Well since we're on the subject let me ask those of you in the user side about something a customer asked me to check into - they need to print to vinyl - banners and plain cast sheet materials for vehicle use. I'm guessing that a plotter capable of both hi res graphics and uses solvent inks to permenantly penetrate the vinyl is needed.
Whats a good low end, inexpensive starter that can do this at least 24" wide? They are toying with this right now so cost is a consideration rather than speed or having more than a 24" capacity. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of David Crossing Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 11:19 AM To: '[email protected]' Subject: RE: [Spam?][HPDesignJet_Printers] HP 650c Similar deal with these Raymond. 600DPI black 300dpi colour. These also are getting hard to get parts for. I traded one in a month ago. It had had an easy life. I found a willing buyer. I tested it before the guy came to look. The printer died. Main logic board -Not available - I could get one from the US for $350 plus freight. I'm still deciding whether to repair it or sell it's other parts that worked well. If you are going to print images on this older technology it'll cost you dearly in print cartridges. They are not an economial means of printing images. If you want to do wide format colour printing cheap and fast check out the Canon iPF700. These sell in Australia for $5,200 inc tax 12 month warranty, 5 colour, two matt blacks, one photo black and CMY all are 130 ml capacity-although startup kit is only 90ml and most get used priming print head and lines. If you really want to stay with HP brand and do 36" wide images then the HP 1050 plus Model C6074B are fast (not as fast as the Canon iPF700) support for spares is still good. They use a good reliable ink system but it's only dye based colours and black is pigment- check these details with others. These printers will perform reasonably well at 600 dpi on all colours when attached to a RIP. Just don't compare the output with anything off an HP 5000 though because I've heard you can see the difference. Check out auctions for a used 1050 maybe even e-bay. One advantage an HP has over some of these other brands is that if you are a do it yourelf sort of person or know a good one then you can keep these going. Also there are forums at HP for hardware faults. Where as with the Canon, you won't be able to do it yourself because you won't get the parts or the manual, they will come with a Canon tech attached no doubt. If you do go with Canon find out if they have a three year warranty and what it includes- it may not include the print head (consumable item) Lets know how you get on. Also don't buy Encad or Kodak they too are a pain with ink cartridges. I used to support Encad inkjets in their early days but then their print heads started to let them down severely. I could rely on income from the Encad NovaPro36 and 50s breaking down. One of my contacts purchased a Kodak 1000i very cheap. He managed to get it going -power supply was dead. Here in Aust it cost $500 per UV print head and ink x 6 colours. Printer still won't print reliably (anyone know good source of spares for these??- not likely being Kodak). Another owner who had his form new said he wouldn't buy another. The next one to consider would be the 5000 series 42" 6 colour. From what I"ve heard the 5000 series tend to be more stable and don't need linearisation as often as the later model 5500. The trick is finding one for sale and then at a price you want. HP does seem to offer overall low cost of ownerhip. Good hunting Raymond. Maybe others out there would like to comment on these suggestions. David. in Canberra Thank you folks for the information. Will go on to a new solution. Any information on the HP 755c? Any one in the know? Raymond www.artflight.us << File: ATT00006.html >>
