Re: Dolphin December Offers

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Ron Thompson <barebooger@...> wrote:

>
> Way more than this:
> http://www.punchcad.com/p-6-viacad-2d3d.aspx
>
> On sale for $99.99

Ron,
I know this is going to come off like I am the biggest jerk in the world, but your post is ludicrous.

Dolphin is a complete CAD/CAM package to start with. Additionally, it is a real industrial product not a cheap hobbyist product. So to compare a low end unknown CAD only product to a mid line proven CAD/CAM product is about as sensible as saying a Kia costs less than a Lear Jet. Other than having wheels, there is about nothing in common. Dolphin has been around giving the hobbyist great deals on commercial grade software for at least 8 – 9 years that I know of and maybe longer. So they are proven and have a solid track record. I have never even heard of Punchcad before your post. Looking at their other sites, they are into games and cheap home software. Makes you wonder how much they actually know about design software and machining?

I have been involved with CNC starting as a hobbyist over 11 or so years ago and professionally now for almost 6 years. During that time I have gone from using low cost hobby grade software to using top of the line commercial stuff. I have no clue how much I have spent on CAD and CAM software over the years, do know that the current programs I use cost me over $20,000.00. Believe me, there is a difference and for the most part you get what you pay for. This is not to say that the low and no cost stuff will not get some work done, but I can assure you that the high end stuff is much faster to work with and allows you to do far more complex projects.

Bottom line is, while I have not used every product out there, I have used a lot of them at many different price points. For my needs the conclusion was spending the money for the big name made sense. Price without considering functionality, ease of use, and support is meaningless. I can always go shopping at Walmart so I can brag about how little I paid for a POS, but the real measure is not price, but value. And I can assure you that Dolphin is a quality company with a good product and is offering the hobbyist a very high value for their money.

I have no current affiliation with Dolphin. I did buy a license years ago, never used it, and sold it off. They were gentlemen to me both coming and going.

Sorry for the rant.

Tim Goldstein
A2Z Corp
A2Z CNC division
3955 S Mariposa St
Englewood CO 80110
720 833-9300
Toll Free 877 754-7465

www.A2ZCorp.us/store
USA made accessories for desktop mills & lathes.
Specialized tools for the jewelry industry.