LaserPecker LX2 Laser Cutter Review

What you read here is what I really think of the LX2.

Spoiler Alert: The LX2 stacks up in a huge way, but I did run into a couple head scratching moments. We’ll talk about those later and how they were resolved well beyond my satisfaction. Let’s dig in.

Unboxing

Somewhere on this blog I state that I don’t do unboxing videos. When they contacted me to review the LX2 they asked me, “Hey, can you do an unboxing video?” And I thought about it for a moment and then realized no one had ever asked me before. Much less asked so nicely. So here we are breaking new ground!

I should point out that I believe they sent me the 40 Watt All-In–One Bundle ($2899 .99 currently). All this in the video below might not be pertinent to you if you purchase just the LX2 or another bundle.

The Bundle consists of:

• LX2 Laser
• 2 Watt IR and 40 watt blue diode laser modules
• Riser Base
• Air Assist
• Rotary Extension
• Smoke Purifier
• Slats
• Fire Extinguisher

LaserPecker LX2 Features

That is a lot of cool stuff and it should be pointed out that this is also a Class 1 laser. Laser classifications are established by the FDA and run from 1 to 4 with #1 being the SAFEST. Here is a quick overview video on some of the outstanding features found on the LaserPecker LX2 40 Watt All-In-One Bundle.

One quick note. Every laser manufacturer shows their laser blasting through thick material. That material is usually a soft wood like pine or basswood. In the video below I have this particularly nasty piece of wood that resists cutting and it is what I use during MY TESTING. While it did take a couple of passes that 40 watt laser at full power blasted through it easily. I have lasers that won’t cut that slab of scrap wood no matter how many passes you make. This was impressive to me.

I’ve been reviewing lasers since around 2019 when they first became commercially available. I’m feel confident in saying that this laser is stacked and packed with all the best features. One of the best safety features it has is a fire suppression system that they call the “Fire Extinguisher Set”. It initially did not come with the laser and just showed up one day a couple of weeks later.

Technical Features

Here is a quick list of the technical aspects that I think are important.

• 1000 mm/s engraving speed
• 4 laser modules available (2w IR, 20, 40, 60 watt blue diode)
• Dual Positioning System for remarkable accuracy
• Interior Camera
• Focusing Probe which can accommodate engraving on curved surfaces
• 19.7″ x 12″ Working area
• Pre-Assembled (Except for the Riser Base and LX2 mounting)
• Supported Software: LaserPecker Design Space APP & PC Software & LightBurn
• Supported OS’s: MacOS and Windows (Lightburn also has a Linux version)

Encountered Issues

As I mentioned above I had a couple of head scratching moments. One of those is completely resolved now but it should be noted that I received my LaserPecker LX2 maybe a day or two before the official release date.

Issue 1: Software Support And Connection

I excitedly set up the LX2 and their downloadable software version was not finding the laser nor connecting to it. I checked the included USB drive they sent and there was no software on it. Just test files. After contacting LaserPecker support I found out there was a Beta software that was required to use with the LX2. I wasn’t initially provided the testing docs or that software. As soon as I brought it to their attention that I couldn’t connect they sent me a download link to their Beta software.

Currently the Beta software download was updated and is on their Software Download page.

So, strictly my issue. Not one that you will run into. Also if you want access to all the features of the LX2 you probably won’t want to use Lightburn. I have yet to see a Lightburn config file (.lbdev) for the LX2. There is one for the LX1 though. Hopefully, some time in the near future we will see one. If you do use Lightburn you had probably better know some GRBL tricks with M codes. Swapping modules is one example of needing to tweak the GRBL code.

I, like many laser operators use Lightburn almost exclusively. When LDS software first dropped I struggled a lot with it. As with all products there is some maturation that occurs with upgrades and bug fixes. I’m able to navigate around LDS now pretty well.

Issue 2: Focusing Probe Issue

The LaserPecker LX2 comes with two focusing probes. One for each laser module (IR, 40watt). The probe is retracted initially. When you begin focusing operations it extends, and upon measuring and setting the focal distance the module rises which causes the probe to retract again. The retraction is necessary so it doesn’t drag around or move your material laying on the bed or slats.

Mine stopped retracting.

Here’s a quick video showing you what I encountered and how I dealt with it. Before we use our sentence enhancing words to describe this situation it is SUPER EASY to manually measure your focal distance and input the distance into LaserPecker Design Space Software (LDS). I have found this is something you NEED to do with very small items anyway. The point where this becomes an issue is when probing uneven surfaces for curved engraving scenarios. When I first noticed this I did a little caveman tweaking to the rocker arm and now it works perfectly. Sorry I didn’t film the actual failure at the time. But look out for this, LX2 users.

If that probe does not retract after taking the measurement it WILL hit your workpiece and move it.

Regarding Power

I engrave quite a few of these anodized aluminum wallets. Typically I need to do them on a fiber or IR laser. Just for fun I wondered how the 40 watt blue diode would perform ON A BLUE BACKGROUND. Not bad, not bad at all. I did this at about 100% power and 15 mm’s speed.

Also just for fun I ran the file 4 times to test repositional accuracy. No fat lines, no double lines. Perfect accuracy!

LaserPecker LX2 Connections and Ports

There are plenty! And they are very well laid out. Cut and pasted from the manual. The only thing that stands out to me here is that there are Fire Extinguisher power ports and inlet ports while the actual Fire Extinguishing Set in a video above connects on the interior of the cabinet. Looks like you can use an external extinguishing unit too.

One huge bonus is that there are ports on the inside as well. I kind of fumbled and bumbled around looking for the rotary port and found that there are a whole bunch of support documents for the LX2. And wouldn’t you know it, there is a doc on the Rotary Extension. The port I couldn’t find is clearly marked in that doc in the front of the LX2 cabinet. Sweet!

My Honest Summation And Advice For New Users

I’ve yet to see a laser configured as well as this one. Every major feature in the industry is in this machine. I’ve yet to mention the rails and drag chains. The quality of this is indicative of a well engineered machine.

The price is not bad for what you get. As with any laser from any manufacturer, the key is after sales support and the ability to purchase spares. If you crack a protective lens and you don’t have a spare, you’re out of business. LaserPecker gives you a spare. Still, it is incumbent upon the user to get more, just in case.

So many customers buy a laser and just keep using it until a point of failure and then they scream foul. “The manufacturer is awful and I have orders to fulfill.” As with any laser, the LX2 requires cleaning and maintenance maybe even more so than other equipment. I’d love to see the interior ports capped so fumes and buildup from cutting won’t affect them negatively. I’ll probably slap some tape over the unused interior ports.

Distance Sensor

The problem with the distance sensor (focusing probe) is somewhat troubling though. It needs to work 100% of the time especially if you are doing curved surfaces. If that probe doesn’t retract it will drag around on your work or move the piece that you are working on leading to an engraving failure. That happened to me. It was only after I ruined something that I realized what was going on. I strongly recommend you watch my video above if you haven’t already.

At this moment if you are a die hard Lightburn fan you might find yourself staring at a steep learning curve making the shift to LaserPecker Design Space software. I have no doubts you can set up a simple device in Lightburn since the LX2 user GRBL code. You could manually add the laser and input the working area X and Y sizes. Then set the home position to rear left. What you probably won’t get are any of the advanced features such as auto distance measurement, or be able to set the change from a diode laser to the IR module.

Rotary

I’ll cover the Rotary later in a different blog and you can see my recommendation regarding it below. Essentially, you place a positioning block against the rails. It is magnetic and lays on the clean out tray.

Rotary Extension Alignment (click pics to enlarge)

Oh, one more thing about the rotary extension. I send all my love to the engineer who designed the latch mechanism to move the tower on the end. I Love You, man. If you’ve been reviewing lasers as long as I have you recognize this as an amazing design feature. Did I say, “I Love You, man” (Or hopefully a woman designed this. Sounds better for me.)

Recommendations

• Cover interior ports with plastic caps so they don’t get gummed up after extensive use.
• Provide a Lightburn lbdev file
• Keep improving LDS. It has come a long way but still has some non-intuitive features
• Add LDS to the USB drive that comes with the machine. (They may be doing this on the current batch of shipping LX2 lasers now.)
• Mark that rotary extension positioning block to say “Rotary Extension Positioning Block”. I had no clue what it was until I began to play with the rotary.
• And mark that positioning block to say “This Side Up”
• Bluetooth compatibility would be pretty great too. Guys like me who play with networking and home labs and IT security prefer things to communicate with each other without an internet facing app or program. I only use my lasers with USB cables. I did set up WiFI and it was a breeze. I have had some lasers in the past give me heartburn and gray hair trying to set up WiFI.

Should You Buy One?

If you fancy yourself an old pro like I am then a resounding YES. If you are brand spanking new to lasers you are jumping in to the highest desktop laser tier there is. It could be daunting. But if you are up to the challenge then another resounding YES.

If you are lost in the sauce I’d start with the most basic laser and THEN buy an LX2. This is a super capable machine and curved surface engraving is the coolest feature ever.

JOHN’S TECH BLOG BELIEVES THAT THE LASERPECKER LX2 IS CURRENTLY THE MOST ADVANCED LASER ON THE MARKET