The
Xerox XES Colorgrafx X2
The
XES ColorgrafX X2 deserves the FLAAR award for "best
improvement from one model generation to another"
as shown at CeBIT computer trade show, Hannover, Germany,
2001. In translation that means that the new model is
better in all respects than the older discontinued XES
Xpress 54.
The
best-improvement award is shared with Graphtec, which
also got rid of its earlier low-end, low-quality 300
dpi Encad-Lexmark printheads and now has a 600 dpi printer
(with Hewlett-Packard printheads) which is vastly improved
in every way, shape, and form.
We
no longer give a "Worst in Show" designation
since the XES Xpress was no longer shown, nor did we
notice a Fuji-Hunt printer (the elderly Brady). The
Gerber
Orionwould be probably the most uninspiring printer
at the show, but I did not see it any where. Besides,
Gerber no longer sells it and Oce has improved that
also; now the Oce Arizona 30s. Thus overall, three different
so-so printers are now all replaced with newer better
models. Just be sure you don’t get tempted by
one of the older models on e-Bay.
For
a full list of "Best in Show" and "Most
Popular Inkjet Printer at Show" just fill out the
Inquiry Form and we send you the complete trade show
report. You can also ask
for the factual FLAAR on DRUPA, Photokina report,
Seybold, BigPicture Show, SGIA (sign trade show), PMA,
Graphics of the Americas. Each is in PDF format. Our
university has all these available when you fill out
the Inquiry-Request survey form.
Xerox
Engineering Systems looked alive and well at CeBIT trade
show in Hannover, Germany (2001), DPI 2001, and IPEX
2002. Met helpful and informative German person at CeBIT
who explained the printer then met pleasant important
person from XES USA. At IPEX tradeshow recently in Birmingham,
England, XES looked like it was doing just fine (April
2002). But at ISA ’03 XES failed to appear.
The
quality of the output of the new Colorgrafx X2 printer
is definitely considerably improved over that of the
older Xpress.
Based
on the German price I am guessing the wider model ColorgrafX
X2 is about $34,000 in the USA. Just realize that for
this same price you can get two ColorSpan
DisplayMaker XII or Mach 12 printers with 62"
width and fully photo-realistic.
I do not know if the price for the Xerox XES ColorgrafX
X2 includes a RIP. The former Xpress used the EFI
Fiery hardware RIP, vastly overrated, even more
overpriced, with meager options, zero upgrade path,
and what almost looks like planned obsolescence. XES
evidently also recognized that the EFI Fiery RIP was
not a favorite with buyers; there is no longer any hardware
Fiery RIP for the new ColorgrafX X2. Instead XES offers
other options, including the impressive RIP products
from Caldera. A bit expensive but if the printing system
is bringing in a profit you can probably afford all
the accessories.
The
acceptable price range for a RIP for other brands of
wide format inkjet printer is $2500 to $3000 nowadays.
Actually you can get excellent single-printer RIPs such
as PosterJet for $1500 to $1800.
Still,
even with, or without the RIP, you could buy one Mimaki
JV4 or three Hewlett-Packard
DesignJet printers for $30K. Surely three HPs could
produce the equivalent speed of a single X2. Besides,
the quality of any HP or ColorSpan is better than any
oil-based system. Actually the output of any Encad printer
is better than the Seiko oil-based printer with Xaar
heads. It's the Xaar heads that bring the speed but
simultaneously the fuzzy-wuzzy sort of out-of-focus
appearance. I will have to double-check the price in
the USA. Perhaps it's much less in the USA. Even $30K,
however, is far outside the range of many other printer
on the market. You can get a Mimaki JV3 solvent-ink
printer for $30K nowadays.
The
advantage of the Xerox is that the output at top speed
(360 dpi, one pass) is acceptable, if you are at a distance
and don't need sharp focus. On any Epson piezo system
(including Roland, Mimaki, and Mutoh), output at 360
dpi is normally to be thrown away.
Conclusion:
Xerox engineers have done an excellent job rescuing
their large format printer line. The new ColorgrafX
X2 is a well thought out system.
Perhaps
the images used at the trade shows were just stock photos
from a quickie scan (even expensive scans are often
deficient). Maybe if better original images were available
the quality of output could be enhanced. Our goal is
to find out how to draw out all the capabilities of
a printer. Sometimes a trade show is not the ideal place
to render a judgment.
Before
you buy any printer, be sure to find a print shop that
has each brand in actual use. In the case of XES, realize
the high costs involved in the RIP, the possible lack
of wide media selection, and the lack of full photo-realistic
quality when viewed up close. However, if you don’t
want to be stuck with a semi-obsolete electrostatic
printer, then the XES oil-based technology can produce
lots of signage very quickly.
As of October 2004, Xerox now has a new printer.
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All
reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmut
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Last
updated September 15, 2003
Previously updated Aug. 26, 2002 and September 8, 2003
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