Author Topic: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?  (Read 1689 times)

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C855B

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Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« on: November 06, 2023, 12:03:19 AM »
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My original Photon has been doing what I've asked of it, which isn't much, but I could use more resolution. The Mono M5s seems to have interesting specs, and the better speed is a plus. It's been shipping since early September, supposedly.

Currently $479, add $190 for the wash and cure.

Thoughts?
...mike

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robert3985

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2023, 05:45:56 PM »
+1
If you're wanting a printer with lots of "features" and ultra-fast printing (using their priority high-speed resin), then the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is a good choice.

HOWEVER...and this is a BIG "HOWEVER" if you're looking for sharp details and control over your anti-aliasing/blur, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is NOT the printer to get.

In fact, none of the Anycubic 10" 12K printers are top-of-the-line for sharpness, nor for build quality.

The very best (for print quality, reliability, mechanical accuracy) 10" printer available this year from Anycubic was definitely their Photon M3 Premium 8k printer, with industrial-grade mechanics, dual charcoal air filters, huge resin vat and unmatched Z-axis accuracy (with a precision Z-axis ball screw).  Unfortunately, someone at Anycubic decided to discontinue it, so it is no longer available.  Luckily for me, I bought one and I am totally happy with everything about it.  I would love to buy another, and they are still available (not at Anycubic) but even used ones are demanding a very high premium price.

The clear winner in the 12K 10" category from a sharpness aspect is the Elegoo Saturn 3 12K, which is less money than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s...but not as feature-rich...but prints much better. 

Equally sharp, but with better build quality, better UI, and with more features is the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra 12K at $20 more than the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s...and if you're looking to stay in that general price range, it would be the printer I would choose.

However, from a build quality, feature rich, innovation-leading design aspect, with a 10" 8K screen...but considerably greater cost...I'd go with the Uniformation GKTWO, and if it would have been available when I bought my Anycubic Photon M3 Premium, I would have chosen it instead.  It's around $850, but, in my mind, well worth it.

In your price range, the Anycubic Mono M5s has features that no other consumer 3D resin printer has, particularly the low-resin warning, the failed print detection, the auto build-plate leveling and the ultra-fast printing (with Anycubic Ultra Fast Resin).  It also has one of the nicest UI's available (with some minor quirks) and Wi-Fi.  But, it has the standard Z-axis lead screw (instead of a higher precision, smoother running ball screw), doesn't automatically load your file into its memory from a flash drive...and, it prints SOFT...which for me in N-scale, is exactly what I don't want, especially from a premium 12K resin printer.

With less innovative features, but still feature-rich, and with better build quality (a precision Z-axis ball screw) and much better print sharpness is the Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra 12K...and at your price point, is what I would get.

Ultimately, if I was still in the market for a new 3D resin printer, I would bite the bullet and go with the Uniformation GKTWO at around $850, which has as many features (but different) as the Anycubic Mono 5s, comes with a pre-leveled built plate, has a totally re-worked innovative resin vat and attachment mechanism, an innovative and practical charcoal filtration system, and a built-in vat resin heater (!) which will make for much more consistent prints, especially from a detail aspect since lower temperatures are murder for retaining details...and fewer print failures.

Got to remember that the 12K 10" screens have rectangular pixels (they are all most likely the exact same screen), so their actual resolution is 24 microns (the length of the pixel)...which is only 4.5 microns better than 8K 10" screens at 28.5 microns.  I doubt very much if there is a discernible difference between the two resolutions at ultimate sharpness...and, after adding anti-aliasing and/or blur to the print to get rid of layer lines, there will be zero discernible difference.

Here's a good YouTube video to watch from FauxHammer that gives a brief overview of the "best" resin 3D printers for 2023:
 I would also watch his individual reviews for much more information and the problems with the Anycubic 12K 10" resin printers.

As for your Anycubic Wash & Cure, I have the exact same one, the only drawback being that it's not big enough to wash my prints horizontally while still attached to the build plate.  Other than that, I am 100% happy with it, and would recommend it over any others out there.

Since we're going into the "buying" season, some manufacturers are having sales on certain days, Elegoo being one of them.  You might be able to save a bit if you wait and buy on sale day.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore



« Last Edit: November 07, 2023, 06:32:41 PM by robert3985 »

Peachymike

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2023, 03:08:16 PM »
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I own several Elegoo of the printers, including a couple Saturn 2’s and they all have been very good units, and produce excellent results once you dial everything in. What I have found outstanding is the Elegoo support. Haven’t used it a lot, but they have yet to charge me for a part, even replacing screens that were probably 3/4 the way thru the expected life. These parts aren’t normally under warranty and they offered without asking. Also check their direct site, pricing is very favourable and they pick up the taxes and shipping (at least in Canada). Currently a Saturn 2 is something like 339 USD all in.

djsmeltzer

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2023, 02:57:04 PM »
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I jumped on with a pre-order when they were going for ~$400.  I've had mine since June, but just started trying to use it this weekend.  So far, I've had only failures on my prints.  None have stuck to the build plate.  Very unhappy.  I did the paper test they suggest, and with the build plate all the way down, the paper is loose in the back right corner.  That points to a build quality issue if you ask me.

Have my support ticket in with Anycubic, so hopefully I get this all fixed.  I have an original Photon that has worked really well for me, which is why I jumped on a larger, mono model that had good specs. I'd steer clear.

Chris333

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2023, 03:50:45 PM »
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What I have found outstanding is the Elegoo support.

Really?  I've e-mailed them about 6 times now about an issue with mine right after I bought it and never heard a word from them. But they do keep on sending me spam emails.

robert3985

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2023, 05:00:51 PM »
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I jumped on with a pre-order when they were going for ~$400.  I've had mine since June, but just started trying to use it this weekend.  So far, I've had only failures on my prints.  None have stuck to the build plate.  Very unhappy.  I did the paper test they suggest, and with the build plate all the way down, the paper is loose in the back right corner.  That points to a build quality issue if you ask me.

Have my support ticket in with Anycubic, so hopefully I get this all fixed.  I have an original Photon that has worked really well for me, which is why I jumped on a larger, mono model that had good specs. I'd steer clear.

I have both the original Photon and their Photon Mono 3 Premium 8K, and I'm happy with both...especially the Mono 3 Premium...which is why I was surprised at the less-than-excellent reviews that were coming in about their new 12K printers and their lack of sharpness.

Looks to me as if to keep the price down, Anycubic cut some corners with build quality (stiffness & accuracy) to be the first to offer a 12K printer, completely mis-judging the market, emphasizing speed over precision, and discontinuing their most accurate and mechanically robust 8K printer at the same time.  Someone there needs to get their a$$ kicked.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

« Last Edit: November 13, 2023, 05:02:22 PM by robert3985 »

Peachymike

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2023, 05:32:55 PM »
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Really?  I've e-mailed them about 6 times now about an issue with mine right after I bought it and never heard a word from them. But they do keep on sending me spam emails.

That really is surprising, and completely opposite to my experiences with them. It’s always a day later due to the time difference, but I always get a response in a day or two. Yes, I get spammed with all the advertising, and pop up adds, irritating but it seems to be the norm for most of these businesses now.

Chris333

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2023, 05:53:50 PM »
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My Elegoo printer "prints" just fine, but the image on the screen is sideways. There is no beep when the print is done. And the build plate does not go up to the top when done printing.

Peachymike

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2023, 07:53:34 PM »
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My Elegoo printer "prints" just fine, but the image on the screen is sideways. There is no beep when the print is done. And the build plate does not go up to the top when done printing.
Not to hijack the thread, but can I ask the model? Is it your first printer? And what slicer are you using?

Chris333

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2023, 07:59:37 PM »
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Mars 4 ultra 9k and it is my 6th printer. Using Chitubox.

wazzou

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2023, 09:15:40 PM »
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Mars 4 ultra 9k and it is my 6th printer. Using Chitubox.


With each successive printer, have you just mothballed the others or do still use any of them?
Bryan

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Chris333

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Re: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s - Anybody Have One?
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2023, 09:46:51 PM »
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I used my 3rd one (Sonic mini 4K) a few weeks back just because the file I needed was still on it's USB stick.  Think my first OG Photon still works, but the second Photon was just parts to get the first working.

So pretty sure 5 of them still work.