FlashForge is one of the most popular 3D printer manufacturers, especially users who want the best convenience. The FlashForge Guider 2 Vs Adventurer 4 are perfect for users who focus on printing and want a machine that they can use without much tweaking. These printers have similar features with some crucial differences. Let’s see what to expect before deciding to give them a try.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- How FDM Printer Works
- What are FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- How are the Printers of FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- How is the Capacity of FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- How is the Building Bed in FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- How to Level the FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- How is the Extruder in FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
- What else FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 can offer
FDM 3D Printers
3D printers are getting more common and widely available for the masses. The cost of a beginner 3D printer is very affordable, and they usually last for years with proper maintenance. But, the market for 3D printers rapidly moves, so it is less likely you want to keep using the same machine for so long. The most popular 3D printers are usually FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling. If you find a machine that runs on the filament, this is what FDM machines like.
The FDM machine utilizes thermoplastic or materials that retain their quality after reaching the melting point. You can notice that the printer deposits the molten plastic from a nozzle, layer by layer, following the shape of your design. The materials that just come out of the nozzle are hot so that they can fuse with the layer around it. The material types for FDM printers may vary from thermoplastic, chocolate, pastes, and unique materials like metal and wood-infused thermoplastic.
FDM printers also come in several variants depending on how the machine moves in all axes. The most common type is Cartesian such as FlashForge Adventurer 4 Vs Ender 3 V2. This type of printer moves the bed and nozzle in different axes to build the item. You can find Delta printers which are typically very tall with a round build plate. This printer moves its nozzle in all axes while the bed is in a fixed position. Both types have pros and cons, depending on which fits your projects.
FlashForge Guider 2 | FlashForge Adventurer 4 | |
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Product Dimensions | 28 x 26.5 x 24.4 inches | 26.5 x 23 x 22.5 inches |
Shipping Weight | 36 Pounds | 44 Pounds |
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About FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4
Some printers are easy to custom, such as Ender 3, while some machines are easier to use. Depending on which matches your preference, we should pick the suitable printers for the task. If you are not fond of tinkering, custom, and overall manually enhancing the printers, we recommend a machine with extensive features or automation. Box FDM printers or variants with the enclosure are perfect for users who want the best convenience, and FlashForge offers plenty to consider.
This company is one of the best for users to buy a 3D printer with a full enclosure. Many of their machines target end-consumer who want the best of both worlds, easy-to-use 3D printers, and reliable performance. The FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 are some of the best options from their collection. These printers are perfect for use at home and in classes or workshops where you have to show the printing process to an audience.
The printers come in a box, fully sealed, so they are safer for owners with young children or pets. But, they are still unsafe when left unattended and unsupervised, so it is wise to keep the machine in a separate room with a lock. The FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 are similar and offer many identical features, such as a fully-enclosed mechanism and automatic leveling. The automatic leveling is excellent as it removes the need to manually level the bed at the beginning of every time you need to re-do it.
However, FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 also have some differences. The most notable is their capacity because Guider 2 is larger, so if you want to print a massive item or require a higher capacity, then Guider 2 is an ideal choice. On the other hand, Adventurer 4 is slightly cheaper and has more features that we will discuss later.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Printers
Their assembly is one of the best things about FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4. Many cheaper FDM machines require assembly, from attaching the base and frame to connecting the wires. These printers are straightforward because you only need to remove them from the box and remove the foam that supports the bed. However, the housing is massive and pretty huge than typical FDM printers. Guider 2 takes a whole coffee table with a form factor measuring 21.7 by 19.3 by 22.4 inches.
The Adventurer 4 is not far different but is slightly smaller at 19.7 by 18.5 by 21.3 inches. These printers have a built-in touch screen to control the printing process. The adventurer 4 has a vertical 4.3-inch screen, while Guider 2 has a horizontal 5-inch screen. The Adventurer 4 also has an internal memory of up to 8GB. While these printers are fully-enclosed, we can remove the Guider 2’s top cover to expose the hot end. The spool holder of Guider 2 is on the back, while Adventurer 4 is inside the printer’s side panel.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Capacity
3D printers come in different sizes and capacities. In most cases, this capacity or print volume is not expandable unless you have something like Ender 3 that is compatible with the extender kit. The FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 come with a fixed build capacity which is not massive but should be sufficient for most users. The Guider 2 is larger in form factor and capacity at 280 x 250 x 300 mm, while Adventurer 4 prints up to 220 x 200 x 250 mm.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Bed Surface
The next difference is their building bed or the surface where the item sticks while printing. The Guider 2 is quite traditional because the metal build plate only has a blue layer which acts as adhesive for your first layers. This coating is replaceable if needed but less convenient than if you can remove it for maintenance. The Adventurer has a magnetic, removable print bed, making it easier to remove the printed object, clean the surface, or replace it later.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Bed Leveling
The other difference is the bed leveling mechanism in FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4. As you can see, the Guider 2 moves the print bed to the Z-axis, which means the platform is not fixed at one level like Adventurer 4. Thankfully both printers offer automatic bed leveling to ease the users. Bed leveling is crucial to achieve the best print and ensure that the distance from the bed to the nozzle is ideal for letting the filament stick properly.
The bed leveling is accessible from the menu. When leveling Guider 2, the bed will move down first and then back up very slowly. You may have to wait for a moment because the machine is trying to make an accurate leveling. After the bed is brought upward and gets a proper leveling, users are prompted to tighten the screws below the bed and repeat the same process for each point. The machine’s software guide is very helpful, and while Guider 2 is not self-adjusting or automatic, we find this system very easy to follow.
Adventurer 4 has a smaller build capacity and smaller bed, which provides it with an advantage. The build platform is fixed on the same level, and rather than adjusting the bed, we are changing the nozzle’s height. The calibration menu will measure 9-points across the bed and use the information to adjust the printing process. You can adjust the distance in a 0.1mm increment, which is not highly accurate for some people.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Extruders
Like many FlashForge printers, these printers use a Bowden-style extruder feeding the filament through a small tube. The extruder is separated from the nozzle, allowing for a lighter setup and more consistent feeding performance. The noticeable difference between FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 feeding systems is that the latter has a removable nozzle available in Adventurer 3. This nozzle is available from FlashForge and is very easy to remove. No tools, snap, take out, and put back your new nozzle.
FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 Features
Lastly is for the additional features. If you are looking for a fully-enclosed machine, chances are you will also use varying filament types. The Guider 2 can use PLA, ABS, TPU, and PETG filaments, while Adventurer 4 adds PC, PLA-CF, and PETG-CF, which are stronger variants of the filaments. Both printers also have built-in Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity and convenience. But, the Adventurer 4 is slightly more exciting because it also has a built-in camera for monitoring purposes. As for the software, both printers are shipped with FlashPrint.
FlashForge Guider 2 Vs Adventurer 4
Both FlashForge Guider 2 and Adventurer 4 are suitable printers for most people. The best thing about these printers is that they are easy to use, even for beginners and first-time users. The main differences are capacity and features. The Guider 2 is slightly more expensive, larger, and has a bigger build volume, but Adventurer is cheaper and has more features such as a removable nozzle and a built-in camera. The leveling in Adventurer 4 also takes less time.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because there is no wrong choice. We recommend Guider 2 if you need a slightly bigger volume, but we like the Adventurer 4 because it is more convenient. The fixed bed makes leveling faster, and the camera can be helpful when you leave the machine while printing to keep an eye on the process.