Better, cheaper than GECKO drive?

[cjchands]

Hi guys,
I am new with the microstepper drive and want to get one for testing mini cnc machine.
I have searched thru the web and found this
3 AXIS CNC STEPPER MOTOR DRIVE
* Two phases bipolar (PWM Technology)
* Resolution: Full step, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, selectable via dip switch for each axis you can obtain resolution until of 1600 steps per 360º revolution with a conventional motor of 200 steps, imagines the fine movement that you will have.
* 50 watts outpower per axis

Sold for $100.

I am hesitating as weather I should try it out since it is 3 axis drive or should I go with reputation name like GECKO.......
Any advice anyone?
Thanks
Jeff

[pastera]

You get what you pay for!
50 watts may sound like a lot but it could easily be pure hype - 50 volt max @ 1 amp = 50 watts.

Aaron

[joecnc2006]

Originally Posted by cjchands Hi guys, I am new with the microstepper drive and want to get one for testing mini cnc machine. I have searched thru the web and found this 3 AXIS CNC STEPPER MOTOR DRIVE * Two phases bipolar (PWM Technology) * Resolution: Full step, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, selectable via dip switch for each axis you can obtain resolution until of 1600 steps per 360º revolution with a conventional motor of 200 steps, imagines the fine movement that you will have. * 50 watts outpower per axis Sold for $100. I am hesitating as weather I should try it out since it is 3 axis drive or should I go with reputation name like GECKO....... Any advice anyone? Thanks Jeff

got a link then you can get a good opinion.

[cjchands]

I see this guy posted on e-bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Any comment, Joe?

[dertsap]

i checked out his video and if that is as fast as it can push those motors , i say its a definite waste of money ,3v motors running at 24v should be much faster , he may not be trying to hit top speed though im not sure why not, the motors don t sound very smooth either which may be due to kcam which he was using , its not the smoothest software , wasn t exactly a grand show , check out gecko and see if he still has his video available ,
youll see why the added price might be worth gettting geckos

[joecnc2006]

yes kcam is not the best software. Im sure he is not running motors full out, wish he ran it in mach3, but from the looks it seems to be a good entro board, i would imagine you may not want to feed more than 30v into it with the back EMF. I would inquire about the single stepper boards to use with a breakout board, that way it is modular.

but no way is it close to a gecko.

joe

[pminmo]

Kind of deceptive video, shows a 4A/phase nema 34 hooked up and running at no load. Sine the board max is 2.5A, significantly underpowering the motor to it's capability.

[cjchands]

Thanks guys for a lot of comment,
I ran into this other one where they sell even "CHEAPER" than the one I listed earlier.
http://www.hobbycnc.com/hcncpropkg.php
All packages seem cheap!!!
Has anyone used or heard about this products before...
I am narrowing down to few choice.
Thank you very much, appreciate it.

[dertsap]

there are a lot of posts here for hobbycnc ,they are definitly one of the favourites around here , lots of info if you do a search

[mark c]

The Hobby CNC unit is cheaper because it is a kit. You must solder the board yourself. That said, while it's not as good as a Gecko drive, it's still good value for the money. I have two of them, one on a mini-mill and one on a 7" X 14" lathe. they work great.
my next project (a larger mill) I am going with Geckos.
Hope this helps

[joecnc2006]

Originally Posted by cjchands Thanks guys for a lot of comment, I ran into this other one where they sell even "CHEAPER" than the one I listed earlier. http://www.hobbycnc.com/hcncpropkg.php All packages seem cheap!!! Has anyone used or heard about this products before... I am narrowing down to few choice. Thank you very much, appreciate it.

yes many have used it, I have two of them and they work well, His 200oz kit. I use it in my Model 2006, you can search threads started by me and see how it works.

[tq9516pjm]

I would not bother with the HobbyCNC. They do not have good tech support after you buy the product. If you are even half way serious - go with a gecko or something a little better than the HobbyCNC. I know some people have had ok luck with them, but i cannot recommend them.
...just my $0.02.