Looking at the Epson SC-P7000

[keithcooper]

I had a SureColor P7000 here from Epson for a while and have written up some notes about using it with a range of media.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/printer/epson_sc_p7000_review.html

Hope it's of interest.

A very nice printer to use that I'd have happily kept for my print work ;-)

Here's me, whilst working out how to get borderless prints...

[rdonson]

Thanks, Keith! 

Very nice review.

The optional built-in spectro is a feature I miss from my late HP Z3100.

It was curious that the printer has "high speed USB 2.0" and no wi-fi.  In 2016 does anyone actually think of USB 2.0 as "high speed"?  Perhaps it just means that Epson thinks everyone will be running an ethernet cable to it.

 

[howardm]

In reality, USB 2.0 *is* high speed relative to the printer carriage movement so it doesn't really matter.  3.0 would be pretty much a waste of time and $$ (even though it's pennies now) although there might be issue w/ cable length and signal integrity.  And WiFi is not something I'd miss on a printer in this class.

[keithcooper]

Thanks, Keith! 

Very nice review.

The optional built-in spectro is a feature I miss from my late HP Z3100.

It was curious that the printer has "high speed USB 2.0" and no wi-fi.  In 2016 does anyone actually think of USB 2.0 as "high speed"?  Perhaps it just means that Epson thinks everyone will be running an ethernet cable to it.

Thanks - I tried to pitch it at people just thinking of larger printers as much as those with lots of experience.

I did wonder about USB 3, but once enough data is there to start printing, USB2 is more than enough to keep up, especially if it's spooling to the internal disk.

I have to admit that wireless is just never something I'd consider for a printer like this - guess I've worked with IT too long ;-)

The SpectroProofer unit is aimed at a very different market.  For example... When I make profiles I like to leave the prints overnight before measuring - not so easy to do when the target is on a loaded roll, or if you wanted to profile several papers at the same time, or just have sheet media.

[rdonson]

The HP Z allowed me to print targets (cut on the printer from a roll or sheets), let them dry an hour, overnight or for a day, then put them back in the printer to create a profile.  It seems like a serious shortcoming if this capability isn't available on this printer.

I too spent 20+ years in IT after almost 20 years in hardware/mfg engineering.  At some point in time you get tired of running ethernet cable everywhere unless you're on a raised floor.    In my home I find 802.11ac wi-fi a boon even for printing.   My Epson SC P800 has wi-fi and it simplifies things for me.  Yes, USB 2.0 is sufficient but its now ancient technology (20 years old) and not many other devices in 2016 come with USB 2.0. 

[keithcooper]

>> The HP Z allowed me to print targets (cut on the printer from a roll or sheets), let them dry an hour, overnight or for a day, then put them back in the printer to create a profile.  It seems like a serious shortcoming if this capability isn't available on this printer.

Different application I'm afraid - It may well support more complex operation, but you need software (like some RIPs that support it) - not a replacement for external reading, for the types of profiling I'm likely to do.

If only HP hadn't 'left' the large format market ;-)  - my last review was for the z3200

>> I too spent 20+ years in IT after almost 20 years in hardware/mfg engineering.  At some point in time you get tired of running ethernet cable everywhere unless you're on a raised floor.

Ah, the door behind the printer is the cupboard under the stairs where the phone exchange, routers and gigabit switches live...  a side benefit from when the kitchen was burnt out a few years ago.

[shadowblade]

Any clogging issues? Probably not too relevant for a large-scale production environment, but very relevant for an individual photographer or low-volume user.

I'm very interested in what comes out of the longevity testing for the new HDX inks, as well as the new Canon ones.

[keithcooper]

Any clogging issues? Probably not too relevant for a large-scale production environment, but very relevant for an individual photographer or low-volume user.

Only the examples mentioned in the review...

[JRSmit]

Clogging issues are relevant in production. So far the 7000 and the 9000 have not let me down.

[iCanvas]

Keith and Jan,

Do you have to do a cleaning before each printing cycle? Let's say you do a printing in the morning, do you need to clean the head if you do a printing in the afternoon? In the afternoon would you feel confident to print without doing a nozzle check? I have had my 9900 for 6 years and don't have that confidence. I need to do a nozzle check if the printer has been unused for even a couple of hours.

Gar

[keithcooper]

Keith and Jan,

Do you have to do a cleaning before each printing cycle? Let's say you do a printing in the morning, do you need to clean the head if you do a printing in the afternoon? In the afternoon would you feel confident to print without doing a nozzle check? I have had my 9900 for 6 years and don't have that confidence. I need to do a nozzle check if the printer has been unused for even a couple of hours.

Gar

During the time I had it here, I did a nozzle check each morning - all passed 100% OK

The only nozzle checks that failed were the ones after a black ink swap.

I only had the printer here for a few weeks though, so would not want to claim any definitive results.
The printer is one of Epson UK's demo machines, so gets shifted round a lot - I saw it again at 'The Photography Show' at the NEC yesterday, churning out demo prints (I recognised a slight inky smudge I'd left on the top panel)