psc@lzmi.UUCP (08/22/84)
<gulp!> I'm looking to buy the Transtar 120S daisywheel printer. It's based on a Silver Reed print mechanism, takes SR wheels and ribbons, and is OEM'ed by "Transtar", which in turn is part of Vivitar. They had a nation-wide dealer network, didn't like it, and now are offering their printers mail-order through a company called Winslow Sales. There's a thirty day trial period, during which (I believe) you can send the printer back and ask for a refund. The six month warentee covers parts and service. There are two service locations in NJ: the one in Linhurst (sp?) is run by Transtar or Vivitar, the one in Clifton is actually an MAI/Sorbus center that'll do warentee work. (There's also a Silver Reed dealer in what Jerry Pournelle calls "baseball bat range" - if something goes wrong, I could get to them with a baseball bat.) It prints at 14 cps, and doesn't have a wide carriage. Including shipping and handling (but not 8.1% sales tax within WA state), the serial version costs $340; the parallel version (130P), $390. The 130S prints at 18 cps, and has a wide carriage; serial $460, parallel $490. Cables are neither included or available from these guys. The printers have only (yuchh) friction feed. A forms tractor is avaiable for the 130S directly from Vivitar/Transtar for $150, and has its own six month warantee. I've read the InfoWorld review of the 130S; they said it was a good buy at $700, faster than the specified speed (so have they since improved the specs?) and quiet for a daisywheel. Does anyone out there have any experience with the Transtar in general, and any machines sold through Winslow in particular? -- -Paul S R Chisholm, AT&T-IS ENS ...!hogpd!pegasus!lzmi!psc ...!cbosg!lzmi!psc ...!ihnp4!lznv!psc ...!ucbvax!lznv!psc