Well, our Epson is getting a little long in the tooth. The belt is fraying and making the encoder freak out. The boss told me to start looking on ebay. Personally, I'd rather not use ebay. Just from his experiences alone should teach him there is a reason something is cheap on ebay, there is a reason. Maybe stop buying used crap and you'll have less problems, or at least you'll have someone to bring it back to and yell at.

Anyway, I have a 9800. Should I be looking for a direct replacement or something newer? Also if anyone has a NY metro area based reseller of print equipment PM or post info. I'd rather deal with someone in the trade that knows what they are talking about. I know there is one local to me here but for some reason I can't find their info.

Also, if anyone happens to be upgrading and their machine isn't a total shitshow let me know.

We upgraded to an Epson 9900 from an old Epson 10600. Fantastic machine, very quick, great colours and love the fact that I can print edge to edge on a sheet, saving me cutting time for posters that match the width of my paper.

Not sure how it compares to the 9800, but I doubt you would be disappointed. Epson recently updated the Epson 9900 to the Epson 9000
http://www.epson.ca/cgi-bin/ceStore/jsp/Pro/SeriesSureColorP7000P9000/Overview.do?UseCookie=yes

I prefer new when it comes to wide format, you just never know what the print heads will be like or anything else, could be a real headache if you are not sure about a used machine.

I will have to agree and I mentioned that to the boss and all that did was piss him off. We did get thins one from an auction and yes, the head had to be replaced right off the bat. Other than one other issue it actually served us well and doesn't owe us anything.

I did find one local on ebay that was used by a photographer so it's likely not been abused. I just need to figure out is there is a hours meter on it so we can have him check before we pull the trigger.

I doubt I will ever get any new hardware besides computers here. Everything here is used and a bit tired, including the workers. 

I have a 9900 with Spectroproofer attachment. It is very nice... I print a target and verify each proof. Makes it easy to stay in calibration.

I replaced the frayed belt on my HP 5500, but I think the Epson is a lot more complicated.

under used can be an issue with proofers, heads get clogged and things of that nature. They really are not that expensive new, I think our XF RIP cost above the same as the Epson 9900.

Looking at it, it doesn't look horrible but the last time it was serviced there were a bunch of things reaching EOL. The boss is fine with getting another so I'm not going to make my life worse by farmer engineering something. I'd love to get something newer but keeping the same means I should have parts and I don't have to worry about any config issues. I wouldn't put it past kodak or epson to change some little thing and make it not work.

I'm aware about underused, we had to replace the head as soon as we got this one because it sat too long. I know in the real world, the cost isn't all that bad. I do not operate in the real world here sadly. The phrase tripping over dimes to pick up pennies is very apt here. I'm done fighting that fight since it's a lost cause here.

I totally agree. The Epson wants to be run. If mine sits for a couple days, I will most likely need to clean the printhead. And the first one will often not verify.

Quote from: Farabomb on June 21, 2016, 11:34:46 AMLooking at it, it doesn't look horrible but the last time it was serviced there were a bunch of things reaching EOL. The boss is fine with getting another so I'm not going to make my life worse by farmer engineering something. I'd love to get something newer but keeping the same means I should have parts and I don't have to worry about any config issues. I wouldn't put it past kodak or epson to change some little thing and make it not work.

I'm aware about underused, we had to replace the head as soon as we got this one because it sat too long. I know in the real world, the cost isn't all that bad. I do not operate in the real world here sadly. The phrase tripping over dimes to pick up pennies is very apt here. I'm done fighting that fight since it's a lost cause here.

Can't you just take a picture of your monitor with your phone and send it to your customer? Just look at all the pennies you will save your brother.

I'm almost to the point of pushing soft proofing. The proofs are in the ballpark, kinda, on some days when the stars are aligned. I love having the ability to see a full size sheet to check the impo. I can also get an idea by printing out a reduced impo version. I'm extremely doubtful the boss will go for it though. He LOVES his hard proofs.

We haven't had a proofer here for almost 3 years now. Customers view everything through Insite. Internally we use VPS soft proofs.

You forget my boss. I'd still be running a vacuum frame if film wasn't so expensive.

Quote from: Joe on June 21, 2016, 01:10:51 PMWe haven't had a proofer here for almost 3 years now. Customers view everything through Insite. Internally we use VPS soft proofs.

Our Epson is used mainly for final prints, posters, and such, only a few clients pay for epson proofs.

Quote from: Ear on June 21, 2016, 11:35:14 AMI totally agree. The Epson wants to be run. If mine sits for a couple days, I will most likely need to clean the printhead. And the first one will often not verify.

You need to turn the unit off at the front panel using the round gray standby power button if it is going to sit idle for any length of time. You will hear the heads being parked and capped to help stop them drying out. You may still need to do nozzle checks and cleaning rounds, however you should have less maintenance to do by capping the heads than by leaving the machine on and the heads exposed. Yes, these machines like to run, not sit.

Did you check out local area listings on Craigslist?
Today's kids thinking they can make "heaps of money" with a big Epson printer ... and 2 years later, it's too hard and that machine is on Craigslist for $500. Like here in Pittsburgh now, there's a 9900 for $400 ...
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/5648693413.html

Anything that will supposedly make "heaps of money" tends to be too hard. Or cost more than they thought to start. Or anything else reality throws in their faces.