Review: Leo Evo 3D Pen Set

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Review: Leo Evo 3D Pen Set

When I first saw the Leo Evo 3D Pen’s colorful packaging and cartoon lion branding I was sure it was aimed at younger users. However, once I got my hands on it, I could see that it’s actually a very capable and well made 3D pen and it includes many features usually only seen on professional level models.

I found it easy to use and problem free and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a 3D Pen at this price level.

Let’s dive into my full review and see what it has to offer.

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Summary

The Leo Evo 3D pen is a lightweight, easy to use 3D Pen that is packed with technical features that allow you to explore all avenues of your creativity. You can use many filament types of the standard 1.75mm size and its premium unclogging feature ensures you spend your time creating artworks not fixing problems.

Features

Temperature Control

The ability to control the temperature of the 3D pen anywhere between 140°C and 230°C allows you to use different filament materials. The most popular choice is PLA because it’s a natural biodegradable material so is better for the environment. You can also use ABS which is most people’s second choice. ABS is stronger than PLA and can withstand moisture and heat better so you can keep your creations outside.

Having a temperature control is also beneficial because filament that is a different color or from different manufacturers can melt at different temperatures. With a temperature control you can set the optimum level for the exact filament you’re using, this means you get a perfect melt and flow of material. Without a temperature control, you may get overheated filament that pops and bubbles or under heated filament that is hard to stick.

6 Speed Control

Speed control really marks the difference between a toy and a premium 3D pen. This allows you to slow the filament extrude speed right down when concentrating on detailed, intricate designs. And for larger areas, for example, filling in areas you can quickly select a faster speed to save time and make creating much more fun.

Speed control is also great for younger children who may need a little help to control the pen. Setting a slower speed allows them to practice and gain confidence.

OLED display

I found the LED display on the 3D Pen to be very clear and easy to read. It shows you the current feed speed from 1 to 6 and the current and target temperatures as well as the current mode ‘PLA’ or ‘ABS’. You don’t need any more information than this so I think it’s a perfect balance between function and feature. As you hold the pen the display is well positioned so you can quickly glance at it to see the speed or temperature and then continue with your drawing.

Easy Filament Change

To change the filament all you have to do is make sure your 3D Pen is at the correct temperature for your filament and then press and hold the filament unload button. The filament will withdraw quickly leaving you to pull out the final inch. You then simply push the end of your new filament into the pen and press the feed button. Simple!

Ergonomic Shape

You can see the Leo Evo Pen is very organically shaped. This makes it fit in your hand very naturally and makes it easy to control as you draw even complex shapes. After a few hours use you won’t feel tired and as the shape is contoured it’s suitable for large or small hands.

Unboxing and Setup

The Leo Evo 3D Pen is nicely packaged. The box has a fun design with the Leo Evo lion emblem that will definitely appeal to kids. I had to peel off a couple of clear stickers to release the top of the box and then it simply slides off.

On top of the box, you’ll find the instruction manual and a booklet of design templates to help inspire you. Mine included some cartoon characters like Spongebob and Hello Kitty, decorative objects like an elaborate box, and some fairly advanced models of a windmill and the Eiffel Tower. I’m pretty sure there’s something you’ll find interesting enough to have a go at. Personally, I’ve got my eye on the Eiffel Tower!

Inside the box, the Pen and all its accessories are nicely packaged in a bespoke inner tray that is molded to the shape of the pen. There’s a power supply which is fitted with a US compatible plug but the voltage is universal 110-240V 50/60Hz, so it can be used in any country with a suitable adaptor.

At this point, I thought there was no filament included. Luckily I decided to lift out the inner packaging tray and sure enough underneath there were two bags, each containing three spools of different colored PLA filament!

My next task was to read the instructions to see how to get started. The instruction booklet is nicely laid out, it’s printed well, and includes color photos of the 3D pen to help you navigate your way around the screen and button functions.

So let’s get drawing…

Using the 3D Pen

The first thing I noticed about the pen itself is the soft tactile coating of the sort you find on expensive computer mice. It feels very nice to hold and the surface finish makes it surprisingly easy to hold steady.

Although it feels slippery in your hand it actually helps you to grip it better and then move it easily when you reposition, unlike normal plastic that gets sticky and hard to hold for long periods of time.

Ergonomics

The shape of the Pen is also very well designed. It fits very well in my hand, even though my hands are quite large. Later on, my son had a go and he also found it comfortable to use.

There are three groups of buttons on the pen. Next to the screen are the temperature controls. These are well positioned so you can see the target temperature change on the screen as you press them.

Where your thumb naturally sits you’ll find the filament feed buttons. You press these as you work to control the filament flow as you draw.

And lastly, the speed control buttons sit under your index/first finger allowing you to change the speed as you move from simple to complex details on your model.

Loading Filament

When you first switch the 3D Pen on you choose whether you’re using PLA or ABS material. The pen will then set an appropriate target temperature and the display shows you the actual vs target temperature. This target temperature is automatically maintained by the pen as you use it.

Once the temperature is reached you can load the filament. This is simply a case of pushing the filament into the loading hole at the opposite end to the nozzle and then holding down the filament feed button. You can hear the gentle sound of the motor and you’ll feel the filament being pulled into the pen.

After a few seconds, once your new filament reaches the hot nozzle it will start to extrude out and you can either start drawing or press the feed button again to stop the feed motor.

Drawing

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To draw with the 3D Pen all you do is position the tip of the nozzle where you want it and then press the filament feed button. It’s a really good idea to have a practice on a scrap of paper. You should start at the slowest speed and work up from 1 to 6 so you get an idea of how fast you can work.

I found the Leo Evo surprisingly easy to use right from the start. The controls are very well positioned so they are right under your fingers for easy access but it’s hard to press them accidentally as they need a good press to work.

Once I’d had a quick practice I decided to jump straight to the complex Eiffel Tower model! This was a good test as it has plenty of small detailed sections as well as long straight lines which make it perfect for switching speeds for optimum use.

Well, you can use your own judgment of my modeling skills but I’m quite happy with how my Eiffel Tower turned out!

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Conclusion

I really enjoyed using the Leo Evo 3D Pen. Setting up couldn’t be simpler than feeding the filament and pressing the load button, within a couple of minutes you’ll be up and running.

I’m really pleased with how my Eiffel Tower model turned out and I’m confident that with a little more practice the controls on the Leo Evo give me everything I would need to complete more detailed and complex models to a very high standard.

If you’re looking to start this rewarding hobby or to buy a 3D pen as a gift then I can thoroughly recommend the Leo Evo 3D Pen. The ease of use, the design of the packaging and the templates that are included make it ideal for kids.

Last update on 2024-10-05 at 22:11

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