After reading and watching a number of videos about Glowforge models and problems as well as their “subscription based” software (no thanks), I am now convinced that I will look for a different product when I am ready for a laser cutter.
Thank you! I have been like where on earth is the manual for this!! Everyone makes it look so easy, but I am having so many problems with it even trying to get my first print. LOL Ahhh
I've had this thing TWO DAYS! It worked just fine yesterday for the first project. Worked just fine. Today it was working, I uploaded something to print, then had to go do other things because it's Christmas. Came back. Offline. Unplugged. Offline. Checked the power strip. The air filter lights up, but the Glowforge Aura won't come on. Restarted my computer. Still offline. Lifting the lid does nothing. Holding down the button does nothing. There were no power hits and everything else works fine. This is in a temperature-controlled (on the cool side) room. No one else lives here, so no one else touched it. So, for nearly two grand, I've made ONE thing before it stopped working correctly.
Interesting problem. I can see where using it in a temperature controlled area would be better. The heat generated by the machine compounded by environmental heat could be a problem. Kind of the same as when you use your phone in the sun as opposed to your living room. At the very least a sticker saying "indoor use only" would have been helpful. I hope you've solved the problem. I really enjoy your videos and am looking forward to project #2.
Maybe they need to do an update on the firmware. This kind of stuff is common on machines that have just been released. It is nice that they respond so quickly. Sometimes you need to turn a machine off and unplug it. A few Cricuts had glitches and that seemed to fix things.
The apparently non existing manual is sad. The alignment issue isn't great. If the support people could really access the camera... would be the worst case for me, and would make the Glowforge aura unsellable in the EU. And it's creepy AF. Thank you for pointing all that out. The aura otherwise seems to be a great product, and the integrated camera is a feature usually included in machines 3 times the price.
Hope your bringing it back for your money…..my first reaction once you mentioned a missing manual was…someone else brought it back broke and got their money back or exchanged and it got put back out on the sales floor?
I bought it the day it came out, so I assume Glowforge made the choice not to include a paper copy of the manual with the machine. Not a choice I agree with, lol.
I'm going to do a little more playing - I think some of my issues might be user-error (if only they'd told me not to use it outside...) But when I do the full review, I'll definitely talk about the learning curve.
I'm hopeful someday there will be an easy-to-use, affordable laser cutter for the home market, and even if this isn't that product, it's a step in the right direction. Don't give on them forever!!
Hmmm...I hope you don't encounter more issues, but being that's it a Glowforge.......this is why I sat back and waited to see what problems would come up before giving up my hard earned money. Yes, X-Tool would be a better option long-term.
Bummer......sounds like Murphy has been enforcing his laws on you.😂. Sounds like something that would happen to me. Hope things work out. Sounds like they need to put some more money into r&d for the beta.
So glad I watched this video, Thank you! The CS accessing the camera is a NO-NO for me ..... What was the other laser machine you mentioned you were going to check out?
I wish I had the answer. I'll say that it fixed itself after it had a few hours to cool down, and it hasn't happened again since I took the machine out of the sun. But I'm still disappointed that it had this issue in the first place...
You shouldn’t be using it in an area with too much overhead lighting to begin with, this includes sunlight. It is a laser and light can affect the quality of your cuts.
Shucks I really wanted to buy a glow forge to use as a personal camera for my sensitive documents, too bad the random support people will have access to it.
Honestly, the support wasn't bad. They responded quickly, and it's not their fault the company didn't include the manual in the box. I just wish I hadn't needed support in the first place.
This same thing has happened to me as well and I did what they told me and it was ok for awhile but then did it again and my machine in a garage so not sunlight
I agree to some extent. But I think Glowforge has the potential to branch into a new market of people who, up to this point, were intimidated by those other machines. While I'm not super thrilled so far, I am optimistic that Glowforge will broaden the laser cutting market, which ultimately means better products for everyone.
People taking amateurs advice and running with it is sad. This is a great product. Because a handful of people experience an issue everyone assumes all models are affected.
After reading and watching a number of videos about Glowforge models and problems as well as their “subscription based” software (no thanks), I am now convinced that I will look for a different product when I am ready for a laser cutter.
Thank you! I have been like where on earth is the manual for this!! Everyone makes it look so easy, but I am having so many problems with it even trying to get my first print. LOL Ahhh
Many people are experiencing this and other issues. I've had two units, both were defective.
I've had this thing TWO DAYS! It worked just fine yesterday for the first project. Worked just fine. Today it was working, I uploaded something to print, then had to go do other things because it's Christmas. Came back. Offline. Unplugged. Offline. Checked the power strip. The air filter lights up, but the Glowforge Aura won't come on. Restarted my computer. Still offline. Lifting the lid does nothing. Holding down the button does nothing. There were no power hits and everything else works fine. This is in a temperature-controlled (on the cool side) room. No one else lives here, so no one else touched it. So, for nearly two grand, I've made ONE thing before it stopped working correctly.
Interesting problem. I can see where using it in a temperature controlled area would be better. The heat generated by the machine compounded by environmental heat could be a problem. Kind of the same as when you use your phone in the sun as opposed to your living room. At the very least a sticker saying "indoor use only" would have been helpful. I hope you've solved the problem. I really enjoy your videos and am looking forward to project #2.
Thank you! And it totally makes sense, but it's one of those thing you don't think of until you run into problems.
Maybe they need to do an update on the firmware. This kind of stuff is common on machines that have just been released. It is nice that they respond so quickly. Sometimes you need to turn a machine off and unplug it. A few Cricuts had glitches and that seemed to fix things.
The apparently non existing manual is sad. The alignment issue isn't great. If the support people could really access the camera... would be the worst case for me, and would make the Glowforge aura unsellable in the EU. And it's creepy AF.
Thank you for pointing all that out.
The aura otherwise seems to be a great product, and the integrated camera is a feature usually included in machines 3 times the price.
Yeah, there are definite pros, but this hasn't been a smooth-sailing product for me so far.
Hope your bringing it back for your money…..my first reaction once you mentioned a missing manual was…someone else brought it back broke and got their money back or exchanged and it got put back out on the sales floor?
I bought it the day it came out, so I assume Glowforge made the choice not to include a paper copy of the manual with the machine. Not a choice I agree with, lol.
Every resource you need is online. You have to be online to use it so it makes sense. Save a tree
Thsnks for testing it out but I believe I woukd be returning it.
I'm going to do a little more playing - I think some of my issues might be user-error (if only they'd told me not to use it outside...) But when I do the full review, I'll definitely talk about the learning curve.
Im dealing with this same issue as we speak!!!!
Thanks for being a guinea pig and trying out this tech. You've helped me make up my mind. I'm keeping my hammer and chisel.
I'm hopeful someday there will be an easy-to-use, affordable laser cutter for the home market, and even if this isn't that product, it's a step in the right direction. Don't give on them forever!!
@@AButterflyHouse When I see you find one you're happy with, I'll consider it.
I am so worried. I just had mine delivered today and already want to return and get the xtool.
Love all the videos, but wish they were good news for your sake. At least someone responded from GF. Good luck.
Thank you!!
@@AButterflyHouse Tested also did a review. I love their channel, but your take was much better!
Hmmm...I hope you don't encounter more issues, but being that's it a Glowforge.......this is why I sat back and waited to see what problems would come up before giving up my hard earned money. Yes, X-Tool would be a better option long-term.
We'll see! The X-Tool's sitting in a box in my shop at the moment - I'm excited to give it a try.
Bummer......sounds like Murphy has been enforcing his laws on you.😂. Sounds like something that would happen to me. Hope things work out. Sounds like they need to put some more money into r&d for the beta.
Thank you!!
So glad I watched this video, Thank you! The CS accessing the camera is a NO-NO for me ..... What was the other laser machine you mentioned you were going to check out?
The xTool M1!
lol. Really? You being online alone you are exposing your info.
Should i return my machine since im dealing with this same issue? I bought my the day it was released 😢
I wish I had the answer. I'll say that it fixed itself after it had a few hours to cool down, and it hasn't happened again since I took the machine out of the sun. But I'm still disappointed that it had this issue in the first place...
You shouldn’t be using it in an area with too much overhead lighting to begin with, this includes sunlight. It is a laser and light can affect the quality of your cuts.
Shucks I really wanted to buy a glow forge to use as a personal camera for my sensitive documents, too bad the random support people will have access to it.
Summer's made you sassy.
@@AButterflyHouseunfair I’ve always been like this
Did you ask for a user manual. Not that it would help but wouldn’t hurt
☹good support is hard to come by.
Honestly, the support wasn't bad. They responded quickly, and it's not their fault the company didn't include the manual in the box. I just wish I hadn't needed support in the first place.
This same thing has happened to me as well and I did what they told me and it was ok for awhile but then did it again and my machine in a garage so not sunlight
Good to know it's not just me. It's a super annoying issue...
Mine is in my craft room and it's doing it now.
Glowforge is overpriced. There are a lot of brands that are a much better deal for the money. I had a Glowforge Plus and ended up selling it.
I agree to some extent. But I think Glowforge has the potential to branch into a new market of people who, up to this point, were intimidated by those other machines. While I'm not super thrilled so far, I am optimistic that Glowforge will broaden the laser cutting market, which ultimately means better products for everyone.
Which do you recommend
@@TyK-ld7vk
For the money you can't beat OMTech.
People taking amateurs advice and running with it is sad. This is a great product. Because a handful of people experience an issue everyone assumes all models are affected.
Very much sounds like a product to stay away from.
It's certainly not as easy to use as they make it out to be.