large format printer recommendations: epson vs hp

[Eric Peterson]

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

 

[Mark]

I just bought a HP 1055cm Plus. I settled on this model because of the
Paper handling (Multi-roll Feeder). Further opinions expressed below:

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 print
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

 

[wayne]

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