Hi folks,
after I started a thread about the cubeify cube and the responses where not as good as i expected, I searched again for another printer.
I found on Indiegogo a high quality printer and decided to ask this community here again because you guys are really helpful and nice!
So, the printer is called Rapide Lite for more information: Rapide Lite, Affordable High Resolution 3D Printer | Indiegogo
My questions: What do you think about the printer? Experineces with crowfunding printers?
Cheers
3 Likes
Filemon
2
No personal experience with crowd funding printers but I have heard the advice “buy a printer that exists” more than once from those who have experience.
3dDinge
4
Never buy the Cat in the Box - buy a printer that exists in Version 2.0 and which is documented to the last screw.
Bukito, GRR Neo, Ultimaker 1+, even the Felix Builder is a better choice than any CrowdFunding Printer
Yes crowdfunding it tricky. My only and last one was the Form 1. Buy an existing one. But if you feel brave go for it 
Were you not happy with this printer at all?
How badly do you want your printer? Crowdfunding always has a risk of either getting huge delays when it comes to actually shipping the product, if they don’t go out of business even before they start to deliver what they promised. And on top of that, the people who try to get something going over crowdfunding usually don’t have a lot of experience with actually designing a product, setting up fabrication and then provide after sales support (spare parts, warranty issues,…). Of course, you see the people behind the projects throwing around “years of experience”, or list up titles and diplomas they have gathered somewhere. Just remember, it’s the internet, and they usually want to get your money asap, thus presenting the product and themselves in the best possible way.
The printer you linked to here does not look that bad from what i can see (I did not get into the details and analyzed everything properly).
My advice would be to go with some established printer that has a community and some kind of “network” around it. The first product someone develops always has some flaws and problems, so having a company/name behind the product definately makes your life easyer, even if the initial investment in the hardware is a bit higher than what they ask for in crowdfunding printers… (it’s usually worth it to pay a little extra and have something that actually works in the long run)
FYI… I would pick another campaign to back… I backed another of their campaigns and keep getting excuses of financial / legal problems when I ask about my perk… I put in over $2000 for Rapide-One and am still waiting.
I did back another 3D printer campaign and their machine will probably be ready before the Rapide One ever gets delivered.
Thanks! I will have a look at this one.
Thank you for the helpful advice! Can you recommend a printer in the same price class that is quite good in the price-peformance ratio?
Looks like a pretty decent design and if the specs are real the small one’s competitively priced. I’ve no objection to backing a crowd funding campaign. I’ve backed 6 or 7 and while delivery was usually later than expected, they have always came through. If I wanted this printer, I woudn’t be concerned about the company going out of business or whatever. I wouldn’t back this, however, if it was my first printer. I’d go for something from a well-established company. While it’s not the absolute best available, the Up! Mini is a good deal right now. I suggest you consider getting one of those. One last thing. DON’T ever expect to recoup the money you’ve spent on a 3D printer, especially if it’s a recent design. The second-hand value will be FAR less than you’d expect as the technology is evolving fast.
Faktuu
13
get a ZMorph printer
you just cant go wrong with that.
the only 3d printer maker that I know of that sells the toolheads for the printers as an addon not a replacement
they even have a camera rail for filming a timelapse and a laser for cutting/engraving
and they are build based on very well established mendel design
Are you happy with your crowdfounded printers? And are your printers like you expected them?
Faktuu
16
well than if you want something good and in decent price, you need to get a kit somwhere it saved me 500$ from a fully asembled one
Faktuu
17
also take a look at this list
challer
18
Yes I am also having troble with rapid lite. I paid for a rapid lite 200 kit and after it was not deliverd by the time promissed contacted the CEO. He kept telling me that there were numerous emails sent asking for a shipping cost of between $90 and $145. and that now the cost in 2015 would be $250 to reflect the true cost of shipping since the lower costs were a mistake. I did not get these emails. I have repeatedly tried to get details so i can pay for shipping but the CEO keeps saying that there are numerous emails giving me these details and to go to the campaign website and select the method of shipping, but does not provide a link to the correct web address to do this. I feel like I’m getting the run around. Anyone else had similar issues? Any suggestions for what I should do next?
