I am currrently looking to switch to Encad for a 42" Plotter. I have an HP 5000 and it needs repairs. The repair costs are to much, and a new printer is justified. Does anyone have both printers? Does anyone have an opinion on either of them? I want to make an informed decision.
Thanks in advance! - Shane
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
We've had an Encad 42e and an Encad 500. Both did a pretty nice print. As far as outdoor we weren't getting very long life. We used the dye inks and laminated but in the sun you might get a month, 3 months or 6 months depending how much sun gets to the print. I even had one last a couple years but it was on the shady side of the building. Pigmented inks would have helped I'm sure.
We now have a HP 5500uv with pigmented inks. Haven't really had it long enough yet to tell you a whole lot...but getting the color profiles set up has been a little tricky. The encad was much easier to load medias and started up faster. I do like the ink tanks on the HP. Just plug them in and no mess. The inks are quite a bit more money, but it uses less so in the end it costs a little less per print. I'm told we'll really like the HP after we've had it a while....we'll see.
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Check out the ROLAND CJ series of printer/cutters. If you use their materials, they'll guarantee 5 years outside, laminated. 1440X1440 DPI too!!!!!
