Dot-matrix Printer Advice

[owensdj]

Don't laugh. 😱

I need some advice on a new dot-matrix printer. I know laser and ink jet printers are better, but there is still a need at some organizations to use an impact printer like a dot-matrix to print on multi-part forms. Do any manufacturers still make new dot-matrix printers? Any recommendations on a dot-matrix that's goof for printing single sheets? Thanks.

 

[crypticlogin]

Off the top of my head, Epson and Oki are probably the two largest, most respected players that still put out new products. I don't know what your requirement is for impact printing, but those two are probably your best choices in terms of continued support and decent product.

An organization I was involved with still used some recent model of Epson's LQ line (can't remember model -- LQ-870 maybe?) for printing up invoices that came at regular intervals, spread far apart. It sure isn't a speed demon and is louder than the networked Lexmark, but with the paper forms and considering initialization time and energy consumption, it suited our purposes just fine. If you plan on doing a *lot* of printing, you should have your inventory people evaluate how much the supplies will cost. Our savings were only slightly in favor of the Epson over a mid-range laser.

(arg, you're editing while I'm editing. 🙂)
I wouldn't recommend this model if you're printing single sheets, e.g. feeding in one copy paper sheet at a time -- the tractor likes to go on vacation every now and then. We used the paper that comes in a box, is continuous and uses those "dotted guiding-thingees" on the side, but the tractor likes those.

 

[SPAnDAU]

Panasonic also makes a very good impact printer. We've sold a bunch to the businesses we deal with and they have been quite pleased with them.

We have also sold a few Epsons, again no complaints. Haven't done anything with an Okidata impact printer so I couldn't give you a valid opinion on it.