We are trying to use our manual a little more often for smaller jobs with low color counts to free up press time on our auto while we wait to get a new space and another press. I have only had 2 flash dryers for manuals in the past: a shitty offshore no name brand coil, and my own diy infrared panel that I Frankenstein'd together, which won't fly in a shop with a bunch of users. I'm a little lost on what the best options are for buying one honestly...
If you had to pick one "cheap" option and one "nice" option, what brands/models would you choose?
For cheap I mean something under $1000, larger the panel/heat size the better, bells and whistles like auto rotation are cool, but I don't expect them at this price of course.
For "nice", I mean something around $3k (less if possible) UNLESS it could also play nice with an auto later as well. If something could plug into a Gauntlet down the road but also be used with a food pedal, that would be worth the extra cost. I don't care too much about infrared vs quartz, though figuring out the electrical for quartz may be a little bit of a challenge short term.
Any thoughts? Thanks!