Interesting, I'll look into the firmware and see if it's something that could be easily integrated.
As to the changes at Makerbot, since stratasys became involved, it seems some internal politics may have led them to release their new printer long before it was market ready. We run several Replicator 2 and 2X where I work at goretex medical. I've personally been using Makerbot since the TOM days. We were excited when we got the gen5 printer, but it was kind of a nightmare. And we're only one of many many users that have downgraded back to the R2... Which Makerbot just discontinued, probably because it was undercutting sales on their newer (inferior) machines...
It's a long story.
Anyway, thanks for the tips, guys.