Thermal Printers - what's the deal?

[maestro]

So what's the deal with thermal printers, why don't people use them? I followed an ad from here to http://www.runtechmedia.net/store-detail.asp?categoryID=200202051654571&subcategoryID=...D+Printer&a=12 and thought the prices look pretty good.

[disturbed1]

The Casio's (CP-XX models) are only title printers great for text, but they are not image, nor full coverage printers. Mono color at one time, too much of a pain to swap black ribbon for green ribbon, to red ribbon. They also only print in one area at a time, which is a rather small area at that. Granted, logos and clip art do look decent, but there is only a 200DPI print out put, and unless your art work is reconfigured for the Casio, it looks trashy. Text does look fantastic, if not a little plain after a while.

Considering those cost the same (give or take) an Epson R200, the R200 looks much better with upto full coverage printout, and full color, with high resolution image output.

The expensive thermal printers are an option, but at close to $2000, not many people would be able to weigh in the benefits over thermal compared to the price of ink jet.

[solarfox]

I assume that when you say the "prices look pretty good", you're looking at the inexpensive ($130 or less) CP-101, CP-99, or CP-88 models, and not the $2000 Primera and Rimage models...

That being the case -- I wouldn't say that people don't use them; obviously, some people do, or they wouldn't still be selling them. (These have been around for a while.) However -- personally, I wouldn't use one, just because their capabilities are very limited.

(1) They can only print on a very small area of the disc surface, so you can't get full-coverage graphics like you can with a label or an inkjet-printable disc.

(2) They only print in one color. (Yes, you can change ribbons to print in a color other than black, but it's still only one single color at a time.)

(3) The ribbons cost just as much as an inkjet tank, are only good for 20 - 40 discs, and aren't refillable.

(4) Only work on a PC with Windows 98 or higher, which leaves all of the Mac users out of the picture right away.

[canadateck]

I have used these for about 2 years, the smaller ones are made by casio, they are much cheaper on ebay, I get about 50 prints a ribbon, they do only print on one place at a time but if you trun the Disc you can print on the side, what i do is rotate my "small" image so, if i want a print on the left of the disc it wont look out of place, they do look boring after awhile,i would go with a inkjet printer.

[maestro]

Thanks for the replies guys, just what I was looking for. Looks like I'll be picking up an R200 in the near future, unless there is something better coming out before too long?

[solarfox]

Oh, I'm sure there is something better coming along -- there always is. You'll be waiting a very long time if you're waiting for something to come along that won't be superceded by something spiffier in 6 months. Considering that the R200 is selling for under $100 from some retailers, though, I don't see any reason not to buy one.

[madvideos]

R200, Office Depot discontinued. BB Out of stock here in my town for 1 week, I have one but a buddy of mine went looking, I pointed him to some links online, but he wants one NOW.. lol. So if you can get one.. DAMMIT MAN GET IT!!
These are hot. I look for the r200 to be gone in a few months at brick and mortar stores, they are pushing the more expensive brand like the R300 that has a display WOW.. forget that crap.. I dont need a display telling me anything. heh.. gimmie the r200 anyday!!