Xerox Primelink / Ricoh Pro 8410

[Stickman42]

I've got 2 Nuvera 144's and a dormant V80. The Nuveras are getting tired and I'm looking into their Primelinks. I run about 100k per month (volume has dropped and two 144's are overkill) between the two of them, mostly 12.5 x 18.5 text weight paper. Some heavy solids. The V80 was relegated to backing up our Iridesse, but then support ended for it.

Does anyone have any experience to share on the Primelink as it relates to the application I run? Either color or mono? Or comments in general on the machine?

I know there are other vendors out there, but at this time I'm focused on this Xerox box only. My techs are great. Sales? Meh.

 

[SoggyWinter]

I don't have a Primelink, but the regional lead tech spoke very highly of the black only primelink. We didn't talk about the color Primelinks one way or another. I would recomend comparing total cost including lease and click rates with a versant vs a color primelink you go color. Also ask the techs if Primelinks are a lower priority than a light production machine like versant.

 

[SoggyWinter]

Also, the versants are getting superceded by the Proficios at some point this year, so you might be able to get a better price on a V280 or V4100.

 

[jwheeler]

lower priority than a light production machine like versant

This is a good point...they'll probably not admit they are a lower priority, but there are often different techs associated with production machines vs office level machines. On Xerox's website, they brand the PrimeLink as "Production ready, office-friendly". Ensure with your service manager that you'll see the same techs.

I also don't have experience with them, but the fact that you said heavy solids concerns me a bit for entry-level production machines. I'd highly suggest bringing your own paper to their demo room and run several reams worth of the heavy solids to see if they hold up...and to see how many times the machine pauses to adjust (in case production speed is a concern for you).

Lastly, their website lists "up to 50k" pages per month for recommended monthly volume. Your volume is already at their max recommendation...which brings up a concern that on busy months where you go over and start having service issues, they might push back on you a bit.

 

[Stickman42]

I'm more interested in how the mono Primelink stacks up against the Nuvera. I know it's a lighter duty machine, but the specs should cover my anticipated volume. And I've already confirmed the Nuvera techs are the ones who will service the Primelink.

The color model being considered is actually this one:

 

[namelessentity]

We have two Mono Primelink B9136 machines. The print quality is actually quite good, and they're super low maintenance. Just have to change the drums and cleaning webs when it asks you. We put about 300k a month split between both of the machines for an insurance client.

If you don't have a need for it, I'd avoid the stacker. It's really buggy, and I've seen the 049-242 error on both machines so many times it's burned into my memory. The finisher is pretty much completely problem free though.

 

[Stickman42]

We have two Mono Primelink B9136 machines. The print quality is actually quite good, and they're super low maintenance. Just have to change the drums and cleaning webs when it asks you. We put about 300k a month split between both of the machines for an insurance client.

If you don't have a need for it, I'd avoid the stacker. It's really buggy, and I've seen the 049-242 error on both machines so many times it's burned into my memory. The finisher is pretty much completely problem free though.

Great insight. Changing drums and webs has become an operator responsibility? No problem for us, just curious.

Is your 300k letter size? Most of my work is large sheet book work. I'd like to run 4-up on 13 x 19 to the high cap stacker. Your evaluation of it does concern me. I'll ask my rep if they'll put it in on a trial.

 

[namelessentity]

Great insight. Changing drums and webs has become an operator responsibility? No problem for us, just curious.

Is your 300k letter size? Most of my work is large sheet book work. I'd like to run 4-up on 13 x 19 to the high cap stacker. Your evaluation of it does concern me. I'll ask my rep if they'll put it in on a trial.

The drum and webs have a little instruction sheet inside on how to install them. The drum is just a turn of a knob, and a release lever and then it slides out and you put in the brand new one. The web is just two small nuts you loosen, then drop the new one in and press two keys on the control panel to reset the counter. Both take maybe 2 minutes max, and everything comes pre-built, so there's no labor.
Almost all of our clicks are 8.5x11 duplex, but we do occasionally run 12x18 text and cardstock without any real issues.

 

[Stickman42]

@namelessentity Do you have the integrated server or external Fiery/FreeFlow? I've been used to FreeFlow on the Nuveras. Going with just the operator panel has me wondering if it'll be easy enough to work with. My application is book printing - just multiple copies of a PDF. All imposing is done in prepress. I'll get more on this from my rep (hopefully).

 

[Gal]

We have the Primelink B9136, the machine is ok, black quality is ok, if you want to change settings and play with the machine it is very annoying.
also the finisher, where the paper comes out on the elevator is so bad.
Before that we had the Konica 6136, better quality better interface and better finishers, the reason we change to Xerox is only because of service its much better here.
If i had to choose i would go back to Konica no doubt

 

[Stickman42]

I received proposals from Xerox for their PrimeLink config, but am hesitant to sign, based on responses here and from others. I approached Ricoh and they're proposing a Pro 8410 (high capacity feeder, print engine, decurler and high capacity stacker). Does anyone have any experience to share with this machine? My main use for it would be 13 x 19 50# offset, duplexed and offset stacked. About 200K impressions per month. A fair amount of heavy coverage - think comic books.

Pricing for both is comparable and in budget. Direct service from both, not dealers.