Okay, here is the deal. My wife has told me that I am to buy a plotter today or forget about it as I have been eyeing them for some time but just can't seem to make up my mind. Those of you who have met Sofia know she means business.
I would love to hear any input on the following. I'm looking at a new Summa D60 (more $ but faster and stronger cuts + USB), A Lynx VE S-60 (with lots of accessories for same $), A Roland CX-24 (cheaper and smaller for fitting in the motorhome),or a Graphtec CE1000 (a nice compromise between all of them).
I'm especially interested to know...
Do any of these require special software besides Win 98 and Corel? Does anyone have any spectacular or horrific stories on any of these models? Are any suppliers reading on the BB offering any special deals? Anybody got a used one for sale?
Any input is sincerely appreciated, I'm airbrushing for now but would like to add vinyl to what I do, and y'all have always been most helpful.
Thanks, Rich
------------------ Rich Diltz In Sacramento for now, but who knows where next
rich, my experience with graphtec is limited to their fc-7500 model. it was a terrific plotter, but did not do well cutting straight from corel so I purchased Inspire to use with it. It's possible that the company has overcome the problems with corel, but I think they told me at the time that it was corel that needed to make their program compatible with graphtec plotters. with my roland pc-50 I cut straight from corel with no problems whatsoever.
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Rich... The Graptec CE-1000 has been upgraded to the CE-2000...Somewhat better specs. A good value . hk
------------------ Howard Keiper Sales Mgr., Graphtec Benicia, Ca. keip@pacbell.net
Posted by Ryan Ursta (Member # 1738) on :
Summa Summa Summa..... I love mine I have the D60 and it works GREAT!! Excellent price also! I have never had a tracking problem even on the long cuts. I just ran 170" through it yesterday with no prob! I strongly suggest it. I use Signlab with mine!
------------------ Ryan Ursta Ursta Graphics 27 West Shenango St. Sharpsville Pa. 16150 Call: 724•962•2206 "letters of Recommendation"
Known as "Ugraph" on mirc
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
If all you want to use is Windows and Corel...Roland is the way to go. IMHO
------------------ Dave Grundy shop#340 AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@quadro.net www.quadro.net/~shirley "A PROUD $ supporter of the website"
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i 2nd daves advice.....iuse my old pnc-1000 with corel more then any other softwear....its so easy to setup ....and if you want to spend more money the the cm-24 look at the cm-300...the pro modle which is in the same class as the sumas and graphtecs
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
I'd get a workhorse like a Roland. I Love mine....I also have a Graphtec and it sucks. Sorry Howard but it's too sensitive and stops in the middle of a long run. What do ya mean there not supposed to be used for saw horses? I thought these things were versitle? versetile? Good? Hello?
------------------ Mike Meyer SignPainter 575 1st Street Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956 (507) 843-5951 EMail-mikemeyer@sleepyeyetel.net http://www.markfair.com/mikemeyer check out this great web site..www.grainbelt.com
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Mike Meyer... Stops where? 78 inches or so? Please give me a call will you? Howard 707 746 7172
------------------ Howard Keiper Sales Mgr., Graphtec Benicia, Ca. keip@pacbell.net
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
I have the Roland Camm-1, very happy with it, cuts like a dream from Corel 8....got lots of tech support from Dave Grundy and Ron Percell to get me up and running (45 minutes from Dave over the phone)havn't had any problems, I just design in corel and cut...real easy. I got mine used from Orland (sp?) in So CA. 1,700 used. Adrienne
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'
I've got the Summa D60 and since I'm a newbie it is scary to see how fast it cuts 44 ips when it's really cranking. I've got win ME, Corel 9 and cocut pro.
------------------ Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
(425) 252-6110 briandiver@excite
Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
I've worked with several plotters. I'm currently using a summa d610. It's a real solid machine. I've used the early roland camm's and if your gonna pick one up, don't spend too much. I've used a Mutoh as well, which Gerber sells under as there Embosstrack I believe. It was a solid & quick machine. I've used a Graphtec 2100a and it's ok. It doesn't have a real solid feel to it but it does the job. I recently purchased a machine for home and went with a Roland cm300. This machine is top notch so far. If I havdn't got a great deal, I would have went with the Summa d60 as well. The windows setup panel for it looks real convenient and I've heard great things about it. The price is certainly attractive.
Anything past 24-36 ips isn't really an issue o me. You can't keep up with the machine anyways.
I think the Summa is a good choice. Think I've seen them going for as low as $1799
------------------ Bruce Evans
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
how good a deal was it????? inquriering minds want to know......
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
we use an allan datagraph 830gt. we have found it to be very reliable. the tech support is adequate. the price was fair. it cuts 1/8" letters like a dream. the long tracking is excellent.
we have our old vytek gem40 as a back up machine. unfortunately, the cutter line was sold off by vytek so they could concentrate on commercial router and laser systems. it was a real work horse for us. it is built like the proverbial brick s*** house. it served us well.
we looked at the graphtecs and the rolands. we felt that the allan was a better all around cutter.
just my opinion....
have a great one!
------------------ Bruce Bowers DrCAS Signtech
"how great are His signs..." Daniel 4:3
i am a proud supporter of this website!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Rich, I think Adrienne meant ORDWAY. The differences between the plotters is not that big a deal. You can do fine learning to use any of them and there probably isn't a wrong decision. We all have our preferances. The best one for you is the one that makes Sophia smile!
I like the Graphtec. At Percells we used the Roland. If I had to weed the kinda cuts we got from that all the time, I'd look for another gig.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Oh, for the faith of a spider! He begins his web without any thread.
Posted by RichDiltz (Member # 367) on :
Thank you all very much for your input and support. I finally settled on a Vinyl Express 24" ultra pro "T" model. The numbers all seemed superior and tehy worked me a sweet deal on the software and etc. to get going. It also helped that their salesperson was one of the nicest and most patient of all the plotter companies I've called in the last couple of days.
I'll let y'all know when I've got it up and running and tell you how it does.
Thanks again, ~Rich
PS. Though I did not buy any of the brands y'all suggested, I REALLY did appreciate the input of EVERYONE who wrote!
------------------ Rich Diltz In Sacramento for now, but who knows where next
