Is the Umarq universal 350 worth it?

[NikNak]

Hey guys,

I hope everyone is well and staying safe. Newbie here, and would like some info to keep my mind busy during this time.

When I started engraving years ago for a company, I started out using gravograph machinery, starting with the is200, then the is400 Volume.
I always loved the software, and that was what I was used to for 5 years.

Fast forward I now work for myself and bought the Umarq Gem RX5 - and I disliked it at first, its a great machine,  but im just not keen on the software.
I dont know if im just being bias as I was quite spoilt with the is400 Volume due to its capabilities, but I find umarq software slow? The only thing I prefer with umarq is the outcome when filling logos/text. 

I now want to get a machine that's capable of doing cylindrical objects such as trophy cups and tankards etc, and one thing that puts me off the universal 350 is the Flat work engraving area which is  240 x 132 mm (9.5” x 5”). If I wanted to engrave a 10 inch salver for example with curved text around the top and bottom, would I have to do this as 2 separate engravings? 

Does anyone have any experience with the umarq universal 350? is there a lot more umarq is capable of that I just haven't figured out yet?

[Lock Stock]

We not big on engraving really be we do have old versions of both machines. I have used the IS400vol now for the last 5 years or so so don’t remember everything about the universal and only used it a bit anyway. We got our universal donkeys years ago from master grave, and it’s been a great machine and very reliable. The software then was was Visual Tool Box 5 not sure what they are on now.
 

Visual tool box did work differently to Gravo Style But it didn’t take long to switch from one to the other. For what we every used the universal for over the years it was more then capable. When we’re doing large plates etc. We just made the whole plate actual size then just moved engraving area and plate, then the plate around and so on without any really issue.