Author Topic: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?  (Read 4156 times)

Offline Shanarchy

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1421
What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« on: October 13, 2015, 12:48:55 PM »
I'm looking to uograde out Epson 1400. It's about 9 years old now and starting to show signs that it may be ready to retire soon.

I'd like to get something that we could utilize roll media for our films.

The options seem to be a 4800 or 4880 on the used market for around $500-700. Or a Epson 4900 new/refurbished for around $1200.

Thoughts on which would be better? I'm not overly concerned with the difference in price between the two. Or is there something else I should be looking at? I'd like it to be Accurip compatible.

Thanks!


Offline Sbrem

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6057
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2015, 01:46:48 PM »
Wow, you got 9 years out of a 1400? That's spectacular. I replaced ours with a 4800, and loved it. Unfortunately, the head went, and a replacement head was a lot, lot more than we paid for it, so we were able to find a 3800 (sheet fed only) and that's been our mainstay. But, if I found another 4800 local, I would probably snap it up. That being said, I don't see that many show up in our area, which is next door to your area. The roll and auto film trimming were so cool...

Steve
I made a mistake once; I thought I was wrong about something; I wasn't

Offline Maxie

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1328
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2015, 02:04:10 PM »
I'm happy with my 4880, there have been a lot of negative posts about the 4900.
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6368
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2015, 02:39:59 PM »
4880 is the way to go. We have two 4800 and the time is catching up with them, one of them is down now.

4880 is slightly newer so the material (plastic) integrity will be higher. 4900 are disposable printers, stay away from them.

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline ZooCity

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4914
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2015, 03:17:35 PM »
Ha, I literally just jumped on here to ask this same question. 

So there's no newer Epson Pro that's a better option than scooping up 4800/4880's?

Offline cbjamel

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1093
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2015, 05:09:07 PM »
4880 is the way to go. We have two 4800 and the time is catching up with them, one of them is down now.

4880 is slightly newer so the material (plastic) integrity will be higher. 4900 are disposable printers, stay away from them.

pierre

Pierre do you know of any 4880's for sale my 4800 is down right now.
Thanks,
Shane

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6368
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2015, 06:17:39 PM »
4880 is the way to go. We have two 4800 and the time is catching up with them, one of them is down now.

4880 is slightly newer so the material (plastic) integrity will be higher. 4900 are disposable printers, stay away from them.

pierre


Pierre do you know of any 4880's for sale my 4800 is down right now.
Thanks,
Shane


no 4880s close by, there is a 4800 few hours away:
http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/ele/5229051341.html

try searchtempest.com to see what's available close to you.
Don't forget to check ebay, if it's not close they might be able to ship. . .

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline Shanarchy

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1421
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2015, 07:06:26 PM »
Thanks for the heads up in the 4900. I was thinking about just spending the extra to get a new one. Being that 4880's are discoed, what would be the desired printer for our industry if one was going new?

Steve, my 9 years on the 1400 was probably equal to one year in most shops.

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7866
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2015, 11:03:13 PM »
i miss the 3000, that was a good printer, would have been great with a good roll feed on it.

the 4800 is a great printer.

Offline cbjamel

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1093
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2015, 11:51:12 PM »
4880 is the way to go. We have two 4800 and the time is catching up with them, one of them is down now.

4880 is slightly newer so the material (plastic) integrity will be higher. 4900 are disposable printers, stay away from them.

pierre


Pierre do you know of any 4880's for sale my 4800 is down right now.
Thanks,
Shane


no 4880s close by, there is a 4800 few hours away:
http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/ele/5229051341.html

try searchtempest.com to see what's available close to you.
Don't forget to check ebay, if it's not close they might be able to ship. . .

pierre


Thanks Pierre have a email into them now.
Shane

Offline Sbrem

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6057
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2015, 09:22:04 AM »
Hey Shane, in Woburn, on the Boston Craigslist, right now...

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/pho/5258143575.html

It probably needs work, but $150 is pretty damn cheap.

Steve
I made a mistake once; I thought I was wrong about something; I wasn't

Offline cbjamel

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1093
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2015, 11:21:31 AM »
Hey Shane, in Woburn, on the Boston Craigslist, right now...

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/pho/5258143575.html

It probably needs work, but $150 is pretty damn cheap.

Steve


Thanks for the info wish it was closer to Colorado.
Shane

Offline blue moon

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6368
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2015, 11:34:32 AM »
Hey Shane, in Woburn, on the Boston Craigslist, right now...

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/pho/5258143575.html

It probably needs work, but $150 is pretty damn cheap.

Steve


Thanks for the info wish it was closer to Colorado.
Shane


that's funny!!! What are the odds that two Shanes are asking about the same thing at the same time?

Shanrachy is also Shane and he lives in Boston. . .

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline 3Deep

  • !!!
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 5333
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2015, 07:12:02 PM »
I opted for the cheaper epson which is the 1430 just bought it a week or so ago and love it....sitting right next to the old epson 3000 which is still printing film, but If I had bought the bigger epson I think I would go for the 4800, got some seps from Pierre last year and the film was black as night.
Life is like Kool-Aid, gotta add sugar/hardwork to make it sweet!!

Offline Binkspot

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1108
Re: What to get, Epson 4800, 4880, 4900?
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2015, 09:16:33 PM »
No go on the 4900, it works but I don't trust it. Left us in a jam a few times. Most recent today, didn't print films yesterday go to print today all 10 heads clogged, resorted to velum for the last screen . Just about every day, few times a day there is a roll feed error. Yes we have tried sevearl different brands of film. Just not happy with it.