[jhandel]

So I am upgrading my 4 year old 2'x4' CNC with Gecko g540 to digital controllers, smoothstepper ethernet and support for a spindle...

I am, however, running into confusion while I try to order drivers. I would like to go to 5 drivers so I can control my X(2),Y,Z and add an A so the MX4660 is out.. I was looking at the DM556, but there seems to be two or three versions on ebay.. One with 4 chinese kanji next to the leadshine logo and above the leadshine name, then the one that is just logo and name, and finally a clear knockoff that is just name (and not even the right font)...

Also there is the 856 vs the 556... I am not sure why I would choose one over the other with regards to driving my system well.. everything is currently the older NEMA 23 - 3/8" (Low Inductance 320 oz-in) motors from CNCRouterparts.com

I have attached pictures of the two "reputable looking" drivers... The price differences seem all over the board, and conterfiting is not a 'new thing' to deal with from china or on ebay so I figured I would ask before I bough 5 of anything :-)..

(considered getting SMD660's but I can only find them from 1 supplier and they are more expensive then 865's and I am not sure they are demonstrably better)