🚀 go-pugleaf

 thompson@uxf.cso.uiuc.edu inquires:

>I wonder.  I haven't seen this posted all that frequently on the net, and
> I am now in a position of curiousity.

>My sister has a 512KE and is looking for a cheap printer.  She currently
> has an Epson LX-80 left over from when she had her Apple ][.

>1. I know that a "Grappler" exists for such a beast... but which one?
>    LQ? C/Mac?

You need the C/Mac version, which converts Imagewriter control codes
and provides the serial to parallel conversion.  If you're mainly 
interested in  bit-mapped output (no  draft mode), the Grappler work.
It's slow, but did the job when I tried on with my FX-80 a few months ago.
Draft output was slower than Best output!

>2. Does this Grappler thing give her full Imagewriter capability?  If
>    not, what is it missing?

I don't think she'll be able to use desk accessories like MockPrinter
and miniWriter than write directly to the printer w/o going thru printer
driver.  For example, MockPrinter uses the character set download feature
of the Imagewriter.  I don't believe this will work with Grappler (I
forgot to check when I did my tests).  Make sure the LX80 can do reverse
line feeds - If it can't some graphical output may not be right.

>3. Maybe it would just be cheaper to sell the Epson and buy a printer
>    with full Imagewriter capability.  I have seen ads for the "Seikosha
>    SP 1000" for around $235, certainly reasonable.  Has anyone used this
>    brand or model?  Is it really "Imagewriter I compatible"?  Is
>    it any good?  Will it last?  Will it work?

My brother-in-law has a Seikosha.  It is 99.9999+ compatible with the
Imagewriter I.  I checked the command set supported by the Seikosha -
the only difference I found had to do with the Danish language option.
I tried it with a variety programs without encoutenring any problems.
MockPrinter, miniWriter and programs like that work fine with the
Seikosha.  It is a fine, but slow printer (1/3 speed of an Imagweriter II).
$235 is slightly more than my BIL paid.  He's only had it about three
months, so I can't say how long it will last.  It does not appear to be
as rugged as the IW-II.  The warantee is at least a year.  You can buy
two or three Seikoshas for what one IW-II costs.

>4. Maybe we should just try to buy a used Imagewriter?

Thanks in Advance,
"Curious George"
- Mark Thompson                       "The University Neither Knows Nor
   "Life in the Fast Lane --            Cares What I Am Saying -- Lucky
    mows you down before your prime."   Them."

 University of Illinois at U-C
 ARPANET: thompson@uxf.cso.uiuc.edu
 USMAILNET: 202 E Springfield #3B, Champaign IL 61820
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