lgollub@umd5.umd.edu (Lewis R. Gollub) (02/02/90)
We need several printers primarily for graphics use, and are centering in on 24-pin models. Magazine reviews give good marks to the Epson LQ-1050 and the Panasonic KX-1124, and they are roughly in the same price range (a few bucks more for the Panasonic). Does anyone have experience with either of these, and, in general, are Panasonic printers are reliable for long-term use as are Epsons. (We have had some Epsons in use for 5-6 years with only the plastic pin-feed cage breaking.) These printers will be in a student laboratory, so they need to be sturdy and reliable. Thanks, in advance, for your opinions.
barton@holston.UUCP (Barton A. Fisk) (02/03/90)
I have an LQ-1050 and it's ok. The only problem I've had in almost 2 years is the sending of commands to the printer (I am using the serial interface). It doesn't seem to want to set the form length or the LPI this way. So I work around it with the software (a pain but it works). As far as reliability is concerned NOT ONE PROBLEM. Print quality is excellent. -- Barton A. Fisk | UUCP: {attctc,texbell}vector!holston!barton PO Box 1781 | (PSEUDO) DOMAIN: barton@holston.UUCP Lake Charles, La. 70602 | ---------------------------------------- 318-439-5984 | "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone"-JC
ajai@sce.carleton.ca (Ajai Sehgal) (02/06/90)
I have been using the "Roland 2417" (a KXP-1124 with a different name) for aboutsix months and can't say enpough good things about it. This little printer is a marvel of mechanical engineering. It is very ruggedly built and the paper handeling is totally idiot proof. The print quality is almost LASER quality (good enough to print my thesis on) in both graphics and text mode. Although I've never used an Epson LQ-1050, the 1124 is LQ-2500 and IBM-Proprinter X24 compatible. I've had no compatibility problems (using WP5.0, MS Excel,Harvard Graphics, AutoCAD). Although the list price is more than an LQ1050, I got mine for $325 (CDN) which was $100 less than the Epson. I highly recommend the 1124. Regards, Ajai. --
johngm@dhw68k.cts.com (John Miller) (02/07/90)
I've been using the KXP1124 for about 6 months now and love it. The thing is incredible. I would get it over the 1050 in a second. John johngm@dhw68k.com