Printer - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

Printer

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been through a couple since 2013. We pick by size so that it easy to store and move each time we need it. The scanning feature has come in very handy when we need to send documents from remote locations. The biggest problem we have is cartridges seem to dry up more quickly than normal.

I'm amazed at the quality that an inexpensive printer provides. I have tried having ink cartridges recharged while in Mexico, not great results. Now I only use original manufacturer cartridges. The availability of new cartridges seems to dictate the need for a new printer. But $49.95 for a new printer is easy to handle.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

In our home, We've had a couple of wireless printers and so have friends... none of us are happy with them. It seems we all experience the same issues. Sometimes the print request doesn't reach the printer, the laptop indicates there is a problem with the printer (low ink, no paper) and the printer has ink and paper or the Wi-Fi connection fails. I resorted to running an Ethernet cable from the router to the printer so we always have a solid connection. My buddy had to do the same.

For our 5th wheel we use an HP printer that has a footprint of 10 inches X 12 inches...sorry I don't have the model number handy.
The paper is fed from the top and comes out the front. It also is a scanner.

We've had it for about 10 years so I'm sure it's no longer manufactured.

I would stay away from wireless....just my opinion.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wireless works well for us. We have a Canon all-in-one that is a few years old and no longer made. The problem with wireless and using multiple hotspots is the printer needs to be hooked to only one hotspot. We use a Pepwave Surf SOHO router in between our hotspots, so the printer only knows the routers wifi credentials. Every once in a while one of us will be hooked to campground wifi or directly to a hotspot and try to print and it won't work. Then we remember, switch to the router's wifi and everything is fine. Here is an $18.99 simple router from Amazon that you could probably use to get around this problem - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AL7P1FU/ .

Someday · RV-Dreams Family Member

Had the Canon IP90 travel printer for very many years, whilst flying/driving on business and has sufficed for our needs in the RV on extended trips. Paid around C$90 at the time. Great small compact little printer for occasional printing. (Check out the Pixma IP110 today at www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1091548-REG/canon_9596b002aa_ip110_mobile_inkjet_photo.html/ if interested @ $155).

If you need scanning and copying capabilties, today due to laptops and other mobile devices there are many travel printers and an all in one but they are rather expensive (The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer is an inkjet that's light enough to travel with, but can copy and scan as well as print). Personally in today's day and age, we'd likely go for a cheaper regular all in one, around $50 +/- and make room for the extra size/weight in the RV.

Make sure whichever printer you go for you consider whether you want it mainly for documents, photo printing or both!

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you all for the feedback. Each of you have given me something more to consider. I thought I just wanted a printer, but now I’m thinking a copy and scan function might be useful too.

Barb

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Should you want to use your printer for printing out photos, I highly recommend Epson printers with the multiple color cartridges. We've had ones with as many as 6 cartridges and with 4 and have been happy with both. We currently have an Epson XP630 with print, scan, and copy functions. But, as mentioned before, be prepared by having a cable for hookup as well, just in case your hotspot isn't where it gets a good enough signal.

Terry

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Terry!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo: You might look at the $18.99 wireless router I put a link to to put out a stronger signal. A friend uses it with his AT&T Mobley hotspot to have a stronger signal and to have more connections. I also agree that Epson and Canon are the ones to get for photos. My only experience with a modern Epson was the one my in-laws had, which was very loud when printing. I am sure it was just that particular model that was so loud, but when it clogged up due to the cheap cartridges my father-in-law used it was replaced by the same model Canon we had.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have an HP 4656 All-in-One printer. I like that I can put several snapshots on the scan surface and the software uses the space between each to denote separate pictures as it scans them in. We've got a lot of "old" snapshots, so on those cold days in the winter in AZ, I scan so more in, note who the people are, and send my daughter some more photos of her grandparents (and parents) when they were young.

Acheron2010 · RV-Dreams Family Member

smile.amazon.com/HP-DeskJet-Compact-Wireless-Printing/dp/B01GAIU7HG/ref=sr_1_2