Review on Enhanced Precision and Control: ANYCUBIC Photon Monochrome Printer Delivers Next-Level Printing Performance by Larry Daniels

I'm a 3D printer enthusiast with 2 FDM printers. I needed a printer that could print finer details. I decided to try Photon after seeing good reviews on YouTube and Revain. I have had AnyCubic Photon for 2 months now. I will share my experience: Pros1. You will receive amazing prints. I print with a thickness of 0.05 mm and am very satisfied with the print quality. It does a great job of capturing small details.2. Easy to use. The slicer software is basic but works well. So far the auto support feature is solid. I haven't had any failed prints due to poor support. The software runs stable on Windows 10. I downloaded the beta version to my Mac, but I haven't used it that much, so I can't comment on the stability. Leveling the bed is very quick and easy. I rarely had to repeat it.3. Solid mechanics. The build plate and resin tank are made of anodized aluminum. The Z-axis is a cross-threaded rod. So far I haven't encountered any Z.4 axis vibration. AnyCubic resin works well with the printer. I mention this because there are a number of third party resins out there. I have not used any third party resin and cannot offer a comparison. However, Anycubic resins have the recommended exposure/printer settings on the bottle. I have had good printer performance with these settings.5. There is a growing user community. Facebook, Reddit, and GitHub host a number of users sharing their successes and experiences with the printer. This is very useful for both new and experienced users. Cons/Warnings1. My printer came with a defective power supply. AnyCubic support was very responsive. After some troubleshooting they sent me a new power supply and a new UV LED array (just in case it was defective too). The firmware is faulty. The error messages are cryptic, USB support isn't working, and I ran into a random printer issue where the Z-axis and internal fans stopped working. This issue was addressed by a firmware update provided on GitHub page and AnyCubic.3 support. The printer uses 2 consumables besides UV resin: (1) FEP film and (2) 2K LCD screen. FEP film is strong, but you must be careful not to puncture or scratch it. AnyCubic comes with extra FEP film, but this is a consumable item that will eventually need to be replaced. The 2K LED screen is also considered a consumable. The screen repeatedly projects high-intensity UV images during the printing process. It will eventually lose pixels, go dark, etc. Remember, that's to be expected with this technology. I don't know how long the LCD will last. It would be great to get a watch review from AnyCubic.4. AnyCubic Support is based in China and operates in a different time zone. Therefore, the processing time for email replies can be 12-24 hours. They are very responsive, just not immediately due to the time zone difference. My conclusion: The Photon is a good entry-level UV printer that delivers amazing print quality. I was very impressed with its printing capabilities. I can't overestimate the print quality it produces! However, my printer had minor hardware issues. AnyCubic support was very helpful in troubleshooting. However, I think this printer is great for those who agree that low cost has its drawbacks. Anyone expecting flawless hardware that runs smoothly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week will be disappointed. As with most 3D printing technologies, you must be prepared to understand the hardware, software, and the basics of working with the hardware. For example, when I was troubleshooting a power issue, AnyCubic asked me to check the voltage at various points INSIDE the printer. I know how to do it and I'm comfortable with it. I learned a lot about the printer, especially the main electrical components and their parts in the overall system. Cheap hardware has a higher chance of problems. dive in! Just dive into awareness. I would recommend this printer to most people. I would also recommend that those who buy it are willing to fix its shortcomings, participate in the AnyCubic Photon communities, collaborate with AnyCubic technical support when needed, and enjoy the results. I am attaching studio scale photos of the Star Wars Y-wing that I am building. All green parts are from Photon. 10 stars for print quality (if I could). 4/5 stars generally agree there are minor issues that need to be addressed.