HP Z 3100 versus HP Z 3200

[dseelig]

HP Z 3100 versus HP Z 3200 I have a chance to get a used z 3200 for a grand I have been told mine is better in black and white and the new one is better in color. Both printers have ink that is considered old by HP 2012 inks are the hp z3200 thoughts . Mine has been used lightly but so has the 3200 . Mine has not had or needed a belt replacement

[Mark Lindquist]

The red is far superior in the Z3200.  Things also just seem to go better with the Z3200.  The Z3100 is a good printer, but the belt issue will raise it's head eventually.  I would keep the 3100 AND get the 3200 - have both.  When one goes down, you'll have the other. 
Parts are generally interchageable.

[chez]

HP Z 3100 versus HP Z 3200 I have a chance to get a used z 3200 for a grand I have been told mine is better in black and white and the new one is better in color. Both printers have ink that is considered old by HP 2012 inks are the hp z3200 thoughts . Mine has been used lightly but so has the 3200 . Mine has not had or needed a belt replacement

B&W on the Z3100 is fabulous. The richness of the prints are only matched to my 3880 converted Piezography printer. If you are going to be doing a lot of B&W printing, I'd keep the 3100 around.

[Colorwave]

What was changed that degraded the black and white performance of the 3200?

[sm906]

What was changed that degraded the black and white performance of the 3200?

Good question. As far as I know, they both have the same b&w ink set. dseelig/chez, where did you get the information from that the 3100 is better in B&W?

Kind regards

Thomas

[Ernst Dinkla]

The Z3100 that I got first had a linear tone range and higher Dmax than the Z3200 I got later. Both after calibration and in B&W driver mode.

I was not the only one to observe that:
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/printer/hp_z3200ps.html
almost at the end of that review.

and my logbook:
http://www.pigment-print.com/review/Z3200FirstPage_2.htm


Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
November 2014 update, 680+ inkjet media white spectral plots

[Colorwave]

Hmmm.  I would think that would mean that the difference is in firmware, then? 

[namartinnz]

When my Z3100 broke down I upgraded to the Z3200. With B&Ws I'm perfectly happy with what it does, along with my customers. I never had chance to compare one with a Z3100 but the prints look good to me.

Neal

[Phil Indeblanc]

I was wondering the same thing, as I'm in the market for a 42-44".

I have read that the reds in color are the strong point of the Z3200.
Are the reds dead on the Z3100? How bad is it? I myself do both color and B&W.

I was looking at these 2 printers, particularly the z3200

[namartinnz]

The reds in the Z3100 were not a strong point - something they fixed in the Z3200. I struggled with a particular customers' art work which had this particular vibrant red. After getting the Z3200 I printed the same images and they came out spot on.

[Phil Indeblanc]

I see the 3100 44" go for around $1500, and the $3200 go for arounf $3000 used, or semi new-ish. I know the prices will continue to drop as people move to Latex....Do any of you think a newer design and physical model
is worth double?

If I had a strong budget, I'd get the 3200 without much thought. I would also wait or do some budget extending if it is THAT much a printer. (less headaches-breakdowns, better colors)

[chez]

I see the 3100 44" go for around $1500, and the $3200 go for arounf $3000 used, or semi new-ish. I know the prices will continue to drop as people move to Latex....Do any of you think a newer design and physical model
is worth double?

If I had a strong budget, I'd get the 3200 without much thought. I would also wait or do some budget extending if it is THAT much a printer. (less headaches-breakdowns, better colors)

The 3100 has been out longer than the 3200. Maybe the used 3100 printers have way more millage on them, thus being 1/2 the price.

I got my two 3100's used. My 24" was $1,500 about 5 years ago and my 44" was $1,000 3 years ago. The only maintenance I had to do is replace 2 print heads.

[Phil Indeblanc]

thanks that helps some. I hope the OP also got some info to help.

I hear with heavy use the drive belt needs a replacement in about 5 years? I hope the price of that fix isn't a killer :-)