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| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
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| Subject: | Re: [gislist] Plotters |
| Date: |
01/24/2006 11:05:02 AM |
| From: |
RICK GRAY |
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Matt,
I like the idea of leasing first. I will look into that option.
I am still getting responses to my original query. When those trickle away to
nothing, I will post a summary.
Our situation seems to be different than many who have responded. We do not
have "clients" to pass the costs on to. Our main use of maps and posters is for
meetings and tradeshow booths. Although the map may be client specific, we have
already charged the client for a service and merely use the maps for explanation
at their shareholder meetings, etc. We are unable to charge out the cost of
maps directly so map generation becomes a cost of doing business. Sometimes it
would be nice to have it otherwise. But at least this way I don't have to track
my costs as closely. However, it is the initial investment, and the monthly
operating costs (paper, ink) that the boss is most interested in - costs that
will vary greatly depending on use.
rg
Rick Gray
GIS Specialist, Ontario Weather Network
http://www.ownweb.ca
GIS Instructor
Ridgetown College, University of Guelph
http://www.ridgetowncollege.com/
Tel. 519-674-1554
E-mail: rgray@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
Ridgetown: -81.883 W, 42.450 N
>>> "Matt Lamborn" <matt@landpeople.net> 01/23/06 3:14 PM >>>
Rick -
I agree w/ Kent's initial comments. But remember that many, if not most, of
these costs are passed on to clients. I've had good luck w/ HP medium format
printers, and I bet their large-format printers are even better. I would
recommend leasing one first, then considering a purchase at a later date. As
for Kent's GeoPrinter - I've never used it, and $95 for a 24x36 is double
the rate I pay at the local print shop here in town (granted, GeoPrinter
maps are laminated which might come in handy 5% of the time).
-----Original Message-----
From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
[mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com]On Behalf Of Kent Hargesheimer
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 10:44 AM
To: 'RICK GRAY': gislist@lists.geocomm.com
Subject: Re: [gislist] Plotters
Rick:
Buying a large format printer can be a substantial financial commitment far
beyond the initial purchase.
Depending on the volume and sizes you need to print, it may be more
economical to use our map printing service at http://www.geoprinter.com
<http://www.geoprinter.com/> specifically for the GIS community. We offer
a free PDF print utility download and print in sizes up to 9 X 12 feet for
easy upload, and we laminate all our maps too.
24" X 36" map are just $95. Your budget can go a long way without all the
maintenance hassles.
Thanks,
Kent Hargesheimer
GeoPrinter.com
1.888.848.4GEO
-----Original Message-----
From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
[mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com] On Behalf Of RICK GRAY
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 1:24 PM
To: gislist@lists.geocomm.com
Subject: [gislist] Plotters
The boss is making noises like he wants us to consider getting a large
format
printer and I don't know what the pros and cons are of the various machines
now
on the market.
We do not need ultra high resolution - most of our work would be fairly
basic
GIS built maps. We do not need photographic quality. I suspect 1200 DPI
would
be more than enough. Perhaps even 600 DPI - I don't really know as I have
no
experience to relate this to.
36" would suffice, 42" would be luxury.
Pricing will be critical - I would imagine that $5,000 Canadian (I'm
guessing
that will be around $4000 US) would be the extreme high end of our budget,
though I have no numbers to work with yet.
What things should I look for, or look to avoid, in a low end large format
printer? Given the same resolution, is speed the only other thing that
price
affects?
Are some makes better than others from a durability or warranty perspective?
We currently use an HP cp1700 inkjet printer (will handle up to tabloid
size)
and we have been exceptionally pleased with its reliability, and with HP
support
when we have had an issue.
Do operating costs differ significantly between various models?
I see on HP's web site something called a thermal printer. Advantages over
the
inkjet?
Any suggestions you might have will make me look smart to my boss :-)
Thanks in advance...
Rick Gray
Rick Gray
GIS Specialist, Ontario Weather Network
http://www.ownweb.ca
GIS Instructor
Ridgetown College, University of Guelph
http://www.ridgetowncollege.com/
Tel. 519-674-1554
E-mail: rgray@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
Ridgetown: -81.883 W, 42.450 N
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