u/daveintexarkana

So my U1 will arrive in a few days. Surprisingly, all the reading I've done so far doesn't answer these questions.

Setting the Z off-set. I understand the bed mesh (auto bed leveling) works, but the actual Z off-set is a stored value and you have to adjust (do a test print) and 'save config' for each type of build plate you use. Is that correct? Disappointing if so, my Prusa Mk4, 2 years old does it auto, so do my QIDI Q1 Pro and Q2 and the first uses an external load sensor while the Prusa and Q2 run the sensor through the nozzle.

I couldn't find any reference to how it's actually done (like the X-Max 3 I have uses a 'thickness' card to get you very close). If not auto I worry adding like the BIQU will result in grooves in the plate during setting the value (ask me how I know 😄 ).

Build plate size. I'm looking for some non-OEM plates like BIQU and others. On their website Snapmaker shows the build volume (270 cubed) but not the actual plate size. I get conflicting info from AI. On one hand they say 276x293mm is good (many sellers advertise this one) and others 301 to 304 on the depth. Some reading says there's 'wipe surfaces' not included in dimensions and the 301-304 are more correct providing for that surface at the back.

Any help on these is much appreciated - thank you in advance!

<update>

I must post an update. Tonight (morning there) the same QIDI support person contacted me back with both instructions on adjusting focus on the old OEM camera (you take it apart and the lens screws in and out the video shows - had no clue any of these tiny cameras did that). They also said they will send me a new replacement camera. Now I have to continue to say, that even if it takes some time and re-thinking, QIDI support has been the best I've ever dealt with. For me that's comparing with Prusa and FLSun - not including the 2 SLA companies for which FormLabs is at the top fo that list. I want to be fair - I was nice and explained why I was disappointed, and then they reacted positively tonight. How many vendors will actually do that, especially in this industry? For me, Prusa continued to ignore me and not provide the needed replacement, even after support admitted I probably had a faulty unit (in the first year of owning it). Finally the new camera I bought as a replacement completely died today. I had not communicated that to QIDI.

<original post>

I have several QIDI printers, however this is about my Q1 Pro, which is over a year old and no longer under warranty. The original camera view became blurry, and cleaning the lens, etc. would not fix it. I could see a model printing, but really not enough detail to be useful unless it was very large and perhaps broke loose from the plate.

I purchased a replacement camera in June (2026), installed it after a while and successfully used it for about a month. Now if the printer sits all night, it will start up (can see in Fluidd or in a web browser), but after a short time - less than a minute? - the feed disappears, timelapse video fail messages appear and it will not restart unless again, I let it sit overnight.

I first asked for a warranty replacement (it's less than 3 months old) from the sales team, and was sent to support and a newer person I'd not messaged with was answering. I went through all the trouble shooting steps with them to no avail. The old blurry camera works reliably, it's just blurry.

The short version is QIDI refuses to warranty the camera. It is not a hugely expensive item, less than $30, but this is a change in policy from what I used to experience from QIDI over the last 2 years.

I have started to see more folks complain about less than impressive support/warranty service in this calendar year, and I have always defended QIDI and offered my experience, which has, I guess now changed.

For discussion only, and for those like me sourcing replacement parts or those considering joining the QIDI ecosystem, I think this is another good evidence experience of what is changing there.

I still really like the company overall - the printers as a whole are very good machines for the price point. My comparison is to a Prusa Mk 4/S I started with in late 2022 and FLSun which seems to be solidly circling the drain (hate that, it's an amazing machine, especially for the price I paid - T1 Pro).

QIDI had, and I guess I need to repeat, had, a very good reputation for support and parts replacements - feels like this has changed. Tonight, one of the support directions was to change something in a config file in 2 places, one of those was in a line that was remarked out (started with a #) which has no effect - don't think they knew that. That was on changing camera resolution - so not sure how knowledgeable support folks are - they used to be top notch and you could help them help you figure something out. I have specific examples.

However, their newest offering, Plus 5, is just an upsized Q2, really no significant improvements save the build size. I haven't heard of any evidence of them getting into the multi-toolhead line, which is a shame.

I have the Box attached to my Q2. It's a bit buggy and needed some improvements which have helped quite a bit, though it's so slow it's unusable for multi-color unless like less than 5 filament changes on a model (2 min 50 sec a change - you can do the math - adding hours to a print exceeding by multiples the single-color print time). They have all the hardware but never put effort in to learning tip forming like Prusa does. To be fair the MMU3 on the Prusa is iffy on too frequent of a basis - have to tinker with it as much as folks complain about the Ender 3 I'd guess.

Anyway, just another report, no bias I think, just facts on experiences. Interested in other owners' experiences and perspectives - thanks for listening!

I've been a QIDI customer for over 2 years, have 3 different machines, and have always received prompt response, and usually pretty good help.

Now, during their buisness hours, I'm not getting any response to an email question on a part I'd like to purchase but need to verify it's applicability and function.

I've seen posts more recently from others with a similar issue. I still think their customer service is the best, rivaled only by Formlabs (SLA). Any thoughts or recent experiences with this? Thanks!

Edit - wrote to sales (US side) who answered up right away and said they'd prompt the technical side to answer up. It's about a part they sell, but they said it was a technical question they couldn't answer (what the part is for, an upgrade I already have, or an improvement, etc.) Thanks all!