"2mm, LaserCast vs Irregular?" Topic

In the word of 2mm gaming options for miniatures have always been limited compared to other scales. Irregular Miniatures has always been my go to for 2mm. But I have stumbled across LaserCast 2mm and am considering trying them out.
Don't get me wrong, I love Irregular Miniatures. The price and unit variety is great. Overall the models are good, but some are definitely better than others, and I find I have to throw away 5 to 10% of the models I buy because they were not cast right. Not the end of the world at the price point but a little annoying. But it is understandable that QC would be very hard given the size of 2mm and that Irregular Miniatures is a relatively small operation compared to some miniature manufactures.
But I recently discovered LaserCast and my mind is spinning with what the possibilities that could be done. The models are far more abstract than Irregular. But the cost and ease of assembly and painting would allow for some truly massive armies and paradoxically 2mm is often about playing big, not small.
For example, if I wanted to create a 1 to 1 scale army of 6000 figures it would be about 33 GBP (41 USD) with Irregular Miniatures. Likely about 10 percent more to account for miscast models.
But with LaserCast an army of the same size could cost you as little as 35 AUD (25 USD) with no miscasts to worry about.
It is true that LaserCast are just pegs but some of the pictures of the finished products I have seen have been really impressive. Looking on how it is done I think I could create a table ready army with LaserCast in much less time than Irregular Miniatures (no need to clean up flashing, the units are much larger so less time mounting units to paint and the "block" nature of units I think will paint faster and mount to bases easier, but these are guess as I have not actually tired it yet).
Does anyone have experience with LaserCast? What do you think of it? Is it a rival to Irregular Miniatures, or perhaps a compliment to it? Or just not worth it?
My initial guess would be that at the end of the day Irregular Miniatures would make a better army for detail if when time and money was not an issue. But if that were the case, I could make an awesome 6mm army from Baccus with 6000 figures if time and money wasn't an issue.
But I also wonder that maybe LaserCast looks better in pictures than actually on the table.
What do you think? Is LaserCast bringing something new and exciting to the 2mm wargaming community. Or is it just a flash in the pan? Are they worth giving a try?

Rather cautious when there seems to be no mention of the actual size of these blocks – or have I missed that rather vital information.

The info is on LaserCasts website.

lasercast.bigcartel.com

They make units that fit base width of 25mm, 40mm and 180mm.

Most of the units I was looking at provided the dimensions. For example, ancient line infantry for 40mm base width come in 11x11mm, 35x12mm, 35x6mm and 35x3mm unit sizes. Based on the rank and file that you want.

But they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Auseful video of painting LaserCast 2mm: YouTube link

I've been curious but haven't tried them yet. This video gives me a better feeling for what using them would involve.

Whoa! Followed the link. I might give those triremes a try.

I 3D print Project Wargames 2mm range. Quite nice. No flash. Less expensive than other options. Forward March Studios also sells a massive file with loads of figs in it as well. 3D printing is a great option.

Thanks

John

I've been a huge advocate of 2mm Ancients for nearly 2 decades so followed the 'LaserCast' release with interest.

The Phalangites are a novel idea but I wasn't so keen on the rest of the range. I'm also definitely not keen on the prices, 1 Phalangites Block B costs a whooping £17.00 GBP before shipping and tax, 'novel' or not that's far too expensive for a 2mm unit.

Of course Lasercraft can charge however they see fit. I imagine, compared to importing figures, it's a very affordable option for Australian gamers.

Thankfully there are no sales to the UK from Lasercraft as I've been busy with the recent releases from Antonine Miniatures, Korhyl Miniatures along with Project Wargaming and Forward March 3D prints.

The mix I'm using is.

Antonine Minitures – Legions, warbands, cavalry.

Irregular Miniatures – elephants, chariots and cavalry, Scenic items.

Korhyl Miniatures – warbands, pike, skirmishers and their splendid camp sets.

OK, some of them have sizes but not the ones I first looked at (mostly the Ancient ones).

Agree with kodiacblair, too pricey; Antonine Miniatures are metal and cheaper if bought here in the UK.

Great idea but overpriced IMHO.

I don't have a 3D printer so I can't print them myself. Maybe someday. It is interesting how international shipping, tax and currency affects different places.
For example, if I wanted to get Strength and Honor Roman Legion starter army here in the US this is how the breakdown is with taxes, exchange rate and shipping:
LaserCast: 57.16 USD
Antonine: 66.32 USD
Korhyl 74.71 USD
Not sure exactly how much it would be from Irregular but likely the most expensive. But their models were not designed for Strength and Honor, so it is not a fair comparison.
But it is a little more complex than that. If I order from the EU shipping is really expensive. It is less expensive from Australia but still pricy. The UK is the lowest but shipping is based on weight so the more I order the less affordable it is. As opposed to when I order with flat shipping.
But keeping it all in perspective 2mm gaming is quite cheap compared to 28mm gaming no matter where you order it from.