83882319@ucs.uwplatt.edu (Doctor WHO) (11/20/90)
What are opinions on the Commodore 1526 printer? Is it a pretty good printer?
Compatable with GEOS? Drawbacks? Etc., Etc., Etc.? I have a chance to buy
one for $100, barely used, and am wondering if it's worth the cost. I
currently have an Okimate 10 and am really starting to hate it. Unfortunately,
I don't have enough money to buy anything really decent. So what's the scoop
on the 1526?
Doctor WHO
(Cory Hug)
83882319@UWPLATT - Bitnet
83882319@UCS.UWPLATT.EDU - Internetmat@emcard.UUCP (W Mat Waites) (11/20/90)
In article <1990Nov19.161738.226@ucs.uwplatt.edu> 83882319@ucs.uwplatt.edu (Doctor WHO) writes: >What are opinions on the Commodore 1526 printer? Is it a pretty good printer? >Compatable with GEOS? Drawbacks? Etc., Etc., Etc.? I have a chance to buy >one for $100, barely used, and am wondering if it's worth the cost. I >currently have an Okimate 10 and am really starting to hate it. Unfortunately, >I don't have enough money to buy anything really decent. So what's the scoop >on the 1526? > > Doctor WHO > (Cory Hug) GEOS does have a 1526 driver, but i think $100 is a little high. The 1526 does graphics differently from about every other commodore printer, therefore is is not supported by most of the graphics printing programs/ printer interfaces/etc that are out there. If GEOS is all that you plan to use it with, you should be ok, but I'd offer about $60-$70. Mat -- W Mat Waites | Unlike most of you, I am not a nut. {gatech,emory}!emcard!mat | -H. Simpson
cs4344af@evax.arl.utexas.edu (Fuzzy Fox) (11/21/90)
The 1526 printer does not have a graphics mode. Instead, it allows a charater (yes, ONE character) in its font to be redefined, and graphics are printed by redefining the character many many times on a single line. This makes it one of the slowest graphics printers around, and thus totally unsuitable for GEOS.
prindle@nadc.nadc.navy.mil (Frank Prindle) (11/21/90)
Not to mention that ribbons for the 1526 (multistrike film ribbon, not inked cloth) are getting scarce as hen's teeth and expensive too. They also tend to be troublesome mechanically. This is the same ribbon as used on the Blue Chip M120/10 and the Mannesman Tally Spirit 80. Sincerely, Frank Prindle Prindle@NADC.navy.mil
XWUU@PURCCVM.BITNET (11/21/90)
In a recent post, prindle@nadc.nadc.navy.mil(Frank Prindle) states: "Not to mention that ribbons for the 1526 (multistrike ribbon, not inked cloth) are getting scarce as hen"s teeth and expensive too. They also tend to be troublesome mechanically." I use a Shinwa NLQ-II that is distributed through COMPUTER DIRECT of Barrington Illinois. It uses the same ribbon mentioned. They ALWAYS have them in stock, and since this is one of their more popular printers (NLQ-III is now out), I do not forsee any problem with availability. Cost $9.95; lifetime about 3 million characters (I get 3 - 4 months). TENEX (Mishawaka IN) carries the same ribbon for a little less. EVERY major distributor of ribbons (INMAC, MIDWEST MICRO, etc.) carries a 1526 compatible ribbon. What's the problem with multi strike? Nothing if you demand the sharpest output your printer can provide. Look at the top-of-the-line professional typewriters and daisy wheel printers...every one of them has a film type ribbon. It prints "cleaner" (less residue in your printer) and does not get "fuzzy" with use (still more crud on your printhead). True, they cannot be re-inked and they do not last as long, but I need high quality output most of the time (lots of photocopying and the like). When I don't need dark output, I use an old ribbon! Mechanically, these ribbons are as sound as ANY cartridge ribbon. Look at the number of printers using them today...100's of 'em. But you get what you pay for. Discounted ribbons in bulk, such as those offered by MEI MICRO of Columbus Ohio, are trouble. They use cheap plastic mechanisms on the inside and the ribbon is crinkled up inside rather then neatly looped. SIX out of SIX I ordered from them failed within 2 pages of printing. I have NEVER had a failure in a dozen or so ribbons from any other source. OOPS! I lied... I did have one fail when I bought a "bargain basement" model when I needed a ribbon in a hurry. The cartridge was put together sloppily and it jammed. Guess what, the manufacturer was the same as for the MEI MICRO ribbons! 1526 ribbons are not inherrently evil. They usually work nicely, give you a good product on the page, and are readily available. Kirk A. Janowiak XWUU@PURCCVM