http://www.plasticscribbler.com/store/i … duct_id=43

similar to the SD 3 it has dual motors on the z axis. a 240 watt power supply beefier than the SD
uses the arduino ramps 1.4 main board replaceable driver chips/cards. same size print envelope.
You can get the base model for $500 but IMHO if you are going to do it  pay the extra $ 60 and get the heated bed and bigger PS. You can also get on board control for and additional $100.
30 day money back warranty.
But I see few offerings for spare parts so you will likely have to shop the open market for spares.

You may want to look at the Robo 3-D $700 -$800  and the Flash forge creator $879 with dual extruders. IMHO the $ 500 price point is a tough one at this time, unless you are happy with a base model. that is why I shopped on the used market. It seems the real choices in the new market for home hobby machines are sub $1k  like anything else if you want full function pay now or pay later. 
Tin

3ddder wrote:

Hey. I'm thinking about getting a solidoofle, but I wanted to get some opinions about it. I want something that is around 500 dollars and is essentially plug and play. I had a printrbot and it was waaay too much fiddling. I'm debating between a solidoodle and a da Vinci 1.0. What do you think? Any other ideas as well?

You can't have Plug & Play for $500

For $500 dollars, it is more like plug & why won't this filament stick & calibrate & check forums for a solution & glue stick & play!

You can't have Plug & Play for $500

+1
You can however have a lot of fun, it just depends on your perspective!

Hey. I'm thinking about getting a solidoofle, but I wanted to get some opinions about it. I want something that is around 500 dollars and is essentially plug and play. I had a printrbot and it was waaay too much fiddling. I'm debating between a solidoodle and a da Vinci 1.0. What do you think? Any other ideas as well?

You can't have Plug & Play for $500

You will learn a bit more with the Solidoodle though by going through the full calibration series and you will have more control over slicing parameters and choices of filament. I have an SD2 and use it when I want complete control of my printing. In addition, with a bit of effort (because they are different), you can print both ABS and PLA with SD. Da Vinci has yet to print PLA.

The bottom line is that there is not a real consumer appliance 3D printer yet,  however, the Da Vinci is getting close.