HP Z2100 idea dropped - Now it's Canon 9100 vs 8400

[geezerhood]

Edited:  After John's comments I am dropping the idea of the used HP Z2100 - See below for the Canon 9100 vs 8400 choice I have.

(Sorry I am so slow with grasping the importance of the extra colors but I now definitely want the 12 color system.)

Original post:
First off, Is the price decent for a working older edition?  I am hoping some HP guru can give me some quick advice as to what to look out for on this used printer.
It is fairly old though, I have not determined exactly how old. Is there a date code stamped on it somewhere. It passes a nozzle check and the seller says it works perfectly.

I have to travel about 600 miles round trip to get it so any help on a pre purchase checklist of things to ask the seller plus an on site check list once I have it in front of me, would be appreciated.

Lastly, what am I giving up going with the Z2100 vs the top end HP (Z3200?) or the Canon 8400?

Thanks,

Don

[John Nollendorfs]

It's an 8 color printer vs. 12 color for the Z3100/3200. You don't get the gray ink, Gloss optimizer (for RC papers), Red and Green.

This would make a noticeable difference if you want to print on photo papers, or pure B&W prints. The lack of Red & Green inks isn't that big of deal on most "photo" type images.

[geezerhood]

Thanks John.  Sounds like it won't work for me as I will be wanting to print black and white also.

Also available locally is a Canon 9100 for $2500. Canon shows this as a 12 color printer on their web site, but I am having difficulty finding the difference between the 9100 and the 8400 / 9400 which I assume is the 60" version of the 8400. I would probably never use 60" paper personally but there isn't a 60" printing service within a hundred miles of here so I could possibly make some extra cash offering the service to local artists / photographers / galleries.

If I were to buy new, it would definitely be the Canon 8400 which is going to cost me about the same as this used 9100.   If the print quality is the same I may just go for the 9100.

What do you lose with the 9100 vs. the 8400 other than width? Based on the specs on Canon's web site, they look like the same printer, just slower with the 9100.

Regards,

Don

[Czornyj]

iPF9100 uses LUCIA II inks, while iPF8400 uses much improved LUCIA EX ink formulation - it has wider gamut, smoother transitions, higher black dmax, way better scratch resistance, lower gloss differential and bronzing.

[smjphoto]

Don't forget the value of the included full ink cartridges when buying new. About $2000 of ink...

stuart