Quote Originally Posted by MCmec View Post
Wow! I did not know what I started here but it's probably been more informative that you think.
We all love a good spat once in a while ;)

Quote Originally Posted by MCmec View Post
I have looked at the UCCNC software and UC100 and don't know if the UC100 is Ethernet compatible (need to look at that) but I expect there will be a UC controller that is. The downside of the UC licence is it is linked to one controller (A Utube owner's review stated that). It may not seem like a real problem to most but it could stop you from experimenting with other general software if you buy a specific controller. I guess UCCNC software with a controller would do just fine for me but I've not got to that stage just yet.
I believe there are three UCCNC compatible ethernet controllers; the AXBB-E, the UC300eth, and the UC400eth. For a simple build, I'd recommend the AXBB-E. The other two require a little bit more involved wiring and usually need a breakout board to go with them, whereas the AXBB-E takes care of all that for you, so you just plug stuff into it and off you go.

Yes, the licence is linked to the S/N of the controller - but wait! I don't think you've got the whole picture. The licence is for the software (UCCNC) to talk to the controller - but you don't have to use their software, these boards are also compatible with Mach3 and Mach4 (but not, so far as I can tell, LinuxCNC). There is nothing to stop you using the other software - the licence key just activates THEIR software (UCCNC) for YOUR device (UC100). Its in this format so that people who run multiple machines have to purchase a licence for each machine (which I think is fair enough).

The kicker is that Mach3 or Mach4 also needs a paid licence - and its substantially more than the cost of the UCCNC licence (£200 or £300 vs £60 if I recall correctly?). There is also the consideration that UCCNC has a very good reputation at the moment, and there is a reasonable number of people swapping over to it.