Full Spectrum / Hurricane Lasers

[Walt Langhans]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with either Full Spectrum or Hurricane Lasers. They both look pretty similar and are priced pretty close so I was wondering about quality and customer support from them.

Thanks!

[Bob A Miller]

Walt

Some nice work you have there. I am new to lasers as well but have a family member with two lasers, an Epilog & a full spectrum. I have to say I would try Hurricane as John at least looks like he offers support & participates on the forums.

While Full Spectrum has picked up the phone they haven't done much for the family member with there unit & there problems. His FS has a retina board in it & it has caused them a lot of grief.

Myself, I have a Gwieke just finishing being built. All the best with your kick starter.

Bob

[Dean Barber]

check with legacy lasers also. They have been around a lot longer and have 2 year warrantys on their machines. Looks like most of things from Hurricane and FS charge as optional come standard or cheaper with legacy
There are a few other people on here that have them too.

[Walt Langhans]

Thanks for the 2 cents. I'll defiantly check out the legacy as well.

[Ross Moshinsky]

You should also look into importing directly from China. There is a very large cost savings from doing so. If you purchase with a credit card, it limits a lot of the risk involved as well.

[stefano panusa]

I started off really liking my FS hobby laser. The email and phone support was crucial for me to get it up and running (having no experience). However, they force expensive hardware upgrades when they release new software. After buying the machine, I've already had to upgrade the controller board once just to get new software features. Now they've come out with another hardware update, and a new hobby machine with a larger cutting area. And no discounts for upgrades either.

[Dennis Rech]

I started off really liking my FS hobby laser. The email and phone support was crucial for me to get it up and running (having no experience). However, they force expensive hardware upgrades when they release new software. After buying the machine, I've already had to upgrade the controller board once just to get new software features. Now they've come out with another hardware update, and a new hobby machine with a larger cutting area. And no discounts for upgrades either.

I have had my 40 watt Hobby Pro for almost two years and have not had any problems with it at all. It has made hundreds of items and has run well over 100 hours. Other than needing a serious realignment of the optics when I received it and a few 5 minute realignments afterwards, it has been trouble free, even the exhaust fan and air and water pumps have been trouble free. I have installed all the software updates and have not needed any hardware updates. This thing uses a for real print driver that just keeps getting better and better even though there was little wrong with the original software. I would have been satisfied using the original software. All the updates have been free and take all of 2 minutes to install.
I cannot quite see why anyone would expect free hardware updates. If I had a two year old computer, I wouldn't expect the manufacturer to provide free hardware updates just so I could use Windows 8.
The one aspect of the company that could sometimes use a major upgrade is in its "bedside manner." Sometimes one is greeted with cheerful professionalism and other times it's total douche bag.
One other thing that needs upgrading is the warranty. 60 days is pretty pathetic. Considering the $500 replacement price of a 3 square inch Retina Card, it should be one year on electronics.
It would give the company a lot more credibility.
Just my two cents,
Dennis

[Douglas J Miller]

I started off really liking my FS hobby laser. The email and phone support was crucial for me to get it up and running (having no experience). However, they force expensive hardware upgrades when they release new software. After buying the machine, I've already had to upgrade the controller board once just to get new software features. Now they've come out with another hardware update, and a new hobby machine with a larger cutting area. And no discounts for upgrades either.

I've had my Full Spectrum 40 watt hobby laser for a year and a half, and I love it. There is a chance that some of the older control cards will not work with the software updates, but it's worth it to upgrade the card, and it's a one time thing. The software/print driver was real good when I got the machine, and is moving into the fantastic range. I can go from a design idea in corel to cutting it out in literally minutes. I don't see how it could be made a simpler and still do everything that it does.
I consider the Full Spectrum a 'halfway' laser. It's somewhere in between an U.S. made laser and the Chinese ones. A lot of it comes from China, but it goes to Full Spectrum before it comes to you. They make their changes and additions, and then you buy it from them. It adds a bit of cost, but you get so much more it's well worth the extra. The print driver is where it really shines against a straight from China laser. You won't find it wanting for much.
My rap up: If you can't spend the big money for an American made laser, skip direct from China and go Full Spectrum. It's well worth what they put into it.

[Walt Langhans]

Thanks for all the info, as usual you guys have given me good stuff to consider. Anyone have anything to say about Hurricane?

[Donald Ethredge]

I have had my Hurricane Hugo for several months, I must admit really don't use it as much as I really need to been working on setting up a new showroom, but when I have it has worked like a charm. And when I have had issues or at least software related issues or configuration questions I have had no problem talking to someone at Hurricane. And since I have purchased mine they have increased the amount of information available on setup and settings to a point that I don't see there being and issues.

And I have even seen them respond to post helping out non customers, that is not something you see very much of these days.

[Earl Cox]

You might also check with Ray Scott, he sell Rabbit lasers.

[Mark Smith61]

If you're still following this thread, I recently picked up a Hurricane Ivan 60 watt laser. I did a lot of research before buying it and I looked at Epilog and quite a few others. Although I've only had it running for a few days, I'm very happy with it so far. The people at Hurricane went out of their way to work around my schedule. I went to Vegas to pick it up and receive training. I spent almost a full day with Larry and he showed me everything we could fit in during the day. I also attended the ARA Convention while there and went to some of their classes.

I do understand you can try an import a laser directly from China and maybe save some money, but for the extra money Hurricane does all that for you. They also get the machine and set it up and make sure everything works. The crated it back up for me and put it in the bed of my pickup. I got it back to the shop and it works great without any further adjustment. I'm a happy camper so far.

[Rich Harman]

I do understand you can try an import a laser directly from China and maybe save some money, but for the extra money Hurricane does all that for you.

Importing is not for everyone, but for those that go that route the savings are substantial (huge) and a good broker makes it a pleasant experience.

I paid about $7,000 (including shipping and customs etc.) for my 80W 1600 x 900 Shenhui machine (with spare tubes, power supplies, drivers, lens etc.). That is $10,000 less than the equivalent Hurricane 48x36 Laser (which is a smaller machine).

[Gary Whitehair]

Importing is not for everyone, but for those that go that route the savings are substantial (huge) and a good broker makes it a pleasant experience.

I paid about $7,000 (including shipping and customs etc.) for my 80W 1600 x 900 Shenhui machine (with spare tubes, power supplies, drivers, lens etc.). That is $10,000 less than the equivalent Hurricane 48x36 Laser (which is a smaller machine).

Can you provide the name and contact information for your Broker? Thank you for your help.

[Rich Harman]

Can you provide the name and contact information for your Broker? Thank you for your help.

Sure, check your private messages.