Konica Minolta 6500 - Thoughts

Thanks Random.... I'll take it from here!

I have notices the DC5000 does print an almost fake looking image with the amount of shine, that was one reason we did not lease that machine. You may want to look at the AP option, ask if you are able to have a field upgrade on you 5000. I don't know if it is true with the 5000AP but on our 8000AP when run in All Weights Mode there is much less shine on the image.

I would also look at the 7000AP/8000AP - ImagePress 6000/7000VP - NexPress M700 they are much more robust machines then that tiny little KM6500 (just for you Random ). Seriously though all these machines (including the KM6500) are fine, but it depends an your volume and the substrates you are running. Here we are around 70,000/month but that's all 12x18 coated from 80lb text to 110lb cover, we run very little 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17 and 85% is duplexed.

Your needs will determine the machine you need, don't make the mistake of just looking at the sticker price, I have found by making that mistake you do get what you pay for. There is a reason why the big machines are more expensive, open them up and look inside, comparer the size, weight and paper paths, the way they image, you'll see why.

cosmo
Member Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 54



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We have had one for a couple of years, and also the xerox, if i was to be honest I wouldnt buy any of them, but, it depends what you can sell to your clients, the xerox is a workhorse but the shiny toner looks ****, the konica looks great on vivid images but looks very average on midtone images, ie screens of blue, red etc, are real grainy looking, most of the public wont even notice, but the konica midtones are the worst in the industry, so bad I even put jobs on my press so I dont embaress ourselves to our clients, the Xerox midtones are far nicer, much more saleable.

I know from talking to people at Xerox that they have almost phased out the silicon in there toner which gives them that shiny look, so good news there, I know from talking to people at Konica that they have only made a tiny adjustment to there engine that hasnt changed for 5-6 years.

Heres the kicker with Konica, they have a new machine coming out, its called the c65001, thats a 1 on the end of the 6500, the difference is that they have fixed a problem with colour shift across the width of the page, which is very noticeable on the 6500, something I have complained about since we got ours, so, instead of fixiing your existing machine they would rather sell you a new one, I used to be a supporter of Konica, but now I know they just dont have the technology to produce a production colour machine, Konica just dont have the expertise to produce reliable sellable colour, and thats what matters, selling the product

So, in my opinion, dont touch them, seirously, wait 12 months, something better will pop up.

random
Member Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 45



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Quote:
I know from talking to people at Konica that they have only made a tiny adjustment to there engine that hasnt changed for 5-6 years.

This is not an accurate comment so I would take the rest of the comments in the same light. When people make relativly broad and vauge comments like this they don't actually own or don't understand the machine.


Quote:
Heres the kicker with Konica, they have a new machine coming out, its called the c65001, thats a 1 on the end of the 6500,

There is no such machine in the konica range. There is a c6501, c5501 so you need to amend your Xerox compeditor advantage document.


Quote:
the difference is that they have fixed a problem with colour shift across the width of the page, which is very noticeable on the 6500

Not sure why Konica would release a new version of machine to fix one fault that can be easily fixed in the field. Unlike the DC5000 where this fault is unresolveable unless you buy an AP. Well I guess so I haven't actually seen an AP.


Quote:
but now I know they just dont have the technology to produce a production colour machine, Konica just dont have the expertise to produce reliable sellable colour, and thats what matters, selling the product

If this were the case then you, I mean Xerox wouldn't have designed a machine specifcally to take on the c6500.

Bgradner, like Craig says you need to go in and look at a machine and look for the mythical imbalance and poor halftones. No harm in looking.

Seriously take a look at the Canon imagePRESS. It uses gloss optimization and won't leave that shiny look like the Xerox machine and has more depth than the Konica Minolta machinge

Happy LA Konica user


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We installed a new Konica Minolta and put 50,000 clicks on it in a week - 1 jam.
The Canon (imagepress 6000) was more than double the price and click charges much higher than Konica. It uses no fuser oil and so far the color consistency has been outstanding. Good value for the money. Sweet spot for this printer is 150-175k per month.

00 clicks on it in a week. It uses no fuser oil and eliminates the shine that the Xerox box puts down.