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From: hgm@ccvr1.uucp (Hal G. Meeks)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Okimate 20 Impressions???
Keywords: Okimate, you get what you pay for
Message-ID: <1989Nov30.054240.25610@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Date: 30 Nov 89 05:42:40 GMT
References: <795@orange9.qtp.ufl.edu>
Reply-To: hgm@ccvr1.ncsu.edu (Hal G. Meeks)
Distribution: na
Organization: NCSU Computing Center
Lines: 54

Firstly, the Okimate 20 isn't $100.00 as you quoted. With the proper plugnplay
interface, it's closer to $180.00. Ribbons are $6.00 apiece, and as far as
how long they last, it depends what you are printing. The friend who 
has one is saying 12-15 pictures per ribbon, but I have heard that is the
low end. 

Print speed is sloooooow, and the streaks you describe are unfortunately a
part of the printer. 1.3 fixes this problem somewhat by overlapping lines
slightly, but it a valiant attempt at best. 

If you are really strapped for cash, and must have color, here's some
suggestions:

Star NX1000 Rainbow - This a 9 pin JX80 clone. Print quality is okay for
text, although I'm not too thrilled with their draft font. Graphic printing
has the inherent problems of a dot matrix; uneven color, some problem with
print lines. All considered though, it's an all around better choice than
the Okimate, for slightly about $200.00.

Used Printers - Printers quite a few moving parts, but it's possible to find
a decent used printer that may have a few years left on it. Note that for
Inkjets, you don't have to worry about a print head being worn, but you do
have to worry about clogged ink jets, leaking lines, etc. Not to scare you
off, since I bought my Xerox 4020 used, and it's been doing great for about
a year now. 

Quadram Quadjet, Canon PJ1080, IBM ColorJet - These are all essentially the
same printer mechanically. I've seen Quadram Quadjets pop up occasionally
for around $200.00. They use replacement ink packs that also contain
maintenance fluid (most likely distilled water). Since they have an
autoflush mechanism to clean the heads, jet clogging is much less of a
problem than earlier inkjet designs. Nice consistent color across the page
is the big plus. They are slow, however, and need a special clay treated
paper to hold the ink on the page until it dries (easily obtainable). 

Diablo C150 - I've seen these going for $300 -$350, used. It's essentially
the same engine as my Xerox 4020, without the autoflush mechanism or the
"enchanced" printing mode (prints blacks in two passes for really dark
blacks). Again, needs a special inkjet paper. You can either use tektronix
or Xerox inks in this printer, "Inky Dink" inks from Software Sensations
(about 1/2 the price), or liquid watercolors (Dr. PH Martin's, Windsor
Newton's). 

A side note - Just noticed an ad in Computer Shopper for some surplus
liquidator. They are selling Xerox 4020's (evidentally new) for $650.00.
What can I add other than I've been very happy with mine. 

--hal


---------------
hgm@ccvr1.ncsu.edu       "Oh dear, now I've made a terrible mess of things. 
netoprhm@ncsuvm.bitnet    And all I wanted to do was rule the universe."
			  Dr. Zachary Smith