What Plotter should I buy?

[Anonymous]

I would like to get some input on what the best plotter to buy for archicad 8.1. I am thinking about getting the new HP Desk Jet 430 24" but I am not sure if it will standard 24X36 plots. Do I need to get the HP 36" or can I print it in a landscape form.

I have a budget of about $1500.00 US and I would like to get color.

Thanks

Jon

[Anonymous]

I am not familiar with the 430, i think it is only B&W. I have the 24" HP500ps which has worked well with both my pc and my mac, good color printing, grayscale, and black and white. I would be very surprised if the 24" would not print a standard 24X36. Just make sure whatever you get has a roll feed and automatic cutter, loading each sheet individually is definitely not worth the $$ saved.

[Anonymous]

The 430 is the black only version of the 450. I know at least one firm that used the 450 for years (starting in '99?) with good reliable results. The 24" model is fine for D-size (maybe a little slower than the 36" - maybe not). If you don't need E-size or color the 430 could be just the thing for you. Keep in mind that it is a very old model (I think it was introduced in 1997). This is not necessarily a problem just something to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

If you are using a Mac I would avoid the HP 500PS. HP has failed to provide a workable driver for this plotter, and do not seem the least bit interested in providing their Mac users an update anytime soon.

For more info, check out the HP 500PS driver forum at:
https://www.designjet.hp.com/forums/tree_display.html?forum_id=8&pageseq=951154.

[Stress Co_]

Jon:

I am not sure if it will standard 24X36 plots. Do I need to get the HP 36" or can I print it in a landscape form.

I'm using an HP DesignJet 130nr. (w/ Mac OS 10.4)

It's a 24" wide printer and I can print 24" x 36" sheets, no problem. I assume the 430 will do likewise.

A word of caution on the 130. It's geared more to the Graphic Artist / Photographer..... it uses a "dye" ink, instead of a "pigmented" ink. As a result, T-bond and vellum papers are not "supported" media. I've been able to print using t-bond by trial and error (print settings). The prints are a bit soft (FUZZY). Has anyone else dialed in these settings??

The HP purports? it's 100plus is a CAD printer. " No compromise CAD results".
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/18972-236251-236266-12600-236266-352395.html
It's a color printer and it uses pigmented ink. It should print cleaner black lines (like the 500 series) but it seems useless to me as it lacks a roll feed attachment. I spoke with an HP Rep, and she said they may be adding a roll for this printer (US market), but you may have to wait awhile to see it. On the plus side.... it sells for under US$1,000.

Good shopping.

Marco

[Stress Co_]

Jon:

Check out HP's website.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/18972-236251-236266-12600-236266-352395-295943-423837....
The DesignJet 110 plus nr is now available (Sept.9th) ..with a roll feed. The price has not posted yet.

[Stephen Dolbee]

Jon,
We are also having a hard time deciding on which plotter would be best for us. We don't need color, but will probably go for the HP500. It comes standard with things the 430 offers only as options-color, roll feed, cutter, and more standard memory. It retails for about $2,095. Stand and media bin are extra.

Steve

[rgarand]

IF you want to stay with HP, look into a refurbished one. With your budget of $1500 you can probably get a pretty good DesignJet that prints color. If it is an HP DesignJet, they tend to last a long time. IMHO

[Jacek]

The DesignJet 110 plus nr is now available (Sept.9th) ..with a roll feed. The price has not posted yet.

The price is $995.00 plus extras

[Anonymous]

Dear AC talkers.
This is a pretty old thread, but I would like to revisit this question.

Our Epson 3000 has worn out it's welcom. From day one it has had paper feed problems. With that said, anyone interested in buying it. It has an ethernet card and will print to 17" x 22" (C size) paper.

We are looking at either an Epson Stylus Pro 7800 or a HP Designjet 500. The Epson lists for about $3,000.00 but is ready to use on a Mac network (Firewire or USB). Epson seems to be more reliable when it comes to Macs. Do you agree?

HP lists for about $2,100.00 but by the time you get it to talk to our network it's price will likely be near the Epson.

The Epson is an 8 color ink system while the HP is only 4, but the way we are thinking, the 4 colors are more then enough and don't really see the need for Epsons 8 colors.

I would appreciate any thoughts that you have as to helping us make a wise descision.

Thanks in advance
Dave