Should I make the move ?

[dc42]

I agree with @Phaedrux. Better prints: probably not, if your printer is a Cartesian one. Usability improvement: definitely.

Whether the Duet WiFi or Duet Ethernet is best for you depends on whether you have a strong 2.4GHz WiFi signal from your router where you will use the printer, and whether you have Ethernet cabling.

[xykevinr]

@phaedrux Thanks for the response. As i said in the op, i'll probably do it anyway. I hear stuff about better processing performance helping in the corners, but i think thats questionable.

[xykevinr]

@dc42 thanks. My printers are in the garage, Wifi very poor, luckily it has CAT6 to my router

[pro3d]

I can give som quick first impressions as I just moved myself

• Better prints: as they say probably not
• Usability: What are you looking to improve? It depends on how you run your system today

I have a CoreXY myself and this is what I used to run:

• MKS Gen 1.4 Controller
• DRV8825 drivers with1/32 stepping
• Raspberry Pi3 B with camera and Octoprint through WiFi
• Simpel Full Discount Reprap 122864 LCD Controller

What we have now:

• DuetWiFi 2 Controller
• Integrated TMC2660 drivers with 1/16 microstepping interpolateble to 256
• Integrated WiFi and Duet Web Controll
• No display

The most recognizable improvment:

• Silent and strong drivers
• Sensor-less homing using the drivers stallguard detection

Things to consider:

• Camera solution. I know the forum has some suggestions but it is kind of all over the place and I think you need RPI or a webcam
• Not being able to change drivers (not necessary)
• You can not fix or change components on the board if you dont do SMD soldering
• Do you have interests in customizing and configuring the system for every printer?
• Do you want to script your own functions and have time to customize the system?
• The Duet has 3.3 logic and not a 5V as what you are used to so it might cause some issues with probes and endstops

Summary: (from a new user myself - non nerd)
If you like to customize, hack and script and tweak and tune and make your printers jump/blend/toolchanging/multi-everything then the Duet is a sure thing

If you just want to print stuff and not change everything on the fly then probably not worth it

Personally I might still revert back to Marlin again as I am lost in the macro/config/tuning space and it is just to flexible for me and I just want to print and not use to much time tweaking the system - Neither do I have the time to find and read all the documentation

I will say I did everything wrong in my approach to converting as I did everything wrong and thought using the RepRap configurator online tool would make my sytem perfect

So take your time and go through the steps carefully and you will be happy

[RudydG]

I made the change, after many ramps / rumba. Could not be happier, everything is so much easier with the full wifi control, macros and on the fly changes.
I rebuild a Leapfrog Creator HS with this the wifi version (and the duex5 expansion), together with the height sensor, and it works very flexible and solid.
I am even thinking about "upgrading" my Ultimaker 2 mark2. (not my Ultimaker3, there is to much custom designed in that printer, even if i miss the filament detection there)

[pro3d]

@rudydg

I wonder what you need to update on the fly on a frequent basis? I can do most my necessary changes in Marlin from octoprint over the WiFi

Also how is the WiFi control any different from the Octoprint control? I dont see much but I am a Duet noob

[RudydG]

@pro3d said in Should I make the move ?:

@rudydg

I wonder what you need to update on the fly on a frequent basis? I can do most my necessary changes in Marlin from octoprint over the WiFi

Also how is the WiFi control any different from the Octoprint control? I dont see much but I am a Duet noob

I am developping a "new" printer, and then on the fly adjustment are very welcome.
Never used Octoprint control, went from native Ramps / Rumba to DuetWifi.

[JohnOCFII]

If you mentioned it, I missed it, but for CoreXY and Delta printers (as well as others with more "complex" movement logic) the Duet boards along with RRF are a good match for your printer. Marlin on the 8-bit arduino can really be taxed by the movements required by delta printers, for example. In that case, you could actually see print improvements.

[mortn]

Short answer: YES.

Long answer:
I originally bought a duet wifi to power a future hypercube evolution build but couldn´t wait and poped it onto my ANET A8.....and hooooly ****. Wifi and user interface works a trillion times better than on the old anet octopi + crappy wifi dongle, all the noise is gone with silky smooth movements and best of all, I don´t have to recompile the hole firmware everytime I want to adjust z-offset a few microns.

[Qdeathstar]

Stepper motors will be silent.

[xykevinr]

Thanks all, decision made (if it wasn't already).