Trotec vs Universal

[James Pena]

As a general purpose laser, which would you buy?

Trotec Speedy 360 (32"x20" bed, 11" height, sonar focus, 80 watt) = $26,550
Universal VLS 6.60 32"x18", 8" height, 60 watt) = $19,100

Almost a $7500 difference...

Most other features are similar (I think) unless any readers know of something specific. Thanks!

[Gary Hair]

I would recommend you look at all of the other (brand) vs (brand) threads and come up with your own conclusion.

[Tony Lenkic]

VLS laser line is entry line of ULS lasers. Get the price of PLS line and ask for 80 watts tube (75 watt may be max in this category).

[Keith Downing]

James it appears you started the EXACT SAME thread earlier this year?

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?243589-Trotec-Speedy-360-vs-Universal-VLS6-60

[Bill George]

How can the post counts for both his posts only be 3? Seems like he makes one post and then leaves.

[Ross Moshinsky]

James it appears you started the EXACT SAME thread earlier this year?

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?243589-Trotec-Speedy-360-vs-Universal-VLS6-60

Good catch. My opinion in that thread remains the same.

[Kev Williams]

Market research...

[Keith Winter]

That is a smoking price on the VLS ! Ive never had them price on that low. Where did you get that quote, which show?

[Mike Null]

I don't think that is a hot price on the uls but it doesn't matter. You are not comparing apples to apples. You need to do some homework.

[James Pena]

That is a smoking price on the VLS ! Ive never had them price on that low. Where did you get that quote, which show?

That was a 25% discount off of the list price at the sign show in Orlando. I had to put a hold on it for several months, but they now updated the quote to 19,995 which makes the gap between that and the Trotec a little smaller.. It seems that the general consensus is that the Trotec is a much higher quality machine. I am willing to pay a few extra grand for that quality if that is the opinion of other users like those in this forum.

[James Pena]

Yes, I did post in here back when we originally saw the units at the Orlando sign show, when I posted here I forgot that it was this forum group that I had posted to. We had to postpone the purchase and are now going back to make a final selection. Hopefully once we get the machine and get working with it I will be more active on the forum. It seems like most people in the forum here are partial to Trotecs and I got the general feel that they were built better when seeing both of them at the show.

[Ross Moshinsky]

Yes, I did post in here back when we originally saw the units at the Orlando sign show, when I posted here I forgot that it was this forum group that I had posted to. We had to postpone the purchase and are now going back to make a final selection. Hopefully once we get the machine and get working with it I will be more active on the forum. It seems like most people in the forum here are partial to Trotecs and I got the general feel that they were built better when seeing both of them at the show.

ULS doesn't come with air assist at that price point. That's ~$2000. So now you're $22k vs $26.5. So you have to figure if 20W, faster speed, and lower operating cost is worth $4.5k. No one can make that decision for you but you.

I bought the exact laser you're looking at used 18 months ago. It's fine but I don't value it at $20k. I think the drive system especially is way under engineered. Rubber rollers on anodized aluminum rails with almost toy quality belts is more of an issue than I imagined.