A used or new Epilog for 3 to 5 grand isn’t going to happen though. At that price range it’s a straight up Chinese import.
I think it depends on are you willing to do a little work to tweak them into great shape.
I have a 50 watt ( yah more like 45 ) from Orion Tech. Same laser is sold from other vendors but I got it off Amazon for ease. They sell the 80 and 100 watt version one of which I think has a motorized Z although it’s not automatic up and down.
Again same version sold by many sellers.
I had. A 40 watt FSL laser first and this 50 watt is superb to the fsl 40 for half the money.
Anyway these have a ruida so they run light burn.
An 80 watt machine is a nice mid ground machine unless you need a 100 watts.
For An 80 watt machine at or under 5 large a Chinese import is the option.
Not all suck and mine has run flawless for over a year. I am a retired laser field engineer so I know to expect. Yah the optics are second tier but that’s easy to replace and so far they have been decent as been the whole machine…for it’s price.
On these imports usually tubes…power supply’s optics etc are easy upgrades as long as you are going to a longer tube. I am upgrading my 50 to a true 60 watt tube which is longer but the machine is set up with a panel to be removed for a longer tube so the mod is easy so to be speak.
