Please recommend a reliable dot matrix printer ($300-$400 range)

[oli84]

This is for office use to print out onto forms. Load probably will be moderate (about 15 users), and have network printing available if possible.

Thanks in advance

 

[OffTopic1]

Epson -- Impact Printers

On the cheap & quick side with Ethernet & rated for 20,000 hours @ 680 cps -- FX-890 Impact Printer
Or the high end, rated for 10,000 hours @ 1120 cps -- DFX 8500 Impact Printer

Pacemark 4410 - Network Ready Detailed Specifications

High end, rated for 15,000 hour @ 1066 cps -- Pacemark 4410 Network Ready

 

[oli84]

I checked some of these and they're still on the high side in terms of price. I'm looking to more like $300-$500.

Are the other models but still Epson or Pacemark still worthy options?

 

[Arcanedeath]

The Oki Page ML 590 and 591 printers are fairly decent dot matrix printers for printing on forms, they last forever and should be in your price range

 

[zerodeefex]

i second the okidata, we have some in the office and we use them for label printing. Never have any problems with them (except for user error)

 

[oli84]

Are the printers that you guys are mentioning "wide" format printers? That's the kind we need. I've taken a look at the 590 and 591 and they seem pretty good, just that I'm not sure if they are wide-type printers.

 

[Arcanedeath]

I'm not sure what you mean by "wide" but the Oki printers use (I forget what it's called) the paper thats connected together and has the holes in the sides that you tear off after your done printing, they are not plain paper printers. Hope this helps...

 

[oli84]

Hehe yeah the paper is like that but there are wide sheets of those kinds of paper that are used.. something like twice the width of a letter-sized sheet. Thanks for the help though

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: oli84
I checked some of these and they're still on the high side in terms of price. I'm looking to more like $300-$500.

Are the other models but still Epson or Pacemark still worthy options?

The Okidata lower end printers are just as good as the lower end Epson, however they require network card @ around $200 if you are going with Ethernet. Another option is to get a long serial/parallel cable and hang the printer off a PC if price is a concern.

Personally I would go with the FX-2190N for wide/Ethernet because it is about the best bang for the buck (fast ++ come with Ethernet).

Epson FX-2190N Dot Matrix Printer @ $455

Or, a refurbished OKI Microline 321 Turbo/n Dot Matrix Printer @ $314

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: oli84
Are the printers that you guys are mentioning "wide" format printers? That's the kind we need. I've taken a look at the 590 and 591 and they seem pretty good, just that I'm not sure if they are wide-type printers.

The 590/591 are narrow while the 590n/591n are wide format with ethernet.

OKI Microline 590/n Dot Matrix Printer @ $637.69

OKI Microline 591/n Dot Matrix Printer @ $725.00

All Oki dot matrix printers that I mentioned above other than the 4410 are slower than The Epson (450cps vs. 680 cps), and cost more.

I have use dot matrix printers from Okidata & Epson and they seem to work for ever.