Digital BW, The Print

> >> >Is the 1160 reaching legend status? ...


>While perusing Ebay looking for a wide format printer, I noted that
>used 1160 printers were being bid and sold at about the same price as
>the 1280's and in some cases higher. Some of the 1280's were even new
>or refurbished. Is there some reason why a used 1160 is valued as
>high as a 1280? Is it because of the non-chipped carts, or is it
>perceived as a better printer even though the 1280 prints at 2880
>dpi, 6 inks, and probably improved engineering. A puzzlement to me.

I use an 1160 and 1280.  The 1160 is simpler -- only 4 inks and non-chipped
carts.  So, when I'm playing around with new inkset ideas, it's less work.

The 1280, however, is a better printer.  Not only is the 2880 resolution
valuable for RC papers, but the printer is also smoother at 1440.  This is
not just due to the light inks.  The black ink dither pattern or dot size
seems significantly better.  The 1280 can also lay down more ink.  With
Eboni I can get a 1.7 dmax on EEM at 2880.  The 1160 can't do this.

I'm starting to move to inksets that won't work on the 1160 at all.  So,
while I've been a big fan of the 1160, it's now in semi-retirement.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com