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Brother P-Touch PT-18R Rechargeable Labeling System | List Price: $176.52
Discount Price: $94.99
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Brand: Brother
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Rechargeable desktop labeler with handheld convenience
- Remove from cradle for on-site labeling
- Connects to PC for special labeling products
- Graphical, 15-character by 2-line LCD display
- Easy one-key access for templates and symbols
Quick and easy to use labeler [Posted on 2008-02-20]
The PT-18R wasn't my first labeler, but it has certainly been among the best. It's a bit pricey, but the features that are included are worth the extra money.
First, it's mobile. You can take it off the charger and use it anywhere. This hasn't been a huge concern for me, because I usually keep it at my desk. The option to take it with me is there though. That would certainly be useful if I needed it outside, on a job site, or whatever.
Second, the software that's included is easy to use. You can begin printing good labels within minutes of the install and there are plenty of advanced features to explore if you wish. You can also tell it to trim labels, allowing you to save some of your label cartridge and create labels that are easier to fit on some items (file folders, for example).
My only issue was the placement of the USB cable. I wish they had put it on the charging station rather than on the device. That concern is only minor though, as the labeler is quick, responsive, and feature-packed.
PC Software only, but overall good product [Posted on 2008-02-20]
Basically this is a good label maker, solid, and the rechargeale battery is a major plus; the software is for PC only, no Mac support, otherwise I'd give the product 5 starts. People complain about the labels getting used up quickly, and I somewhat agree, but it's how most of the printer companies make their money, so what's the surprise?
(also, given how much some users are complaining about running out of ribbon, you'd almost think they're hitting the spped a little too hard and in a fit of organization and labeling, running out of supplies before they run out of energy...)
Labeling System [Posted on 2008-03-08]
I have not used all the options available on this label maker - but have created several basic labels. Charged up quickly. Absolutely love it so far. Good purchase.
Good Labeler, Dated Technology [Posted on 2008-04-09]
This is my first labeler.
I kept seeing them in places like Home Depot and Staples, but I know retailers want to sell me what's most profitable for them rather than what I need.
So I went to the Brother website where they have an interview process telling you what to buy based on your anticipated usage. The PT-18R came up on top.
I was excited about this because I'm all for recharging rather than using and replacing batteries. I liked the option to plug in to an socket for straight electricity too. The length of the power cord is long enough so I don't feel restricted. I use a Mac, so the interface with a PC was meaningless to me and I won't ever use it.
When I first opened the box and followed the setup instructions, I noticed the battery is not Lithium-ion(Lion) but Nickel Metal Hydride(NiMH). Lion is state of the art and is unhampered by battery memory problems, so you can run it down and recharge at will. NiMH is last generation battery technology and while robust in terms of holding a charge, a NiMH battery will wear out sooner and may or may not have memory problems. Lion is more expensive than NiMH.
The book says to be prepared to replace the NiMH battery when it won't hold a charge anymore, or about a year. It also says the battery will lose it's charge if the labeler doesn't live in the recharger. So I'm prepared to buy a new battery from time to time, but nowhere on the Brother website is a referral to a retail outlet where a replacement battery may be purchased. And when I Googled PT-18R Battery, nothing came up . My hope is the battery is generic and someplace like Radio Shack will help me later on, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Wish me luck.
The interface works, but is clunky. Remember when the OS on a PC was MS-DOS? That's what this is like. After I got the hang of the file hierarchy with the operating manual at close hand, things became intuitive and I was able to edit and print labels in a smooth work flow.
I'm impressed with the variety of formats this labeler will render and I admit I'll never use them all. The PT-18R will do everything you want at home, and most everything around a business on up to barcodes, etc. I read in a previous review here someone was critical of the amount of tape used per label. This is easily adjusted in the setup menu before a specific labeling task. The operating manuel is complete, easy to understand, and covers everything about getting the most out of the machine. Use it.
The print quality is superb. The adhesive available on the tapes you can buy come in regular and extra strength, or two times the regular. I find if you're going to label anything other than file folders or paper based surfaces indoors, get the extra strength. Be prepared to get a head cleaning tape, especially if you use the extra strength tape a lot. The selection of tapes is the greatest in the 1/2 in. variety, so I recommend you start there and branch out into the other widths as the need arises.
TIP: It comes with a sample cartridge. Use it to experiment with what you're going to label before you go to the real tape you're going to use for the final application...cuts down on waste.
Also, DO NOT BUY TAPES IN A RETAIL STORE. Buy them either here at Amazon or online at any of the several P-Touch label vendors for half of what you'd pay at, say, Staples. Tapes are expensive and that's how Brother makes their money, not on the cost of the labeler itself.
At what I paid here at Amazon with free shipping, I got the street price going rate. So far I'd say PT-18R is worth the extra money over the cheaper models because it does exactly what I want it to do in the manner in which I want to do it. This represents value to me, but might not to you. Your call.
The PT-18R is an interesting mix of serious capability, especially to those of you who want to interface with a PC, and dated technology. There's no doubt it will be discontinued within two years (go to the Brother website and look at the long list of discontinued models) and replaced by units using Lion power. But I don't care. By then I will have labeled everything in sight. Get one.
No other labeler is better [Posted on 2008-06-09]
I had a dymo for a couple years but I will never go back. this stand alone labeler is the only one I will ever use.
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