forum.datacad.com

I am considering purcahsing a large format inkjet printer for use with DataCAD 11. I will be printing electrical plans for new buildings at a 24" x 36" size.

I have researched several printers and narrowed down the likely choices to either the HP 500 or the HP 800.

I am not very familiar with RIPs, but from what I understand, we would have little benefit from using one since we will only be printing line drawings of building floor plans. Also, our line drawings wouldn't benefit much from the increased resolution of the HP 800. We will be printing at low volume, so printing speed isn't a huge issue either. For these reasons, I feel that the HP 500 would be the best choice for the money.

I have a few questions. First of all, how well does the increase from USB 1.1 in the HP 500 to USB 2.0 in the HP 800 translate into faster spooling? Is there a significant difference?

Also, does anyone either have experience using the HP 500 with DataCAD 11 or know of another similarly-priced (~$2000), 24" or better, color inkjet printer that would perform better than the HP 500?

Thanks!

Keep the money, If you are needing a plotter that is 24" wide I would not get anything else than the 120nr. 24" rollfeed printer plotter. I can spool 5 sheets in less than 5 min. 1000.00. you will spend less on ink paper and when 3 to 4 years go by you wont be kicking yourself for spending so much money. I have the 120nr, 350c, and the 3500cp. The 120nr has 2400x1200 res. and it just as good as the small bubble jets. you can get glossey photo paper too. automatic cutter. roll comes in 50 yards. I get a 15 pound translucent bond to print on. 4 rolls for under 70 bucks. Oh and I have had this plotter for over a year and still have not replaced the ink, and I plot a lot.

Hello Chris:

Is the 120nr an HP model? It does sound pretty good. And you say you can spool 5 sheets -- are they 24x36 sheets and how long do they take to finish printing? It that in a draft mode, and if so is it good enough to issue for CD's?

TIA

Yes, its made by hp I belive the newer model is a 130 but not for sure. Yes, I can plot 5 black and white plots in under 5 min. using this plotter and the are for CD's. I was stuck in the same problem I had a 350c which had a roll feed but not an automatic cutter. The 120nr is great and I would suggest it to anyone for low volume plotting. Even for someone doing larger volume and the color plots are really good, Not as good as the 800 but it will do the job. I use around 3 rolls of stock (50yards) a month. Thats 450 feet or 150 sheets. It really is a little work horse. here are some links
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getp ... 120%2520nr


csmckillip

Thanks for the suggestion. I think we are going to shy away from a refurbished printer, though. The cost on a new 120nr is about $1500, which is still a significant savings, but we also need to have it on a stand, and we need to have the prints be collected in some sort of bin as they come out. As far as I know, nothing like this is available for the 120 or the 130 (which is the replacement series for the 120), so I think we're still leaning toward the 500.

Here's link to the stand for the 120nr:

http://www.superwarehouse.com/HP_24_Plo ... A/p/285565

This stand also works for the 130nr

Dave

Ah, very nice. I couldn't find that on HP's website, shame on them.


Thanks!