what troubleshooting steps have you taken?

[@Haemorrage]

@@OnceinaSixSide the printer freezes. I come back 5 hours in and the fans are still going but the touch screen is unresponsive and the printer isn’t moving. I have to power off and throw away another normal looking print. Tried re flashing bios. Always says successful. Tried multiple slicers.

[@TOXICGURR]

do you do any custom prints if we have the print files?

[@parabot2]

What is that great tank at 4.45 mins into your vid ?