SUPER EASY Plug & Play 3D Printing with the NEW Ultracraft Reflex RS

[@thestateofplay2023]

Ok, for those asking, Heygears have stated that there will be an offline slicer by years end. The only reason this version requires a login is that it’s legacy software. It used to be a browser based application (BPH) that was ported to desktop (BPS). They are currently working on a non-login mode with offline slicing due for release in December. Hopefully we can put this to bed now because out of all the printers I’ve used this one just works. Yes I still have to do the annoying cleaning but small price to pay when I don’t have to become a printer technician!

[@Asrtyulg]

This feels like one step forward, two steps back. Still glad to see heygears trying and providing competition

[@thestateofplay2023]

Interesting take and stands out for being different to what others wrote. I’m intrigued by your thoughts. Reply back. 👍🏼

[@758richy]

The lack of built in ventilation options/extraction ports on resin printers is so bizarre to me. It would be such an easy thing to include, and on top of that they could sell ventilation kits to make it easy for people who don't want to figure out how to make a system themselves, which just seems like a win for everyone involved.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I know right? It’s weird and somewhat lazy, I think. How hard is building in a fan and a tube!

[@svensvensson2724]

@@thestateofplay2023 It actually is very hard when your marketing department demands a sub $1,000 price to customers.

[@758richy]

​@@svensvensson2724 Many of these companies sell extras like resin heaters and terrible little internal carbon filters for a horrendous price; especially given how little carbon they hold compared to the volume of some of the inline carbon filters you could get for the same price. They could build in a ventilation port and sell an extractor kit for cheaper than those carbon filters. I can build a ventilation system for most printers for about $30 paying retail prices for parts. It's not hard, nor expensive, and doesn't require much, especially on the printers which have a pre-cut port for ventilation so you don't have to cut one yourself. It's just about making it as easy as possible for people and encouraging people to be safe.

[@fluxcapacitor]

Elegoo does that. They include a hole in the back that has the same dimension on their resin printers, and sell the Mars Mate which is a separate filtration unit with an exhaust fan built-in. I heard that Anycubic is developing a similar unit.

[@darrenj3720]

I've never 3D printed a thing in my life and watched this video like "ah, the booster plate thingy sounds annoying" but I still watched it as it was thoroughly entertaining. Good job.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Thank you Darren. Good to know my nonsense has a wider appeal than just nerds and geeks. 😜👍🏼

[@aeorling]

Welcome back from vacation! I'm just getting into the mini painting hobby and your channel has been an incredible source of knowledge and ideas. Thanks for doing this!

[@thestateofplay2023]

Hey mate thanks. Always here for anything you might need!

[@victorhenden6909]

Keep up with the amazing work looking forward to seeing more from you

[@thestateofplay2023]

Thanks mate! I absolutely will!

[@victorhenden6909]

​@@thestateofplay2023Good to hear

[@chrissyross]

Sounds like myself and other hobby consumers may have to wait for another iteration of this model, as whilst it is clearly brilliant and easy to use the lack of in built heater, seal and ventilation systems really are needed for this to be viable for non-commercial use.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah the GKTwo was my close second to this as it has those things. But I didn’t want to spend time to calibrate different resins and ventilation can’t just be a useless carbon filter that does very little with VOCs. Sadly no machines have it all yet. But adding a heater and boxing this one for ventilation is the closest I’ve gotten so far.👍🏼

[@chrissyross]

@@thestateofplay2023 Yeah I can appreciate that. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@LiftticketGames2]

Welcome back, and of course, I end up buying a resin printer, based on your review, and me really not wanting to figure out 200 settings to print a STL that I bought, but can't do a thing with. Thanks for the review, and all your other videos. I really appreciate your videos, extremely informative and helpful. The dad humor, being of same age, gets me laughing all the time.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Hey mate! It’s a genuine pleasure! But Dad humour? Come one. 😜 KZbin won’t let me do my actual humour for fear of getting cancelled! Mustn’t. Say. Certain. Words.

[@user-mc4sq3fk5d]

Just found your channel. Great videos, witty, and a ton of common sense. As a beginner I welcome all the tutorials, reviews, etc you can throw out there! 🇺🇸

[@thestateofplay2023]

Welcome and thanks for watching. I’m guessing Scott may have sent you my way!!👍🏼

[@user-mc4sq3fk5d]

Actually not the case, not sure who you mentioned but found it on my own. Keep it coming and don’t do what others do and forget the new people and beginners 👍😊

[@Jason-man-in-black]

This simplicity would definitely be what I need to get into printing, but there’s still the mess and the need to print in the garage to contend with….. it all just still keeps me on the fence with printing sadly. Great video Will, I appreciate the honest way you do these reviews it’s always very helpful.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah it’s a really hard choice. Resin tech is still too you g and no one really knows the health implications. Weirdly many don’t seem to even care. So garage, shed, outbuilding it has to go.

[@Aisaaax]

If someone made non-toxic resin (both fumes and touching it) - I would drop 2k on a printer tomorrow. But as it stands, I live in an apartment and there's simply no way I can set up a printer so it wouldn't smell and poison me.

[@thestateofplay2023]

A cheap grow tent like I have would work? Because I’m with you, the less poisonous the better.

[@Aisaaax]

@@thestateofplay2023 Yeah, I thought about that, but you still have to take everything out and clean it, and by the time you're done the entire apartment would smell like resin and isopropyl. And it's not like you can ventillate it easily in the winter especially. No, apartments and 3d printers just don't mix. And again, if it was just smell I could maybe deal with it. But it's toxic - that's the issue. Cancerogenic. If it increases my chances of serious and lasting health complications by 0.1% that's kind of too much for a toy.

[@magikarp2063]

As someone who does quite of bit of resin printing - if you don't have the space for it that is seperate from your living space, just don't do it. Its cool but its not worth risking your health in any way.

[@Aisaaax]

@@magikarp2063 Yup, my point exactly I would rather pay a few pounds on etsy.

[@nonamenoname1133]

Ya. I'm on farmland and if we could reduce the hazard to fumes I'd consider that acceptable and design a safe and appropriate space, but the liquid biohazard is not something I want to introduce. When I used to print in town I quite liked how clear resin could be cured to 100% confidence, but that in a pseudo greenhouse is not enough.

[@ThinkDesignMakePteLtd]

Hi!! could you please share the dimensions of the box the printer came in ? does the pulse release module come separately packed? I intend to get this freight forwarded to Singapore, so the dimensions of the box and weight of the package will really help with cost planning! Much appreciated.

[@thestateofplay2023]

The pulse release VAT is a separate package. This is the heater. The pulse release MODULE is a different device.👍🏼

[@ThinkDesignMakePteLtd]

@@thestateofplay2023 thank you! Do you still have the dimensions of the box that the printer came in?

[@joeparas]

The slicer stuff sounds genuinely incredible, but the one innovation I really, really want in resin printers is one that deals with clean-up. I get pretty amazing results on my Saturn now that I've picked a resin, have a mini heater, and dialled it in, and most of the models I want come pre supported anyway. I'll probably never upgrade until her create some magic system that makes cleaning not a pain in the ass.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Omg!! Totally. Like how hard is it to make a cleaning box with a drain that filters IPA cleanly. Then cures in the same box. And at the end you reach in, take out the minis AND the waste residue resin left over from IPA.

[@joeparas]

@@thestateofplay2023 witchcraft! Lol

[@Kaledor84]

Another awesome video. Thanks!

[@thestateofplay2023]

Thanks!!

[@ondrejnovotny2073]

I am very interested in buying this printer. But I'm worried about the slicer. By the way, you have paints behind you, so you probably paint, which makes me wonder about the orientation of those models in the slicer, as the supports go directly into the head 😂

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah the auto-support isn’t very clever so it pays to spend more time auto supporting without using “one click slice”. But I was printing nurgles so it didn’t matter as any uncleaned support looked like skin boils. 🤣 The slicer is great. It does everything a normal slicer does just not resin calibration. Because you don’t need it.

[@TheGunnarRoxen]

Is this the ONLINE ONLY printer?

[@thestateofplay2023]

It’s it’s baby brother yes. I see you watched Once In Six Side. Yes, it works when connected to the internet, like pretty much every other piece of tech thesedays. Totally get it if that’s not for you but I personally don’t care as most stuff I have in my house needs an online connection to work. Ps. It’s only the slicer that needs a connection because it’s a cloud service that backs up all your jobs. Considering most people don’t use a computer at all without internet then I didn’t really see the issue.

[@sammykim4896]

HeyGears already addressed this.They’re launching an offline BPS slicer by the end of 2024

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yes, for those asking, Heygears have stated that there will be an offline slicer by years end. The only reason this version requires a connection is that it’s legacy software that uses Heygears servers to do the slicing. It used to be a browser based application that was ported to desktop, not rebuilt for desktop. Which is what they are working on now.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Correct!

[@dlh567]

Getting the 3d print settings right isn't the problem, it's dealing with post processing that made me stop using my 3d printer.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I can’t disagree. I hate cleaning at the best of times. But I now have a process which makes it bearable. Not fun. But bearable. 👍🏼

[@chrisbruce9497]

The price of the printer is absolutely trivial compared to the price of dealing with resin. I work in a chemistry lab and have the ability to clean resin off of every surface. There is no way I would bring one of these devices home unless they can figure out a way to prevent uncured resin from contaminating the people spaces. UV resin is terrifying in the quantities it is used. Until they solve this problem the price of the printer itself is irrelevant.

[@hyosworld109]

Glad to see you back on the tube!

[@thestateofplay2023]

School Summer holidays are over!! Yeah!!

[@greedy3d480]

Great video .. thank you for the mention 👍

[@thestateofplay2023]

A pleasure. And your experiments with different resins have been an inspiration! I still don’t get the huge amount of hate for these machines…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@FarawayPictures]

I just bought the Bambulab A1 combo. It's not as detailed as the RS, but it's pretty good for under £400.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I looked at that with the 0.2 nozzle and whilst good, just didn’t print the levels of quality I wanted.

[@FarawayPictures]

​@@thestateofplay2023I got the 0.2 nozzle. I've not been disappointed, but seeing the detail you're getting with the RS, it's not at that level.

[@virrcraft]

Yeah, new video! Nice to see you with a good (even if pricey) product

[@thestateofplay2023]

Gotcha!! Glad you’re back!

[@virrcraft]

@@thestateofplay2023haha, same from my side 😂

[@LtLTSmash]

thumbs up for the Wrangs of Power joke alone.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I aim to please. 🤣🤣 I mean baby orcs. It’s like the writers watched the World of Warcraft movie and got confused with Tolkien.

[@JeffsDioramas]

Great video as usual, I love the tips and tricks but one of the main reason I watch your videos instead of others is you make them fun to watch. I so look forward to being informed and have a giggle when you post a vid 👍

[@thestateofplay2023]

🤣 Thanks Jeff! Yeah I find much of KZbin hobby stuff to be….educational but not so much….sarcastic, satirical and dare I say “a bit p1ss takey”. 🤣🤣

[@theycallmepiccolo9985]

YES YES NEW VIDEO IVE BEEN WAITING

[@thestateofplay2023]

I do hope my sarcasm and satirical commentary meets expectations! 🤣🤣😜

[@theycallmepiccolo9985]

@@thestateofplay2023 as always 🙏

[@pgg1888]

Hey man, you remind me of Gerrard Butler! Seriously though love your videos and tips, keep up the great work 👍

[@thestateofplay2023]

You’re not the first person to say that. Although I don’t think he’d be reviewing 3D printers on KZbin unless his career took a proper dive! 😜

[@S.A.S.H.]

Missed ya'. Thanks for a new video. I have two unused resin printers because the process is so freaking fiddly. I had four unused FDM printers until I bought a Bambu Lab X1-C and then a month later an A1, both with the corresponding AMS unit. Now I have FDM prints running much of the time. I can't help but wonder if this would do the same for my resin printing.

[@thestateofplay2023]

It might. I reckon a second build plate would allow you to run prints continuously. Take one out. Put another in. Print more while cleaning the previous stuff.

[@S.A.S.H.]

I might add that cynicism and sarcasm are requirements of satire. So you being cynical...well tell me something I hadn't anticipated.

[@thestateofplay2023]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 what? meeeeee? 😜

[@pauln6917]

What are some printed builds that integrate with the laser cut "Mass Effect" habitats from your previous video you would recommend? Other that minis, BTW.

[@thestateofplay2023]

That’s a very good question. Now I’ve got this new machine I’m going to investigate!

[@PaulVencill]

Absolutely love your channel, I've yet to see a video that wasn't just super informative but also super entertaining. Well done! On this topic specifically, Ultracraft should just hire you to consult on their product development team, the Collab would result in something amazing.

[@thestateofplay2023]

…and I’d get to use my product design degree instead of it being a useless piece of paper that I never used. 🤣🤣 Thank you Paul! I appreciate the compliment

[@ThorekIronbrow]

Well noticed on the lack of seal. Resin printers look incredible, but I'm not willing to play about with VOCs and risk developing resin allergy.

[@thestateofplay2023]

The resin allergy is mostly skin contact and even then not for all people. Gloves help. As for VOCs yes, I see so many videos of people with a printer like, on a kitchen table or something. So yeah, ventilation is a must. But once you have that. It’s hard not to marvel at what you can get.

[@Skelebob-sp7pn]

I do feel like it should be possible to alter settings yourself if you want/need - I don't see why the software can't have a 'automatic' and 'manual' setting, just bung a warning on it that HeyGears aren't responsible if you make a bollocks of it. Boom, everyone's happy. It's not like a car where you can't have both at the same time, here you can since it's all software controlled.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Ah but that’s the thing. It’s not all software controlled. It’s also printer and sensor controlled. Most other machines are just glorified platform lifting machines. Best way to think of this one is like a robot that uses sensors to think for itself. Modifying stuff on the fly to get a better, successful print. It’s something Heygears marketing simply doesn’t get across. Because they sell too technically and less “to a 4 year old”. 🤣🤣

[@Gornodd]

Well ok it might be good, but my GKTWO still does pretty much the same thing. It does not autolevel but It came leveled and I never had to adjust. The results are still so good that you cannot really see a diffrence to GW Plastic. I can print with 15€ Sunlu ABS-Like resin (wich is hands down the best I have ever used) for much cheaper.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Ah but you had to do that. Calibrate the resin, support the models, fill in all the slicer setttings etc. With this, you don’t have to do anything. Nothing. Great for me as I don’t want to learn anything about 3d printing.

[@InfectiousViper]

We got Johnny Jokes over here! Get a LOAD of this guy!! Great video as always!

[@thestateofplay2023]

I prefer the moniker Jeremy Jest. I’d even go Harvey Humorous or Frederick Funny. But I draw the line at Harold Haha or Christopher Comedic. 🤣🤣👍🏼

[@magikarp2063]

So this is a normal 3d printer with some settings presets for first party resins and, maybe slightly better autosupports then other slicing software? I can see the auto orientation of some models is really bad. Like am I missing something? And its over double the price for that? All other companies need to do is to offer resin presets for their own resins (not sure why they already don't).

[@thestateofplay2023]

No, that’s what I mean by looking under the hood. Almost all other printers are glorified platform lifting machines controlled by someone else’s software. This machine has so many sensors it monitors and recalculates everything dynamically as it prints. And therein lies the problem, very few people are willing to dive in and see WHY it makes this the best. Because we’ve all been brainwashed into thinking 3D printers should be cheap and we have to do all the work.

[@magikarp2063]

@@thestateofplay2023 Yeah after looking at more videos it does look like all this actually has benefit for print quality. Its not just good but somewhat better then other machines. Couldn't tell from your video as you compared to the worst test print I've ever seen, I suppose there was something wrong with whatever your last machine was. You can still make your own supports in lychee or chitubox and just slice it in their software right? The autosupports might be good for autosupports but as someone who does supporting models for my work I can see isssues from a mile away.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I agree. Worst test Print ever. It was on the Mars 4 ultra and while someone could get way better, that’s not me. I have no interest in learning any settings, tweaking lychee, printing a 100 things with different lift speeds/distances etc. 🤣 That’s why I love this new machine. I don’t have to do or learn anything. If you’re an avid 3d printer who knows his raft from his exposure then you don’t need this machine. But if you want to print great models whilst doing very very little…..

[@bretts2356]

Great vid! Hmm.... I too, am lazy and don't want to learn an entirely new skillset to 3D print. I am intrigued. Maybe not intrigued enough to buy this machine but intrigued. Maybe not too much longer until we get a 3D printer that is truly plug and play AND more affordable.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I don’t think we’ll get plug and play AND affordable. It takes too many sensors and algorithms to make it truly plug and play which cost a chunk to implement.

[@bretts2356]

@@thestateofplay2023 I think we get it eventually. Its like a buddy of mine who bought a 40 inch flat screen TV in the early 2000s for $5,000. You get a better, bigger TV than that for $250 these days. Once there is Plug and Play competition in 3D printing, costs will come down. Enough for me to buy one? ... We'll see.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Oh I agree on Tv costs. I had a plasma many years ago. Cost like a car. But with printers I can’t see Elegoo, Phrozen, Anycubic or Creality adding sensors or anything to make printing easier. Because they all still rely on 3rd party software and users to do all the work for them. They can then claim it’s never the machine at fault. It’s the user. 😜🤔

[@KiddoButai]

Yeah, that lack of seal is a dealbreaker. I can't really put a printer in a spot with good ventilation which is half of the reason I went with DLP.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah same reason I won’t have printers in the house. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Fissi0nChips]

I am looking at selling my Anycubic mono X because I don't want the hassle of resin. Never used it because of that. I wonder if this will make me want to print resin? After watching the whole video I think I am still in the "nah" camp. :-)

[@thestateofplay2023]

If it was because of calibration I can understand. If it was toxicity then I also understand. 3D printing is one of those things that seems great on the face of it. That’s until you realise what it actually entails. If I hadn’t got machines for free to review. I probably still wouldn’t be 3d printing.

[@FlesHBoX]

Well, at least they are adding some reasonably priced resins for the hobbyist. As you were talking about all of the things removed, I was assuming this would be a $600-$700 printer, and make it a real option, but it's like they cut corners everywhere to reduce manufacturing costs, and then decided they wanted to make a higher margin on the damned thing... Probably to make up for the loss of margin on the resin. That's one thing I've not seen talked about (though I could have easily just missed it) is whether their $70/kg resin is actually comparable to other $70/kg resins out there, which are typically the lower end of more engineering-focused resins, or if it's just your bog standard hobby resin, overpriced to make more money. And yeah, the lack of ventilation, and massive air gaps makes this a terrible choice for a lot of people (though given I witnessed a guy arguing that shoving his ungloved hands into a vat of resin was no big deal yesterday... I have to wonder how many people would even consider the air gaps at all).

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yup, I see so many video on KZbin of people not caring a jot about gloves, masks or ventilation- it doesn’t surprise me with humanity the way it is right now. As for the $70 resin. In this case it is speciality engineered resin. In fact all their resins are incredibly specific with their properties. Unlike almost every other resin out there.

[@szymdem4409]

can we get a clip of the "baby orc" song please?

[@thestateofplay2023]

Top 10 chart hitter next week!! 🤣

[@CollectedWorx]

How many Warhammer figures would one have to print to offset the $2389 of this printer?

[@thestateofplay2023]

At current GW prices? Probably 7 miniatures. 🤣🤣 Honestly any wash and cure will work so you don’t need those. The heater you don’t need if you don’t print in the cold. So really it’s only $999, which for two weeks is down to $750. Cheaper than most other high end printers that you still need to calibrate.

[@CollectedWorx]

@@thestateofplay2023 😂 That’s a solid discount for sure. Just hard for someone like myself to justify the all in price. I’m definitely happy to see all the advancements in available printers each year!

[@tomyocom5886]

Do you happen to know the support to model ratio. My supports are less then 10% and closer to 5-7% of the Process. It took a while to get there but I would not like to go to 30% or more on supports. They look like they work well but wasteful for experienced people. You can make this statement for anyone that has acquired a skill over time.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I have no idea. That’s one of those many aspects of 3D printing I don’t care to learn. I’d hazard a guess by your question that you know exactly what you want from a 3D printer. In this case I don’t think this is the printer for you. Having said that there are a whole set of support settings in the slicer to reduce spacing, thickness, angle etc.

[@tomyocom5886]

@@thestateofplay2023 Thanks for the reply. Architecture, dnd miniatures and car parts. I mean they do have tolerances but the people I work with, ( my kids) are annoyingly exacting...haha. I do like the idea of just Bambu labbing it which is what I think this machine may be for resin. great vid by the way!!!

[@thestateofplay2023]

Other than the washing and curing I do think this is the Bambu lab of resin. I’m gonna have to do more testing but since we spoke I did find a BETA setting in Blueprint Studio which appears to minimise amount of supports. So it looks like they are working on it.

[@tomyocom5886]

@@thestateofplay2023 Yah, I did like the thought of their first offering but this one really has me excited. I mean it would be nice to just not think as much about EVERY print and change things if I have to. again thx...

[@markburton5292]

they do have a good system. My only real complaint is you are locked into their tools. They have a good slicer so that's not a issue, but what if you want to use a different material than what they have. realistically you cant. I understand them say they cant provide the same support for non-heygears reason but they could still have a option for non proprietary resin that they don't give support on.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I understand but what would you want to use that they don’t have? I mean do you really think 8k resin is actually 8k? What does that even mean anyway. 🤣🤣 Most people say they want choice but when it comes down to it just use the same resin time after time. Because in the end they can’t be bothered to calibrate new resins. Yet with this machine you can just use new resins. Plus you can use any resin in this. Nothing stops you. And 80% of the time you’ll get an amazing print. What’s the failure rate of prints on other printers with any resin? 👍🏼 Same people who have an iPhone which is locked into an ecosystem where they can’t change anything. 🤣😜

[@markburton5292]

@@thestateofplay2023 mostly just have the ability to use more durable resins for tabletop minis. I

[@thestateofplay2023]

Most resins are overpriced, I’ll thought out junk in a bottle. Once in a six side did a comparison and we’re all being ripped off. At least Heygears tell you outright what each resin does. PARP10 is mighty durable for minis. That huge nurgle mini my video? I’ve dropped it 4 times. The glue bonds broke, but not the model.

[@vintagejakker]

So it farts resin fumes everywhere, requires an always online slicer, works only with proprietary resins and costs an arm and a leg. Did I miss anything?

[@thestateofplay2023]

Quite a lot you missed. Most printers release resin fumes everywhere when you open them. The slicer is cloud based as it never was designed as a desktop application, the printer can use any resin and costs less than a Phrozen mighty Revo. But the entire system works as well as Formlabs which is even more locked down and costs 5 times as much. It’s a professional printing ecosystem for the price of hobby machines. It’s the Aston Martin of 3D printers sold to consumers at the price of a Ford. But if you’re an experienced 3D printer who wants to spend hours calibrating, tweaking, experimenting, wasting resin and dealing with many failures then this probably isn’t the printer for you. Me, I just want models. I don’t want to learn anything to get them. 👍🏼

[@vintagejakker]

@@thestateofplay2023 So if your Internet connection is lost then its a 25kg doorstop and if the company goes bust then the same appliea. Kudos to you for getting a freebie but until they adopt a more Bambu Labs approach my cash will stay in my pocket. Tnanks for taking the time to reply and I love your usual stuff.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Lol. They’ve been selling to consumers for less than a year. Prior to this they sold to business only. I’m sure they’ve got a lot to learn and maybe they have to learn the hard way. But…If my internet connection is lost my last worry would be whether I could 3D print or not. My home security would be offline, my TV service and all my streaming services. And well, neither of us would here on KZbin either. 🤣😜 But the same logic applies if Lychee or Chitubox goes bust. Or even the 3D printer company? There’d be no more replacement LCD screens or FEP. And without slicer software, every printer on the planet would become a brick. I thought I’d been pretty honest in my video to be fair. I hate the fact I need to put it in a ventilated box. I don’t have Wi-Fi in my garage so need to use USB. But the slicer needing an internet connection doesn’t bother me because I never disconnect. As for going bust, well they make more than Elegoo as Heygears money comes from the dental industry.

[@Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

WHICH 3D Resin Printer would you prefer, based upon your knowledge and experience: The Ultracraft Reflex RS?, or The Uniformation GK3 Ultra?

[@thestateofplay2023]

Honestly? They aren’t really in the same bracket. The GK3 is huge. You need to calibrate resin but has a heater a ventilation system and can use any slicer. The Reflex RS is smaller, easier to use and needs no fiddling or learning. But you need to use their software. If you want to learn all about 3d printing. Buy the GK3. If you just want 3D prints to paint without learning anything buy the Reflex RS.

[@CleetusVanDamme530]

Seems like a lot of drawbacks, managed to get the GK3 Ultra for $999 probably stick with that.

[@thestateofplay2023]

There’s drawbacks to 3d printing in general. All those melt away when you see what comes out of this with no effort whatsoever. 👍🏼

[@ParamediCass]

You can buy a separate heated vat without the pulsing release module for £160. I'll be avoiding the pulse release, just like their wash & cure, they are all way to overpriced for what you get

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yes I believe I said that in my video. What I meant was a heated VAT without any pulse release functionality. Just an ordinary vat that heats. 👍🏼🔥 And yeah, printer is great but the accessories are really for print farms or businesses so thing can be monitored and replicated.

[@MiszAgrippa]

I get some poor jokes. You get like and comment. Fair deal.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yes. If the jokes were better than poor would I get a share, like and comment? 😜

[@MiszAgrippa]

@@thestateofplay2023 Nah, the only deals are for the poor jokes and crazy stock footage.

[@thestateofplay2023]

ok, then. more of that. Got it!

[@svensvensson2724]

I've been looking at HP Multi Jet Fusion industrial printers. They are quite expensive, and neither the materials nor the print method are open source. But if you're making car or aeroplane parts at smaller volumes or need them quickly, the method will pay for itself. And nothing prints better quality for industrial use. But the industry sector has both the needs and the money. This Ultracraft concept is a harder sell because the method is already available, and you can get similar results with a Mars 4. Plus hobbyists who are prepared to house a resin printer like to figure stuff out. Like how to use other resins in it. The concept is good, but they need to nail it, and at the right price before they go bankrupt.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Well let’s unpack. Firstly they won’t go bankrupt as all their money is in the dental 3D printing industry. I think these machines are, for want of a better description, small change to them. I have a Mars 4. I couldn’t get out of it what I got here. Because simply I wasn’t prepared to fiddle endlessly with every possible setting. And I’ve set up a 3D printer and don’t want to play with any settings. I just want prints. I think many people misunderstand there’s there’s a huge audience for 3D printers who DON’T want to learn slicer settings. Who don’t want to fiddle. Print exposure tests. Waste resin. I’m one of those people as are 90% of my hobby group. It’s not that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. It’s that no one bothered to ask the dog whether it wanted to. 👍🏼

[@svensvensson2724]

@@thestateofplay2023 Good for them they make dental printers. That's what I got started on, btw. Those things are hugely expensive in purchase and cost of running compared to hobby printers. So they won't go out of business. But that doesn't mean it will be easy for them to make essentially the same machines at a hobbyist price point. I'm not saying there's no market for the product. I'm saying there's a huge hurdle to get over. Considering the amount of manufacturers using the same non-original, free-for-all concept, and the reception so far, I think I can say I'm right. Like I said, the concept is good. Exactly what are we arguing about?

[@thestateofplay2023]

We’re not arguing. We’re discussing. If we were I’d be writing in capitals. 🤣🤣 I argue very little thesedays as I’m too old to care that much about any given topic. 😜👍🏼

[@svensvensson2724]

@@thestateofplay2023 Discussing some form of an argument, no??

[@thestateofplay2023]

Haha! Touché sir

[@fav54blueall72]

Your microphone sounds like you’re inside a can of sardines

[@thestateofplay2023]

And it’s as good as it’s gonna get in a small room with my home CCTV system humming in the background until someone pays me for an audio studio. 😜👍🏼

[@ariellouit8523]

Sorry @thestateofplay man, I would like to use your affiliate amazon links to give you a bit of gratitude for being the best youtuber ever. But yet agin I end up in the UK site. I would even order from it... If Brexit would not have happen...(Try to make a joke in your style)😂

[@thestateofplay2023]

Hey don’t worry. I don’t really know how to force the link to go to specific countries.

[@ariellouit8523]

@@thestateofplay2023 what squidmar does on his site is to put 3 links. One for the UE, one US, your UK one. Anyway, I'm waiting for your own airbrush! Maaaan could you imagine one where you could do minute details without inhumane sensibility and motor control!!!!??? I always asked myself why not to make a trigger that has waaaay longer way before spitting that much! It wouldn't be that hard to design. Longer trigger and a needdle that takes more length to decrease in size... If you do a kickstart about that you'll be rich man! All the other spec. Airbrush are always being designed by masters that forgot the infinite learning curve that casual painters will suffer for life. And even if the brakes are a life saver, I will be faster to get clogged

[@dragonfist]

As a person who is in 3d printing for 14 years now, 10 of those using resin as well, i would STRONGLY advise AGAINST any proprietary system. Go and learn all the details you need in order to print great prints with ANY printer and you will have better understanding on resin physical features, slicer settings and how to improve quality, will thank me later

[@thestateofplay2023]

Except many of us don’t want to spend time learning. Don’t have the time to clean failures and try different things. And generally have very limited free time available so just need something that just works. Same reason people buy automatic cars and electric toothbrushes. If the tool can do the work for you….. I agree with your guiding principle of learning is ALWAYS better but sometimes a tool should just be a tool.

[@felixxcatus]

in my opinion printer ventilation is overrated, as in sucking out the fumes from inside the printer can't be achieving much, but I'm surprised that the lid is not an airtight seal

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah it surprised me too. It’s like they assume people might have a ventilated room spare (in our huge mansions). 🤣😜

[@MiszAgrippa]

As of printer itself - The Plug & Play aspect sounds great for people who don't need another hobby, just the miniatures. I worry a bit about knocking the plate out of default level, since you can't (?) do any leveling yourself and it isn't auto-leveling each time, just coming leveled from the factory, if I get it correctly. Price is a big factor, however if you can pay for ease of use, I suppose it isn't that bad. However the lack of any air purification or ventilation doesn't fit in. You get the printer for the "casuals" but you still need to put it in a separate room and wear more safety gear then Chernobyl cleaning crew? Strange move. Overall sounds interesting but personally I would rather learn and tinker with settings and resins myself in open environment. Is the auto support feature that good? Did you have any failing, supports leaving marks on miniatures faces or other important detail etc.? Looks like you can do some of this stuff manually in the app, so that's good.

[@thestateofplay2023]

Interesting. Yeah it appears to check it's level every time. Yes, it's factory levelled but is so solid steel that I can't see it going out of whack. However, if it does, there are screws to perform levelling and Heygears support will guide you through it. I get you're the kind of person that wants to tinker with settings. Makes sense for some people, nothing at all wrong with that. I personally lean more towards a 2D printer. I wanna hit print and know that at 100um I get 'draft', at 50um I get 'best' and at 30um I get 'photo'. Oh and I've printed every day since August 25th and never had one fail. I did have something small left in the VAT once, but the printer told me there was something in the VAT, so I cleaned it out.

[@MiszAgrippa]

@thestateofplay2023 That's great to hear, perhaps we'll get to the point where all slicers have good auto support feature. 2D printer is a good comparison, looks like we're getting there, if we could get non toxic resin as well we would be set. I would rather go with solutions like Bambulabs, where instead of locked but confirmed environment from the manufacturer, you can get community made settings. For the end user it's very similar result, you don't know what to do, just click "please use the setting that work" and you're done. But without additional costs of specific resins etc. I would recommend somewhat recent video from Once in a Six side about Bambu Labs. Perhaps the answer we need lies with FDM printers after all for our minis? I would suggest reaching out to them and test the smallest nozzle, perhaps that's the true "plug and print".

[@thestateofplay2023]

Oh I’d love FDM to be the solution. I always watch Once I’m a six side and he hit the nail. It just takes far too long to print with FDM and to get better quality would require an even smaller nozzle which would take even longer. And due to engineering limitations bed slinging or head moving can’t get any faster.

[@JohnBubriski]

Whyyyyyyyyyyy would they ever make the top of the build plate flat. That's literally enough for me to not want it. I want to reduce my workload, and resin spills, as much as possible. Makes you wonder what other simple usability things they missed.

[@thestateofplay2023]

As far as I’ve found, that one was it. Everything else, I can’t fault. The plate is steel rather than aluminium (so doesn’t scratch) but making that angled would have upped the costs I reckon. They should have just left the holes like in the Reflex. Resin would have poured through.

[@NoMercyFtw]

I don't mind machines like this, but let the user decide if they want to, why not let the people that want their hands held choose that and if you don't, let me use the slicer I want, the resin I want, everyone is happy how does it hurt them I can see where they would get more support emails but just say we only offer support in hand holding mode oe some ish, it's not about only the cost of the resin it's about being locked into something and being told you can't use a new resin or another resin or slicer, this is exactly why I will never use an apple device or purchase one and I'm not alone.....

[@thestateofplay2023]

Totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m very Apple and have been since the 80s so having something that just works, never breaks, never crashes, has no viruses - works for me. This printer just works. No fails, no issues, no wasted resin on calibration so in the long run costs you less in both money and more importantly (as you get older) time. 👍🏼

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@thestateofplay2023 I also never have viruses my phone my computer always works, I don't believe in paying thousands of dollars for something and being told how to use it or being told I can't do something on it when I know a competitor can or the device has the ability to do that thing.. it does not make any sense at all it's like buying a car but you're not allowed to use a spare tire so if something ever happens you have to get it towed

[@thestateofplay2023]

Wrong analogy mate. It’s like buying an automatic car rather than a manual shift. Where the car does everything for you. And who on earth would do that, right? Right? Let me put this simply. Multi Millions of people don’t care about being locked in if stuff just works. Probably why Apple is the biggest tech company in the world.

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@thestateofplay2023 how is it a wrong analogy when it can do what I said it can do they are just blocking it from doing that thing, it is the one I picked to compare that doesn't make it wrong, it can use other slicers, it can use other resins, you can change the settings but they just block it, because they make more money by forcing you to buy off of them and the more people who purchase and the larger they get they can make little changes down the road like add subscriptions to increase their revenue..... Of course a lot of people don't care about being locked in to certain things but also a lot of people do care is it 5050 I don't know but I bet you so many people wouldn't be using Android if it wasn't so, imo what u said is a wrong analogy cuz it doesnt do everything for especially the dangerous part..

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@thestateofplay2023 and I think you're looking at it in the wrong perspective that's OK though you're an apple user I won't hold that against you, a manual car cannot do automatic, just like an automatic car cannot do manual unless you count slap shift, I don't see the purpose of locking down specific things machine can do just to make it closed, that's all I'm saying, you are turning off a good percentage of people when it can be for everyone. You're not gonna understand my way of thinking because you're locked in to the way you use devices or want to use them while I completely understand your side.

[@spacedock873]

High quality but with expensive lock-in ecosystem? Sounds like Apple to me. As others have mentioned, the printing is the "easy" bit - it's all messing about after the print is finished that is the problem (removing supports, washing, curing, filtering the resin, cleaning the machine etc.) This is time, expense and effort that needs to be factored in when working out whether 3D printing is more cost effective than buying commercial products. Yes, eventually you may be able to save money but you might upgrade your printer before you reach that point!

[@thestateofplay2023]

Let’s if I can help as I’m one if those “hate 3d printing types”. 👍🏼 Blueprint cures supports different to the model itself. So they just rip away off the build plate. Then dunk the models in a IPA quick bath before a wash machine. Take ‘em out, let ‘em dry then Chuck in to cure for 5-10 mins. Done. Cleaning sucks. Yes. But the only thing to clean is the vat. And only if you change resins. Resin in ipa, I’ve found settles to the bottom so you can scoop the top IPA out. Then leave the rest outside in the sunlight. In short, you’re right. It’s all a total pain. It’s not really that cost effective but damn, you can get some great stuff not available anywhere else.

[@RocktCityTim]

Here are my win take-aways about the RS and saving $400 ($650 with the specials): Because my resin printers are housed in a vented grow tent, I don't need a heated vat and ventilation is also not a concern. - I use a drip tray when unloading the plate from my printers, so the dripping from the flat plate top isn't an issue. - I agree that the refill time is low, but I would (like you suggest) fill my vats and then just depend on the refill mechanism to keep the vat topped up which only needs to happen at the same or better speed than printing uses the resin. - To the price of the resin, folks seem to miss that the Hey Gears resin bottles are 1.3Kg, not 1Kg - you're getting more, and better resin for the price. And, if you've ever used pro-grade resins, the price is right where it is everywhere else. - With the new, 1Kg bottles and the reduced pricing of the PAS10 resin, the pricing argument is removed even further from the discussion. - As to the closed Blueprint / Resin ecosystem, while I love Lychee and my proven Anycubic resins, I waste a lot of resin performing tuning tests and failures caused by me not getting my supports just right. If using the closed ecosystem means that I'm to just - as stated - load, click, and print with no waste while getting phenomenal prints, then lock the ecosystem door and throw away the key. Like you, I'm more interested in the results of my designs (and minis) far more than the process of getting to that point. I think this one may be the purchase argument that my wife won't win 👀🗞

[@thestateofplay2023]

🤣🤣🤣 I read all that with a nod and a straight face until right at the end when you threw in the wife comment! Brilliant. Man after my own heart!! 😜👍🏼

[@christianbunch9047]

That Rings of Power jab was all I needed to follow. 👍

[@thestateofplay2023]

Yeah what happened with modern TV shows. All written by people who clearly never read the originals. It’s like the Rings of Power writers watched the Warcraft movie and thought “oh, THOSE are orcs!” 🤣🤣🤮

[@macavitymacavity126]

baby ork dudu duruduru... mamy ork dudu duruduru... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thestateofplay2023]

😜🤣👍🏼

[@LordNerfherder]

Expensive spare parts, expensive resin monopoly, not my favorite slicer, no ventilation, not better print quality... I just dont understand why a paid review isnt addressing the main concern and biggest issues of buying this type of closed echo system printing. I am locked into their echo system and there isnt even any good support for them in my country. I could just buy a new saturn every year instead of buying this, and still have money left over for wash and cure and a few other extra modules. And some resin and extra FEPs. The extra money spent on this printer isnt leading to anything worth mentioning. The difficult thing with resin printing IS NOT printing. It is cleaning up, keeping the parts alive for as many prints as possible and more. And these are twice the price. The resin is more expensive and isnt performing better. There are fewer options of types of resins and colours. There isnt a single advantage I can find with this printers apart from.. its easier to start the print for someone who has not done it before. Okay. So this is a 10 minute headstart at best. The first time you print. Every time after this you are on the losing end on options, wallet, upgrades etc.

[@thestateofplay2023]

And yet you completely ignored the fact that many people simply do not want to learn how to 3D print. Everything you’ve said here is absolutely correct. But only if someone wants to spend any time at all tweaking settings in a slicer. Lamborghini’s are super impractical cars, they don’t fit car seats, or suitcases, or grocery shopping. But they go real fast and look cool. People still buy them though. But for most people a car like that is a waste of money as they can do better things with another car. Same with this printer really. It’s not for all. But it is for many.

[@diehexenmaus185]

the price point for the quality (even including the heated vat) is honestly good (i've seen a few of their dental printers being used and, holyshit, they know what they're doing) and it really will just come down to the quality of their cheapest resin, for me.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I know what you mean. Takes a LOT of convincing to explain to people what you’ve just said in one sentence about Heygears. I still haven’t gotten any of the PAS10 resin but am itching to see what it can do.

[@Armwrestling_fan]

HI WHERE CAN I GET THIS MODEL 9:12 PLS SEND LINK

[@thestateofplay2023]

The nurgles are from Rescale Miniatures Pit of pestilence on myminifactory and the dwarf is free from Loot studios.

[@Armwrestling_fan]

@@thestateofplay2023 I CAN'T FIND IT

[@thestateofplay2023]

No need to use capitals. Which model are you looking for?

[@Armwrestling_fan]

@@thestateofplay2023 nurgle for free stl

[@ThinkDesignMakePteLtd]

Hi!! could you please share the dimensions of the box the printer came in ? does the pulse release module come separately packed? I intend to get this freight forwarded to Singapore, so the dimensions of the box and weight of the package will really help with cost planning! Much appreciated.

[@thestateofplay2023]

I would love to but I no longer have the box. But the weight is about 25kilos.