Xerox 550 vs Ricoh Pro C720s

[Studiopress]

We, too are a commercial offset printer expanding into digital production. I have narrowed it down to a Xerox 550 and a Ricoh C720s. The Ricoh unit I am being offered is a demo (less than 20,000 clicks) is only $4500 more and is 20% faster at 72ppm, plus has 2x the paper capacity. I think I am being offered a fantastic price on it compared to the street price of $60,000 and up.

The Xerox is brand new. Basically same configuration for both, Fiery, Spectrophotometer, hi-capcity feeders, except the Ricoh includes the booklet finisher, the Xerox has the Advance Finisher, would be $1,000 more w/bookletmaker option. Xerox is also throwing in the Darwin VP to sweeten the deal.

Ricoh will lock in .04 color & .0079 B&W for 36 mos.
Xerox maintenance is .049 clr & .009 B&W with max yrly increase not to exceed 8% for 5 yrs. Ricoh's sounds like a better deal, right?

I am a current IKON customer, so I am acquainted with & have been satisfied with their service performance on my current office copier. Xerox service would be thru the same authorized dealer that I would be buying from and an unknown for me, although several references have given them good reports, although their shops are within the city-metro surrounding area 1 -2hrs travel time avg, while we are nearly 3 hrs away. They claim they have a couple of technicians within 45 min of us.

Both are offering me 4 wks trial, instead of 2.

I'm also wondering if $ wise (initial price), and ppm wise, if I shouldn't be actually be comparing the Xerox 700 with the Ricoh instead. The salesman is not even suggesting that model.

I've read some bad reviews on the Ricoh machine, and a few on the Xerox, so that makes my decision even harder! My main objective is to have the consistant color output, sheet handling on heavy and coated stocks, with the least amount of down time.

My deliema: should I go for the faster, but lower resolution (1200x1200) of the Ricoh for 20% more money on the purchase price and known service reputation?
Is the Xerox 550 just as good, although a bit slower at 55ppm? and for less money?

Any response would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[bobtod]

Hi Studiopress,

have you made your decision yet? I too am stuck between the C720s and the Xerox 700 and was looking for some advice. I have only had the 700 demo'd so far and the print quality seems a major improvement over the Xerox 6060 it will be replacing (the 6060 is being replaced over quality issues rather than requiring it's speed). I did notice the 700 didn't like the heavy stock so much but I didn't bring my own paper with me and the sales guy didn't seem very savy setting jobs up, I'm going to go back with some of my choice stocks and sample jobs to give it a thorough testing this week.

I've been Xerox guy for the last 10 years (DC12 --> 2045 --> 6060) and have been reasonably happy with the service I get. Ricoh is a bit of an unknown for me so that's why I'm a bit cautious.

I got a bit burnt with my second user 6060 I bought 4 years ago that has given me major quality issues throughout most of it's life. My boss has given me plenty of hassle over this purchase holding me responsible so I need to find a RELIABLE replacement.

good luck

bt

 

[bompi]

The Xerox 550 is not to be compared with the Ricoh C720, are two printers with different characteristics. The Ricoh is 72 pages per minute with all the weights, while the Xerox 550 over 176gr. coated paper with its speed is reduced to one third. The Ricoh has a mechanical register of the sheet, avoiding the tailing of the paper. Only advantage is that thanks to its lower speed, the Xerox print better embossed card. If we really want to compare the Ricoh C720 is more appropriate comparison with the Xerox 700. But even this speed decreases with increasing paper weight. In addition the paper on the Ricoh leaving perfectly flat, without waves or curls, and who should do further work (cutting, folding, creasing, staples, etc.. Etc..) Knows what it means to have a flat sheet.
Between 550 and xerox ricoh 720 ricoh certainly I would choose.
Between the C720 and xerox ricoh 700, especially for those coming from the xerox xerox might choose, because it has a slightly higher print quality, however, but the 300gr. can be a problem, xerox 700 from the best with weights between 115gr. and the 200/220gr. If you print grammture lower or higher is better reliability of Ricoh. If you want to spend a little more Ricoh C901 (just out) is a real bomb, excellent print quality, reliable mechanical and color, is elvata productivity at 90 pages per minute with all the weights of between 64 and 300g. (I also tried the 350gr.'s M-Real is the printer-friendly).

 

[msaeger]

Maybe you can find some local places that have a Ricoh and get some feedback from them ? The C720 is identical to the C900 only slower so if they have a C900 checking that out would be just as good.

You should post your volumes and what you want to print.

 

[Happyprinter]

When comparing the 2 machines you should compare Xerox 700 and the Ricoh 720. When Ricoh presented us with different options they told us that the 700 wasnt even close to the 720 and gave us a price for a lesser unit. When you look at the 2 machines and what they have on the insides, these are the closest matched machines if you are looking for an apple to apple comparison. Good luck with your search. We are in the same situation right now. Trying to get a machine before years end and the pricing goes up. We are leaning towards Xerox 700 because it has no fuser oil, but are concerned with it's ability to handle heavier stock.

 

[bompi]

We were also trying to decide between the 700 and the Xerox C720 Ricoh, and the presence of oil in the fuser ricoh had left us a bit perplexed, but then after you try and compare we noticed that the print is dull as well as the ricoh xerox , and the plastic coating does not present the typical problems of machines with fuser oil.
We eventually we bought the Ricoh C901s, which really made the leap, but the machine costs considerably more if you plan to spend € 85k is the best machine for market segment.

 

[bigdog418]

Ricoh 720 Vs. Xerox 550

Ricoh 720 Vs. Xerox 550

Here's the solution. Look at a Konica Minolta C7000 or C8000.