Digital BW, The Print

(cross posted to PIEZO3000)

I've been happy doing 13 x19 Piezos and Gen4 color on an 1160 and a 
1200 with CIS setups, save the obvious ink stability issues. I've 
been thinking of stretching the budget for a 7600 if and when the 
third party inksters crack the chip and a quad or better BW solution 
arrives.

Today, however, an affordable used 7000 unexpectedly landed in my 
lap; I can pick it up tomorrow. It had been used with Indelible pigs, 
but has been flushed and has new ink pads reset by the Epson rep. No 
ink presently installed, and presumably in good shape (it is being 
replaced by a 7600). I don't know what (if any) accessories should 
come with it (I know it has no stand), any particular problems I 
should look out for, etc. I basically know nothing about the wide 
format printers. I do know I can download the Mac Epson driver and 
"Color Calibrator", but I'm inclined to spring for a RIP. As that's a 
substantial investment in itself, I'm in need of advice.

Traditionally, I've done most of my work in BW, so that's my 
priority. I'll probably set it up with PiezoTone ST and whatever K 
ends up the best. I just checked, and the Piezo Pro 24 RIP has 
disappeared from the Inkjet Mall site, presumably a casualty of the 
Cone/Sundance divorce. It seems to have been reincarnated by 
R-9/Sundance and is available, for $1495, from Digital Art Supplies.

The Piezography page is now touting a new "about to grow up" Piezo 
Pro RIP: "Stay tuned for the release date later this summer!" Well, 
the Vernal equinox is just a few hours away, and Conetech does have a 
tendency to promote wishware. Does anyone know if this will be a real 
product? Heard about any beta testers?

IJM is also pushing Imageprint 5. However, they recommend the Windows 
version, and I'm on a Mac (as is my school's lab, where I'd want to 
use the printer on occasion). I've seen other comments that the Mac 
version is clunky at best. And it is dongle-tied to a specific 
printer, so if I use the 7000 for BW, I get to pay extra for a color 
printer, even a 2200. I also get the impression that the IP BW dither 
is not quite as smooth and dotless as the Piezo/R-9. Comments? 
Amazingly, it also costs $1495.

Finally, as the original Piezo Pro RIP has been discontinued, my 
personal reservations about second hand software might be irrelevant. 
If anyone has a copy of the Mac version they would care to sell, I 
could be interested.

Any advice, cautions, insights or experiences to share would be welcome!


-- 
PS: Please note new ISP address, pvx@...