Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!bcm!shell!nuchat!seven
From: seven@nuchat.UUCP (David Paulsen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: 1520 printer/plotter
Message-ID: <13412@nuchat.UUCP>
Date: 11 Aug 89 05:21:46 GMT
References: <5489@max.acs.washington.edu>
Reply-To: seven@nuchat.UUCP (David Paulsen)
Organization: Crazy Dave's Computer Emporium, Houston
Lines: 64

In article <5489@max.acs.washington.edu> scott@max.acs.washington.edu writes:
>Hi,...Could some who owns or have used a 1520 printer/plotter
>give me some description/information about it?
>Such as:  -Is it a good printer/plotter?

Depends on what your definition of "good" is.  For some aplications
it's probably adequate; not if you're thinking of CAD or drafting though.
It uses a drum with teeny metal teeth to grip the paper and advance it,
which is not a terribly precise system.. mine always jammed or failed
to advance at embarrassing moments.

The plotter itself is tiny: its footprint is about that of a good sized
printing calculator.  It is capable of printing text as well, with upper
and lower case.. program listings are a real kick!  Not real speedy
though..

>          -Is it DIRECTLY comparable with the C64?

Yes, it works fine with the 64.  Has the same serial bus connector as
any of Commodore's printers.

>          -What paper size does it uses?

4-inch wide cash register tape.  You ain't seen nuthin till you've
seen 80 column text on four inches of cash register tape!  (Seriously)

>          -What type of pens does it use and are they
>           still available?

Not sure if you can still buy Commodore brand refill pens -- I wouldn't
be surprised if you COULD -- but I understand there is a Radio Shack
equivalent.  The pens are little teeny ball-points; maybe 1/2 inch
in length.  I believe Alps made the printer for Commodore.. perhaps
genuine Alps refil pens are a possibility.

>          -What software is it comparable with.

It should work with any program that doesn't try anything fancy in the
way of graphics or custom fonts.. what?  But this is a plotter, you're
saying.  Well, yessssss.. but the only software I've seen that took
advantage of the plotting abilites was homebrew stuff.  There's
probably a commercial program that talks to this little plotter,
but I've never heard of one.

>          -How much a used one would ought to cost?

Near the end, we were selling them for $49.95 new.. this was 1985 or
thereabouts in a little computer store in Everett, Washington.  

>Could you reply as soon as possible, as I am trying to get one, soon.
>Thanks in advance for your input........
> 
> 
>Scott.

Hope it helps!

David

-- 

David Paulsen    ..uunet!nuchat!seven  ||| The Curiosity Shop BBS, 713/488-7836
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