xTool P2S

Prior to purchasing this laser cutter, i had used both a Diode laser, as well as a Xtool F1 galvo laser, and this has to be far and above the easiest, most reliable laser i've experienced to date. Setup: The setup was extremely simple with very clear instructions, i was up and using it within 30 minutes. Software: I've used both Lightburn as well as Xtool Creative Suite, and while Lightburn has more flexibility typically, XCS is extremely easy to use and beginner-friendly. I believe the P2S loses some functionality if you use lightburn, notably the use of a rotary, but i rarely need to start up lightburn, except for the occasion where i need to vector trace a bitmap (come on Xtool! Get this added to your software!). One thing i appreciate is the built in ability to do a laser test grid similar to Lightburn for your material, you can even do it for a custom shape which is a nice touch. Functionality: The speed of this laser is probably one of the better you're going to get in this price range. I believe the OneLaser is the new sexy up and comer, which i would probably say is the android of the laser world, whereas xtool is the iPhone. The OneLaser is likely a bit better value for the money if you are a heavy user, but if you just want to set it and forget it, the P2S can't be beat, especially with the addon of the SafetyPro AP2 smoke purifier, which also just works out of the box with the laser. I was able to load up files and start cutting right away. And have been doing so for a few months almost daily. One thing i appreciate a lot about this laser is the working area, which is 12 inches by 24 inches roughly, which is on the larger size of the other devices in this class. Maintenance: This is where i'm quite impressed with the hardware, all the mirrors are magnetically attached and easy to clean. Although the first mirror does require the back panel removed to access which is like 11 screws. This is the same area you fill the water reservoir for the cooling system. The lens is very easy to access and clean, with 2 screws, and one retaining gasket to access, although i kinked the air assist hose the first time i cleaned it, and triggered an error. After unkinking the air hose it worked normally again. Accessing the rear fan for cleaning is extremely easy, and i appreciate that you can remove the fan from it's housing to clean further. Calibrating the laser dot is simple as well, and the software walks you through it. Final Impressions: I love this laser. The price you pay is a bit of a premium for the brand and Xtool ecosystem, but for someone just looking to unbox and start using, i find it worth the cost. If you're an experienced user, you might want to look into OneLaser, or if you have a bit more to spend, a Thunder Bolt laser. For me, i have no doubt this will be a great workhorse for years to come.

A huge upgrade from my Glowforge Pro. It's demonstrably better in every way. * XCS software is excellent and consistently improving. I find little need for Inkspace now. Far superior to the web-based Glowforge experience (and I have a Premium subscription). * Rotary and conveyor accessories add significant versatility (and were not available on my Glowforge). * 12" x 24" working space (actually 305mm x 600mm). Can handle 3m long material with the conveyor but requires additional expansion kits. I find myself using the conveyor a lot more than I initially thought because it gives you much more layout flexibility. * AP2 is fantastic. Automatically controlled by the P2S and there is no odor even when cutting acrylic. * Fire suppression system adds a lot of peace of mind. This was very easy to set up. xTool got the plug-and-play experience right with this accessory. * 3D mapping is pretty close to magic. * The material test array function has saved me tons of time figuring out the score, engrave, and cut settings for new material. Especially important as I virtually never use xTool materials. (The xTool material settings do give you a great starting point, though, assuming there is one). The lack of this function was one of my top 3 issues with the Glowforge experience. * The camera alignment using the close-up view is perfect. I drew a pencil line across multiple parts, aligned it using the cameras, and it literally cut right down the middle of the pencil line. Blew me away! * No calibration was needed out of the box - the gantry was square and the laser mirrors were all properly aligned. A few nits: * You must remove the back section of the lid to add the water and antifreeze (COs laser coolant). Given this is a mandatory first step it should be easier to remove. I had visions of damaging my laser before I even had a chance to use it! Thankfully that did not happen. * The slats make it look more like a commercial machine, but the honeycomb grill is much more practical for small projects. It should be the default. * The accessories require you to take things apart and reassemble them. As an engineer, I don't mind, but I see how some could be put off by this. The rotary attachment is the most egregious in this respect. * Inkscape still does a better job than XCS at tracing raster images. However, that's about all I use Inkscape for now, whereas it used to be my primary SVG creation and editing tool. * Using the gantry does allow smoke and fumes to escape capture by the AP2. This is potentially significant. I set the fan to 100% when using the gantry but that just makes the emissions issue a little bit better. Overall I am very happy with the P2S as well as the AP2, RA2, conveyor, and the fire suppression system. I've used it daily since receiving it with no bad experiences. I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs a CO2 laser of this this type.