Ricoh DSc1232 advise

[maurits]

Hi all,

for a small office (5 people) I am looking to buy a better multifunction. Prior/current usage was/is a string of small office all-in-ones inktjets from HP, and we are wondering if we should not step up a little, so we spend less time fighting hardware. Relatively small volumes (1500/mth) but need for color brochures-on-demand. We also want A3 capability, so a lot of small office equipments does not make the selection.

At this moment, a lot of refurbished DSC224/232 and Aficio1224/1232 are offered in Holland. Sometimes also DSc38 multifunctions are offered. Price range of €1000 to €2000 is more into our range than a new MP2000C or iRC2380 of €5500.

The question I now have: I see a lot of people in here calling the 1232 series a POS, which acronym I think I can decipher. Is it really that bad, or is it because this is a techie-problem forum, so one only sees the bad side of any equipment. So, some advise please.

And while I am nagging for advise: How much weight should I give to single-pass vs multi-pass, not related to print-time, but to maintenance and reliability. At the one hand, I can imagine cycling paper around 4 times is asking for paper jams, on the other hand 4 fusers/drums means 4 fusers/drums that can break.

And why is edge-to-edge printing always something you need to set? Is there a drawback to edge printing that makes the manufacturer avoid making this the default setting?

Many Thanks
Maurits

[cobiray]

Stay away from the DSc224/232 and the 1224/1232 (they are the same machine)!!!! They are a POS and a PITA. I'm sure I'm not the only one and someone else will sound off. They are very weak machines. The color out put is poor and the consumables rarely meet their yields. The DSc38, DSc338 or DSc445 are much more reliable machines. They may cost you a little more up front, but it will save you aggravation and down time in the future.

The newer machines have 4 drums and 4 developers but they often meet and exceed yields. They have more "parts" but are much more reliable. They are however single pass as the paper moves past each unit directly and does not use and intermediate PC of any kind.

Edge to edge printing is sometimes hard to accomplish as the machines use the white lead edge for timing. Also edge to edge can be messy inside the machine. Think about flouring a cutting board edge to edge and then repeat it 100,000 times flawlessly with out spilling any on the counter top. It's not as easy as it may seem.

[semi]

I agree,stay away from the 1224,I.ve worked on them since launch-nothing good to say,But-the MPC2000-you'll get more than 10 years + with ease with little or no problems with your low volume.
In my opinion the best colour box & most reliable Ricoh has ever made-buy new you won't go wrong-anyway can't get hold of 2nd hand ones-that tells a story!!

[pspahr]

Anything but the 1224C and clones. Its intended use was for what you claim your volume to be but it was an awful machine. Expensive, in the long run, also.

[FRIDGEMAGNET]

Hi Maurits
In your list of needs, you say you "need for color brochures-on-demand".
The DSC224/232 and Aficio1224/1232 were not designed for this type of copy/printing.
I think if you went for this model you would be disappointed with the quality soon after buying it. Also they need new colour developer units every 60k and black every 120k, PCU every 120k - this machine rarely gets to these targets before replacement needed.
The DSC38 is a good solid box that often exceeds the replacement targets - developer units 80k and PCUs 60k.
As an engineer I would never recommend the Dsc224 range because we want to keep our customers happy and buying from us again in the future - you would not be happy with the Dsc224!

[E Winter]

I agree - the A1224/1232C series is a pain in the ass. The A3228-3245 is a huge step forward regarding image quality and reliability at all. The new MPC machines are even better but probably too expensive.

Be careful if you buy something "refurbished" - it's a stretchy term...

[Tonerspill]

1232

RUN AWAY! That was not Ricoh's finest effort, the service bulletins that came out after it was introduced are somewhere over 50. The color was inconsistent and it was never very durable. The 3245 is better, easy to swap out drums and developers, and the MPC series is even better I have many in my territory and they run great!

[Cipher]

The 1224C/1232C are bad apples, but the next revision of the same print engine
the Aficio 3224C/3232C strangely enough seem to be far better machines (in my opinion).

Most of the previous 1224C MTBs were incorprated, updated controller etc.
But one of the main differences was the dev units were slightly changed making them far more reliable and consistent.

The main problem is the damage to this ranges rep had already been done.

[maurits]

Ok, thanks. I think I got the gist of it. No 1224 in whatever shape or form! Rest assured I value the opinion of service mechs (more than that of marketing & sales anyway )

When we get closer to the year close, we'll check whats left in the piggybank and see whether we'll step up and go for a "pre-owned" 3800/DSc38 or even a new MPC2000, or step down and go for a MPC1500 (means no A3 and I am not sure what to think of these gel things, is it really like having a page wide static nozzle with superior ink, or just another inkjet with a creative description?) SPC222 is definitely out, it does not even have a reversing ADF.

But it sounds like the 1224 is a mistake we avoided.
Thanks

[E Winter]

I wouldn't recommend a gel sprinter because the printout quality isn't that good and the costs for high coverage printouts are way too high.

The 1224C/1232C are bad apples, but the next revision of the same print engine the Aficio 3224C/3232C strangely enough seem to be far better machines (in my opinion).

Yeah I agree - almost forgot them, because we only have a very few in the field. But those are running (regarding reliability and quality) way better than the 1224 series.

[FRIDGEMAGNET]

When we get closer to the year close, we'll check whats left in the piggybank and see whether we'll step up and go for a "pre-owned" 3800/DSc38 or even a new MPC2000,

Hi
If you are waiting a while there is a new model coming along soon - MPC2550 - I think a 25ppm model that looks very good too.
Steer clear of the Gelsprinters, the MPC1500 was poor for quality and unless it is used little but regularly it can have blocking problems on the print heads.

[Lagonda]

Stay well away from the MPC1500 as well, I think they were designed by the same team that brought you the 1224/1232.
As for the SPC 222 their a joke as well. Buy a proper colour copier and we give you a 222 for free to take home for the kids to play with.

Do the right thing and put your hand a bit deeper in your pocket for a MPC2000, you wont be dissapointed!

[ZeusGT]

If you want to spend A LOT of money and waste ALL of your time then I would get anything that ends in 24c or 32c... They are the biggest mistake and very costly to maintain.... Every question why there are so many available cheap?

If you are stuck on Ricoh, then I would look into getting a 232c or a 238c.... If not then I would look elsewhere for a color box...like Minolta or Toshiba... Just my 2 cents

[semi]

New models for europe are the MPC2800 &MPC3300 28/33 PPM

[maurits]

If you are stuck on Ricoh, then I would look into getting a 232c or a 238c.... If not then I would look elsewhere for a color box...like Minolta or Toshiba... Just my 2 cents