Hey txcowdog,
The Ink Express buying experience... Overall, the buying experience was more positive than negative. But it wasn't perfect. At this point, I am still glad that I bought it.
Before I bought mine, I did download the manual. According to the manual, it could do what I wanted and needed it to do. I was fairly sold.
I would advise you to try to find the manual for the model in which you are interested in the "downlord" section of their website. If there are any features you see that are essential to you, be sure to ask them BEFORE you buy if that feature is really supported.
In my case, the manual indicates that the engraver should work as a stand alone plotter. But, that feature isn't actually supported. So, I must use their software to design and to control the machine.
Payment was wierd. They accept wire transfer or xcoin. I decided on xcoin. So, I set up a separate bank account and deposited the exact amount that the machine would cost. Then I set up an xcoin account. But xcoin has limits on the amount you can transfer from an "unverified" account and it takes awhile to verify an account. (Verification required faxing proof of identity to a number in Canada which gets forwarded to xcoin's headquarters in China or HongKong - then waiting for them to decide whether to verify your account - which could take DAYS) It was faster to go back to the bank and make more accounts and set up the xcoin account to pull from multiple bank accounts.
Shortly after the money was sent, I got a receipt from Ink Express and it didn't take all that long (2 weeks +/-) to get to Los Angeles. But it ended up in customs for a couple more weeks.
I am not sure if mine got damaged in shipping or if the guys in customs were less than subtle in their searching, but the power supply was gutted and the styrofoam had been rather smashed and lots of pieces of foam were strewn thru the machine.
But the power supply was easily fixed and the foam vacuumed out.
When I went to run it for the first time, the laser head went to the homing position, but it didn't want to stop. You know the sound, like when a flatbed scanner wants to keep going...turns out that the limit switch is a proximity sensor, but the metal tab had bent. I readjusted the tab and turned it back on and it went home without a hitch.
Also, my water filter unit was faulty, but that is just a cheap aquarium pump. Got another for about $10. That wasn't made by them, so I can't really fault them too much (only a little)
Anyway, it has been working fine since then.
But I have had issue with their software, since the software that comes with my machine only supports pixel based graphics (bmp and jpg.) It does work. And it is easy. But, I was really looking forward to using it to cut out CAD files. Their "support" has been less than stellar, as in (and I am paraphrasing) "Yes, you are right. The option you want doesn't work"
Would I buy another from them? Well, it seems the price for the one I got may be cheaper at:
http://www.hxlaser.com/en/index.htm
Another to consider is:
http://www.chinaoptronics.com/engraver.htm
Knowing that support from overseas is limited, you might consider going the cheapest route.
It is hard for me to give a glowing recommendation, but for the money...it really is a fun toy. If you feel reasonably certain that the model you want really can do what you want and need it to do, then it could be a great tool and tremendous value.
If I can hack their software and make it "plot" CAD files, then I would say it was a great investment. For now, I wish their were more support and I wish they felt compelled to make their device perform like in the manual...
If I have any advice...
I would send email to all three and see who sends email back to you.
Ask some pointed and direct questions about functionality and see which company is best able to aswer your questions.
Most of all, I wish you luck.
For me, so far, no regrets. Sorting it out is the kind of challenge I like.
As always, caveat emptor