New Mutoh 1604x

[heyskull]

I have had an email from one of my sellers saying that Mutoh have launched the 1604X (which is a good price).
I currently have an original 1604.
What are the differences between the two machines or is Mutoh just trying to sell something old as new?
Also do these have both the same Epson DX5 derived printhead?

The issue being is I love my old 1604 and even though it is still running as good as the day installed.
It turns 10 years old in September!
I know how to service, replace heads and all the maintenance on this machine and as high speed and better colours is not an issue (as you can leave it over night printing away to itself) I would really like something to run along side.

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[Solventinkjet]

I took a look at the specs and it is essentially the 1604 with a few added features like being able to add the photospectrometer and some firmware improvements. I am assuming that it uses the DX5 head as it doesn't come close to the DX7 max speed and is almost identical in speed to the original 1604. My opinion is that they are resurrecting the 1604 with a few upgrades because they were popular when they first came out and Mutoh wants a 64" printer they can sell to sign shops that are on a budget or just starting out who can't afford the 1624X which is more than 4 times faster. If the price is right, I can't see why it would be a bad choice especially when you already know you like it. If the price is closer to the 1624x, get the 1624x hands down. Its like the 1604 on steroids.

 

[heyskull]

I am more than happy with the 1604.
I would want to run this on bulk inks as I do with my 1604 as OEM inks are overpriced and in my experience no better.

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[heyskull]

I had a reply back from my printer supplier....

" The VJ1604X uses a newer version of the Epson DX5 Print-Head please note that within a ‘DX5’ group of print-heads there are many different versions developed for many different manufacturers/models etc s I believe it is different to the DX5 version in the original VJ1604."

This to me, kind of answers the question. The 1604X is exactly the same as the original 1604 as Epson are no longer developing the DX5 and it is old technology.
I cannot believe for a second that their is a new DX5 when their is already talk that Epson are running down stocks of these heads.

I love my 1604 and most certainly do not need a machine that goes faster (which is all they are selling now a days).
I can load a roll on my 1604 press print as I leave at night and in the morning the prints are done.
Just a bit wary that Mutoh are selling an old product as new.

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[Solventinkjet]

Although there are different versions of DX5 head, they are all physically the same and have the same specs. Some have a Teflon bottom, some don't, some are made to be only used in certain machines etc. but they all print the same sized dots and speed.

I wouldn't worry about the availability of DX5 heads. The DX4 heads are still being manufactured and I wouldn't expect the DX5s to sop production until the DX4 does. They just stopped manufacturing the DX3's like 3 years ago and those heads are almost 20 years old.