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wayne1234

Has Anyone went from a MH series to a Copam? Real world differences?decision

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Man I'm on the fence. I'm not looking to open up a sign shop, I am looking to my own personal company vehicle lettering and promo signs, Maybe pick up a few small jobs... I know it list metal parts (instead of plastic) and a few other features.  Is the copam worth the extra $? Why? Give me specifics... Also Someone suggested in the MH section of the forum to Ground the machine & table due to static electricity damage to the mother boards.. Is this a problem with the copam also?

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The Refine MH series of cutters are our base level models.They are great for beginners, hobbyists, or as a secondary unit and they are by far our best seller. Many of our customers use this machine as their main cutter in a full production setting, however, we do not recommend it for such dedicated activity. At it's price point, the Refine can pay for itself in as few as the first few jobs you cut. Again, this is not a machine meant for business, I don't care who you talk to.

The Copam series of cutters is our entry level in the business line and is a great choice for business production, as well as beginners and hobbyists. These cutters are designed and built with full time business production in mind. It has a higher price point than any of the Value cutters (MH & Creation) but it is built to meet a higher benchmark in terms of quality, consistency and reliability. Issues with these units are few and far between. You'll notice that they also weigh more because of the better build and superior components (More metal, less plastic). They have been reviewed as performing on a par with brands such as Roland, Summa and Graphtec; just with out all the great bells and whistles. They have an optical eye that auto-measures material size and sets the origin. If you can fit the Copam into your budget, it holds by far one of the best cost to benefit ratios.

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Hi Wayne, the Copam is a huge step up from the MH Series.  Espcially if you are looking to use it for business use.   Overall the quality of the parts are better built and installed.  The static problem is not prevalent as the MH series on the Copam.  In terms of reliability, which is what you want for business, the Copam is a great place to start.  However, if you're able to afford a bit more, i would recommend jumping to a ZenCut Green.

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Guest HowardI

The Copam is absolutely worth the price.

It has heavier motors, better engineered and built electronics, self tensioning adjustment on the belt, geared down drive motors (makes all movements more precision) and can cut heavier and thicker materials like mylar and sandblast mask and tint.  (The MH can not do those materials).

The warranty on the Copam is 2 years and the MH is 1 year.  The manufacturer of the Copam obviously believes in their product and so do we.

If you're opening a shop, do NOT get the MH if you have a choice.  If budget is the strict constraint I would suggest making money right away and put it towards the Copam and keep the MH for a backup (like you'd need one for a Copam!)

The motors have higher torque, finer stepping, higher quality drivers, geared down drive and this machine also has 50% more downforce.  The MH does 400 grams and the copam does 600.

As one of the people who repairs the cutters I would always always always recommend the Copam over the MH.

Hope this helps!

Howard Irwin

Support Specialist

US Cutter

425-481-3555

888-298-8143

 - Option 2

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Wayne -

I would say that the copam is definitely going to be worth the exta $$ if you are looking to do production level work. The MH series is designed and marketed to be used for hobbyists or people who have none to very little prior vinyl or cutting experience.

The largest difference between the Copam and the MH is going to be in the motors and the components that the machine is actually manufactured with. The MH uses a very basic stepper motor wherease the Copam uses a high resolution stepper motor that is geared down to allow for better tracking throughout the cuts.

As for the static issues, we all know these have been very well documented for the MH. The Copam series has had no such static issues the entire time we have been selling the cutter. We very rarely ever see the Copam machines come in for repair.

The old saying of - you get what you pay for- is very applicable in this case. The MH is an excellent cutter based on the value it offers at such a low price point. The level of work that it does is consistant with the price it is sold at - and it offers a way for people to get into the vinyl world with minimal costs. The Copam is a higher level machine - capable of making much better cuts - but it comes at a higher cost.

If you have any other questions please ask or give us a call at 1.888.298.8143

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Guest Hugo Valencia

Copam is overall a better machine, definitely worth the extra money as it is not going to have the same static issues.

better quality electronic parts.

only way to get something better would be jumping to a $1000 machine like a Zencut or even better a Graphtec.

you can simply check the diferent specs on each one to see the big difference.

http://www.uscutter.com/USCutter-MH-series-Vinyl-Cutter-_p_25.html

http://www.uscutter.com/Copam-CP-Series-Vinyl-Cutter--Professional-model-w-2-year-Warranty_p_28.html

also 2 year warranty is also a plus

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Guest

Hi Wayne, the Copam is a huge step up from the MH Series.  Espcially if you are looking to use it for business use.   Overall the quality of the parts are better built and installed.  The static problem is not prevalent as the MH series on the Copam.  In terms of reliability, which is what you want for business, the Copam is a great place to start.  However, if you're able to afford a bit more, i would recommend jumping to a ZenCut Green.

This. The ZenCut Green is going to be the best bang for your buck. It has more functionality than the Copam, it is faster, it has the contour cutting feature, and it has a very similar down force. On top of that the ZenCut Green has a 30 day money back guarantee if there is any problem with your machine and a two year warranty. Hope this helped!

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Wow - That's a record - 6 uscutter techs in on thread in 1 day - way to go guys

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I did look at the Zen green. There wasn't much activity on that forum, and it seemed like there was some issues. Maybe because its new? the machine wasn't too big of a $ jump, but the $100 stand makes it $1100.  Wouldn't I be better to get the Copam  for $750 now and a back up MH if I get deep into it as a back up? And that's a big if... Correct Me if I'm wrong but aren't there people running busy sign shops off a Copam?  Tell me the main reason to go to a Zen Green?  Someone did say the had deals on them at one point, to get more units out there... Guess not now.

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  where do you live Wayne?   also,, have you checked your area Craigslist for any great deals on vinyl cutters?  these are desperate times for some people.  There are also alot of people who bought cutters and only used them a few times,  cutting vinyl wasn't their thing after all.  And they are just sitting around taking up room.

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Yep tried Craigslist there was a "bridge" for 250, unless I missed something... Hello by the way, I'm in Indiana also. Central Indiana, but no worries about me, I am not trying to start up a  sign biz.  I was just floored when I was Quoted over $2000 (by 2 different company's)  to have some very basic vinyl cut. This is for our 2 trailers and 2 trucks, not including other promo stuff I need (another $600-1000).  The bad thing is over the years I have had a couple of different construction company's, and have had a fair amount of vinyl work done before.  But usually one truck or piece of equipment at a time. So it didn't seem too bad as far as pricing. But now I am going into a more specific area and have 2 new  trailers 24' and 16', and our full size trucks, and a new company logo and name, So all at once is a big bill... I know there will be some growing pains in the beginning with getting a cutter, I have done this stuff before many years ago, and still applied our vinyl when I purchased it cut from someone else.  I have figured it is about ~$200 worth of good vinyl and app tape, and one guy bragged he could get it to me in 2 days including design set up...  So with what I want done right now the $750 Copam and vinyl will more than pay for its self and I can later do what ever signs and banner I want, when I want. 

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The ZenCut is leaps and bounds better than the Copam actually.  It uses a Servo motor, and has an optical eye for contour cutting.  It's more durable than the Copam, and the quality of the cutter is comparable to the Graphtec CE5000.  These cutters have a low failure rate from the time we started carrying them.  Personally, they're on of my favorite cutters for that price range.  Again the 2 year warranty on that assures that if there is any problems we'll be able to provide you service and parts for it.  Though in general, these cutters hardly ever fail.

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The ZenCut is leaps and bounds better than the Copam actually.  It uses a Servo motor, and has an optical eye for contour cutting.  It's more durable than the Copam, and the quality of the cutter is comparable to the Graphtec CE5000.  These cutters have a low failure rate from the time we started carrying them.  Personally, they're on of my favorite cutters for that price range.  Again the 2 year warranty on that assures that if there is any problems we'll be able to provide you service and parts for it.  Though in general, these cutters hardly ever fail.

What is the failure rate to units sold?

Marcus mentioned on the zens doing a free shipping for repair if needed - did that materialize??

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On the uscutter Website it doesn't Show a stand option , or mention it for the Copam , but it is pictured. The Stand is included with the Copam right?  I'm looking at the 24"model CP-2500 for $750, it also has the 2 Year warranty listed on the website. It comes with sign blazer permanent trial, and cutpro 1 year license.   With the Zen Green the stand is a $100 option, making it $1100 and only comes with the signcut  1 year license...  On both of them you can add CorelDRAW Essentials 4 for $30 is that a good option?  If you do that option do you also get the signblazer trial version? By the way I am at least going with the Copam, the MH series is no longer a option.

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I had a copam for several months before going to a graphtec - it is a very solid machine and the stand is included with it as all cutters should be

chase.gif

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The Graphtec uses a servo motor, just like the ZenCut, and most professional level cutters out there.  Because of this, the cut lines on it is far more precise.  You'll end up with smoother cuts, and better tracking for lengths of up to 60 or 70 feet.  The Copam tracking is recommend to only up to about 10 feet. 

The CE-5000 also has an optical eye, just like the ZenCut Green, to auto read registration marks for Contour cutting. Something the Copam is not capable of.

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I used a copam for about 8 months and never had a problem with tracking at any length. cut very precise

this was posted a while back by one of the moderators with a copam

The Graphtec can provide this level of work and better . . . .I haven't seen any post of fine work on the zen's yet

Ariti, the Copam can also do quite some detail, for decals or apparel.

flower-1.jpg

Jenny

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I'm sure there is a cutter that is superior to those ZenCut , Graphtecs etc ( Gerber ;D ) ... it becomes an issue of what is the best bang for the buck ( I drooled over the $225,000 screen printer at the Atlantic City Sign Show ) & what is practical for each person/business . Having 2 CoPams , & reading this thread .. I think the $1,000 ZenCut is what I would buy if buying a cutter today . 3 years ago , I was within minutes of ordering the $2500 package from another company when I found out about USCutter . I could still buy a top of the line cutter from USC & have alot of money left over . A buddy had just bought that $2500 package & after checking out my CoPam wished he had found USCutter before buying what he did . He told me my CoPam out-performed his cutter by a  mile  . Each model seems worth the difference in money from the previos model . I'm sure you will pay for your cutter making what you want for yourself ( I did ) . let alone if you start selling decals no matter which cutter you decide on  ;D .

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I have a 48" copam ive been runnin in my shop for over 2 years now, never a problem.

most of my work is large scale. here are some pics

mitchellproperty.jpg

travrehab2.jpg

4000525036_3d5ecc4724.jpg

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