Hello everyone - I've gotten fed up with outsourcing my vinyl work while I try to get my home-based business back up and running. Everything has gone wrong, from the vinyl not being properly cut to the last time which saw the sign shop go behind my back and contact the sign customer directly to underbid me has made me sit down to make this decision.
I've secured $1500. (canadian funds) to buy a plotter and software. The only 24" cutter that falls within that budget is the Master XY-300P from Desay Canada Inc.
The only difference I see between the Master model vs. the Lynx from Signarehouse.com is that the Master one uses stepper motors instead of servo motors. I can live with a bit slower cutting speed and a bit more noise that comes with the stepper plotters but wanted to know if anyone on here had any experiences, good or bad, with the XY-300P model.
I've got experience with the WINPC Sign software and even used one of the first versions when you had to load about 10 floppy disks in the 'old' days
So I'm not too concerned over the limits of the software but am hoping that this isn't a plotter that is going to burst into flames on the first cut.
As for pricing - it's $1199.00 (cutter/stand/software) plus shipping and taxes for a total of $1397.93 Canadian with a one-year warranty.
Thanks for any replies! If you want to reply off the list then my correct email is jc_theriault@hotmail.com
Jean-Claude
Posted by Jean-Claude Theriault (Member # 966) on :
Ohhh.. I overlooked another possible source for a plotter in Canada - Corbin Graphics.
I checked out the Raven plotter on their website and called to see what kind of package deal was available. He is able to work with my budget and I'd prefer to deal with an established Canadian company with some good feedback as shown on their site.
Another bonus is that they speak english
Jean-Claude
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
There is nothing wrong with getting a low priced cutter. However:
Just a few weeks ago several of us worked on a problem for a user that bought another brand of low priced cutter.
One chatter spent at least 4 hours researching and tracing out web sites just to find some kind of data to get that cutter running. In the end it still is not running at full capacity.
There is a roadblock that very few people are familiar with the way data is handled with certain cutters. They use non standard commands that make it impossible to operate with common cutter software. It won't be easy calling to asking for tips or tricks or help because not many people know about the nonstandard commands or the nonstandard reversed commands. Suppliers may say it is compatible but not 100%
You can get a very nice full featured name brand used cutter for a really good price. Just look around. They are every where. All you have to do is contemplate and pounce when you see a real deal come along.
Posted by Julio Tome (Member # 4701) on :
I have the Master xy300p plotter from Desay Canada that I bought exactly one year ago when I started my business. I have not had any problems with this machine, it works great and seems to be very well built. The only draw back as you mentioned is that it is a bit noisey. I also do like the software that is bundled with it, winpcsign letter, the auto black and white vectorization works great. Now for a juicy bit of advice for you, while I was checkin out e-bay I noticed quite a few of these Master plotters being sold brand new on their by a company under the user name of dcsign. I thought it might be desay canada and noticed that they listed a 800 telephone number for more info, and you guessed it, the number is the same number as Desay, and the dcsign stands for Desay Canada Sign. Anyways they have the xy-300p listed on e-bay with the same package including software and stand with a buy it now price of $699 US or $843 Canadian witch is like half price. Just scroll down to the picture of the plotter and underneath it you will see the buy it now link. Hope this helps..Here is a link to one of the listings, they also sell them in other sizes. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26245&item=7501382741&rd=1 Let me know what you decide!!
[ March 17, 2005, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: Julio Tome ]
Posted by Dawud Shaheed (Member # 5719) on :
yeah, I just bought one of these for $499 with the stand and the software. I hope all goes well.
Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
sounds like a good deal Dawud
Posted by Dawud Shaheed (Member # 5719) on :
I hope so, Someone told me to check to see if the software came with it because it sounds too cheap...btw...thanks for the price, It pushed me to "do the right thing"
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