I’ve Spent Some Time With Elegoo’s New 3D Printer and It’s Pretty Great for $300
Just a few years ago, 3D printing changed a lot. Kickstarter has emerged a new brand that redefines the possibilities of the consumer market by introducing closed 3D printers that offer high-quality models at unprecedented speeds. Since then, every company has tried to react to the change, but it took a while. Now, though, the company is starting to release Corexy machines to compete with Bambu Lab Behemoth.
Centauri is directed to beginners to the mid-range market P1 and P1P From the Bambu Laboratory, which is currently occupied. Being a direct competitor to P1 – one of my first choices 3D printer – Lower price, surprisingly, few concessions. I’ve spent some time and currently tagged at $399, which I guess is something worth a look.
Bambu Lab P1 and Elegoo Centauri Carbon Comparison Chart
Not clear
| BAMBU Laboratory P1P | Centauri Carbon | |
| Construct volume | 256 x 256 x 256mm | 256 x 256 x 256mm |
| Printer size | 389 389 458mm | 398 x 404 x 490mm |
| Hot end | All metal | All metal |
| Nozzle diameter | 0.4mm (optional 0.2, 0.6, 0.8) stainless steel | 0.4mm (optional 0.2, 0.6, 0.8) hardened steel |
| Maximum speed | 500mm/s | 500mm/s |
| Supported materials | PLA, SO, PETG, PVA, TPU | PLA, SO, PETG, PVA, TPU |
| Thin filament jumps out of the sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Color system | Optional extra | No |
| Storage | Micro SD card, 4GB internal | Front facing USB thumb drive |
| Slicer | Bambu Studio (compatible with other slicers) | eleyo |
The first thing I noticed when I took out the Centauri was the glass door and the lid. Elegoo can easily save a few dollars there and make them out of plastic. Very good, but the weight of the glass and the acoustic suppression generated are welcome upgrades. This spirit is also common throughout the Centaur. It doesn’t feel cheap. It feels good, designed as the main force, not the machine that was thrown away a year later.
When you compare P1 and Centauri directly, you will see that the specifications are similar in speed, build areas and general accessories. Centauri even outperforms the P1 in certain areas, such as its user-friendly LCD display. Its internal layout, including filamentous garbage chutes, hints at a future multicolor system similar to the AMS. If this happens, I want it to remain compatible with this model – it would be a tough sell to buy a brand new printer to access the color system.
Centauri Carbon performs excellently when it comes to the overall quality of the print. The CNET test prints I used to test through all printer tests performed in my workshop showed few defects, although there were some string lines on the print, which indicated it was a little too hot and the tolerance test of 0.2mm was stuck tightly. Most of the problems can be solved in software, so it is not too big.
I used Centauri to print a ton of funny little elastic dinosaurs and irritable toys for my daughter’s first grade class. No matter how much material I printed or what material I used, each material looked great. All children like them, and that’s the most important thing. I tested the hardened nozzles with PLA, PETG, TPU and even dark filaments, and Centauri all printed them smoothly.
I loved the time I used with Centauri Carbon and once I finished the full test, I felt like this would be a strong contender for one of my best lists. Now, booking is available on the Elegoo website $300 (£300). If you are looking for a first time printer, this is a great option.
