which one should i go for Roland Soljet ProIII or Mimaki JV5

[David Rowland]

As I JV3 user in a busy Sign makers, the machine is in use daily use say about 2-3 hours a day for about 2-3 large signs and plenty of odds and ends. We found speed doesn’t matter for us and JV3 is fast but not at super fast production speed of JV5. Perhaps if you are doing about 10 large signs a day with other bits then JV5 might be considered.

[Martin Kennedy]

Thanks Dave

We are getting considering into the Digital Print market again with this printer – used to have a RasterGraphics Arizona but got rid of it a few years ago.

Do you think the JV3 is adequate for most of your needs? – If the extra cost wasn’t a consideration, would you choose to get a JV3 or JV5? Also, why did you choose the JV3 over the Roland Versacamm?

Thanks for your time

M

[David Rowland]

very good point, why did we choose the JV3… at the time we was looking to replace an aging mutoh albatross as resolution was terrible and production speed was so slow. The JV3 was the big printer at signuk 04 and I was the one who was impressed with it and we did further research as we wanted to get the best printer that could match vinyl colours and print the solid prints, so we opted for the Shiraz RIP over Onyx as at that time we thought shiraz produced more accurate results. 3 Years later we still using it and with regards the Roland systems, well it was all eco-based ink and I think everything needed lamination at that time, so we didn’t really consider Roland and the Uniform machines were just getting going. JV3 is now proven technology and certainly good but as the JV5 is new and different I cant comment on it as I hardly know anyone who has bought one. One thing for certain is Mimaki are producing some fine machinery like the new flatbed, that looks great.

[Martin Kennedy]

Thanks Dave – a decent answer from you as usual.

The whole thing is really a minefield and I know that compromises have to be made to get to the final decision – which will probably be different for many people to match their own requirements.

Over here, the Roland people are apparently selling 2 x Soljet ProIII for every 1 x Versacamm and JV5 is almost matching the sales of the JV5 now.

Ah well… another sleepless night!

M

[Chris Wool]

martin dont confuse the pro 111 with a versacamm 2 totally different machines and prices.

just think the roland is more versatile for normal sign work, i have had a pro2 for 3 + years if i had to i would have another.

chris

[Martin Kennedy]

Hi Chris

I’m not confusing the two machines, and I do understand the differences. Just wanted to point out that the ProIII is twice as popular now in Ireland than the New Versacamm as Roland’s machine as choice.

Would you choose the ProII (III) again if you knew you were only going to use it for 3 hours every day?

M

[Chris Wool]

yes martin
some days it may be less but when you have a rush it makes all the difference and you can print in the higher quality modes with out taking forever. a 8×4 in 360 x 720 does not take long at all

chris

[Pryam Carter]

I took delivery of a soljet III a few months back, i think it’s a great machine. Previously to this i had a versacamm (small one) and felt that the time had come to upgrade, the eco max inks are pretty good but things DO need laminating for ink protection.
We run our machine for a couple of hours each day plus cutting, a very versatile bit of kit. Excellent print quality. The daily / weekly servicing of the machine is pretty much 0 hours, i think the full solvents need a bit more maintenance.
We have a seal 54 base laminator which is a great piece of kit also, worth considering.

[alan flynn]

hello martin

sorry but the spandex value jet is really a mutoh value jet, and for the price of the jv5 you could buy 2, have a hoilday with spending money,
mutoh have really got this machine bang on, we have had problems with printers in the past, but this machine really is up there, we have a jv3 75sp, and the value jet prints as good if not better, but on plain colour the
machine is by far the best on the market, i look forward to seeing want people think this time next year,
and all i can say is i told you so !!!!
regards
alan flynn

[Martin Kennedy]

Thanks all for the replies.

I think we will go with the Roland Soljet because of the deal available plus the manufacturers warranties, the fact that it is a better price and available immediately.

Will let you know how we get on…

Martin