USB Solution (Hardware + Desktop App)

The below is my opinion and only my opinion after many long nights and failed attempts to get to a level bed of MDF material.I purchased this MYDIYCNC USB solution with a great desire to modernize and be current with USB and not parallel interface technology though MACH3 and KCAM works verywell as originally designed with parallel ports.No KCAM or MACH3 cannot directly interface with the USB module.At the writing of this review the USB unit is very much proprietary and only works with the very elementary and limited FabCam software written by the creator. There are virtually 5 options.1 - Select Usb/Com port2 - Load Gcode (not the full set of standardized codes)3 - Execute Gcode/Pause/Stop4 - Manually turn spindle digitally Full On or Full Off no speed control5 - Adjust feed rate sliderYou can jog the axis's with the arrow keys and Page Up/Down keys.There is a reasonable attempt at displaying the object and engraving/cutting layers of the milling progress and you control the view of object with the 3-button mouse(do not use with track pad etc...).I found that the FabCam software is very unstable in a Windows 7 environment as if the power is removed from the motion controllers or the USB link is broken to the Usb solution, a full restart of the FabCam software and usually the unplugging of the Usb connection and re-inserting before executing FabCam.On several attempts to bed level an rectangular area in MDF board, the unit would cut stair stepped levels and just randomly drill into the MDF outside of the programmed area. In the sad end of the leveling process, the spindle moved to a corner of the board and dug in until stalling the Hi-torque(hah) spindle thus burning out the spindle. (Even though caused by software/USB solution, no warranty replacement for this one).Initially technical support (Stephen) were very responsive and helpful but as I became more aware and mentioned the shortfalls of this USB solution, communication with Stephen(the creator) fell off to nil. Won't reply to repeated requests for help... :-)The most confusing part of using the USB solution is the the axis movement directions don't match what I've learned in using Laser cutters and 3D printers where X axis moves left and right with the Y axis moving forward and backwards. Bed movement forward and back are called the Y axis with the side to side movement of the spindle on the gantry being X.I was told by the creator that to figure this out, I would need to face the computer and then turn my head to the left looking at the unit from the gantry stepper motor side which is a very unnatural way to look at the work piece.I removed the USB and installed MACH3 parallel connection to the driver assembly and it moved the axis in the expected directions and proper axis, which I felt comfortable with but had to swap the XY axis and limit switches to work in MACH3.The purchase of the limit switch with this unit is also exhausting as if any axis movement activates a limit switch as expected that axis no longer moves until addressed by the operator. That is okay for XY axis as the Lead screws that have to be manually turned by hand to deactivate the limit are easily reached by manipulating the position of the overall unit, however Z axis is behind the spindle and much more difficult to reach with your fingers.The USB solution should allow for the axis to be driven electronically by the operator in the opposite direction of switch activation and not require getting fingers dirty by manually turning Lead screws.I'm not trashing the USB solution or MYDIYCNC but only pointing out that the software that controls the unit needs much more fine tuning to be ready for prime time.My further opinion is that it is overpriced for what is delivered in performance and overall functionality.I only wrote this review out of frustration of no longer receiving any support from Stephen in trying to iron out the issues.Again they are good people with SuperFantastic after sale support until short comings in product design and implementation is introduced in the support requests.I won't bore you with my educational/vocational pedigree in attempt to validate my opinions and statements herein written as these issue speak for themselves and are strictly my experiences and opinion and nothing personal against the wonderful people and MYDIYCNC.I have no problem re-editing or changing my review if there are any positive changes or additional technical support to make this a robust and viable solution which has great potential, as I really like the stellar support offered by Julie and initially Stephen and somewhat by Tory who I think are good people and look forward to getting my issues with this unit resolved which I hope will improve the product, sales and help others to avoid the potential frustration I've frustratingly experienced.BTW; I don't just write problem reviews but I also take the time to submit product accolades where warranted as it's easy to be negative but takes a bit more effort to be positive which I will make the effort... :-)