Reviews You Can Rely On

XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 Pro Review

This printer seems too unreliable to be a good purchase
gearlab tested logo
XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 Pro Review (The XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 Pro)
The XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 Pro
Credit: XYZ Printing
Price:  $700 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   XYZ Printing
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 14, 2017
47
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Print Quality - 40% 3.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 7.0
  • Print Capabilities - 20% 4.0
  • Support - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 Pro Is No Longer Available as of Early 2020
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to use if it's not broken
REASONS TO AVOID
Kept breaking
Rafts were fused
Software was subpar
The da Vinci 1.0 Pro is a subpar machine that appears to be very flimsily constructed, with this model being cut from the review after breaking and needing to be exchanged for a new model three times. We got a few prints out of it and evaluated them but we would strongly caution against selecting this model.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Either arriving damaged due to shipping, with loose parts rattling around on the inside, or falling apart after only a few prints, this model didn't strike us as the most reliable or durable. After going through three different units, we essentially gave up on this printer, rather than get a fourth.

Performance Comparison


We bought the best of the best 3D printers currently available and conducted a thorough series of side-by-side tests to find the winners. The XYZ wasn't one of them.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the only prints we got out of this model before it broke. this was...
The only prints we got out of this model before it broke. This was the third unit we received, as the first two arrived broken.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Print Quality


This printer earned a subpar 3 out of 10 in this test, primarily due to the fact that we only got a few prints out of it before breaking. This model also had the odd quirk of the rafts being impossible to remove.

The 3D Benchy in ABS seemed alright on the left side but showed plenty of imperfections and faults on the ride side.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - this wasn't benchy's good side.
This wasn't Benchy's good side.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The bridging test was acceptable, while the Eiffel Tower failed to print.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the bridging was actually pretty good on the xyz.
The bridging was actually pretty good on the XYZ.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The articulated elephant was awful but the nickel test was average — though slightly oversized. The overhang test actually was quite alright, on part with the QIDI and the Monoprice

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the overhang test wasn't half bad either.
The overhang test wasn't half bad either.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Both the platform jack didn't print and hollow cube wasn't great.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the undersides were a little rough but definitely not the worst that...
The undersides were a little rough but definitely not the worst that we had seen.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Every other print in the test failed or the printer broke before we could finish, except for the threaded lid.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the printer broke before we could make the corresponding container.
The printer broke before we could make the corresponding container.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


This printer actually scored above average in the Ease of Use metric, earning a 7 out of 10. Ease of Use accounted for 30% of the total score. This model should be relatively easy to unbox — with hardly assembly required — if it arrives intact.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - even with extensive padding, the xyz kept arriving broken and had to...
Even with extensive padding, the XYZ kept arriving broken and had to be returned.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This model only works with proprietary software, XYZware Pro. We weren't a fan of it, finding it unintuitive and clunky.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - we did not like this software at all.
We did not like this software at all.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This model either needs to be connected to a computer or configured as a network printer. We found the WiFi somewhat unreliable. This model does have a reasonable display on the printer, showing current progress. The saving grace for this printer in this metric was how easy it was to swap filaments and level the bed. This model uses filament cartridges, so it semi-automatically swaps the filament for you. The bed is also leveled semi-automatically, with the printer probing and then instructing you what knobs to turn.

xyz printing da vinci 1.0 pro - the items included with the xyz.
The items included with the XYZ.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Print Capabilities


The da Vinci 1.0 scored poorly in this metric — which made up 20% of the total score — earning a subpar 4 out of 10. This model's slicer seemed to be prone to issues, having to repair almost any model loaded into it — even models that loaded flawlessly in every other slicer. However, it is compatible with Simplify3D. This model has a reasonable build volume, measuring in at 198 x 198 x 198mm but the print surface was terrible — akin to masking tape. This model appears to be compatible with XYZ filament only, meaning it has limited filament compatibility — regardless of the cooling options and temperature range of the nozzle and bed.

Support


The fourth and final group of tests under the Support metric made up the remaining 10% of the score. These consisted of evaluating the level of documentation, the ease at contacting the manufacturer, and the helpfulness of the response. The XYZ team scored above average, earning a 6 out of 10.

The website had a few videos that may be helpful. The support page has many methods to contact the manufacturer but it feels like you have to jump through several hoops to actually contact XYZ. They were pretty helpful when we actually contacted them through the phone number about a missing piece and sent us one, though it did take several weeks and appeared to be the incorrect part. This model did have a 12-month warranty if purchased from the manufacturer, or a 90-day warranty if purchased from an authorized distributor. However, we used Amazon for all our returns.

Value


This printer is a terrible value, as it was expensive and didn't work.

Conclusion


While this model did have some merits, we can't in good faith recommend it, due to its overwhelming reliability issues, shown by the number of times we had to return it.

David Wise and Austin Palmer