Xerox 242 as entry level digital machine

[rotoplanet]

Does anyone have experience with the Xerox 242? Our shop has no digital right now (strictly offset), but we're looking into it for short run color. This would be our entry point into the digital world. I've been told that Xerox has a decent reputation for service and for pretty tough machines, and the 242 looks right for getting our feet wet. Any opinions, directions, complaints would be extremely helpful in guiding me. Thanks!

[k_graham]

We have a 240 & 250 good machine -good service-best part is drop in Drums,Fusers so you can do most of your own service.

You do need to make sure they set length so 17" image is 17" & double side alignment is accurate but once they do its accurate.

Make sure to calibrate "Gradation Adjust" copier with print screen for print and copy screen for copy. If you use the combination print/copy screen the color is 10% over saturated and no Fiery Calibration fixes it.

Better question would be Fiery or Creo RIP, it seems some have had some limitations with the internal RIP so external is preferred.

By contrast we also have a Ikon Konica/Minolta CPP500 embroiled in lawsuit. Ikon sold it without installing the upgrade in the Fiery for Gloss Toner and claimed nothing was wrong and no one else was complaining. I complained to EFI and had to pass on the info provided by them as to Ikons head office location to get the upgrade which was considered a service patch - no service patches on your computer print out - no good. They claim not to have received so I assume a few hundred copiers ahead of me had to have the same problem.

After that their hardware people came up with the same story, copier is fine- after all whats wrong with spots on the calibration sheets printed out by the copier?

Any questions call.

Ken Graham
CommunityPrinters.com
250-782-7108

Edited by: Ken Graham on Nov 3, 2007 12:52 AM

Edited by: Ken Graham on Nov 3, 2007 12:56 AM

[rbailleu]

I have been considering both the xerox 242/252 and the ikon/ km cpp550
do most people get charged double clicks for 11x17. the canon we have does not double click.

[k_graham]

> I have been considering both the xerox 242/252 and the ikon/ km cpp550
> do most people get charged double clicks for 11x17. the canon we have
> does not double click.

We pay same price for both sizes - therefore run double size whenever
possible.

I figure our problem with the Ikon was mostly technician lack of training
and there not getting help from EFI or Konica Minolta. I hate to only
recommend Xerox as we have since found a fine independent Konica Minolta &
Canon reseller. Unfortunately they say there is enough difference in
programming as they can not take over service on the Ikon CPP500.

While our CPP500 was running we were actually doing over 50% of the work
with a Xerox Docucolor 12 as it did not suffer the quality issues of the 4
times faster 500 kind of a rabbit and turtle race with the turtle winning.

I can not recommend Ikon as due to the above debacle we found they had left
our Canon IR5000 black machine up to 390% past due for service and were
telling me I should buy a new one as it was going to start breaking down,
link to this info here.

http://tinyurl.com/2ny8of


It seems the best choice is to have 2 or 3 competing dealers drop off a
machine and see which one is the best compromise of price and quality and
one better compare their performance guarantee.



Ken Graham
ken@communityprinters.com
250-782-7108

[Dan_Sutton]

We have a 242 and it has some nice features, you can even do VDP to a limited capacity (overprint only). It is fairly fast and has a wide variety of sizes and stock that can run through it. I would suggest the extra tray (tray 6) for the long run jobs, it can handle a lot of paper. The autoduplex is limited to 12x18 text (have to manually flip cover stock). The backup on the duplex is ok, but not perfect. The color is "pleasing" but we haven't tried profiling it for a proofer -while it can be done- it hasn't been too important because it doesn't have to match a press.
We have had a tech in many times to fix the machine, but their response has been pretty quick. It is no fun when it goes down in the middle of a run that is a must-have, (which is usually anything that goes through it) but it is nice to be able to do short runs with a quick turnaround.

[Tech]

We are considering a Xerox 242, but there has been very limited information online or anywhere else. Is anyone running EFI Splash via iMac or MacPro? How easy is it to color calibrate this printer, do you need a Xerox's tech/specialist person to do it or is it a program anyone can run?

Most information regarding EFI Splash and Xerox 242 are basic sales specs. It would be very helpful if anyone can direct me to a site that has more end user feedbacks regarding this product.

Thank you.

[frani2001]

Hello,

We are currently looking at the Xerox 262 and the Konica C6500 and would appreciate anyones input on their experiences, reliability and also if you don't mind the cost you paid for the units. I have had a quote from Konica and Xerox but have been told both are fairly loaded by a friend who has bought few similar machines. Also we have been recommended by both companies to go for the Creo rip for our needs but how advantages is the Creo over the Fiery, if at all?
Our use for our current Xerox DC12 has been for proofing only at our litho printing house but we would like the upgrade to handle production jobs and are very interested in doing some variable data so also any comments you have about that would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[k_graham]

> We are currently looking at the Xerox 262 and the Konica C6500 and would
> appreciate anyones input on their experiences, reliability and also if you
> don't mind the cost you paid for the units. I have had a quote from Konica
> and Xerox but have been told both are fairly loaded by a friend who has
> bought few similar machines. Also we have been recommended by both
> companies to go for the Creo rip for our needs but how advantages is the
> Creo over the Fiery, if at all?
> Our use for our current Xerox DC12 has been for proofing only at our litho
> printing house but we would like the upgrade to handle production jobs and
> are very interested in doing some variable data so also any comments you
> have about that would be welcomed.
>
> Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Why not get a demo of both preferably at the same time installed in your
business, as both are 220v you could probably interchange between the power
if need be. If you got one of each RIP you could probably convince the
manufacturer to switch external RIPs if one seemed preferred over the other,
but you preferred the other features of the copier.

We still find our Doc 12 handy as a backup for when our 240 is being
serviced and for T shirt transfers that require the fuser oil, also a very
small minority of jobs gain from the higher gloss of the fuser oil, if you
have room I would keep it.

Ken Graham

[dipressforum]

We have the earlier version which is Xerox 240 - It is a excellent machine. here is a great testomonial: 44000 - 11x17 - 24lb Hammermill - 1/1 - done without a single jam. We run 100#, 80# gloss text & cover all day long. It is a great machine to buy. Xerox service is the best, so be carefull about dealers who will tell that they are from Xerox but they will provide service from their own team of technician. You WANT Service from Xerox ONLY and not from anyone else.

We have had this machine for past 1 year and already is going to reach the million mark on clicks. Don't forget to buy the oversize capacity Tray 6. Don't buy without that. You can load upto 1500 sheets of 12x18 and run it.

Not very happy with the duplex registration, but there is a cool thing in the fiery driver which lets you shift the image for alignment. It is a time save. We don't have a external rip, don't need one. get one later. If you plan to do variable data then get the creo.

Also don't forger the proffesional finisher which will allow you to do booklets. Our lease is around$850.00 /month with all of these (no external rip).

Best thing is to get it for a month on your floor for demo and if you like it then buy it.

STAY AWAY FROM KONICA's they are piece of junk. We will never go near one of them. We are now a Xerox shop with offset printing capabilities.

Email me if you have any questions.

Shawn

>>if you DI then go to DIPressForums.com<<

[Printologist]

Thanks for the information and your testimonial; although, I suggest you refrain from sharing your lease payments--you may be breaking some rules.

Printologist
Life of Print Blog
http://lifeofprint.com