EPSON FX-2190 OEM RIBBON CARTRIDGE (CHARACTER YIELD)

Epson FX-2190 Dot Matrix Printer Review

Overview:

Ancient dot matrix devices such as the Epson FX-2190 Dot Matrix Printer are surprisingly readily available on the market today for those with incredibly particular print needs or for the die hard retro computer fan, but really these hard to kill work horses are best suited in dusty, rough work environments such as auto body shops or shipping houses.

Pros:

For those abusive print users who actually rely on dot matrix technology to this day, the Epson FX-2190 Dot Matrix Printer is actually a quite outstanding performer for what it is. With print speeds that exceed those of older model dot matrix printers by leaps and bounds, the device is still not capable of competing (in any way) with current inkjet or laser devices on the market in the area of raw performance, but should serve certain small businesses without any problems.

Though the unit still measures speed in the CPS (characters per second) format as opposed to the commonly seen page per minute style we usually see today, the device does well with it’s 680 CPS. This is made possible in part by its 136 column design and 9 pin print head which also allow the device to print in sizes up to A3, which is much larger than that of standard printers.

As the AK-47s of the print world, dot matrix printers can take a lot of abuse and still operate. One could picture this perk benefiting a dusty woodshop or factory setting. The devices can survive an unclean air environment and still pound out those ink ribbon driven invoices and receipts.

Cons:

The downsides to the Epson FX-2190 Dot Matrix Printer and all printers like it are obvious. Extremely limited print settings, including only a limited selection of fonts, and very slow print speeds make these devices completely impractical for the average user or business. While the device can print to forms of up to 6 parts each, it still uses the old style of paper feed technology, making printing even those most basic of standard documents very cumbersome.

The Epson FX-2190 Dot Matrix Printer is certainly a niche product that most users should take little or no interest in. Its almost non existent versatility makes it a device only appropriate for those who have a tendency to destroy printers and old school printer fanatics.