Free Tektronix Phasor 850dp - kinda

[badauss42]

Im sure youve already seen posts about the www.freecolorprinter.com deal, where they give you this really cool color printer that costs like $3500 if you promise to print a cerain number of pages you indicate in your application. If they accept your app, then you get the printer. You can check out the site for more info.

Anyways, many people complained that they required a huge amount of pages printing commitment. My application was approved for only 2000 pages a month agreement! They even include all the free black ink you need. You just pay for color, which is reasonable prices, cheaper than color laser toner. The thing is, it doesnt say anywhere that you HAVE to use a certain amount of color. Just 2000 pages. Could be all black, where you get the free black ink. I think theyve made this deal a lot sweeter, since i dont remember the free black ink part of it last time i looked at it.

 

[chadley]

or you could print blank pages. But you still have to buy maintenance kits every 40,000 pages which cost $100.00. Also whatever you are approved at you have to atleast print 80% of that number (so in your case 1600 pages per month).

 

[badauss42]

"You have your choice of two different maintenance kits (consisting of an oil roll and computer chip)
- A standard kit lasts 10,000* images and costs $79.
- An extended kit lasts 45,000* images and costs $136.
(*estimated life of supplies)"

45000 images? does that mean graphics, or pages?

If it means pages, then that would mean it would last me 28 months (45,000/1600). thats less than 50 bucks a year. and you keep the printer after 3 years. And they give you all the free black ink. THIS IS A HOT DEAL! Please knock some sense in me if im wrong

 

[Dennis]

Are you aware of how much the PAPER costs for these printers? We have a Tektronix Phaser at work...the paper is an oddball size with a perforation on it...I have cut regular paper to the exact same size, but it won't work with the printer. I can't remember how much the paper costs, I just know that it is many times the cost of inkjet/laser paper.

Dennis

 

[Denogginizer]

I figured "what the heck," since it was completely free and they had a no-obligation "out" that allowed you to send it back if you weren't completely satisfied. Also, I run a home business, and have a legitimate use for a nice, fast color printer, and easily print over 1000 sheets a month anyway.

Guess what? I don't have the printer anymore. It's nice, but really only useful if you *really do* print a high volume. Let me think of a few of the drawbacks I encountered while using it:

* Color quality, even in "photo" mode on similar coated papers was far inferior to my 2-year-old Epson Inkjet

* Black-and-white text mode not as smooth as my 5-year-old B&W laser printer

* Wouldn't allow me to print lengthy Acrobat documents (like those 500-page manuals) in black and white mode. This is apparently either a driver issue or an Acrobat bug, but it really sucked because it meant I would have to waste all my non-free color ink.

* You CANNOT turn the printer off. It must be on at all times, consuming about 130 W of electricity. I think it goes into some kind of standby mode, but it still uses quite a bit, and then it takes about 5 minutes to wake up from it (making its fast print speeds pointless).

* Due to the amount of electricity used, and the need to melt solid ink sticks, it produced quite a bit of heat, and annoying fan noise (louder than my computer and hard drives). 130 W always on means you'll be paying at least $6 or so extra per month in electricity bills (depending on your utility rates).

* You have to pay some sort of tax, I think. Possibly on the entire value of the system, which is over $4000. They didn't make this clear until *after* you sign up. It tells you to fill out a "tax-exempt" form if you are a gov't agency or tax-exempt school. Implying that if you are *not* tax-exempt, you must pay some sort of tax on the printer.

* From the relatively small amount that I printed, it seemed like the color sticks were used up at a much faster rate than advertised. Meaning more $$$ per month out of pocket. Add that to the maintainence kits, and it can really get a lot more expensive than "free."



Frankly, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, unless you are in a big workgroup that needs a really fast printer and wouldn't notice extra noise and heat, and electricity is negligible or written off. Also, I am under the impression that since the reports state the amount (in exact number of pixels) of each color printed, they will see that you are printing blank or near-blank pages if you are. Under those circumstances, they would likely take away the printer, as their agreement states they can at any time for any reason (at their shipping expense, of course).

 

[chadley]

I've had the phaser 840 for 6 months and: use regular copy paper I purchased online, did not pay any taxes, can print Adobe in black and white, and have yet to use up my initial color ink (though I did buy the maintenance kit). I have had no problems with it. It is on a peer2peer network and tech support is extremely helpful. However, do not get the Phaser 850 because the supplies are more expensive and it isn't that much better. I am really happy with the printer and besides it is huge and looks very cool (most of my friends can only utter "WTF?&quot.

 

[Denogginizer]

Obviously Dennis is confused, the "Phaser" name has been used for all of the Tektronix printers. Perhaps some old ones used weird paper, but the DP850 I used for a while took regular copy paper just fine.

Chadley, I'm assuming the heat and noise didn't bother you... I have a relatively quiet computer and am bothered by noise more than most people, probably. But the 840 still will cost you in electricity, and output annoying heat (although if you are a 300-MHz overclock kind of person, you're probably used to it ;-). Good to hear you didn't pay taxes, I thought it would be pretty cheap of that to add it on there after you already signed up. But I got the 850, which means more expensive supplies, and a different printer driver. I believe the Acrobat problem was an incompatility with the driver and Adobe Acrobat... both pointed fingers at eachother when asked.

Finally, though, I am assuming the 840 doesn't print quite as well as the 850... which means the Photo-quality is definitely not there. Did you compare it to any remotely recent inkjets or lasers? I just couldn't stand the fact that I had this big honking, loud, hot printer sitting around that printed worse than both of my previous printers it was supposed to "replace."

 

[DazedAndConfused]

The printer isn't really free (ala the $400 rebate thing)
Phaser 850 DP requires a monthly purchase commitment of (4) boxes of Cadapult brand ink at $79.00 per box. -->(i.e. $316 a month x 24 monthes=$7584)
Phaser 850 DX requires a monthly purchase commitment of (5) boxes of Cadapult brand ink at $79.00 per box. -->(i.e. 316 a month x 24 monthes=$7584 )
Phaser 740 DP requires a bi monthly purchase commitment of (1) set of four boxes of Cadapult brand toner at $686 per set. -->(i.e. 343 a month x 24 monthes=$8232)
Phaser 780 GN requires a monthly purchase commitment of (1) set of four boxes of Cadapult brand toner at $636 per set. -->(i.e. 636 a month x 24 monthes=$15264)

Also there is a $99 setup fee. So in a since unless you are doing major major printing (i.e. enough to use those kits ) you are going to buy those printers, some 2x over, over the life of the deal.

Dazed

Sorry to post this, however I feel that this is very useful info to know before you rush in and get your free printer. Also this info is straight off the website posted in the first message, so unless there is a special way of doing this I believe this is really that hot

 

[chadley]

Actually there are 2 deals: freecolorprinterS.com and freecolorprinter.com. The former requires no monthly ink purchasing requirement while the latter does. I really don't mind the 840. There is no difference in print quality, just ppm. Also I agree that for printing photos this isn't the printer for you. However, the text looks really cool ( it is slightly raised and glossy ). Most of teachers wonder where I printed my papers on. Besides, I print a lot of band flyers for friends and I can print (including black ink and paper) for 1/50th of 1 penny. Not too bad at all I think.

 

[badauss42]

For all you doubters:
FREECOLORPRINTERS.COM CUSTOMER AGREEMENT

1.OBLIGATIONS OF TEKTRONIX. Tektronix will provide Customer with the following items for
use in Customer's business as described in Customer's Application:
- a free Tektronix Phaser 850DP® color printer.
- a free 500 sheet paper tray.
- free black ink as needed for use in the printer.
- free on-site service, in accordance with Tektronix general terms and conditions of
service.
- free technical support via Web and phone.
- free access to Color Connection educational Web site.
- free shipping of the printer to the U.S. Customer location.

Any taxes imposed on Tektronix as a result of this transaction will be the sole
responsibility of Tektronix.

2.OBLIGATIONS OF CUSTOMER. Customer will:
- purchase all ink used in the printer from Tektronix' e-commerce Web site, using a
Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card and at all times keep a valid credit
card on file with Tektronix.
- print a minimum monthly volume of prints as specified in your Application. Tektronix
will charge Customer's credit card $75.00 in those months where actual usage is
less than 80% of that specified in Customer's application.
- provide Tektronix with printer usage information by using the printer's built-in
reporting system. The printer will be configured by Tektronix to periodically e-mail a
usage report to Tektronix. If Customer's e-mail system does not support this
feature or if Customer chooses to disable this feature, Customer will print the
usage report monthly and Fax it to Tektronix. If Customer fails to provide usage
information in any given month, Tektronix will charge Customer's credit card
$100.00 for the month. Prior to any such charge, Tektronix shall e-mail a reminder
to Customer.
- operate and maintain the printer in accordance with the user manual provided with
the printer.
- update Customer's contact information, including e-mail address, as appropriate.
- not relocate the printer without the prior e-mail consent of Tektronix.

3.TERM AND TERMINATION. This agreement is effective on the date Customer "ACCEPTS"
and has a term of three years, but may be terminated earlier as provided below.
CUSTOMER MAY: terminate at any time by e-mail notice to Tektronix. Upon receipt of such
notice, Tektronix will promptly e-mail return shipping instructions to Customer. Customer
is responsible for costs of packaging and shipping and for any obligations that have
accrued prior to the date the Printer is returned to Tektronix. TEKTRONIX MAY: terminate
this Agreement at any time upon 30 days e-mail notice to Customer. Customer shall, at
Tektronix' option, make the Printer available for pick-up by Tektronix or ship the Printer
back at Tektronix expense in accordance with Tektronix instructions. If Customer fails to
return the printer to Tektronix, Tektronix will charge Customer's credit card an amount
equal to $100.00 for each month remaining in the term at time of termination.
4.TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS, SOFTWARE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Tektronix or its
leasing company shall retain title to the Printer during the term of this Agreement. At the
conclusion of the three-year term, title automatically passes to Customer. Risk of loss for
the Printer shall pass to Customer upon delivery. Title to software shall remain with
Tektronix or its licensors. Software is provided under license, subject to the terms of a
separate license agreement, a copy of which is included with the Printer. In general,
Tektronix' licenses permit reproduction only for use of the equipment for which the
software was originally acquired and prohibit disassembly, decompiliation and reverse
engineering. Customer may use or reproduce the software only as permitted by the
license.
5.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT SHALL TEKTRONIX OR ITS VENDORS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF
CUSTOMER'S PURCHASE OR USE OF THE PRINTER, EVEN IF TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR
HAS ADVANCED NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
6.SERVICE/DISCLAIMER. As specified in Section 1, Tektronix will provide Tektronix' standard
full service coverage for the Printer, for the three year term of this Agreement. HOWEVER,
THE PRINTER IS PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
TEKTRONIX DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF
THIS AGREEMENT IS RETURN OF THE PRINTER TO TEKTRONIX.
7.WAIVER. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be
construed as a waiver of such provision or the right thereafter to enforce each and every
provision. No waiver by either party, express or implied, of any breach of this Agreement
shall be construed as a waiver of any other breach of this Agreement.
8.ASSIGNMENT. Customer may not assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Tektronix. No attempt to assign
or transfer in violation of this provision will be binding upon Tektronix.
9.GOVERNING LAW AND FORUM/ATTORNEY FEES. The rights of the parties hereunder shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon, USA
and any litigation hereunder shall be brought in the federal or state courts of Oregon. If
litigation is commenced by either party to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorney's fees, both at trial and on
appeal.
10.NOTICES. All notices shall be given in writing, including e-mail, and deemed effective upon
receipt. Notices to Tektronix should be sent via e-mail to freecolorprinters@tek.com.