Digital BW, The Print

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I've noticed that many posts talk about using PrintFix Pro 2 to gain an
extreme level of control over print output/consistency. I wonder if anyone
has used the "Pulse" by X-Rite to optimize prints, both color and Black and
White? What drives my curiosity is the fact that I already own the X-Rite
DTP-94 "puck" user for monitor calibration. I thought I'd read that that
sensor was the heart of the "Pulse", which could mean I'd save some $$$$ if
I can buy the Pulse without the sensor?

Thanks in advance! Alan
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Alan
I use a Pulse to profile 5 different printers with a range of papers, and it 
always gives close to perfect results. It was bought before the Printfix Pro 
was introduced, but I think I would still prefer the Pulse
now, although if I had only one or two printers to profile I would probably 
go for the Printfix.
Like Chris, I have always used ICC profiles for Black and White (greys are 
colours too). At home I'm more critical than at work so I use the free 
X-Rite Colorport software - see
http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=719&Industry=1&Segment=12&Action=Support

With this I  produce and read a 256 step grayscale target , and then edit 
the Pulse profile to correct any deviation from neutral. You can generate 
any target for any X-Rite or G-M device by feeding in a text file of RGB 
values. It has a custom setting  so you could do one for the Printfix as 
well although you would not be able to read it. The only drawback is that it 
only outputs Lab or XYZ values - if anyone knows an Excel formula for 
converting these to RGB for a given colour temp and space let me know!

Bran Price

www.secalis.co.uk