Solidoodle vs competition

I havn't seen anything definitive on the SD4, I will admit I havent spent much time looking at that thread. I dont know what to say about the SD4 besides the case makes it look nice. I have an SD3 and really like the added build space over the SD2. I contacted Solidoodle asking if I could buy the case from the SD4 to put on my SD3 becuase I like the finished look, they told me it wouldn't work(i would have made it work) so it might be more than jus the case.

Solidoodles biggest downpoint is in my opinion the hardware in the axis. This is a pretty easy fix($60 and some elbow grease) and can get you pretty close to Makerbot quality pretty quickly.

The Reprap community is very active and has huge amounts of information avaliabe. I dont know enough about that whole project to even comment on them beisdes the fact that many of them are pretty inexpensive but take quite a bit of effort to build and many are not very easy to enclose(for printing abs).

There are some other printers out there that are chinese knock-offs of old Makerbot printers that seem to work pretty well(flashforge to name one).

Sorry if I am justt rambling

This is a rather open ended question.   This "field" is developing at an alarming rate.    I guess it all depends on what you want out of it and what you want to put into it.
I recently purchased a 3D printer, and here was my thought process on my decision.
For me it was between the SoliDoodle 3 and a Pursa

Build vs Ready to run:  I liked the allure of taking the thing out of the box and using a tested system, particularly for something that I had never used before.  I also like to build things and see how they work.   IF I see how they work, it makes it a lot easier for me to troubleshoot.

Build materials:  What is the thing built out of?   I really like the fact that the SoliDoodle is made from metal.  But I built a CNC mill about 4 or 5 years ago out of MDF, and it is still working great, and at times gets a fair amount of use. 

Able to print from SD card (No PC needed).  Is it important to you that the 3D printer is not tethered to a PC?   I have a rather old PC and didn't really want to be tied to the PC during a print in-case it froze or got bogged down.  I have read stories where PCs would freeze/screen saver would kick in/auto-reboot after updates, etc would wreck a long print job.  Not sure how often that really happens, but something to be aware of.

Well there are a bunch of other things to consider, but for me those were the top 3.

I ended up going with a Pursa.  I don't want to say which one here as this is a SoliDoodle forum, but I must say service after the sales has been top notch.  A++ for sure.
I built it myself which was rather easy, and nothing out of what I was expecting.   Maybe took 3 or 4 days to get it going, but I took my time, enjoyed the build making sure everything was right.   I was able to dial in the X/Y axis in on the 2nd try as the default out of the box firmware settings were darned close.   Working on the Z/extruder now, but it must be close as the prints I have made are just fine.   The one I built was a wooden case.  I would have preferred metal, but for cost/benefit for me wasn't there as by the time I wear the wood out, I'm sure I'll be wanting a bigger/better/newer 3D printer anyway.  Also there isn't the stress on the parts on a 3D printer in the way that there is on a CNC mill, and it is holding up just fine.  I love the printing from SD card.  Just dial it up, and let it go.  Thus leaving the PC free to do more drawing ;-)
I have about $200-$300 less in my printer than the SD3, but I had to build it myself,(which I like, but get that some folks don't) and had to source a few of the parts myself.

Anywho, that's kinda how I decided, and so far I am very happy with my decision .  The SD3 was a very close 2nd.

RCAV8R thanks for the information.  Its in line with what I was looking for as far as information and feedback.  I do feel that the solidoodle will meet my need however I would like to broaden my horizons first.  Like yourself I like the idea of a plug and play unit but building one is also educational.  This industry is taking off now due to the lower investment costs and I think this year will be a big one (hopefully ..

I've had my SD3 for a little over a year now. I had a bit of a problem at the beginning with a bad extruder heater, it was a bit of a chore to get that issue straightened out' but after that I've been printing like crazy. No issues, no problems, well no major problems anyway ;-)
Two months ago they bought a Makerbot  for me at work. I was thrilled, until I unboxed it and tried to get it to print. It wouldn't print a circle, only ovals. I e-mailed tech support, they sent me links to some of the crappiest amateur videos I've seen in order to adjust the carriage and belts. All to no avail. I finally figured out the Y belt was about 10 degrees off vertical and rubbing on a bracket. They had me box until and return it for service... Grr. I'm still waiting for it to be returned.  I've received an e-mail telling me its fixed and ready to ship. Not that it has shipped or what was wrong with it. It looked to me as is the upper Y pulpy was installed backwards causing the belt to rub. I'll find out when I get it back.So far I'm not very impressed with the printer that costs more than 2X my SD3 and my experience with tech support has been about the same as I  had with the bad hot end. I'm hoping all will be good to go when I get it back. Time will tell.

TiM

the SD4 also has the electronics moved from back to inside case with cooling fans from their discribution at their sites (homepage $ FB) and a couple other changes I think iss why cover is dif than SD3. I like the top door addition mostly for better access. as for bigger, that dont interest me especially since full prints in even 6x6 take overnight plus.

I like the nice group here and elsewhere that dont try to profit off every tid bit they can to the point of discouraging new owners and faster growth of this new realm of saving the economy from the greedy.

also many of the cheaper DYI printers have very little assistance (I know Solidoodle techs are way behind too but thats part of the fast pace growth). I have found many here much better help most times as we all see each other as being partners in this rather than competition. some locales may need a dif type 3d printer like in deserts they use the sun to make 3d prints in sand. google it and see. this truly is the start of the next technological revolution.

if something isnt gonna make you a fortune then dont sweat sharing (copywrites etc) just focus on the bigger fish and be the 1st to cash in on what does pay the bills on time. sounds like poor business at 1st but in technology that advances this fast there's not time to dwell on yesterdays projects if you want to stay ahead of it. "lead, follow or get out of the way" last ones a rotten egg etc. this is how we have pulled ourselves up out of bad times through out history. you find that this way of thinking inspires thinking out of the box and inventing life changing advancements. improve that great idea best it can be then get the patents etc drawn up and cash in on your ship when it comes in. it takes many peoples imagination to change the world. man dont live long enough to do it all alone. hooray for free Enterprise. I have seen magnificent things come out of file sharing sites like Thingaverse & 3D wharehouse simply due to others taking an idea and expanding on it in different venues than originally designed. thats the cool part of everybody seeing things differently. the whole world needs to work in their own fashion so we dont overlook something that can save us all, due to prejudices of others.

You say that now... up until the obsession kicks in... then "joy" turns to horror.  Weekend Warrior?  Armchair Quarterback?  Ain't got nothing on 3D Tweeker!