Is the HeyGears Reflex the Ultimate Resin Printer?

• By Christopher Hoffman
• Posted in 3dprinters, blog
• On March 26, 2026
• No Comments.

Resin printing has a reputation for being finicky. Exposure tweaking, bed releveling, babysitting resin levels, dealing with failed prints. The HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex is built to fix all of that. It has automatic bed leveling, auto resin filling, AI-assisted peeling force management, and a 385+ nanometer light source that sets it apart from pretty much every other desktop resin printer on the market. I have been running this printer for the past month, and there is a lot to get into.

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HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex Specs

Spec	Value
Technology	MSLA Resin (Photopolymer)
Build Volume	192 x 121 x 220 mm
Screen	6K Mono LCD (5760 x 3600 px)
XY Pixel Size	33 microns
Overall XY Accuracy	+/- 16 microns
Light Source	385+ nm COB LED with freeform surface lens
Light Uniformity	94% or greater
Z-Axis	C5 grade industrial ball screw, +/- 2 micron accuracy
Force Sensor Accuracy	0.1 Newton
Touch Screen	5-inch (nitrile glove compatible)
Connectivity	USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Machine Size	400 x 420 x 572 mm
Weight	25 kg
Price (at time of review)	$979 sale / $1,399 regular

Pros and Cons

The 385nm Light Source: Why It Actually Matters for Resin Printing

Most desktop resin printers use a 405 nanometer UV light source. The HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex uses a 385+ nanometer COB (chip-on-board) LED paired with a freeform surface lens, and that one decision changes a lot about how the printer performs.

Here is why it matters. The chemicals inside resin that trigger the curing reaction, called photoinitiators, have their peak absorption in the 380 to 400 nanometer range. A 385nm source hits closer to that sweet spot, so each layer cures faster and more completely. HeyGears claims up to 1.5x faster print speeds as a result. There is also a precision benefit since the shorter wavelength has less depth penetration into the resin. That reduces overcure between layers and gives you tighter control over fine details.

The trade-off is real. LCD screens absorb more light at shorter wavelengths, so they degrade faster than a 405nm setup and the optics cost more. But the payoff is compatibility with high-performance resins that standard printers often struggle with, including ABS-like, flexible, elastic, and transparent materials. And in real-world testing, the screen consistency was impressive compared to other printers I have tested recently.

6K Screen, 33-Micron Resolution, and Automatic Light Compensation

The Reflex runs a 6K mono LCD screen with 5760 x 3600 pixels across a 192 x 121mm surface. That works out to a native XY pixel size of 33 microns and an overall accuracy spec of +/- 16 microns. Screens are pre-calibrated at the factory to hit 90% or greater light uniformity across the full build plate, so parts should print consistently whether they are positioned in the center or toward the edges.

One feature worth calling out is automatic light intensity compensation. The printer tracks light source aging data over time and adjusts output automatically to maintain consistent print quality throughout the printer’s whole life. If you are doing production work or running a small print farm, that kind of long-term reliability is a big deal.

Build Platform and Z-Axis Precision

The Reflex ships with a perforated steel build platform. The holes improve adhesion and extend the platform’s life compared to a solid plate. Parts stick firmly during printing, but the perforations also give your scraper easy purchase when it is time to remove them. After a full month of testing, the build plate has zero visible damage or scrape marks. It should last a long time.

Installation uses a single locking lever. You raise the wrench, slide the platform along the rail, push it to the bottom, and lock it down. There are also built-in drain rails that let you slide the plate back in at an angle so excess resin drips off on its own. It is one of those small details that saves a surprising amount of mess over time.

The Z-axis uses a C5 grade industrial ball screw with a repeated positioning accuracy of +/- 2 microns. Layer consistency was excellent throughout testing with no noticeable variation.

Auto Bed Leveling, Auto Resin Fill, and AI Peeling Force Management

The force sensors built into the print arm are accurate to 0.1 Newton and they handle three jobs at once.

First is automatic bed leveling, which HeyGears calls a floating screen structure. Before each print, the printer corrects build plate inclinations up to 0.15 degrees and eliminates gaps up to 240 microns. You walk through the leveling process once during initial setup, and after that the system handles it automatically before every print. After that first setup, the bed never needed manual adjustment.

Second is AI-assisted peeling force management. The printer analyzes each sliced layer, calculates the optimal peeling force, and adjusts in real time. This helps prevent parts from detaching mid-print, reduces breakage, and cuts down on visible layer lines. You can also view the full force curve for any completed print inside Blueprint Studio, which is really useful for diagnosing failures.

Third is resin residue detection. If the sensors find debris 0.2mm or larger in the vat before a print starts, the printer auto-stops and warns you. That can save you from running an entire job into a contaminated vat.

The auto resin fill system uses 1-liter RFID cartridges that drop into the top of the printer. It monitors the vat level and refills automatically before and during printing. Each bottle has a check valve so resin does not spill when you swap one out, and a moving resin gate keeps the vat only partially filled during printing to reduce suction forces on each layer peel. The whole system is well thought out.

Heated Resin Tray: A Standard Feature, Not an Upsell

The Reflex includes a heated resin tray as a standard feature. HeyGears says it can bring resin temperature from 50 degrees F up to an optimal 73 degrees F in about 20 minutes and holds it there throughout the print. Resin viscosity is heavily affected by temperature, so if you are printing in a cold garage or anywhere with low ambient temperatures, this is a important feature for print reliability.

Testing was done in Florida so the heater never kicked on, but for anyone printing in colder climates this would be a huge deal.

The vat itself slides in and out with two quick-release levers. No long screws to deal with. The integrated spout also makes pouring leftover resin back into the bottle clean and easy.

Blueprint Studio Slicer: Beginner Friendly With One Big Catch

The Reflex uses HeyGears’ Blueprint Studio as its slicer and print management platform, plus the Blueprint Go app on iOS and Android. Blueprint Studio handles the full workflow from connecting printers to slicing to sending jobs to reviewing print stats after the fact.

The one-click slice function automatically arranges, orients, repairs, adds supports, and slices your model in one shot. It is useful and works well out of the box. The automatic support generation is excellent, and there is even a feature that detects and removes pre-existing supports from other slicers so you can replace them with Blueprint Studio’s own. For production use it also doubles as a print farm management tool with remote job sending and detailed per-print statistics including the full force curve.

But here is the catch. You cannot manually adjust exposure times or print speeds. You are locked into HeyGears’ built-in resin profiles. For a business running entirely on HeyGears’ ecosystem, that is not a problem. But for hobbyists who like experimenting with third-party resins or dialing in custom settings, it is a real limitation worth knowing about before you buy.

Real-World Print Results: PAT10 Transparent and PAU10 ABS-Like

PAT10 Transparent Resin

The PAT10 transparent resin is a standout. Straight off the printer at 50-micron layers, parts come out with a frosted crystal look. You can see color through them but not make out specific shapes. Feature detail is excellent though. Three light coats of clear gloss acrylic changes that completely with very little effort. Parts go nearly clear and spheres start acting like lenses.

For show pieces, polishing with Micromesh pads up to 12,000 grit is worth the extra time. The clarity at that point is impressive and light refracts like a prism through the finished piece. One thing to know: there is a slight yellow tint immediately after curing that goes away on its own within 24 hours. And if you are after crystal clear solid prints, let the resin sit for a bit before your first print so any air bubbles can escape.

PAU10 ABS-Like Resin

The PAU10 ABS-like resin is great for functional parts. Gearboxes, carabiners, mechanical housings, anything that will actually be handled and stressed. Detailed miniatures also turned out excellent with even thin details like crossbow strings and arrowheads printing cleanly. Support removal is easy, and a quick sand on the contact points gives a clean surface finish if you want it.

UltraCraft Wash and Cure Stations

If you go with the Reflex Combo, you get the UltraCraft Wash and UltraCraft Cure stations included, and they are both excellent.

The wash station uses a two-box IPA workflow with pre-configured wash settings for each resin. You send the job wirelessly from Blueprint Studio and the station handles the rest. No manual timing, no guessing how long to run it.

The cure station has both a Rapid and a Performance mode. Rapid uses the dual-wavelength UV LEDs inside the chamber. Performance mode adds the heated chamber on top of that. For ABS-like resins like the PAU10, that heat range sits right at the material’s heat deflection temperature, so the bake actually improves the final mechanical properties of the part in a meaningful way.

Optional Pulsing Release Module

HeyGears offers an optional Pulsing Release Module (PRM) that integrates directly with the Reflex. It uses high-frequency vibrations to cut peeling force by up to 50%, which can unlock faster print speeds, fewer supports, and less resin consumption. The noted trade-off is that higher speeds can slightly reduce surface detail on some parts.

A full dedicated review of the PRM is coming soon. But if throughput is a priority, it is worth knowing the option is there.

HeyGears Reflex vs. Reflex RS Turbo: Which Should You Buy?

Feature	UltraCraft Reflex	Reflex RS Turbo
Light Source	385+ nm COB	Standard 405nm
Screen	6K	8K
Build Volume	192 x 121 x 220 mm	222 x 122 x 230 mm
Heated Resin Tray	Included as standard	Optional add-on
Build Platform	Perforated steel	Standard
Best For	Advanced resins, light uniformity, full feature set	Larger build area, higher resolution screen

Go with the Reflex if you want the most advanced curing technology, plan to use specialty resins, or want the most hands-off experience with the heated tray included as standard.

Go with the Reflex RS Turbo if you need a larger build volume or want a higher-resolution 8K screen. You can check out the full Reflex RS Turbo review to see how that one performs.

See the Reflex RS Turbo Combo here and use code HOFFMANENGINEER for $50 off.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex?

The HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex is one of the most polished desktop resin printers available right now. The 385nm light source is not a marketing gimmick. It enables faster curing, better material compatibility, and excellent light uniformity. The force sensors, auto bed leveling, auto resin fill, and heated resin tray all work together to take a lot of the frustration out of resin printing.

The vendor lock-in on resin profiles is a real constraint and worth knowing about upfront. If you love experimenting with third-party resins and tweaking settings, this printer will feel limiting. But if you want a machine that produces reliable, consistent results without babysitting, the Reflex is one of the best options in its class.

At $979 on sale, you are getting automatic bed leveling, auto resin filling, a heated resin tray, force sensors with debris detection, and a validated resin ecosystem. That is a strong package for the price.

Check the latest price on the HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex and use code HOFFMANENGINEER for $50 off.

Pricing and Where to Buy

Use code HOFFMANENGINEER for $50 off your order!

• HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex (Printer Only) – $979 sale / $1,399 regular
• HeyGears Reflex Combo (Printer + Wash + Cure) – $1,977
• UltraCraft Wash Station
• UltraCraft Cure Station
• PAU10 ABS-Like Resin (1L) – $50
• PAT10 Transparent Resin (1L) – $89 (check for current availability)
• Reflex RS Turbo Combo – see link for current pricing

Prices may have changed since this review was recorded. Click the links above for current pricing and the latest discount codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex worth buying?

Yes, especially at the $979 sale price. You get a 385nm light source, automatic bed leveling, auto resin fill, a heated resin tray, and AI-assisted peeling force management all in one machine. If you want a resin printer that produces consistent results without constant tinkering, the Reflex is one of the best options in its class right now.

What resin works with the HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex?

The Reflex is optimized for HeyGears’ own resin lineup, which covers standard modeling, transparent, ABS-like, flexible, elastic, water-washable, high-temperature, and wax casting materials. Most come in 1-liter RFID cartridges the printer automatically recognizes. You can physically pour any resin into the vat, but since you cannot adjust exposure settings in Blueprint Studio, third-party resins are a gamble.

What is the difference between a 385nm and 405nm resin printer?

Most resin printers use a 405nm UV light source. The Reflex’s 385nm source hits closer to the peak absorption range of many high-performance resin photoinitiators, which means faster curing, better compatibility with advanced materials, and tighter detail control per layer. The trade-off is that the LCD screen degrades faster at the shorter wavelength and the optics cost more to produce.

How does the HeyGears Reflex compare to the Reflex RS Turbo?

The original Reflex has the 385nm light source, a heated resin tray included as standard, and a perforated steel build plate. The RS Turbo has a larger build volume, a higher-resolution 8K screen, and a lower price. Go with the Reflex for advanced curing and a full feature set out of the box. Go with the RS Turbo if you need more build area or want the higher pixel count.

Do I need the Pulsing Release Module for the HeyGears Reflex?

No. The Reflex produces excellent print quality without it. The Pulsing Release Module is an optional upgrade that reduces peeling force by up to 50% to enable faster speeds and fewer supports. The trade-off is a slight reduction in surface detail at higher speeds. It is worth considering if you are doing high-volume printing and want to maximize throughput.

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Disclosure: This HeyGears UltraCraft Reflex was provided by HeyGears for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own based on hands-on testing.