Reliable small onboard printer in 2022?

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Thank you for the warning regarding toner.
Seems a real issue.

Even more crazy:

HP wants a permanent internet connection too, so that they can monitor the status, use and prevent you from not loading driver updates (which was apparently a way in the past to use other cartridges).

They try to sell you a toner subscription too. Why on earth would I need this? Banghead!

A permanent internet connection seems like a deal-breaker for any cruiser.

Apparently they do still time-out cartridges, which is why they block 3rd party chips. So they can be refilled but they will still stop working after the time. And at least one reviewer claims that the print quality degrades after 500 pages - a sign that they are still using abrasive. Just disgusting.

Greg

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

A permanent internet connection seems like a deal-breaker for any cruiser.



Apparently they do still time-out cartridges, which is why they block 3rd party chips. So they can be refilled but they will still stop working after the time. And at least one reviewer claims that the print quality degrades after 500 pages - a sign that they are still using abrasive. Just disgusting.



Greg

After all it seems best avoid HP.

The Brother HL-1212W

seems to tick all the right boxes.

Small
Light
Accepts non OEM toner
B&W
Laser
Reasonable priced printer & cartridges

[NYSail]

I have an Ho all in one ink jet. Used extensively last season. Printed, copied and scanned perfect. Kept in plastic bag while not in use.

Greg

[Tom and Maje]

We’ve had our small brother printer on the boat since 2014 with no problems at all.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Geoff54

Bill
Just put TinyScanner on your phone. Works really well and there is a free version that you can use to try it out. I've got a big, fancy scanner that I rarely use now.

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

The problem (I have) is trying to make a document look like a perfect /very good reproduction of the original w/the phone.

Maybe I need more practice and it would be great to not have a big clunky scanner/printer combo if not needed.

[Bill O]

Now that I'm looking at these printers again, the Brothers brand seems to check the boxes. This one was super cheap at Walmart ($89), was a laser and did 2 sided printing. https://www.brother-usa.com/products/hll2325dw

[Lake-Effect]

Not using a printer aboard, but we've had a small Brother laser printer at home for at least a decade now, and it just works. And toner cartridges are still available. If I was taking a printer on a world cruise, I'd keep one extra toner cartridge aboard. (If you wear out a printer drum from onboard use, reconsider your life priorities )

I would definitely store the printer and cartridges in a watertight container, with some dessicant bags. Ditto for printer paper.

[garyfdl]

While not aboard the boat, I used a small Brother 'Pocket Jet' type for years 'mobilly'/out of my truck - so subject to high humidity/heat/cold/vibration/shock. It performed flawlessly. My only complaint was the small cartridge capacity, but, that's what you get with a small printer, and the cartridges were a business expense anyway.

[s/v Jedi]

Dymo even puts chips in their label rolls to prevent use of other brands!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzSDJRC0F6c

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Now that I'm looking at these printers again, the Brothers brand seems to check the boxes. This one was super cheap at Walmart ($89), was a laser and did 2 sided printing. https://www.brother-usa.com/products/hll2325dw

I have an earlier version of this printer that has been sitting for 8yr under the passenger seat in my car for work.
Runs off of a 1,000W (2kW surge) modified sine inverter under my seat.
Still works. Currently having problems feeding paper but probably crap got in it and I need to clean it.

When it first fires up it pulls 140A, within 2sec it settles to 80-90A.

[ghauslinger]

I am a Canon enthusiast. First, I had on board an old Pixma ip100, which enjoyed a retirement from my home office, where had to work a bit hard. After ca 5 years (2 at home 3 on board at unavailability of the cartridges, it was replaced by Pixma 110. Both were excellent. First printers were kept in the locker. Then I had a devilish idea of replacing Canon with HP Officejet 250 all in one, so I won't need a separate flatbed scanner (essential for me). Mistake! The copies from the scanner were skew, flatbed like Lide (Canon) produced perfect results. The HP's cartridges are 2 or 3 times more expensive than Canon's. Yes, they are more sophisticated containing not only the ink but also a printer head. My prints, however, were the same, from Canon and from HP.
There is other tricky aspect: Windows 11 is knocking on our door. I have switched my office Canon with zero problems, but HP was very sorry that my device is not going to support this new IOS. They were even so kind to offer me to purchase newer model, which will provide such support. HP was donated to a student in the marina, together with spare cartridges. I am buying now a new Pixma - current model is Pixma TR150 and a new flatbed scanner. I parted with HP on the 4th anniversary of its purchase.
Storage: HP enjoyed a vacuum plastic bag. After sucking air out with my vacuum cleaner and left undisturbed in the locker, protection lasted for more than a month.

[Franziska]

Ended up ordering the Brother HL-1212W. It's got a nice small footprint too.

Laser seems better for us, our Inkjet on the boat dried up to often due to infrequent use.
Don't need color. Don't need a scanner either.

Thanks to all.

[ChrisJHC]

Re scanning, if you’re in the iOS world, you can now scan documents using Notes.

Works really well!

[Sos]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Look at the Brother Pocketjet series. They are small, self contained (battery), reliable, and do not require ink or toner. They are direct thermal printers and do require special paper. Cost per page is about $0.25 which for most purposes isn't a big deal -- if you're printing your cookbook or a novel or whatever do it ashore at a print ship.


There is high quality thermal paper available that is indistinguishable from regular paper to the casual observer. There is waterproof paper-like plastic media available.


These printers are widely used in applications like route sales and parking enforcement and are reliable in difficult environments.


No I don't have one but it's on my list of things to get.

This looks like an ideal boat printer

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Sos

This looks like an ideal boat printer

Sort of, nevertheless I opted for their very small Laser printer instead (see above).
Laser printouts last very well and are not affected much by humidity.

Thermopaper tends to fade over time...
0.25$ per page is much more than 0.04$ per Laser printout.

The size of the thermoprinter and the option to run it from 12v is nice though. Still the Laser runs nicely with a small inverter too. If you need a printer onboard you likely have a source for 110v/220v anyway.