Recommendation for Replacing an Epson R2400 Printer?

[dwswager]

I've been using an Epson R2400 since 2006.  While looking for new papers, I found that there is a reasonable lack of support for this long discontinued printer, at least from Epson.  I'm considering the R3880 as it allows 17" paper width, has bigger carts, holds both matte and photo black cartridges and has higher resolution and a larger color gamut with the aditional vivid magenta ink.

I'd love the R4900, but it is too big and won't print small.

1. Is the R3880 a good upgrade (Current price of $850 w/ the rebate and includes $400 in ink)?

2. As I print some semi-panoramic prints, can the R3880 take odd size sheets cut from a roll fed through the rear end?  Thinking like making 12" x 36" or 17"x 34".  I know it doesn't handle rolls directly.

3.  Are there other printers in this class I should be considering?

4. Is there something about the 17" printers that would make me wish I stayed with a 13" wide printer like the R3000?

I print reasonably light duty.  A few large prints at a time and then maybe some smaller prints. 

[Jeff-Grant]

The 3880, as the 3000, has ink lines from the carts to the head. This means that more care must be taken in running nozzle checks, shaking carts occasionally etc. than the 2400 in order to avoid clogs.The 2400 with the carts over the head was more forgiving but that's just the way it is today. It's not a big deal, but the occasional printer needs to be aware of it. I destroyed a 3800 because I didn't know it.

[David Good]

I also recommend the 3880. I moved up to it from the 2400 about for years ago and wish I had earlier. No changing ink carts constantly, the rear paper feed works with much less aggravation, and the print quality is slightly improved with the addition of the vivid light magenta.

[LawrenceBraunstein]

I upgraded from an Epson R2400 to the Stylus Pro 3880 quite a few years ago. Honestly, I’ve had far fewer problems with nozzle clogging using the 3880 compared to the R2400, even when the printer remained inactive for longer stretches of time. Mine has proven to be an extraordinary dependable and maintenance friendly printer.  Add to this the 3880’s larger cartridges (80ml), compared to the R2400, which help reduce printing costs.  Concerning the max. width (17”), I can’t imagine why one would regret the increase in size, especially considering the small footprint this printer makes on your worktable (in any case, much less than the 4900!).

Best of luck with your decision,

Larry

[Alan Goldhammer]

As the old Nike commercial once said, "just do it!"  3880 is a great printer and you can print 17x37 if need be.

[dwswager]

How much space behind the printer is necessary for reasonable ease of feeding sheets up the back of the 3880?  Trying to figure out where to put it and how to hide it so my wife doesn't know it's different than the one I'm using now! 

From below, the R3880 isn't that much bigger than the R2400.  It is a 3 inches deeper and the most of the PRINTING size of the R2400 is the output tray fully extended.

R2400
(W x D x H): 24.2" x 29.0" x 18.0" (Printing)
(W x D x H): 24.2" x 12.2" x 8.8" (Storage)

R3880
27"x 15" x 10" - (W x D x H)

Thanks!

[Alan Goldhammer]

Just measured my rear clearance and it is 18 inches.  I'm a slim guy and have no troubles slipping behind to feet 17x25 sheets (I don't print any bigger than that).

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

Can be found at certain times of the year for less than $100 after rebate...a dye ink printer.

[Bill Koenig]

Epson is about to release a new 13" wide printer. Why not wait and see what this new printer has to offer. The print head is suppose to be a all new design, with a new black ink formulation for a blacker black, and is do to be released at the end of February.
Epson SureColor P600 13" Wide Format Inkjet Printer, 5760 x 1440
This is the first printer to use to the new print head and black ink design, with other models to follow in the next year.  
I'm surprised there hasn't been talk about this here, guess we'll have to wait and see.

[RHPS]

This has been discussed, See http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=97227.msg794838#msg794838 for example. Even so, I would personally go for the 3880 - great printer.