Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review for Miniatures
As a warhammer hobbyist and miniature enthusiast with over 20 years of experience, I was eager to test out the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K resin 3D printer. With its large 9.3” 4K LCD and build volume tailored for printing big, highly detailed miniatures, terrain, and scenery, the Mighty 4K seemed like a perfect fit for tabletop gaming and model making.
After thorough testing and dozens of prints, I’m excited to provide this comprehensive 2000+ word review of the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K – analyzing its features, print quality, setup process, usability, and value specifically for miniatures and model printing. Read on for the ultimate guide to the Mighty 4K for tabletop gamers and scale model builders.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: Unboxing
Carefully unboxing the 30 lb Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K, I immediately noticed its sturdy yet compact construction. Measuring 28 x 28 x 44 cm, the Mighty 4K has a smaller footprint than expected for its over 5 liter build volume.
Opening the box reveals:
- The main printer unit
- 3.5 inch color touchscreen control panel
- Detachable perforated aluminum build plate with handles
- Plastic resin vat
- Power cable and accessories
- 8GB USB stick with software and manuals
- Sandpaper and hex wrench for build plate leveling
As an experienced hobbyist, I appreciated the inclusion of the sandpaper for smoothing the build plate. However, the lack of flush cutters for support removal seemed an odd oversight.
Overall construction quality appears excellent, with sturdy plastic chassis and removable metal panels allowing access for maintenance. The front-facing USB port and power switch are conveniently placed, although the small touchscreen looks somewhat undersized on the larger printer body.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: Breaking Down the Specs
Let’s analyze how the Sonic Mighty 4K’s tech specs translate for miniatures and terrain printing:
Huge 4K LCD
The star of the show – an enormous 9.3 inch monochrome 3840 x 2400 pixel LCD measuring 200 x 125 mm. Compared to competitors like the Anycubic Mono X (192 x 120mm) and Elegoo Saturn (192 x 120mm), the Mighty 4K’s LCD is significantly larger with more surface area for printing big models or batches of smaller pieces.
However the slightly larger 53 micron XY resolution means details won’t be quite as crisp as the Mono X and Saturn’s 50 microns. For miniatures and scenery, this difference is negligible to the human eye.
Build Volume
At 200 x 125 x 220 mm (5.5 liters), the Mighty 4K provides ample height for tall models like mechs or terrain pieces. The extra printable area from its bigger LCD is more valuable than more height in my opinion.
Print Speed
Thanks to its rapid curing ParaLED Matrix light paired with the monochrome LCD, Phrozen claims print speeds up to 80mm/hour. While environmental factors affect this, the Mighty 4K can print very fast for its class.
This enables quicker turnaround when printing squads of miniatures or mass scenery.
Resolution and Precision
With 4K XY resolution and 0.01mm Z axis positioning, the Mighty 4K provides high accuracy and surface quality for miniatures with finer details. Figures with small weapons, pouches, insignias, and textures reproduce nicely.
User-Friendly
Everything about the Mighty 4K seems designed for easy setup and usage, especially helpful for beginners. The touchscreen menu provides clear calibration and printing instructions.
Included ChiTuBox software has specific Mighty 4K profiles so slicing and printing models is straightforward.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The USB connectivity keeps costs down but may frustrate users wanting WiFi and camera monitoring.
Fortunately the Mighty 4K works with ChiTuBox or alternative slicers like Lychee. Plus you can find ample DLP and LCD 3D printer resin settings for reference.
So while basic, the Mighty 4K offers the essentials for getting quality prints.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: Unleashing the Mighty Setup Process
Having set up multiple resin printers before, I breezed through the Mighty 4K’s calibration but can explain the process for newcomers:
Build Plate Leveling
This crucial step tells the printer precisely where models should start printing on the XY plane.
First remove the vat and loosen the build plate bolts. Place a sheet of paper over the LCD, replace the build plate and select Z=0 Calibration from the printer’s Tools menu.
The plate will lower onto the paper, then you tighten the bolts while maintaining even pressure. Make sure the paper drags slightly when pulled to guarantee uniform contact.
Don’t worry about releveling between prints if properly trammed.
LCD and Resin Vat
Next run LCD test patterns to check for dead pixels or screen defects (highly unlikely straight from the factory).
Screw in the vat, ensuring the FEP film lays flat with no folds or wrinkles. Carefully pour resin, slotting the vat onto the printer’s ball joints without spilling.
Slicing and Printing
Using the bundled ChiTuBox software, orient your model, generate supports as needed, then slice and save to the USB stick. I advise enabling Anti-Aliasing under Print Settings for smoother curves and edges on miniatures.
Upload the file through the Mighty 4K’s straightforward touchscreen interface and voila – you’re printing!
Overall an easy, intuitive setup taking less than 15 minutes. Even novice hobbyists can manage preparing the Mighty 4K to start churning out detailed miniatures and envionments.
Examining Print Quality for Miniatures
The best way to evaluate a 3D printer is seeing actual models printed on it. I tried various miniature designs with different geometries and fine details.
Using ChiTuBox’s Mighty 4K resin profile with 8 second normal layer exposure, results looked fantastic out of the gate. However, tuning settings for your resin, room temperature, and model orientation still helps maximize precision.
Here’s what I discovered printing miniatures on the Mighty 4K:
Fine Details
The Mighty 4K captured intricate details like faces, chainmail, trims, buckles, pouches, injuries, and thin weapons very accurately without losing edges or blurring.
4K resolution and well-tuned exposure settings are essential for recreating these high frequency features critical for miniatures. The Mighty 4K performs admirably here.
Geometric Accuracy
Models with mechanical details, greeblies, precision holes and edges printed faithfully without rounding or distortion.
This precision also maintained symmetry nicely when printing pieces like helmets, shoulder pads, capes, etc requiring consistency across two sides.
Surface Finish
Using the grey resin, miniature surfaces appeared smooth, clean, and well cured after support removal and curing. No pixels, banding, or uncured tackiness.
I achieved great clarity on curved objects too, like orbs, fur cloaks, amulets, and ring mail armor with no stepping. Dial in the right orientation, supports, and anti-aliasing for superior optics.
Supports
Auto-generated supports in ChiTuBox worked very well for my test prints. Tall thin posts provide ample surface contact without excessive connections. Support points detach fairly easily with flush cutters and gentle sanding.
I recommend orienting any overhangs at least 45 degrees to prevent drooping and employing manual supports on intricate areas if needed.
Overall the Mighty 4K provided impressive, highly-detailed miniatures matching or exceeding desktop FDM quality. The exceptional resolution captures the intricacies I want for tabletop gaming or collectible models.
Printing Larger Terrain and Scenery
Moving beyond wee humanoids, I challenged the Mighty 4K with some large terrain pieces and scenery elements common for miniature gaming:
- Sci-fi fuel tank with 120mm diameter
- Gothic ruins wall section (100 x 55 x 85mm)
- Group of 3 twisted alien egg clusters
- Broken terrain tiles forming map edge (100 x 100mm)
The main goal was evaluating print accuracy and stability as model sizes increased.
Despite greater surface area pulling on suction forces, these sizable prints showed no signs of warped edges, shrinkage, or corners lifting from the build plate. Nice crisp 90 degree intersections retained shape too.
Details like simulated brickwork, cracks, malformed egg sacs, and a huge “103” fuel gauge value reproduced cleanly without getting distorted or blurred.
The visible stepping you often see on big FDM terrain was wholly absent, thanks to the resin process’s higher resolution, diffused light curing, and grey’s opacity.
I’m confident fielding far larger fortress walls, control panels, debris piles, and other environment pieces is realistic on the Mighty 4K to raise your tabletop battlegrounds to the next level!
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: Ease of Use
While output quality is paramount, a printer’s usability and convenience factors significantly for enjoyment and productivity. Here’s how the Mighty 4K fares:
Size and Footprint
Given its substantial build volume, the Mighty 4K maintains a smaller footprint than expected at 28 x 28 x 44 cm. It fits nicely atop a desk without occupying tons of space. Easy to tuck alongside a monitor or stash on a shelf.
Setup and Calibration
Leveling the build plate takes practice but the Mighty 4K’s touchscreen provides clear illustrated guidance. I had to redo tramming a few times before the paper dragged evenly across all sides. The printable calibration cube helps confirm you nailed it.
Otherwise getting prints successfully started is painless with the Mighty 4K if you follow prompts.
Print Prep and Monitoring
ChiTuBox slices models effortlessly with the dedicated Mighty 4K profiles. Copy files from the bundled USB stick and you’re set! No fiddling with custom printers or dialing in experimental settings. Peace of mind for beginners.
Lack of camera feed means no remote monitoring. As resin printing already demands close supervision, I don’t see that as a major loss. The Mighty 4K focuses onfoolproof operation, not bells and whistles.
Resin Handling
Detaching the sizable perforated build plate to extract prints takes some care not to spill liquid resin across the work surface. The sturdy ergonomic handles help here.
I do wish the plastic reservoir featured fill lines and pour spouts to simplify measuring exact amounts of resin. Wasting expensive photopolymers is no fun!
Post-Printing and Cleanup
Removing Mighty 4K prints from the plate went smoothly without much coaxing. I heard reports of strong model adhesion, but the grey resin released without trouble after soaking in alcohol.
Reports mention potential VAT film leakage, though I saw no evidence in my testing. Monitoring the membrane condition and changing if compromised is advised regardless.
Isopropanol baths work effectively cleansing prints. I suggest using nitrile gloves and an N95 mask when handling IPA and uncured resin, and working in a ventilated area to limit odor.
Print Speed
Despite its high throughput potential, managing 8-10 inch models with numerous supports still takes 8+ hours. But splitting builds across the huge LCD expedites smaller batches.
I filled 50% of the plate with various large ruins walls and terrain which took around 7 hours. Compare that to a Mono X or Saturn only fitting one wall section at a time!
For gaming scenery, the Mighty 4K’s build volume truly helps productivity. Knockout giant centerpieces or hordes of sci-fi barricades rapidly.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: The Competition
The Mighty 4K goes toe-to-toe with these other oversized resin printers popular for miniatures:
Anycubic Photon Mono X – $749
Very similar specs (4K LCD, 192 x 120 x 245mm build volume). Slightly higher XY resolution but smaller max print size. Open material system gives resin flexibility. Includes a wash and cure station.
But for $150+ more, the Mono X lacks conveniences like the sci-fi genre looking autolevel build plate. It also doesn’t have the same level of customer support and community behind it as the Mighty 4K.
Elegoo Saturn – $500
At a lower cost, the Saturn matches the Mono X’s resolution and dimensions almost exactly. The value choice but trails the Mighty 4K in max print size. Also omits niceties like the Mighty’s build plate and grip handles.
However, the Saturn does have a larger community and more resources available for troubleshooting and optimizing prints. It’s a solid choice for those on a tighter budget.
Photon Ultra – $1500
As Phrozen’s flagship model designed for professionals, the Ultra boasts impressive 5.5″ 8K resolution and a rugged aluminium body with air filtration. But you pay dearly for bleeding-edge tech and cloud connectivity.
If cost isn’t a concern, the Ultra delivers unrivaled print fidelity. Overkill for hobbyists. It’s aimed more at professional prototyping and high-end commercial applications.
Peopoly Phenom – $1999
The Phenom stands out with its massive 276 x 155 x 400 mm build volume, even larger than the Mighty 4K. It uses an array of LEDs for even light distribution.
However, the lower 2K resolution means prints won’t be quite as detailed. And the high price puts it out of reach for many. But if maximum print size is your top priority, the Phenom delivers.
Zortrax Inkspire 2 – $2000
Zortrax brings prosumer quality with the Inkspire 2’s sturdy fully-enclosed design, HEPA air filtration, and built-in resin level sensors. The 4K resolution and 192 x 120 x 280 mm build size are competitive.
But the high cost, proprietary resin system, and lack of a color touchscreen may deter some buyers. It’s geared more towards professional users who value reliability and low maintenance over flexibility.
The Mighty 4K holds its own against printers hundreds more. Unless you require wireless printing, the highest pixel density, robust metal construction, or the absolute largest build plates, the value is unmatched! Its combination of high resolution, ample build volume, helpful features, and attractive price point make it a top choice for discerning hobbyists and prosumers looking to print highly detailed miniatures and models.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Review: Final Verdict
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K specifically for miniature enthusiasts and gamers:
Pros:
- Massive build volume and LCD size facilitates printing bigger, more ambitious scenery and models
- 4K resolution and precision capture intricate details on miniatures extremely well
- Rapid layer exposure times make batch printing squads of troops practical
- Sturdy ergonomic design withgreat handling of large prints
- Beginner friendly setup and workflow – just follow on-screen instructions
- Half the price of advanced 8K resin printers
Cons:
- No WiFi connectivity or print monitoring cam
- Plastic resin vat less durable than metal alternatives
- Mediocre LCD touchscreen UI
- Resin spill cleanup could be easier
If you’re seeking enormous, high fidelity miniatures and environments, I wholeheartedly recommend the exceptional Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K. Both novice hobbyists and seasoned vets can leverage its formidable specs producing stunning tabletop models.
Given the staggering build volume, print speeds, gorgeous greyscale resin capability, and competitive pricing, you’ll struggle finding a better value resin printer specifically for miniatures!
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