Looking for Input on Copier Selection

[deedeeb]

We are in the process of replacing our old copiers and our company has a contract with Xerox to handle this.  We have a choice of a number of copiers and I was looking for input if anyone has it, on the models we can choose from.  I admit my experience with Xerox has not always been positive, but my intent is not to trash them in any way, just looking for info from users without the salespersons' pitch.  We have the choice of model DC470SL, DC432SLX, or for color copies, DCCS50.  Without doing heaps of research on my own, does anyone have any input on these models, their features and ease of use?  I am also interested in repair history--my favorite part of today was when my boss staggered out of his office with literally dozens of multi-page handouts for the staff meeting less than 1/2 hour before the meeting was to begin!  You guessed it - one of these brand new babies ATE a page of one original!

[chris68]

I don't know much about those Xerox copiers, but we were just looking at some new Cannon's out there and Richo, don't know the model numbers but I can get my hands on them if you would like.  The Cannon was a brand new machine only out for a week the time we reviewed it.  It was all digital, and had less chance of jamming an original.  What it does do is scan the original and spits it back at you, you can take the original out and put a new original in and program it while it it finishing up that job.  I forget how many pages per second, etc.  I did not like the feeder option where the finished product comes out, I think it's overworked and has lots of chances of breaking down.



However, the Richo copier (sp) is a bit bigger and bulkier, has a monitor on the top of the computer, digital, and does not feed multi-pages out of the sorter, when its done its done, and seems to be a bit faster than the Cannon, they say it's not, but it just seemed that way, plus this one comes with a CDRW so you can put your copies on a CD and take them with you.  I think both copiers had the option of sitting behind your computer and accessing the copier and programming it, but I think the only drawback is you still have to go up and put the paper in, I guess they haven't figured out how to do that yet  .  On the upside, if its a computer document, say a report, and you want x amount of copies, you can go from your computer to the copier without leaving your desk, NICE!



As far as the Xerox copiers go, it's been a while since I used to maintain copiers, the last ones I used were 5034's, and they were always being serviced, never reliable, BUT, they were old and testy, so that had lots to do with it.  Service people always came when you called, just sometimes it took them longer than others, I used to work for a public accountant and they were always running circles for us during tax season.



I guess you have to look at what your office does, and the volume, and  decide from there.  Did you call and talk to a Xerox rep?



Chris68

[bethalize]

In order of priority:

BIG paper trays so that I am not constantly refilling them

Sheet feeder to copy lots of documents at once

Sorter to sort documents

Speed of copying

A3 to A4R with a proper drawer of its own, rather than shoving the paper in at one end of the copier sheet by sheet

A3 copies

Choice between photograph copying and plain black or white

Good error log that tells me exactly where the paper is stuck

Contrast to lighten/darken

Automatic stapling is nice, but I will take a stapler on the copier itself

A little dent next to the control panel to put paperclips in

Double sided (you may want this higher, but if they know it exists then they want to use it to save money, although it costs them more in admin time)

One of those extra doors to put single sheets of paper in

A reset button so you don't have to turn it right off when it plays up.



Did I forget anything?



Oh, and a surround sound stereo!

 

[countrigal]

I do a lot of book copying and use the 2 page setting a lot.  This cuts down on copying time since you open the book, put it on the glass and it makes you a copy of page 1 and then a copy of page 2 without you doing any more movement.



As to which Xerox is best... good luck, can't help on that since I'm working with a copier that's at least 10 years old and used a lot.

[fireproof]

Be careful.



We have several Xerox document centers (440DC), and they all have one very peculiar quirk.  If your 8x1/2x11 document is not EXACTLY in place on the glass, or if you have an "unusual" size document, it will DEMAND that you open the paper tray and put in "A4" paper.  (Most people get the impression that they are being told that the tray is out of paper and are really surprized when they open the tray to find it full).



The upshot is, you CAN NOT get a copy unless you A) find the exact size of paper that the copier THINKS you have, or B) fool the copier into thinking that you have a standard size document (I generally move it around on the glass until I get the go-ahead).  It can be really frustrating.



Also, most people find the instructions for duplexing, etc. incomprehensible, and I spend a lot of time "rescuing" them.