Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

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  • bsmith1051
    • May 2025

    #1

    Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

    My office has several Ricoh MP-161 multi-function units with network interfaces and we have definitely gotten our money's worth from them. Our only complaint is that they are slow (16ppm printing, comparable speed on scanning). Now, we're starting to have document-feeder issues so the time has probably come to replace them, rather than just fix them. What suggestions do people have on replacing and upgrading them?

    btw, we previously tried to replace them with the SP-3200 but it had just been discontinued and so Ricoh sent us the 'comparable' SP-3410 instead. But it did not support incoming fax-to-email so we sent it back

    Now, I'm looking at the SP-4410SF which looks like it's 2.5x faster than the MP-161 (and costs less then we originally spent, too).

    OUR USES
    1. walk-up scan-to-folder (SMB)
    2. walk-up copy
    3. walk-up fax send (old-school, phone line)
    4. incoming fax-to-email (SMTP)

    P.S. These machines are all setup for workgroup use, they're not connected to anyone's personal computer.
  • nmfaxman
    Service Manager

    Site Contributor
    1,000+ Posts
    • Feb 2008
    • 1702

    #2
    Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

    Why not just replace the feed and sep rollers in the DF?
    Sounds like you use them more for scanning than anything else.
    Parts cost is about $20.00 each unit retail.
    You can get the manual online for cheap. (waiting on justmanuals to chime in).
    Why do they call it common sense?

    If it were common, wouldn't everyone have it?

    Comment

    • rthonpm
      Field Supervisor

      2,500+ Posts
      • Aug 2007
      • 2847

      #3
      Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

      Have to agree these are not really disposable units. Replacing the feed rollers in the ADF will give you a whole new lease on life. I've seen a few of these in the wild with close to 100,000 clicks on them and still chugging along nicely. For a workgroup printer these really can't be beat.

      How many pages have the machines done? Copiers and MFPs age more by the number of pages printed than anything else.

      Comment

      • bsmith1051

        #4
        Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

        Thank you for the suggestions re rollers, and my office may very well decide to do that, but I'm interested in possible upgrades. Specifically, we have never been happy with the speed of the MP-161.

        Does anyone here have experience with the SP-4410SF, for instance? It looks much faster but I can't tell from the manual if it does incoming fax-to-email.

        Comment

        • rthonpm
          Field Supervisor

          2,500+ Posts
          • Aug 2007
          • 2847

          #5
          Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

          The SP series will not be a good choice. You mentioned that most of your scan jobs are SMB, which from what I can see the SP 4110 cannot do: it is TWAIN/WIA scanning only so it cannot scan over the network. Pretty much these units are built to compete with HP devices, and they're built in much the same way: a printer with a low end scanner placed on top, so really you're getting what you pay for.

          The MP 201 is the latest version of the MP 161 family and it's a little faster at 20 pages per minute. I personally don't have any out in the field, but since they're built on the same engine (and use the same toner and PCU), they should be a fairly reliable machine.

          Comment

          • KenB
            Geek Extraordinaire

            2,500+ Posts
            • Dec 2007
            • 3945

            #6
            Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

            My office seems to put MP201s out in droves; we easily have 500 of 'em out there.

            Not a whole lot faster that the MP161, but you can't beat the value or the quality.

            Also keep in mind that this series has a very small footprint, and as such tends to end up in tight places. If you go with anything much larger, accessibility could quickly become an issue. Been there...
            “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins

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            • skinnyb
              Trusted Tech

              250+ Posts
              • Jul 2008
              • 291

              #7
              Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

              We have put out several SP 5200 models. Not much bigger than the mp161 and 50ppm. Plus all network functionali you desire and a nice touch screen to boot. However the price is a little bit steeper than the comparable reolacement model for the MP 161 model which currently is the MP201.

              Comment

              • TCA TECH
                Trusted Tech

                Site Contributor
                100+ Posts
                • Mar 2009
                • 104

                #8
                Re: Suggestion for replacing MP-161 SPF?

                New MP301spf out now?
                Copiers are only as good as there last service

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