Brand New Canon IPF6400 $1,799 - go for it?

[uintaangler]

I had heard before that the HP Wide Format printers are much, much easier to live with than Epson or Canon, especially for a low-volume, low humidity printer like myself.
BUT, if this is the correct model 24" HP printer: HP Design Jet Z3200 24" PS Version - I can actually buy two of the Canon IPF6400 for the same price right now!!!

[sjphotos]

Purchased my ipf6400 over 3 years ago. Canon had a $300.00 rebate and B&H was selling it for $1939.00, free shipping and no tax, so for 1639.00 for this 24" printer seemed a no brainer.
Anyway in the 3 plus years I have produced hundreds of really stunning prints. Some have said they thought my prints were printed from negatives shot with an 8x10 view camera. Besides
the excellent print quality it has worked flawlessly with no problems, even if it sits for a month or two without printing. It has been as reliable as my Epson 3880. No clogging and can sit idle
with no problems.

[Breacher1]

Price drop.  Looks like they are clearing them out.  Great deal for $1499 IMHO!!!

iPF6400 for $1499!!!!!!

[BillK]

If you are sold on a 24" printer, you are not going to get a new one any cheaper.
It comes with $900 worth of ink. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

Price drop.  Looks like they are clearing them out.  Great deal for $1499 IMHO!!!

iPF6400 for $1499!!!!!!

[uintaangler]

Bill,
The ad says it comes with starter ink cartridges - those aren't worth $900 - are they?
Thanks

[howardm]

M U S T  P U T  C R E D I T  C A R D  O U T  O F  R E A C H

[stockjock]

Bill,
The ad says it comes with starter ink cartridges - those aren't worth $900 - are they?
Thanks

It comes with 90ml starter cartridges so that is about $623 worth of ink.  And the two print heads, which ought to be viewed as consumables, are worth at least $650 on the grey market.  And then you can add in another $120-130 for the cutter blade and maintenance cartridge and $100+ for the roll paper holder.  If I owned an iPF6400 instead of the iPF8400 I would buy one at this price just for the parts LOL.  $1499 is a great price for a great printer but remember that all these large format printers really want to be used often.  Infrequent use of the iPF6400/8400 printers supposedly shortens the life of the print heads and that certainly has been my experience with my iPF8400 where I had to replace one of the print heads after only 15 months of relatively light use. 

[BillK]

Bill,
The ad says it comes with starter ink cartridges - those aren't worth $900 - are they?
Thanks

I have owned an 8300 and now a 8400, they both came with a full set of carts, about $2000 worth actually . I assumed the 6400
would also, my mistake, sorry.   Its still a great deal.

[sjphotos]

FWIW, my 6400 sometimes sits for a couple of months at a time, sometimes longer. When I do print, I print a lot and print for about a week or so, then the printer will sit. In almost 4 years and 100's of 24x36's, I have only had to replace one of the printheads.

[uintaangler]

FWIW, my 6400 sometimes sits for a couple of months at a time, sometimes longer. When I do print, I print a lot and print for about a week or so, then the printer will sit. In almost 4 years and 100's of 24x36's, I have only had to replace one of the printheads.

What is it like replacing a printhead?
Assume you are speaking to somebody who is "all thumbs"
Thanks

[sjphotos]

Very easy, the on screen LCD walks you through it. You simply lift a locking lever, lift out the old one, put in the new. Takes all of 30 seconds.
The printer will then go through it's alignment and test printout and thats it.

[gchappel]

ipf6400 now $1499.
I do not even need one and might get one for that price
http://www.atlex.com/
Gary