Portable Wire Tag Unit

[DamianInRochester]

I realize this isn't necessarily the most appropriate place to ask this question, but probably most of the people in the forum have the knowledge to answer it.

My old Brady IDExpert is getting long in the tooth. The cartridges have always been IMO too overpriced.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there has suggestions for a newer model portable wire/device ID labeler that is robust and economical.

There are so many out there, i'd hate to devote half a week researching label makers.

[TConnolly]

Brady TLS-2200.

[Giz99]

Panduit LS9 <$200

[brucechase]

Even though the IDExpert cartridges are "expensive", to me the time saved by using this printer is well worth it. I've tried several and they just don't hold up like the IDExpert. Also, it is nice just changing one cartridge that has both the label and ribbon in it. Nothing like having 2 separate parts (one ribbon and a separate lable) for creating frustration.

[TWControls]

Originally Posted by Giz99

Panduit LS9 <$200

I second. Went away from the Brady about year ago. Kept wearing them out prematurely. Also no matter which one you choose, look to see if it does a variety of labels such as heat shrink, nylon, cloth, etc.

[George Graziano]

I also have the IDExpert. For a rap@ label, I really haven't found one better.

George

[DamianInRochester]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds as though maybe I don't know how good I have it. I'm glad I asked. I just assumed that since almost a decade has passed since I got the thing that there would be something better.

Thanks!
D

[bce123]

i have lots of different brands but the ones i send o service calls come from lowes or home depot there cheap cartrige is cheap these interchange with others i have .so i dont worry bout how long they last are if they take missing ypu know some plant mistook for his.altough i have cliets that spec what i use in some plants thus the need for many. Steve

[rdrast]

Originally Posted by Giz99

Panduit LS9 <$200

Agree. I've used Brady for years, and for years, they have all been in the shop more then in service. For the equivalent cost of using Brady printers and media, I could hire a personal secretary to hand write each label and come out ahead. The Panduit printer is much nicer, much less expensive, and even uses replaceable batteries.

Another one that I haven't used, but almost bought just because I needed something when ALL of the Brady pieces of trash were broken, was the Dymo Rhino printer. You might want to take a look at that as well as another option. It's inexpensive (very), and widely available. Even Amazon has them.

[kolyur]

For a wire wrap application, I'd advise you to stay away from the Rhino. The shortest wire wrap label it can print is 1.25", which equates to a lot of wasted tape for smaller wires. Plus they don't have 3/8" tape available.

I've had good luck with the Brady BMP21. Not as full-featured as the IDXpert, but works well for labeling wires IMHO. I even wrote a review for it on Amazon.

After reading the discussion here I'm interested in the Panduit LS9. What is the shortest wire wrap label that it can print?

[OkiePC]

Originally Posted by kolyur

I've had good luck with the Brady BMP21. Not as full-featured as the IDXpert, but works well for labeling wires IMHO. I even wrote a review for it on Amazon.

+1

I have used several of its predecessors over the years (ID PAL) and they have been very handy, although I did break the cartridge latch on one of them, and another bit the dust and was replaced under warranty after six months of hard use. For small to medium jobs and for field repairs the BMP 21 is great. Everything they changed going from ID Pal to BMP21 was a good change from the easier menu with more features to the backlight and cut mechanism, for <$200 and for small jobs it's great. We have several of the old TLS2000 and its cousins, but they have expensive special batteries which have proven to be the biggest PITA. They collect dust in the gang box as long as we have cartridges for the BMP21 that's all we seem to use due to its convenience.

The BMP21 uses 6 AA batteries, so it's never a big issue when the batteries go dead, just pop new ones in and keep on truckin'

We don't have a big demand for large project wire labelling, our electrical contractors have some expensive printers for those types of jobs.

[bce123]

to save money i cut the rino labels in half after all both ends of the wire need a label

[TWS]

My distributor tells me that the ID Xpert is being phased out. I use one now but when my labels are gone I will update. I have a Rhino that works well for small field jobs with heat shrink labels. I will proably upgrade to the Wraptor™ Wire ID Printer.

[BDL273]

Oh no! We just bought an Expert last year. Yes the labels are a bit pricey but the quailty is there. All the wire labels I use end up covered in dirt,oil and grease. The Brady stuff seems to hold up very well in an industrial setting. There is nothing worse when troubleshooting then opening a panel and seeing that all the labels are worn off or missing. I hope they are not getting rid of that line.If they are I know alot of people who will be very upset.

[DamianInRochester]

Originally Posted by TWS

My distributor tells me that the ID Xpert is being phased out. I use one now but when my labels are gone I will update. I have a Rhino that works well for small field jobs with heat shrink labels. I will proably upgrade to the Wraptor™ Wire ID Printer.

Originally Posted by BDL273

Oh no! We just bought an Expert last year. Yes the labels are a bit pricey but the quailty is there. All the wire labels I use end up covered in dirt,oil and grease. The Brady stuff seems to hold up very well in an industrial setting. There is nothing worse when troubleshooting then opening a panel and seeing that all the labels are worn off or missing. I hope they are not getting rid of that line.If they are I know alot of people who will be very upset.

That is actually what I was afraid of.

I have had an up and down time with the IDexpert unit. On one hand the unit itself has been pretty durable. Only recently have the feed wheels begun to slip, and I may find that maybe it just needs some taking apart and cleaning.

On the other hand, I have had a miserable time with the cartridges. I can't remember how many times the ribbon has gotten bunched up inside the damn casing. I have even got some brand new in the box that were floating around inside with no was to rethread it. Pretty often the ribbon just breaks.

I had an electrician who was handy enough to be able to peel them apart and fix them now and then, but the time he spent doing so was rarely worth it.

I'd rather put the money in a machine and get cheaper tags. This thing always seemed like HP mentality to me. Give away the printers and hose them on the ink cartridges.

I would have liked to seen a special cardtridge of the same frame as the others, only it allowed you to thread your own bulk material in. This way you elimnate the cost of throwing away that expensive platic shell they come in. Kind of like the "roll your own" adapter that comes with the Keurig so you don't have to use the disposable cups.

Thanks again everybody for your feedback. I have to say that now I am torn a bit between sticking with the Xpert or trying out that panduit unit.