Help buy wide format plotter?

We currently have a VERY old HP Draftmaster SX pen
plotter... yes a pen plotter.

I "think" Ive got management convinced into getting a
bubble jet plotter. A big format plotter.

I know NOTHING abt current wide format potter
technology or models.

Since we are on a tight budget.... what price range can
we get a big format plotter in? Can we get one in the
$1000 range?

And what is the maximum size we should get? We
definetly need something bigger than 11x17 which is as
big as we can print now.

Any advice or opinions?

wrote in :

We currently have a VERY old HP Draftmaster SX pen
plotter... yes a pen plotter.

I "think" Ive got management convinced into getting a
bubble jet plotter. A big format plotter.

I know NOTHING abt current wide format potter
technology or models.

Since we are on a tight budget.... what price range can
we get a big format plotter in? Can we get one in the
$1000 range?

And what is the maximum size we should get? We
definetly need something bigger than 11x17 which is as
big as we can print now.

Any advice or opinions?


HP is going to be the place to look. I'm not sure you will be able to get a
new unit for $1000. You might find a used printer though. With the HP you
replace the actual printhead with each cartridge, so you wouldn't have to
worry about the heads being damaged. If the prices get up around $3000, you
can buy a brand new Epson 7600, which prints up to 24 inches wide. I think
there are some HP models that are in the $3000 range that will print wider
than 24 inches. the most common sizes are 24, 36, 44, 60 inch printers. To
get a 60 inch, you will have to look at Encad, by Kodak. Very expensive, but
you might find a used one for around $2500. You could also look for used
Epson 9000, 9500. Or the smaller Epson 7000, 7500.

I would suggest you look at HP first for anything like this. I think they
will have the least expensive unit that you can buy new. Alos look at Epson,
and Canon has a new wide format printer too.