[net.micro.pc] Heavy-duty dot-matrix printer recommendations requested

sdyer@bbncc5.UUCP (Steve Dyer) (10/11/85)

I have been volunteering my efforts helping a small newspaper place their
subscription records on a PC.  For the past few months, they have been
using an Okidata 93 to print subscription labels, which turns out to be
approximately one run of 5000 labels each week, along with a smaller volume
of word-processing related output.  The printer had been performing
relatively well, but it is beginning to become somewhat more persnickety,
requiring constant monitoring during a long printout to avoid jamming
and overstriking due to tractor slippages.  I am beginning to suspect that
a consumer-grade machine, like the Oki 93, simply can't handle the heavy
duty cycle which this newspaper is asking of it.

I am looking for recommendations for dot-matrix printers which are designed
for heavy use.  I will summarize any responses I receive.

Thanks,
-- 
/Steve Dyer
{harvard,seismo}!bbnccv!bbncc5!sdyer
sdyer@bbncc5.ARPA

cem@intelca.UUCP (Chuck McManis) (10/22/85)

>                                        .... I am beginning to suspect that
> a consumer-grade machine, like the Oki 93, simply can't handle the heavy
> duty cycle which this newspaper is asking of it.
> 
Your observations are completely correct for that kind of volume. I
have seen in action both Printronix (we have two in our lab that
run almost constantly sometimes) and some Dataproducts. The Printronix
are fairly expensive (>5K) but they have a new one out (the MVP) which
is only half as fast (150 lpm) but seems to be up to their demanding
level of durability.

--Chuck
-- 
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