Origin Autopass Worth $200?

[@supergimp2000]

I got the trial shortly after it was released and thought it was a good feature but felt like I could do other things with $200 than save a few button presses. Several months later I had a mid-century modern cabinet project with ventilated doors cut in a period pattern. About 100 Z-shaped interlocking slots in 1/2" white oak. After the first few I ponied up the 200 smackers and was glad I did. Since then I use it all the time and have no regrets. Money well spent in hindsight.

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

The free trial ended last week. I’m going to buy it next time I have a project. Probably today!

[@tac1058]

It just leaves a bad taste that this is not included. It is a classy tool so why the cheesy pay wall? Shaper adds in other upgrades for free so why not this one that makes a lot of sense. Always better to be generous with customer service. Be classy and include it. All of that being said, you did a nice video and I will probably end up buying it because I know that I will like it.

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

It is worth it but I get the annoying aspect

[@reecemartin6516]

Thank you for a nice video on this feature. I haven't done Autopass yet but I think I will for the next project with a lot of holes. Something I thought of while watching your video is also there is less chance of doing something wrong with all of the button presses. My screen is very sensitive and I have made a couple of inadvertent mistakes by putting in the wrong data accidentally.

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

Its a little annoyoing to have to pay the extra $200, but it is a noticable improvement whne using the tool. For me, it is worh the $$, so I paid the $200 (after the free trial expired). Thanks for the comment

[@Wyman642]

Just got autopass and really like it. It shines when you are cutting through a board at full depth. Doesn’t work for pockets though.

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

Interesting re pockets. Didn’t consider that

[@whymeasure]

The Shaper team did mention they were investigating making AP work for pockets. It's a completely different problem to solve as it is a path versus a free-form movement. That said, some of us use slightly overlapping inside cuts with offsets for clearing pockets on most smaller-sized pockets.

[@Wyman642]

@@whymeasureexcellent idea!

[@pjcornelius]

I missed the free trial but have considered auto-pass. I’m reluctant mainly because I think it should have been a free upgrade to the Origin given the high price of the unit. By the way, I live in Evergreen, CO and visit Steamboat Springs often. Love it.

[@steveh8724]

@@pjcornelius What do you mean you missed the free trial? Every shaper origin unit gets a two-week free trial. Afaik, there's no time limit until you activate, then it expires after 14 days.

[@williamcaldwell9431]

Very informative video, thanks

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

You are welcome. By the way, I did pay the $200 once the free trial expired, so I'm now a paid user of Autopass. I think the paid add-on is sort of a wierd way to market a tool, but I get the need to make $$ to keep a business going.

[@AndreasMüller-n4v]

I sold my Origin. Can I also sell the autopass code? Or is it connected to the machine?

[@phillewin3645]

It should be included as default. It is basic functionality!

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

I get it, but that seems very unlikely at this point. So its $200 or do without. I opened my wallet....

[@steveh8724]

Softening the $200 blow is the fact that it's a one-time purchase rather than some subscription feature where you have to keep paying and paying.

[@MountainRanchWoodworking-kn7et]

I agree. Just consider it a cost of the tool.