Hi guys,
I’m pretty new to the 3D-Printing space and I was looking at getting a FDM 3D printer mainly for printing miniatures due to space issues with resin printers. I managed to find a secondhand Prusa MK3S+ that is basically new at around the same price as a new Neptune 4 Pro. I’m quite torn between the 2 printers and I do want to print other miscellaneous things other than just minis, so I wanted to ask what is the general consensus on these 2 printers ?Thanks in advance!
Well. The Neptune looks like it is running on the Klipper platform. Which means fast print speeds. However this has it’s own set of problems.
I just bought a Bambu X1C and it is so fast that the head causes the whole printer to wobble like an out of balance washing machine when not laying down filament and moving long distance ( I put on anit-vibration feet… may have been a mistake). That caused 3 tall prints on one plate to topple even though it is not a “bed slinger” like the Prusa and Neptune. (bed moves back and forth rapidly on Y axis instead of minutely up and down on the z axis).
I have an MK3s that I upgraded to MKs3+ and now upgraded to MKs3.5. On that one I have the quick change nozzle system E3D Revo 6. I love it. Can swap a 2.5 nozzle in quickly to print minis or a .4 for most printing or a .6 for large projects. It can be added to the MK3s.
Prusa is a project of love. (But it is a project). I upgraded to MK3.5 to get about 35% more speed, but it was a bit misguided. Speed on a bedslinger is fine for some projects not others. Tall narrow prints no. Tall large prints yes. short large projects yes… know the limitations as no one will tell you until you search for “WHY IT FAILED 
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Prusa has mostly stellar support and is mostly open source. Neptune, not so sure.
I got my X1C mostly because it is a full solution printing “appliance” which means I should have to do less tweaking and modding. I also got it because their multi material system is pretty darn good… even though I was compelled to print the “Hydra” mod to accommodate some other filament manufacturers spools. The others are rapidly trying to play catch up in the consumer/ prosumer sphere.
I am a Prusa fan ( I also have a Mini) but the X1C is was feature rich, and just prints.
If Prusa can leapfrog Bambu and others who are catching up in a year or so… I’ll be back.
Elegoo… probably wouldn’t. They are a very multifaceted company who makes a lot of different type of products. I prefer focused makers.
Oh and the Bambu X1C (and all the other Bumbu printers) do not have a quick change nozzle system. But the hot end is relatively easy to swap out and inexpensive to by them ready to go with different nozzles.
I own an MK4S and Mini+. No matter what Prusa you buy, it will be supported for as long as physically possible. The whole Prusa team stands behind everything they sell and I have had zero issues getting answers or parts for either printer, and my Mini+ is going on four years old.
You’re paying a premium for them, but the support is absolutely fantastic and Prusa is never going to do anything shady to limit what you can do with your printer or profit from your prints…like every Chinese company. And I’m not a China-phobe out of sheer stupidity or misinformation. I was a Senior Project Manager on two of the largest American led projects in China’s history and I dealt first hand with the government, and hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers. Not to mention after having spent over five years living in China, I have a lot of Chinese friends who speak freely about their country. I saw and experienced first hand what really goes on over there.
If you’re inferring to Bambu’s latest update, there are lots of reactionary posts about it. Much ado about nothing as far as I can tell.
I have a few high level plant automation programmer friends who have worked in China. The stories are bizarre. That doesn’t mean they can’t make a good product. Market share will keep them somewhat in line.
Sometimes Prusa support misses the mark: Jump through these 5 hoops that have little or nothing to do with the problem.
Prusa’s MMU a is the reason I am not buying Prusa. Too much heartache with the MMU.