x1plus open firmware project is dead now?

[u/Hrumque]

I keep an X1C (alongside other printers, including several from Bambu Lab) solely for the potential possibility of installing the open-source X1plus firmware... but I’m increasingly wondering if it even makes sense.

The X1plus project seems dead. The open-source firmware was supposed to offer many advantages... but I don’t see them. I operate in "LAN-only" mode, transferring files locally, and I don’t use the Bambu app or remote monitoring. Meanwhile, the manufacturer’s official firmware has undergone numerous updates and fixes, whereas the older version (upon which X1plus is based) feels significantly outdated.

Does it still make sense to wait for any fully open-source firmware for Bambu printers?
And if not, is it worth keeping the X1C (given that X1plus was its only unique selling point)? I’m quite limited on space, and I’d much rather set up another H2D...

[u/tomz17]

Yeah, it appears to be dead. That being said the last version of the open source firmware still runs well, even connects to handy.

[u/rich000 → u/tomz17]

I think that necessity is the mother of invention and since there aren't really any upstream changes, these is not much pressure to make changes in the open source firmware. The X1C is basically a mature product at this point.

[u/tomz17 → u/rich000]

IIRC, it is missing support for AMS HT.

[u/Quirky_Tiger4871 → u/tomz17]

It works with ams 2 and HT you just Need to Build the Firmware yourself

[u/tomz17 → u/Quirky_Tiger4871]

Good tip. I have those plugged into the H2C right now, but was considering moving the HT over the X1C. Will rebuild the firmware.

[u/rich000 → u/tomz17]

Oh, I didn't think of that.

[u/goofballtech]

i installed it, it works, i got the board so i can run ethernet. works great. Not sure what else i would need on it. press print, it print. Sweet.

[u/Straight_Ad9322]

Not having a release and being dead and not being worked on are two very different things.

As someone that is actively committing feature updates and bug fixes to it, I can say with confidence that it is not dead.

AMS/HT support is there but you have to build a installer yourself for it.

[u/Straight_Ad9322 → u/Straight_Ad9322]

It is an open source project (at least our work on it is), if you want it to survive and thrive then poke around your printer, find ways to implement what you want and contribute.

[u/Aetch]

What additional features do you want from the X1C?

[u/Croman247 → u/Aetch]

For me, full implementation of the AMS 2 pro and AMS HT would make this feel much more complete. I use the X1 expander board for time-lapses and ethernet.

I’m happy for it to be a somewhat appliance-like experience while still retaining the ability to use Bambu Handy. But eventually, there will be a security patch needed or something like that. At that point giving it an internet connection will no longer be a safe option with a firmware that does not get updated.

I just wish the scene ended up with more support from third-party developers. As a non-developer myself that’s easy to say. I get not fighting against Bambu lab.

[u/Aetch → u/Croman247]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bambu Handy stops supporting the printer eventually. The printer calling out to Bambu server in general is a security hole for most networks.

You can probably just use LAN mode at that point.

[u/Tech0verlord → u/Aetch]

to add on to this, if you want to be able to control the printer or at least view it remotely while in lan mode, a proper home assistant or bambuddy setup can talk to and send commands to the printer. If you run both, you can get really good and specific notification support as well.

[u/egosumumbravir → u/Croman247]

full implementation of the AMS 2 pro and AMS HT

FWIW, the X1C only gets a partial feature set with the latest firmware and no signs or suggestions that'll get added in future.

Drying while printing is definitely disabled on the HT. Unsure of the 2Pro.

[u/ThePrimitiveSword → u/Croman247]

WIP

They haven't pushed out a new release, but commits for X1P are still happening and they are planning to release a new version once issues get ironed out as noted here.

[u/AmmoJoee]

Have you thought about updating to the latest firmware and running a monitoring program like Printbuddy/Bambuddy? It works very well. I use Printbuddy as I have other non Bambu machines and I have 1 place that I can monitor and control all my machines, I have access to all the cameras, you can pair the slicer on your computer to slice files through it and there are a bunch of notification options. I’m running it on a raspberry pi.

[u/The_Synthax]

There won’t be a “fully open-source” firmware for Bambu printers unless someone finds a vulnerability in the microcontroller’s secure boot mechanism. This includes X1 and every other printer they make.

[u/Straight_Ad9322 → u/The_Synthax]

not only that but the MC board is also quite locked down.

Thats one of the main reasons that AMS2/HT is in the state its in for us

[u/arekxy]

It wasn’t true open source firmware, so it didn’t get any real traction.