Has anyone used ExpressPCB?

[damae]

I've seen the ads for ExpressPCB for a while now, and wondering how good they are -- board quality and service. The prices seem too good to be true, for a hobbiest -- $51 for 3 double-sided boards, although without a soldermask or silkscreen.

Has anyone used them? What was your experience?

[pminmo]

You have to use their software, which I can't say is a PLUS.

[NC Cams]

I started out knowing NOTHING about laying out a PCB.

Got the ExpressPCB software as a lark and started from ground zero.

Once I learned how to do the layouts and some idiosyncracies of the software, I laid out my first "mini-board" via the "looks good to me" method. I then read the directions.....

Worked like a champ when I started using the "if I were an electron, would I want to travel that path..." method.

Their service was FAST and as promised (2-3 days).

I then progressed to their ExpressSchematic. More idiosyncracies learned, dealt with but success followed shortly thereafter. Sure beats the heck out of pencil and paper...

Their software was EASIER to learn and FAR CHEAPER and much more SUCCESSFUL to use than a schematic/pcb program I bought several years back that was long since tossed (and it was pricey too).

The price to value ratio is hard, no, impossible to beat...

It is NOT a substitute for professional, high end software but a GODSEND for the hobbyist/small run project/prototypist....

I recommend it HIGHLY.

[damae]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm squarely in the "novice" category for PCB layout, so ExpressPCB appeals to me if they deliver on their promises. I've done the FeCl etch thing many years ago and it was fun, but it's messy and a hassle. Cutting copper clad on a mill works, but without plated vias. Express PCB seems like a nice shortcut.

I have an idea for a product that I may do the PCB design for. If I end up using ExpressPCB, I'll post here about how it turns out.

[pminmo]

Eagle at www.cadsoftusa.com if your going to invest your time is a much more sophisticated package. It includes an autorouter and some pretty extensive libraries and design rule checks.

[damae]

Not bad -- $49 for layout software including autoroute! 2 layers will be ok for my application, and at least for the first round, 100mm x 80mm will be good enough.

How good is the autoroute feature anyway?

[pminmo]

Pretty darn good. I started with the free version, did everything I wanted to do. Then I started to see a few pcb's so I registered per their agreement. The free version and the entry paid version are the same. If yor just using it for hobby purposes, just download the free one. If it turns into more, then register and buy it. After using it for several years now, I must say it is a very capable piece of software. The only short coming is the documentation, although after a while it makes more sense. I am consistently learning new features and going wow....

[HillBilly]

Here is a breakout board I had Express make. I went ahead and had silkscreen and solder mask to give that pro look. Delivery was exactly as described.

Darek

[bkukowski]

I use cadsoft eagle as well (the freeware version) and have often made my own pcb's. (toner transfer)

[compton]

Stay Away!!! PROGRAM BUGGY!!! Had to use 4pcb.com. Lost my entire layout and design.

Found them on our preferred vendor list, and have since removed them from it.

You'll see there is nothing wrong with the scoring of the product.

But if you have any real questions or serious issues on the details of the program or confirmation about the physical aspects of the board stay away from these guys.

Wanted simple confirmation that the quoted min "height" of the board wasn't referring to the board thickness, it took 5 emails.

The program has a real issue with file sizes, you'll get a Run time Error 6 Overflow message or "out of stack space" on larger layouts.

Lost an entire design because of it.

Jessica the user support is pretty much useless if you have a problem.

No phone number to help work around the program bugs. No offer to check file integrity to help save the layout, management's response disingenuous. After informing them of the experience they simply asked if they could help with any other issues. Probably was Jessica or someone of the same mentality.

Bottom line simple program, horrible experience. God help you if you run into their programing bugs.

[The Blight]

This topic was 5 years old! Did you just do a search, so that you could come here and complain?!

[compton]

No not to " just" complain but to hopefully divert anyone doing a search about the product away from it so they can avoid the horrendous experience I just had with them.
Threads are for sharing knowledge and experiences which is what I have done.