3D Printer for less than $400

From the last FAQ at the bottom of the page:

Can I print without using the Pirate Cloud? I would like to make prints offline...

Yes you may. We have a backup WiFi printing mode similar to Octoprint which can be used in the event that zombies attack and all servers are destroyed.

That sounds to me like it can indeed be used offline.

I've found that the more over-funded a Kickstarter project is, the higher the probability that delivery of perks and products will be delayed or have problems.

In my experience over the past two years, I've seen a number of projects that I funded where the project creators got bogged down after deciding to add features not originally specified at the time of funding, or continually "tweak" features that then result in delay after delay.

Looking through my backing history, some examples: - Honey Badger BBQ sauce: first run had bacterial problems. Had to send out new batch months later.

- Electricity | The Life Story of NIKOLA TESLA: "Oh, that perk you chose, is out of production, if you want something equivalent to it you'll have to send even more money". Nope.

- L8 SmartLight The SoundLess Speaker: "Ooops, we forgot about CE/FCC certification..."

- NeuroDreamer sleep mask: "Oops, battery problem." Funded July '12, finally shipping June '13?

- Ouya: ETA was March '13, now it's 3 months later and I finally have a tracking number.. we'll see.

- HexBright - funded July '11, delivered Feb. '13.

- IronBuds earbuds: Funded Aug. '11, sent "freebie" 3-piece earbuds Sep. '12, still haven't sent the 6-piece IronBuds originally advertised as rewards.

The projects that I've seen with the quickest "fulfillment" and so forth? Custom sets of playing cards.

    Does the market need a cheaper printer, or a better one?

These are not mutually exclusive; and I'd go so far as to argue that they are necessarily linked. You will not get better printers (within reasonable price reach) without the market growing to increase scales of production, and you won't get that without bringing in more consumers -- which is precisely what the race for cheaper printers does.

This is not the better printer you are looking for, but it is helping to bring about that possibility.

And, minor nitpick:

    All the printers had ugly, clunky software

A huge section of this kickstarter is devoted to showing off their user-friendly software.

It indeed can be, thanks.

Having to use a backup mode to print something without sending the file to the printer mfg. seems like needing to run a car in a backup mode to drive it without sending your location to the mfg.

I understand a few reasons for wanting to do this, but I don't think it likely to benefit the user.

That's great stuff.

I've always wondered about variation in 'dot' and 'line' resolutions on extrusion-based set-ups, particularly relating to head movement (speed) & environmental conditions.

I've only had experience running (and servicing) an Objet Connex system that uses printing heads & UV curable resin. It used a stainless steel bar w/ a separate motor & cleaning system to 'flatten' each layer w/ each pass of the print head. I've always wondered if there were any FDA equivalents... I guess there is always the option to intentionally 'smear'.

The DIY 3D printing world is totally a trial-and-error art in my mind, as much of making seems to be. I can't imagine the hours that have been spent on fine tuning extrusion settings to produce good prints. I've always been spoiled by prepped systems, but even that lets me appreciate all the aspects that can go wrong.