Used Lotem or Screen...which should I buy?

[Mr_Anderson]

Looks like Screen is the way to go here...looking for input....

[Mr_Anderson]

oh, the Lotem is a 400F, the Screen is a PTR 4000.

[Cory]

don't think you could ever got wrong with a screen unit...I think they make some of the most reliable machines out there...

have a great reputation with imagesetters and CTP devices.

[David]

depends on the age (how many hours do they have on them)
were they taken care of
what kind of service and warranty will you get


are you looking at these from a used parts re-seller or ?


Both can be workhorses (we have two Lotems here, use the bejabbers out of them).
just noticed your repost, our Lotems are the 800s.
don't know about the 400s.

[DCurry]

I've got a Lotem 400, but from what I understand it is completely different inside than the 800. It is loud, but I've never heard other machines so I can't speak comparatively.

It's pretty reliable. The only real issues I've had with it have more to do with the MultiCassette autoloader that picks up and loads the plates.

[Mr_Anderson]

They are both supposed to be reconditioned units, and the Lotem does not have the Quantum head. They are each being offered from reputable sources in town.

[MrBeen]

For almost 7 years we are using Screen CTP we started with a PlateRite 8000, since January 2007 we replaced it for a ULTIMA PlateRite 16000.

We use Fuiji plates and al I can say it is the most steady, stable and reliable machine you can imagine.

[arturo]

Dear friends,
Screen for ever. (Acento Agfa, Topsetter Heidelberg)
Lotem is not really Creo. It comes from Israel Scitex technology. The machine is Ugly and has the problem it works with Brisque. If you need upgrade or emigrate to Windows you need to pay a lot of money.
Just now Kodak says it has a new model Magnus. Don´t believe is the same Lotem manufactured in Israel with the face cean.
Good machine is the original Creo Trendsetter with a laser 20 W. We have many of these machines working during 10.000 h without problems laser. Warning I talk about 20W laser, in the case of 40W laser it is another story. (not good)
Anyway in my opinion the best used machine is Heidelberg Topsetter 74.
Cost laser 500 €. Fast and cheap machine. Good quality, several rsolution and it works with many TIFF 1 bit output. One of the best is Compose.
If any is interested we can reduce the cost of machine working perfectly with 16 diode laser. Price about 40.000 machine with Rip and Tiff 1 bit. Waranty 6 month on lasers.
Arturo.

[Storm]

If these are your only two options go with the Screen.

I would sweet talk my way into a Trendsetter if I were you. They are WONDERFUL machines.

[sydproblemsolver]

I vote screen, cant knock there relability!!!!