Fantastic quality prints - when it works!
Written: May 17 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: wonderful prints, individual ink ribbons
Cons: KEEPS BREAKING DOWN, USES TOO MUCH INK!
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| nlleigh's Full Review: Alps MD-5000P Printer |
I have an Alps MD-5000. No 'P' after the name, but it looks exactly like the one in the photo. Let me tell you, I was so impressed with the printing jobs this little machine produces, that I was absolutely thrilled with it when I first got it....
If you want to know more about what the Alps MD 5000 does do, just check out a few of the rave reviews that others have already written about this printer. If you want to know about my experience with it in over a year of ownership, read on! It has not been a good year for this printer, at least as far as I am concerned!
This machine produces such high quality graphics and photos, that you wouldn't expect from such a light-weight machine. When you first get it, it almost gives you the impression that it is a 'mickey mouse' machine, because it is so lightly built. But the prints are marvelous. Especially the gold and silver foil accented ones!
But it uses ink like you wouldn't believe, a ribbon-type that is only usable once, except for the economy black cartridge. I like it that the colors are all separate, but there is a tremendous amount of unused ink on the ribbon when it reaches the end. You can't rewind it and use it over, or you will get glaring blank spots in the printing. So that's a definite disadvantage, because I not only hate waste, I also hate the high price of the cartridges. (I have quite a few unused cartridges that are for sale if someone will email me.)
But the reason I am writing this is mainly because in the one year that I have had it, I have been forced to return it four - that's right - (4!) times because it broke down. To the company's credit, they immediately replaced it with a brand new one each time. But each time, something would go wrong again and I would have to return it again. So I have finally declared it quits, laying claim to "the lemon law" and asked for a refund of my purchase price. That little job was a hassle, entailing numerous telephone calls, and when I finally did get to talk to the right person, I was informed that it would take 8 to 12 weeks to get an RMA, (authorization to return it) and then even longer to get my money.
I need to point out that my printing jobs are definitely lightweight - I use the machine at home, and don't really do any high volume stuff, just an occasional letter and two quarterly publications. I just print everything once, and when I need more copies, I then take it to a copy machine to make them, since the ink is so expensive.
So my advice to a friend would be to think twice about buying this machine, unless and until the company makes some major improvements in it. Hopefully they will do that soon. I don't think it's just me - I've seen some comments on other epinions that suggest that others might be having some of the same problems. I am very disappointed in it's durability, since I absolutely love the prints it makes.
I think I'm going back to the Canon - simply because I had a Canon BJC 600, with individual color cartridges, and it lasted for a long time. (Unless one of you kind souls can steer me to the right choice.) I would truly be grateful if anyone can recommend a color printer that uses waterproof ink, individual ink cartidges, produces good quality photos, takes extra large paper, thick and thin, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I'm trying to find one! I might be asking for too much, but I am at a loss to know which one to buy. It won't be another Alps, not at this point, anyway!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
nlleigh
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Member: Nancy Leighton
Location: New Mexico
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 8 members
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