xerox versant 180 to konica minolta c7090

[digitaldewan]

hi
I have been working with xerox versant 180 for 8 years
there is an offer from konica minolta to sell me accurio press c7090
does this machine worth to replace with xerox
Im asking about toner cost and spare parts and machine strength
the price after discount offered is 40000 usd without the IQ unit
any thoughts ? .....
thank you .....

 

[Gianni_S]

Hi my 2 cents about that, having switched from Xerox 180 to a KM 3080 years ago:
personally I would never go back and I am questioning how I could sell prints before while using a Xerox. (but this is my personal opinion)
Lately we went for a demo on 7090/7100 with the idea to replace our actual unit.
So for what about replacing with a 7090 mu answer is absolutely yes.
For toner costs and spare part, the best thing to do is speak with the salesman.
Nowadays I think that sucha machine without IQ is a nonsense, personally I would never give up about this point.
Hope my experience could help.

G:

 

[ReproElectroProspero]

KM is a fantastic brand with a reputation for quality. However, their machines are more complicated to repair or source consumables for. I would only switch if you have techs local to your area.

 

[Ynot_UK]

The C7090 may not be the best option - I recommend you research this model specifically as having read much about it from respected users, it doesn't seem to be KM's finest moment, whereas the C6085 it replaced was considered a great machine.
FWIW we've had a C4080 for 4 years and it's a good machine (would be even better had we gone Fiery instead of the OEM controller)
C4070/C4080 would be comparable with Versant 180 in terms of throughput.

 

[jwheeler]

While KM's in general are great machines, in the case of the C7090, I agree with @Ynot_UK . We have the C7090, a C6085, and three 6136's. The C7090 has been a notable downgrade from the C6085 (which is an awesome machine!) It has many issues that I've listed in other posts. Even to this day, the techs cannot get the color to hold consistent throughout a run, the color shifts across a single sheet of paper, and the colors don't register in the corners. This results in blurry text when it is reversed out of a solid color background.

I also second what @ReproElectroProspero said. Regardless of which KM model you get, I'd make sure you have a service contract with a certified KM tech in your area. They are not designed with user replaceable components like a Xerox. If available, it's always better to get a cost-per-click service contract that includes all of your consumables rather than buying the toner and spare parts on your own.

I'd suggest a C4070 or C4080 if available.

 

[gazfocus]

We went from a KM C3070 to a Versant 80 (long story but we ended up with 2 presses and had to sell one due to lack of space and sold the KM due to its higher resale value).

Now, I have to start by saying I absolutely loved our KM machine and to this day I regret selling it. I only have a couple of issues with KM...First was that the finishing options are so expensive when compared to Xerox. We have a booklet finisher with Square Fold Trimmer on our Xerox that comes with a decurler module. The decurler alone on the KM was more than we paid for our entire finisher setup. The second observation was that it was more awkward to register front to back on the KM in comparison to the Xerox (I didn't have the IQ...again, IQ would have cost almost what we paid for the actual engine.

Even the quality of the parts on the KM was more consistent than the Xerox and we've had so many parts wear on the Xerox that have never been an issue on the KM (fuser belts seem rubbish, about to need yet another fuser belt and slip sheet, all the issues with the drums, etc).

That said, in terms of print quality, I honestly can't say the print quality is any worse on the Xerox than it was on the KM. I'm quite fussy on print quality. We print a lot of 'retail' products so need to make sure the quality is up there and I've had no complaints from either the Xerox or the KM but I will more than likely go back to KM on our next purchase.

 

[Gianni_S]

The C7090 may not be the best option - I recommend you research this model specifically as having read much about it from respected users, it doesn't seem to be KM's finest moment, whereas the C6085 it replaced was considered a great machine.
FWIW we've had a C4080 for 4 years and it's a good machine (would be even better had we gone Fiery instead of the OEM controller)
C4070/C4080 would be comparable with Versant 180 in terms of throughput.

Interesting, why Fiery?
My local vendor is insisting on their RIP instead of Fiery.
Just curious.

 

[jwheeler]

Interesting, why Fiery?
My local vendor is insisting on their RIP instead of Fiery.
Just curious.

I used to sell production gear for KM, and my software/controller specialist would always insist that I sold machines with a Fiery. KM controllers USED to have very limited functionality, and didn't have imposition/composition options, or even a queue for new/held jobs. However, KM has come a long way in developing their controllers, and also have the Flux option for imposing/composing documents which actually has more functionality than Fiery's Impose/Compose. Some examples include the ability to impose dutch cuts, scanned document cleanup, advanced page numbering, variable data, and document-wide edits. It basically has all of the features of Fiery Impose, Compose, and JobMaster...plus the features of RSA ReadyPrint, all in one. Furthermore, they integrated APPE into the KM controllers several years back, which helps with common transparency issues. Another benefit is that the KM controller is integrated with the KM digital press, so you don't have the issue of losing connection and having to restart both devices that you often experience with Fiery controllers.

All that being said, Fiery controllers have been an industry standard for a long time, and if you have other Fiery-ran devices in your shop, it will be an easier integration and workflow for your operators if everything is on the same platform...or even just to avoid your operators having to learn a new system.

 

[Gianni_S]

I used to sell production gear for KM, and my software/controller specialist would always insist that I sold machines with a Fiery. KM controllers USED to have very limited functionality, and didn't have imposition/composition options, or even a queue for new/held jobs. However, KM has come a long way in developing their controllers, and also have the Flux option for imposing/composing documents which actually has more functionality than Fiery's Impose/Compose. Some examples include the ability to impose dutch cuts, scanned document cleanup, advanced page numbering, variable data, and document-wide edits. It basically has all of the features of Fiery Impose, Compose, and JobMaster...plus the features of RSA ReadyPrint, all in one. Furthermore, they integrated APPE into the KM controllers several years back, which helps with common transparency issues. Another benefit is that the KM controller is integrated with the KM digital press, so you don't have the issue of losing connection and having to restart both devices that you often experience with Fiery controllers.

All that being said, Fiery controllers have been an industry standard for a long time, and if you have other Fiery-ran devices in your shop, it will be an easier integration and workflow for your operators if everything is on the same platform...or even just to avoid your operators having to learn a new system.

Thanks a lot!