Medium/wide format printers? (13-18")

[morkus64]

Anyone know of any good older models that i might be able to pick up for a reasonable price? All of the new models are just waaaay too expensive. I'd like to do some color, probably photo if it's 13" wide or just basic color if it's 18" wide

thanks, homies.

 

[Lemon law]

First, go to Steves digicams---they have a section of wide carriage printers. Get a short list of acceptable models---I recommend Canons as the most trouble free and cheap to operate. Although HP is not a bad choice if your printing volume will be low. I'd avoid Epson because of headclogging issues.

Then look at ebay for refurbished printers. Its a gamble but huge bargains can be found. Also Fry's electronic also has refurbished printers. Sad but true---them widecarriages are expensive new.

 

[pkme2]

My students have picked up HP 1220C
and Epson 1520 wide formats on eBay at excellent prices. The HP wide format does excellent color prints and using the rear insert, you can do 11x17 & 13x19. The 1520 can do 16x20. I use the 1520 and get decent results and there are used versions available at above links.

 

[morkus64]

oopoh thanks for the tip

 

[n7]

Canon PIXMA 9900 isn't badly priced, & it's really nice.

 

[Zepper]

I generally agree with the above. Used or refurb are about the only ways to get wide printers at a reaonable price. Check the FS/T sections on the techie, photography and publishing forums, Craigslist, postaroo.com, google base and eBay.

The wide printers that use separate, passive (meaning: contains no active components like print head, chips, or other circuitry - no electrical contacts on the tanks at all) ink tanks will be the least expensive to operate over the long term - Canons will most always have separate, passive tanks.

.bh.