Affordable Mastercam

[cncbcncb]

Is there a way to get Mastercam at a decent price? I talked to a reseller yesterday and he told me it starts at $5950. That is very steep for me. I'm wondering if you all here have any ideas as to how to obtain a student version, used version (doesn't need to be the newest, X2 is fine), or any other solution that would make the price a little easier to swallow.

Thanks

[Superman]

I understand your frustration, it is not cheap

The price you have been quoted is more than likely for a "Design" seat
ie you can create 3D wireframe and surfaces
No solids
No toolpaths
No posts

To get a full system so you can do solids and 5-axis work can be 6X to 8X that quote

See you local reseller about demo version ( no save - but can open existing files for learning )

Hot crack copy - don't get your fingers burnt

As for a used version say V9 or X, $$$ will still be higher that what you want to pay, as for X2, it is still a current version unlike V8 and V9. but they are all still used, a Hasp alone is $1000's ( new or used )

[Derek Goodwin]

There is a student version available,if you want to learn Mastercam, but it is not set up to actually use Mastercam in an industrial environment (it will not post process code) If you are enrolled in a community college you can use the student version to write programs and post them in the college to run parts on their machines.

Mastercam Training Online

[cadcam]

The price you have been quoted is more than likely for a "Design" seat

this was not for Design but a price for Level 1

(To get a full system so you can do solids and 5-axis work can be 6X to 8X that quote) Sorry not true .

Hot crack copy - don't get your fingers burnt

So true could cost you more in the long run.

as for X2, it is still a current version

Sorry again X3 MU1 is the current . you can not buy X2, as for sun setting the V8 and V9. V8 will be this year when X4 is released and V9 will sun set when X5 is released.

(a Hasp alone is $1000's ( new or used ) Not sure were this came from.

Sorry superman but had correct the thoughts here.
Do you use Mastercam? Just wondering.

[Mike Mattera]

Sorry Superman, wrong on almost every count.

Where do you get your information?

Mike Mattera

[Superman]

Mike,Cadcam
X2 MR2 is current for most business' , X3 MU1 is on sale for new purchase
ot for those who wish to upgrade from X2 ( sorry, we are staying with the current X2 until MCam realise that the maintenance is killing the smaller shops trying to keep up, as this is the first step of cutting costs )

WE have X3 Design,
X2 SP2 MR2 Mill Level 3, Lathe Level 1
Wire Level 2, Solids, FiveAxis

OK, how much for 1 seat of MCam X2 to suit above + Hasp + 5-axis post+ multi-turn post + translators + maintenance ( in AUS$ )

AUS$35K and counting ( sorry forgot to convert to US$ )( you can probably knock 30% off my prices )

I remember seeing many 000's on the Hasp line quote and could not be more specific ( it was being put forward as info for the thread starter as he wanted small $$ as he stated

I talked to a reseller yesterday and he told me it starts at $5950.

No mention of posts, nothing else, so I assumed Design

I think I was conservative on prices. and I thought Design is/was level 1 for V9, as from the thread X2 and X3 costs semed to be a little daunting for him

As for the remark about the "hot crack copy", he would be aware of their existence, as I am. But the choice to go down that track is his alone...as with the consequences... ( this we agree upon )

and by the way - started at MCam V5.5 then jumped to 8
So I don't think I was far off the mark with my comments (apart from currency convertion - sorry about that 99- missed it by that much ).

[Mike Mattera]

"Current" means: The latest release available to someone who buys it today. The current release is X3.

" and by the way - started at MCam V5.5 then jumped to 8
So I don't think I was far off the mark with my comments"

I started with V2. Trust me you were way off the mark with almost all of your comments. Putting a price on the Hasp is way off because you cant by a Hasp. They sell software not hasps. The Hasp is just the protection device.

It's the same as going to you car dealer and saying "that's a nice Cadillac. I don't want to buy the car, I just want to buy the keys"

Mike Mattera

[cadcam]

Superman we are not here to slam you just make sure that the wrong info is not given out.
Me an mike both have been dealers for many years and we see this from that side.

I know that the pricing can be a little different in AU compared to the states.

But the rules of the software is the same for dealers every were.

Well mike I see we both have over 20 years with MC even know you dabbled for a little on the other side. I did to years back with Surfcam they wanted me for training years back.

[.xXACEXx.]

i too wish i had a way to get mastercam version 6 or 9 for $500.00,as its what i use at work its pretty easy to use

a while back i asked someone if there was a way to get an old version for use on a home built router, didnt need any support .or any upgrades AT ALL just the running soft ware, out of the box,

i dont design software (i run parts) so perhaps im a lil bit biased,as i have a job ,that i would like to be able to leave, and work for my self.

bear with me for a moment....

if i could buy this "old" version software knowing full well that i will get no support AT ALL ,for cheap ($500.00 just a random price) and use it as delivered from say a software reseller, that seems to make good sense all the way around..

#1, mastercam gets to sell old stuff and be COMPLETELY free of support duties

#2. mastercam makes money selling old copies in the first place (not discarding old versions that SOMEONE ,SOMEWHERE could use)

#3.the reseller can make a few bucks when he resells, lets say he buys it for $250.00 sell it for $500.00 % ,good profit there

#4.the new OWNER of the software (his to keep and use as long as they wish ,with no support) is a happy camper ,he has great software at a great price

#5. lets say a guy has a homebuilt router.and wants good software.he would be willing to pay $500.00 for and old version (no support) and use it to test out his machine..if he then later says "heck with this, i dont wanna mess with this any longer" hes not out alot of money ,if he likes what he sees then he can go buy a newer supported version .(a hasp or other device would have to be used to keep people honest at that point)

#6. and a good point in my mind any way ( ) is , if i go out and buy an old used car for cheap..i HAVE to expect it is not the best in the world and take it at face value, if it has a busted piston but still gets me where im goin ..and it was all i could afford that will have to do i wouldnt expect chevy to offer me a new piston just because mine was bad

#7. also does chevy run out at the end of the year and melt down all of their "end of year cars" because there is something "new" out that every one is forced to upgrade to to get "parts"?

i truly belive mastercam to be one of the best machining software's out there ,but however i will Never ,EVER have a copy of it because of the $100,000.00 price tag (ok over exaggerated a lil bit) i could possibly buy an old version for $500.00 ,and if business "picks up" buy a later version to help me make money faster

from mastercams standpoint "why sell $250.00 soft ware? its more trouble than its worth , especially if we can sell it for $100,00.00 ,we would need to sell a whole lot of cheap stuff to even pay for one new version"



all of this is sorta whimsical but has some valid points (there are other options out there for ALOT less money to test a machine) ,but the truth is in the end its all about money ,or (depending on who you are) lack of money

this is meant to be an opinion ,one i think alot of guys share "i have this new machine i would like to use mastercam i have heard alot of good things about it ,but the PRICE is so high"

mastercam sells a product to make money (even tho you dont actually own it) you use their product to make money for yourself and thereby justifies the price paid, if your in it for the long haul ,if not you have to look else where

gosh that was a long post , agree or disagree ?,that pretty much sums it up ??

[Mike Mattera]

If a guy pays $5000 or $500, he expects support. He'll need posts. Will he want to pay $200 for a post after spending $500 for the software. I don't think so. Then when he doesn't get what he thinks he deserves, he'll bad mouth the dealer and swear to "never buy Mastercam again because they don't support their customers".

I understand where your coming from. In the long run it seems to make sense to have more people using Mastercam. But you have to remember the reason they improve the software is because there were things that may not have been working 100% .

Here's the reality. People buy Mastercam because it the best all round CadCam system for the money. If you really want the best you can get started for as little as $3850 US$ for the Entry Level package (incl 1yr maintenance). It's upgradable. So when you want to get Level 1, you pay $1500 more. If you have a machine and Mastercam. It would be hard not to make money with it. @ $3850 that's less than $75/week. Can you make $75/week with your hobby machine? Then call your Mastercam dealer today and get the latest and greatest "Real" stuff.

Mike Mattera

[tobyaxis]

Mike I have to say that when you put it that way It is a better idea to go with the latest and greatest.

Explains why I upgraded my Alibre Maintenance for another 14 months.

You wind up spending Less while getting support as well.

Maybe this year.