I just received my new Signwarehouse catalog. They now sell the “E-Series” which does not look like the Laserpro Explorer. The table size starts at 24×36 and they also have 51×36 and 51×51 available. Here is the link: http://www.laserpin.com/images/Eseries/Eseries.htm
While I own a Signwarehouse Pinnacle M-series, I have had trouble with parts and service in the past. We purchased the Pinnacle due to a very short lead time in which we had to deliver parts. At the time ULS and Epilog both had 6 to 8 week lead-times, while the Pinnacle was in stock. I would have to do an in depth study of lasers (now that I have some experience) before I would purchase again.
PS - If the new Pinnacle E-Series is a Laserpro relabel, I would be looking for a style change in the Laserpro Explorer soon… The Pinnacle E-Series door looks much more “loading friendly” than the Laserpro Explorer.
FWIW, I purchased the M-series mainly because of the large table size and the pass through doors. The fact that SignWarehouse had a much sooner delivery time also influenced my decision. My overall experience with SignWarehous has been very good. I did have a response delay of 2 days once when trying to order some laseerable plastic and ask the sales rep some questions, but both times that I have needed a part for my laser it has been overnighted for next day delivery. During the few weeks during and after delivery of my machine, the sales rep was always available to answer any of my questions. I have had no problems with the machine and am very happy with my purchase.
It looks a lot like a Trotec - but may be an older one. It seems they (SW) sell older versions of lasers??? Only speculation. The weird thing is the new Trotec acheives 39.4 inches per second. The Pinnacle shows 60 IPS. Of Course max speed only matters some of the time.
Another weird thing is Trotec only has a 51×51, I can’t find a 24×36 or 36×51. Big tables = Big $$$. Most of the Pinnacles look to be fairly low priced. ULS now has a 24 x 48. Often the big tables are not as fast as the smaller ones.
I just did an in depth study of 4 lasers. Time was factor as our 9 year old ULS is starting to show its age. We really had good results from that machine. I spent a lot of time doing the comparison - demos @ our shop & Out of town. I wanted to see/touch the machines. My first considerations were with hard facts. Table Size, Wattage, Speed, Features - Cost not 1st priority. It is not easy because things such as what is better 24×36 or 20×38. Sales also make it hard. Then the salesmen throw something in & that changes things. Any ‘what-ifs’ were kept as ‘Tie-Breakers’. Any negative feedback was a ‘Tie-Breaker’. I didn’t get past the hard facts.
We take delivery of a Xenetech after Oct 15th. The LaserPro Explorer was right up there. They have a lot of similar features. I have been to the Xenetech factory (1.5 hour drive) & know the people. Their website does not do a good job. Their marketing is no where near ULS, Epilog, Etc. Their rotary engravers are good enough that it’s hard to find a used one for sale. If you see one at a show definitely take the time to look at it well. At 120 IPS it has no overshoot. They can go 150 IPS with the high wattage laser tubes.