So, first off. I am a noob and this is a hobby for me so don't have anything but about 8 months of learning and observation behind me.
I have been in the computer business for 30 years have have learned that software works best when controlling specific hardware. If you have software that works with a variety of devices, there are always issues and it is less stable. Compound this with those devices upgrading and the software needing to be upgraded as well. This is one reason why Acorn was appealing - the software is built to work specifically with their own controller(s). Updates to the CNC software automatically update firmware on the controller to support new functionality. There are no 3rd party drivers you have to deal with. All this adds up to stability and reliability without having to know 10+ caveots on how to get everything to work together. It is a single system from a single vendor.
I also like the fact that this same UI interface is used in high level professional machines.
The Acorn has a powerful processor onboard - I did not want a simple breakout board and be more dependent on the computer for control. I found it interesting that the Acorn has a DB25 so you can just plug it in where you used to have mach3 plugged into your computer. The pinouts are completely customizable.
One of the main aims for the other more powerful boards from Centroid(as well as the Acorn) is to retrofit manual mills to CNC. So you know they are serious about these boards controlling serious machines in a professional environment vs a lot of the other software/boards that are aimed at the hobbiest.
I did buy Mach3 with the intent of using a Smooth stepper, but after research - killed that idea - anyone need a cheap copy of Mach3? I also tried a Raspberry Pi based controller. I got that working, but geeze there were issues where you need to be a electrical engineer to debug. The Acorn just worked. There is a lot to be said of something that comes out of the box working - so to speak.
The shear amount of wiring diagrams provided by Centroid is amazing. Whatever your CNC/divers/electronic needs - there is a wiring diagram for you.
I can't speak to functionality comparison between Centroid and others. I do know that the fact that a board/software has a feature does NOT mean it is a usable and reliable feature. I can shoot a basketball, but it does not go in as much as an NBA player.
I certainly can't get into an discussion with people that are fans of other setups and I have not done exhaustive comparisons, but so far Acorn has not disappointed in any way.
Some of the benefits I like summed up here:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...8C8C&FORM=VIRE