Contemplating getting a K1 or K1C in the nearish future as it looks to be the most cost-effective core-XY platform that allows open-source firmware. All I've found are compensated reviews so far so, figured I'd see if anyone on Lemmy has a less biased experience.
Any thoughts on these or suggestions for alternatives. Would like to move away from bed-slingers.
I've got a K1. Works great, use it all the time to print stuff. Only physical modification I've made to it was a printed dryer hose hookup that mounts to the back vent fan so I can pump fumes outside.
I rooted it to install Mainsail directly onto the printer's onboard computer and I use OrcaSlicer so you won't be stuck with the Creality slicer app if you don't like it.
I haven't done anything maintenance wise yet except keeping the rails and screws lubed.
Massive step up from my Ender 3 Pro. Only gripe I have is the filament run-out sensor sucks because it won't stop your print if the filament breaks in the Bowden tube (but there's a simple mod for the stock extruder to put a run-out sensor directly inside it to solve that problem).
If you can afford the cost/space and want to print big stuff, get the K1 Max instead.
I'm still on an Ender 3 non-pro (1.5?) with an SKR miniE and a hotend that I need to try to clean. No need on the big prints, personally. I've yet to come across anything that couldn't be divided into multiple parts, if needed but I've rarely needed.