Epson 3800/3880 vs 4880

[BradSmith]

I mostly print 13" wide, but want the capability to print larger, therefore, a 17" printer.  I was weighing the current choice of $895 3800 vs. $1495 3880 when available (might be discounted some....we'll see).  Then I found a fantastic current rebate through the end of the month from IT Supplies on the 4880.  It might be available all over, I didn't check.  Anyway, with $850 rebate now, the 4880 would cost the same as the 3800, $894.   Holy cow!  

Pluses of 4880: most up to date Epson ink set; delivered with more ink.....110 ml ink bottles (can hold 220 ml bottles), therefore, cheaper ink; vacuum print bed; roll paper capable

Negatives of 4880:  MUCH larger and heavier

I'd appreciate your views on the comparison and the current choice in front of me.

Thanks,
Brad

[mikeseb]

As I recall, another negative of the 4880 is its larger volume of wasted ink during black-ink swapping. This is minimized, though not eliminated, in the 3800 and presumably in the 3880.

I replaced a 4000 with a 3800 a year ago for about $1000; the price differential then between 3800 and 4880 was the major issue, given my current low volume of printing. The output of the 3800 is exceptional; very satisfied with it. At current prices, though, if I were doing it over today, I'd snap up the 4880. The 3800 would be my second choice; not sure the 3880 is worth the extra dollars.

[LeiMeng]

I mostly print 13" wide, but want the capability to print larger, therefore, a 17" printer.  I was weighing the current choice of $895 3800 vs. $1495 3880 when available (might be discounted some....we'll see).  Then I found a fantastic current rebate through the end of the month from IT Supplies on the 4880.  It might be available all over, I didn't check.  Anyway, with $850 rebate now, the 4880 would cost the same as the 3800, $894.   Holy cow!  

Pluses of 4880: most up to date Epson ink set; delivered with more ink.....110 ml ink bottles (can hold 220 ml bottles), therefore, cheaper ink; vacuum print bed; roll paper capable

Negatives of 4880:  MUCH larger and heavier

I'd appreciate your views on the comparison and the current choice in front of me.

Thanks,
Brad

48xx series is more heavy-duty than the 38xx.  48xx has vacuum paper feed so less likely there will be head strike on the edges of paper.  Given such a good price, I would pick 48xx.

[digitaldog]

Negatives of 4880:  MUCH larger and heavier

And noisier. But at the same price as the 3800, I'd go 4880 on this one if space isn't an issue.

[vandevanterSH]

That is an incredible offer.  Does the 4880 have a print length limitation with "standard" drivers printing from CS4 or LR?

Steve

[Murph]

See my comments here: 4880 thread

And here is my man-cave with the 4880 in place:

[vandevanterSH]

And here is my man-cave with the 4880 in place:
**********
Well the size doesn't look totally out of place.  I ordered one last night and this AM got a call from the retailer wanting to know if the freight company would be delivering to a loading dock or if I wanted a lift gate.  I started wondering what I had gotten myself into.

Steve

[Murph]

It weighs 100 lbs, and my 9 year old is using the box as a princess castle, she can fit inside of the box.  

And here is my man-cave with the 4880 in place:
**********
Well the size doesn't look totally out of place.  I ordered one last night and this AM got a call from the retailer wanting to know if the freight company would be delivering to a loading dock or if I wanted a lift gate.  I started wondering what I had gotten myself into.

Steve

[editfred]

And here is my man-cave with the 4880 in place:
**********
Well the size doesn't look totally out of place.  I ordered one last night and this AM got a call from the retailer wanting to know if the freight company would be delivering to a loading dock or if I wanted a lift gate.  I started wondering what I had gotten myself into.

Steve

Steve,
Just wondering where you bought it from and whether they're charging you extra freight for the lift gate.

Fred

[vandevanterSH]

Steve,
Just wondering where you bought it from and whether they're charging you extra freight for the lift gate.

Fred

IT supplies but any authorized re-seller qualifies for the "stackable" rebates.  Shipping was free but lift gate is $50 extra, which seems to be a standard charge.  One rebate expires on the 30th. FYI.

Steve

[KeithR]

See my comments here: 4880 thread

And here is my man-cave with the 4880 in place:

  My 4800(physically the same as the 4880) measures approx 33 inches wide by about 30 inches deep.

[vandevanterSH]

Steve,
Just wondering where you bought it from and whether they're charging you extra freight for the lift gate.

Fred

I ordered the 4880 Wed. and about 8:30 AM Friday I get a call that the delivery truck is on the way.  Amazingly quick delivery for "free" shipping.  The lift gate was necessary as there was only the driver and myself unloading.

Steve

[vandevanterSH]

I mostly print 13" wide, but want the capability to print larger, therefore, a 17" printer.  I was weighing the current choice of $895 3800 vs. $1495 3880 when available (might be discounted some....we'll see).  Then I found a fantastic current rebate through the end of the month from IT Supplies on the 4880.  It might be available all over, I didn't check.  Anyway, with $850 rebate now, the 4880 would cost the same as the 3800, $894.   Holy cow!  

Pluses of 4880: most up to date Epson ink set; delivered with more ink.....110 ml ink bottles (can hold 220 ml bottles), therefore, cheaper ink; vacuum print bed; roll paper capable

Negatives of 4880:  MUCH larger and heavier

I'd appreciate your views on the comparison and the current choice in front of me.

Thanks,
Brad

Thanks for posting this thread....I was just wandering around the forum and spotted the "rebate"...ordered it on Wed. delivered on Friday.

Steve

[Tklimek]

Steve...

I heard all of the "scary talk" about how big and heavy this printer is, but the bottom line is that my wife and I moved it with no problems at all from a shared garage down a hallway and into our unit.  I did have a "dolly" so it really wasn't that hard.  Not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.

Here is a link to a thread here where I show that table that I ended up using:  http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....mp;#entry251758

I'm sure you'll love the 4880, it's a killer printer!

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

Thanks for posting this thread....I was just wandering around the forum and spotted the "rebate"...ordered it on Wed. delivered on Friday.

Steve

[vandevanterSH]

Steve...

I heard all of the "scary talk" about how big and heavy this printer is, but the bottom line is that my wife and I moved it with no problems at all from a shared garage down a hallway and into our unit.  I did have a "dolly" so it really wasn't that hard.  Not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.

Here is a link to a thread here where I show that table that I ended up using:  http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....mp;#entry251758

I'm sure you'll love the 4880, it's a killer printer!

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

"I heard all of the "scary talk" about how big and heavy this printer is,"

Exactly...I lifted it myself without trouble and I'm Medicare Age.

Steve

[aduke]

It weighs 100 lbs, and my 9 year old is using the box as a princess castle, she can fit inside of the box.

What are the dimensions of the shipping container. I, too, will need a talgate lift and am wondering about getting the box through the doorways.

Alan

[vandevanterSH]

What are the dimensions of the shipping container. I, too, will need a talgate lift and am wondering about getting the box through the doorways.

Alan

The shipping container comes strapped to a wooden palette.  The box itself fits through a standard 36" residential front door.  The printer may need to be removed from the box to fit through interior doors.  

I was also concerned about the size and weight but after unpacking,  I was able to pick up the printer and and move it. (not a problem, but two people would be better.)

Steve

[editfred]

Thanks to everyone posting here. I was going to buy the 3800, but then saw this thread. Although it's probably a lot more printer than I need, I'm afraid of buying a 3800 only to find out that Epson no longer supports it with drivers, etc. (I have an 1800 now which hasn't produced a decent print ever since i upgraded to Leopard.) I'm taking heart in those of you who said it wasn't so scary big once you got it out of the box. Any more feedback on the noise issue?

Thanks so much.

Fred

[aduke]

The shipping container comes strapped to a wooden palette.  The box itself fits through a standard 36" residential front door.  The printer may need to be removed from the box to fit through interior doors.  

I was also concerned about the size and weight but after unpacking,  I was able to pick up the printer and and move it. (not a problem, but two people would be better.)

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

Been doing some more research and tried to determine which black cartridge is shipped with the printer, or, in other words, is it necessary to order a Matte Black cartridge as well as the printer itself?

Edit: I've found the answer to the question above. It ships with only the Photo Black cartridge.

Is anyone using the Photo Black on matte papers. I've been printing on Moab Entrada for several years and want to continue using it, but would also like to try the baryta papers, but I'm loathe to change black cartridges often, if at all.

Alan

[vandevanterSH]

Thanks, Steve.

Been doing some more research and tried to determine which black cartridge is shipped with the printer, or, in other words, is it necessary to order a Matte Black cartridge as well as the printer itself?

Edit: I've found the answer to the question above. It ships with only the Photo Black cartridge.

Is anyone using the Photo Black on matte papers. I've been printing on Moab Entrada for several years and want to continue using it, but would also like to try the baryta papers, but I'm loathe to change black cartridges often, if at all.

Alan

I am no expert but from my reading of the instruction for ink swap for the 4880 and also from other sites, I wouldn't get the 4880 if you anticipate swapping inks, except on rare occasions.  The "approved" procedure looks to be a PITA and uses an estimated $50 in ink.  I suspect that the next 4XXX printer will have a much friendlier ink change situation.  If I was going to print occasional Matte, I would keep my 3800.

Other than that the 4880 is really nice.  Just from build quality,  it is in a different league from the 3800.  I also like the paper handling with the trays and roll paper.

Steve