Mimaki jv3 or Falcon outdoor

Sounds like you answered your own question. Unless you're very handy at fixing problems yourself, pay the extra and go with the Mimaki. One breakdown will cost you more in lost business than the price difference.

OTOH, if you are comfortable with installing and maintaining yourself with only telephone or email support, then get the Falcon.

 

I don't have wide format. I use a Gerber Edge which will print on 95% of what's out there. That's not a judgment on one over the other ... I'm just not of a mind at this time to jump into inkjet and farm out what I can't or don't want to do on my Edge.

As far as print quality, the chances are you will use whatever inkjet you get at the highest rez settings less than 5% of the time. Color quality will differ substantially between solvent and ecosolvent as well as what materials and color profiles are used. Not sure where the Mimaki mild solvent falls into place but the standard Mimaki solvent inks require a ventilation system and much more service and maintenance than do any of the ecosolvent systems.

Although, they all make claims about printing on uncoated vinyl, I'm hearing that better image quality is attained with specialty films made for inkjets. There are also some real problems with imaging on cast HP films wherein the solvents are affecting the adhesive of the film.

The bottom line is whatever you get will make money for you but don't expect that there is one clear choice in brands, inks or films that will jump out at you. Also, do not expect that the learning curve will be brief or easy.