Excellent video covering the things that matter most! 👍 I’ve always wondered why Prusa, with such a large team of engineers, designed such a subpar extruder for the Prusa Mini. If you stick to Prusa filaments, "maybe it’s less troublesome," but the moment you try other filament brands or specialty materials like silky PLA, the chances of encountering print quality issues or outright failures are quite high. At one point, I even considered designing my own extruder mod to address the problems, but due to time constraints and pressing projects, I opted for a Bondtech extruder instead. That single upgrade made a world of difference. With the latest firmware updates featuring input shaping and other improvements, I now use the Mini occasionally-mainly when my other printers are busy. However, it’s evident that Prusa has fallen behind by not introducing new and innovative models. Bambu Lab, by contrast, didn’t reinvent the wheel; they simply made smart design and component choices, understanding that it wasn’t 2014 anymore-it was 2022! As simple as this approach might sound, Prusa seems stuck in a bygone era, acting as though their earlier designs were the peak of FDM 3D printing innovation. Oh, and I almost forgot-I upgraded to the SuperPINDA right from the start! I’m not sure how things would have turned out with the stock MINDA probe. I also experienced a few fan failures, and ironically, all of them were original Prusa fans! The fans didn’t fail completely, but they started making noise, and I’m not the type to take chances with potentially failing parts.
Thank you! And I agree, right now the Mini is in a weird spot where it's more capable than ever... but when you step outside that and look at the industry, it can't compete. And Prusa should NOT try to compete on cost.
Bolstered by Prusa's reputation, the mini was a solid choice as a replacement printer when it came out (I got it early and had to wait for the first wave of pandemic supply chain delays for it to ship). I've pushed a lot of filament through that machine, but earlier this year it was clear that it was showing it's age. As with the Model T, it was a mostly reliable machine but the industry moved on to faster, bigger, more versatile models that didn't require paying a premium at any given level. I moved on, too (a P1S replaced the mini), as the time had come. The mini is still sitting -- available if the need should arise but that need hasn't yet arisen in the past 2024.
With Prusa's new partnership with Printed Solid for building and shipping printers in the US, they now have a lower cost way to sell printers and parts to North America. This will help, but at the moment Printed Solid seems to be "out of stock" on much of Prusamint filament. I agree that the mini is no longer the machine that hobbyists would gravitate to, but it still might make sense for cost sensitive print farms. The long term reliability of the mini is probably better than other lower cost mini printers, so it still might make sense in print farm applications.
I'd like to see Prusa release a Core One mini to compete with the K3, micron and salad fork. I like the smaller 180^3 form factor. Fast startup and enough print volume for most prints. A core XY Mini doesn't really need to be cheaper than a Core One either, because if done right it should be better performing than the Core One.
I have a mini+ and a mk4s and i use the mini a lot for prototyping as it's quick enough and quiet. I agree with you though... Prusa needs to move on from most of us and start focusing on the commercial or enterprise markets. They also need to do something about distribution... Shipping everything from Prague is in most cases more than the cost of a roll of filament.
I really thought their merger with Printed Solid would see them stock inventory here in the US, but it usually seems like Printed Solid charges more for each part/printer and then it's a wash between Printed Solid and straight from Prusa. Last time I needed a part for the Mini, Prusa said it would be here in two days. Printed Solid quoted 5 and the cost was a wash. I don't understand their logistics at all.
@@TubaMakes From my understanding Printed Solid is taking over portion by portion as their team expands and gets trained up, but to keep the Prusa quality they have to do everything 100% the same as the main team. So far the 1st complete portion they can readily do in the USA is the assembly of the MK4S, but they still are shipping parts over from Prusa. To supply and create the parts in the USA is a whole other beast, so prices at Printed Solid can only sometimes beat Prusa directly in 2024. That will change, but its a long process and there's a ways to go still.
@@TubaMakes My thoughts .... According to their website, Printed solid gives free shipping, and there is no duty (tariff). The price is higher however. I asked them, and they will be selling the Core One in both kit and assembled form. I'll have to see how their price compares with buying one from Prusa. I'm guessing that the tariff and shipping from Prague will add about $200 so the Core One kit would cost me about $1150, plus MA sales tax (6.5%). BTW, that cost compares well to a Voron Trident 250 kit when you add in the cost of shipping from China (plus future Drump tariffs), and 3D printed parts (not included in the stated kit prices), plus any mods I would make. The Creality K1C would be less than half the price of the Prusa Core One, but it's a larger machine (not in build size!), and noisier, and not as good a track record in reliablity. And Prusa has an excellent reputation in print quality. So I hope Prusa sticks around. I think they will, though they won't ever have the market share that the Chinese makers do. Then again, Lulz Bot is still around, and they seem to have found a secure nitch at their price point. Same with Ultimaker, etc....
This video was underway before Prusa's Cyber Monday deals. The Prusa Mini+ was excluded from discounts entirely.
This video made me understand my true purpose in life
this video changed my life
I'm so happy I was able to do that for you.
Excellent video covering the things that matter most! 👍
I’ve always wondered why Prusa, with such a large team of engineers, designed such a subpar extruder for the Prusa Mini. If you stick to Prusa filaments, "maybe it’s less troublesome," but the moment you try other filament brands or specialty materials like silky PLA, the chances of encountering print quality issues or outright failures are quite high. At one point, I even considered designing my own extruder mod to address the problems, but due to time constraints and pressing projects, I opted for a Bondtech extruder instead. That single upgrade made a world of difference.
With the latest firmware updates featuring input shaping and other improvements, I now use the Mini occasionally-mainly when my other printers are busy. However, it’s evident that Prusa has fallen behind by not introducing new and innovative models. Bambu Lab, by contrast, didn’t reinvent the wheel; they simply made smart design and component choices, understanding that it wasn’t 2014 anymore-it was 2022! As simple as this approach might sound, Prusa seems stuck in a bygone era, acting as though their earlier designs were the peak of FDM 3D printing innovation.
Oh, and I almost forgot-I upgraded to the SuperPINDA right from the start! I’m not sure how things would have turned out with the stock MINDA probe. I also experienced a few fan failures, and ironically, all of them were original Prusa fans! The fans didn’t fail completely, but they started making noise, and I’m not the type to take chances with potentially failing parts.
Thank you! And I agree, right now the Mini is in a weird spot where it's more capable than ever... but when you step outside that and look at the industry, it can't compete. And Prusa should NOT try to compete on cost.
Bolstered by Prusa's reputation, the mini was a solid choice as a replacement printer when it came out (I got it early and had to wait for the first wave of pandemic supply chain delays for it to ship). I've pushed a lot of filament through that machine, but earlier this year it was clear that it was showing it's age. As with the Model T, it was a mostly reliable machine but the industry moved on to faster, bigger, more versatile models that didn't require paying a premium at any given level. I moved on, too (a P1S replaced the mini), as the time had come. The mini is still sitting -- available if the need should arise but that need hasn't yet arisen in the past 2024.
With Prusa's new partnership with Printed Solid for building and shipping printers in the US, they now have a lower cost way to sell printers and parts to North America. This will help, but at the moment Printed Solid seems to be "out of stock" on much of Prusamint filament. I agree that the mini is no longer the machine that hobbyists would gravitate to, but it still might make sense for cost sensitive print farms. The long term reliability of the mini is probably better than other lower cost mini printers, so it still might make sense in print farm applications.
I just don't see it making sense for print farms to buy new Prusa Minis given the up front cost and lack of modern features.
The shipping fees from Prague are quite burdensome. I think it will definitely hurt them in the long run, sadly.
I'd like to see Prusa release a Core One mini to compete with the K3, micron and salad fork. I like the smaller 180^3 form factor. Fast startup and enough print volume for most prints. A core XY Mini doesn't really need to be cheaper than a Core One either, because if done right it should be better performing than the Core One.
I have a mini+ and a mk4s and i use the mini a lot for prototyping as it's quick enough and quiet. I agree with you though... Prusa needs to move on from most of us and start focusing on the commercial or enterprise markets. They also need to do something about distribution... Shipping everything from Prague is in most cases more than the cost of a roll of filament.
I really thought their merger with Printed Solid would see them stock inventory here in the US, but it usually seems like Printed Solid charges more for each part/printer and then it's a wash between Printed Solid and straight from Prusa. Last time I needed a part for the Mini, Prusa said it would be here in two days. Printed Solid quoted 5 and the cost was a wash. I don't understand their logistics at all.
@@TubaMakes From my understanding Printed Solid is taking over portion by portion as their team expands and gets trained up, but to keep the Prusa quality they have to do everything 100% the same as the main team.
So far the 1st complete portion they can readily do in the USA is the assembly of the MK4S, but they still are shipping parts over from Prusa. To supply and create the parts in the USA is a whole other beast, so prices at Printed Solid can only sometimes beat Prusa directly in 2024. That will change, but its a long process and there's a ways to go still.
@@TubaMakes My thoughts ....
According to their website, Printed solid gives free shipping, and there is no duty (tariff). The price is higher however. I asked them, and they will be selling the Core One in both kit and assembled form. I'll have to see how their price compares with buying one from Prusa. I'm guessing that the tariff and shipping from Prague will add about $200 so the Core One kit would cost me about $1150, plus MA sales tax (6.5%). BTW, that cost compares well to a Voron Trident 250 kit when you add in the cost of shipping from China (plus future Drump tariffs), and 3D printed parts (not included in the stated kit prices), plus any mods I would make. The Creality K1C would be less than half the price of the Prusa Core One, but it's a larger machine (not in build size!), and noisier, and not as good a track record in reliablity. And Prusa has an excellent reputation in print quality.
So I hope Prusa sticks around. I think they will, though they won't ever have the market share that the Chinese makers do. Then again, Lulz Bot is still around, and they seem to have found a secure nitch at their price point. Same with Ultimaker, etc....
Prusa mini with enclosure in EU costs 650€. Bambulab P1S is on sale for 550. 🤯
I didn't even want to compare it to others with an enclosure 🤣