- Logical button flow makes labeling faster and easier, from start to print
- 195 symbols and clipart
- Auto-off power saver
- AC adapter compatible (sold separately)
- Uses DYMO D1 labels in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" widths
I would like to add to this review a comment about batteries, there has been multiple comments about this label maker "eating batteries"; I have used up trial cartridge and many labels into my second cartridge and have not changed the batteries in this unit. I am using Eneloop Rechargeable batteries and they have performed flawlessly. Keep in mind that this would be a higher drain type of device when printing and cheap "Super Duty" (Non-alkaline or cheap Rechargeable) batteries are probably not going to work well. As always, I recommend the investment in Eneloop batteries with a good charger (LaCrosse BC-700)
PROs:
Handheld form factor
Easy to use
Prints nice looking labels
QWERTY Keyboard
CONs:
NO access to any special charactors except via menus (i.e. if you need a "-" or a "." on your label, there is NO button for this and you have to go into the symbol menu to find the symbol you want) ... This is annoying and is the reason that this label maker looses one star (most of my labels include "-" or "." in them)
****************************************************************************************
*** The truth about actual label costs (Pictures will be attached to this review) ***
****************************************************************************************
I printed out labels using a Brother P-Touch PT-2030 and the DYMO LabelManager 160 and these were the results of my findings:
As of the time of this writing, the DYMO 1/2" D-1 label roll is selling for $14 and includes 23 feet (276 inches) of label
As of the time of this writing, the Brother 1/2" P-Touch label roll is selling for $11 and includes 26.2 feet (314 inches) of label
I printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "TEST-XX-01"
The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 2.75" in length which would allow 100 labels to be printed on a $14 roll
*** $0.14 per label
The Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4" in length which would allow 78 labels to be printed on the $11 roll
*** $0.14 per label
*** TIE ***
I printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "255.255.255.255"
The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 3.375" (3 3/8") in length which would allow 81 labels on $14 roll
*** $0.17 per label
The Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4.5" in length which would allow 69 labels on a $11 roll
*** $0.16 per label
*** BROTHER WINS ***
The DYMO would win with smaller labels, it seems that my first label tested is about the tie breaker in size.
Bottom line:
If you print SMALL labels, you will get more for your money using a DYMO label printer with less waste per label
If you print larger labels, you will get more for your money using a BROTHER label printer even though it waste more per label
The DYMO generally prints more labels per roll than the brother, even though there is less label per cart, however the Brother label is cheaper at this time.
There is also the consideration that you might be ok with the extra tape used by the dymo, and that you might hate how much extra tape is used with the brother, ... How much time might you spend trimming brother labels because they are huge?
They are both great label makers ... I hope this review helps someone make an informed decision!
Buy DYMO LabelManager 160 Hand Held Label Maker Now
I am a professional organizer, so I have used a few different label makers. This one is by far the simplest to use and gives great results! It does not waste tape (like the P-Touch by Brother which spits out huge margins so you keep having to buy more tape constantly!) The buttons on this Dymo are very intuitive. I didn't even have to read the directions to figure out how to use it. The font sizes are adjustable with the push of one button and they are called "8 point," "10 point," "12 point," etc. just like on a computer, so you know generally how big they are instead of just calling them "small," "medium," and "large." You can also underline, bold and change the orientation of the label with the touch of one simple button. Same with making the label have multiple lines of text. I am so happy to have finally found a simple, economical label maker! The last label maker I liked was also a Dymo and I used it happily for years. Then I had a P-touch that ate both tape and batteries like crazy! This Dymo is brand new, so I can't speak to its longevity yet, but so far, I'm very impressed!Read Best Reviews of DYMO LabelManager 160 Hand Held Label Maker Here
It print labels. That's what it's supposed to do. But my ten year old Ptouch is easier to use. I didn't think the user interface was that big a deal but this one made me realize I'm wrong. And the biggest knock is six AAA batteries. My old PTouch lasts for a few years of use and sitting around with four AA's. I burned through the AAA's in the DYMO quickly. I liked the full-sized QWERTY keyboard. That's nice. I didn't have the feeding issues others have had. I don't like the setup. I have to tell it what size tape I am using. Maybe a sensor would have driven the price to high. I don't like manuals so I liked that it didn't come with one...just a small "start-up" sheet. But if you need a manual, there's not one. I doubt you will need one though. But I knocked it down a star for AAA's that don't last as long and the fact the user interface is clunkyPros
1) Full-sized QWERTY keyboard
2) Prints with less waste than my PTouch
3) Prints quickly with little noise
Cons
1) Six AAA's
2) Not enough special characters on keyboard. Have to use menu
3) Expensive replacement labels
Want DYMO LabelManager 160 Hand Held Label Maker Discount?
I hate it worse than almost anything to have to give a thumbs down to a product I got for free through the vine program. Feels ungrateful. But it's worse to not be honest about my experience with the product. I was really looking forward to using the Dymo LabelManager 160 to label about 100 file folders I have just created to organize my file cabinet. And to label a bunch of bottles of spices. I kept thinking of things I could use it for, and of course after finding out it didn't work, I thought of so many more.It came with a trial-size cartridge of label tape and a warranty book that I thought was instructions because it was many pages thick. Turns out each page was the same warranty information, each in a different language. The "instructions" consisted of one sheet with pictures showing what the labelmaker looks like open and highlighting things like the battery compartment and the various buttons. I pretty much had to guess what each was for if I didn't recognize the symbol on the button. Nice big keyboard. The screen is big enough to clearly see what you are writing. But, again, I had to make too many guesses and fool around a lot until I went to the Dymo website to read up on it. At first I searched for the adapter that should have come with it, then realized you'd have to buy one if you wanted to avoid using 6 AAA batteries. Hey, that's sorta cheap of them.
Once I had everything figured out and loaded, I tried to print labels. Every time I hit print, the label maker hummed...and died. Over and over. The power just kept shutting off. I tried all the trouble-shooting tips I could find, without success. So, I guess I am forced to say I would not waste my money buying this model.
UPDATE: YAY! I can now get it to work with a universal AC adapter I happened to have. I think the surge of power that was pulling at the batteries when I hit "Print" (even though they were brand new) was knocking the power out. So I am having fun labeling my folders. Wish I could change my initial rating, but Dymo does need to address this problem since others have had it too.
Save 27% Off
I've been using the cheapest Brother label makers for years. Never had a problem with them. Brother replacement label tapes are widely available and pretty cheap.This Dymo labeler is very comparable to the cheap Brother label makers. The product is shaped a little differently, but about the same general size. Dymo uses 6 AAA batteries instead of the 6 AA in the Brother, but the Dymo is still a little heavier. Features are about the same and print quality is about the same. Price for the label maker is about the same.
Of the two, I have to recommend Brother because the replacement labeling tapes are much cheaper. Here on Amazon, Dymo tapes are $11.36 (list price $19.99) for 1/2" x 23' tapes. Brother tapes are $6.89 (list price $12.99) for 1/2" x 26' tapes. That's double the price for the tapes. If you use a lot of tapes, that adds up pretty quickly.
4 stars because this product works as advertised. Knocking off one star because of the cost of the replacement tapes compared to the competition.
Price comparison for the tapes:
DYMO Labeling Tape, D1, Split Back , adhesive, Easy Peel, ½" x 23', (45013), Black Print on White Tape
Brother M231 1/2-Inch Black on White Tape for P-Touch Labeler
No comments:
Post a Comment