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#1
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large format printer recommendations: epson vs hp
I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card)
in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for print jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Thanks! -Eric |
#2
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I just bought a HP 1055cm Plus. I settled on this model because of the
Paper handling (Multi-roll Feeder). Further opinions expressed below: "Eric Peterson" wrote in message m... I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card) in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. IMHO Epson Plotter had better output than the HP 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. I haven't had the plotter long enough to comment on durability, but on initial impression, the HP seems ruggedly built (Esp. compared to the HP 750C that it replaced) 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? ???? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. My 750C had problems running out of memory quite often (esp. on 36" wide stuff). Haven't had any problems with the 1055 so far. And I'm using the post script drivers 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! The 1055 uses separate replaceable printheads. According to the literature, you should only have to replace the print heads until after 3-4 cartridges. And these are BIG cartridges (Physical size about 3"x5". 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) Cartridges can be switched mid-print. I haven't had the oppurtunity to try this yet, but I did remove and re-install a cartridge in mid print and it didn't even hiccup! 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? From what I looked at, the Epson had better image quality. The printers I have used with 6-7 colors does not translate into more efficient ink use 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for jobs? For really big jobs, for repeat jobs and for multiple copies 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. It all depends on the VAR (provided that you are buying thru a VAR, If you are not, I would recommend finding one. VARS have a lot more pull to get to technical resources. And I actually got a better price through a VAR than buying direct from HP. Thanks! -Eric I hope all of this helps Mark |
#3
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I just bought a HP 1055cm Plus. I settled on this model because of the
Paper handling (Multi-roll Feeder). Further opinions expressed below: "Eric Peterson" wrote in message m... I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card) in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. IMHO Epson Plotter had better output than the HP 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. I haven't had the plotter long enough to comment on durability, but on initial impression, the HP seems ruggedly built (Esp. compared to the HP 750C that it replaced) 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? ???? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. My 750C had problems running out of memory quite often (esp. on 36" wide stuff). Haven't had any problems with the 1055 so far. And I'm using the post script drivers 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! The 1055 uses separate replaceable printheads. According to the literature, you should only have to replace the print heads until after 3-4 cartridges. And these are BIG cartridges (Physical size about 3"x5". 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) Cartridges can be switched mid-print. I haven't had the oppurtunity to try this yet, but I did remove and re-install a cartridge in mid print and it didn't even hiccup! 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? From what I looked at, the Epson had better image quality. The printers I have used with 6-7 colors does not translate into more efficient ink use 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for jobs? For really big jobs, for repeat jobs and for multiple copies 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. It all depends on the VAR (provided that you are buying thru a VAR, If you are not, I would recommend finding one. VARS have a lot more pull to get to technical resources. And I actually got a better price through a VAR than buying direct from HP. Thanks! -Eric I hope all of this helps Mark |
#4
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I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card)
in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for print jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Have you considered the HP Designjet 500? It uses the same dye based ink as the 1055 but gives you better print quality for less than half the price. just add on the HP-GL/2 accessory card and get the 160 MB max memory. This plotter was my personal choice for my Dye based ink system. Another plotter to consider is the Designjet 800. it has 2x the print quality and is stil in the $4000.00 range. The thing you want to consider is the ink systems. The Epson is Pigment ink, and the HP's are Dye ink. If Pigment ink is a consideration for you, the HP Designjet 5500 at right under $12,000.00 is your real consideration. you can find HP Designjet 5000's here and there for $5000.00 to $9000.00 and they are the same more or less to the 5500 but print slower. With regard to the HP line, i personally would not touch the 1055, it is a waste of money. The 500 and especially the 800 are a whole lot more machine, for far less money. Hope that helps! |
#5
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I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card)
in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for print jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Have you considered the HP Designjet 500? It uses the same dye based ink as the 1055 but gives you better print quality for less than half the price. just add on the HP-GL/2 accessory card and get the 160 MB max memory. This plotter was my personal choice for my Dye based ink system. Another plotter to consider is the Designjet 800. it has 2x the print quality and is stil in the $4000.00 range. The thing you want to consider is the ink systems. The Epson is Pigment ink, and the HP's are Dye ink. If Pigment ink is a consideration for you, the HP Designjet 5500 at right under $12,000.00 is your real consideration. you can find HP Designjet 5000's here and there for $5000.00 to $9000.00 and they are the same more or less to the 5500 but print slower. With regard to the HP line, i personally would not touch the 1055, it is a waste of money. The 500 and especially the 800 are a whole lot more machine, for far less money. Hope that helps! |
#6
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I have to make a decision between an epson 9600 plotter (with network card)
in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for print jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Have you considered the HP Designjet 500? It uses the same dye based ink as the 1055 but gives you better print quality for less than half the price. just add on the HP-GL/2 accessory card and get the 160 MB max memory. This plotter was my personal choice for my Dye based ink system. Another plotter to consider is the Designjet 800. it has 2x the print quality and is stil in the $4000.00 range. The thing you want to consider is the ink systems. The Epson is Pigment ink, and the HP's are Dye ink. If Pigment ink is a consideration for you, the HP Designjet 5500 at right under $12,000.00 is your real consideration. you can find HP Designjet 5000's here and there for $5000.00 to $9000.00 and they are the same more or less to the 5500 but print slower. With regard to the HP line, i personally would not touch the 1055, it is a waste of money. The 500 and especially the 800 are a whole lot more machine, for far less money. Hope that helps! |
#7
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I can't speak for the Epson but we have several HP 1055cms in our offices we
use them for cad drawing mostly and thy do real well the new models are a big improvement over the 75X series of plotters. For quality work I would look at a colorspan printer http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/9339.html Not that cheap but we have a X-12 in our graphics department and there is no contest as to the output quality. The colorspan unit use 1 liter boxes of ink and there are many different kinds available we use 2 sets of 6 colors for additional speed and have been very happy with the quality. It may be more than you wanted to spend but there is a whole word of difference in the quality the entry level colorspan lists for 14K Wayne "Eric Peterson" wrote in message m... I have to make a decision between an Epson 9600 plotter (with network card) in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Thanks! -Eric |
#8
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I can't speak for the Epson but we have several HP 1055cms in our offices we
use them for cad drawing mostly and thy do real well the new models are a big improvement over the 75X series of plotters. For quality work I would look at a colorspan printer http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/9339.html Not that cheap but we have a X-12 in our graphics department and there is no contest as to the output quality. The colorspan unit use 1 liter boxes of ink and there are many different kinds available we use 2 sets of 6 colors for additional speed and have been very happy with the quality. It may be more than you wanted to spend but there is a whole word of difference in the quality the entry level colorspan lists for 14K Wayne "Eric Peterson" wrote in message m... I have to make a decision between an Epson 9600 plotter (with network card) in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Thanks! -Eric |
#9
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I can't speak for the Epson but we have several HP 1055cms in our offices we
use them for cad drawing mostly and thy do real well the new models are a big improvement over the 75X series of plotters. For quality work I would look at a colorspan printer http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/9339.html Not that cheap but we have a X-12 in our graphics department and there is no contest as to the output quality. The colorspan unit use 1 liter boxes of ink and there are many different kinds available we use 2 sets of 6 colors for additional speed and have been very happy with the quality. It may be more than you wanted to spend but there is a whole word of difference in the quality the entry level colorspan lists for 14K Wayne "Eric Peterson" wrote in message m... I have to make a decision between an Epson 9600 plotter (with network card) in my office, or co-purchasing an hp 1055cm (with 2gb hard disk and extended warrantee) with another office. Neither of our offices process so much that there would be conflict in using the printer. I'm looking for any thoughts or opinions on these printers. To help stir-up some ideas, here are my premature opinions: 1. Both options cost us about the same (full price of the epson or half price of the hp). 2. Our printing is mainly maps, but often involving satellite imagery, and occasional landscape photos, so sharp, clear, high resolution prints are of some interest, though absolute color precision (such as in professional photography) is not a big deal. 3. Since we are a small office without opportunities to upgrade, or even repair, expensive equipment often, reliability and durability are also a factor. 4. One might think that since the hp is a more expensive printer, it should be a better and more durable printer...? 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. 6. We are in Nevada, where the humidity is so low that our 755cm cartridges frequently dry and clog - I've taken to keeping them in a humidified tupperware container between print jobs. Any similar experience with the 1055 cartridges or 9600 cartridges would be useful to hear about! 7. The epson claims to alow cartridge replacement mid-print, the hp does not appear to make this claim. (One headache with our 755 has been cartridges running out mid-print) 8. The epson uses 7 colors (vs the hp 4) and has a higher resolution - does this really translate to much difference in print sharpness or ink use efficiency? 9. The hp adds a hard disk, does this really make much difference for jobs? 10. With the epson, we would probably just take the 1 year warrantee, with the hp we would probably go with a 3 year warrantee... any warrantee experience with these printers would be good to know about. Thanks! -Eric |
#10
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"Eric Peterson" wrote in news:RaF2d.4393
: 5. We currently have an old, hp 755cm - its problems with detecting cartridge placement, and having printing errors 3/4 of the way through a poster-size print with no prior notification, has left a bad taste in my mouth about hp printers. We just got a used 755cm for printing maps and things. I like it pretty well. Do you have the new drivers? I think they're from April... I have seen printing errors on some of the prints. As to your real question, based on the advertising and specs, my _impression_ is that HP is more interested in business graphics, while epson is more interested in photography. What I would do if I were you is make a sample of something you typically print (as a pdf) and get them printed on each printer. If you share the printer, who's going to be responsible for the supplies... Bob -- Delete the inverse SPAM to reply |
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